Marriott Short Pump (Glen Allen, VA)
Glen Allen in November this year was chilly! I was there for only four days, and glad I packed warm. I’ve stayed at several hotels in the area as I frequent Glen Allen/Richmond for work quite often, but my experience at the Marriott has been great - well, aside from the food at the restaurant.
Marriott Short Pump is conveniently located close to several area restaurants, and close enough to downtown, and Carrytown. Upon entering the hotel from the open parking lot, you walk through the double doors, immediately greeted by a cozy fireplace located next to welcoming couches. Check-in is always seamless, or you can use your mobile key once the room is assigned to your stay. Across from the reception desk is the Club Lounge, accessible with your room key if you have the “status” or add it to your stay. If you have access to the Club Lounge, they serve continental breakfast every morning until 10am, a late evening snack and desserts, with access to non-alcoholic beverages all day. If you do not have access to the Club Lounge, the same can be enjoyed at the restaurant for a cost.
I’m not a fan of the food at the restaurant but the cocktails are great. On Tuesdays, they have live music - a guitar player who adds to the fun ambiance of the evening crowd. If you do dine or grab a drink at the restaurant/bar, be sure to see Jarrett or Misty. They are extremely friendly, and full of amazing stories and tips on where to eat or visit.
I stayed in one of their Stay Well King Room which was extremely spacious with a Vitamin-C infused shower. With the typical amenities as the other rooms, it felt no different. Accessible from the lobby or the second floor are the gym and indoor pool. The gym does tend to get packed in the morning hours. I visited around 6am and folks were already working out, with several trickling in over the hour. Workout equipment is limited and can have a bit of a wait if you do not arrive early enough. I have not visited the gym in the evening or any other time other than the morning, so unsure if it is the same at other hours. During the warmer months, it’s absolutely safe to go for a jog outside, which is what I end up doing during the warm months, and then finish my workout with their weights in the gym.
Where to eat
If you do decide to venture out from the hotel for dining, here are a few recommendations:
Cooper’s Hawk: By far, one of my favorites. If you have never heard of Cooper’s Hawk, it is a winery and a restaurant. The front part of the venue is a winery, solely for those wishing to do wine tastings and/or pairings with chocolate. The back part of the venue is the restaurant with a bar, cocktail seating, and dining room seating. I have frequented Cooper’s Hawk at several locations, and everything on their menu is amazing.
Red Salt: Approximately a 20 minute ride from the Marriott, we visited Red Salt shortly after 6:30pm. The wait for a table was over 20 minutes so we dined at the bar. I had visited Red Salt once before about one year ago and was satisfied by their service and food. However, this time, the steaks were cooked incorrectly from what was ordered, and the soup was extremely salty. The General Assistant Manager was apologetic, and offered to have the steaks re-cooked but it just was not worth the effort. I will not be visiting Red Salt again at that location.
Casa Del Barco: Ah, my all-time favorite restaurant at the Short Pump mall. Whenever I am in town, I always pay a visit to Casa Del Barco and typically drag a few folks with me. Their happy hour menu and prices are amazing. So, definitely visit them during happy hour and indulge in a glass of their specialty margarita, tacos, tres leches, and delicious empanadas. Ask for their hot sauce as they are house made with a bit of a different kick. They do not take reservations but you can call ahead to place your name on the wait list, if you prefer to dine in the dining room. Be warned, they do not honor the happy hour menu in the dining room; it is only for the bar and cocktail areas. If you visit during non-winter months, they have an upstairs outdoor seating area with has a nice view of…well, nothing. But, still, it is outdoors!
Capital Ale House: Located less than a three minute drive from the Marriott, I visited during lunch time and did not have to wait to be seated. They have different soups every day of the week. They have hand-pressed coffee which tasted fresh, warm, and delicious. I had their white chicken chili, and a chicken pesto flatbread. The flatbread is enough to feed at least three people! Actually, most of their entrees are huge servings.
What to wear:
As I stated earlier, I visited in November and it was chilly. So, pack warm! Since I was visiting for work, I had work attire for the day, and casual clothing for the night as we were not visiting any fancy venues. Jeans and a nice top will do, with a jacket to stay warm!
