HYATT house and Martha Stewart Will Have You Traveling Like a Local with American Made Partnership

Disclosure: Mom Central was invited to attend Martha Stewart’s American Made Packing Tips Presentation, sponsored by Hyatt House. All opinions are our own.

It seems that more and more, travelers want to step away from the guidebook tips and experience destinations from a local perspective. Easier said than done of course, that is until HYATT house teamed up with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia to help travelers support neighborhood businesses and craftspeople through the “American Made” program.

HYATT house is already the first-step in feeling like a local when traveling. The hotel chain wants guests to feel more like residents, which is completely feasible with fully-fitted kitchens and living rooms in addition to spacious bedroom areas. Perfect for stops at a local farmer’s market to pick up fresh finds for a homemade dinner on the road. And I’m sure HYATT house/American Made has the best suggestion for which market to go to as well!

At the American Made event, I learned how to further travel like a local and make it easier too – compliments of Gadling travel blogger Reena Ganga and Martha Stewart herself. Reena shared a great tip that I’ll definitely remember – if residents are taking communal mini-vans or bikes to get around the city, opt for that mode of transportation over a tour bus or taxi for a more authentic visit.

(Martha Stewart and Chris Walker, vice president of brands for Hyatt House, host a workshop in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal about traveling like a local. Photo Credit: Diana Liao)

Another highlight was watching Martha Stewart pack a suitcase while sharing her best tips. I’ve been on a few business trips since and have used the Martha Stewart packing method and it works! Particularly packing delicate items like silk shirts in dry cleaning bags on hangers to prevent wrinkling. With the Hyatt Has It Borrows program, skipping the checked bag is feasible too because the hotels have things you may have forgotten like phone chargers and toothpaste or are just too big to pack like yoga mats.

With the partnership with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s “American Made” program, HYATT house “residents” will receive great recommendations on places to eat, shop and visit across 10 markets. I for one am very excited that my fall and winter travel plans will have a much more local touch and I won’t have to spend a lot of time and resources figuring it out!

For more tips from Martha Stewart and information on the HYATT house partnership with American Made, here is a video from the event: http://youtu.be/PcRoRcB1uVQ

Featured Image Photo Credit: Shutterstock

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