My daughter and I just came back from a weekend getaway in NYC. We love our NYC getaways. For a few days, we roamed the city fancy-free, popping into movie theaters, cafes for lunch, Broadway shows, shops and holiday markets. There is nothing like the city during this time of year and we felt so lucky to experience it like natives for a few days. To rest our head at night, we chose Hotel Giraffe, located in the Flat Iron District. We weren’t familiar with the hotel before we went, so I can honestly report that we were very satisfied and very impressed with the hotel’s amenities, offerings and service provided during our stay. From the moment we saw the chocolate chip cookies and milk awaiting our arrival, and other kid-friendly items on the bed including a print out of a giraffe and map of the city for her to find all her favorite places, we knew we were in for a treat.

Why I Recommend Hotel Giraffe

Hotel Giraffe is a small, cozy hotel, with just 72 rooms, many with a small balcony. Every day from 5-8pm they offer a marvelous wine & cheese. The night we were there they had a pianist playing lovely tunes. There’s complimentary breakfast, free umbrellas by the door in the chance of rain, free entrance to the local New York Sports Club, free Wi-Fi and the rooms are ultra-comfortable. Most of all, the location is supreme. My teen and I walked to Times Square to see Dear Evan Hansen, we walked to Union Square, we walked to shops on 5th Avenue, we walked to the Lower East Side. If you are with an adventurous child or partner, like I was, you don’t even have to use public transportation. Plus, there are free bottles of spring water in the room, something I always love and find very considerate from any hotel.

Other Perks

Breakfast is included and is served on the main floor. The hotel even offers breakfast delivery if visitors wish to enjoy their morning in the comfort of their  own room for a $5 service fee. The Rooftop Garden at the Hotel Giraffe is the perfect spot to enjoy al fresco drinks under the summer sun or the NYC nighttime sky, in a relaxed and informal setting. Their local eatery Bread & Tulips offers Italian homemade food and there are many walkable options including Sarabeth’s, Wagamama, Max Brenner, Shake Shack and Eataly.

Hotel Giraffe offers many deals and packages. Look here if you are considering a visit to NYC soon and want to stay at a cool, under-estimated, art-deco hotel.

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

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My daughter and I just got back from a stay at The Garland in North Hollywood. Billed as “Hollywood Glamour Meet Retro-Chic,” the hotel is undergoing a massive renovation to achieve this image and it was clear from what has been completed that they’re on their way.

This family-owned establishment was named after the late Beverly Garland, a famous film and TV actress. She was responsible for its interior décor, which is a retro-modern oasis surrounded by gardens and palm tress. The result is quintessential Hollywood, with pictures of film stars scattered throughout the hotel and views of Hollywood from some of the rooms. It’s also located near Universal Studios, Rodeo Drive, the Hollywood Hills, the Hollywood sign and it’s only four miles from the famous Chinese Theater on Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Walk of Fame.

 Our Room

There are few different types of rooms. We stayed in a Kids Room which my tween loved. It had a partitioned suite, offering her privacy with twin bunk beds and her own flat screen TV and Blu-ray/DVD player. She felt right at home and loved the free amenities such as cable TV, WIFI, a balcony with a view and outdoor pool. We stayed in a recently renovated room which was retro, tidy and spacious. Other amenities include refrigerators, daily housekeeping, coffee machines, safety locks, ironing boards and showers or bathtubs in the bathrooms. The beds are cozy and perfect to lie in after a long day out in Los Angeles and hard to get out of in the morning.

Dining at The Garland

The hotel is undergoing a very extensive renovation of the lobby, rooms, exterior and restaurants. While they are renovating its main restaurans, The Front Yard, guests can dine in the Courtyard Canteen and get drinks and snacks in their lobby bar. We enjoyed a very early buffet breakfast outside in the sunshine. The ambiance was very Los Angeles and the food very kid-friendly.

A Family-Friendly Experience

I was certainly happy that the hotel offers a free shuttle to Universal Studios every hour. They also offer overnight parking for $19 (not bad for Hollywood). L.A.’s famous studios are also just a few miles away, such as Warner Brothers for film buffs. There is an outdoor pool with “Dive In” movies. Kids’ Suites (mentioned above) have bunk beds and flat screen TVs and offer privacy for both kids and parents.

The Verdict?

The Garland is definitely a place to stay when in L.A. with the kids. It’s cost effective (check online for pricing), convenient to most sites you want to take the kids to and as the renovations get completed n 2015, I expect it to be quintessential Hollywood (it’s not quite there yet, but it will be.)

The hotel is located at 4222 Vineland Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91602. Call (800) 238-3759 to make a reservation.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary room to facilitate this review.

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We recently stayed at Nonantum Resort, a luxurious hotel in the heart of Kennebunkport, Maine. What was unique about the experience was that we were in the midst of a beautiful seaside village, complete with rocky beaches, waterfront cottages, sail boats, lobster fisherman and quaint shops and restaurants. The resort is ideal for a family trip as it’s equipped with kid’s activities (there’s even a special tent dedicated to them, complete with a popcorn machine, movie screen, arts & crafts), sports (everything from kayaking to shuffle boarding), a warm pool and bicycling. We especially loved being so close to the water, and the hotel’s decor is cozy and nautical enough to provide the perfect reminders.

How to Get to Nonantum

The Nonantum is about a half hour drive from Portland, 90 minutes from Boston and about 5 hours from New York City.  There is also a regional train service with seasonal stops not far from The Resort.

The Rooms

The hotel literally opened over 100 years ago, in 1884, and The Carriage House was part of the original inn that opened in the home of sea captain Henry Heckman.  While the rooms have been modernized over the years the public spaces retain the charm and elegance of the original structure. We stayed in a family suite in The Carriage House, which was really comfortable and spacious. It included air conditioning, cable television, telephones, free WiFi (which was shaky for some reason) and a bathroom for us all to share.  The hotel has retained much of its history in its decor, with an old-fashioned elevator, old-fashioned phone on the wall, pictures of boats scattered throughout the hotel and gorgeous views of the water.

The Verdict?

We loved the location, right near Kennebunkport’s quaint strip of shops and restaurants of all kinds. We spent the day mulling by the pool and taking part in the hotel’s activities. We ventured to the local Ben & Jerry’s, to see George Bush’s home the town is known for. We ate sea food, walked on the beach and gazed at spectacular sunsets over the water.

The hotel really caters to kids, offering crafts, kayaking excursions, family movie nights, ice-cream parties, Princess & Pirate Parties, paddle board demonstrations, cooking demos, campfire and sing-a-longs and marshmallow roasts. There are good restaurants and and a more casual pub, which made it easy to stay on the premises and just chill out. It’s important to note that there are additional fees for booking kayaks, boat trips, renting bikes, but if you know this before you get there, it will be no surprise. The breakfast that comes with the stay is complimentary and quite impressive with home made muffins, oatmeal and a large selection of cereals, eggs and pancakes.

For another two weeks, the resort is offering a family package where you will be able to enjoy three nights lodging, a family trip on a Rugosa Lobster Tour, one picnic lunch for the family, one Beach Pass, and breakfast daily. Available May 26th through September 4th, 2014. Rates range from $539.00-$1,309.00, based on a family of three and excluding Maine State Lodging Tax. Cannot be applied to existing reservations or combined with other offers. Choose “Family Fun In The Sun” when booking online.

Disclosure: My stay at the Nonantum was partially complimentary, as I did pay a small fee and did not receive anything further during my stay. However, as usual, all opinions are my own.

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During our recent family holiday in Maine, my family and I ventured to a luxury oceanside resort in Cape Elizabeth called Inn By the Sea. Little did we know that we would be experiencing a completely blissful stay that would raise our bar for family travel forever moving forward.

Inn By the Sea offers spacious, modern, sleek suites with views of the ocean, gorgeous food served on the premises, children’s activities, a full-service spa and an extremely attentive staff. We felt right at home as soon as we walked through the door and remained in a zen state until we left. The hotel is a combination of everything a family looks for – luxury, personalization and sustainability, efforts I will describe in this post.

Getting to Inn By the Sea

The drive from our home in New York was just about five hours to Inn By the Sea. It’s approximately 320 miles from New York City. Once you hit Portland, you take the Casco Bay Bridge to route 77 to Bowery Beach Road.

Our Room

Our Beach Suite was overwhelmingly beautiful. It was a one-bedroom with a king bed (and a pull out sofa and blow up mattress for the kids), complete with a fully equipped kitchen, a gas fireplace, flat screen TV, dining area, beautiful bathroom with an oversized tub, iPod docking stations, complimentary Wifi and something I loved so much: L’Occitane bath products.

The decor is impeccable and so tasteful, with wicker furnishings and a palette of subtle colors that provide just the kind of contemporary coastal attitude and nautical sense required. Not only were we a short walk to the Atlantic, where fisherman were mooring lobsters, but we were reminded  of this fact with hints of decor like pictures of lighthouses and ships. It’s important to note that the resort offers two bedroom suites, as well, for bigger families and longer visits.

What to Do

The beauty of Inn By the Sea runs deep in that it offers a wide choice of activity for adults and kids alike. We spent our first afternoon lounging by the heated pool with the kids, sipping cocktails and mocktails (lemonade). We also made our way down the path to the sandy Crescent Beach for an hour of ocean air. The hotel provides towels and beach chairs and we spent the afternoon riding the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

The resort offers activities for kids throughout the day including art classes, kid’s yoga classes, tours of the inn’s gardens and eco-systems and a large grass area where kids can play volleyball, soccer and other sports. They also have a bonfire nightly in which they make s’mores, which was a big hit with my kids.

I happily took part in a few activities that didn’t involve my kids, as well. I woke up early on our one morning there and went to an adult yoga class on the lawn, which was the perfect way to welcome in the morning. I also spoiled myself with a decadent spa treatment: a Sea Algae Detoxifying Body Wrap. It was the ultimate way to rejuvenate my skin and take time out for myself. For one hour, I was truly able to let go. The resort treats their spa like a sanctuary and it truly relaxed my mind.

We also took a side trip to Portland Head Light a few miles away. Situated along the spectacular shores of Fort Williams Park, at 1000 Shore Road, the popular landmark is owned and managed by the Town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine. They have a museum which contains a number of lighthouse lenses and interpretative displays. The United States Coast Guard maintains the actual light and the fog signal, but the remainder of the property is managed by the Town of Cape Elizabeth and it’s really quite a spectacular sight.

Where to Eat

The food at Inn By the Sea defies description. It’s just that good! There were scrumptious options for my husband and I, who have quite discernible palettes and crave new culinary experience, and for our kids, who are often pickier. Chef Mitch Kaldrovich really takes heart with his menu options and the result is simply delicious. At dinner starters included lobster bisque, salads, roasted mushroom tarte, carpaccio and grilled watermelon salad. I opted for the watermelon salad and it was superb. The chef sent over “amusante bouche” (pictured above), a sample of a quinoa dish with mackerel fish that was just sublime.

Farm to fork entrees included herb grilled salmon, pan roasted fillet of pollack, rigatoni bolognese (which my kids had at lunch and loved), garden vegan quinoa, handmade kale and ricotta ravioli and for dessert – what else? Lobster gelato! The menu combines coastal, comfort and health, and the same goes for lunch and breakfast, where lighter options are presented beautifully.

The Green Factor

Inn By the Sea is committed to preserving the natural beauty of their coastal setting. They are the first hotel in Maine to heat with solar panels and biofuel, to be Carbon Neutral and to achieve Silver LEED certification for their space. Plus, they are collaborating with the Maine Department of Conservation and Bureau of Parks & Land to restore habitat for the endangered New England Cottontail Rabbit at Crescent Beach State Park. They have assumed responsibility for removing two acres of invasive plant species such as bamboo and bitter sweet from their property and replanted the area with indigenous shrubs, which is rare for a resort to commit to and so commendable in my book. I enjoyed describing their efforts to my own children.

The Verdict?

All four of us could not have been more relaxed or have had more fun at Inn By the Sea, and I can truly call the experience blissful. As a mom, I watched them swim, run on the beach, play on the lawn, relax in our room, eat healthily during our vacation (always a bonus) and smile in every direction as a result. The hotel is also extremely skilled at hiring their staff, as they were all equally attentive and amazing. Whenever we needed anything of had a question, our needs were tended to in a punctual, considerate manner.

I also want to point out that Inn By the Sea welcomes dogs! This didn’t apply to us, as we are not dog owners, but I feel like this is important to flag as it’s highly unusual and lovely. They give dogs their own treats, water bowls, beach towels, pet menus for in room dining, dog walking and day care and dogs can accompany guests in the restaurant.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary visit, spa treatment and the majority of my meals, but as always, opinions are my own.

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My daughter and I just spent one night at The Danforth, a small inn in the heart of Portland, Maine, with a lot of history dating back to 1812. From a prohibition hideout to episcopal housing, from boarding school to bank ruins, from Russian fortune to hard luck tales, The Danforth has a rich Maine history. It was transformed into an inn in 1993 and was recently renovated by brand new owners who plan on investing as much as $1 million and a new restaurant.  The result is comfortable,stylish and lavish and made for a cozy 24-hour visit for the two of us.

The Low Down

The Danforth, which was built in 1823 as a Federal-style mansion, offers a dose of old world charm, which started the moment we walked through the door. After being greeted by the inn’s manager and given a traditional key to our room, “Casco Bay,” we were escorted to the dining room for home made scones and biscuits, as well as tea and coffee. Our room was spacious and comfortable, filled with eclectic antique furniture, wooden shutters on the windows, a fireplace, a king sized bed and all the amenities we needed including free Wifi, high quality linens and my favorite touch, a pair of slippers at turn-down, alongside a small box of chocolates.

Modern art lines the walls of the hotel, and there was a sitting room next door to our room filled with modern and sleek white furniture as well as a modern lobby with cozy chairs, a grand piano and reading materials on the tables.

Breakfast was home made yogurt and blueberry cream cheese french toast, both of which were delicious and fresh. In addition, the inn is a short walk to the Old Port and great restaurants. You can’t beat the location.

The Verdict

My daughter and I spent the evening watching shows together, reading books, lounging on the cozy, big bed. We played cards in the sitting room, drank tea in the dining room and were basically very connected during our short time at the inn.  The Danforth provided for a cozy visit full of bonding and a real break from reality. In a city of a lot of choice for hotels, mostly mainstream, The Danforth is a great choice for something unique.

The Danforth is located at 163 Danforth Street in Portland. Rooms can be booked by calling (800) 991-6557 or (207) 879-8755.

Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary room and breakfast, and I paid full price for another room. All opinions are my own, as always.

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We just spent 24 hours at an unexpected treasure of a boutique hotel called The Lodge on the Cove, part of the Kennebunkpost Resort Collection, in Kennebunkport, Maine. Tucked away in a secluded part of this famous seaside town is this simply sublime and stylish resort.  It’s also extremely welcoming to families with its spacious rooms, spread throughout a property that edges a tidal cove one mile from the center of town, as well as its activity offerings.

The hotel is a  converted motor lodge that re-opened last year. The owners commissioned local artists and artisans to achieve a retro-chic look and its reflected in the eclectic artwork and accessories all over the property, from the bed boards in the rooms to the bookshelves and cushions in the public spaces. The result is simply soothing. During the short time we were there, we were able to unwind, relax and truly disconnect. What else do you want from your time out with your kids?

Here’s the low-down on the resort, from a family perspective.

The Rooms

Each one of the thirty rooms at The Lodge at the Cove has a semi-private deck, patterned wall treatments, a mix of vintage and contemporary furnishings, cozy bedding and a private bath. The entire resort bases its colors in white and earth tones with touches of coral and lime, making it very contemporary and Pottery Barn/Elm – esque, and it’s as appealing to the eyes as it sounds. All rooms are air-conditioned and have small refrigerators, microwaves, free Wi-fi, flat-screen TVs, and a sink vanity separate from the bathroom. Curtains outside allow guests to privatize their section of the shared porch. The rooms have a small table and two chairs near the door to get organized on, but I liked setting up my computer on the porch and working outside.

What to Do

A beautiful pool overlooking a sea (at high tide) is in walking distance to every room and has a ping pong table, a bar/cafe called The Dory, complimentary beach chairs, lawn games and live music (Reggae on Friday nights). The hotel also offers yoga classes, bicycles for bike rides, aqua aerobics classes, movie nights, and daily bonfires for making s’mores. My husband sat by the pool, sipping mojitos from The Dory and read books, while our kids swam in what was n unusually warm pool. The hotel offers blueberry picking now through October 19th (prime picking season) but it happened to rain on our full day, so we were unable to go. Right by reception is a sitting area with cozy seating around a fireplace, board games, free coffee/tea and Wifi access for people to hang out, socialize or play games.

The hotel offers free shuttles to town at night and the hotel is only a short stroll away from downtown Kennebunkport’s famous Dock Square where guests can find shops, boutiques and restaurants, as well as opportunities to take boat rides or ride their bike along the water. Kennebunkport is a really sweet town, full of family-friendly eateries, gift shops, ice-cream shops and more.

Where to Eat

We had several delightful meals during our stay at The Lodge on the Cove. The Dory is its pool side bar and restaurant that offers all kinds of burgers, salads, hummus, fahitas, homemade shakes, a kid’s menu and ice-cream sundaes. They have seafood items like lobster salad, fish & chips and haddock.  They also have yummy cocktails, a Happy Hour daily and popsicles for the kids (they give each child a coin when they check in that can be exchanged for a pop). The menu pricing is actually very reasonable, the portions substantial and the options quite healthy and delicious. It can’t get easier for a parent than staying local and eating in, avoiding long waits, crowds and possible melt downs. It worked for us and gave us more pool time. Click HERE to view the menu.

The hotel treated us to a lovely meal at one its sister establishments, One Dock, which features tapas and other small plates, including a great wine list. The kids had what they loved, we had what we loved. We sat outside underneath an incredible summer sky and decorative ouand sampled fish tacos, baked halumi & ouzo, agnolotti with ricotta, port marinara, roasted beets with goat cheese, sweet & spicy brussell sprouts, garlicky & lemonny broccolini, while the kids munched on traditional kid’s items (chicken nuggets and steak) and drank mocktails. Check out their menu HERE.

The Verdict?

Planning a Visit?

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My family and I just spent a few days at a very unique resort in Vermont called the Essex Culinary Resort & Spa. What is unique about it is not the fact that it’s a located in a serene, beautiful of the state and offers a plethora of neither activities nor the fact that the grounds itself are breath taking and quite immaculate. What’s unique is that the entire resort is based around cooking. As soon as you walk through the door, you are presented with homemade desserts and that is the just the tip of the iceberg with the serious culinary reality behind the resort’s mission. There are other touches like whisks on the doors to the rooms, daily tastings in the restaurants, cooking classes for adults and a camp for kids and two award-winning restaurants, which use local ingredients.

Getting to Essex Culinary Resort & Spa

The drive from our home in New York took about 4.5 hours with a few stops, and the closer we got, the more rural and beautiful the scenery became. We took the 95 to the 91 to the 89 and drove about 6 miles until we got to the resort in Essex.

Our Room

Our room was very cozy and spacious, with a small sitting area and fireplace, flat-screen TV, free Wifi, a Keurig coffee machine, fine linens and an in-home audio system. The decor was reminiscent of Vermont’s natural core. Their rooms range from studios to mini suites to spa suites to deluxe one-bedroom suites to premier 1 and 2 bedroom suites for extended stays. As you can see in the photo, my children were very comfortable and were able to make themselves right at home.

The Resort’s Activities

The resort offers a plethora of choices of activity for adults and children alike on the grounds, from swimming (there’s an outdoor and indoor pool, with jacuzzi), bicycles, basketball, frisbee, a life-sized checkers board, and tennis, as well as off site activities like horseback riding, boating and hot air ballooning. There is a spa on site, as well as a fitness center and outlet shops and a cinema across the street. The resort is also accessible to Mount Stowe, Ben & Jerry’s Ice-Cream Factory Tour and more in the area.

Where to Eat

The resort offers two award-wining restaurants: Junction and Tavern, offering seasonal menus using fresh and local ingredients. The Junction is the more family-friendly of the two, offering traditional pub fare using ingredients from local farms and gardens. We were surprised by the high quality and diversity of the food, as well as the amount of healthy options. For breakfast, we ate home made french toast withVermont’s finest syrups, eggs and granola; for dinner, local greens, Vermont mozzarella, buffalo wings, trout and steak. My husband and I also really enjoyed their Vermont beer and cocktails, particularly the blueberry mohito with freshly picked berries.

Cooking Lessons

The resort offers cooking lessons for adults and week-long cooking camps for kids in the summertime. I took a three-hour class along side five other people from around the world and learned how to make a four-course meal, including salad, gazpacho, steak and dessert. We used homegrown Vermont ingredients and learned how to slice, dice, measure and make impeccable food. At the end of the lesson, we sat down to eat what we’d made with a big glass of wine. I happened to be in a group of fun, interesting people so it made for a great night. There were was a couple vacationing without their kids for the weekend, and a pair of girls who were just getting away for some fun. We talked, laughed and learned some great cooking skills together. It was a valuable experience and one that I shall treasure for a long time. As a souvenir, I brought home a course certificate and the apron I helped produce our meal in.

The Verdict?

I highly recommend a visit to Vermont’s Essex Culinary Resort & Spa with the kids. At the end of the few days, we were refreshed and reacquainted with the value of good, wholesome food. The resort offers all kinds of packages, from spa getaways to five-night stays. For more information or to book, visit www.essexresortspa.com.

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This past weekend I packed the kids and my mom up and we fled to Vermont. Our destination was Lake Morey Resort, a family-style resort located on a 600-acre lake surrounded by greenery, filled with water sports and packed with memories. I try to take my mother away with us once a year to somewhere unlike anywhere she has ever been and somewhere with an appeal to my kids. Lake Morey Resort was ideal for this year’s choice. The resort is rustic yet upscale at the same time. It has an old time feeling of genuine summer fun and there was something for all of us – actually more than just something. We all found an abundance of activities to spend our time, both together and separate, and all experienced many things for the first-time. Grandma and grandson became a kayaking duo. They would wake up and head right to the lake. We all played glow in the dark golf and laughed and laughed and laughed under the moon.  We went blueberry picking at a farm 20 miles away. The trip was full of quintessential multi-generational experiences. Here’s the low down on our experience.

Getting to Lake Morey Resort

Believe it or not, I had not been to Vermont. The drive from our home in New York took about five hours with two stops, and the closer we got, the more rural and beautiful the scenery became. We took the 95 to the 91 and went another 138 miles until we came to Fairlee.

 Our Room

Lake Morey Resort has 130 guest rooms and suites. All have a cozy feeling that’s elegant and country style at the same time. They vary in size, location and price. We had an exquisite terrace with a view of the lake, two queen sized beds and a pull-out sofa. It was the perfect sized room for all of us to come back to after a day out on the lake – comfortable, spacious and immaculate. If we needed anything, the front desk was very helpful and receptive to our requests.

What to Do

Lake Morey Resort offers so much for parents and kids. First there’s the lake, which alone offers a plethora of sport – from paddle boarding to kayaking to canoeing to swimming to tubing to water skiing. Most of the water sports are free and your kids can spend hours upon hours taking advantage of everything they offer. The first thing we did at the resort was take a pontoon ride, giving us a full view of the lake. It put us all in the Lake Morey spirit that so easily came after our arrival. There’s also a pool with a hot tub to vegetate in, bikes you can take out anytime for a ride around the lake (a 5 mile radius), a pool table, ping pong and so many other kid-friendly activities. We were fortunate to be there during glow in the dark golf; part of their “Summer under the stars” program and it was incredible. They took us out on their 18-hole golf course at 9pm in a golf cart with neon golf balls and tees and we competed against each other. The resort is also located near blueberry orchards, so we spent a morning picking boxes of the loveliest berries we’ve ever seen at a farm called Wild Hill. We took out bikes (free all the time) and rode around Lake Morey. It was a five-mile ride that took us past summer homes, sleep-away camps and the home of famous classic film actor Melvyn Douglas. We lazed in the hot tub at night and went to family-friendly movies in the hotel’s movie theater. There was never a shortage of things to do and sometimes a sit on the terrace was all we needed.

Where to Eat

We opted to have most of our meals at the resort. The hotel has a meal plan which makes food choices and timing easier for families. Breakfast and dinner were spent in a dining room with fabulous views of the lake and offered healthy options for all of us using Vermont’s fresh produce – blueberry pancakes for example. The food was delicious and we all enjoyed the variety of selection immensely. I’m a vegetarian (the item in the photo was not my dish), and I was pleased with the variety of vegie options. So was my gluten-free mother. For lunch, we became regulars at Whippi Dip Snack Bar down the road where they make homemade tacos, sandwiches and yummy ice-cream.

The Verdict?

I highly recommend a visit to Lake Morey Resort, and I can only imagine that fall in Fairlee would be the most heavenly time to visit. This fall they’re offering many opportunities for family bonding. From apple cider pressing lessons to cider hour, kids can try different varieties of apple cider while the Lake Morey Beer Master serves up delicious local tastings for adults, from hot mulled cider and Woodchuck Cider to a wide range of seasonal local brews.  When not indulging in apple tastings, guests can enjoy activities on the lake (pontoon boat rides, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and more), hike the many scenic local trails, play a round of golf on the resort’s 18-hole championship golf course, indulge in the onsite spa, or catch a movie in the resort’s own 120-seat indoor movie theater.

They’re also offering a special this fall, starting September 19^th through October 12^th, rates for the Smash, Sip, & Stay package start at $418 per adult (kids 3-12 are $80 and kids 13-17 are $130), double occupancy, plus 9% VT tax, and include two nights’ accommodations, dinner, breakfast, apple cider pressing lessons, cider hour, an evening bonfire with make-your-own s’mores and use of the resort’s standard seasonal amenities.

For more information or to book, visit www.lakemoreyresort.com or call 1-800-423-1211.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary visit to Lake Morey to facilitate this review but all opinions are my own.

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If you’re looking for a laid back weekend (and I know you are), you should consider the Grand Lacayan the Grand Bahama Islands.  I’ve just returned and can honestly say that it’s extremely relaxing and a solid, clean resort on a beautiful stretch of land. I spent my days lounging on the beach, wading in the sea, exercising and getting a facial at the  resort’s spa, sipping cocktails during sunset on the beach, swimming in the three pools, munching on Caribbean cuisine and reading and writing. As a result, I came back well-rested and ready to take on whatever comes my way. That’s what travel does to you – it empowers you, it invigorates you, and my visit certainly did just that.

Having just returned, here’s a short list of what I recommend on your next trip to the Grand Lucayan.

About the hotel:

Located less than 70 miles from the coast of Florida, the hotel is nearby secluded beachfront, wildlife habitats, tropical gardens, charming neighborhoods and has plenty to see and do. Set on 7.5 acres of lush beaches and land that boasts palm tress and other local foliage, the Grand Lucayan offers 740 guest rooms and suites. The renovated rooms are comfortable and breezy with ocean views. They offer 24-hour room service, a nearby Kids Club (at Memories, a new hotel next door), a daily activities schedule, a life- sized chess board, three pools, a hammock, a jacuzzi and a swim-up bar. They also offer a full-service spa, a golf course, a tennis course and nearby shopping.

White Sand Beaches:

The beach at the Grand Lucayan offers white sands and crystal clear water. Kids will spend hours building sand castles, riding the waves and or you can choose an ocean activity, from snorkeling to sea-kayaking. Or you can hit a nearby beach. Gold Rock is secluded and especially good to visit during low tide. From the Grand Lucayan, it can be reached by tour bus or rental car and offers opportunities for picnic. North of the beach, across the road are the Lucayan Caverns, the world’s longest underground surveyed cave system, another experience for the entire family.

Swimming with the Dolphins:

Directly across the street from the Grand Lucayan is UNEXSO, the Underwater Explorers Society, which offers professionally led dolphin experiences. Children must be at least 55 inches tall to swim with the dolphins but younger kids can do the “Encounter” experience. The company takes tour goers by boat to a protected lagoon about 20 minutes away from the port to meet a group of Atlantic dolphins. There they demonstrate how the dolphins are fed, how to stroke their skin, have them swim around the group and get a kiss from the dolphins. They also do tricks that will dazzle the kids. For older kids and parents who choose to the swimming experience, they you can dive and move around the pool, playing with the well-trained dolphins. This is an experience you can’t replicate anywhere else on the island.

Cycling Around the Island:

You can rent bicycles or scooters at the Port Lucaya Marketplace. Both are very affordable. You can take a bike for $10 for two hours. It’s a wonderful way to experience local color, riding by their red leafed trees, Royal Poincianas, and natives. You will ride through local neighborhoods to see how suburban Bahamian life is and you can ride to local beaches for a swim and picnic.

Nature:

Take a stroll through the Garden of the Groves,  an 11-acre botanical garden full of lush vegetation, waterfalls, ponds and fountains. Kids will enjoy running through the Labyrinth, learning about 10,000 species of plants, bird watching, playing in the playground or petting zoo or wandering through the hanging garden or banana plantation. The Garden Café and Baralso is a great place to stop for lunch.

Shopping and Dining:

Port Lucaya Marketplace is a waterfront shopping centre directly across the street from the Grand Lucayan. It has over 80 boutiques, vendors and restaurants and is a good place to pick up gifts or local art (it’s important to remember that sales tax is included in all your purchases). Located on the water, it’s also good for kids to run around or you can take a boat ride from the pier. There is also a variety of restaurants from Greek to Bahamian to American to Chinese to Italian to Mexican and more, as well as a home made ice-cream parlor. Don’t leave the island without trying the local specialty, yummy conch! After a long day out, it may be easier to dine in, in which case the Grand Lucayan has several casual options, from Iries (delicious Caribbean food) to China Grill.

Have I tempted you? You can book a trip for $125 a night and kids stay and eat FREE. Plus, for stays of 3 nights or longer, receive a $250 resort credit for use during your stay.

Book by August 15, 2014 and travel through September, 2014.

Disclosure: I received complimentary airfare and daily breakfast, but paid for everything else. All opinions are my own.

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