Resort or Hotel - Pitstops for Kids

Grown-Up Getaway: Downtown Las Vegas and Fremont Street

January 10, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

If your usual Las Vegas stomping grounds include only the Strip, or if, like me, you think ‘been there, done that’ when it comes to a Las Vegas getaway, a stay (or even just a day) in historic downtown Las Vegas may be just what you need to see this city from a different perspective.

Downtown Las Vegas is located toward the ‘top’ of the Strip, above the Stratosphere, and retains some of the original roots that made Vegas such a glittering, fun-loving city in the 1950s and 60s. We recommend spending time here only during an adults-only Las Vegas getaway, as its authenticity includes more than a dash of grittiness.

What to do during the day:

You’ll want to center your downtown Las Vegas day on and around Fremont Street. Head to the Downtown Container Park, located at 707 Fremont, and check out this artsy and interesting outdoor shopping and dining area created out of shipping containers and box cars. You’ll see a huge praying mantis at the entrance (an art piece, perhaps?) and layers of fun boutiques, coffee houses, and bistros in the area surrounding shaded seating. Expect good music, a clean, friendly atmosphere, and even a big playground for kids.

Next, go to the Mob Museum, located at 300 Stewart, just a few blocks from the Container Park. Built as a nod to Vegas’ mobster past, the Mob Museum includes true stories of organized crime, including crimes in Vegas history. It’s put together in an interactive, immersive way, with several levels of exhibits and displays.

Where to eat:

In the daytime, head to the Commissary, located at the bottom of the Downtown Grand, for great breakfast burritos, espresso, and sandwiches. Do yourself a favor and skip the hotel buffets at old-school casinos like the Golden Nugget or the Fremont. In the evening, try Itsy Bitsy, located at 150 Las Vegas Blvd. This ramen house offers up steaming bowls of ramen noodles and rice dishes, served alongside amazing sake. Try the cucumber sake for a refreshing, light drink.

For an after-dinner cocktail or two, avoid the ‘street’ drinks in plastic cups found along Fremont in favor of the Griffin bar, which surprises with a cozy English pub interior (with a pretty bare bones exterior). As an alternative, the Downtown Grand’s Art Bar, located on the ground floor, has great drink specials and a bright, tasteful, and airy atmosphere.

What to do at night:

You won’t find world-class shows or impressive hotel interiors downtown, but you will find a slice of Vegas culture unlike even that you see on the Strip. The Fremont Street Experience includes the massive, bright, neon-canopied pedestrian-only street where zip-liners fly overhead, bands play live, and casinos beckon on every corner. In the street, the people watching is fantastic; expect to see everything from half-naked people to open drunkenness to beggars and street performers (both talented and untalented). As noted above, this is not an atmosphere for children, but can certainly be a fun culture shock for an adult getaway.

Zip-lining above the crowd will set you back $20 per person for the lower, slower line and $40 for the high line. Plan to buy tickets at the start of the Fremont Street (where the covered area starts) well before you want to zip…the wait time tends to be about an hour. You don’t have to wait in line; rather, you’re issued a time to return.

Live music is generally fun and loud, and on the hour, the entire neon ceiling of the Fremont Street Experience comes alive with images and video to coordinate with music. For a non-gaming, non-partying crowd, one evening (or even one hour) on Fremont will be enough, but I can certainly see the authentic appeal for the wilder set.

Heading to Vegas with the kids? Check out our guide to Las Vegas with kids, our top kid-friendly attractions, and where we think you should stay.

Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows review

January 3, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

Can’t get to Hawaii or Mexico to escape the winter and don’t love Las Vegas? Head to Pheonix Arizona’s cozy neighbor, Scottsdale, for a relaxing, family-friendly and tranquil desert getaway at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows. A Hyatt property tucked away on 20+ acres in the shadow of lovely Camelback mountain, the Andaz has a vibrant personality and friendly vibe. Upon arrival, guests are shown into the comfortable ‘guest house’ instead of a lobby, where they’re checked in by team members with iPads instead of going to a counter, then offered a complimentary beverage including wine. The mood is set right then and there.

Instead of rooms, guests are situated in bungalows (about 4-6 units to each adobe-style building). Each bungalow building is spaced nicely apart, and each has a small outdoor seating area (some with tables and chairs, others with outdoor beach seating). There are three room types in addition to suites; the largest room is where I was situated, in a Saarinen King (485 square feet, including a huge bathroom and back enclosed patio area in addition to the front patio). If you have kids with you and want to really splurge, opt for the Saarinen with cabana, for a private cabana looking out on the main pool. There’s also a more private enclave of the resort, called the Retreat. These rooms are situated around a private pool near the fitness center and spa.

In addition to the pool and hot tub, there’s a nice fitness center with some complimentary classes (yoga was offered during my stay) and a full-service spa with private spa pool. It’s worth looking into a day pass even if you don’t get a treatment. Other complimentary amenities included in the resort fee includes a wine happy hour and libations class, where guests learn how to make one of the signature cocktails at the resort (then get to sip them). You can also ask for a complimentary ride in the resort’s Tesla, within a 2-mile radius, I believe. I used this service to meet a friend for drinks at a resort about a mile away. The Tesla service doesn’t bring you back (because they can’t be certain of availability) but it does save you one way of your Uber. There’s also a golf concierge on site included in your rate.

The resort has only one restaurant, but it’s amazing. The Weft & Warp Art Bar is open, airy, friendly and inviting, with an artsy vibe to go with the partnership the Andaz Scottsdale enjoys with the art studio enclave, Cattle Track. (Local art is also on all the bungalow walls.) The food is fairly expensive, but it’s inventive and fresh, and the cocktails and wine list are creative and expansive. Enjoy a happy hour small bites menu each day from 3-5 pm to save some cash, or go to the pool bar in the day time. Definitely plan to eat at least one breakfast and one dinner at Weft & Warp, however, and enjoy some drinks there.

Certainly, the Andaz Scottsdale is set up to be a destination resort: you can certainly play all day here and not leave the property, soaking up the desert sunshine. If you do decide to head further afield, ample hiking, golfing, mountain biking, art gallery-hopping and shopping is in the area. Several additional restaurants are within walking distance, including a loud but casual taco place and a more reserved steak house.

In addition to the Andaz Scottsdale’s unique ambiance and relaxing setting, the Hyatt hospitality is what you’ll remember most. During my three day stay, every interaction I had with the service team was pleasant and the wait staff remembered me by name multiple times.

Rates are best in the off-season and shoulder season, and when I visited in late November, the resort felt comfortably busy but not crowded. Come even earlier in the fall or last spring for the best weather while snagging decent rates.

Best Ski Towns: Big Bear California with kids

December 20, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

An easy drive from San Bernardino, California, Big Bear is a legit mountain destination for Southern California families, with pine forests, wildlife, and plenty of hiking and biking in summer and skiing in the winter months. We teamed up with Expedia to give you a breakdown of this prime Southern California getaway. A long weekend or day trip is perfect during the winter months for some snow play. Fortunately, if you choose the former, Big Bear offers plenty of hotel options to keep you rested and ready to make the most of it. Here’s what you need to know to explore Big Bear California with kids:

Skiing at Big Bear Mountain Resort:

Lift tickets at Big Bear Mountain Resort are still well under $100 for adults, which makes for a refreshing change from larger resorts dotting California. And that price is with 11 chairs and five carpets! Snow conditions are not quite as steady here as they are in higher elevations, so you do gamble a bit on snowpack, but Big Bear’s beginning terrain is hard to beat, making this mountain ideal for learning, given its easy distance from San Bernardino.

If you like terrain parks, especially for learners, Big Bear is an excellent location. Ditto if you want manageable groomers. Many people have ‘I learned to ski at Big Bear’ stories, and it’s easy to see why. For the best family skiing, stick with Snow Summit, the area with plenty of park features for kids (all lift accessible). There are also nice picnic areas here (it’s Southern California, after all, and the sun is often shining).

Sledding at Big Bear:

Yes, you can hunt down your own sledding hill, but why? Big Bear has three ready-made snow tubing areas: the Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain, just west of Big Bear Village; Big Bear Snow Play, which is located on the east end of Big Bear Blvd., and Grizzly Ridge in the Basecamp area at Snow Summit Ski Resort. At the latter, because you can easily tack it onto a ski day or have little ones tubing while older kids take ski lessons.

Or, head out after dark and try some glow-in-the-dark sledding! Snow Play offers glow tubing, where more than 1,500 multi-colored LED fluorescent lights lead the way up the Magic Carpet to the top of the hill, which is awash in color. Big Bear Snow Play is open daily for daytime snow tubing from 10 a.m.- 4 pm, with glow tubing every Friday, Saturday, and holiday nights from 5-9 pm. Bear in mind: tubing participants must be at least 36” tall.

At each snow tubing location, kids will be pampered: each snow tubing area has covered Magic Carpet with clear tunnels that transport riders with their tubes to the top of the slope, so you can escape the cold and any wet weather. There’s a snack bar with hot cocoa and bathrooms, too.

Winter at the Discovery Center:

A favorite for my family during the summer months, winter at the Discovery Center in Big Bear is a special season, too. Animal tracks are easier to spot in the snow, after all! The trails are often covered in powder, making them ideal for snowshoeing as a family (this sport is almost as easy as walking!) and The Big Bear Discovery Center still offers weekend programs, teaching kids how to recognize different wildlife prints in the snow.

Tip: We rented snowshoes at Goldsmiths Sports. Be sure to get poles, too! You can get trail maps at Goldsmiths too, or at the Discovery Center.

Where to stay: The Lodge at Big Bear Lake

The Lodge at Big Bear Lake is in a prime location right on the edge of downtown (within easy walking distance of shops and dining) and has family-friendly amenities galore, such as a heated pool and plenty of space for your winter gear. The rooms are spacious, though nothing to write home about, but where the Lodge truly shines: its excellent made-to-order breakfasts. There’s a fitness center, and the spa in the outdoor pool deck area feels great after a day on the slopes. Tip: if you don’t want a hotel experience, there are an abundance of home rentals in Big Bear, both associated with the ski resort and separate.

Tip: if you’re not a winter person, return to Big Bear in the summer!

Have you been to Big Bear in the winter? What do you recommend?

Northstar California Resort with kids: what you need to know for a great ski vacation

December 13, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Between the expense, the equipment, and the logistics of getting everyone where they need to be (preferably with both gloves), skiing with kids can be daunting. Northstar California makes it easier by continuing to be one of the friendliest and most family-oriented mountains my family and I have ever skied. With a fun, centralized ski village, luxury accommodation options, and multiple ski school programs, Northstar offers everything your family needs to have a successful, memorable Tahoe ski vacation. Here’s how to get the most out of a trip to Northstar California Resort with kids:

Plan to stay a minimum of three days.

With 170 acres of newly skiable side-terrain, a new express quad chairlift doubling the capacity on the backside, and one of the best terrain parks (including the new 22′ Shaun White super pipe), families simply can’t full experience Northstar in only a day, especially if they plan to spend even half a day in group or private lessons. Renting equipment, buying tickets, and registering for ski and board school all take time: you only want to have to do it once per ski vacation. Staying at Northstar more than one day saves you money too: buying 3, 5, or 7 day passes is much cheaper than day-of ticket window pricing. If you plan to ski more than seven days, consider purchasing a local Epic Pass instead, which allows entry to both Northstar and Heavenly.

Immerse yourself in ‘village life’.

We loved staying in the heart of the Northstar Village at Tahoe Mountain Lodging’s Big Horn Lodge. Of course, it’s convenient to be steps away from the slopes, ice skating rink, equipment rentals, restaurants, shops, and hot tubs, but what we hadn’t counted on was how much enjoyment we’d gain from staying in the heart of such a contagious ‘ski town’ atmosphere. The Northstar-at-Tahoe Village truly is the heart of the resort; we loved the cheery bonfires lining the village streets (bring marshmallows!), the live music in the evenings, and the view from our balcony of the Northstar gondola whisking guests up and over the snow-blanketed slopes.

Take advantage of private family lessons.

Like many resorts, Northstar-at-Tahoe offers a wide variety of ski and board lessons, from group classes for kids as young as three to adventure and ‘guided’ sessions for advanced skiers and riders. At first glance, springing for a private lesson may seem like an extravagance, but because families can add up to six people to one private lesson, the cost can become equal or even less than a group lesson. Your children will get far more personalized instruction, and if you join in as well, you’ll learn how to help your kids learn! Our kids (ages 7, 10, and 12) had a great time with their private instructor, Jon, who served as not only a teacher, but a guide, familiarizing the kids with the mountain as they zipped around, enjoying twice as many runs in as most guests (by utilizing private lesson lines). Time is money, and dedicating half a day or one full day to a family private lesson can not only jump start your ski instruction, but get your group familiarized with Northstar like nothing else!

Utilize EpicMix.

A brand new social networking and tracking service offered by all Vail Resorts (of which Northstar is a part), EpicMix is touted everywhere you go at Northstar, and for good reason: you should be using this fun and free tool! In fact, if you have a ski pass, you already are: every time you enter a lift line, an EpicMix sensor scans your pass, recording your lift habits, total vertical feet, and lots of other fun stats throughout your day. After skiing, families can log into their account (kids are securely added by you to yours), select avatars, compare stats and achievement ‘buttons’, and view photos taken by the equally free EpicMix photographers (which work just like Disney’s PhotoPass photographers). And if your tween or teen is skiing without you (or your kids are in lessons while you’re in the lodge), you can log onto EpicMix from any smart phone to find out where on the mountain they’d last ‘checked in’.

Save time for all the extras.

Northstar offers so much more than skiing: in the village, families can take in a first-run movie, ice skate on the public rink (skating is free; if you need skates, rentals are $10/person), roast marshmallows over the open fire pits, and tube at mid-mountain.

Much thanks to Northstar-at-Tahoe for hosting our stay. This compensation came with no expectation of a positive review.

Grown-Up Getaway: Sunriver Oregon escape

December 6, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

We’ve written about planning a winter or spring getaway to Sunriver, Oregon with your family, and about skiing at Mt. Bachelor with kids and snowshoeing with teens in the Deschutes National Forest. Sunriver is an ideal playground for outdoorsy families, located just outside of Bend in the Central Cascades, but I’ll let you in on a little secret: Sunriver Resort makes for a great grown-up getaway as well. If you can fend off the parent guilt, head to Sunriver (in any season) and enjoy spa pampering, peaceful and inspiring nature walks, and plenty of good food and drink.

Where to stay in Sunriver:

When you have the kids in tow, we recommend renting a vacation home through Sunriver Resort. With the whole crew on vacation, you definitely need to kitchen and laundry facilities. However, switch gears for your grown-up getaway. Stay in one of Sunriver’s 245 guest rooms and suites, called the Sunriver Lodge Village. These accommodations offer luxuriously appointed guest rooms adjacent to all the resort amenities. You can get a single room, or upgrade to a suite, which includes a kitchen (with everything but an oven), fireplace, deck, and upstairs bedroom. You can even order room service to your door, even in the townhouse-like suites. Each section of the Lodge Village has their own outdoor hot tubs, but you can also use Sage Springs fitness center and spa (more on that below). What to upgrade, the River Lodges (similar name!) are more luxurious and located along the river, with wonderful views.

Where to eat:

When we come to Sunriver with the kids, we always seem to end up with a take-out pizza from the shopping center. I’m no food snob, but during a grown-up getaway, this won’t cut it. During my stay, I was lucky enough to time my visit with the Month of Chocolate, which was celebrated with specials in the spa, resort restaurant menus, and with special accommodation packages. Find chocolate-y goodness, plus amazing cuisine and ambiance any time of year at:

Carson’s American Kitchen: Sunriver’s newest restaurant is all about Pacific Northwest flavors in a casual setting. Hey, it’s Oregon…almost everything will be casual. The menu is seasonally-driven, which I always find makes for a more special experience. Try one of Carson’s salads…they’re a full meal and locally sourced when possible.

Twisted River Tavern: I love an upscale bar with great ambiance, and Twisted River delivers. Formally called Owl’s Nest in the main lodge, Twisted River has undergone a makeover for a lodgy-retro-sheek feel. Not only do they serve inventive craft cocktails, but the tavern menu is both satisfying and sophisticated. You definitely won’t feel like you’re at the kiddie table. On weekend nights, expect a DJ playing fun dance music (it does get a little loud after 9 pm).

What to do:

Obviously, you need to relish some ‘me’ time during a grown-up getaway, which means you need to head to Sage Springs Spa. If you’re staying at the resort, you get access to Sage Springs’ fitness center, lap pool, and whirlpool spas. You also get access to their locker rooms, which may not seem like a big deal…until you see them. These luxury locker rooms include jacuzzi tubs with nature soundtracks and starry night sky features, steam rooms, showers with full products to help you get ready for your day (or evening), and relaxation areas.

If you’re a spa guest, you also get access to the spa relaxation room, where you can sip tea and relax with a book or magazine. I got a facial during my stay, but made sure to stay extra to enjoy the ambiance in my spa robe and slippers. If you’re not utilizing the spa, still come by for the lap pool, indoor tennis courts, or state-of-the-art exercise machines. These machines were just replaced last year. There are also fitness classes and yoga offerings.

I can’t stand to be somewhere as beautiful as Central Oregon and not spend time in the outdoors, so during my grown-up getaway, I broke out my snowshoes and headed into the mountains. My favorite place for DIY snowshoeing and cross-country skiing is along the Cascades Highway en route to Mt. Bachelor. For snowshoeing, head to Dutchman Flat Sno Park, right next to the ski resort, or Swampy Lakes Sno Park (which has dedicated snowshoeing trails) and for nordic skiing, try Virginia Meissner. Don’t want to go it alone? We recommend Wanderlust Tours for any guided excursions. I’ve actually enjoyed the outdoors with Wanderlust three times now, and each time has been a joy, with kids and without. Wanderlust is based in Bend, but operates out of Sunriver, too.

Of course, downhill skiing abounds at Mt. Bachelor, or, a bit further afield past Sisters, Oregon, Hoodoo. And even in winter, the Deschutes River shines. Take a walk and go birding, or even biking if the grounds are snow-free. When there is snow, it’s possible to cross-country ski in the resort.

If the weather allows, Sunriver is criss-crossed with paved bike trails, so bring your road bike. Tennis courts are also available, as well as a full exercise facility. In summer, raft with Sun Country tours, or go low-key and enjoy the lodge pool. In season, there’s also golf, which is a huge deal in Central Oregon.

Or here’s an idea…just relax. Sunriver’s main lodge features the Living Room, an inviting space with gorgeous views and an oversized fireplace just waiting for you to curl up with a good book.

Tips for finding more activities at Sunriver:

Check for seasonal events and promotions. During our stay during the Month of Chocolate, we were lucky enough to enjoy a ‘Chopped’ style cocktail-making competition in Twisted River, in which four bartenders contended for a title. I was even called forward to judge! At the same time during our stay, Sunriver was hosting s’mores by the fire in the outdoor fire pit by the lodge, complete with story hour for adults and kids.
Take full advantage of the grounds. Along the bike and walking paths, not far from the lodge, visitors will find the nature center and observatory. Both operated independently from Sunriver, they are affordable, informative, and offer events you may not want to miss.
Act like a local. Don’t forget that Sunriver is a community as well as a resort. Ask about ongoing events and classes. Tennis tournaments are held regularly at the Sage Springs complex, and are open to guests if they register, and regularly-programmed culinary events take place monthly. For instance, the last Friday of each month, Sunriver hosts a winemaker’s dinner. We joined the dinner on the Friday of our stay, and met other guests, a few locals, and the wine distributor for the featured NW winery. In this case, the winery was aptly North by Northwest (King Estate).

As I disclose whenever applicable, I was hosted at Sunriver for the purpose of review. All opinions remain my own.

Luxury stay in Crete: Marriott Luxury Collection Blue Palace

November 1, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

The Blue Palace, a Marriott Luxury Collection resort, is located on the north side of the island of Crete, Greece, at Elounda, about one hour’s drive from the Heraklion airport. This side of the island is without doubt the more touristy side, but for good reason: its beaches are beautiful, the small towns hugging the coastline are inviting and welcoming, and the Blue Palace shines like a collection of polished stones overlooking the Mediterranean.

Comprised of bungalows, suites and villas, every room seems to have a stunning ocean view at the Blue Palace, thanks to its unique design, with rooms stacked in several floors tucked into the hillside, almost as though they have burrowed cozily into the earth. Because of this configuration, the main lobby area is at level three, with a large outdoor pool, patio space, and dining on that level. Additional dining is on level four (this is the place for your morning breakfast buffet), with more options throughout the resort, right down to the beach level. There are no fewer than seven restaurants and bars, in total. I recommend The Blue Door, which replicates a traditional Greek taverna, located right near the beach, with indoor and outdoor seating. Order an assortment of shared plates, like we did, with wine for the table, or opt for seafood dishes here.

Upstairs, the Arsenali Lounge Bar is another good place to gather in the evenings, with tables overlooking the pools and ocean as well as inviting indoor bungalow nooks with couches and lantern light.

My ‘standard’ king villa was anything but, with a large patio overlooking the sea (with comfortable furniture) and spacious main room. The en-suite bathroom had both a tub and a shower, with a frosted glass door that slid to offer privacy in the toilet area as well. Instant coffee and tea service was available, which surprised me, really…what about a Nespresso machine, perhaps? There is a stocked mini-bar, as well as an extensive room service menu with generous hours. Any time day or night, you can find food here.

On the grounds, there are tennis courts, a private beach, indoor and outdoor pools, a kids’ club, a game area with outdoor ping-pong and the like, and a full fitness center with ongoing group classes, yoga sessions and private training offered. The full spa is located nearby, with 23 treatment rooms, each featuring soothing water sounds and diffused calming lighting. The Blue Palace spa utilizes therapeutic Thalassotherapy with their spa services.

When to go to the Blue Palace:

The off-season is more affordable than one might think for such luxury, with some rooms for as little as approximately 250 EU per night. Go in early fall, while the ocean water is still warm and the air temperatures remain around 70-80 degrees F. If you go in peak summer, you can expect to pay more and to endure hotter weather, but without doubt, you’ll be comfortable at the Blue Palace. The full breakfast buffet (valued at around 40 EU per person) does come included in some room rates, so be sure to ask about this possibility when booking.

What not to miss on Crete:

Be sure to schedule at least two full days simply to enjoy this resort, perhaps checking out the spa and kids’ club or just enjoying the beach and pools. Then, take a day to explore the archeological antiquities of Knossos, about an hour away, and the small towns along the northern coastline.

Luxury stay in Athens Greece: Hotel Grande Bretagne

October 15, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Athens is a sprawling, hot, and bustling city, and if you want to be pampered when you make your way to your accommodations after each long day of sightseeing, make your home the Hotel Grande Bretagne. A Marriott Luxury Collection property, the Bretagne is ideally located in the heart of Syntagma Square, right next to the Parliament. You’ll be wowed the moment you step inside the historic lobby with its high ceilings and elegant decor (this hotel opened in 1874, and oozes that old-style luxury travel experience). I experienced some of the best service I’ve ever had at the Bretagne, from impeccable housekeeping to a very helpful concierge and valet staff.

Standard rooms are on the small side, but they’re luxury all the way, with great views of the city, more high ceilings (only to be found in historic hotels these days) and bathrooms with deep baths as well as shower options. There are 320 rooms and suites, so you have your options. There’s a fully-stocked mini-bar, but I still found room for my bottle of water to keep it cool, and families can ask that the mini-bar be emptied if they’d prefer more space. You also get espresso each morning via a Nespresso machine and bottled water delivered daily, as well as turn-down service.

The landmark hotel has several restaurants on-site, including Winter Garden downstairs (which has a fabulous afternoon tea, if you need a mid-day break) and the Roof Garden Restaurant on the top floor, with open-air seating on the rooftop with stunning views of the Acropolis. Even if you don’t dine here at night, be sure to stop at the rooftop bar for a cocktail. The Roof Garden Restaurant is also the location for their fabulous breakfast buffet (opt for a room rate that includes this, or it will seriously set you back). The full-service buffet includes more continental and hot items than anyone could possibly try in several mornings, and there’s a menu of options as well.

The outdoor pool is located one floor down, with more great views and another bar with small plates and drinks (though I found that it tended to close earlier than its 8 pm posted time during my visit). There’s a large exercise facility and indoor pool on the bottom level of the hotel, which also houses the full spa and salon. Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to try the spa.

The benefits of staying at the Bretagne went beyond the comfort of terry bathrobes and slippers laid out each evening: the location was convenient to everything in the city center, and the valet staff makes it so easy to get a cab and get directions to anywhere. The lobby makes for an instant respite each time you enter it, and a cool dip in the pool is exactly what’s needed after touring antiquities.

Room rates: Room rates hover at about 600EU per night, so this is definitely a luxury splurge stay. See below for additional options for other budgets.

Address: 1 Vasimeos Georgiou A, Syntagma Square

Other good hotels centrally-located for families:

Wyndham Grand: located about a 10-minute cab ride from Syntagma Square, further from the Acropolis but still with great views, and usually around 150-180 EU.

Royal Olympic: Directly across from the Temple of Zeus, in a very convenient downtown location, around 250 EU.

Both of these options have lovely rooftop restaurants with views of the Acropolis (and the Olympic also has great views of the Temple of Zeus, as well).

Church Landing at Inns of Mill Falls, Lake Winnipesaukee

September 17, 2018 By Sharlene Earnshaw

The following review is written by Pit Stops for Kids’ reader Deirdre Hall.

As we drove north into New Hampshire I regaled my children with tales of camping at Lake Winnipesaukee when I was a girl: the smell of the campfire, marshmallows roasting, and running full steam down a long dock to cannonball into the chill lake.

church landing

When we pulled into Church Landing, one of several Inns at Mills Falls in Meredith, NH my kids were given an altogether different impression of “roughing it”. Greeted by a generous front porch with geraniums in bloom, we made our way inside to discover it was almost as if we were still outdoors, yet free of what I didn’t mention about my childhood days camping: mosquitos, damp sleeping bags, and the constant smell of lake water. Birch logs and branches stretched toward the ceiling and the overall rustic décor was a nod to the summer camps the lake had long supported. However, without having to look too closely it became clear that the first class service and amenities suggested this wasn’t a cottage on a big pond.

church landing

As we settled into our room, the kids were fascinated by a stepstool to climb into the very cushy bed and the many forest accents brought indoors, from the furniture made from rustic birch logs and barn board with minute detail down to the twig handles to the retro postcard wallpaper in the bathroom. While they explored we enjoyed the placid lake-view from our balcony.

We took a short walk to the neighboring Shops at Mills Falls Marketplace where we enjoyed brick oven pizza accompanied by live music in the quaint yet festive Giuseppe’s Pizzeria and Ristorante. By the time we were done with our meal many of the shops had closed, but we promised to return the following day. Venturing back to Church Landing in the dwindling daylight we watched the ducks play in the water while we enjoyed homemade ice cream on the docks.

Once back at Church Landing we were met with twinkly lights which will forever remind my kids of fairies, especially with the birch and cedar accents nearly everywhere you looked. We promptly donned our swimsuits and the kids hopped in the heated pool which had an underwater passage-way outside and we grown-ups relaxed in the hot tub. The scene was quiet except for our own splashing and we felt comfortable and at home.

The following morning a small complimentary continental breakfast of muffins, cereal, yogurt, hardboiled eggs, granola bars and fruit was offered while overlooking the water. Shortly after we took a stroll around the grounds admiring the lake and doing some more reminiscing about summers spent camping out. We visited the shops back at the Marketplace and bought some homemade chocolates for the ride home. After another swim and checkout we asked the helpful staff about areas of interest close-by. They directed us to a public park at the Community Center just down the street where we let the kids blow off some steam aboard a playscape replica of the M/S Mount Washington and another structure with climbing, sliding and twisting features. Our final stop was the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center.

Date last visited:

July 2012

Room rates:

Rooms and suites start at around $250 in the high season, and $230 in the winter. Rates will vary. Mills Falls has six properties in total: see a comparison of Mills Falls locations.

Amenities:

Rooms feature free wifi and fridges, and free parking is available as well.

Dining options:

In addition to the shops and restaurants described above, Church Landing offers The Lakehouse Grille and Lounge, open for lunch and dinner daily.

Directions:

Church Landing is located at 281 Daniel Webster Highway. From I-93, take Hwy 104 to merge with the Daniel Webster Highway.

Deirdre Hall writes for Ladies Holiday Blog and Aliment a cookery blog. Along with her family, she is an adventurous and luxury seeking traveler.

Grown-up getaway: Ashland Hills Hotel

September 3, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

Now that school has started, this is a great time to get away with your partner to toast another great summer. Autumn travel has the advantages of providing less crowded hotels and restaurants, and off-season hotel deals are the norm. Recently, my husband and I enjoyed a getaway to Ashland, Oregon for a romantic, yet still adventurous, stay at Ashland Hills Hotel.

For us, this getaway was a staycation: Ashland is our hometown. But this small Southern Oregon town is full of character–and more importantly, great entertainment venues and dining options–making it an ideal grown-up getaway for anyone within driving distance.

You won’t lack for quality lodging options in Ashland, ranging from quaint B&Bs to luxury escapes. For our most recent getaway, we tried Ashland Hills Hotel, which hits upon a perfect middle ground. This elegant property used to be nothing special until bought by the same folks who run several top-notch Rogue Valley hotels, including one of my favorites, the historic Ashland Springs Hotel. Knowing this boosted my confidence that we’d be in good hands at Ashland Hills Hotel, and we certainly were!

The hotel is located on the south side of Ashland, placing it on the opposite side of downtown but adjacent to some of the area’s best hiking and outdoor recreation. From this location, it’s easy to get to Emigrant Lake, Mt. Ashland, and Crater Lake, and you’re still only about five minutes by car from downtown Ashland.

The renovated lobby is spacious, airy, and calming, and our king bed room overlooking the pool was also generously sized. We had the usual amenities, such as coffee and tea service, and a mini-fridge, plus there are additional on-site amenities that really up the value, such as tennis courts and free bikes to use. Free WiFi and parking was a nice touch as well, both of which I no longer assume will be granted at higher-end hotels. The entire feel of Ashland Hills Hotel is what I’d call ‘gently retro’. It’s not over-the-top, but the retro furnishings, colors, and woodwork are tasteful and appealing.

The continental breakfast set out on the Mezzzanine is standard…nothing amazing here, but a good value for a free breakfast and in a nice setting away from the lobby with plenty of seating.

What to do in Ashland:

Early fall is a great time to visit Ashland. The weather is still warm, which means couples can take full advantage of the many hiking and biking trails in and near the city limits, SUP or kayak on Emigrant Lake, or book a whitewater rafting trip. The downtown sector of Ashland is entirely pedestrian-friendly, with interesting shops and eateries lining Ashland Street and Main and the downtown square.

Walk through Lithia Park: this downtown park is vibrant in fall, and even in September, before the leaves change color, it’s a sanctuary of leafy green goodness. Walk among the ponds, and be sure to venture further up the park past the children’s playground to see the many acres beyond the lawns and formal gardens.

Hike or bike the White Rabbit: This network of trails and single track snake through the hills overlooking Ashland, and are accessible at the end of Ashland Loop Road or Park Street. Lots of signage within this hiking area ensures you won’t get lost (just stay on trails to avoid poison oak).

Take in an Oregon Shakespeare Festival production: Ashland is famous for its OSF, and tickets are often discounted after school starts. Take in a show (Shakespeare or otherwise) in the outdoor theater before the season is over. Note that many other smaller theaters churn out good productions in and around Ashland, too. Consider looking into what’s playing at the Caberet in Ashland or the Craterian in Medford.

Go wine tasting: The Rogue Valley boosts over 30 wineries, many of them award-winning. Venture north and drive along the Applegate Wine Trail or the Upper Rogue Wine Trail, or try some local Ashland area wineries like Weisinger, Bella Fiore, or Pebblestone.

Dine anywhere downtown: Seriously, you can’t go wrong. Our favorite dining options on the square or downtown include Amuse or Larks (fine dining), Standing Stone (brew pub), Liquid Assets (wine bar), Smithfields (locally sourced) or Brickroom (killer cocktails), and Sesame (Asian fusion). For brunch, look no further than Morning Glory.

Indulge at Waterstone Spa: Waterstone is part of the hotel group that runs several top-notch hotels in the area, including Ashland Hills Hotel, which means it’s easy to combine a stay with a treatment here. We opted for foot soaks for a quick but refreshing service following a short hike in the area as part of Ashland Hills Hotel’s Wild Pacific Crest Trail package.

Walk along part of the PCT: Speaking of which, the PCT runs right past Ashland near the Mt. Ashland recreation area and Pilot Rock. This is a great area to take a day hike, even if you won’t be trekking the trail from start to finish. We like to hike a few miles when we can, accessing the trail from the Mt. Ashland access road off I-5.

As we disclose whenever applicable, our stay at Ashland Hills Hotel was complimentary, for the purpose of review. All dining and activities in Ashland were at our expense.

Summer in Idaho: Schweitzer Mountain Resort with kids

August 20, 2018 By Amy Hagstrom

In the panhandle of Idaho, high above Lake Pend Oreille and the picturesque town of Sandpoint sits Schweitzer Mountain Resort. While many people know Schweitzer as a ski destination, summer on the mountain has much to offer the active outdoor family from late June until early September. Find miles of trails to explore, ripe huckleberries to pick, free lawn games to play, sprawling vistas to gaze upon, Village attractions to thrill you, blooming wildflowers to photograph, and a chairlift ride to amaze (and somewhat scare) you.

Schweitzer caters to those who love the outdoors. The main attraction is undeniably the over twenty miles of trails and its connection to the massive Selkirk Recreation District trail system. However, we found that Schweitzer in the summer offers many summer activities aimed at entertaining the whole family from hiking to a playground, pool and thrill attractions. And if you time it right and visit in late July or early August the wildflowers will be in bloom and the huckleberries delicious.

Tip: Once you’ve explored the mountain, don’t forget to spend a day at City Beach in Sandpoint enjoying the sun, volleyball, sailing, beachside playground or swimming before heading a few blocks over to experience an “auto bridge” that is now enclosed and home to one of the most unique shopping experiences in the country.

Lodging accommodations

Schweitzer offers two on-site lodges, the Selkirk and White Pine, with a variety of room types to address different family needs. The lodges offer rooms from the standard double queen to three bedroom condos that can sleep up to ten people. The Selkirk Family Suite met the needs of our family of five. It included a queen bed and a twin bed over a second queen, a small kitchenette and table for in-room dining. The room was spacious enough not to be overcrowded when all five of us were present and quiet and relaxing when our youngest went down for her afternoon nap.

While the lodge included typical hotel amenities like an exercise room and small business center, it was the more unique features and Northwest flare that won over our family. The lodge includes a theater room (first family there picks the movie for the night!) as well as an outdoor heated pool with views of the mountain. It is difficult to describe how or why the pool won us over so completely, but unlike other experiences where the pool area is heavily regulated, Schweitzer takes a more relaxed approach. Do you want to take your food and beverages (even the adult type) out to the pool and eat dinner as the sun sets over the mountains and your children splash around in the shallow end or warm up in the hot tubs? Of course you do. And at Schweitzer they let you.

Note: don’t leave your Pucci’s Pub nachos (they are delicious) unattended as the adorable marmots will move in on them quickly!

The Selkirk Lodge also shares space with the Chimney Rock Grill and Mojo Coyote’s Coffee Shop. You don’t have to leave the building and both are excellent. While it was nice to be just a flight of stairs away from our morning lattes, we especially enjoyed the ample portions of the kids’ meals at Chimney Rock. The food came with attentive and quick service that thoughtfully seated us on the shaded patio keeping us out of the more congested areas and provided us with another opportunity to admire the views.

The Selkirk Lodge is centrally located in the Village and faces the common area on one side and the mountain on the other. From just outside our room we were able to play a game of giant checkers, spend time stargazing with our telescope, and watch the kids enjoy an impromptu dance party. A playground is adjacent, as is a massive colony of marmots, and deer and moose to spot. For reservations and rates go to Schweitzer.com.

The Schweitzer Ultimate Fun Pass

To help facilitate summertime fun in the Village, Schweitzer offers the Ultimate Fun Pass (UFP), which gives all-day (11am – 5pm) access to the chairlift and other paid attractions. The UFP attractions include unlimited chairlift rides, trips down the zip line (for those eight years old and 60 lbs), climbs up the climbing wall, and jumps on the trampoline jumper. Every UFP also includes one bag of dirt and jewels to be sluiced at Cranky Jennings Sluice Box which was a crowd favorite in our family.

Our 10-year-old took advantage of the unlimited rides on the 700’ foot long dual zip lines (and yes, mom did join her). This was an exhilarating adventure for both child and parent to enjoy together while offering us a unique view of Lake Pend Orielle down the valley. The modest length and height, as well as the extremely accommodating and friendly staff at both ends of the zip line, made for a perfect introduction to the sport for our traditionally tentative and risk-averting daughter. In fact, mom was more anxious than she was, especially the second time down the line.

Since our three and six-year-olds did not meet the minimum age or weight requirements, the rest of us moved the short distance in the Village to the trampoline jumper and climbing wall while older sister and mom enjoyed the zip line. A single parent was able to simultaneously supervise the two younger kids on the trampoline jumper and the 25-foot tall rock wall. This was made possible by the attentive and helpful staff who supervise both locations.

From all of the activities enjoyed with the UFP, surprisingly the sluice box was best received and enjoyed by all ages. Everyone who purchases the day pass receives a bag of dirt that contains hidden gems and stones. Using screens and a running channel of water you can wash away the dirt leaving just the treasures behind. From the magical discovery of a hidden gem to the trading of valuable items and even the imagining of enchanted powers related to different types of stones, the sluice box kept our kids entertained for an afternoon and their imaginations active for days. While we found one bag per kid to be an appropriate level of fun and amount of stones to haul around with us, for those wanting additional fun, individual bags are available for purchase in the Activity Center.

The most anticipated UFP activity for many is the chairlift ride to the summit. It was our three-year-old’s first open-air chairlift ride and we were a bit nervous starting out. Soon we were rewarded for our bravery with spectacular views of the valley below and a pleasant meal at the top of the mountain. Even for kids raised on the marvels of the computer-generated worlds of Star Wars, there is a jaw-dropping, ‘wow’-inducing moment, when you get to the top and turn around and look at the resort, tiny and insignificant by comparison, hovering above the valley and lake below.

The Nest at Sky House opened in 2016 and offers a relaxed but finer type of dining than we expected. If your family is looking for a kale Caesar, scallops, or steak sandwich, at 6000 plus elevation, you can’t go wrong. Kids under age 12 can pick from a cheese quesadilla, cheese pizza or bowl of noodles. The food was well prepared and our server was pleasant and attentive. The homemade raspberry lemonade was perfect for a hot summer day and fueled us up for another walk around the mountain’s summit. The Sky House Bar, also open 11am – 5pm, offers adults beverages as well. Staff will even provide to-go beverage cups as alcohol is permitted on all resort property.

Tip: for the budget-conscious families or ones with picky eaters, you may want to consider packing a picnic and taking it with you to the summit. Plenty of picnic tables are available, all with a view.

After lunch, our kids took advantage of the opportunity to wrestle around in front of a ‘Danger: Cliff’ sign (increasing parent anxiety) while others could enjoy a round of disc golf, a hike, or mountain bike ride down the mountain.

If you fear heights or have particularly squirmy kids (thankfully our three-year-old sat still except for the last 25 feet), the ride down the lift can be a white-knuckle experience. Rather than looking into and up the hill, you look out over the drop. While most families won’t be fazed by it, some will be hugging the little ones and tightly clinching the safety bar.

There are some practical considerations before purchasing the Ultimate Fun Pass:

Weight: Between 30 and 240 lbs for most activities. (60 lbs for the zip line)
Age: At least 8 years old for the zip line.
Shoes: You must have shoes that are closed over your toes and heel.

Note: Schweitzer may take a more relaxed approach around the pool; however, they do not mess around with age and weight limits on the Village attractions and mountain bike rentals. Be warned, you will be weighed on site, on an actual scale. Attractions can be purchased a la carte as well, at the Activity Center, if you don’t think your little ones will make full use of the pass.

Up next, additional summer activities…click on the button below to continue!

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