This was a tough list this year, mainly because we didn’t stay in too many spots that warrant being in anyone’s Top 5 list. I tried to save some money in London by staying at a pub, and there were some repeat stays in Las Vegas and Disney World that I didn’t bother to write about this year. That said, there were a few absolutely outstanding stays this year, and I wanted to highlight those three hotels and resorts in…
I’ve done a few reviews of high tea around Chicago and around the world on the blog, as it’s a great way to spend an afternoon while traveling and enjoying local culture. Additionally, my cousins, my mom, and I go to tea in Chicago during the holidays as a tradition that has been going for over 20 years. This year, we decided to try out the Festive Tea at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago in mid-December for a lovely holiday…
On our recent trip to Paris in October/November of 2024, our primary goal was to view as much art as possible, and eat as much fabulous food as possible during our short, four-day stint in the city. I chose the neighborhood of Saint Germain due to its proximity to the best art museums, and quintessential Parisian vibe. Pavillon Faubourg Saint Germain, or Pavillon FSG, is a boutique hotel made up of three connected buildings, close to the Seine, recently gutted…
Gosh, I rarely stay at The Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas, but when I do, it’s always a treat. I typically don’t care much about the room and where I’m staying in Las Vegas, and I tend towards the more mid-range resorts. Occasionally I will splurge, and stay somewhere a bit higher-end, like the Venetian, or the Bellagio, but I prefer saving my money for restaurants, shows and gambling, since most of the rooms around the strip are pretty similar….
We stayed at Historico Central Hotel in Mexico City for three nights in February of 2024. I chose this hotel for the totally central location, as well as the very reasonable price for a large room. Once we arrived here, this stunning boutique hotel did not disappoint, and there were tons of extra nice touches that really added to the experience here. This hotel is in a restored, 300 year old building, and is really gorgeous when you step back…
After I booked the flights for our family vacation to London last winter, for July of 2024, I started looking for hotel rooms. Being four of us, all on the larger side either in length or width, we pretty much must have two rooms, since cramming into one room with two full-sized beds is simply not an option. Boy, did I get some massive sticker shock! I knew that London would be expensive, but staying in a normal, very basic…
It was tough to resist checking out the allure of a secret bar in the middle of the bustling Bellagio resort in Las Vegas on a girls trip in June of 2024. The Vault opened in August of 2023, and is still pretty new and still a bit unknown to casual travelers to Las Vegas. Barely noticeable and unmarked, the door to get into this uber-upscale speakeasy is just behind the cages in the middle of the main casino area….
We came to Ixtapa, Mexico, after a few busy, food-filled days in Mexico City to relax and unwind. Cala de Mar has won many accolades for being one of the best resorts in Mexico, and it definitely lived up to the hype. We stayed here for a very relaxing five nights from February to March of 2024. We absolutely loved the quiet location, stunning views from our suite that had ample outdoor space and a private plunge pool, as well…
We stayed for an enchanting five nights at Cala De Mar resort in Ixtapa Mexico this past winter of 2024 (full review coming soon!), and one of the highlights of our stay was a small group Mezcal class. Mezcal abounds in Mexico, and while Tequila has really taken off here in the USA, Mezcal is more artisanal, and tastes way more interesting. I’m glad it’s still a bit under the radar here, as prices are generally much higher than tequila…
We stayed at some very very large resorts this year, as well as one micro-boutique hotel. I really want to make a massive shift for this blog to cover and review boutique hotels. I love the charm and character of boutique hotels, and the service is almost always impeccable. Especially in Europe, the folks at a boutique hotel really make you feel like you’re family coming home, and they are always excited to show off their city and give you…