Hotel Review: Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley – Unexpected But Surprisingly Awesome
This hotel wasn’t part of the plan—but sometimes, last-minute changes lead to great surprises. We ended up at the Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley after cutting our stay short at another property (you’ll want to check out my Renaissance Raleigh North Hills review for that backstory). Here’s my full teen take on this unexpected stay!
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Check out my full YouTube video review of this hotel ↓
First Impressions & Check-In
We booked this hotel the same morning we arrived, and the staff went above and beyond—calling my dad to let him know when our room would be ready. Super helpful!
Check-in was quick, the lobby looked fresh and modern, and I had no problem finding a luggage cart (always a win for the teen in charge of baggage). While my dad parked, we got our stuff up to the room fast.
The Room
We stayed in a standard 2 Queen room. It was clean and comfy, with a small balcony for some fresh air (though the view wasn’t anything special). The room itself was on the smaller side, but the bathroom had a solid stand-up shower—which my mom appreciated after what happened at the last hotel 😅.
Wi-Fi & Gaming Setup
✅ Wi-Fi: Fast and reliable on all my devices—phone, laptop, iPad, and Nintendo Switch.
🎮 Gaming setup: Not the easiest. The HDMI port was buried behind the TV, and it took some serious flexibility (aka my dad doing a backbend) to get it connected.
🔌 Teen tip: Bring a power strip. Outlets were limited and shared by everyone’s devices after a long travel day.
Pool & Gym Vibes
The pool was outside and looked really cool—but it was closed for the season (March problems). I’d love to come back in the summer to check it out properly. The gym was a solid size with plenty of cardio machines and space to move.
The Concierge Lounge = MVP
Thanks to my dad’s Marriott Bonvoy Titanium status, we had access to the Concierge Lounge—and wow, it was one of the best lounge experiences I’ve had.
Originally, we were just going to stop by before heading to dinner. But… the food changed everything. There were sandwiches, pasta, desserts—everything you could want for a full meal.
Plus, it was Oscar night, so the lounge turned into a chill viewing party. Everyone was chatting about the awards, and the vibe was just so fun. Major shoutout to the amazing lounge attendant who made sure everyone had what they needed. A+ hospitality.
Breakfast the Next Morning
Breakfast in the lounge was also solid. Plenty of variety and quick refills. If you don’t have lounge access, the hotel has a restaurant and room service. We didn’t use them, but we had originally planned to walk across the street to The Cheesecake Factory (my go-to)—until the lounge food totally filled us up.
Nearby Activities
Right across the street is Crabtree Valley Mall—yes, walkable. Perfect if you want to shop, grab snacks, or just hang out.
I didn’t get to explore much more since this stay was unplanned, but I can definitely say the location is super convenient.
Teen Travel Tips:
🎮 Switch gamers: HDMI access is possible… with effort.
🥞 Lounge lovers: If you’ve got status, use it. This one’s worth it.
🛍️ Bonus points for the walkable mall across the street.
Verdict: Solid Stay with a Lounge That Stole the Show
Even though this hotel wasn’t part of our original plan, it really came through. The room was small, and the gaming setup took effort—but the Wi-Fi was great, the staff was awesome, and the Concierge Lounge was next-level.
Would I stay here again? Yep. Especially in warmer months to check out the pool and enjoy another night in that lounge.
Sometimes unplanned stays make the best memories. Catch you in the next one!
– Mateo / This Teen Travelz
Explore more:
Marriott Hotels – Teen Hotel Reviews
Marriott Lounges – Teen Hotel Reviews
North Carolina Hotels – Teen Hotel Reviews