19Aug

A Weekend of Bohemian Serenity with the Kids in Beacon, New York

beacon, ny

I've had a penchant for the Hudson Valley since I moved to New York. There's a peaceful aura there that you don't get it living in or near NYC, and it's got a bohemian vibe.  The combination can be quite radical when you're no country bumpkin like myself. Located on the Hudson River just 60 miles north of NYC, Beacon has a cozy feeling that’s sprinkled with art, culture, Victorian architecture, good food, boutique shopping and the outdoors.  On a recent trip with my kids, I was thrilled to find a variety of ways to spend the day.  We found everything Read More

01Aug

Blissing Out at The Arrabelle at Vail Square, a RockResort

arabelle vail

Disclosure: My visit was sponsored by Vail Summer but all opinions are my own. During a recent stay at The Arrabelle at Vail Square, a Rock Resort on a weekend getaway, I was completely transported from every day life. From the minute I walked into the lobby, just me and my bags (no kids in tow), I knew I was in for a treat. Clearly I knew that in the winter, the hotel is a winter oasis for skiers, but I really didn't understand how nice it (or Vail) would be in the summertime. Between the service, decor and proximity to central Vail, I was set. The Read More

24Aug

Experiencing Nostalgia on Our Summer Vacation

When I was younger, summer vacations were really special.  My grandparents and uncle would fly down to my home in Atlanta from Philadelphia and we'd all cram into a large station wagon and drive places. Often it would be Florida, which is the source of most of my childhood vacation memories.  But we also spent several summers visiting Myrtle Beach in South Carolina. My dad used to wake us up early to leave - around 4am - getting us on the road well before rush hour.  We'd always be ready the night before and sleep for a few hours before departure. Read More

14Aug

Recharging at the Omni Charlotte

Our stop at the Omni Charlotte Hotel has been a highlight of our road trip. The location was wonderful - right in the heart of Charlotte's financial district.  We were so excited to explore the area and get to know a city that we didn't know very well.  Linked to 12 city blocks via sky bridge, the Omni Charlotte Hotel is moments away from the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Discovery Place, the Charlotte Convention Center, and the EpiCentre entertainment district.  Given the location, it would appear to be more of a business hotel, but we were Read More

13Aug

Eclectic and Comfortable Family Visit at Hotel Monaco

We kicked off our two week long road trip from New York to Georgia with an overnight stop in Alexandria, Virginia, a quaint historic town in Northern Virginia.  Located thirty minutes right outside Washington, DC, it was an ideal location for us to stop.  We were able to drive five hours and not have to venture into the hustle and bustle of the city.  Unbeknownst to us, at various points in her past, Alexandria has been part of the District of Columbia, a regional slave trading market, an occupied city, a washed-up post-industrial hamlet, and a hometown Read More

06Jun

Want to Show Your Children the World? Start here.

Today I went to a really interesting conversation led by extraordinary women who are as passionate about travel as I am to kick off a new family travel web site, www.PreferredFamily.com. It was a wonderful afternoon, spent at the beautiful Trump Tower Columbus Circle, where I sipped champagne and gazed out at an amazing view of Central Park. As a traveling parent, I'm always looking for a one-stop resource for information on where to stay with my kids.  That's why I'm fascinated by this site, where families can book a trip and find discussion on Read More

03Apr

A Family Stay at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester, England

Lowry Hotel

If you're planning to visit Manchester, England and are looking for a place to stay with the kids, the Lowry Hotel is a great choice. Located on the banks of the River Irwell, in the center of town, right near the commercial shopping district and load of things to do, this five-star hotel has 165 bedrooms, six suites and is as child-friendly as a hotel can get. Named after a famous Mancunian artist, DS Lowry, the hotel is part of the world's exclusive Rocco Forte Hotels and is both modern and elegant.  The inside is filled with interesting artwork, Read More

20Dec

Home Away from Home at the Elkhorn Lodge in Beaver Creek, Colorado

elkhorn lodge

I recently discovered a true gem for families in Beaver Creek, Colorado.  It's the Elkhorn Lodge, a ski-in/ski-out lodge situated just minutes from the village.  It's clean, spacious and comfortable and ideal for a family staying for more than a few days.  It has everything to suit a family's needs: location, free shuttle service to the resort, fully equipped kitchens, jetted bath tubs and more.  The lodge is actually a condominium with wholly owned condos, but you can pay per night while the owners are away. They are immaculate and the lodge truly Read More

03Nov

Luxury Family Travel at the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta

Ritz Carlton Hotel

Over the years, I've had the luxury of staying in wonderful hotels. Before I had children, I traveled the globe for work and stayed in the best hotels. Since I've gone back to work, the opportunities have presented themselves every now and then, and I still relish the idea of staying at a five star hotel.   I am keenly aware of what qualifies a great hotel and the Four Seasons has always stood out in my memory as one of my favorite business hotels.  When my kids were much younger, I had a job where the headquarters were based in Chicago, and I had the Read More

29Oct

Family Travel Bliss at the Ritz Carlton Buckhead

ritz carlton atlanta

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 Read More