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Karisma – Elevating the Family-Friendly Vacation

A colorful plastic step stool stands in front of the bathroom sink in Azul Sensatori Hotel’s Family Jacuzzi Suites.  The resort is divided into three areas, a family section, an adult’s only section, and a premium section open to all.  The Family Jacuzzi Suites sleep two adults and up to three children. Strollers, baby robes, monitors, bottle warmers, and baby tubs are complementary, reducing the amount of stuff parents have to pack and carry on their vacation. Families can also loan Fisher-Price toys from a special menu and have them delivered to the suite. Other family features include the Azulitos Kid’s Club, which offers daily activities and a pool directly across from the family suites wing. The Breeze Teen Club for children ages 13-17 has dedicated pool tables, soft drink bar, and its own music area. The only down side is the extra charge to play in the arcade.  The resort’s spa also offers appropriate treatments for children ages 5-16.

The resort also offers a free service for reunion planning when five or more rooms are booked for a family trip. They also receive complementary activity coordination and a private dinner.

 

 

Dalliances in Dallas

Sometimes when you’re traveling for business, you visit some areas off-the-beaten path as far as vacation travel goes. So, we’re going to feature some less commonly known vacation spots that you may have to visit for business or personal reasons – and provide some tips of what to do while you’re in town to make it more enjoyable. The first destination – Dallas, Texas offers some interesting places to stay and relax. In the summer, Dallas is hot and humid. So, our recommendation if you have to travel to Dallas for work or maybe to visit friends and family is to stay at the Hilton Anatole, which offers 45 lush acres of resort space that features a full-service shopping area and stores, several low-end and five star restaurants, a complete spa and spacious pool area with in-pool bar services. It’s a blast to beat the heat, sit at the bar, drink, talk and swim. You can also shop and eat indoors or on cool evenings sit out on the patio area with friends. Make your stay a complete getaway even if you’re in town for business. A great place to eat is the Butcher Shop Steakhouse, which has been rated a Dallas favorite for years running. Fabulous dish choices include the seafood bisque dip and homemade bread and filet mignon and bake potato made to your liking. The ambiance is quiet and beautiful and offers a comfortable dining experience for friends and family to spend a great night out on the town. When you’re done with dinner head out for some drinks and dancing at the world-famous W, which has a fabulous and high-style bar area to sit and chat or head upstairs and dance your heart out in the sleek and sophisticated club complete with full bar and open dance floor. The W is ultra modern fun and is a classy place to blow off some steam and have a great time.

Mendocino’s Rugged Beauty

Take a spring drive, enjoy the beautiful coastal range foothills now decorated with colorful wild flowers, and head up north to Mendocino. Mendocino, the town, sits right on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The town is roughly eight square blocks filled with galleries, small shops and a number of inns and bed and breakfasts.  The inns and resorts range in cost, but if you’re OK to spend a little more, check out the Little River Inn, which is a five-generation run spa and lodge with breathtaking views and luxurious grounds. The rooms are stunning and visitors can request a fireplace. Many of the rooms sit within yards of the ocean and the views are absolutely stunning. Little River is the type of inn where you might feel compelled to never leave your room, but sit all day read, eat and enjoy the scenery. Also it offers a gorgeous restaurant right on site, making an even more compelling case to never leave the facilities. The restaurant food is excellent and the ambiance is definitely four-star beautiful. If you do decide to pull yourself away from your quarters, do head into town for a quiet breakfast at any of the many cafes and bakeries. Stroll the streets, shop, check out the art, and enjoy the scenery. It’s a very low-key and relaxed experience. Be aware that in the warmer months you are subject to experience fog – sometimes lots of fog. So, dress warmly and come prepared to wear layers of clothes that can be removed, as the fog will often burn off by the afternoon.