Credit: Yelp.com

Our recent visit to the Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, one of the premier luxury hotels in Atlanta was truly magnificent. Honestly, there is no other way to describe it. It was such a good family travel experience for all of us.  From the moment we arrived, we were treated like royalty by the staff and that treatment continued throughout our entire stay.

I had stayed at the Ritz in other cities, primarily for work, and had good experiences, but this was my first time with my children. We needed a diversion, and we needed to relax.  Our visit at the Ritz was exactly what the doctor ordered.

The hotel really knows how to cater to families.  First of all, they call kids V.I.K.’s. (Very Important Kids).  Gotta love that.  They think that families don’t have to give up the pampered treatment they can offer when they decide to not drive far for a vacation. They are offering their Family Getaway package through March 31st, 2012 for as low as $279/night.

This package includes overnight deluxe accommodations, American breakfast for two adults and two children in The Café or delivered by in-room dining, guestroom movie with popcorn in addition to dive-in movie at hotel’s pool, children’s self-guided scavenger hunt at hotel, ice cream for children at hotel restaurants, and overnight valet parking (a $32 value).  If you want to splurge a bit more, get a suite for $499/night.  These packages are valid only on Friday and Saturday evenings and of course are subject to availability.   As soon as we arrived at the hotel, the staff offered my children a wrist band so they could get free ice-cream, a small stuffed animal and a scavenger hunt form.  I knew that we would drop our belongings and quickly go on the hunt.

As soon as you walk into the hotel and get a glimpse of the incredible lobby, you know you are in for a unique experience.  The entire hotel is decorated with classic paintings, antique furniture, marble floors and fresh flowers.

Credit: Yelp.com

We were given the suite and it was stunning.  We had a separate bedroom from the kids, which is always a treat when you are traveling as a family.   As expected from a Ritz Carlton, the beds are lush and the room is spacious.  The bath is made of marble, the linens are Italian, the beds are made of feather and the pillows are goose-down, there are terry robes hanging on the bathroom door, there are flat screen TVs, internet access, free newspapers in the morning and an evening turn-down.  The room is really, really comfortable and totally luxurious.

As soon as we dropped our bags, we headed on our scavenger hunt. The hunt takes you on a serious tour of the hotel, answering questions, collecting stamps and gifts along the way.  Kids count the elevators in the hotel, the flags in front of the hotel, the rooms in the hotel (we had to ask someone to answer that for us – there are over 500).  Along the way, we stopped for our ice-cream.  We stopped to watch a pianist playing skillfully and spent a few moments talking to him about how he plays from memory. We stopped for a swim in the gorgeous pool and hot tub and stayed there for hours.  At the end of the hunt, we ended up at the doorman, where we had to find out how many bell carts are in the hotel and we received our last stamp.  I can’t rave enough about the hunt.  It occupied my children for a few hours and they derived so much pleasure from the experience.

The next morning we were all exhausted from a late night so we opted to order breakfast in the room, since we had the option and  I knew it would be a big treat for the kids.  When we called down we were given a zillion options –  grits or potatoes?  pork or chicken sausage?  coffee or tea?  We really didn’t expect the amount of food that came in and everything was delicious.  And the children loved lying in bed, watching TV and eating all their favorite breakfast item…even pancakes.

This package is really ideal for a family like ours.  The price is certainly right and you can take advantage of it this holiday season.  If you’re going during the holidays, you can make an “appointment” for your kids to meet Santa.He comes to your guest room to surprise your child.  You have to call the hotel to find out when that is taking place.  In addition, they also have their traditional holiday brunches and dinners for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as their annual holiday teas.  All their events are listed here.

To book your visit, call (404) 237-2700r book here.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary visit in order to facilitate this review, but all opinions expressed are my own.

We were there to check out their American Girl Family Package.  It makes sense since they’re located so close to the American Girl Doll store just a few blocks away.  They’ve incorporated a trip to NYC into the American Girl Doll line in a very creative way.

We took a complimentary tour to check out the package.  Upon entrance to the Junior suite included, we encountered a complimentary American Girl gift bag which includes an exclusive American Girl doll-sized travel bed, pillow and blanket for a doll that the guest receives upon entrance.  There were two dolls laid out on a bed in their travel beds (pictured on the left).  It was pretty darn cute, and my daughter’s eyes lit up, especially when the hotel manager offered her the chocolate (“sweet treat”) set up on the beds.  The package also includes continental breakfast for two children served in the Club Room, a complimentary viewing of American Girl movies in the Club Room, as well as complimentary milk and cookies.

Guests can also choose from other amenities like cribs, dinner reservations, kid-friendly snacks and admission tickets to local attractions.  They can take advantage of the 20% discount offered by the Children’s Museum Museum of Manhattan to Affinia 50 guests.

The Club Room is terrific.  My daughter played complimentary Wii.  There are board games, and I had a glass of wine.  It was full of guests happily taking a break from their busy days in Manhattan.

Affinia 50 is centrally located in midtown at 155 E. 50 Street, close to many of New York City’s most famous attractions: Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Central Park and much more.

In addition to the Affinia 50, the chain includes conveniently located hotels around Manhattan plus hotel in Chicago and Washington, D.C.

For more information about this package, visit http://www.affinia.com/Special.aspx?name=Affinia-American-Girl-NY.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post.  I did receive a tour of the hotel, but I was not asked to convey any particular opinion.

Source: Residence Inn

Wherever your travels take you this Mother’s Day, Residence Inn will make sure everything is rosy!  Over 50,000 red roses have been ordered for Sunday, May 8th to spread the love at all properties across the country. Last year, Residence Inn gave out nearly 30,000 fresh red roses to celebrate the day.  Back by popular demand, Residence Inn is in bloom once again this year with an even bigger bouquet to celebrate moms to make her feel extra special!

All guests (Dads and kids too) will enjoy free hot breakfast, free internet, spacious suites (with studio, one-and two-bedroom options), a swimming pool, welcome pet policy and a value price.  Average rates range from $120 – $160 USD per room, per night.

For information or to book, please visit www.residenceinn.com or call 1-800-MARRIOTT.

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post nor was I compensated to feature this information.

In addition to the article, I want to elaborate on where to eat and stay.  I spent a year living in London after college, and we go as a family every year, so I have traveled both on a budget and as a family in the grand city rather.  While I will admit that eating in London can be quite expensive, it doesn’t have to be.  First of all, if you like Indian food, you can get great Indian food all over the city, without breaking the bank.  There is a large concentration of Indian eateries in Brick Lane, which is in East London, where people flock to for great value.

Eating in Central London isn’t cheap, but there are chains like Pizza Express that’s all over the city that offers set meal prices (pizza, drink and dessert) and are extremely kid-friendly.  There’s also China Town, where you can grab a bowl of soup and egg rolls.  When I was a young girl living in London, my favorite restaurant was Stockpot, and it’s still around.  For 5 pounds or so, you get shepherd’s pie or chicken pot pie – proper home-cooked meals that are incredibly delicious and hearty.  And really generous portions.  God, I loved that place.  Walking around Leicester Square, there’s also pizza for a pound and the food gallery at Covent Garden where you can pick something up and watch the buskers.  Wagamama is the most excellent noodle restaurant where you eat at long tables.  There are 15 locations all over town.

On our recent visit to London, we were very happy to discover that most restaurants offer a children’s menu.  Not only that, but they offer a range of choices aimed toward children with healthy options.  Here are a few of the restaurants to keep in mind on your next family visit to London, as well as one hotel suggestion:

Gourmet Burger

Gourmet Burger is a chain located all over the London.  They offer a wide variety of types of hamburgers with sauces ranging from horseradish to Cajun.  They also serve chicken and lamb, as well as a variety of vegetarian options.  Their burgers are about £7-8 each and are quite large.  Their junior menu is £5.95 and offers hamburgers, lentil or chicken burgers or chicken nuggets with the choice of a drink.   The setting is very casual and perfect for kids.  The chain was founded by a couple of New Zealanders in 2001 and has a relaxed Kiwi kind of feeling.   My kids really liked the food and it was easy on the wallet.  We went to the Belsize Park location, but you can check the web site for other locations.

Sunny Hill Café

Sunny Hill Café is located in Sunny Hill Park in Hendon in the northern bit of the city.  It’s Israeli-owned and offers a variety of English and Israeli cuisine options.  They have tables inside and out facing the park’s open fields.  I love that you can order falafel, hummus, lentil soup and more.  It’s such an unusual menu for a cafe in a park.  Meanwhile, the kids can munch on the usual kid’s fare, as well as ice-cream, when they need a  break from playing in the park’s very fantastic playground.  On a Saturday, you will feel like you are in a bit of Israel given the ambience and clientele.

Giraffe

When you Google “family friendly restaurants in London,” Giraffe will be one of the first results to pop up.  We went to the location in Belsize Park near our hotel, but there are Giraffe restaurants all over London.   Kids can eat for £3.95 and have options like fish & chips with peas, meatballs & pasta, pizza, hamburger, chicken and lots of dessert and drinks options.  They give out crayons and an activity before the meal and have a lot of options for adults including salads, Mexican, burgers and more.  The only thing I advise not to order is the salad.  The UK doesn’t have their salad-making abilities just yet, they need some help on that front.

Hampstead Creperie

In the middle of Hampstead’s busy High Street is a crepe stand that has been in the same spot for years.  There’s always a line, anytime of day.  You can order sweet or savory crepes; of course my kids chose the chocolate ones.  They cost only a few pounds and melt in your mouth.  This was a place I have never forgotten and still holds true to its promise.  The chocolate ones are quite messy, so take wipes.  There is no seating, but there are wipes nearby to sit on while you carefully devour a crepe made in heaven.

Curry Manjil Restaurant

No visit to London is complete without having a full blown curry.  One of our kids loves Indian food; the other is not so sure.  But we absolutely adore it.  So, on our last night in town, we dragged them to a local Indian restaurant to get our annual dose at Curry Manjil.   It has good ambience and very solid food.   You can probably get spicier, cheaper food in Brick Lane or Bayswater, but if you’re in Northern London, this is a good choice.

Waterside Café at Warwick Crescent in Little Venice

Located in a floating boat, this was an unexpected treat and quite a find.  The menu offers English fare and has indoor and outdoor seating.    They serve breakfast and lunch or you can have sweets and tea.  The prices are really reasonable.  The kids ordered eggs on toast, and I had a salad with hummus and pita.  Afterwards, you can walk around the canals.

And now for some hotel advice:

Premiere Inn

We actually stayed in various Premiere Inns the entire time we were in London.  Breakfast is £7.50 per adults; kids are free.  It’s a full buffet, offering everything from hot to cold foods.  It’s a very good English breakfast.  If you are looking for a reasonable hotel stay in the city of London, the Premiere Inn is definitely checking out.  Hotel rooms are not cheap, and this will be one of your less expensive options.  For your information, we paid £50 pounds for a family room in Manchester, breakfast included; £129 pounds in Belsize Park, just outside the center of London, breakfast not included.  The London location was particularly good; it was a short walk to the tube that takes you right to the center of town, and also a short walk to the lovely Hampstead Heath.

London has so many culinary options and hotels; this is only a short list.  But if you have a trip planned and want to have some family-friendly options on hand, keep these in mind.

Some of my favorite neighborhoods to eat at in London are Chelsea (they have a terrific crepe restaurant called My Old Dutch), Camden (there are loads of options to consider while exploring the market’s stalls), Islington, Chalk Farm, Highgate and Belsize Park.  Pubs offer great chow (“pub grub”).  You usually order off the black board and have a seat, order some ale and relax.  In the suburbs, these are proper country pubs.  Many have soft play areas for kids.

One last mention about where to stay in London.  The more central you stay, the smaller your room, and the more expensive the room.  The further out you go, the more space you get (which is good for kids) and the less you’ll pay.  As long as you’re near a tube line, you’ll be in good shape.

You have to remember that it was less than one year ago since Nashville suffered the traumatic floods.  The Gaylord Opryland Resort was hit hard, and the renovations started in May of last year and took 180 days, costing $1 million a day.  The hotel is glistening.  It’s shiny and hard to believe that they managed to reopen it in November of last year after only six months of hard work.  80% of the staff they had to let go is back, and remnants of the flood remain on the hotel’s tropical trees and outside walls.  On the anniversary of last year’s re-opening on November 13th this year, they are going to invite back all the people who were staying at the hotel at the time of the flood.  It’s a very warm environment, and the staff’s love for the hotel is real.

When I first arrived, I walked from the lobby through the atrium, which is called the Cascade Conservatory,and involves long, windy paths, lots of foliage, gazebo bars and waterfalls.  I was memorized, there was so much to look at.  Then I wandered into the Magnolia part of the hotel to get to my room, which is more quaint, decked out with very southern decor.  My room was in that section, as was my conference.  I had to walk up a classic staircase to get to my meetings.

I checked out the hotel’s spa, Relache, which provides a wide array of salon and fitness services.  They offer pedicures, facials, and body massages. There is also an indoor pool, outdoor pools and a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment.

I was in a standard guest room, which I found comfortable and convenient with proximity to all my meetings. Rooms with atrium views cost extra. The hotel is a place you never have to leave so there are shops and restaurants scattered throughout.  Most of the restaurants cater to business travelers, so they are on the pricey side  (I’d skip the sushi if I were you), but there is a hamburger joint and Findley’s, an Irish pub, with good-quality affordable fares.  Upscale choices include a steak restaurant and Ravello, a lovely Italian restaurant (with yummy cocktails). The Gaylord Opryland Resort recently began charging overnight hotel guests an additional $10 per day resort fee, which includes two H20 bottles a day and free Wi-Fi, so I was sure to drink the bottles of water in my room.  Valet parking is also free for guests, which is a nice perk.

I didn’t have my kids with me on this trip, but I am sure they would love running around the large hotel.  I did inquire about daycare, and they do offer it off premises.  They have a game/video room and my kids would love swimming in their many pools.  Suites have a kitchen, which would be useful traveling with kids, so I’d love to return with them in tow.  Opryland builds a new section every year, so there will always be something to see.

Here are photos from my hotel tour.  For more information about the hotel, prices and availability, please visit their web site.

Disclosure: I was not compensated for this review nor did I receive anything in exchange for it.  All opinions expressed are my own.

To celebrate the 20^th anniversary of its ground-breaking Good Neighbor Policy this fall, Loews Hotels is helping families “Build a Better Lunchbox” to promote healthy eating habits and raise funds to support projects in local schools.   Starting in October, Loews Hotels across the U.S. will host fundraising events where children and parents will have the opportunity to learn how to build a healthier lunch together, and at the same time support community schools through DonorsChoose.org, Loews’ newest charity partner, a web-based not-for-profit that supports local school projects for individual sponsorship.

To further enhance the program, Loews Hotels has also partnered with Driscoll’s, the nation’s leading producer of fresh berries.  Driscoll’s Nutrition Expert, Tina Ruggiero, M.S., R.D., L.D. and Loews Regency Hotel Executive Chef Stephen Crocker teamed up to develop recipes that focus on variety, balance, nutrition and portion control and incorporate an added element of fun that all kids love. Each “Build a Better Lunchbox” event, beginning on October 24, 2010 at the Loews Regency Hotel in New York City through December 11, 2010 at the Loews Annapolis Hotel, will feature chef demonstrations, hands-on food stations to create lunch and special play areas for children.  Proceeds will go to DonorsChoose.org to support schools in each Loews’ community.

At the events, each child will receive a specially created Loews Loves Kids lunch bag, an organic cotton lunch bag filled with a coupon for a nutritious berry smoothie at a Loews Hotels, healthy lunch and snack recipe cards, fruit-shaped silly bands, crayons and a $20 donation card for DonorsChoose.org.

“Getting children to eat healthy can often be a challenge,” said Chef Crocker. “For years, Loews has been committed to providing families healthier food options when they travel.  With the help of Driscoll’s, we are able to teach parents ways to incorporate variety, balance and nutrition into everyday school lunches, while also promoting the value of giving back to the community.”

“Healthy eating should be a fun, enjoyable experience,” said Registered Dietitian Tina Ruggiero. Working together, Loews and Driscoll’s have created a valuable, interactive culinary program for parents and children that will surely impress and inspire better, more thoughtful food choices.“

Loews Hotels and Driscoll’s are expanding on their proven partnership to spread healthy eating habits to Loews guests.  Driscoll’s, a family owned company that has been growing berries for more than 100 years, features blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries grown by independent farmers who focus on providing the ultimate berry experience for consumers.  In many instances, the farmers are third and fourth generation growers whose singular focus is to delight consumers.

As a part of the 20-year milestone of Loews Hotels Good Neighbor Policy, Loews Hotels has partnered with DonorsChoose.org in an effort to help improve public education. Across the country, thousands of public school classrooms lack the materials that are essential for learning.  DonorsChoose.org provides a forum for public school teachers to post their classroom needs and special project requests such as books, materials or transportation fees for class trips for individual donors to choose from and sponsor.  As the first national hotel partner for DonorsChoose.org, Loews hopes to raise more than $200,000 in total for DonorsChoose.org in 2010.

“Build a Better Lunchbox” event dates and locations:

· Loews Regency Hotel (New York, NY) – October 24, 2010

· Loews Miami Beach Hotel (Miami Beach, FL) – October 30, 2010

· Loews Lake Las Vegas (Henderson, NV) – November 6, 2010

· Loews Portofino Bay Hotel (Orlando, FL) – November 7, 2010

· Loews New Orleans Hotel (New Orleans, LA) – November 12, 2010

· Loews Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) – November 13, 2010

· Loews Coronado Bay (Coronado, CA) – November 13, 2010

· Loews Philadelphia Hotel (Philadelphia, PA) – November 13, 2010

· Loews Ventana Canyon (Tucson, Arizona) – November 13, 2010

· The Don Cesar, a Loews Hotel (St. Pete Beach, FL) – November 14, 2010

· Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (Santa Monica, CA) – November 21, 2010

· Loews Vanderbilt Hotel (Nashville, TN) – November 28, 2010

· Loews Annapolis Hotel (Annapolis, MD) – December 11, 2010

For more information on local “Build a Better Lunchbox” events visit http://facebook.com/LoewsHotel.

We took the train into the city and walked the short walk from Grand Central to the hotel.  Upon entering the lobby, it was clear that we were in for an elegant experience.  The lobby is opulent, with marble floors, Persian carpets and elegant flower arrangements.  The rooms have been fully renovated in recent years, and they have been also decked out with grand European-style, traditional English-French furniture.

The hotel is very comfortable, and certainly very child-friendly.  It’s perfect for families like us, or extended-stay visitors planning to stay for long periods.  The hotel offers 192 rooms with diverse prices.   They have studios, one room suites, two room suites.  The location is really central, too, and perfect for a trip to Times Square, Central Park or anywhere in the city.

We were immediately shown right to the 30th floor to our two bedroom family suite.  The suites have plenty of child-friendly features, such as kid’s TV channels, lots of room to play, an eat-in kitchen, comfortable beds and a balcony with sweeping views of the city.  We had two nice-sized bedrooms, two bathrooms, a basic kitchen, a living room and a south facing balcony with great views.  The sheets and duvets are of the highest quality and make for a good night’s sleep, which we all had.  Our beds were topped with down pillows.  We also had WIFI access, iPod players with docs and 42-inch plasma TVs.  The kids instantly liked their room; we took the larger one.  We unpacked our bags and put our clothes in the dresser drawers and spacious closets.  The kitchen had a microwave, small refrigerator, dishes, a coffee maker and a table with two chairs.  The living room has a sofa with two arm chairs and a sofa, which made spending time together really easy.  They have European art on the walls to complete the traditional decor.  Here are some shots of the rooms:

One of the two bedrooms

Kitcheonette

The living room

The view from our balcony

After spending some time gazing at our fantastic view on the balcony, we walked the four short blocks to the American Girl Store on 49th Street and 5th Avenue.  We splurged and had my daughter’s American Girl Doll’s hair done and ears pierced.  It’s not something that I ever thought we would do, but the look on my daughter’s face made it all worthwhile.

Other family-friendly locations nearby the Kimberly include FAO Schwarz, the Empire State Building, Central Park, the MOMA, Radio City Music Hall, Dylan’s Candy Store and Toys R Us.  It’s also easy to jump on a subway or hop in a cab and go to the Upper East Side, Upper West Side or straight downtown.

That night we took a picnic and blanket to Central Park and watched an outdoor screening of Woody Allen’s “Manhattan.”   It was quite an amazing night, taking me back to the days before we had kids and I used to be a culture vulture let loose in New York City.  Our children even managed to let us watch the movie, a feat for us, and proof that life is getting easier as they are getting older.

The breakfast buffet ($15.95 a person, kids eat free) at the roof-top restaurant called Upstairs was a surprising delight. First of all, the space is beautiful, and the buffet has something for everyone, from pancakes to french toast to eggs and bacon.  We ate outside on the hotel’s terrace on plush pillows, drinking espresso.  The service was excellent up there.  Upstairs, The Kimberly’s rooftop bar and lounge, opened in 2010 and serves drinks as well as appetizer-sized plates. Heated floors warm the 3500-square-foot space year-round, so you don’t have to worry about missing the panoramic Midtown views during the winter months.

The Kimberly offers a free two-hour yacht cruise around the city.  It docks at the Skyport Marina at East 23rd Street and FDR Drive.  It’s a scenic cruise along the Hudson River, with views of the bridges that cross the East River, the Statue of Liberty and the lower Manhattan skyline.   We went on the Family Brunch Cruise which offered bagels, quiche, salads and coffee.  My son sat in the cruise ship deck with the captain who let him steer the boat.  Needless to say, he was in heaven.  It was a really lovely boat ride, smooth sailing all the way, with stunning views of the city.  We felt like were far, far away and came to experience the city that we’ve lived in for years in a new light.  The cruise runs in conjunction with the New York Health and Racquet Club.

The Kimberly has a partnership with the NY Health and Racquet Club.  The nearest location is on Madison Ave and 50th Street.  It offers superb work-out facilities, as well as an indoor swimming pool.

We all had a terrific 24 hours away from home.  We left the Kimberly Hotel with smiles on our faces.  There’s nothing like a night in the city, especially when you’re staying on the 30th floor of a grand hotel such as the Kimberly.

The rooms at the Kimberly Hotel range from $265-$1450.  You certainly can’t beat rate for this kind of hotel in New York City.

Disclosure: We were given a free one night stay at the Kimberly Hotel, with no requirement or agreement of review requested in turn.  The opinions expressed in this post are all my own.

Our room was really modern. Flat screen TV’s, whirlpool bathtubs and an ipod dock are just some of the retro touches rooms at the Chelsea. It was also extremely comfortable.

The pools at the Chelsea are great. With two rooftop pool bars and the terrace lounge on the 5th floor, we were able to drink and watch guests dance in and out of the water night and day. It felt like we were in a MTV video.

The food at the hotel is really good, too.  We dined atTeplitzky’s by the pool on the lower level for dinner and breakfast.  They have a steak house on the top floor of the hotel, as well, but we’ll try that next time.

At night we ventured onto the boardwalk and into a few casinos. We actually won $300 playing roulette and left while we were ahead.

We had a great time – it was definitely not a weekend for kids and it was a great get-away for the two of us. By the way, the hotel has some amazing mid-week deals worth checking out here.

Another time, my mom came to visit from Atlanta and we went to Cold Spring, New York to stay at the Pig Hill Inn. Cold Spring has always been one of my favorite get-a-ways since I moved to New York. When I was single, I used to hop the train with friends and go for long hikes in the surrounding mountains. As a family, we often visit to take walks and go antiquing. The two of us needed some quiet time so we headed to this quaint little inn for one night. The decor at the Pig Hill is Victorian and offers a nice escape. It’s centrally located and we were able to walk to restaurants, antique shops and to the mountain trails. We walked through colorful leaves and majestic forests.

This past November, we went to Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, not that far from Cold Spring. It was an experience I had longed to have since moving up north. It is the perfect place to slow down and think about life and the perfect getaway for a couple who never gets much time together.

When we entered the Mountain House, I was immediately struck by the impressive woodwork and old world feel and charm of the building. A walk through the main building leads to the outdoor covered porches that provide a stunning view of Lake Mohonk and the beautiful grounds and rock formations that rise from the edge of the lake.

A big highlight of my visit was the afternoon I spent at Mohonk’s spa. I put on a spa robe and slippers and entered the women’s veranda to await my facial, which was blissful. Afterward, I enjoyed time outside in the spa’s heated mineral pool and read a book in the window-walled solarium while I munched on grapes and sipped a pear elixir. I emerged feeling rejuvenated.

The morning of our visit we chose from a really long list of daily acitivities and decided to do a rock scramble/hike around the mountain house. We had a expert guide who led us on a 3-4 hour hike which challenged us all. His commentary was engaging.

The other activities at the hotel offered included boat rides, fitness classes, swimming, carriage rides, ice-skating and much more. Had we included the kids, they do offer a kid’s club and a whole slew of activities for them.
A few months ago, I celebrated my 40th birthday at the Four Seasons Aviara in San Diego. We dropped off our kids with close friends in Carlsbad and made our way to the Aviara for a peaceful 24 hours. It was exactly where I needed to be on this milestone birthday and was just what the doctor ordered.
We could see the hotel from the main roads. It’s perched high up on a hill. The drive up is dramatic, with dazzling views of the area and the Pacific Ocean. Like the rest of the city, the hotel’s architecture is Spanish colonial and is decorated exquisitely. Our lush room had a private balcony overlooking the pool area which is smothere
d in palm trees.

My best friend graciously bought me a facial for my birthday so I headed to the spa first. The treatment was perfect and I was glowing when it was all said and one. While in the spa, I partook in the jacuzzi and steam room.

We had champagne in the room and then headed to the lounge for dinner where there was live music. A highlight of our meal was when when a set of twins aged 3 came in to the dining room, walked up to the guitarist and started to ballroom dance. We loved their response at the end – a simple “Bravo!” Gotta get my own kids better cultured….

The next morning we woke up and went for a run down by the lagoon located around a golf course. We had a light breakfast overlooking the golf course. We ran back to the hotel, put on our bathing suits and ran to the pool for the warmest swim ever. We topped off our visit in the jacuzzi and decided life could not get any better.

When we returned to the kids, our son had a complete melt-down but I refused to let it get it to me. I had my time in the sun.

There is nothing as good as being with the kids except being without the kids, when it’s for a quick 24 hour period to revitalize and recharge your energy.  I highly recommend it and am planning my next “without kids” trip in the back of my mind right now…

We stayed at a superb hotel called the Erwin in Venice Beach. Overlooking the boardwalk and sea, it’s a retro hotel that’s part art gallery, part beach house. It was across the street from good restaurants. Our suite had a balcony (which was unfortunately too wet while we were there to enjoy), cozy furniture, a fireplace and a kitchen with dining area all decked out in retro, modern style. There’s a rooftop lounge with dazzling views and a reasonably priced restaurant called Hash with free drinks weekdays from 5-6pm. The kids were very comfy on their pull-out sofa and I would move in tomorrow if I could…..

Due to the rain, our usual sight-seeing was limited but we did get to the Santa Monica Pier.
This is a very affordable, fun amusement park has a Coney Island, old-timey feel. It offers the typical 3-for-a-dollar booths, cotton candy, funnel cakes, and all the old standards of an amusement park. It’s right on the ocean, and the 3rd Street Promenade three blocks away makes for a fun outdoor shopping and eating area. Out kids loved it. It would have been nice if the rides had been open but we enjoyed our funnel cake so much that nobody minded.

My oldest friend lives in L.A. and she suggested we hit the Griffeth Park Observatory. It was a great idea, especially considering the sog fest. Griffeth Park is the largest city park in the USA. On the way to the observatory, we had amazing views of the city (again, a bit foggy) but we could see the Hollywood sign. Newly renovated in the last few years, the observatory is beautiful. It’s chock full with exhibits about the moon and space, stars, natural phenomenons. The planetarium only cost $7 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-12. We saw the program Water Is Life which takes visitors on a journey through the solar system in search of water. It’s ideal for the family as even our youngest sat through its entirety which is a rare occasion.

We had lunch at Louise’s Trattoria on 4500 Los Feliz Boulevard which was yummy for all of us. Good NY pizza for the kids, salad for me. The nice owner put my daughter to work sealing his pizza boxes which kept her happy and busy while we waited for the pizza. The meal cost $25 for all of us, with 4 drinks included. For dinner, we headed to Hama Sushi at 213 Windward Avenue in Venice Beach. We wanted to go somewhere we could walk from our hotel. My son had his best meal yet: edamame, chicken teriyaki, rice and dumplings. Miss Fussy, on the other hand, made the most adamant face known to man kind, and held out until she got an order of chicken nuggets. It’s crazy how kids turn out so differently. This meal was more expensive, around $80, but I got my sushi fix.

The next day my friend rightly sent us over to the Getty Villa in Malibu. Getty, one of the richest men ever to live, built this museum in the 1970s. Modeled on a Roman country house and filled with ancient Greek, Roman and Etruscan artworks, it had something for all of us. There’s an excellent family room with hands-on-activities for the kids and scavenger hunts for them to complete throughout the museum. There’s even a cafe for snacks at the end. I imagine the villa is even more beautiful in the sunshine. Admission to the Getty Villa is free, but you have to reserve a timed ticket in advance. Parking costs $15 per car. It is definitely worth the trip, which is a short ride from Santa Monica.

Since we also stayed with friends, we took walks on Main Street in Santa Monica and in Abbot Kinney, two very trendy areas in L.A. I’ve been to L.A. a bunch of times so I knew the places I’d like to revisit. We were also taken out for dinner by our friends to Typhoon (while kids stayed with babysitter at home) another oldie but goodie for me from the past. Located at the Santa Monica Airport, this upscale but humble restaurant offers quality Thai food. It does feel very L.A., and I’m sure film deals were being made at other tables, but it’s not pretentious. My friend knows the owner quite well, and they were shmoozing about a possible art exhibit (she’s an art dealer) at the restaurant and a Food Network taping he was hosting this coming week. Since we didn’t have any celebrity spottings on this trip, it made up for it somehow.

On our last day in L.A., we made the drive to Anaheim and went to Disneyland. I took part of Disney’s gracious volunteer program before we left and secured my own free day pass. Adults cost $62 for the day; kids cost $52. Despite the rain, we had a wonderful time. We went on all the rides in FantasyLand while it was raining (Snow White, Peter Pan, etc.) and ventured onto all the roller coasters, race cars, submarine, train rides and more when the sun came out in the afternoon.
We were all a bit drenched but it really worked out for us in terms of lines – there weren’t any! My son had never been to a Disney park, so he was in his element. I’m so glad I was able to show it to him. Best of all, it was an early birthday present for me. My 40th birthday was the next day and it couldn’t get any better than being with them at Disney. I’m a kid at heart.