Lexington, KY | January 18-20, 2025
We needed a change of scenery this winter. Somewhere new, somewhere the kids could burn energy without us freezing to death outside, and somewhere within a reasonable drive from home. The Marriott Griffin Gate in Lexington checked all three boxes.
Check out the video for a full walk-through of all three rooms: the central living space, king bedroom, and double queen room.
The Rooms
We booked a standard 2 queen room ($334.28 for 2 nights) and got bumped to a Hospitality Suite thanks to Titanium status. The suite connects three rooms: a central living space with kitchenette and full bath, plus a king room on one side and a 2 queen room on the other.
The kitchenette includes a mini fridge, bar sink, and coffee maker. The dining table seats six. The sectional sofa fits six adults comfortably (or eight kids piled on top of each other, your call).
Both bedrooms come standard with mini fridges and coffee makers. The king has a walk-in shower. The 2 queen room has a tub. Every room opens to a balcony.
The bedrooms themselves? Excellent condition. Well-maintained. The central living space showed more wear, which makes sense given how much traffic it sees compared to sleeping areas.
Quick Facts
A note about the balconies:
They lock from the inside, but some parents might feel uncomfortable having kids sleep on the other side of the suite alone. I had a moment of hesitation imagining one twin tricking the other into going out on the balcony and locking him out in the snow. It didn’t happen, thankfully. We left their bedroom door cracked so we could hear them from the living space.
The Food Situation
Nothing is within walking distance. You’re eating at the hotel or driving somewhere else.
We traveled during a snowstorm and had no idea how quickly Kentucky clears roads. The first night we drove into town and found a good Japanese restaurant (fairly authentic, too). The second night we stayed in and ate at the hotel. We packed snacks but ended up relying on hotel food more than expected.
Kids meals run $7 each and include pizza, mac n’ cheese, grilled cheese, or burgers. Each comes with fries, fruit, and a drink. The portions satisfied our growing boys. The quality matched the adult menu, which means fine but not memorable. Honestly, the kids meals were such a good value at $7 that we probably should have just ordered four of them for ourselves.
Adult menu prices hit typical hotel rates, maybe higher for what you get. The food was fine. That’s it, fine.
Complimentary made-to-order breakfast came with our status. Rolling out of bed to feed hangry kids before they wake everyone else? Worth it. Going in shifts so early risers eat first? Also worth it.
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What’s Included
The resort fee covers:
- High-speed internet
- Pickleball equipment and court (1 hour, 2 people max)
- Bike rentals (2 hours, 2 people max)
- “Griffin Cocktail” in the lobby bar 5-7pm (bourbon and Ale-8-One, 2 drinks per room)
- Putting green with equipment (1 hour, 2 people)
- S’mores kits at the front desk (one per person)
We grabbed the free drinks and s’mores kits. Ate them cold instead of bothering with the fire pits. Kids didn’t care.
Parking and Charging
The hotel offers free self-parking and paid valet service if you prefer. Electric vehicle charging is also free.
The EV charger saved us. We trickle charged overnight and didn’t worry about cold temperatures draining the battery.
The Pool
Our kids spent most of their time in the indoor pool. Mission accomplished: they wore themselves out and we got our money’s worth.
Restaurants On Property
- Café Lex (Starbucks, grab-and-go) opens 6am
- Bistro (American fare, all meals) opens 6:30am
- Birdies and Bourbon (sports bar, lunch/dinner) opens 11am
- Griffin’s Kitchen Food Truck (seasonal Southern food by outdoor pool)
- In Room Dining via QR code, opens 6:30am
Other Amenities
The indoor pool and hot tub are open daily from 7am to 10:30pm. The outdoor pool and hot tub operate seasonally from 8am to 10pm. The property also features a Rees Jones 18-hole golf course, a full-service spa, fire pits under a lit oak tree, horseshoes, a badminton/volleyball net, and yes, a bourbon vending machine.
Housekeeping services are available Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm and weekends from 9:30am to 5:30pm.
Location Notes
Lexington sits on the Bourbon Trail, and the resort hosts BourbonCon every January. Six distilleries call Lexington home, including James E. Pepper Distilling Co.
Nearby attractions include the Kentucky Horse Park, Keeneland Racetrack, and the University of Kentucky.
Bottom Line
The stay delivered what we wanted: a change of scenery in winter, somewhere new to explore, a pool for the kids. The room upgrade was excellent. The food was fine. The prices were high for the quality, though kids meals offered solid value.
Would we stay again? Yes, particularly if we could charge our EV for free and let the kids swim themselves tired.
Keep Reading
More Hotel Reviews:
- St. Regis Rome: 540,000 Points for 3 Nights | Worth It? (coming April 8)- Luxury points redemption breakdown with suite upgrade
- Sheraton Grand Taipei Parent-Child Room: The Hidden Booking Hack (coming Mar 11)- How to find themed rooms not on the main Marriott site
- Browse All Hotel Reviews
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Stayed as Marriott Titanium Elite members. Complimentary upgrade and breakfast included with status.