hotel/resort review Archives - Page 7 of 14

Big Island, Hawaii: Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa Review

October 24, 2012 by The Mom Jen 7 Comments

Having been to all the Hawaiian islands now, the culture, the aloha spirit, and the memories are emblazoned in my heart. Our most recent visit to Hawaii Island (the Big Island) was short of spectacular that all began with our lovely stay at the Sheraton Kona Resort and Spa. Newly inspired with a cultural and historic renewal the grounds at the edge of Keauhou Bay are just amazing. The Sheraton is passionate about Hawaii’s culture, history and sense of community. The resort’s transformation deepens the commitment to steward Keauhou’s rich history and will afford travelers a more authentic experience. Here are some of the changes you will notice:

-The arrival experience has been enhanced with a new lobby bar
-Manta Ray Bar & Grill is now “Rays on the Bay” with ocean cliff-side seating and a full-service kitchen for lunch, dinner, and pupus, a Rum Bar, fire pits and more. (separate review coming!)
-Guest rooms have been refreshed with new paint, carpeting, and brightened with the addition of Hawaii Designer Sig Zane’s fabric art which will also be represented in visual arts throughout the resort, woven into team member’s attire, and shared through daily cultural activities
-Kai has become “Ainakai” with bay view breakfast service daily. The refreshed space is available for afternoon and evening social gatherings, meetings and group functions and elegant wedding receptions. *Amazing views, filling buffet, great service.
-Crystal Blue Point is now“Pa`akai Point” for unforgettable weddings and special events.
–Addition of 10 guest suites (for a total of 20)
-Meeting space boasts Sig Zane-designed carpeting, state-of-the-arts Audio Visual equipment and new seating. Keauhou Convention Center, with the largest ballroom on the Kona Coast, is renamed Kaleiopapa Convention Center to honor the area’s historic placenames.
-Oceanfront Fitness Center upgraded to Sheraton’s Core Performance® brand standard equipment.
-The Flying Fish is now the portal for access to experiential island fun and activities.

Before you even check in, walking towards the lobby are the striking and contrasting colors of bright orange/red and brown, decor and furniture so pleasing to the eye.

Included in the renovation, this area also becomes a lounge and wine tasting area nightly from 5-7pm (darn we missed it both evenings). Take a moment to admire the view from some of the lobby’s seating, it’s remarkable.

Walking the property, the views of the ocean, the bay, and the landscaping just calm and relax you. Whether you sit by the pool, the properties’ edge, or in the hammock, serenity will find you.Work up a sweat?…how about checking out the amazing pools on site, romantic with waterfalls, fun with waterslides, and sand bottom for the littlest of travelers! Because the resort rests against cliffs, direct access to a sandy beach isn’t available, the choice of pools and abundance of seating areas satisfy those needs!

The black lava rock is a beautiful contrast against the blue waters and the green of the flora you find everywhere you look.

Our ocean-front room included more of Sig Zanes fabulous art, a luxurious bed, plus views that will have you wanting to stay forever.

Sheraton Kona is just minutes away from Ali’i Drive where you can snorkel some of the islands best spots, eat a variety of foods and shop for souvenirs for the family. Also, take advantage of the free shuttle, complimentary cultural tours, and the daily activities like yoga, lei making, and Zumba!

Restaurants on site (two), just steps from the Keauhou harbor, attention to detail, and comfort and safety just make the Sheraton Kona a perfect place to stay for couples as well as families. The Aloha spirit and culture of the island is imminent and the beauty is unsurpassed. I know we have to return to enjoy an Island Breeze Luau held on site, tour the grounds’ cultural preserve, and enjoy the Ho’ola Spa.

Our stay was hosted, gratuities and opinions our own.

The Langham Huntington Hotel Pasadena: Pamper Your Pooch #BHC3BloggerDay

September 14, 2012 by The Mom Jen 9 Comments

It’s no surprise that I enjoy being pampered while I travel. On a recent press trip to Pasadena to experience a new hotel program and a new Disney movie, I was treated like a queen. Not only that, some of my blogging friends were treated with the bonus of bringing their canine companions for the treatment of their lives!

The Langham Huntington, Pasadena is an iconic landmark hotel since 1907, located at the base of the picturesque San Gabriel Mountains, just minutes from downtown Los Angeles in beautiful Pasadena. Located on 23 acres with grand historic ballrooms and gardens, the hotel features world-class dining, an award-winning spa and recreational choices such as tennis and nearby golf. The Langham is the perfect place to stay when you want access to the bustling city while being safely tucked away in your own private haven.

Sounds amazing doesn’t it? It doesn’t stop there, just in time to celebrate the release of Disney’s Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva La Fiesta to Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital September 18, The Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena is excited to introduce it’s new Langham Doggie Program! What’s the correlation you ask? The Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3 film was shot on location at the stunningly beautiful Langham property and is proudly branded with it’s true name throughout the movie.

I flew into nearby Burbank airport and I was shuttled to the hotel in record time all during rush hour (take note if you’re flying in to visit, it’s a tad closer than LAX plus less traffic). When I arrived I was impressed by the lush grounds with towing palm trees and the beautiful classic decor inside and around the hotel, not surprised at all that it was an award-winner!

The Langham Doggie Program is offered at the Langham for $135 (in addition to the room rate) and includes:

Use of Langham pink porcelain pet bowl, gold bone-shaped mat, and plush pink bed pillow
Bag of gourmet doggie treats
Doggie Door Hanger (allowing neighbors, room service, and housekeeping to know there is a pet behind the door)
The Langham Doggie Newsletter (includes list of nearby parks and dog-friendly restaurants)
Includes one-time room deep cleaning fee

Signature Langham pet items are available for purchase. Also available, and that was offered to my fellow bloggers with their pups in tow are a list of dog-friendly entrees and treats from the In-Room Doggie Dining Menu! Leave your kibble at home and treat your dog to such delights as Scrappy’s Steak ‘n Eggs that offers a petite filet mignon while you order the human version for youself! Also Afternoon Tea Treats come from Three Dog Bakery and offer choices of mini donuts, carrot cake, and cupcakes (made with yogurt powder, buttermilk, sugar-free apple sauce, and honey).

What I’ve never heard of before and is offered at the Langham is their Doggie Spa Services. We were invited to watch as some of the bloggers’ pets were treated to a massage provided by Bliss Paws, Certified Canine Massage Therapists that work on site by reservation. It was amazing how the therapist’s movements of the fingers and hands over the dog’s body just really calmed down the one I witnessed just as it would on a human, I really think the pup enjoyed it thoroughly! Other options include cold stone massage, paw car, aromatherapy, and yoga ball exercise.

The rooms are beautifully designed, the bed was impossible to remove myself from, and the amenities are modern and abundant. If you’re heading to the LA area and want an amazing place to stay, The Langham Huntington is perfect for a trip with you whole family including the dog!

Read more experiences from these fabulous bloggers who also attended the event!

Rockin’ Mama
My Silly Monkeys
Whirlwind of Surprises
The Maven of Social Media

Accommodations and a stipend for dining was offered by Disney, all opinions are my own!

San Francisco: Kimpton’s Sir Francis Drake Hotel Review

July 18, 2012 by The Mom Jen 9 Comments

Heading to the city over the weekend is a welcome getaway for our family that we don’t do often enough. Last weekend we headed to the Union Square area of San Francisco for a weekend of fun, food, and well… more fun!

We pulled up to the Sir Francis Drake Hotel on Powell and were greeted by a doorman dressed as an infamous Beefeater. Originally built in 1928, the hotel showcases a debonair new design that is a contemporary interpretation of the classic attitude and elegance that was typical of the era of Sir Francis Drake. Recently restored, you enter the lobby straight out of the Italian Renaissance – with antique crystal chandeliers, gilded ceilings, and a sweeping staircase.As I checked in, the children oohed and ahhed at the amazing designs, fun furniture, and stared wide-eyed at the red statue of the hotel’s namesake above the grand bar. Don’t be disillusioned, there were plenty of families and children checking in, it’s a very family friendly hotel, plenty of people dressed in city casual, I almost panicked myself. Check-in was a breeze with Ryan, let me know all the ins and outs of the hotel and invited me to Harry Denton’s Starlight Room which my husband and I will visit on our next kid-free trip.

An 18th floor room was assigned and the first thing I did was head to the windows for the view! Short of the coastal fog, it was gorgeous!The room had two double beds, perfect for the four of us for the weekend. The kids claimed one bed and jumped atop of it and eagerly AHHHed in unison. The room’s decor is stylish, sophisticated, smart, and comfortable, everything we look for in a hotel.

My eyes were taking in all the contemporary beauty of the silver and lavender with elaborate detailing. THEN, the pop of red color was a gorgeous contrast!

My six year old is always the sweetheart, “they EVEN have the Disney Channel on this TV, they knew we were coming!” The iHome was perfect to charge the electronics (great call Kimpton), the room was immaculate, and though small, the bathroom was efficient, clean, and the soaps and shampoo smell wonderful.The artwork was even unique, something I’ve found in many of San Francisco’s hotels.

The desk is nice for your laptop when work does come into play. We were happy to know that room service comes from Scala’s Bistro adjacent to the hotel if you don’t want to leave your bed! Speaking of food, now through September 3, kid’s eat free at Scala’s Bistro with a paying adult. Mention the rate code SUMMR when booking! During our stay the restaurant was packed and on the morning of checkout we enjoyed our meal with a very short wait. The kids had more than enough to fill their bellies, and my husband and I satisfied our cravings with eggs, bacon, fried potatoes, and fresh muffins and fruit.

After checking out and heading to our next adventure, we realized my daughter left her stuffed bear in the room. I jumped on Twitter and tweeted with KimptoninSF about the dilemma. Shortly after I was tweeted back the following:

Great, we think we’ve found him playing with our Beefeaters. DM us an address and we’ll send him home.

That was it, superior customer service via social media, I love it! The photograph was priceless and the news made one 6-year old very happy.

Parking is available via valet for $57 with tax. If there is a recommendation I’d suggest it is for a coffee make in the room, honestly I thought it was pretty standard. We will go back and stay in the heart of the city. Walking distance to Market St., cable cars, food, shopping, and much more, the Sir Francis Drake is an amazing hotel to stay in.

Our stay was hosted short of parking and gratuities. Our meals were partially covered with the summer special though all our opinions are 100% our own.

Lake Tahoe Accommodations: Marshall Trail Rental Home Review

June 18, 2012 by The Mom Jen 6 Comments

Tahoe in the summertime is gorgeous. After school got out, baseball season ended, and the girls finished up their dance recital, we packed up and headed to South Lake. There are so many options when visiting Tahoe as far as accommodations; camping, hotels, motels, rental homes, condos, and more! There were going to be nine of us total, two families staying this time, so we looked into Tahoe rentals near the stateline so we could maximize our extra-curricular options. There are so many great homes, Lake Tahoe Accommodations has a wide selections and we stayed at the Marshall Trail property just above Pioneer Trail. Upon arrival to Lake Tahoe, we were in about 2 hours before check in. We were greeted at the main office located at the Y with a lovely bottle of merlot and news that we could check in early!

We were eager to check out the place so we grabbed the keys and headed over. Just a 7-10 minute drive, we drove up to a 6 year old beautiful home that backs up to the forest. With garage door opener, we drove into a clean garage that enters to the bottom floor of this two story home. Just inside the doors from the garage is a washer and dryer, perfect for families staying 3 or more days. We packed for 2 nights, but we were happy to know we had the option to wash if need be. Just beyond the laundry is a sitting room with a comfortable sofa that converts to a bed, chair, coffee table and television. This is nice especially with two families, it’s like you’re own place within a home!3 of the 4 bedrooms are found on this floor (one with bunk beds) as well as a full bathroom. The center room adjoins the bathroom through a second door for added privacy. Family that stayed downstairs claimed the temperature was perfect with the heat set on 65 even on the cool 30 degree nights. I worried it would be cooler downstairs. Each room had sufficient bedding plus extra blankets/sheets/pillow cases in the closet along with a full set of bedding for the pull out sofa. Our only negative was the mattress on the pull out bed downstairs. The coils were very prominent, but with placing the comforter and a blanket on top of the mattress, my two youngest kids were finally comfortable. There is also a sleeper sofa upstairs though we did not use it.Heading upstairs, you reach a landing where the front door resides along with a bench to keep sweatshirts, purses, shoes beneath. The windows and glass front door allow lots of light throughout this area and are really pretty for the decor. Also, the carpet in all the bedrooms and downstairs is so soft, and so clean! We’ve stayed in rentals before where you walk barefoot and your feet are black, definitely not the case here. The tile and the hardwood in the rest of the house is beautiful just goes well with the overall beauty of the home.Upstairs you have the main living area, kitchen, dining area, Master bedroom and bath, a half bath, and the deck with the hot tub. The grand windows all around let in the beautiful light from outside and give warmth to the area. The modern kitchen is fit for a professional chef, the granite counter tops and stainless steel accessories are gorgeous with the light flooring and dark accents. My husband would love to replicate the plank dining table that is surrounded by windows that oversee the forest beyond.Did I mention that every room/bedroom in the house has a television, perfect for families with kids for sure when you just don’t want to watch cartoons all vacation! The view from the deck was lovely and so peaceful. The home backs up to the forest for great walking paths and my husband found that there was a good 30 minute bike trail nearby that he and my son utilized (mostly downhill, I did pick them up at the bottom so they didn’t have to climb the steep incline back to the house!) The entire family will love the hot tub, we opened it up and it was hot and clean and ready for us! The kids used it for a bit during the day, while the adults loved it with the stars and trees high above at night. Also, different colored night lamps thrilled all of us!Finally, my favorite, the Master bedroom. Ultimately, everyone having their own space is so special when we’re on vacation. It’s like the comforts of home while you’re away and the master in this house was stellar. It was huge, with lots of windows and light, had a desk to do some work on, along with the ambiance of the fireplace/heater and luxurious bathroom. The four poster bed was lovely and uncovered which was nice to get the effects of the ceiling fan at night. The jacuzzi tub and tiled large shower was icing on the cake when both romance and privacy is concerned. If I only had to leave the room to eat would be fine, relaxation at it’s finest in this room!We would rent this home again in a heartbeat. Also, our experience with Lake Tahoe Accommodations was wonderful, we’d be happy to try another vacation rental property of theirs on a different part of the lake! If you’re heading to Lake Tahoe, visit their website, or head into their office in South Lake and rent this property or others!

Lake Tahoe Accommodations
2048 Dunlap Dr., Suite 4
South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
www.tahoeaccommodations.com
530-544-3234

Our stay was hosted in exchange for this honest review plus other social media requirements. All opinions are 100% ours.

Cambria, CA: Pelican Inn and Suites Review

May 16, 2012 by The Mom Jen 10 Comments

Just off scenic Highway 1 on the Central Coast of California in Cambria you’ll find the Pelican Inn and Suites. Perfect for a romantic getaway with your loved one or a family weekend trip to the coast, the hotel is beautiful, comfortable, and located in a gorgeous area, you just can’t go wrong. Check out the view from the front of the hotel…Upon arrival, I was greeted by Anna Marie who was friendly as they come. I was given all the information I needed for my stay (breakfast and wine reception times, where to find the pool/jacuzzi) as well as a thorough list of places to dine to meet all our tastes and needs (picky eaters spots for the kids!)! The lobby contains a full binder of information on dining, but personal experience beats that out every time!

Our suite was right next door to the lobby and dining area, parking is abundant around the property so we didn’t have far to grab our luggage and make ourselves at home. Comfort is something that is a priority at the Pelican Inn and Suites, by the looks of the gorgeous beds with pillows galore and a down blanket at the foot of the bed, I just wanted to jump on and relax with a glass of wine. The master bedroom had fireplace (all rooms in the hotel have at least one) that just exudes ambiance, romance, and coziness, while the bathroom added even more to love with the jacuzzi tub. The smaller two of our 3 kids enjoyed a jacuzzi bath that evening, next trip us parents will!

The living room hosts plenty of seating as well as a sofa bed that our son slept in and a second fireplace. Both fireplaces run off separate thermostats to keep the rooms at the perfect temperature. And, if you want to save some money by eating in, there is a full kitchen and dining area in the 2-bedroom suite that was perfect for popcorn at night as well as cup-of-noodles and snacks late!The second bedroom slept our two daughters and it was perfect for them, a second bathroom was great for our large family and it was done in gorgeous tile and glass doors on the shower. The bathroom amenities smelled fresh and clean and the shower cap fit the needs of my oldest’s long hair!

The kids were ready to find that pool after we heard it was a divine 84 degrees and since it was only near 60 degrees outside, and the ocean was the other option at the moment, we obliged. Just a short walk around the beautifully landscaped property……we found the pool. With plenty of seating, tables, and large enough for a crowd the kids oohed and awed as they stepped into the warmth. “It feels like a hot tub, a hot pool!” they squealed and my 6 year old did cannonballs in the deep end (4.5 feet). The pool and the jacuzzi are in separate locations. If you’re visiting as a couple, I believe you’d be happy that this is the case if you have a large crowd of children splashing in the pool. As a parent with kids, my oldest wanted to relax in the jacuzzi while the smaller kids splashed, so parents were separated to monitor each, not a big deal really. The view from down the parking lot from the hot tub…Before we knew it it was early evening and Wine Reception time. Each night from 5:30-7:30pm, cheese, crackers, other great appetizers like hummus and pita and a selection of desserts are offered in the dining room. This is a bonus that is appreciated so much by couples, as well as kids (cookies and hot cocoa!) and daily versus only weeknights like some locations is a treat since we stayed on a Saturday night. Local wines were offered in all flavors and can also be purchased to take home if you enjoy them so. The dining room, like the rest of the hotel, was cozy with a fireplace on one section, comfortable window seats and plenty of tables and chairs for guests.Following our snacks (the lemon bars were SOOO good!), we relaxed back at the room, this should be mandatory in every hotel…

The next morning we slept in and were so thrilled that though we were near the lobby and the dining room, as well as the parking lot, there was no noise disrupting our slumber. Maybe the soft ticking of the heater going off and on was the only noise we heard during the night, but it was somewhat soothing. Breakfast is served from 7:30-10am each morning to allow for sleeping in I believe, and there is a large assortment of breads, eggs, omelets, sausage, potatoes, oatmeal, fruit, yogurt, and freshly made waffles that our whole family was smiling and eating, and smiling and happy! Wow. All I can say is, when can I get back to Cambria?? Your stay at the Pelican Inn and Suites will not disappoint, you’ll be like me, eager to plan that next trip!

For more information, visit their website, http://www.pelicansuites.com/ and make your reservations today!

Our stay was hosted, all opinions our own!

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