hotel/resort review Archives - Page 4 of 14

Kauai, Hawaii: The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas

June 26, 2013 by The Mom Jen 21 Comments

Our first two nights spent in Hawaii were spent located 200 feet above the Pacific Ocean on the lush North Shore of Kauai. Following our 5 hour flight we were shuttled to The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas where we had a few hours to relax, revitalize, and take in the gorgeous surroundings that the island provides so effortlessly. My daughter and I enjoyed the resort so much, the luxurious accommodations, stunning landscape, and fun family-friendly activities were those we could enjoy daily and we could have moved in immediately.

POOLS
What’s a 7 year old’s first request? Go swimming! The property has 4 pools (including a Keiki (child) pool and two quiet pools) and 3 whirlpools.

The quiet pools are located amid the villas and the Na Pali pool provides a backdrop as if you’re looking off into an infinite ocean.

We chose the main multi-level pool. The waterfalls provide a lovely sound along with the palms in the breeze, birds, and occasion rooster calls. After I enjoyed the refreshing water, I pulled up a lounge chair and ordered some pupus (appetizers) and drinks. My daughter splashed around just a few steps in front of me and together we enjoyed delicious potstickers, a Mai Tai, and a kid-approved chocolate milkshake! I love pool side service during Pau Hana happy hour so you don’t leave the kids!Throughout our stay we alternated between the main pool and the Keiki pool. My daughter went down the slide about 4 dozen times and the smile on her face never disappeared!

VILLAS
We love the space and the comfort of the villas. Full kitchen, dining area with table and chairs, living room (sofa sleeper) and flat screen TV opens up to to gorgeous vegetation and a patio area.Two doors open to the patio that leads you just steps to one of the quiet plunge pools. You’ll find the chicken and rooster viewing is best here, especially at about 4am! Pretty, sweet with their babies, and they try to be elusive once you pull your camera out.Our backyard…

The bed is Heavenly, literally they are trademarked and the name is fitting. I convinced my ever-independent daughter to join me in this King as it would be so much better than the sofa sleeper. Because she’s her father’s daughter she put it to the test and the Heavenly bed won, of course!

I have to giggle when I tell the story. Flash forward to the last night of our trip, we met up once again with the media rep. for the resort at dinner and when asking my daughter the favorite part of the entire Kauai trip, my sweetheart answered, “the jacuzzi tub at the Westin!”

Luckily we were with the right person, and take a look at the location and the size of that tub! Perfect as the whirlpools on property are for ages 16 and over and are usually very hot. This mom-regulated “hot” tub is a perfect addition to the villa. Oh did I mention there’s a washer and dryer in there too? Also mom-approved!

KEIKI FUN
The Westin Kids Club is offered for children ages 5 to 12 with programs designed to introduce children to Hawaiian culture and traditions. Counselors interact with the kids on activities like lei-making, Hawaiian Word of the Day, swimming, board games, video games, and watching movies at the day camp, offered for a fee with full or half-day hours, reservations are required. Something else that we got to experience during our stay was the Keiki Cooking Class, a chance for kids to create their own meal by way of preparation and see it through the complete process. What is more perfect than making your own pizza, add your sauce, cheese, and the toppings of your choice and OUILA! the meal comes delivered about 15 minutes later in it’s own box for dining! This was so fun for my daughter, again, that smile was never off her face. Included was the chef’s toque and an apron, plus the delicious creations, do you see that cookie?! Oh and the lovely lei she’s wearing is the eye-lash yarn leis that they are able to make in the Kid’s Club, they are soooo soft!

One other thing that my daughter saw as a theme through our trip was all the koi. She was able to feed them on property, a daily ritual and it’s just so soothing to watch them and it’s a memory she is still talking about!

DINING
I mentioned happy hour earlier and that happens at Wailele Bar, located near the Keiki and Main pools. Lunch and pupus are served as well as the happy hour that offers great deals late afternoon.

Nanea Restaurant offers lunch, dinner, and dessert plus specialty dining nights during the week and a Sunday brunch. Dine inside or out, children three and under eat free when a registered adult guest purchases an entrée, also take 50% off regular menu items for kids ages 4-11!

We enjoyed a few morning meals from The Princeville Market on site. Here you can buy groceries for your villa (fresh meats are available to use at one of the poolside grills) or order a quick meal of baked goods, deli sandwiches, salads and side dishes. Homemade pizzas and paninis are a specialty and available for carry-out or villa delivery. I loved their egg breakfast sandwich with chorizo while my daughter was happy enough with bananas and cold cereal!

The market also sells souvenirs, newspapers, books, games, and pool toys.

Overall, we could not get enough of The Westin Princeville, a spot that embodies the culture and aloha spirit of the island.Our stay was hosted as part of our media trip, all opinions and gratuities our own.

Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel: 4 Doors to Tahoe Tourism

June 20, 2013 by The Mom Jen 3 Comments

When you think of Lake Tahoe, you think of the beach on the lake, the mountains for skiing/snowboarding, the forest for mountain biking or hiking, and Stateline for entertainment. On each of our trips we love partaking in 2-3 of those lovely area amenities. Formerly the Embassy Suites, Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel is a newly independent property as of April 1, 2013 and has doors that open to each of those amenities. Sitting on property that is literally on the border of California and Nevada, this hotel is close to all you love in Tahoe and is a fabulous place to stay with your family!

From a 30 second walk to Harrah’s Casino, a 7 minute walk to the lake, a shuttle ride to Heavenly ski resort, or quick mountain bike ride to hop on the Powerline Trail, the Lake Tahoe Resort is in the heart of Tahoe. Find a staff member of the hotel and check out their badges, you’ll see each person’s unique and personal connection to Tahoe. Ask them about their interest and maybe it’ll be something you take up on your trip! That is, if you leave this great hotel.

From the outside it looks small, but once inside the towering floors, open skylight ceiling, and atrium feel shows the magnitude of the hotel.

Every room in the hotel is a 2-room suite with tons of room to relax, sleep, and even share a meal. A full living room with a sleeper sofa, chair, and flat screen is adjacent to a dining table and chairs. Then walk over to the wet bar across from the full bathroom. Through a door you’ll find a king or two queen beds offering comfort and privacy at the same time.

I love added touches like a second flat screen so kids and parents can watch their favorite shows, a separate sink/vanity when fighting over the bathroom ensues with the teen, and robes are always a homey touch!The bedroom view gives you a taste of what’s out the doors of the hotel.

With your stay you get a generous happy hour with unlimited full-bar and veggies, dip, and popcorn. There are tons of seating, and with the aid of plastic cups you can even enjoy your food and beverage while watching the kids in the pool on the same level. A large flat screen TV offers sports in one section, or grab a tray and take your goodies back to the room. I have to admit we planned out two nights around the fun happy hour, you get a community feel and it reminds me of eating in the dining halls in college but only family style, it’s a great vibe.

Also included is the huge breakfast buffet. Want a special order omelette, pancakes, eggs, bacon, fruit, oatmeal, cereal, etc? You’re bound to find it cooked fresh and to your liking, you surely will not leave hungry! They have a large menu on the wall with what they change up during the week as far as meats/potatoes/hot line/cold line/eggs.

The kids will love the indoor heated pool and parents will love the hot tub.

We dined in the hotel restaurant Echo one evening and enjoyed their delicious cuisine, husband and son shared the El Grande Nachos and I enjoyed the flavor of the blackened beef bruschetta, the girls ate off the children’s menu that I appreciate they had! Take a walk outside and down the road and find tons of shopping, restaurants, a theater, mini-golf, and the Gondola that will take you to the top of Heavenly mountain, you are so close to everything.

This hotel has so much and it’s amenities will have us coming back again and again due to it’s competitive price.

Our stay was hosted, all opinions and gratuities are our own.

South Lake Tahoe, Basecamp Hotel Review: Everybody Gets a Bed!

June 12, 2013 by The Mom Jen 9 Comments

Often with a family of 5 you find that hotels want you to book two rooms to accommodate everyone, and often when you’re traveling, the added expense isn’t part of your budget. Now that two of my 3 kids are older, it’s not as easy to pair them up to share a bed, so everyone is competing for their own space. One of the best things I found in the Basecamp Hotel in South Lake Tahoe is that in our reasonably price room, everyone got their own bed, and without adding a crowding roll-away!

The way Basecamp Hotel came about is that it’s a renovated old Tahoe motor lodge. Now, I’ve been coming to Tahoe with family my whole life, and I swear I was here before. Completely renovated in 2012, the Hotel boasts 50 boutique-style rooms celebrating Tahoe’s great outdoors. The rooms are the same size as they were originally, only they had the genius idea to make them family-friendly by adding bunks above the queen beds!

This meant, no complaining on my kids part, and plenty of comfort for everyone. My 7 year old teased, “mom, you don’t get a bed to yourself!” I laughed as I agreed to that in my vow exactly 17 years ago, but I’m glad she thought of me!Plus, unlike traditional bunks, there was space to sit on the bed (above and below) with plenty of head room and watch TV and not having to slouch over. The room was wonderful, had a desk/chair, large television, spot with a full mirror for my girls to “get gussied up” in front of, bathroom with walk in shower, a nice closet for our suitcases, free wi-fi, an iPhone/iPod docking station/radio, and a spacious balcony with two chairs! The sliding glass door and fan make for great ventilation as well.

The lobby is great place to hang out, dine, mingle, and chat with the super helpful and knowledgeable concierge about all Tahoe has to offer. We found the over-sized couches to be a lovely place to relax and read. The cabinets in the lobby contain games for families, and on a cooler day, the sun shines bright into the room making it so cozy! Communal dinners are offered at an additional cost 3 nights a week with indoor and outdoor patio seating if needed to break bread with other like-minded mountain explorers.The table is also used for morning breakfasts that are included with your stay and consist of fresh granola, oatmeal, delectable pastries and bagels from a local bakery, fruit, juice, and coffee. Find yourself pulling up a stool at the bar for happy hour to sample local brews. I love all the adventurous decor too (arrows)! With casinos, shopping, beach, and nightlife all within a 5 minute walk, park your car and you’re good to go for the weekend!The patio outside the lobby is perfect for morning coffee or s’mores in the evening by the fire, it’s so pretty lit up!Our family loves the water, so the rooftop hot tub was a pleasant bonus. Day or night you can relax and take in the beautiful view of Heavenly mountain!Whether you’re biking, skiing, snowboarding, or visiting with family, a group, or your pet, Basecamp Hotel can meet your needs. With pet-friendly rooms, ski/board/bike storage, tools, and a waxing station, you’re set.

The awesome Explorers Club room sleeps 8 and includes a high definition projector with surround sound and Xbox 360 Kinect, now how fun would that be for a guys getaway?! I know for sure we’ll be back when we travel as a family, check out Basecamp Hotel for your next Tahoe adventure!
Our stay was hosted to facilitate this review, all opinions are 100% our own.

Bungalows at CordeValle Resort: Perfect for a Romantic Getaway

May 29, 2013 by The Mom Jen 9 Comments

In the past few months my family and I have stayed at luxurious resorts that accompany stunning golf courses. Having attended a WPGA event as well as staying in rooms overlooking picturesque greens has me really interested in taking up the sport. Earlier this month, my husband and I checked out CordeValle Resort, nestled in the eastern slope of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and experienced their spacious and very romantic bungalows .

Sitting atop the 9th green of the 7360-yard award winning golf course designed by acclaimed architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., the bungalows are perfect for a weekend of rest and relaxation. I was attending an event at their next-door neighbor Clos LaChance Winery which made it ideal. Often, guests of the resort can hop on a golf cart for public wine tastings and tours of Clos LaChance, though my trip did need me to take my car the short 6 mile loop to and from my event.

With choice of valet or self-parking, bellman take you and your luggage up the road to the bungalow via golf cart. There is $25 service fee added per night’s stay that includes wi-fi as well as \rides, no additional tipping is necessary. Once in your room, if you’d like a ride to the lobby, the restaurants, or to the parking lot, a quick call to the front desk will send one to pick you up within 5 minutes.

Upon entering the bungalow, you have a wet bar that includes a sink, toaster, Keurig coffee maker and mini bar. Proceed to the great room that includes a king bed, sitting area with comfortable chairs in front of a fireplace. To the side you’ll find a desk and dresser drawers. I love a room where you can pop your feet up to the cozy fire with the one you love!The doors open to the back patio with lounge chairs and tables, a garden and lawn area give you plenty of space to spread out, but also includes lots of privacy.

The view of the golf course is spectacular above the 9th green and the valley to the east. All you hear are birds with a distance hum of golfers with early tee times in the morning. I enjoyed leaving the doors open while I slept, but closed them up early due to the fog rolling in and the cool breeze.With a whirlpool tub in the bungalow, relax in privacy and possibly with a glass of wine and your partner, overlook the garden into the foothills. The shower has plenty of room for two and is now my dream shower for my home! The toilet is separated by a door, so the vanity as well as a dressing room/closet is accessible concurrently. The stars light up the evening sky and with the fireplace being the only light, the uber comfortable bed forms a lovely cocoon for the night.

After my event, my husband joined me for a walk of the grounds and back to the One Iron Bar located behind the lobby. With two televisions, a number of tables and a full bar and food service, it was perfect for a night cap. A great après golf spot during the day, and both indoor and outdoor fireplaces at night, the staff is friendly and the atmosphere casual and inviting.

After some beer and cosmopolitans, we decided to order up dessert to share and beignets were suggested by our waiter. With caramel, dark chocolate, and berry dipping sauces, the warm donuts were crisp on the outside and light and fluffy inside. They were so divine, I still think of making the trip back for those alone.

CordeValle also has luxurious Sense Spa, a fitness room, 80 degree heated pool, driving range, putting green, library, yoga deck, and tennis courts available to guests. (Spa and tennis have additional fees). If you’re looking to hike, there is a 2.3 mile Loop Trail as well as a 3 mile Vineyard Run. Guests with dogs can appreciate CordeValle’s dog park and bring them to the patios of the Grill Bar and Il Vigneto with dog menus and water bowls!

Being local, I’d love to enjoy a second romantic staycation at CordeValle again with my husband, or even grab a group of girls and make it a spa weekend! Either way, you are treated like royalty and have views like no other. Look into CordeValle on your next visit to the South Bay Area!

All opinions are my own, we received a media rate to facilitate this post, dessert and cocktails were purchased by us.

San Francisco: Westin St. Francis Hotel Review, in the Heart of Union Square

April 22, 2013 by The Mom Jen 3 Comments

Amid all the hustle and bustle of Union Square, in the center of San Francisco’s premiere shopping, dining, and art scene, stands the beautiful Westin St. Francis Hotel. When my teenage daughter asked me where we were staying, she was thrilled being so close to seven floors of Macy’s and the Westfield SF Center (a five minute walk away). In addition to it’s fabulous location, the hotel itself contains two amazing restaurants, a bar, a coffee shop, and a wine tasting room. Walking around the hotel you’ll come across nearly 3 dozen meeting rooms, spectacular artwork, cases with historic hotel memorabilia, and stunning chandeliers.

The giant clock in the lobby hangs just above Clock Bar where I met a few girlfriends after my husband put the kids to sleep! At check-in the panoramic screens behind reception showcase the beautiful city, surrounding bay and includes a live stream from the square.

My husband and I were ready for some nice R&R and we’d loved coming to the Westin St. Francis once before to dine at the hotels’ Bourbon Steak. The rooms are large, the decor conservative yet clean and sharp. We traveled with just two of our three children, but had we needed a roll away, it would have fit in just fine without crowding. Starbucks is proudly served in the room which I love, also there was a floor length mirror and closet that became my youngest daughter’s “play room!”

The striped walls and marble surround the bathroom that has an amazing rainshower shower head, in addition there’s a removable spray wand. Together they make a relaxing and productive experience. The wand can be turned off, but I found that the pressure and amount of water falling from the shower head alone is not enough to rinse all my hair, and those of my daughters.Though our room was void of art aside from one print in the bathroom, we walked around the hotel and found the most unique pieces! Near a meeting room, the rusty chain on a bridge shown above struck a chord with my husband as he’s a civil engineer. I discovered a neat staircase that begged for a photo, then later I came across an old photo of the very same staircase!

Deep in history as well as gorgeous, we had a wonderful stay. Right now you can book a wonderful weekend with specials suitable for a Mother’s Day you or your own mom will never forget! Think shopping, cable cars, spa treatments, or brunch at the Oak Room, visit http://www.westinstfrancis.com/specials-packages or call (415) 774-0264 for more information!

Our stay was hosted to facilitate this review, all opinions our own.