At Keystone Resort, February 2018

A few weeks ago, I was invited to experience Keystone Resort with a child. The goal was for myself and other writers to experience and cover Kidtopia, a series of events offered all year long for kids of all ages, both on and off the snow. My son, who just turned 13, was just at the cusp of the age requested to attend the trip, but was prime material for both them and myself in terms of covering the resort. For one thing, he loves to ski. For another, he loves traveling and experiencing new things and he’s totally open to a jam-packed agenda. The two of us looked forward to this trip for months and when the time came to leave, he packed up his belongings very carefully.

The last time we traveled alone together was to Palm Springs. We had an amazing time, riding in a jeep in the desert, taking a tram to the top of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains, going on water slides. He decided he wanted to move to Palm Springs during that visit and I decided I’d one day to follow him. We learned a lot about each other on that trip and I had been waiting for another experience like this for some time.

Traveling to Keystone

Taking my kids alone on trips with me has become an integral part of my motherhood. Besides, it’s travel that reconnects me with parts of my pre-motherhood self.  Plus, it gives us time to bond on an entirely different level away from our routine and daily obligations. The fact that this was another west coast trip was exciting to both of us. Colorado was a new state, a new adventure for him. It was nearly as good as a new passport stamp, which he has grown to love getting.

The flight was painless – we both watched movies, read, and got some good shut eye after waking up at 5:30 to leave by 6. When we got to the airport, we quickly got our bags and jumped aboard a shuttle. Keystone is 90 minutes, or more depending on traffic and number of stops, from the airport. All in all, it took nearly a day to get there, but given the time difference, we arrived by 2pm.

Where We Rested Our Head

He was ready to rip, and I was determined to make the few days about one thing and one thing only: him. After checking into Hyatt Place Keystone (formerly the Inn at Keystone), we looked around and got familiar with our digs for the next few days. The hotel, which opened in early 2018, is located between Lakeside Village and River Run Village, was both convenient to everything, reasonable, and comfortable. We had our free Wi-Fi, a daily hot breakfast, lovely linens on the bed, three hot tubs which we utilized frequently, and my favorite and most needed appliance: a Keurig coffee maker.

Skiing at Keystone

My son is a skier, so our first day was spent on the mountain. We were offered a private lesson through Keystone’s Family Private Lesson together so we attempted it though he left midway through the lesson to do more serious skiing. David, our instructor, was exceedingly patient and careful, and we were able to at least start the day skiing and learning together. The lesson definitely helped me hone my skills, and though I didn’t manage to ski down the mountain as I usually do, I feel confident that I’ll benefit from it next time I hit the slopes.

We also went tubing down the mountain, at the Adventure Point Tubing Hut, which was spectacular. The trips down are short and sweet but exhilarating. We went ice-skating in Lakeside Village, supposedly the largest rink in North America, a fact that made my son even more interested. He’s actually quite good – as good as he is a skier, he is also good at ice-skating.

And how was the mountain?  It’s one of the best and well-known ski resorts in the country, if not, the world, with 3,000 acres. There are a lot of lifts, restaurants and space on the mountain so the crowds were bearable.  The show was fresh, and the trails varied by level and terrain.

Kidtopia – Fun For Everyone

We were there to also experience and explore Kidtopia, a program featuring a variety of free, daily family offerings such as arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, a village parade and fireworks, and the world’s largest snow fort on top of the mountain. We were lucky to be there during several special Kidtopia events that really made our weekend more special. We watched the parade, we went to a Carnival Bounce Party with bounce houses, we experienced the bounce castles and decorated cookies, ate cotton candy, . and got to watch Celebrity Kid Chefs Amber Kelley and Juliana Malfitano, as seen on Food Network, make dinner – not just make dinner but pasta and chocolate mousse. This was definitely a highlight of our trip.

The weekend was truly a bonding experience. For my son, it was a chance to get them good outdoors time in, including his favorite sport, and explore a new part of the country he’d yet to visit. For me, it was a combination of all that and more, as it gave us time to check in with one another, and for that, I’d visit Keystone again.

Disclosure: I was a guest of Keystone Resort, as was my son. We were there to cover Kidtopia and I have covered this resort for various publications. Stay tuned for those links!

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I started my journey in Syracuse where I visited the Matilda Joslyn Gage Home and learned about the origins of the National Women Suffrage Association; in Auburn I learned the history of the famous abolitionist and humanitarian Harriet Tubman at the Harriett Tubman Home; women’s history really came to life in Seneca Falls at Women’s Rights National Historic Park, the site of the first Women’s Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls in 1848; and the last stop in Rochester at the Susan B. Anthony House was absolutely epic, as all the history I’d experienced in a few short few days came to the perfect apex learning about Anthony’s heroic work.

Here’s a run-down of where I went, where I stayed, and where I ate during my trip to the Finger Lakes, which started in Syracuse.

Matilda Joslyn Gage House in Fayetteville (a 15-minute ride from Syracuse) was a brief but very important stop. Gage was an often-overlooked figure in the women’s movement, so it was eye-opening to visit her home. She created the foundation for the radical feminism campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience, which led to many modern ideas of women’s equality. Gage, along with Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, wrote the multi-volume History of Woman Suffrage, but along the way they broke off after a disagreement over the separation of church and state and Gage’s name was unfortunately removed. But being inside her home, the impact of her career is clear. She was an important abolitionist and advocate for native women’s rights. Much of her work was based on her work with the Haudenosaunee tribe in obtaining women’s rights, and there is a room dedicated to that piece of work. The museum is interactive and there are videos to watch about Gage’s life (featuring women such as Gloria Steinem declaring her significance) and her original documents. Interesting to note is that she was the mother-in-law to L. Frank Baum, who wrote The Wizard of Oz. Apparently, Gage inspired the character of Dorothy and was often called “the wonderful Mother of Oz”. Frank supported her work in the women’s movement, and it was easy to see why. Standing in the room where over 100 people gathered in 1870 to walk to the polls, demanding the right to vote, was invigorating. It was the perfect kick off to my journey.

Less than an hour away from Fayetteville is the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, another heroic figure in the women’s movement. Known as “Moses of Her People,” Tubman was a courageous fighter who conducted the Underground Railroad for eight years and delivered 170 slaves to freedom. She also promoted black education, social betterment and women’s rights. Learning more about her from our guide (who happened to be a Reverend and a great story teller) made me understand Tubman’s profound impact on both freeing slaves and obtaining women’s rights. It was during the 1850’s that she managed to escape slavery in Maryland and repeatedly put her own life at risk while securing free passage for hundreds of slaves. After that, she settled in Auburn, in a home provided by U.S. Senator and New Yorker William H. Seward. It’s a 26-acre site that includes a museum, her home (closed to the public), and the Home for Indigent and Aged Negroes, which remains open.  Tubman spent the rest of her life writing her biography and giving speeches. She was also a part of the women’s equality movement, meeting with the other amazing women I learned about on this trip.  She was a civilian scout, nurse and the first and only woman to lead a group of men into battle in the Civil war. She was buried with military rights and is about to the be the new face of on the $20 bill on the anniversary of women’s rights. Harriet Tubman’s story was so inspiring, and I feel so blessed to have visited her home.

A short ride away (20 minutes) sits a quiet town called Seneca Falls, where on July 19th, 1848, 300 women and 42 men including Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist and big supporter of women’s rights, packed into the Wesleyan Chapel to signal to the world the real beginning of the movement, holding the first Convention for Women’s Rights. I stood in the chapel where they once stood, channeling the energy that must have been felt that day by every single woman in the room, while an actor dressed as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, one of the movement’s chief architects, recounted the events of that day. It was the first time in history women had ever demanded their rights as a group.

Next door sits the Women’s Rights National Historic Park, commemorating the birthplace of the women’s rights movement, featuring exhibits, an inspirational film, and restored buildings including Stanton’s home. Down the street is the National Women’s Hall of Fame, a remarkably small museum featuring an abundance of history about 250 women who have made history through the ages. Seneca Falls is a town I want very much to return to, not just because of the enormous amount of history that transpired here, but because it is also a quaint town that is full of shops and restaurants. It also happens to be the town that inspired one of my favorite movies, It’s a Wonderful Life. There’s a museum dedicated to that very important piece of film history and annual celebrations of the film.

My last stop on this significant tour tracing the steps of female pioneers who led the suffrage movement was in Rochester at the National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House. In 1917, many years after Anthony’s passing, New York became one of the first states to grant women the right to vote. This act helped usher in the 19th amendment in 1920, which granted the right for citizens to vote regardless of gender. It was proof of a lifetime of work spearheaded by Susan B. Anthony’s earlier work and progress. She had fought long and hard to get people to think of women as human beings and led the National American Woman Suffrage Association that removed the need for the word “suffrage,” making it just “equal rights.”

Anthony lived in her house for forty politically active years of her life until her death in 1906. It was here that she fought tirelessly for social justice campaigning, writing, organizing and strategizing and was famously arrested in her downstairs parlor for simply taking a group of women to the polls. She was not imprisoned, but she was ordered to pay $100 after being found guilty. The house showcases famous artifacts, pieces of original furniture and her famous black silk dress that was a gift from women in Utah on her 80th birthday, after she had helped them obtain the right to vote. Anthony’s main cause was suffrage, but she also fought for temperance and abolition, making many speeches during the Civil War on behalf of slaves. She believed in the best of humanity and that the Northern states were complicit in the battle to end slavery.

Anthony’s home was in a middle-class, diverse neighborhood and most likely, she spoke to everyone that came her way. She was a humanitarian and an inspiration to us all. She was inspirational and standing on the front porch of her home, where she once posed for a famous photo, was epic.

If you have time, also head to Susan B. Anthony Square to see the delightful statue of Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony having tea because they were very good friends in real life and helped change history together.

From Syracuse to Auburn to Fayetteville to Seneca Falls to Rochester – Where to Sleep and Eat Along the Way

Upstate New York is full of great finds – from hotels to eateries to things to do. While exploring women’s history, be sure to take a few of my recommendations into consideration.

A place to rest my head at Marriott Syracuse.

In Syracuse, my base for all my stops in Auburn and Fayetteville, I stayed at Marriott Syracuse Downtown, a complete treasure. It’s a historic hotel that opened in 1924, and much of its look and feel has been preserved to give visitors a taste of its history. The moment I entered its beautiful lobby, intricate with chandeliers and traditional moldings on the walls, my interest was piqued. The hotel is being renovated by the Hotel Syracuse Restoration Company to integrate its history with modern times. My room was spacious with a seating area and cozy bed, accompanied with a coffee maker, a TV built into the wall and beautiful views.  With three executive chefs working on the property (trust me, I met one!), it’s easy to want to eat onsite. I had breakfast at Eleven Waters, which was lovely and convenient. Other onsite options include The Cavalier Room and Shaughnessy’s.

Another bonus of the hotel is onsite parking (valet) and its location. It’s right downtown and in walking or driving distance to so many sites worth visiting, such as the Erie Canal Museum, the only remaining canal boat station in America, as well as the beautiful and legendary Landmark Theatre,  Anyela’s Vineyards and Beak & Skiff Farm Winery (be sure to do a tasting at each winery but also be sure to get one of Beak & Skiff’s famous cider donuts). If you have time, take the Camillus Erie Canal Park Cruise, which will take you on a ride through the scenic Erie Canal.

I had a meal at Original Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on Willow Street. The restaurant was voted the best BBQ in America by Good Morning America and 2nd best BBQ chain in the U.S. by The Daily Meal, so the promises were there and I can honestly say that the food lived up to its reputation. Be sure to try the cornbread and fried green tomatoes, brisket, chicken, bronzed catfish or whatever floats your boat but be warned, the portions are hefty and mighty delicious. Over at Doug’s Fish Fry in Skaneateles, I munched on a delicious dish sandwich and coleslaw for lunch. It’s a bit of a local hang-out, and a very popular one.

Exploring Rochester during their annual Fairport Canal Days Festival.

Rochester was a town that I absolutely loved and can’t wait to revisit. It has a very Brooklynesque feeling, full of interesting restaurants, shops, and places to walk around. The town has a lot of important history, as well.

I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Rochester/University & Medical Center, located in the heart of the town’s College Town complex, adjacent to the University of Rochester, Medical Center and Campus. It was convenient and comfortable, offering free parking, good service, cleanliness, onsite dining and a pleasant place to rest my head at the end of a long day of sightseeing.

If you have time while in town, be sure to hit Rochester’s Public Market, open on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays the majority of the year. I spent a wonderful morning exploring the wares of local vendors offering their fresh produce, ethnic delicacies, coffee, homemade breakfast sandwiches, empanadas, and so much more.

I happened to be in town during Fairport Canal Days, an annual festival that celebrates scenic landscapes, historic sites and outdoor and cultural activities along the canal and had the opportunity to visit an actual lock. I also visited Casa Larga Vineyards in Fairport located just outside of Rochester, where I sampled various red and white wines with the help of an expert, munched on cheese and crackers, and learned the history of the vineyard. Since 1974, the Colaruotolo family has been committed to producing wines that are celebrated widely in the area. They also make an incredible ice wine, if you like that kind of thing – I certainly do.

While visiting the city of Rochester, I was able to experience two lovely meals. The first one was at The Cub Room on South Atlantic Avenue, a spacious, industrial-style tavern featuring upscale seasonal cuisine and interesting cocktails. Owned by a husband and wife team, the menu is full of delectable items that you must try. From buratta cheese to veal shortbreads to beets as starters and gorgonzola ravioli to Amish chicken as entrees, the dishes are simply divine, particularly their special gnudi pasta. If you don’t see it on the menu, ask for it.

My second meal was at Richardson’s, set on a lengthy plot of land running parallel to the Erie Canal. I ate dinner right next to the canal on a lovely summer night. The dinner menu has some nice items like the faroe island salmon and beef & veggie kebobs. They also always have some local craft beer options on tap. It’s a laid-back yet fine dining type of experience, perfect for a visit to Rochester.

I highly recommend that you take my advice and follow in these great women’s footsteps for inspiration during this time of much needed #Resistance. Standing in so many of monumental, heroic women’s shoes was downright mind-blowing, and I can’t wait to take my teenage daughter on the same trip this fall. Be sure to Syracuse and Rochester while you’re at it. Both cities are places that demand to be discovered.

Please email me at holly@pivotingmedia.com with questions about this itinerary or leave a comment to let me know if you’ve already been to the Finger Lakes region.

Disclosure: I was on a press trip, during which time I received complimentary accommodations and was taken to restaurants and attractions to facilitate this article and others, but all opinions are my own per usual. I was the guest of Visit Syracuse, Visit Rochester and Cayuga County Tourism.

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This past weekend I spent a few busy days in Raleigh, North Carolina. Having grown up in Georgia, I’m not a stranger to the Southern state, but I’d yet to really explore it as a parent and I was very impressed with what I found. Firstly, Raleigh is a very short flight from New York City. It took less than 90 minutes in the air. One minute, I was in a windy, rainy, cold NYC, the next in a green, flowery Southern city. The airport is relatively small and easy to get through, and it offers over 400 flights daily so you can get to Raleigh from virtually anywhere in the U.S. From its selection of things to do to a burgeoning foodie scene to a vibrant culture to the people who live there, I found myself intrigued by the city of Raleigh and simply wanted more by the time we had to leave a few short days later. It’s a quiet city, but if you look carefully, it’s buzzing, particularly when it comes to kids. In addition, it’s also considerably cheaper than most destinations. Many museums are free (state funded you have to love that!), eating out won’t break the bank and hotel stays are affordable, making Raleigh a very desirable place for families.

I took my son along for this adventure in Raleigh, the historic capital of North Carolina. Neither of us knew what to expect but if you asked him how it went after the fact, he’d probably use the word  “epic”.

Here’s a a glimpse of what we did, what we saw, where we stayed and ate – through both sets of eyes, mine and his.

Where We Stayed in Raleigh

Sheraton Raleigh is a cozy hotel centrally located downtown. The hotel has 355 rooms, but it was full the weekend of our visit due to a wedding, a conference for heads of choirs and more. Nonetheless, it never seemed over-crowded and all our needs were met if we need something sent to the room. The service is attentive and pleasant and the hotel is clean. Our room, which had a king-sized bed, was spacious and comfortable. Our room’s decor was modern with a warm color palette, an LCD TV, accessible Wifi and a sofa to sit on during the day. There were a few complimentary bottles of water and the best part for both of us, lush bedding we could sink into at the end of a busy day.

Source: Sheraton Raleigh.

The hotel offers several onsite dining options. We had dinner at Jimmy V’s Osteria, an Italian-American Raleigh Restaurant that features traditional comfort foods made with locally grown ingredients. My son tried the wood-fired pizza, and I opted for soup and salad as our meal was quite late on our first night. It was fast and reasonable cuisine. The hotel also has a cafe on the main floor, as well as room service. In addition, the hotel has an indoor pool and fitness center. Best of all, it’s in walking distance to a lot of the city’s attractions.

What We Did in Raleigh

A room full of dinosaur bones at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.

From our hotel, we could walk to several museums including NC Museum of Natural Sciences and NC Museum of History. Both are a great way to spend an afternoon and are free with a requested donation. The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is the largest museum of its kind in the Southeast. Through exhibits, programs, and field experiences, they provide visitors with opportunities to get up close and personal with science and nature. We viewed the bones of a Right Whale and dinosaurs, came face to face with a Cretaceous carnivores, studied artifacts from the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, and learned about astronomy. My son really seemed to absorb what he learned. While there, we had a great lunch at the Daily Planet, located right inside. They offer good breakfast and lunch options including salads, fish tacos, wraps, pimento grilled cheeses, quesadillas and more.

Over at the NC Museum of History, we explored more than 14,000 years of N.C. history, from the state’s earliest inhabitants through the 20th century. It features artifacts, multimedia presentations and interactive exhibits that tell stories about the state’s military history, sports heroes, decorative arts and more.

Being brave.

Raleigh offers a great deal more activities for families. High on my son’s list was a trip of favorites was our visit to Rush Hour GoKarting, which was just a 20-minute Uber from downtown. It’s an indoor karting track that spans 1/3 mile with hairpin curves, high-speed straights, and winding turns. Needless to say, he was in his element. Also high on his list of favorite activities was our zip-lining excursion at Go Ape Tree Zip Line & Treetop Adventure, a 2-3 hour exhilarating outdoor activity through the forest canopy with suspended obstacles, Tarzan swings, and zip-lining. Even I found it thrilling, and it was a great activity we could do together.

Riding in a boat on Jordan Lake.

Pop-up art at NC Museum of Art.

Where We Ate in Raleigh

The scrumptious peanut butter cake at The Pit.

Southern biscuits at Big Ed’s.

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Over spring break, we headed to Orlando for what my husband would coin as the “reluctant dad’s trip to Disney”. Yes, my husband is a naysayer when it comes to everything Disney, but I know the value of taking the kids and understand the significance of doing it while they’re young. With my daughter going on 14 and my son a very unimaginative 12, I felt as though the trip was 100% necessary this year. So this will be my first of several pieces on our visit. I will also have pieces on publications besides this blog, which I’ll be sharing on Twitter and Facebook as they come out.

We had an amazing trip, in and out of Disney, but let’s start with what we loved about Disney this visit. Traveling with tweens is slightly, or very, different to traveling with younger kids. They were able to go off on their own at times, when we got tired, as old people do, and we were able to ride certain rides altogether which was a treat. No more height requirements to follow, no need to stop for constant snacking. The kids have arrived! And Disney, as special as it has always been, was mighty special this year.

Heading to Disney soon? Here is my must list of top ten things not to miss with tweens in tow:

1. While I’m a huge fan of the Great Movie Ride at Hollywood Studios, TCM’s look back at classic movies, my kids LOVE the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. It’s an indoor roller coaster that features a high-speed launch of 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds three inversions and rock-concert lighting.
2. I’m a huge Frozen fan, so I wanted to hit all the sing-alongs and be Frozen happy all day, but my kids not so much. However, we did all hit the Frozen Ever After ride at Epcot, an easy water boat ride that takes you the Norwegian castle right after the story ended. It was magical, we all loved it.
3. All four of us greatly enjoyed Toy Story Mania, also at Hollywood Studios, a 4D shootin’ game starring the Disney•Pixar Toy Story. Even my cynical husband really enjoyed this one, and I have the photo evidence to prove it.
4. I’ve always been a fan of Epcot’s Soarin’, and we were all eager to get back on the ride. But now it’s even better – they’ve added destinations to a trip around the world and a subtle scent that makes you feel you’re truly in these places. This was another ride that we all enjoyed.
5. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train debuted last year at Magic Kingdom, and I was fortunate enough to be able to ride this one with the kids (I get vertigo on fast rides). The ride is themed to the Walt Disney’s 1937 film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first traditional-animated feature film, and it really, really rocked.
6. SHOWS. I love Disney’s shows. The performers…the songs…the staging. While I’ve seen Beauty and the Beast in various stage productions, and I’m psyched to see the upcoming film, I was completely swept into the romantic fairy tale of the Beast who could only be saved by love in Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage….and so were my kids, and husband.
7. Disney really knows how to put a light show on, and Once Upon a Time in Magic Kingdom is no exception. Cinderella Castle comes to live with projections of beloved Disney scenes and characters and it’s very, very impressive.
8. Disney’s FastPass+ service lets you reserve access to select attractions, entertainment and more. With the purchase of a ticket, you can start making selections as early as 30 days before you arrive, or up to 60 days before check-in when you have a Walt Disney World Resort hotel reservation. It made all the difference in the world not to wait in long lines.
9. Heading to Disney Springs at night for dinner is a great way to break up the day. It used to be called Downtown Disney. We were spoiled with a fantastic, delicious dinner at Homecoming Kitchen that I can’t recommend more highly. Chef Art Smith brought southern food to Disney, which are my own roots. The biscuits, deviled eggs and fried chicken with waffles were simply divine.
10. Staying at Reunion Resort really made our visit. We had a car so were able to drive to Disney, just about 20 minutes away, and it was kind of nice to go the serenity and peace of this resort. We went swimming, floated down the lazy river and just vegetated until we were busy again. Each child had their own room and best of all, I was pampered in the hotel’s spa on our last day.

Stay turned for further reviews here and elsewhere.

Disclosure: My visit was sponsored by Visit Orlando and we were guests of Walt Disney World to facilitate this piece and others. All opinions are my own, per usual.

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On a recent visit to the city of Munich, I had the opportunity to stay at Hotel Laimer Hof. Having never visited the city before, combined with coming during the last leg of an European adventure, the hotel was a breath of fresh air. Set slightly outside the central part of the city in a charming neighborhood, the hotel is housed in a neo-Renaissance villa that was constructed in 1886. Not only is it a proud homage to its heritage, but it’s family-run and the hotel’s owners are fully invested in their guests. They want to make sure that not only are guests comfortable, but also that visitors fully enjoy their visit to Munich. I truly don’t think I have had such a warm welcome to a hotel in a very long time! It included a big glass of German beer, maps, train tickets and some of the biggest smiles I came into contact on my trip across Eastern Europe.

Here’s the CultureMom low-down on the Hotel Laimer Hof:

Source: Hotel Laimer Hof.

Our Room: The hotel offers 23 rooms with a total of 46 beds, of which three are family rooms. It’s incredibly family-friendly and I saw several visiting with children of various ages during our stay. Each room has its own unique décor and comes with free Wifi (a win-win for any hotel these days), a mini bar and television with free English movies and news channels (definitely of importance during our post-American election visit). The rooms are somewhat basic but overall comfortable, and the extra space is key. We were incredibly comfortable during our visit.

Service: The owner, Sebastian, and his wife were very helpful during our stay —  so helpful that Sebastian actually drove us to the train station more than once to help us shorten our travel time to the center of town (the station is one mile away). They provided maps, complimentary train tickets, and a welcome glass of beer which was perfect after a day of travel.

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast awaited us both mornings of our visit, and we appreciated the wide variety of fresh food, which included German delicacies like sausage and soft pretzel, and most importantly for me, great cups of coffee.

Location: The neighborhood is coined Nymphenburg, due to its proximity to the palace and garden. Nymphenburg is an architectural highlight of the city of Munich and Hotel Laimer Hof and it’s just a 5-minute walk away. Dachau, the first concentration camp, is also relatively close by train, and the subway ride to the city center is just 15-20 minutes.

Eateries nearby: We really enjoyed dinner at the Hirschgarten, formally the Königlicher Hirschgarten. The restaurant is noted for its beer garden, which is the largest in Munich and probably the largest in the world. The food was authentic and delicious, especially the soft pretzels and cheese German starter.

The final verdict? We really enjoyed the pleasantry of the owners. Their hospitality was a welcome delight after a two-week journey around Eastern Europe, and it felt like a rare exception. Other travelers clearly felt the same way as they were open to conversations withus while sitting in the hotel lobby sipping beer.

If you’re headed to Munich, definitely consider a visit to Hotel Laimer Hof and leave questions below if you need more information.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary stay to facilitate this review and others but any opinions expressed are my own.

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If you’re headed to Amsterdam and can afford to indulge, I implore you to stay at the Conservatorium Hotel. Built in 1897, the hotel is situated in a beautiful Neo-Gothic building that was originally the Sweelinck Conservatory of Music. In 2011, it was transformed into a deluxe hotel brand. It’s the first member of The Set, a collection of of hotels for sophisticated, design, literary travelers in the 21st century, and let me tell you, it’s classy – it’s classic – yet it stays true to its roots. Besides the magnificent violin display you encounter when entering the hotel, there are several odes to the hotel’s rich history, through its dazzling architecture and framed art and photos spread throughout the hotel, which Italian designer Piero Lissoni must have kept close at hand when he was designing it.

You can probably sense my deep love for the Conservatorium, so I thought I’d break down what I thought was so fabulous about this hotel. Upfront, do let me mention the welcome drink upon arrival, another lovely touch.

Conservatorium Hotel: Location

The Conservatorium Hotel is located in Amsterdam’s  museum square or Museumplein, the home of the Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum and Stedelik, and it’s right near the Royal Concertgebouw (Royal Concert Hall), as well as the fashion district of P.C. Hoofstraat and Van Baerlestraat. It’s surrounded by beautiful cafes, bakeries and shops, and is near Vondelpark, the city’s version of Central Park and is a short distance to the Jordaan neighborhood, one of the oldest and most interesting sections of Amsterdam. When we looked out the window, we saw 17th century gabled houses and everything I mention above. We had 11am reserved tickets for Van Gogh (booked online way in advance) and the Rijksmuseum (ditto) and we literally could have a leisurely breakfast and be at the museums in minutes of our arrival time. The night we had tickets to a concert at the Concertgebouw, we were able to take a nice stroll to the event space.

Conservatorium Hotel: Modern, Spacious Rooms

Having recently redesigned my own home in a modern style and decor, I admit I love hotels like the Conservatorium. The building was designed by Dutch architect Daniel Knuttel, who is known for his love of lines, fabrics and shades of grey with occasional bright accents. The result is clean and contemporary chic, but also very comfortable. There are eight floors with 129 guest rooms and suites, with rooms ranging from superior to penthouse. The walk to the room is impressive with its dark brown shades and beautiful tiling. Our room (superior) was more than appropriate for a family of four. The kids had beds downstairs, my husband and I were upstairs. My technology obsessed son was duly impressed by the room’s attention to tech detail. The curtains pulled down with an electronic mechanism and there were buttons to control lighting right next to our bed.  The room’s decor is calming with its oak floors, autumnal color scheme and luxury linens on the beds. The bathrooms (one on each floor), which were located behind a secret door that blended into the walls, have large rainfall showers with a bench inside, one marble tub, LCD mirror TVs and micro-cotton towels. We all used the free Wifi, a daily newspaper at the door, 24 hour room service and responsive room service and a Nespresso coffee and tea machine in the room. And can I mention the  L’Occitane bath products? Divine.

Conservatorium Hotel: Activities/Amenities

In the lobby, there is a round desk with what they call a “Host” who is there all day, or what you may refer to as a concierge. The Host can help you with anything you need during your stay in Amsterdam. On our first afternoon there, we arranged bike rentals, which we rode all around the area’s canals and beyond. The bikes are regal – the best quality you can find and the most comfortable I’ve ever been on. The hotel also offers a wellness center with a fitness center and swimming pools, which was unfortunately closed for renovations during our stay. There is ample dining at the hotel, all spearheaded by Dutch chef Schilo van Coevorden. They offer Tunes Restaurant and Tunes Bar as well as the Conservatorium Brasserie and Lounge in the lobby, which is dazzling in its own rite with beautiful, huge floor-to-ceiling windows and a glass ceiling. Breakfast includes an Ice Table, a modern buff et that offers a quality selection of fresh, local and seasonal based products, for example Home Baked Bread, Bio Yogurts, (gluten-free) Cereals, gorgeous fresh juices, exotic fruits and a hot food menu that includes eggs florentine, eggs benedict and smoked salmon.

Conservatorium Hotel: Courtesy of Staff

When we needed help, the staff, answered all of our questions promptly and told us how to get around in Amsterdam. The doormen were always friendly and helped with directions. Our room was always clean and housekeeping staff were incredibly responsive. We especially liked the Host, who gave us great tips on what to do and where to go.

Conservatorium Hotel: Kid-Friendliness

The hotel is definitely upscale, and you wouldn’t want your kids running around causing commotion, but I saw plenty of young children with their families. I’ve already mentioned the room, which my kids loved. They were extremely comfortable and my son loved the electronic touches in the room. My son and I had a drink in the Living Room on the main floor and he loved looking out the big windows and dramatic architecture from the main floor. There’s a floor of shops with high-end goods that we liked exploring together.

Now to talk cost. The Conservatorium is a five-star hotel and  is definitely worth the money. Amsterdam, in general, is expensive. For the location and overall experience, that is over and beyond your average stay in a hotel, it’s worth it.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary room to facilitate this review and others, but all opinions are my own.

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When I found out we would be staying at the American Hotel Amsterdam, it immediately rang a bell. Why? One reason. Take a look.

Recognize this bench? It’s the bench used as a prop in the motion picture, Fault in Our Stars.  Yes, my tween aged daughter and I loved that film. The Hotel De Filosoof in the movie is actually portrayed by the American Hotel Amsterdam, the retro, art deco hotel that sits in the center of the bustling Leidseplein. The real Hotel De Filosoof isn’t far, though, and it’s conveniently located right around the corner from Peter van Houten’s fictional house, which we admittedly didn’t frequent. However, we did hit other locations the main characters visited in the film during their trip to Amsterdam, and perhaps that is another post I will have to write….once I get through the dozens in the pipeline.

A Stay at American Hotel Amsterdam

In any case, we stayed at the American for two nights in a cozy and spacious family room with two twin beds near the window, which offered them a splendid view of the canals. Amsterdam isn’t a budget town but the American is relatively affordable in comparison to others. Rooms range in size and budget, from classic to deluxe, but all are spacious and comfortable. Our room was decorated in a modern style and offered great amenities including a coffee maker, a flat screened TV and free Wifi. The location couldn’t have been better and I loved its nostalgic, 1920’s look and feel.

Breakfast isn’t included, but there is a plethora of restaurants nearby, many that sell Dutch pancakes, which is what my son pined for every morning during our stay in Holland, but my husband and I did gravitate to the bar at Café American, also decked out in retro style with a restored vaulted ceiling. The hotel also offers a high tea in the afternoon, but we were too busy checking out Amsterdam’s museums to pay a visit, many of which are in proximity to the hotel in the city’s Museum Quarter, including the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum, both a 10 minute walk away. It’s also very close to a shopping area and Leidseplein tram stop, with direct services to Amsterdam Central Station and the airport.

Best of all, the hotel was good for the kids. My two enjoyed having a bit of space after long days out exploring Amsterdam. Vondelpark is a park with greenery and space to run around, and it’s located right nearby (and it was also a locale in Fault in Our Stars if you’re interested). It’s also a mere 250 ft from the DeLaMar Theatre and a short tram ride from the Anne Frank House.

Check the site for specials in advance of your booking.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary stay but as always, all opinions are my own.

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When we first pulled up to the Old Swan & Minster Mill, I was instantly intrigued and inwardly delighted. The hotel is a village within a village, literally 60 rooms and a few cottages that resembles a small village. It has so much charm with its dose of traditional English culture and stunning setting, with a 18th century mill located on the River Windrush across 65 acres. It’s right down the road from a cathedral and authentic ruins from Minster Lovell Hall, a 15th century Oxfordshire manor house, and the nearby scenery is dynamic. In addition, the hotel also offers a tennis court, cycling, fishing, an apiary, a kids’ activity center and onsite dining where they serve gastro-pub style food. History for me, fun for the kids. I had literally died and gone to heaven.

Staying at Old Swan & Minster Mill

It definitely felt like a stay in a 600 year old village inn with the ruins right down the road, but it also felt very current. The inn was acquired by the de Savary family in 2010, and they have restored many of the bedrooms which vary in size and budget ranges. We were lucky, as a family, to stay in the Swan Cottage, right next to the pub, which was perfect for a family of my size. It has a real turn-of-the-century feel with its thatched roof. Inside there was a big master bedroom, a bedroom for each of my kids, a private garden, a semi-kitchen (with a small fridge and tea kettle), a lovely family room with a TV and DVDs that appeal to all ages. We had free Wifi, and best of all, since I was traveling with a teenager, several bathrooms. We also had a private driveway for our rental car. The cottage was also very comfortable for all of us and had great views.

I was also really impressed with the amount of activity at the hotel. I admittedly hadn’t expected it, and I got all the information I needed from a pleasant woman at reception. We went fishing – they gave us equipment and we went trout fishing in the river. We played tennis. We took out bikes and rode to nearby Crawley. We checked out the hens and rabbits, which are great for little kids. We played table tennis at night after dinner. And of course we checked out Minster Lovell Hall, which is dazzling and offers ample space for kids to run around. We also took a few well mapped out, self-guided walks in the beautiful countryside. There’s a gym, which I also utilized, and a new spa and pool will open later this year.

While we did venture offsite for many of our meals, we dined at the hotel on our first night and had breakfast there every morning. Breakfast is included. It’s traditional English fare, a buffet plus à la carte cooked dishes, which is served in the bar and restaurant, which served my family well. The dining room is super cozy with log fires and stone floors, adding to its atmospheric charm. Our evening meal was served on the garden terrace and it was a meal for a mamaleh like me to feel good about. Chef David Mwita uses fresh local ingredients and offers many healthy options including nice salads and smoked salmon. There are traditional dishes like haddock, venison steak, maple turkey and salmon. There are also goat cheese tarts, rack of lamb and chocolate tart, and they were all delicious.

To top it off, the hotel has a commitment to green energy. Much of the Old Swan is run on hydro power, harnessing the power of the river.

All in all, a special experience and one that I highly recommend for anyone visiting the Cotswolds in England. Visit their web site for more information.

Disclosure: I stayed at the Old Swan & Minster Mill on a complimentary basis to facilitate this review and others, but all opinions are my own.

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When I first walked into the Rectory Hotel during our recent visit to the Cotswolds, I was in total awe of its decor which is a modern ode to British culture. The hotel is a bit of Pottery Barn mixed with luxury, and its modern yet rustic features and amenities are extremely welcoming. Located in a grand Georgian country house on three acres of walled beautiful gardens, it was the perfect spot for my family to rest our heads and one of my favorite hotels I’ve experienced as of late.

Why were we there? To experience some of England’s most stunning countryside and picturesque villages during a bit of a whirlwind summer family vacation. We were also admittedly fortunate to be invited to experience this luxury boutique hotel set in Crudwell, Wiltshire on the edge of the Cotswolds in the Cotswold triangle of Tetbury, Malmesbury and Cirencester. The hotel is relatively small, which makes it feel more like a home base, with its twelve uniquely decorated rooms.

The Rectory Hotel’s Faithfulness to Tradition

Despite all its modern touches and amenities, the hotel manages to maintain its British roots with beautiful china, flowers in vases and framed tributes to its homeland scattered around the hotel. It’s also incredibly cozy with a colorful, inviting lobby with comfy chairs and magazines, and a small bar that offers champagne and snacks throughout the day, and it couldn’t be more child-friendly. There were several other families taking a break, and I can’t think of a better place for downtime or a short break from reality. These parents were relaxing in their white bathrobes and slippers while taking kids to the outdoor heated Victorian-style pool or playing with their kids in the English gardens. The hotel also offers food in its own dining room, or across the road in its sister gastro pub, The Potting Shed, really simplifying family travel.

Where We Stayed

All of the twelve rooms all have names and range from standard to superior to deluxe. We stayed in the “Pennsylvania” room, overlooking the front lawn. It was a large, spacious room with an abundance of light, antique furnishings and books, a cozy sofa and armoire, and a king-size bed. The bathroom, down a few steps, has a bath with shower. Each room comes with Roberts retro radios, TV/DVD players and organic Bramley Skincare products. Other rooms have various bed options including twin size with smaller spaces but have glorious views of the village church, or Victorian pool. Another perk: free bottles of spring water.

What We Did

We definitely did our share of relaxing at the Rectory. It’s totally tempting to sit in the garden, or hang out in the lobby reading magazines. They also free tea and coffee in the hallway nearby rooms, which made it easy to grab a cuppa tea and go chill. The hotel also offers equipment to play croquet or boules on the lawn, and of course, there’s the pool. For more active travelers, there are several local villages full of shops to explore. We chose Cirencester, a mere 10-minute drive from the hotel. We were also only an hour from Stonehenge and Bath, a British town known for Roman baths (stay tuned for future posts on our visit to both tourist spots).

Where We Ate

Breakfast is included and is served on the main floor in the back room overlooking the garden. The decor is quintessential English as is the style of service with traditional china. There was something for literally all of us. My son ordered pancakes. I indulged in homemade yogurt and muesli. My daughter and husband had cereal and partook in cooked dishes, which includes everything from smoked salmon and scrambled eggs or Gloucestershire Old Spot sausages, Wiltshire smoked back bacon and black pudding. My kids do have British blood in them, so they like to experiment in English food, but not eating pork does have an impact on their choices.

While they do serve dinner in the hotel, which gets very busy, we opted to cross the road and head to the Potting Shed, which ended up being a fantastic choice. The restaurant serves traditional British fare with a twist, using farm to table freshly picked ingredients. The restaurant buys locally; there’s a long list of local meat, veg and dairy suppliers from nearby villages. Local produce pops up all over the menu, and it was very evident in my vegetarian dish. The decor is very much in the same vein as the Rectory Hotel, partly because it’s run by the same owners. The restaurant boasts stone walls, retro flowerpots, wheelbarrows and watering cans. Best of all, there are good kids’ options, from hamburgers to healthier options and dessert is simply divine.

To sum it up, our visit to the Rectory Hotel was a one of a kind and one of our favorites on our recent summer holiday, which crossed over several countries and time zones.

For more information or to make a reservation, call 01666 577194 or email the hotel at info@therectoryhotel.com

Disclosure: I was invited to stay at the hotel on a complimentary basis to facilitate this review and others but all opinions are my own.

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