Michi Photostory

I was searching for Courtyard by Marriott in Dallas and I was surprised when I saw the long list of the hotel and I asked my husband the name of his hotel and he said Fort Worth and when I searched for it, Google is giving me 10 Courtyard Fort Worth hotels. Waah! There are so many Marriott hotels in Dallas.

Two years ago my husband went to Austin, Texas and stayed at Marriott Residence Inn but this year since he is already working with a new company and he stayed at Courtyard Fort Worth University Drive.

Read: Marriott Residence Inn Austin Lake

It was supposed to be a one-week business trip only in the USA but few weeks before my husband’s trip, his boss advised him to attend one-day training in Dallas, Texas. And because of this, he was not able to attend their company anniversary in Singapore and he was not home during our wedding anniversary.

It was last minute changed so he was not able to get a direct flight from Greensboro, North Carolina to Dallas, Texas.

Greensboro to Charlotte via American Airlines
Charlotte to Dallas/Fort Worth via American Airlines


For their transportation, they just rented a car at the airport “Avis”. Two years ago my husband applied for an International Driving License but this year, he was able to drive in the USA even without the International Driving License. As far as I can remember, as long as English yung details nung driving license mo at naiintindihan nila, okay na yun.

Read: How to Apply for International Driving License  
Glimpse of Austin Texas


Courtyard Fort Worth University Drive is a 3-star hotel under Marriott Hotel. According to my husband, the hotel is beautiful, well-designed and looks new. This hotel is near Fort Worth Zoo, Texas Christian University, Amon G. Carter Stadium, and Will Rogers Memorial Center.



This is the room, although the room is smaller compared to Austin Texas hotel, it is clean and comfortable. The water from the faucet is potable too and you can get a free water bottle at the reception area.







There are only few hotel staff in the hotel but the service is good. You have the option to eat your breakfast at the hotel for additional USD10 or you can eat outside. Fortunately, there are nearby restaurants where you can eat breakfast, lunch or dinner.


The hotel offers a fitness area and an outdoor swimming pool but it was so cold so my husband did not check the swimming pool.


If you want to wash clothes, there is a laundry room too and the machines are coin-operated. You need quarter coins to buy detergent soap, fabric conditioner, dryer sheet and of course to wash and dry your clothes.


The only thing I liked for my husband extended business trip is “Outlet time”. Yey! He has two days two visit Outlet Stores and buys stuff at a discounted price. I will upload a video on my YouTube channel so you will get an idea kung Gaano ba talaga Kamura sa Outlet Store.



Courtyard Fort Worth University Drive by Marriott 
3150 Riverfront Drive,
Fort Worth, Texas 76107 USA

Our family has a sweet tooth so we always have chocolates at home. There was a time that we ran out of chocolates and my son said “Mommy, dapat lagi may chocolates sa ref”. “Oh, sorry naman, I’m not aware na bawal maubusan ng chocolates.” Hehehe! 

He likes eating chocolates especially during our review time, pampatanggal stress na rin. So every grocery, I always buy chocolates, it doesn’t need to be imported, Flat tops, Curly tops or choc-nut, masaya na kami. But I’m thankful for my family, relatives and friends who give chocolates. 

Though my husband is always out of the country, I don’t obliged him to buy pasalubong every business trip at nakakasira siya ng monthly budget. I always tell him, only buy chocolates if it is not available in the Philippines. So when he went to Austin, Texas, he sent me photos of these chocolates from Target. 





He asked me if gusto ko and babalikan na lang niya. Of course, I said yes. I haven’t tried these chocolates pa and feeling ko mura siya compared sa nakikita ko na price sa airport. Now, you will understand, why my son cried when he learned that his dad’s luggage was missing. His toy and these chocolates were inside the luggage kasi so sayang talaga kung nalost siya.

Godiva



I told my husband to buy Godiva chocolates before and he said, “di ba sabon yun?”. Hahaha! Naloka ko bigla! Anyway, Godiva is one of the premium fine chocolates founded in Belgium since 1926. Godiva also offers coffee, cocoa, truffles, biscuits, sweets, dipped fruits and many more. 

My husband bought Dark Chocolate Almond and Milk Chocolate. The Godiva Milk Chocolate is good but my husband said, mas type pa niya yung IKEA chocolates. We haven’t tried the Dark Chocolate yet since we’re not fond of dark chocolate.

Ghirardelli 



We are very familiar with Ghirardelli brand because that is one of our favorite instant brownie mixes. Ghirardelli is the third oldest chocolate company in USA, it offers chocolate in bar version or in mini squares. My husband bought the mini squares, Assorted Milk Chocolate and Milk and Sea Salt Brownie flavor. 



We liked the Milk Chocolate and Milk Chocolate Sea Salt & Almonds. I’m not fond of caramel so the Milk Chocolate Caramel is too sweet for my taste. The Milk & Sea Salt Brownies is a combination of sweet and salty, di ko lang mataste yung brownie. Hehehe! 

Lindt

Lindt is founded in 1845, it is a Swiss chocolatier and confectionary company that offers chocolate bard and chocolate truffles. We tried Lindt chocolates before so I know that their chocolates are really creamy and smooth. As of this writing, naubos na yung Lindt chocolates, I hope next time I can try the Milk and Hazel Nut variant. 



The price of these chocolates is not cheap so it is not something that we can eat anytime we want. What is your favorite chocolates?

When my husband told me that he will have a training in USA, I had mixed emotion. Part of me was happy because he can travel outside Asia but part of me was sad because he won’t be home for two weeks. For the very first time, absent siya sa Valentine’s Day which is our couple anniversary.



Anyway, last month off he went to Austin, Texas and it was his first long haul flight since he always travels within Asia only. Since it is 8,401 miles away from Manila, he needs to ride two airplanes.

Manila to Los Angeles (12hrs and 20 minutes)
+ 4 hours and 35 minutes layover 
Los Angeles California to Austin Texas (3 hours and 3 minutes) 

It is more or less 20 hours flight, PAL provided travel kit which includes eye mask, socks, toothbrush and toothpaste. Good thing Philippine Airlines has wifi and seat monitor during his Manila to Los Angeles flight to entertain him. 



Upon arrival to LA, he passed the immigration. He was a bit nervous because during that time, President Trump just signed an executive order and this order banned the citizens of 7 countries and there is even a rumor that the Philippines will be included. 



When he reached Austin Bergstrom International Airport, he looked for National Car Rental counter so he can get his key for the rented car. Yes, this time he will drive from hotel to office. He applied for International Driving Permit prior to his trip. 



Read: How to Apply for International Driving Permit in the Philippines 



It was a different driving experience because the roads and highways are wider compared to the Philippines. Thank God for GPS, he was able to reach his hotel. He stayed at Marriott Residence Inn Austin Lake for two weeks. 

Read: Marriott Residence Inn Austin Lake



For the very first time, he experienced jet lag. It was hard for him to adjust his sleep and cold weather. It is challenging for us to communicate because of the time difference which is 14 hours. 





He spent most of his free time in visiting different outlets looking for affordable pasalubong for us. He visited Round Rock Premium Outlets, San Marcus Premium Outlet and Tanger. Yes, there are so many sales and discounts but he just bought the stuff that he can afford. For chocolates, he went to groceries because the price is much cheaper. 


 

Since I was not there, he washed and ironed his own clothes too. I even teased him to finish his laundry para wala na ko labhan pag-uwi niya. Hehehe!



After two weeks, it is time to go home. He just parked the rented car at the airport and dropped the key in the box. 

Austin Texas to Los Angeles California 3 hours and 35 minutes
+ 2 hours and 10 minutes layover
Los Angeles to Manila 15 hours and 55 minutes + 1 hour layover in Guam




He was disappointed with Philippine Airlines because there was no wifi and no seat monitor during his LAX to MNL flight. How can you entertain yourself for 16 hours, parang budget airlines na lang ang PAL.


He was excited to go home but he experienced a lot of mishaps during his Austin to Manila flight. It started with a delayed flight, he almost missed his connecting flight in LA, unexpected layover in Guam and the worst part is when he landed in Manila, his Luggage was missing. 

Read: How to Deal with Lost Luggage 
Texas Roadhouse

Whenever you travel, it is not only the place that makes you curious but also the food. Each country is known for its own cuisine and I’m pretty sure that you have your own favorites. 

Living in the Philippines, we are so used to eating American foods because of the different American chains of restaurants here in the country. So when my husband went to Austin, Texas, he did not have any problem with food. The only dilemma is finishing the order, every meal has generous servings which he is not used to. Masisira talaga ang diet mo. 


His hotel gave him a list of restaurants where he can eat if he wants pizza, mixed, Mexican, Seafood, Asian, Italian, BBQ/Steak, Counter Service, or Grocery and Convenience store. For the last two weeks, he ate at Pizza Hut, Cho Sushi, Napa Flats, Subway, Target, and Texas Roadhouse. Among the restaurants, he liked Texas Roadhouse so he ate there twice. 

Read: Marriott Residence Inn Austin Lake


Texas Roadhouse is an American chain of restaurants that was founded in February 1993. They are known for their slogan which is Legendary Food, Legendary Service. According to my husband, the service is good so mahihiya ka daw talaga na hindi magtip, hehehe! Ibang-iba sa service ng restaurant sa Pinas.



It is also famous for its free buckets of peanuts. As in peanuts are everywhere, you can just eat and eat while waiting for your order. You can just throw the peanut shells on the floor. 



Texas Roadhouse specializes in steaks, chicken, seafood, ribs, and side dishes made from scratch. He enjoyed the food so much that when we ate at Melo’s, “okay na lang ang steak sa kanya”. He prefers the steak of Texas Roadhouse na. And because of that, I need to eat at Texas Roadhouse, I've learned that they have branches here in the Philippines. 

Read: Texas Roadhouse Uptown Bonifacio

Steaks are cheaper in USA compared here in the Philippines. Yes, mas mura pa kinain ni hubby sa Texas Roadhouse compared sa kinain namin sa Melo’s which is promo rate pa. So whenever you are in USA, don’t forget to eat steaks. 

Read: Lunch at Melo’s 

My husband stayed at Marriott Residence Inn Austin Lake during his two weeks business trip in Austin, Texas. This is just a few minutes away from his office which he liked because he doesn’t need to wake up early unlike here in the Philippines, you need 2 hours allowance papasok pa lang sa office.



He stayed in a studio room which is big enough for one person. They only change the beddings twice a week. 




The room has fully equipped kitchen, dining table, living room area and office desk. This is a nice hotel for a family too because you can prepare or cook your own food. 





Bathroom has a bathtub. 



Whenever we visit a hotel, we always check their toiletries so my husband was surprised when he got there. Marriott Residence Inn only offers complimentary soap, shampoo and conditioner. There is no complimentary toothpaste, toothbrush, laundry bag and even slippers. No complimentary bottled water too because tap water is potable daw. 

My husband stayed in other Marriott Hotel such as Cebu and Shanghai so he was expecting that the toiletries are the same. He has no choice but to go to the grocery to buy his other needs. Lesson learned, not all hotels are the same. 

Read: Cebu City Marriott Hotel
           Marriott Renaissance Shanghai Yangtze Hotel

The room package includes buffet breakfast but it is not something grand. Here in the Philippines, you always look forward to buffet breakfast but in the USA, their buffet breakfast is very simple. It looks like a pantry or kitchen, malayo sa hotels in Asia. 







Everything is self-service, there are no wait staffs that will refill your drinks or even attend to your needs. 



They have an indoor pool but my husband was not able to try, crowded din kasi pag weekends, e yun nga lang free time niya. Lol. 



The hotel does not provide shuttle service from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport - AUS so you need to ride a shuttle or rent a car. My husband rented a car for two weeks at National Car Rental. Prior to the USA trip, my husband applied for International Driving Permit. 

National Rates

Standard 2/4 Door Automatic A/C

$133 per day
$181.50 per week
$726 per month

+ Taxes and other charges
+ Toll fee (if there's any) - the toll fee was not included in the receipt when my husband paid for the service. The posting was 2 weeks delayed, so we were surprised when we saw the charges on our credit card bill. 

Super Shuttle; 50 USD (one way) ; on request 

Driving directions: Get on TX-71 W from Presidential Blvd and Spirit of Texas Dr. Continue on TX-71 W. Take TX-360 Loop N to N Capital of Texas Hwy in Austin. Take the RM 2222 exit from TX-360 Loop N. Follow Ranch to Market 2222 W to your destination. Continue onto N Capital of Texas Hwy.Turn left onto Ranch to Market 2222 W. Turn left onto River Pl Blvd. Turn right. Destination will be on the right. Marriott Residence Inn Austin Lake 6608 River Place Austin Texas, 78730 USA 110 E 2nd Street Austin Texas 78701 USA

Read: Glimpse of Austin Texas