Day in Boston with Teens

buildings in boston

If you live in New England and have a teen that loves theater, then Boston is the perfect destination for a getaway.  Plays, musicals, bands… Boston has it all! Here is an itinerary for an amazing day in Boston with teens:

Check In

First stop is to drop off your bags at Kimpton Nine Zero hotel.  This boutique hotel has it all…gorgeous rooms, elegant charm, and one of the most desirable locations in the heart of Boston. I recommend a City Skyline 2 Queen Beds room.  The room has personal touches that give it historic charm while keeping modern amenities. (Check out a review of our stay!)

sitting area in a hotel room

Look at the stunning view we had!

sunset of Boston skyline

New England Aquarium

(more…)

Review of the Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel

sunset of Boston skyline

Nine Zero Hotel

(Boston, Massachusetts)

One of the things my daughters and I love to do is see a good show.  My daughter’s latest favorite, Hadestown, finally came to Boston and we HAD to go.  As soon as we bought tickets, I knew there was only one hotel I wanted to stay at…the Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel! This hotel has it all…gorgeous rooms, elegant charm, and one of the most desirable locations in the heart of Boston.  I love boutique hotels and the Kimpton Nine Zero Hotel is quaint and welcoming.

Click here to read all about our stay…

How to Feel at Home while Traveling

 People sometimes say they don’t travel because they hate the feeling of being away from home.  Traveling is about the unknown, and that makes some people uncomfortable.  So how can you feel at home while traveling? The trick is to bring a piece of home with you…wherever you are. 

Here are 10 tips to feel at home while traveling

STICK TO YOUR ROUTINE

  If you work out every morning then head to the fitness room.  If you have a bedtime ritual, don’t let being in a hotel stop you.  Bring your face wash, makeup removal, and moisturizer.

(more…)

15 Tips for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep in a Hotel

15 Tips for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep in a Hotel

You spend so much time planning the perfect getaway, but it’s not so perfect when you’re wide awake at 3 am.  Talk about frustrating! Those nights can be endless and makes me want to throw something. So, what can you do to ensure you get a good night’s sleep in a hotel? Here are 15 tips:

Before you get to the hotel:

CHOOSE YOUR ROOM WISELY

Not all rooms are created equally so don’t be afraid to make some requests.  You may want to avoid rooms that are on the first floor, or near elevators, ice machines, or housekeeping closets.

PACK A PILLOW

If you know me you know I’ve been on the search for the perfect pillow for year.  (Still haven’t found it…. gggrrrrrr) If you’re picky about your pillow choice, you may want to bring your own.  Thick, hard pillows or thin deflated ones may be your neck’s worse nightmare. 

GET SHADY

Nothing is worse than planning on sleeping in, when suddenly a ray of sunshine pierces your eyes at 6 am! Most rooms have light block shades, but an eye mask takes up almost no room in your bag, so you may want to bring on.  It is better to be safe than sorry.

(more…)

Hampton Inn Portland Downtown – Waterfront

Photo Credit: Hampton Inn Downtown Waterfront

You know one of my favorite places in the United States is Portland, Maine. Lighthouses, cobblestone streets, quaint boutiques and waterfront views make it the perfect destination for families. My girls have not traveled in over a year and we were thrilled to finally be escaping to this fabulous city.  When staying in Portland, location is key and I always stay in the Old Port, the historic waterfront district. The Hampton Inn Portland Downtown – Waterfront is a wonderful place to stay.

Read all about our stay…

Harraseeket Inn (Fall Visit)

One of my favorite destinations in Maine is the coastal town of Freeport.  It oozes New England charm and has everything I could want in a vacation…the ocean, restaurants, boutiques, farms, and lots of outdoor activities.  When staying in Freeport, there is only one place I stay…The Harraseeket Inn.  It has cozy rooms, a delicious on-site restaurant, and is the perfect location to call your home.  However, what keeps me coming back to the inn is the staff.  They are attentive without being invasive and they welcome you to the inn like it is their home.

Read all about my stay.  Click HERE!

Nonantum Resort

THE NONANTUM RESORT

KENNEBUNKPORT, MAINE

Since it was the first time I’d be traveling after being home for 6 months, I was very particular about where my first stay would be.  I knew there was no other place I wanted to stay in Maine…The Nonantum Resort in Kennebunkport.  The Nonantum is one of the most beautiful resorts in Maine and the perfect destination for families, a girlfriends’ getaway, a couple’s romantic escape, or a solo trip, like mine.  Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or one filled with adventure, this is the resort to look at.

 

CLICK HERE TO READ ALL ABOUT MY STAY!!

Tips for Staying in a Hotel During COVID-19

After not traveled for six months, I was finally ready to step out of my comfort bubble, kiss the kids goodbye, and peel out of my driveway head to one of my favorite states…Maine.  I base my travels on risk vs. reward and for a while I felt safer at home with my family during this pandemic. I had to come to the realization that travel would not be the same right now.  However, it was doable.   I knew that one day I would feel comfortable packing my bags and heading off on an adventure, but I also knew I would have to put new safety measures on my agenda.

Here are 10 tips I learned from my first trip during COVID-19.

CHOOSE YOUR DESTINATION WISELY

I decided that the first place I would go to would be somewhere I’ve previously stayed so I’d know exactly what it is like. Ask yourself the following questions: Is the hotel in an area that has a high amount of positive cases? Does the state have any requirements for quarantining before you go? Are attractions open, like beaches, state parks, or hiking trails.  I chose Maine because they were so strict with self-quarantining, and I knew I’d feel safe. Is there enough to do on the grounds of the hotel or will you just be confined to your room?

RESEARCH HOTEL SAFETY MEASURES

Does the hotel stress what they’ve been doing to sanitize rooms? Have they changed the amount of people they allow to book? Does the hotel offer contactless check-in? Do they provide sanitation stations throughout the hotel? The hotel may have closed many amenities, so make sure you research before you book.

SANITIZE YOUR ROOM

(more…)

Make Your Hotel Stay into a Wellness Retreat

Some vacations entail running from attraction to attraction, which result in coming home exhausted, sleep deprived, and regretful of all the junk I ate.  However, some vacations are meant for relaxation,  taking the time to recharge, and an indulgence in self-care.  Sure, it would be great to fly to Arizona to spend the night at a wellness resort, but that may not be realistic. With some creativity, you can turn any hotel stay into a wellness retreat.

Here are 10 Ways to Turn Your Hotel Stay into a Wellness Retreat:

USE THE SPA

Nothing relaxes me more than some pampering, so I try to find a hotel that has its own spa.  I like spas that offers unique treatments I haven’t tried before.  I love when they use local ingredients like blueberry massage oil when staying in Maine and salt scrubs when staying near the ocean. Book yourself a soothing treatment or two.

VISIT THE POOL

(more…)

Barcelona Edition

Photo credit: Barcelona Edition

I was so excited to join my husband on a trip to Barcelona, Spain, to celebrate our 19th wedding anniversary, even if we would only be there for a few days. Since we had such little time, I knew location was going to be super important.  I also knew I wanted to stay in the Gothic Quarters, where we could explore the maze of cobblestone streets.  The Barcelona Edition, which only opened a year ago, was the perfect hotel, and I’m thrilled I chose it for our stay.

While we were there, protests were going on in the city.  In fact, one day there were 525,000 people involved in the protests.  Although it was organized and safe throughout the day, at night there were cars burning in the street and fights between police and protesters.  The hotel did a wonderful job caring about the safety of their guests.  They placed extra security at the front door, and several times they placed notes in our room keeping us updated about what was going on. I am so thankful to the staff for making me feel completely safe during our time there.

Read all about our stay….