Photo Credit: Venetian Hotel
(Las Vegas, Nevada)
There’s something fun about driving down the Vegas strip and seeing all those legendary hotels looming around you. As the Palazzo Hotel @ Venetian appeared in the distance it screamed Vegas!
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:
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!)
Look at the stunning view we had!
(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.
 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.Â
  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.
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:
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.
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.Â
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. Â It is better to be safe than sorry.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
