We recently had the opportunity to visit the Marriott at Space and Rocket Center. It was a great staycation for us in Huntsville, Alabama. You’ll find a newly renovated and reimagined US Space and Rocket Center hotel right next to it for guests from out of town. We will highlight the hotel and share our tips for making the most out of its unique location.
Huntsville Marriott Reimagined
The Marriott was undergoing some incredible renovations. We were surprised to see the renovations when we entered the Marriott. The sparkling chandeliers and the elegant Barrel Room Bar were all brand new. We appreciated the attention to cleanliness and detail while traveling during the pandemic. It was especially true when we were on a staycation and could have stayed home. We were impressed with both the cleanliness of the hotel and the improved cleaning protocol. It took us a moment to understand why there was a bowl of sanitizer by the front desk. The hostess then explained that it was to be used for guests to place their old room keys. They seemed to have thought of everything.
The Room with a View
It’s not just the nearest hotel, it is also the only one on the property. It wasn’t until we entered our room that we realized how close we really were. Just outside our window was the iconic Saturn V Rocket. After a moment to take it all in we continued exploring our room. The bed was super comfy, with pillows and duvets filled with down. We didn’t want leave. It was so comfortable. We stayed inside to watch the sunset.
Rocket Sunsets and in-Room Dining
The view was so beautiful that we considered going down to the Barrel Room and taking advantage of their happy hour deals, but couldn’t leave. We could still see the Saturn V from our King Room on the 7th floor. It was taller than either the Statue of Liberty, from the torch to the ground or Big Ben clock tower. The Saturn V is perhaps more famous for space enthusiasts, as it was the first vehicle to take humans beyond low Earth orbit.
We ate in our room and enjoyed the sunset. Room service is available from hotel restaurants and delivery services. Our concierge, however, arranged for a special treat – the Take Flight amenity. It was the perfect tribute to German rocketry, with three local brewed German beers and a pretzel charcuterie plate. Then we finished it off with a chocolate stout cupcake with a bourbon buttercream frosting. We had just enough for dinner. This is a great amenity for those who enjoy the In-N Out burgers animal style. It’s not on the menu but the staff will know exactly what you mean when you request it. The Saturn V was illuminated with a new LED color-changing light system in November 2019 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 12. Schelly Corry is the vice president for museum and exhibitions of the Rocket Center. She says that the iconic Saturn V in Huntsville not only dominates the landscape, but will now glow at dusk as a beacon welcoming citizens and visitors. The Marriott Space and Rocket Center’s Saturn V welcomed us into our room. Many rooms offer a view of the Saturn V, so make sure you ask when booking. You’ll be glad you did.
Southern Chop Dinner
We loved the dinner at Southern Chop. We had the chance to talk with Dominique James, Executive Chef of the restaurant, during our visit. She spoke about how her Le Cordon Bleu training helped her combine southern-style cuisine with high-quality steaks. She tries to buy locally-sourced foods whenever possible, such as plump Gulf Shrimp, freshly caught grouper or farm-to-table greens.
We couldn’t contain our excitement, and ordered way too much food. The pimento macaroni and cheese was very southern. We also loved the thick bacon cut that we had for the starter. We had a succulent, tender filet and flavorful, tea-brined chicken for our main courses. We couldn’t resist ending the meal with homemade Nutella Ice Cream and a pecan pie, as there was always room for dessert. We walked up the stairs, satisfied and ready to sleep under our duvet filled with down.
Space and Rocket Center Trails
The Marriott can help you if you feel guilty for overeating in Southern Chop, or if you are trying to stick to your regular routine. The Marriott has a state-of-the art fitness center with a heated pool to rival any other hotel. Few other properties offer trail access.
Road cyclists are able to ride Bob Wallace Road into downtown and access a variety of Huntsville bike paths. However, the Marriott is adjacent to the Space and Rocket Center Trails. Over 7 miles of dirt trails are available for trail running, walking or beginner mountain biking. These trails are not only designed for riding but also feature space-themed vignettes that were salvaged from NASA surplus. It’s worth it to ride the trails, even if you are an experienced rider.
The US Space and Rocket Center is within walking distance
Assume that you are planning to visit the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. The largest space museum is located in the birthplace of the American Space Program. Space Camp is the only one in existence. Saturn V, which is a Smithsonian affiliated, is also the largest artifact within the Smithsonian archives.Why walk to the museum? There is plenty of parking available at the museum. However, here are five reasons why you may choose to walk instead:
- You take your wife and children on a bleasure trip (business + pleasure) to Huntsville. You can take your rental car and drive to the Arsenal while they walk to the museum.
- You are at an adult or family spacecamp and you want to have a more immersive experience. So you stay near, but at night you want to drink a glass wine and you hate bunk beds.
- You can take half your family to the museum. You can let them walk while the rest of your family explores Huntsville.
- Enjoy the Biergarten and Space and Rocket Center without having to worry about driving home.
- You’d like to continue working out in the gym, while your family goes to the Space and Rocket Center.
Our stay at the Marriot Space and Rocket Center was a great experience.
Why not try a staycation? You can explore your city like a local tourist without the hassle of traveling. We are lucky to have such a great city. Marriott Space and Rocket Center at a staycation destination. In a newly renovated and comfortable hotel, we got to geek out at the Space and Rocket Center. Southern Chop is a great Huntsville Hotel for out-oftowners because of its location, renovation and creativity. This is the ideal tranquility base to explore space. exploring Huntsville too.