St. Lucia boat rental Sugar Beach

Three Luxury Family Vacations for Adventure Year Round

Kids Today are Lucky! This weekend, I spent time with my niece Aubrey, the lucky kid who got to visit Paris & London with me a few years ago.  She was telling me of her spring break trip to Fort Lauderdale with her dad, her upcoming school trip to Virginia, […]

Holiday Inn Miami West Renovated Room

Holiday Inn Miami West Hotel Review – Surprises in Hialeah Gardens

I won’t lie, when I heard that my group was assigned to the Holiday Inn Miami West – Hialeah Gardens, I wasn’t thrilled.  I was hungry and wanted the cookies at the Doubletree Hotel where other passengers were assigned. My inner hotel inspector (snob) was skeptical ranking Doubletree above a […]

Fathom Cruise Ship Adonia Terminal view

My Fathom Cruise Cancellation Experience – Tears, Tequila and Teamwork

I’m not sure who wanted to cry more, the Fathom staff that had spent months (and years) in preparation or the passengers who were excited to experience the new cruise concept of social impact activities in the Dominican Republic (the DR).  It was an emotional 24 hours for everyone scheduled […]

Ocean view from Cusp Restaurant

Hotel La Jolla, a Kimpton boutique in a posh beach town

***Note: The hotel is no longer a Kimpton property as of February 4, 2016, my stay occurred in 2015 when still a Kimpton managed property and this review is reflective of that.  To my knowledge the owners are not making changes to staff or decor so all should hopefully be […]

New Orleans Streetcar

Solo Dining in the French Quarter of New Orleans

Food in New Orleans is legend, I had so many suggestions from my #foodiechats and #foodtravelchat friends before my New Orleans trip, everyone had a favorite food memory. As I was traveling on business for a conference, I wasn’t quite sure how much free time I would have to eat. I […]

Kimpton EPIC Miami Double Room

EPIC Miami Hotel Review: An “Un-Kimpton” Pre-Cruise Stay

  My initial thought was cheesy as I was sailing on the NCL EPIC on my EPIC journey, I thought it only fitting to stay at the EPIC Miami, a Kimpton hotel.  Miami was pricier than I thought and I wasn’t able to use my Kimpton Karma award, so I started stalking […]

The Smith Restaurant Midtown NYC

Solo Dining NYC: The Smith Restaurant, a Dining Delight in Midtown

Our college intern worked the summer in NYC at Goldman Sachs (she has a great future ahead of her) and told me that one restaurant that she went to many times was The Smith.  The Smith NYC has a few locations (Lincoln Center, Midtown and the East Village).  I would […]

NYC yellow cabs at night

Review: The Westin New York Grand Central – Comfort & Cupcakes

For my trip to New York for the NY Times Travel Show, I had a reservation elsewhere but when the Starwood email landed in my inbox with the upcoming deals in New York City, I was tempted. The Westin New York Grand Central was $50 cheaper, offered more space and […]

Etihad Residence living room tradeshow

New York Times Travel Show – Happy Highlights & Hot Destinations

This past weekend, I attended the New York Times Travel Show 2015 at the Javits Center in New York City.  I’ve now attended the show in all three categories – consumer, travel industry and this year I was provided a press pass.  Both the industry day (Friday) and consumer days […]