Hotel Review: InterContinental the Clement Monterey by IHG

InterContinental the Clement Monterey by IHG Entrance and Valet

InterContinental Clement Monterey: Where Grown-Up Zen Meets Toddler-Friendly Fun!

Address: 750 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA 93940

Remember those glorious, kid-free days when you'd waltz into a swanky hotel, sip fancy cocktails, and just exist? Yeah, neither do I. But fear not, fellow parent warriors! We recently revisited the InterContinental the Clement Monterey by IHG – first as carefree adults, and then as a tag-team duo with two energetic toddlers in tow. And guess what? Both experiences were pure magic! (Well, as magical as it gets when you're traveling with tiny humans.)

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The Clement Monterey Bridge over cannery row

Location, Location, Location: Where Everything's Practically at Your Fingertips!

If you're all about convenience (and who isn't when wrangling little ones?), the Clement Monterey's location is practically a superhero! Nestled right on the breathtaking Monterey Bay, this elegant hotel is literally a two-minute stroll from the bustling charm of Cannery Row, where you can find everything from quirky shops to delicious eateries. Feeling a bit more adventurous? Fisherman's Wharf, with its clam chowder delights and barking sea lions, is just a mile away.And for those who dream of pristine greens and ocean views, the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links is a mere six miles down the road. But the real cherry on top for families? You're literally steps away from the magnificent Monterey Bay Aquarium! Prepare for your tiny marine biologists to lose their minds (in the best possible way, of course).

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Fireplace and orchids in Lobby at the Clement Monterey

The Lobby: Where Grandeur Meets Giggle-Inducing Details

First impressions? The lobby at the Clement Monterey is a whole vibe. The check-in desk is conveniently tucked away with the elevators just across the hall (super handy for the hotel hosts, but also for you when your toddlers are doing their "let's push all the buttons" routine). But the real magic happens just around the corner.

There's this absolutely gorgeous area with a cozy fireplace and comfy couches. It's the perfect spot to sip your Nespresso (from your room, naturally) and watch the water, patiently wait for your significant other to finally emerge from the bathroom, or even, as we discovered, have an impromptu pizza party with your tiny humans!

Off the lobby was a patio with tables and chairs, some even had firepits, AND best of all…CORNHOLE! It was entertainment for at least 20 minutes and a place for the kiddos to run around. We even saw whales in the distance and otters below the deck.

Outdoor patio Monterey Bay view

But my absolute favorite part of the entire hotel? The staircase just off the back of the lobby. It's a total showstopper! Inspired by the nearby aquarium, there's this incredible fixture that looks like a giant jellyfish gracefully changing colors. And with the shimmering lights, you genuinely feel like you're underwater. It's quirky, it's mesmerizing, and it's definitely worth a photo op (or three!).

Undersea scape Light art staircase at the InterContinental Clement MONTerey Bay

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Your Room: Where Spaciousness Meets Serenity (Seriously!)

Spacious Gust Rooms at the Intercontinental Monterey Bay

Prepare to have your mind (and your claustrophobia) blown! The guest rooms here are so ridiculously spacious, you could probably host a small-scale toddler dance party without anyone tripping over furniture. Those high ceilings and massive windows aren't just for show; they let in all the good vibes and keep those "walls closing in" feelings at bay. Some rooms even have fireplaces!

And then there's the zen corner. No, really. They've got a tiny bonsai tree and a little Zen sand garden to help you achieve peak relaxation. Because after a day of chasing toddlers, who doesn't need a moment of inner peace? Plus, the fridge/mini-bar is just big enough to stash a few emergency juice boxes or that leftover gourmet burrito you snuck from breakfast. Priorities, right?

Nespresso Machine in Monterey Bay IHG Hotel Room!

But my absolute favorite touch? The Nespresso machine! Look, I love my Keurig, but a Nespresso in a hotel room? That's next-level adulting. Say goodbye to sad, watery hotel coffee and hello to liquid gold that'll help you conquer another day of toddler adventures.

Ginormous Bathroom at the Clement Monterey Bay

Shower in Monterey Bay Intercontinental

Oh, and the bathroom? It's ginormous! We're talking separate shower and a tub big enough to actually soak in (if your kids ever let you). And the towels were large bath sheets and felt like brand-new, fluffy, warm hugs after a long day. Most hotel towels are stiff and small. The body products smell delightful without making you feel like you just bathed in a perfume factory.

Mini Bar and Fridge

Mini Bar & Fridge: A Treasure Chest (Mostly) for Your Tiny Treasures

Alright, let's talk mini bar. In a world full of sad, empty hotel fridges, the Clement Monterey decided to be different. They actually had snacks and drinks! (Gasp!) Now, don't get me wrong, it's not a full-blown grocery store, but there was enough wiggle room to stash a few of your own emergency juice boxes or, you know, that leftover gourmet burrito from breakfast. Because priorities.

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The Outdoor Pool at the Monterey Bay InterContinental

Pool & Fitness: More Like a (Very Pretty) Pond and a Spa for Grown-Ups!

Okay, let's be honest, the "pool" is more like a charming, oversized fountain that could comfortably fit about four adults (or, let's be real, two adults and a handful of splashy toddlers). But hey, it's pretty AND WARM! It's located on the second floor, right across from the fitness center, which means you can pretend you're going to work out, then sneak over to the pool for a quick dip instead. The spa, however, is a different story – it's big enough for six adults to soak their worries away. Just imagine!

The Spa at the InterContinental Monterey Bay

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The C Restaurant Dining Room

The C Restaurant + Bar: Where Tiny Hands Meet Gourmet Delights

This place is seriously cute and upscale, with stunning views overlooking the bay. We hit them up for both breakfast and dinner, and let me tell you, everything was delicious! Beyond the typical breakfast fare, they've got some intriguing seafood breakfast options and a gourmet breakfast burrito that'll make your taste buds sing.

And for the little ones? They have a kids' menu! My tiny food critics devoured their pancakes – four fluffy, palm-sized pancakes each. Because apparently, little hands need big pancake portions.

Now, for the main event: dessert. Because, of course, we had dessert. We indulged in the Milk & Honey Toast ($18), which was basically buttery brioche, dreamy milk ice cream, crunchy honeycomb candy, and a dollop of strawberry guava jam. And then there was The Chocolate Bar ($18), a decadent symphony of chocolate ganache, peanut butter crunch, salted caramel, sesame brittle, and a sprinkle of Maldon Salt. Did I take pictures of them in the bathroom because the tots were finally sleeping? You bet your sweet tooth I did!

The Chocolate Bar ($18), a decadent symphony of chocolate ganache, peanut butter crunch, salted caramel, sesame brittle, and a sprinkle of Maldon Salt

Milk & Honey Toast ($18), buttery brioche, dreamy milk ice cream, crunchy honeycomb candy, and a dollop of strawberry guava jam

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There is also a full spa if you want to get your massage on. Mama didn’t have time this trip, but next time will be a different story. Hubs can play Pebble Beach as long as Mom gets a spa day!

So, whether you're looking for a peaceful escape or a fun-filled family adventure, the InterContinental the Clement Monterey manages to pull off both with quirky charm and undeniable comfort. Ready to book your next Bay Area escape?

We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!

The back of the hotel

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See more Northern California posts:

Toddler Friendly Guide and Itinerary for Spring and Summer in Lake Tahoe

Pine trees, Lake Tahoe views from high above in Heavenly gondola ski lift

From Playgrounds to Pine Trees: Lake Tahoe Adventures for Tiny Feet

There were many summers that I went with my family to Lake Tahoe growing up and I couldn’t wait to take my little family! I did have to do some research as I was curious about what activities we could do with two toddlers!

Planning a Lake Tahoe family vacation with toddlers can seem daunting, but it's easier than you think! As a parent who's enjoyed countless Tahoe trips since childhood, I’ve compiled the ultimate toddler-friendly guide to Lake Tahoe, packed with things to do with toddlers in South Lake Tahoe and beyond. Discover the best parks for kids in Lake Tahoe, like the scenic Thomas F. Regan Memorial City Beach Park or the playground paradise of Kahle Park. Looking for easy hikes with toddlers in Lake Tahoe?

Glen Alpine Falls offers a stunning waterfall view with minimal effort, perfect for little legs. Don't miss out on enjoying a family picnic at Lake Tahoe at spots like Kiva Beach or Pope Beach. For North Lake Tahoe activities, the newly accessible Tahoe East Shore Trail (often called the 'Impossible Trail') is a paved, stroller-friendly wonder. Explore the charming town of Truckee, home to the fantastic KidZone Museum, a top pick for toddler fun near Lake Tahoe. When it comes to where to stay in South Lake Tahoe with toddlers, options range from VRBO cabin rentals to family-friendly hotels like the Holiday Inn Express. And for dining, I'll share toddler-friendly restaurants in Lake Tahoe like Riva Grill on the Lake and Edgewood's Brooks' Bar and Deck, where you can savor delicious meals with stunning views. Get ready for an unforgettable Lake Tahoe adventure with small children!

Shop our Amazon list for our favorite things to pack with toddlers!

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Best toddler-friendly activities and things to do in South Lake Tahoe

heavenly Gondolas from the Heavenly Village Center

Heavenly Gondolas

Location: 4080 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Heavenly Village Giant Chair made of Skiis

This was a great idea… kids under 5 ride free (adults are currently $124) and it’s unlimited rides for the day. It sounded perfect, however, they were closed the duration we were there and re-opening for summer just before Memorial Day.

Note: they aren’t open every day, so it’s a great idea but just check the website to make sure they are open!

All else fails, the shopping center around the Gondola base is fantastic. Tons of restaurants and stores to explore and some grassy areas to run around. In summer months, there is a mini golf course and a trampoline adventure in the center of the plaza.

Making it a road trip? See our Toddler Road Trip Essentials. You won’t want to miss our favorite toys for the car and hotel room!

Thomas F. Regan Memorial City Beach Park

Parks and Recreation

There are tons of parks in Lake Tahoe and we found some awesome playgrounds!

Thomas F. Regan Memorial City Beach Park

Location: 3199 Sacramento Ave, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Located right on the water with perfect lake views, parking lot, and restrooms! The playground was small but there were a few slides and swings as well as a beach volleyball court and lots of grass to run around!

Kahle Park

Location: 236 Kingsbury Grade Rd, Stateline, NV 89449

Nestled higher up in the mountains, there’s a really fun park with partial lake views. There’s a playground for 2-5-year-olds and one for 5-12-year-olds. Our kids played on both playgrounds.

Glen Alpine Falls at Fallen Leaf Lake

See a Waterfall (without much of a hike!)

My toddlers are over 30 pounds and I didn’t really want to hike with them as it would be fun for 5 minutes and then I’d be required to carry one for the rest of the duration. Luckily, Glen Alpine Falls is located just off of Fallen Leaf Lake and literally can be seen from the road! We went midweek around 11a and it wasn’t very crowded with front-row parking!

There’s a split rock with a little deck that my littles liked to climb on. Afterward, we drove down to the Kiva picnic area (follow the Tallac signs) and had lunch on a picnic table steps away from the lake. It was about a 5-minute walk to those tables by the lake but there were also some closer to the parking lot with bathrooms! The path was flat so we loaded up our wagon and were able to only carry one kid who didn’t want to ride in the wagon! Win! My only complaint is that the tables are wood and old so I would bring towels to sit on next time. Luckily no splinters incidents on this adventure!

Shop our Amazon list for our favorite things to pack!

Kiva Beach Picnic

Go for a Picnic!

Why is a picnic at Lake Tahoe so much fun? For starters, it's a chance to relish the crystal-clear waters and graze on delicious food with breathtaking mountain views as your backdrop. You get to enjoy the glorious Lake Tahoe sunshine (which is usually a breeze in June!), the crisp mountain air, and maybe even some antsy entertainment if a few uninvited guests try to join your feast, though the views will surely distract you. It’s a delightful escape from the usual routine, and let's be honest, everything just tastes better when you're eating on a blanket with the magnificent Big Blue just a stone's throw away. Plus, there's always the excitement of seeing what surprises are in the basket – it's truly a sand-witch of an adventure, especially when you're surrounded by one of nature's most stunning masterpieces!

There are so many places to picnic around the lake:

• Kiva Beach

• Emerald Bay State Beach

• Kings Beach

• Zephyr Cove Park

• Pope Beach

Best things to do in North Lake Tahoe

Impossible trail - Tahoe East Shore Trail

Location: Tahoe East Shore Trail, 1924 Tahoe Blvd, Incline Village, NV 89451

It’s called the Impossible Trail by the locals because it took forever to build but if you look it up on google maps, it’s call the Tahoe East Shore Trail!

The "Impossible Trail" in Lake Tahoe, more formally known as the Tahoe East Shore Trail, earned its dramatic moniker because constructing a path along this rugged and incredibly scenic stretch of shoreline was once considered an almost insurmountable feat. For decades, accessing the breathtaking beaches and coves along Lake Tahoe's East Shore was challenging and often dangerous, with vehicles and pedestrians sharing a narrow, winding highway. The idea of building a safe, dedicated pathway seemed "impossible" given the complex terrain, environmental concerns, and the need for collaboration among numerous agencies. However, through extensive planning, funding, and engineering, this dream became a reality, transforming the "Impossible Trail" into "America's Most Beautiful Bikeway."

This paved, 3-mile trail is absolutely wonderful for toddlers and families. Its smooth, wide surface makes it perfect for strollers, trikes, and little wobbly walkers, eliminating concerns about uneven terrain or roots. The trail hugs the shoreline, offering continuous, stunning lake views that will captivate even the youngest adventurers. With numerous access points to secluded beaches and picnic spots, families can easily hop off the trail for a splash in the crystal-clear water, a snack break, or simply to marvel at the massive granite boulders. The lack of significant inclines means little legs won't get too tired, ensuring a fun, accessible, and truly memorable outdoor experience for everyone, making it far from "impossible" to enjoy with your tiny explorers!

Truckee

Location: KidZone Museum, 11711 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161

While the glittering waters of Lake Tahoe are the main draw, the charming mountain town of Truckee, located about an hour's drive (approximately 44-45 miles) north of South Lake Tahoe, offers a fantastic change of pace and a wealth of toddler-friendly activities. Truckee's historic downtown is a delight to explore with its old-west charm, train tracks (a huge hit with train-loving tots!), and unique shops. For active little ones, the KidZone Museum is a must-visit, providing interactive, hands-on exhibits designed specifically for young children, offering hours of engaging play. You can also head to Donner Lake (just a short drive from downtown Truckee) for a different lakeside experience with sandy beaches and calm waters perfect for splashing and building sandcastles. Many of the larger resorts in the Truckee/Northstar area also offer fantastic summer activities for families, including mini-golf, outdoor play areas, and even gentle scenic gondola rides that provide stunning views without strenuous hiking. Truckee truly rounds out a Lake Tahoe adventure by offering a blend of history, indoor fun, and easily accessible outdoor spaces for the little ones.

Where to Stay with Toddlers in South Lake Tahoe

There are a lot of adorable cabin rentals that you can book through Booking.com - just turn on the search option for “Vacation Homes”.

Caesars Republic

Location: 18 Hwy 50, Stateline, NV 89449

We have stayed at Harvey’s a few times which is now called Caesars Republic and currently under major renovation.

However, the rooms are spacious with lots of lake view options! There is a casino which isn’t great for kids, but good if you want to take turns going down to gamble or go to a bar when the children are sleeping!

There’s an outdoor pool, spa, and fitness center too. Though I’ve never seen the fitness center, good for you if you make it!

The restaurants are great but not exactly kid friendly! Here’s what you need to know:

Hell’s Kitchen by Gordon Ramsey does not have a dedicated kids' menu, but they are accommodating to families and can offer options for children. Yelp users report that servers can usually suggest items from the main menu or prepare something simple like chicken tenders or mac and cheese. 

Wolf by Vanderpump doesn’t have a kids menu either and is 21+ after 8p.

My favorite restaurant is the Sage Room which is located on the 19th floor with a perfect view of the lake! Try and get a reservation ahead of time around sunset. Again, they don’t have a kids menu but check ahead of time to see if there is something your tot might be into.

Holiday Inn Express Exterior

Budget friendly option - Holiday Inn Express Lake Tahoe

Location: 3961 Lake Tahoe Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

We had a free night through our IHG credit card that was expiring and we decided to give Holiday Inn Express a try. For a 3-star hotel, it was great. We got the double queen room with an extra floor space option, which was perfect for our two tots to run around or play with the knock-off magnatile set (Picasso Magnet Mini tile travel set). Our stay included free breakfast and was walkable to the Heavenly shops and restaurants as well as the state-line casinos!

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Where to Dine with Toddlers in Lake Tahoe

Chances are your toddler sits for 5-10 minutes and then is bored. No matter how many toys, coloring books, or crayons I pack, all I want is someone to serve me a nice meal to enjoy. Here are a few spots that we had good luck with:

Riva Grill views

Riva Grill on the Lake

900 Ski Run Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

I love this place! It’s right on the water and there is plenty to see if you’re sitting inside or outside! The tables outside on the patio were large so we could sprawl out with coloring books and food. There’s even a walkway just off to the side if you have to take a breather or wait for Dad to pay the check. Get a Woody drink!

Edgewood's Brooks Bar and Deck on the patio overlooking a golf course and Lake Tahoe

Edgewood’s Brook’s Bar and Deck

180 Lake Pkwy, Stateline, NV 89449

For a memorable dining experience that caters to both adults and toddlers, consider Edgewood Tahoe's Brooks' Bar and Deck. While Edgewood is known for its upscale golf course and lodge, Brooks' Bar and Deck strikes a perfect balance, offering a refined yet comfortable atmosphere that warmly welcomes families. Situated right off the picturesque 18th hole, the expansive deck boasts unparalleled views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierras – a constantly changing panorama that can keep even the most restless toddler entertained. Their "gastropub" menu features elevated comfort food, with options that are often appealing to a wider range of palates, and the casual-yet-classy ambiance means you won't feel out of place with a high chair and a few kid-friendly snacks. It's a wonderful spot to enjoy a delicious meal while soaking in the iconic Lake Tahoe scenery, creating a special memory for everyone in the family.

California Burger Co.

California Burger Co.

1001 Heavenly Village Way #2b, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

Located in Heavenly Village, this outdoor spot was great for toddlers. There was enough fake grass, a fire pit to run trucks over (when the fire was off and not hot), and live music. They also had frozen lemonade so the kids had a drink while Mommy and Daddy also had a fun drink. Wink, wink! The food was good - burgers were great but they didn’t have a kid’s burger, luckily there were chicken tenders and a grilled cheese to choose from.

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Itinerary for 4 days in Lake Tahoe during Spring or Summer

Day 1

5p - Arrive in Reno

5:30p - Pick up rental car

6:30p - Grab Chick-fil-a by airport and drive to Tahoe (about an hour)

7:30p - Check into hotel

8p - Bedtime

Day 2

5:45a wake-up call from excited 1.5 year old, 3.5 year old slept longer

6a walk around the neighborhood grab breakfast - we had free breakfast with our room but there are lots of coffee shops in the area if you need a destination. We also made muffins and brought them with us.

8a - eat breakfast together as a family - Social House was a good recommendation

10a - head to the park on the lake

12p - lunch at Riva Grill

1:30p - naptime

3p - drive over to Kahle Park

5p - drop car off, walk to California Burger Co. outdoor seating, live music

6:30p - walk back to hotel, get ready for bed

7:15p - bedtime

Day 3

6:15a Wake-up call from a happy toddler

7a - Free breakfast at the hotel restaurant

8a - walk over to the shopping center to entertain toddler

10a - 35 min Drive to the waterfall (Glen Alpine Falls)

10:40a - Arrive and explore

11:45a - drive to Kiva picnic area

12:05p - arrive Kiva picnic area, walk down, eat lunch

12:40p - drive back to hotel

1:15p - naptime

3:30p - walk over to Heavenly shopping center - shops, restaurants, mini golf (during summer)

5:45p - dinner

6:30p - walk back to room, get ready for bed

7:30p - bedtime

Day 4

6:20a Wake-up call from toddler

7a - Breakfast at Heaven’s Little Cafe (eat it there or take it to go!)

8a - drive to North Shore’s Tahoe East trail aka Impossible trail

8:40a - Hike Tahoe East trail aka Impossible trail

11:30a - Lunch at Inclined Burgers and Brews - kids menu includes hamburger, cheeseburger, grilled cheese and chicken strips

12:30p - take a drive for a car nap

3p - Arrive at KidZone in Truckee - 11711 Donner Pass Rd, Truckee, CA 96161

5p - Drive back towards the south shore

6p - Dinner at Edgewood’s Brook’s Bar and Deck and enjoy the sunset

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What to pack for Toddlers?!

Shop our Amazon list for our favorite things to pack!

What was in our suitcase? Pretty much everything! Being there mid-May, there was still snow on the mountains so it was mid 60’s during the day but 30’s at night!

For a family of 4 (including 2 toddlers), we packed:

• 3 duffles- we love the Eddie Bauer duffle that compacts into a small bag

  • Duffle #1 - toddlers’ clothes, diapers, shoes, toys, etc.

  • Duffle #2 - My clothes and hub’s clothes

  • Duffle #3 - toddler bumper for bed, you can use pillows but we had free bags we could check. Sometimes we bring the race car blow-up bed

• 2 car seats - infant and toddler

• 2 personal bags (however, mine was toy overflow) - Picasso Magnet Mini tile travel set, Go Dog Go board book, trucks, Pixar Cars bath toys, Reusable Sticker books, and Crayola Mess Free Coloring books.

• diaper bag

• Insulated Snack bag - filled with PB&J sandwiches, That’s It Bars,

• wagon (instead of our stroller, but we LOVE this travel stroller)

Don’t forget to grab a Crossword Puzzle for nap time! This is our FAVORITE puzzle! Travel terms and countries! https://amzn.to/4lVixuR It keeps my mind working and gives me a list of places to add to our bucket list!

See our full list on Amazon.com!

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So pack your bags, grab your little adventurers, and get ready for a Lake Tahoe trip that’s anything but ordinary. It’s an adventure waiting to be explored, even with the littlest legs leading the way!

Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.

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Things to do in Summer in Lake Tahoe with a Toddler

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Read more about Lake Tahoe in these posts:

Paradise Found: The Best Hotels in Maui, Hawaii (with map)

Kaanapali Beach Views

Paradise Found: The Best Hotels in Maui, Hawaii

Happy 2025, have you booked your Hawaiian vacation yet? You bet we did!

Maui, the "Valley Isle," is a captivating destination that effortlessly blends natural beauty with vibrant culture. From the dramatic peaks of Haleakala volcano to the pristine beaches of Ka'anapali, Maui offers a diverse landscape of breathtaking scenery. Explore lush rainforests, witness the mesmerizing Road to Hana, and indulge in delicious Hawaiian cuisine. With its warm hospitality, vibrant arts scene, and endless opportunities for adventure, Maui is a truly unforgettable vacation spot.

Choosing where to stay can be overwhelming, so we've compiled a list of our top 6 hotels in Maui to help you find your perfect slice of paradise.

Here is a map made with the Wanderlog Travel Planner, so you can follow along, add to your Google maps account, or create your own personal map! Wanderlog allows you to create great maps and guides for any vacation! Check out the Kaanapali Beach hotels and how they compare to others. We’ve been to most, here are our top 6 places to stay in Maui!

Map courtesy of Wanderlog, the best trip planner app on iOS and Android

See the best hotels to stay at in Maui with a map of all Ka’aanapali Beach hotels.

See our full Guide to Kaanapali Beach including where to stay, things to do and best restaurants!

Find the best rate to visit these hotels by booking your room through Booking.com Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks! 

If you’re still deciding where to stay, our Ultimate Maui Travel Guide breaks down the best areas and resorts across the island.

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Charming Gardens with Ocean views at the Hyatt Regency

1. The Maui Hyatt Regency:

• Where to Stay: This iconic resort boasts a prime location on Ka'anapali Beach with breathtaking ocean views.

• Why it's Great:

  • Stunning Pools: Multiple pools, including a lazy river and a waterslide, offer endless fun for all ages.

  • Delicious Dining: From casual beachfront cafes to elegant fine dining, the Hyatt offers a variety of culinary experiences.

  • Live Entertainment: Enjoy nightly luaus and live music performances for a taste of authentic Hawaiian culture.

  • Pampering Spa: Relax and rejuvenate at the award-winning Napili Point Spa.

  • Shave Ice Heaven: Indulge in a refreshing shave ice treat at Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice, located just steps from the resort.

  • Animal Menagerie: Find parrots that say “Aloha”, swans, flamingoes, and penguins. Yes, I said penguins.

Budget hotel option: You can use Hyatt points here but free night rewards don’t typically work. I always check!

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Sheraton Maui Resort with Black Rock!

2. Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa:

• Where to Stay: Nestled on the shores of Black Rock, this resort offers stunning ocean views along the Maui coast and easy access to snorkeling and diving.

• Why it's Great:

  • Legendary Cliffs of Kapalua: Witness the iconic cliff divers leaping into the ocean during the nightly cliff diving ceremony.

  • World-Class Golf: Play a round of golf at the renowned Kapalua Golf Courses.

  • Spacious Accommodations: Choose from a variety of rooms and suites, many with private lanais and ocean views.

  • Multiple Pools: Enjoy several pools, including a lagoon pool and a children's pool.

  • Delicious Dining: Savor fresh seafood and local flavors at the resort's diverse dining options.

See our full review here: SHERATON MAUI RESORT HOTEL REVIEW

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View from Room in Westin Maui Resort and Spa

3. The Westin Maui Resort & Spa:

• Where to Stay: Located on Ka'anapali Beach, this luxurious resort offers a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

• Why it's Great:

  • Heavenly Beds: Experience the signature Westin Heavenly Bed for ultimate comfort.

  • Award-Winning Spa: Indulge in a rejuvenating treatment at the Heavenly Spa.

  • Breathtaking Views: Enjoy panoramic ocean views from your private lanai or while lounging by the pool.

  • Exciting Activities: Participate in a variety of water sports, including snorkeling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding.

  • Family Fun: The resort offers a variety of activities for children, including a kids' club and a playground.

Budget Travel Tip: Book with Marriott points! Get the credit card and save those points!

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Grand Wailea Room views at Sunset

4. The Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel:

• Where to Stay: This iconic resort boasts an unparalleled level of luxury and sophistication on Wailea Beach.

• Why it's Great:

  • Epic Pools: Explore the resort's nine interconnected pools, including a lazy river, waterfalls, and water slides. There’s even an elevator in the pool!

  • World-Class Dining: Indulge in a culinary journey with award-winning dining experiences.

  • Luxury Spa: Experience ultimate relaxation at the award-winning Spa Grande.

  • Impeccable Service: Enjoy personalized service from the dedicated staff.

  • Ice Cream Bliss: Cool down with a delicious scoop of ice cream from the resort's own ice cream parlor.

Luxury travel resort, if you want to be fancy.

See our full blog post review here: GRAND WAILEA HOTEL REVIEW

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Pool views at the Andaz Maui

5. Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort:

• Where to Stay: This stylish and contemporary resort offers a unique blend of modern luxury and Hawaiian charm.

• Why it's Great:

  • Stunning Oceanfront Location: Enjoy breathtaking ocean views and easy access to Wailea Beach.

  • Stylish Design: Experience contemporary design with a touch of Hawaiian flair.

  • Exceptional Dining: Savor innovative cuisine at the resort's acclaimed restaurants.

  • Relaxing Atmosphere: Unwind by the infinity pool or on the private beach.

  • Unique Experiences: Participate in cultural activities such as lei making and ukulele lessons.

There’s a good snorkel spot close by! See the Best Snorkel Beaches in Maui

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Honua Kai Resort

6. Honua Kai Resort & Spa (Airbnb-Style):

• Where to Stay: This luxurious resort offers spacious condominium-style accommodations with fully equipped kitchens and stunning ocean views. Great if you want to work from the hotel or if you have kids and need more space than a hotel.

• Why it's Great:

  • Home Away From Home: Enjoy the comforts of home with spacious living areas and private lanais.

  • Access to Resort Amenities: Guests have access to resort amenities such as pools, spas, and restaurants.

  • Prime Location: Located on the pristine beaches of North Ka'anapali, offering easy access to nearby attractions.

  • Self-Catering Options: Enjoy the flexibility of cooking your own meals in your fully equipped kitchen.

  • Relaxing Atmosphere: Enjoy a more laid-back and independent vacation experience.

My favorite so that you can sprawl out! There isn’t maid service but there is a Duke’s Beach House Maui that also has waiters stop by the pool lounge chairs! Mai tai, please!

See how to budget your next trip: Maui Budget, Itinerary, and Checklist

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Choosing the best hotel in Maui depends on your individual preferences and budget. Whether you're seeking luxury, adventure, or relaxation, you're sure to find the perfect paradise on this magical island.

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Looking for more about Maui?! We have all you need:

Guide: How to Spend 3 days in Kauai, Hawaii

Where to Stay, Restaurant Recommendations, and things to do in Kauai, Hawaii

Hi friends! It’s been awhile since I’ve done a blog post! I now have 2 little ones and a full time job which leaves little time to blog. A friend reached out about Kauai recommendations which I realized I didn’t have a post for! So here we go! Josh and I went to Kauai (just us) in January 2020 after ringing in the New Year in Maui.

Similar Post: HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Oahu vs Maui vs Kauai - which island is best?

We liked Kauai but I think Maui is still our favorite! Here are some things that we did the I recommend and a few restaurant recommendations! I also included a mini review of the Sheraton Kauai.

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Sheraton Kauai Room Views

Where to Stay: Sheraton Kauai

We stayed at the Sheraton Kauai because we had free nights and points to spare! The hotel was a little older but they recently renovated the rooms. Our room was a good size! Plenty of room for activities, the bathroom was really big too with a shower/tub combo.

My complaint: The air conditioner was really loud and obnoxious which when we called they said they would send maintenance to look at it and we never heard back from them, nor was the AC any quieter.

The pool was nice and we spent some time in the jacuzzi which was really hot! The beach is pretty rocky in front of some of the rooms, but there’s a good beach right in front of the pool if you want to go for a swim. The water was pretty rough from a storm so always beware of the conditions.

Sheraton Kauai Beach

I really liked their restaurant on site called RumFire Poipu Beach, where we had prime rib and a creme brûlée cheesecake. The sunset ocean views aren’t bad either!

See our shopping list (with some great budget-friendly dresses and tons of Hawaiian outfit ideas) straight from Amazon: Hawaii Packing Essentials

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Where to Eat / Great Restaurants

A short drive or walking distance there is a shopping center called The Shops at Kukui‘ula with lots of restaurants and shops!

Merriman’s Kauai (2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka St, Koloa, HI 96756)

Merriman’s Kauai is one of our faves! We love the Maui Kappalua location and Kauai did not disappoint! They have the BEST Mai Tais! I dream of that pineapple foam. Make reservations ahead of time or get there around 5p to walk in with no wait.

Bubba Burgers Poipu (2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka St Building L, Koloa, HI 96756) is great for a burger and fries!

Lappert’s Ice Cream (2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka St, Koloa, HI 96756) What would a Sweetest Escapes post be without ice cream! I LOVE Lappert’s ice cream! They have tons of amazing flavors with ingredients like coconut, macadamia nuts, ube, Lilikoi, pineapple, chocolate, fudge, and more! There’s always a line out the door but it’s worth the wait! My fave is Kauai Pie (Kona Coffee Cold Brew + coconut flakes + dark chocolate fudge + Hamakua macadamia nuts + Vanilla cake crunch)!

Lappert’s Ice Cream

Kalaheo Coffee and Cafe (2-2560 Kaumualii Hwy, Kalaheo, HI 96741)

This is a great stop on the way to Waimea Canyon. We grabbed a quick bite and got some treats for the road since there weren’t a lot of options. Macnut lattes are a must have!

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Things to do:

Helicopter Ride

Go on a helicopter ride if you can! We tried to go a few times but it was too windy and unsafe to fly so we never got to go! 😟 Most of tours take you to areas where they filmed Jurassic Park and gorgeous views of Napali Coast. I would book your ride earlier in the trip so if they have to cancel you still have a chance to reschedule.

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Hike Waimea Canyon

Waimea Canyon - mile Marker 10

A good day trip is Waimea Canyon. There are waterfalls, hikes, and gorgeous views.

What to pack for the day: Bring map or save to your phone offline (spotty cell service), drinking water, antibacterial (no soap in the bathrooms), jacket, towel, rain gear (optional). Make sure you pack warm clothes it was 60ish and I needed layers as I got warm while hiking. It rains a lot so there is mud, lots of mud. I may or may not have slipped and fallen in the mud.

Red Dirt Falls

See the Red dirt waterfall between mile marker 2-3. It was dried up when we went but still neat to see the red dirt.

Waimea Canyon Lookout has big vistas (see panoramic photo above) and located at mile marker 10. Parking was $5 in 2020 but good for all lookout spots. Note, it was credit card only. There were bathrooms but no soap at the sink so bring antibacterial.

Mile Marker 12 - Heart Shaped Waterfall

Right before mile marker 12 there was a perfect spot to get the heart shaped waterfall and is a great spot to have a sweet escape (brownie from Kalaheo Coffee and Cafe)!

Two lookouts, the Puu ka Pele and Puu hinahina, have parking and provide breathtaking views:

Waimea Canyon

Trails to note from research:

• Cliff Trail – A 40 minute, 2 mile return hike from the main road (the turnoff is just before the Kokeʻe State Park sign) to a viewpoint overlooking the canyon. You could also drive most of the way here if you have a 4WD or do the longer Canyon Trail to a waterfall. This was quieter than the more accessible viewpoints.

• Pu’u Hinahina Lookout – Another fantastic viewpoint just a short walk from the car park. Toilets available.

• Waimea Canyon Lookout – The busiest but best view of the canyon and waterfall. At midday we were able to shoot away from the sun so got better photos than at the other viewpoints. There are toilets and a fruit and drink stand.

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Take a drive along the coast!

We drove to Princeville where there are some nice beaches, it felt more private the further north you drive! We made a lot of stops. Just take your time, the earlier you go the less crowded everything is!

We had a great lunch at Tropical Taco in Hanalei! I had a carne asada burrito and it was fantastic. Took awhile to get it but it was tasty. I’m sure the fish tacos are equally amazing but I don’t eat fish so I couldn’t say.

Tropical Taco in Hanalei

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Shipwreck Beach Cliffs

Explore your backyard!

There are lots of places to just stop and enjoy the views! This was a short hike up, but great place to watch the sun start to set. The photo above was taken near our hotel at Shipwreck Beach. We drove over and parked on Ainakoa street then walked down to the beach.

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Wailua Falls

Rainbows at Wailua Falls

We stopped at Wailua Falls on our way to the airport because it was less than 15 mins from the airport. This beautiful double waterfall is easily accessible (just drive up and park, you’ll see it from the road) and often features a rainbow.

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Hawaiian Monk Seal on Poipu Beach

Keep your eyes open! Look out for turtles and seals on Poipu Beach! We saw a Hawaiian Monk seal on the beach, which was protected by the rangers who put a barricade around him to let him take a nap in peace.

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We had a great trip to Kauai and would definitely go back!

Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.

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More Hawaii posts…

How to Spend 3 Relaxing Days in Moorea - Complete Itinerary

What to do for 3 Days in Moorea, French Polynesia - Complete Itinerary

On our Honeymoon, we stopped in French Polynesia on our way back to the States. We were ready for some relaxation after going nonstop for over a week in Australia & New Zealand. We spent 3 nights in Moorea in an overwater bungalow and it was fabulous! Here’s everything you need to know about Moorea!

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How to get to Moorea

Getting to Moorea requires a few transfers. We booked our Moorea portion through Tahiti Legends, who booked everything including our transfers from airports and hotels (we booked our own flights). We stayed at the Sofitel Moorea, in an overwater bungalow, which is something everyone must do in their lifetime! We flew via Air Tahiti Nui in business class (from New Zealand) using our miles, which was a comfortable flight with big seats and great amenities. Air Tahiti flies from Paris to LA to Tahiti to New Zealand and back. We didn’t go to Paris on this trip!

We had to stay in Tahiti overnight because our flight got in so late from New Zealand, there wasn't an option to get to Moorea after 8pm. We used our points to stay at the InterContinental. This was the view from an “average” room:

InterContinental Tahiti Room with Garden Views

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Day 1

Morning in Tahiti

We had a car pick us up bright and early from the InterContinental in Tahiti to take us to the ferry. Driving around in the daylight unmasked the island and certain areas were definitely not paradise.

Aboard the Ferry from Tahiti to Moorea

We boarded the ferry around 8 am and the ride was about 20 minutes to Moorea. On the other side, a car picked us up (previously arranged) and took us about 10 minutes down the road to our hotel, the Sofitel Moorea.

We were too early for check-in when we arrived in Moorea, so we wandered around the resort to get our bearings. We walked over to the spa to check it out and made reservations for a couples massage for the late afternoon.

Entrance to our Overwater Bungalow Room

After about an hour, our room was available and we were so excited to check out our overwater bungalow. The room was spectacular and unlike any hotel we had ever stayed in!

Sofitel Moorea Overwater Bungalow Bed

The room felt like a suite. Walking in, you first notice the giant windows leading out to the water, then the high ceilings making the room feel enormous and spacious. The bed was perfectly placed in the middle of the room facing the water with a fantastic view. It had mosquito netting to which Josh said, "It's like a fort!"

Once you step in front of the bed, there is a part of the floor that has a glass square, where you could see the fish swimming under the bungalow. 

Floor to see fish under our room!

 Afternoon - Swim and Snorkel

Although we REALLY wanted to, you can't really jump off the deck of the bungalow, since it's pretty shallow and there is a lot of coral below. BUT you can go for a swim and there is a ton of marine life to see if you snorkel.

Just a small fish in a big pond

After a leisurely snorkel, we decided to switch it up and go over to the main pool to do more swimming (more like wading) and grab a bite to eat at the bar-restaurant. 

Fish in Moorea in front of our Overwater Bungalow

In the late afternoon, we had our couples massage appointment. The spa room was huge, complete with a shower and bathtub. We only signed up for a massage but realized we could have spent an entire day at the spa. The massage was soothing and relaxing. After being in the sun all day, there was a slight burn to which aloe vera was offered. I was soothed and comforted, I could have laid face down on that table for the rest of the evening. 

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Day 2

 

WAKING UP IN MOOREA!

Sunrise in Moorea - View from Sofitel Moorea

Here's how to properly wake up in Moorea:

 Not a bad way to start the day! Am I right?! From the Sofitel Moorea, we could see sunrises but the us would set on the other side of the island.

 

Morning - Drive around the Island of Moorea

We rented a little 2 seater buggy through Moorea Fun Roadster, which was like a small go-kart that went faster than you would expect, zooming around the island in about 4 hours. The road was bumpy at parts, but overall it was a blast! Since the island is so small it was nice to take the time to experience it on our own, checking out all there is to do!

See our post all about our buggy ride here: How to Rent a Buggy in Moorea

Afternoon in Moorea

After returning from our island tour, we were ready for some relaxation. We jumped in the water from our patio, and cooled off. 

Patio stairs to the water

We spent the rest of the day on the patio of our deck playing cards with some fun drinks!

Pro tip: Buy alcohol at duty-free store at the airport and mixers if available. On our buggy ride, we stopped and bought concentrate (which we thought was juice) at the grocery store on Moorea. The concentrate was an ok way to go since you can get TONS of drinks out of it, but they get old after awhile.

Once we got too hot, we'd jump in the water, swim around, and come right back to our card game. I don't think I changed out of my swimsuit that day.

Sofitel Moorea - Overwater Bungalows

Once we needed a break from the cards, we decided to feed the fish under our bungalow which was great entertainment for at LEAST 20 minutes.

Evening in Moorea

We grabbed dinner at the bar restaurant and took it back to our room so we could do some star gazing. Since it is so quiet and so dark, there were thousands of stars to see. I don't think I've seen that many before in my life!

Stargazing in Moorea

On average, we seemed to go to bed when the sun went down (around 9-10 pm) and woke up as soon as it came back up (around 6:30-7 am). We weren't on any time zone in particular as we had been bouncing around so many places the previous week (we were in Australia and New Zealand).

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Day 3

Morning in Moorea

We got up early to catch the sunrise! Since we didn’t get many sunsets here, it was nice to catch the sun coming up!

Sunrise in Moorea - Sofitel Moorea

We might have gone back to bed and then got up just in time to catch the end of breakfast at the main restaurant. The food was delicious, they offered a large spread of almost anything you could think of - eggs, omelets, french toast, pancakes, juices, coffee... and the view wasn't half bad. The only problem was the birds would try to snatch your food if you looked the other way! 

Breakfast at the Sofitel Moorea

Afternoon

We packed up and checked out. Although we weren't hanging our heads quite yet, it was time to head to our next destination, Bora Bora!

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Don’t forget to pack some of our favorite things:

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HOTEL REVIEW: Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

Address: L.G. Smith Blvd 82, Oranjestad, Aruba

Website: Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino

Flamingo Beach - Renaissance Island

The number one reason to stay here is to visit Flamingo Beach! After we were spoiled staying at the Hyatt Regency Aruba, the Renaissance was nice but we spent more time with my new pink friends than in the room! Read all about our days spent at Aruba’s Renaissance Island - Flamingo Beach . Many ask: Is flamingo island worth it? 1000% YES!

Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks! 

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Renaissance Adult Only Hotel in Aruba

There are 2 hotels at the Renaissance property, both right across from each other. The adults-only hotel is more inland but still in the marina. It’s also connected to a very fancy, high-end mall and casino! Check out rates here: booking.com

All-inclusive rooms in Aruba!

All-inclusive room rates at Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino are available. However, these rates tend to be higher because they include onsite food and beverages in the room rate.

How to get to Renaissance Island Aruba with the Flamingo Beach

The Renaissance owns a small island just a quick 10 minute boat ride away that they have named Renaissance Island. Booking your stay at the Renaissance guarantees you access to the island, there is a small chance you can buy a ticket the morning of, but there are very few if the hotel is not sold out. Here, you will find beautiful beaches with lounge chairs, a restaurant, hammocks, and FLAMINGOS. A water taxi stops every 15 mins in the lobby to head to Renaissance Island.

Read more here: Aruba’s Renaissance Island Flamingo Beach

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Things to do at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

1. Go to Renaissance Island for the Flamingo and Iguana beach

2. Rent a cabana on Renaissance Island - The cabana comes with 2 bottles of Voss still water, 2 bottles of Voss sparkling water, bottle of sparkling wine, refreshing food amenity, personalized cabana butler service, towels, 2 water floats, and 2 full face-snorkeling masks. Cabanas at Iguana Beach come with kids snorkels. Cabana 4001 at Iguana Beach has a water slide. Rates start at $300 - BOOK EARLY!

3. Go for a dip in the pool (there is a family pool and adult-only pool)!

4. Get a drink at the lobby bar - it overlooks the pool and ocean!

5. Go shopping! There is a little plaza to shop around for clothes and souvenirs!

6. Have breakfast on Renaissance Island! There is an amazing restaurant, called Papagoyo Bar & Grill, that serves a large breakfast that will fill you up for a day in the sun!

7. Go to the Spa Cove on Renaissance Island! Peaceful and serene, this spa only has ocean views!

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Arrival: Parking, Lobby, and Bar at the Renaissance Aruba

Valet parking is available under the lobby. We took a taxi and didn’t need a car to get around the island. The lobby was open air and the bar was located right next to the pool. Check-in was a breeze. Literally. The staff was really nice and when our room wasn’t ready, they stored our bags and we were allowed to go to the island.

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Renaissance Aruba Guest Rooms

Our room was a decent size. We booked a Guest room, 1 King or 2 Double, Limited view in the Marina Hotel. The design was fairly modern and looked like they had been renovated fairly recently.

Guest Room

The little booth was cute but not very comfortable. Our limited view was an inside view and we were located right above Starbucks. The most exciting thing that happened out the window: watching people board the boats for Renaissance Island.

The closet was small, our suitcases didn’t fit inside. The robes were nice, though!

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Bathroom

The bathroom was on the smaller side compared the Hyatt we had just stayed at, but was perfect for spending 24 hours there. SO many towels.

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Renaissance Aruba Adult Pool

The adult pool was so quiet and relaxing, perfect for honeymooners. With ocean and marina views, why would you ever want to leave!

The lobby bar and the pool bar are one and the same. I love how open and bright the bar area is!

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We basically paid $400 to see Flamingos, but they were worth every penny!

Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks! 

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MORE ARUBA!

Hotel Review: Andaz Napa - Our favorite hotel in Downtown Napa!

Andaz Napa is our favorite hotel to stay, located in the heart of Downtown Napa!

We typically head to Napa for my birthday and when we last went with my family, we stayed at the Andaz located in downtown Napa, the perfect location for shopping, dining, and WINE.

Evaluation (out of 5)*:

• Hotel: Andaz Napa (Hyatt Family)

• Address: 1450 1st St, Napa, CA 94559

• Location: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Price: $$$$ (always check Booking.com first!)

• Average Room Size: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(HUGE)

• Cleanliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Staff: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Dining Options: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Quietness in Room: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• Bed Comfort Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(soft pillowtop but firm enough)

*It’s always hard to judge other people’s opinions when you don’t know them, right? I like nice, clean hotels that are close to public transpo or an area close to main restaurants and attractions. I’m a fairly light sleeper and like softer beds. We typically like to use points for one or two nights and pay for more if we need to.

Looking for something more budget-friendly? We also liked this Bed and Breakfast: The Cabernet House

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Lobby and Staff at the Andaz Napa

Andaz Napa Lobby

The lobby was really cute and had great living room setups. We spent some time here since there were 6 of us. As we were checking-in, we were offered a complimentary glass of wine from a local winery! What a way to welcome! The staff was very accommodating and the valet took our luggage to our rooms. As it rains often in Northern California, there were large umbrellas by the door to borrow for the day. That was one less thing to pack… or forget to pack!

Right off the lobby, there was a lovely bar, Mercantile Social, which we would visit nightly. They also offer farm-fresh seasonal foods, from salads and smoothies to grass-fed beef burgers. Yum.

Napa Andaz Lobby Bar - Mercantile Social

Check out our favorite wineries to visit: 7 Best Kept Secret Wineries

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Inside the Guest Rooms at the Andaz Napa

I fell in love with the room! We didn’t have an upgrade but we felt like we did! Our boutique type room was large and had a living room/seating area with a fireplace diving the room with the bedroom on the other side. The fireplace could be seen from both sides. The furniture was modern and I felt like I was in a West Elm catalog. Also, notice the wood floors!? I worried we’d hear people above us, but it was pretty quiet!

The beds were very comfortable and cosy by the fireplace. I guarantee a great sleep after a day of drinking. ;-) I thought it was a little strange for the bath tub to be next to the bed, but it was nice that you could see the fireplace or even watch TV while enjoying a warm bath. Other rooms have the tub near the window.

Guest Rooms at the Andaz Napa have large tubs

Or the bathtub is located by the window

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Guest Room Bathrooms

My fave, the Bathroom Selfie

The bathroom was an ideal size for 2 people! 2 sinks with long counters gave me plenty of space to do my hair and make-up while Josh brushed his teeth. I liked the marble rain shower and the wood bench/seat to dry off on. I found it odd to put wood in a shower but the aesthetic was pretty!

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Mercantile Terrace

I thoroughly enjoyed our drinks on the second-floor terrace. We sat outside under some lovely warm heat lamps (it was December after all) and enjoyed some specially crafted cocktails. There are also cozy fire-pits or cabanas to sit and enjoy selections from a farm-to-table menu of locally sourced light bites. Even the cocktails had locally sourced ingredients!

Mercantile Terrace

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Final Evaluation

Overall, this 4-star hotel checks all the boxes. I appreciated their use of locally sourced ingredients at their bars and restaurants. Although it is a little pricey, the downtown location and room size make it worth it! We’d definitely come back!

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We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!

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More Napa and Northern California travel tips here:

Hotel Review: Hilton Northolme Resort & Spa - Best Hotel in the Seychelles

See why the Hilton Northolme Resort & Spa is the best place to stay in the Seychelles

The Seychelles is a very magical and beautiful place. We’ve traveled the world and have been to many islands and tropical paradises, but this island is special! As soon as we checked-in at the Hilton Northolme Resort & Spa - Seychelles, we were ready for luxury relaxation. We were in need of some R&R after our African Safaris!

Pool Villas

If you’re literally flying halfway around the world, you might as well stay in style. We stayed in Room 305 which was a Pool Villa, meaning we had our own private pool off of our room.

Pool Villa

Pro-tip: if you request the 400s Pool Villas, you can shoot golf balls off your deck into the water. Don’t worry, the balls are made of fish food and feed the fish!

You can also order room service (and dranks) and have it delivered to your pool! We basically tried to figure out a way to never leave our room.

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Hilton Northolme Resort - Guest Room

Since we were in a villa the room was quite large! The bed had mosquito netting and every day housekeeping would make a different animal out of towels on the bed. 

Room highlights - Coffee maker included a nice Nespresso machine or a kettle for tea. There was a huge walk-in closet with tons of cubby holes and a safe to store all of our things. The living room had a large tv and a couch with a chaise lounge, perfect for relaxing at the end of a day in the sun. Did I mention there was a pool outside our room?

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Hilton Northolme Resort - Bathroom

The bathroom was gorgeous! A large tub with jacuzzi jets sat in the middle of the room with a shower on the side. The shower had the option of rain or handheld. 

The tub had a view looking outside over the pool. The doors provided easy access after getting in the pool. So one tip, the hot water didn’t quite fill the tub, it cooled off at some point. That said, do not turn on the jets unless the water is well above the spouts. Otherwise, water sprays EVERYWHERE. Again, just a tip, not like it happened to me.

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Hilton Northolme Resort - Pool in the Pool Villa

The pool attached to the villa has spectacular views and is very private. The water wasn’t heated but still warm enough to sit in for a long time. I won’t get in a cold pool and I could get in this one just fine. 

There is a board with rules that had been washed away so I broke rules instantly since it was hard to read and didn’t see them until afterwards. Oops! Don’t forget to pack your floatie!

There were 3 places to sit on the patio, in the shade on the couch, at the table, or on the chairs in the water. Our favorite was sitting in the water of course. Pro tip.. bring your towels out and unlock the door to the bathroom so you don’t drip all over the place like I did! 

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Hilton Northolme Resort

Spa

Our room came with a complimentary 15 min back and neck massage and we had to try it out! The tea they served afterward was really good.

Spa

Fitness Center

There was a nice gym overlooking the water and a hammock. I may have only spent time in the hammock, not the gym. 

Infinity Pool at the Hilton Northolme

Since we had our own pool we admired the lovely infinity pool and then ran back to our villa infinity pool.

Infinity Pool

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Restaurants and Bars

There were a few places to eat on the property. There was a fine dining restaurant, called Les Coutiers, but we just ate at the Ocean View Bar where they had amazing drinks like the Cannonball.

Cannonball drink - rum drink that won an award!

There was an awesome band that played reggae tunes like Bieber’s Despisito and Wrecking Ball as instrumentals. They also served Seybrew on tap which wasn’t bad for a local brew.

Josh had the red snapper and I had a chicken wrap with fries. Josh makes fun of me when I need American food at some point on our trips!

Ocean View Bar - Properly named!

Hilltop

For breakfast, we’d venture to Hilltop, which was at the top of the hill. It’s not a huge hill. Anyway, they had a fantastic breakfast spread with everything you could imagine as well as an egg station to get whatever you were feeling that day. I loved the eggs benedict and the mimosa bar!

Breakfast of champions

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They even had all sorts of fun rentals including paddle boards, kayaks, snorkel gear, etc. I liked this swing personally.

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You have to treat yourself every once and a while, so next time you’re looking for that island vacation, you must stay at the Hilton Northolme Resort & Spa!

We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!

If you liked this post please share it on your favorite social media site using the Share button below because we’d love to get the word out! Feel free to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board:

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See why we needed some R&R in the Seychelles after our trip to Africa!

Hotel Review: Grand Wailea, A Luxury Waldorf Astoria Resort - Maui, Hawaii

The Lucky Mermaid Fountain - Grand Wailea

The Grand Wailea is the best hotel on Wailea beach!

Where to Stay in Maui

We typically stay at the Sheraton Maui in Kaanapali because it holds a special place in our heart, it’s where we got married! We stayed at the Andaz Wailea once, but we loved our most recent stay at the Grand Wailea a Waldorf Astoria Resort! Sitting atop 40 acres in Wailea, It was the perfect location to walk to other hotels and shops, but also had amazing views with large rooms!

Related Post: Packing Essentials for Hawaii

Getting to Wailea

Wailea is located on the southwest shore of the island of Maui in the state of Hawaii (United States). The Grand Wailea is a quick 35-minute drive from the Kahului Airport and only a 20-minute flight if you’re coming from Honolulu. We took a direct flight from Los Angeles to Maui. We rented a car and had to valet every night, there isn’t any self-parking.

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Grand Wailea Ocean View King Rooms

These rooms are 640 sq. ft. with gorgeous pacific ocean and garden views. The private balcony is large, and a wonderful place to have a cup of coffee in the morning or drinks in the afternoon on. You can also see what looks like a little island straight ahead, which is the Molokini crater. It is an excellent place for snorkeling and scuba diving! Also, if you look closely, you can catch a whale swimming by!

Note: Whale watching season is between November and May in Maui.

Ocean View Room - Private Balcony

The room had a nice plush, comfortable, king-sized bed, a private balcony, and a spacious bathroom with oversized bathtub and separate glass-enclosed shower! It’s large enough that you could do cartwheels in the bathroom (although I wouldn’t recommend it).

Grand Wailea Ocean View Room Bathrooms

In the room, there was also a Kurig with better than average coffee and tea options. There was also an empty mini-fridge, which was perfect to put our water bottles, leis, and Maui Brew Co beers! ;-)

Pro tip: Upgrade to the exclusive Napua Tower, so you can enjoy the best panoramic ocean views available! Napua has a private club lounge and other luxurious benefits.

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The Grand Wailea Resort

Just walking around the resort was lovely. There were ocean views everywhere you looked and for being open-air, the resort was spotless.

Other amenities with the Daily Resort Charge: guest internet access; beach umbrellas; admission twice-daily scuba clinics and daily snorkel lessons; 45-minute photography session; beach cruiser bikes; yoga classes; scheduled cultural, garden, and art tours; local/toll-free calls

Pro-tip: Get to Wailea beach around 7a to get a front-row covered beach chair to spend the day by the water. It’s free of charge for guests! We would jump in the water, go for a walk, snorkel, play cards, or even take a nap. It’s a nice way to spend the day! Just make sure you head back to the chairs every hour.

RELATED POST What to do in Maui?: 10 FUN THINGS TO DO IN WAILEA

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The Grand Wailea Pool

The Grand Wailea is like a waterpark and is known as Wailea Canyon including four jungle pools, five intertwining slides, a whitewater rapids slide, a Tarzan rope swing, a sand beach, six waterfalls, caves, three Jacuzzis, a water elevator, and a swim-up bar! Good enough for me and great for kids! The pool has the world’s first water elevator that takes you up to the waterslides! It’s technically the only one in the world, built for the owner’s son, who was disabled, this million-dollar elevator keeps you in the water the whole time!

Grand Wailea Maui Pool

There are quite a few water slides that connected smaller pools creating a lazy river feel! There were a few longer slides that went really fast, feeling like you were at a water park. The Tarzan rope swing is great for the kids to swing and jump into the water - big kids can do it too (I did!). The adult-only pool is the best way to keep splashing to a minimum and wade in the pool or spa with a tropical drink.

Grand Wailea Pool

Our favorite part of the pool was the swim-up bar! You can sit at the bar or there were a few booths where you can sit waist-high in the water! The boys liked the Grotto Bar to have a drink and watch sports without getting out of the pool. I liked it for the lava flows and cool pool booths!

Grand Wailea Grotto Swim-up Pool Bar

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Grand Wailea Luau - 'Aha'aina Wailea

No trip to Hawaii is complete until you have checked a luau off your list! Enjoy a Hawaiian feast while watching traditional Hawaiian dances and there is an amazing fire dance performance you cannot miss! Get a great deal on the best luau in Wailea with tickets from Activity Authority.

Grand Wailea Luau

Restaurants and Shops

Just off the lobby, there were beautiful shops for resort wear, home goods, art, a market, and more! You wouldn’t need to leave the resort. However, if you like shopping there is a shopping center next door (the Shops at Wailea) with an ABC Store, restaurants, and some of your favorite retail shops.

Breakfast at the Grand Wailea

Since we were Gold Hilton Honors members, we were able to get a free continental breakfast or upgrade to the buffet breakfast for $19 which was totally worth it! The Grand Dining Room offers an omelet bar, fresh fruit, waffles, vegetables, potatoes, parfaits, rotating breakfast dishes including favorites like eggs benedict, pretty much EVERYTHING! Breakfast is my favorite meal, and this spread did not disappoint.

HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUA'A

Easy for you to say! This was our favorite place to get a drink a fancy cocktail in the bar and watch the sunset. Humuhumnukunukuapua’a means triggerfish with a snout like a pig (it’s a reef triggerfish). Make reservations ahead of time for dinner here, the menu is fantastic!

HUMUHUMUNUKUNUKUAPUA'A Sunset Drinks Views

VOLCANO BAR & GRILL

Located in the middle of the pool area, we had lunch at their poolside tables one day with sandwiches, quesadillas, and burgers on the menu! They also have a full bar menu.

Bistro Molokini

We had drinks and dinner at Bistro Molokini. Located near the adult pool and above the other pools, there are great ocean views, drinks, and food. We liked their pizzas and sandwiches but I wouldn’t get anything beyond that. Their Mai Tai was good, but see our Favorite Maui Mai Tai list if you’re looking for the best Mai Tai on the island!

Bistro Molokini at Grand Wailea

Botero Lounge

The most beautiful lobby bar surrounded by fountains and garden sculptures, it’s nice to relax and have a drink here.

Spa Grande

Don’t forget to relax! There are 40 treatment rooms in this 50,000 square-foot award-winning spa, which is the largest spa in Hawaii (that’s including all of the islands)! Enjoy services such as the Exclusive Healing Waters of Maui, a Hydrotherapy Circuit, and a unique haven of water therapies featuring a Roman tub, saunas, cascading waterfalls, Swiss jet showers, a Japanese furo, and five specialty baths. AHHHHHH…

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New Years in Maui, Hawaii

Directly in front of the hotel on Wailea Beach, fireworks shot off for about 20 minutes from a barge in the ocean at midnight! It was a perfect celebration to ring in the New Year!

New Years in Maui - Wailea

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Bring the kids? GREAT!

There is a 20,000-square-foot “Recreation Outlet Center for Kids” for children ages five to twelve. The qualified staff (also offer nighttime supervision so you can have that one on one time), Camp Grande is equipped with a children’s restaurant, craft room, theater, game room, and outside play area. The kids won’t miss you when they are distracted by activities such as hikes, nature walks, special workshops, such as lei making, ukulele lessons, and t-shirt dyeing.

Final Thoughts

Overall, we enjoyed our stay at the Grand Wailea Maui and would recommend you to stay here! We loved the rooms and the staff was very accommodating. This is a Hilton property so keep that in mind for your points!

We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!

Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.

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Experiencing Saruni Samburu and Seeing the Northern 5 in Kenya - Africa

Our experience at Saruni Samburu was unbelievable! Yes, I know I say this often but I mean it! From the room to the food to the guides, our stay was absolutely perfect and we were sad to leave. We even got up close and personal with the Northern Five native to Northern Kenya!

See my packing list of things you can purchase on Amazon here: Amazon African Safari Packing List

Scroll down later in the post to watch our video of our trip to Saruni Samburu!

Reticulated Giraffe seen while on safari with Saruni Samburu

How to Get to Samburu, Kenya

We stopped in Nairobi and took a smaller plane to Samburu for about an hour's flight. They did weigh our luggage but you give them your bags over a counter so you can kinda hide a camera if you’re worried about the 33 lb weight limit. The coolest part was sitting behind the pilots and landing on a dirt runway!

Our guide met us there and took us to the Saruni Rhino where we spent a few days but the drive from the air strip was about 30-45 minutes from Saruni Samburu.

See more on our trip to Saruni Rhino and how we got up close and personal with a baby rhino here: Rhino Tracking at the Saruni Rhino

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Guest Rooms at Saruni Samburu

Guest Room Bed at Saruni Samburu

I wish we had more time to spend in the room! WHO SAYS THAT?! Well, when you have a room with a second floor and a lovely living room overlooking Kenya, why wouldn’t you?!

As we walked into our room, which was not a suite, this is their standard room, we were blown away by the size of the room and the balcony attached to it!

Panorama of our room

View from our room

We then discovered we had another room upstairs! This room was also large in size set up like a living room, complete with a dining table.

Our living room attached to our bedroom

The bathroom was huge and had a bidet next to the toilet. Not only was there a shower inside the bathroom, but there was also a shower outside overlooking the conservation. I did take a shower outside one morning while watching elephants at the waterhole.

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Safari Time at Saruni Samburu

How do safaris work?

We weren’t sure exactly what to expect for our safaris, but we were very happy with our experience. Everyday you’ll head out in the morning or afternoon for a safari. Depending on what you see and how great your guide is, you’ll drive around for 5-8 hours which sounds crazy but goes by real quick! Our car was completely open and had panels that came down in case it rained.

Elephant Crossing

What should you wear on a safari?

I read a ton of blogs telling me what to pack and that I needed to purchase $100 safari shirts… Let me tell you, I was just fine in my Gap t-shirt and leggings. We did treat our clothes with permethrin, a bug repellent for your clothes. In the morning and late afternoon, I made sure to have a sweatshirt but there were also blankets in the car. Unless you are getting out of the vehicle, which you aren’t supposed to, there’s no reason not to where something comfortable that you can sit in for long periods of time.

Traffic in the conservancy

Our Safari Experience

Joseph was our guide for the time we were at Saruni Samburu as well as Saruni Rhino. Since he is from the local village, he knew the area (and animals) very well and was phenomenal at finding animals far away. Joseph understood various animal behaviors and explained their actions, teaching us fun facts about each animal.

Scroll down later in the post to watch our video of our trip to Saruni Samburu!

Reticulated Giraffe having Breakfast

Here are some of the animals we saw over the course of 3 days:

1. Impalas - we even saw a newborn, birthed seconds before we arrived

2. Batiat foxes 🦊 

3. Beisa Oryx (part of the Northern Five, more on that below)

4. Leopards - mama and cubs

5. Egyptian geese 🦆 

6. Lions 🦁 

7. Elephants

8. Dik-diks - little antelopes about a foot tall

9. Rock hyraxes 

10. Wilds dogs - very rare

11. Somali ostrich (part of the Northern Five, more on that below)

12. Dwarf mongoose

13. Fotery guinea fowl

14. Gerenuk

15. Grant’s Gazelles

16. Grevy’s Zebras 🦓 (part of the Northern Five, more on that below)

17. Nile crocodile 🐊 

18. Cheetah 

19. Reticulated Giraffes (part of the Northern Five, more on that below)

20. Warthogs - Even our guide called them pumbaas (which means dumb in Swahili)! Since they have such a short term memory, they are known to walk by a lion and walk back to the same spot 5 minutes later, forgetting they had passed it.

21. Eastern yellow-billed hornbill - AKA the flying banana or Zazu from the Lion King

22. Baboons

23. Monkeys

Cheetah stalking antelope

We went out in the early morning and late afternoon covering all basis to see as many animals as possible. Every day we saw something different and right when one day couldn’t possibly top the day before, it did! Depending on how long we were going out, we either ate before or after the safari, or they packed us breakfast or lunch.

Can you spot the leopard? pun intended

The topography was very dry and looked like the elephant graveyard in the Lion King. There is a river about an hour away and the closer you get, the more animals you see! Keep your eyes peeled and be patient. Sometimes just sitting and watching the animals for a while is fun to observe their behaviors. You never know what they might do!

Baby baboon by the river

Elephant at the water hole at night

One of our nights, we even went out for a night drive. I was nervous going into the dark at night at first and wondered what animals we’d see but there were so many we came across:

1. Porcupine

2. Owl 🦉 

3. Hawk

4. Hare

5. Jackal

6. Male and female Ostriches

7. Striped hyena - very shy, very rare

8. Family of Elephants

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The Northern Five in Kenya

We were lucky to find the Kenyan Northern Five including the Somali Ostrich, Gerenuk, Grevy’s Zebra, Beisa Oryx, and the Reticulated Giraffe!

Here we go…

1. Somali Ostrich

The Somlai Ostrich differs from most ostriches with a bluish color on their neck and legs, instead of a pink color. The males were beautiful with black and white feathers, while the females had grayish brown feathers.

2. Gerenuk

As part of the antelope family, Gerenuks are also known as giraffe gazelles, appropriately named with their long necks and slender limbs. They’ll even stand erect on their hind legs to reach higher branches. I loved the pattern in their ears!

Gerenuk - Kenyan Northern Five

3. Grevy’s Zebra

In comparison to other zebras, Grevy’s unique characteristics include their taller height, large ears, narrower stripes, and white bellies with no stripes. with their stripes being closer together and thinner, it is easier for them to make a good escape and to hide from predators. Foals are born with brown and white striping which darken as they grow older.

Family of Grevy’s Zebras

4. Beisa Oryx

Also known as the East African Oryx, they are recognized by their long horns and striped markings. Yeah, even though they eat grass, I wouldn’t mess with those horns!

Beisa Oryx

5. Reticulated Giraffe

Also known as the Somali Giraffe and most commonly seen in zoos. Their beautiful coats consists of large, polygonal, liver-colored spots outlined by bright-white lines.

Reticulated Giraffe

Our camera gear used to grab these gorgeous photos:

Watch our video of our trip to Saruni Samburu:

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Food at Saruni Samburu

The owner of the Saruni franchise is Italian and all food was also Italian with a Kenyan flair. There were always 3 courses for every meal and we never left feeling hungry! Dessert was always a must! Alcohol was included which we typically had wine and beer. There was a beverage menu with more options that you could pay for.

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The Grounds at Saruni Samburu

There were 2 gorgeous infinity pools within a short walking distance fo our room. Although they weren’t heated, it was nice to take a dip then sit and enjoy the view.

The main lodge was a nice place to hang out as well. Sometimes before or after a meal we’d hang out and have a drink by the bonfire, or just lounge on the big couches and enjoy the view.

Wifi was only available near the main lodge and it wasn’t very good. Don’t count on working from there, but a few social media posts will go through… eventually.

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Activities to do while at Saruni Samburu

Massages

Our room came with a complimentary massage for 30 mins for one person. After lugging around our heavy bags through airports, I was ready for a back and neck massage!

Bush Walk

We walked around the outskirts of our lodge with our guide and a ranger, and came across a pack of wild dogs! Apparently they are very rare to see. I thought they were hyenas at first, I just loved their big ears!

Wild Dogs - Rare sight!

Star Gazing

At night there was practically no light pollution leaving a sky full of stars! We were able to see the Milky Way and on Josh’s Sony A7, he was able to capture the Milky Way!

Milky Way seen from the balcony of our room

We had a wonderful stay at Saruni Samburu and highly recommend it to anyone booking a future trip to Africa. We booked through Scott Dunn to get the best service and bang for our buck! Please tell them we sent you!

Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.

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Other posts from Africa (see all Africa posts here)

Virunga Lodge - Most Charming Place to Stay in Rwanda

For our first lodging adventure in Africa, we stayed at the Virunga Lodge and couldn’t have been happier! This gorgeous lodge was colorful and the stay went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed. We went gorilla trekking in the Volcanoes National Park and spent three wonderful nights at the lodge!

See my packing list of things you can purchase on Amazon here: Amazon African Safari Packing List

Views from atop the hill where Virunga Lodge lives

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Guest Rooms (also known as Bandas)

Virunga Lodge - Kivu Banda

Our banda was incredible! We stayed in the Kivu banda which had a nice view of the lake and volcanoes. The room was decorated in vibrant colors with a homey design that made us want to move in!

The bed was a little firmer than I like but we were so exhausted we slept just fine!

The bathroom was very large and had what Josh called a Flintstones bathroom, which I definitely agree!

You’re not supposed to drink the tap water or brush your teeth with the sink water, so fresh drinkable bottles were supplied.

The great thing about our Africa trip was that they did our laundry for us complimentary, as part of the room charge. Some lodges won’t wash women’s underwear since the men do the laundry! They’ll provide detergent in most bathrooms to wash your underoos in the sink.

We had a private butler assigned and she gave us a cell phone to call her if we needed anything as there weren’t phones in the rooms. The only time we really called her was to replace the batteries in the safe!

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Main Lodge

The main lodge was the place to hang out. There was a bar that you could get drinks at any time during the day. Most importantly, the wifi only worked in the main lodge and was not available in our rooms. It was nice to disconnect, but we also wanted to share our Gorilla Trek experience with our family and friends!

Main Lodge

They had games to play, and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view.

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Food and Meals at Virunga Lodge

All of our meals were held in the dining room or on the veranda. right next to the main lodge. My favorite spot was the corner table of the veranda set for two with a view.

All of the meals were excellent and very “Americanized.” Options like spaghetti or fish and chips for lunch and a hearty choice of meat for dinner - chicken, steak or fish with different sauce/side options. Dessert was different every night with options such as lemon meringue and sweet crepes. My favorite meal was breakfast! I’d get a smoothie, scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes, and bacon!

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Every morning a wake up service was provided where the staff would come with coffee and biscuits (cookies) and wake you up!

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Massages at Virunga Lodge

We each had a complimentary 30-minute massage and after our hike with the gorillas and carrying our bags through the airports, a massage was just what we needed!

Massage Lounge and Reception

We checked in and they gave us a basket with a towel, robe, slippers, and lotion. We were instructed to use the bathrooms in the next rooms over and put all of our things in the basket.

Getting massage ready!

The bathroom was large with a bathroom stall, shower and some cabinets on the side to put your things in.
I had put my phone away for complete relaxation but the room we had massages in had large windows with a fantastic view overlooking the mountains. Since it was only 30 minutes, the focus was on my back, neck, and legs, which was fine by me! After 30 minutes, the male masseuse announced, “the massage is done.” Ahhhh, it was so nice and relaxing.

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Gorilla Trekking

The main reason we stayed at the Virunga Lodge was to go track the gorillas and see them up close in their natural habitat! We had the most AMAZING time and highly recommend this experience to all! Just make sure you get out of the silverbacks way when they come through!

Please see more in our post: How we got pushed by a gorilla when we went Gorilla Trekking

Read all about our Gorilla Trek when we tracked gorillas up close and personal by clicking the photo above!

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Other Fun Activities

There are many hikes you can take around the lodge and even hike down to the lake (the only problem with that is you have to hike back up).

There were also bird trails and the locals came by one afternoon to perform a traditional dance for us!

Traditional Dance from the locals

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I can’t recommend this trip more! We booked through our favorite travel agency, Scott Dunn! Let them know we sent you!

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More Africa Posts:

Rhino Trekking in Kenya, Africa and Lodging with Saruni Rhino

When we were researching where to stay in Kenya, our travel agent from Scott Dunn highly recommended staying at Saruni Rhino and I’m so glad she did. I didn’t realize how the Rhino is hunted for it’s horn and poaching is a severe problem. These magnificent creatures look like dinosaurs and are so exhilarating to see in person.

Scroll down later in the post to watch our video of our trip to Saruni Rhino!

Is there something behind me?

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Where to Stay in Kenya

The Saruni Rhino is an intimate place to stay! There are only 3 rooms (also called Bandas) available, and with the location right along the river bed, you are sure to see animals visit the waterhole at all times during the day or at night. There is even a light by the waterhole at night to see who is visiting while you’re eating dinner in the main lodge.

Our Banda had a bed on a swing out front, which was perfect to relax and watch the animals approach the waterhole.

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Tracking the Rhino in Kenya, Africa

Rhinos would look like rocks with eyes - Moseku the Rhino

Our guide would take us out in the morning or afternoon to go Rhino trekking. The rangers in the conservatory would keep an eye on where the Rhinos are located, knowing their habits and behaviors after years of observation. We’d hop in the car and drive about 30 minutes to the Sera Conservatory front gate, then typically another 30 minutes to the rhinos.

After we’d meet up with the ranger trackers, we’d hop out of the car and walk with them by foot to see the rhino. Typically we would stay pretty far away so that the rhino wouldn’t feel threatened and charge at us. The rhinos seemed more scared of us anyway and would run away if they heard us coming too close. We first found Moseku, a 7-10 year old rhino.

Rhinos can hear and smell very well, but they can’t see very far. Our guide would see which way the wind was blowing by kicking up dirt to see which way it would blow so we could make sure that the rhino(s) couldn’t smell us. As we would get closer, we’d tread carefully and as quietly as possible, which can be very hard when walking on gravel and branches.

Baby Rhino at 3 years old

Our guides would find the rhinos by sound, following footprints, or finding their poop! We walked around for an hour one morning and barely saw a rhino through the bushes. We were lucky enough to find the baby named Lojipu, the 3 year old “baby” rhino. His mother left him after he was a few days old, so the rangers bottle fed him and are hoping to release him back into the wild. He was very playful and acted almost like a dog running around. We weren’t allowed to touch him, but it took everything in me not to run up and hug him.

Scroll down to watch our video of Lojipu!

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Watch our video of our trip to Saruni Rhino:

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What to Pack, Wear and Bring for Rhino Trekking

You never know when you’ll run into elephants,

What to Wear

Since you might be sitting in a vehicle for a while, wear something comfortable. I wore a t-shirt (sprayed with permethrin), bug repellent pants, hiking shoes, a hat, and brought a fleece sweater for the cool mornings and evenings. I am not an outdoorsy girl by any means, and would rather be in a dress and flip flops.

If I had skin showing I wore bug repellent, and I didn’t get one bite! Bugs love to bite me wherever we go and I was deathly afraid I was going to be eaten alive in Africa. I used Ultrathon insect repellent and it worked so well! We sprayed our clothes with Permethrin which lasts for about 7 washes. Some of our clothes were already treated and brands like Exofficio will last for up to 70 washes!


Safari Essentials:

Don’t forget to bring these with you:

1. Camera - have batteries and extra memory cards on hand just in case

2. Binoculars

3. Water (your guide might already have some)

4. Sunscreen

5. Bug repellent

6. Hat

7. Snack - granola bars are easy to bring with you

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I highly recommend this excursion if you’re on your way to Africa! Don’t miss out! We booked our trip with Scott Dunn, tell them you were recommended by Kathleen at the Sweetest Escapes!

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HOTEL REVIEW: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress - Orlando, Florida

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

Address: 1 Grand Cypress Blvd, Orlando, FL 32836

Website: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!

Hyatt Regency GRand Cypress

The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort is a great place to stay when visiting Orlando, Florida! if you’re looking to stay off Disney property but wanting to keep close to it, it’s just 15 mins from the Disney parks with free shuttles that run all day. It’s a no brainer to stay here. 

Here are some of my favorite dresses I highly recommend!

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Hotel Rooms at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

The rooms are fairly large with a nice seating area with a couch that’s also a bed! There are small balconies that aren’t really big enough to do anything on, just a nice touch. 

I love that they prepared these rooms for travelers! There were outlets everywhere and even a few USB plugs. After a long day at Disney World, my batteries were drained (physically and electronically). 

The bed had a lot of pillows, which I liked, and the mattress was on the firmer side. I usually prefer a soft mattress, but I was so tired I could have slept on a rock. 

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Hotel Bathroom at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

The bathroom was a decent size with a giant rain shower! The tiles were iridescent, looking like mermaid scales up close. That’s a win in my book! There was also a big shelf in the shower for all my toiletries. 

I loved the mirror and lighting, it was perfect for putting on my makeup and realizing I needed a few tweezers on my eyebrows! The closet was an ok size, a little small for my taste, but we managed!

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Food and Restaurants at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

There is a restaurant called the Lakehouse in the back of the lobby and down a flight of stairs that offers a decadent breakfast buffet. For $29 you can get anything you’ve dreamed for breakfast! Things like quiche, eggs, breakfast potatoes, donuts, oatmeal, BACON, waffles and pancakes made to order or even an omelette station! I really liked their coffee too, all 3 cups. They also serve lunch and dinner. 

If you’re looking for a quick to go kinda place, there’s a Market that is like a Starbucks with lattes, coffee, pastries, breakfast sandwiches, and options in the afternoon like sandwiches, wraps, and WINE! 

Market at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando Florida

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Lobby at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

Lobby at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando Florida

The lobby is MASSIVE and has a cute little parrot by the check-in desk! You’ll also find the lobby bar on the opposite side from check-in. They have food options as well!

Parrot in the lobby of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Orlando Florida

Beware of the elevators, it can take a while early in the morning and at night when it’s crowded. We stayed on the 14th floor and I stopped on every floor on the way down. Stairs would have been better. Luckily they have nice chairs and views while you wait on your floor!

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Resort at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

There is a ton to do here on the property which is all included in the daily resort fee.

The pool is large and even has a water slide! The pool and spa are open until midnight, however the slide closes earlier. Other activities include put put golf, kayaks, bikes, rock climbing, driving range, and a tennis court. 

Pro-tip: A lot of things are included in the resort fee, make sure you check the fine print of the paperwork given at check-in or on the desk in the room!

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Shuttles to the Walt Disney World Resort and Parks from the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

Epcot Center - Walt Disney World

The shuttle service couldn’t be easier! All you need to do is check-in with the concierge in the lobby to reserve your spot on a shuttle the day before you need it. THE SHUTTLE IS FREE!!! The shuttle drops you off at the main hub (Transportation and Ticket Center) where you can take a monorail or bus to any of the Disney theme parks or hotels. You can even buy your Disney World tickets/Magic Bands here as well.

There are also shuttles for Sea World and Universal Studios, ask the concierge for more information.

Complimentary private car is available, there may be a wait for it. 

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Parking at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

Self Parking is $10 a day or $22 a day to valet. They were working on one of the parking garages and had a discount on parking in Dec 2018. Check their website for the latest prices here: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.

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We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!

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HOTEL REVIEW: Hyatt Regency Sarasota, Florida

Hyatt Regency Sarasota

Hyatt Regency Sarasota, Florida

Address: 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236

Website: Hyatt Regency Sarasota

The Hyatt brand is always a plus for us. We’ve stayed at so many different resorts and are never disappointed. We even have a Hyatt credit card with amazing benefits! Let us know if you’re interested. It was a no brainer to pick the Hyatt Regency Sarasota, Florida, when we were in town for a wedding!

We drove in from Orlando, but there is also an airport in Sarasota and about 2 hours from Tampa. We continued onto Aruba after our stay here!

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Rooms at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota

The rooms are fairly large with a nice seating area with amazing harbor views! There are small balconies that you can sit out on and enjoy the view. 

Hyatt Regency Sarasota Balcony Views

I love that the rooms were prepared for travelers! There were outlets everywhere and even a few USB plugs. We could charge all electronics, all at once!

The bed had a lot of pillows, which I liked, and the mattress was on the firmer side. I usually prefer a soft mattress, but I was so tired I could have slept on a rock. 

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Bathroom Hyatt Regency Sarasota

The bathroom had a wired shape but lots of storage! It was nice to hold personal things like my purse and sunglasses as well as my curling iron and toiletries. I spent a lot of time in the bathroom trying a new hairdo for the wedding. Even after watching many YouTube videos, I just curled my hair and wore it down!

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Lobby Hyatt Regency Sarasota

It was nice they had COLD flavored fruit water in the lobby by the check-in desk. Even though it was December, it was still very warm outside!

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Hyatt Regency Sarasota Pool

The pool is large and a great place to sit and read a book or check out your social media feeds! The pool and spa are open from 6am to 10pm.

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Overall, the Hyatt Regency Sarasota is a great place to stay. You won’t be disappointed!

Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.

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Best Way to spend a Summer Weekend Getaway in Lake Tahoe

Guide: What to do in Lake Tahoe during Summer

Growing up, we went to Lake Tahoe for a few days almost every summer. Hiking, biking, and swimming were always on the itinerary. I was excited to bring Josh up there for the first time and show him one of my favorite places in California, where I had so many great memories and adventures with my family to share. 

Getting to Lake Tahoe

We took a quick hour long Southwest flight, flying out of LAX and into Reno-Tahoe International Airport (watch-out for bears). From there, we rented a car from Hertz at the airport and drove about an hour up through the mountains to the lake!

We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!

Directions to South Lake Tahoe from the airport: We usually take the 580 S and hop on the 50 W. With no traffic, it takes about an hour. You can also take the 431, but that takes longer sometimes by 15 mins or so, but you have longer lake views. We usually take it on the way back to the airport!

Reno-Tahoe International Airport (watch-out for bears)

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Where to Stay in Lake Tahoe

There are a few hotels at the Stateline and a few at the North shore with AirBnBs between! We like staying at the Stateline because it's more lively and city like, but not far from adventures in the wilderness.

Harvey's Lake Tahoe

Address: Highway 50 at Stateline Avenue, Stateline, NV 89449

• Best Rate: Booking.com

• Pricing: $$

Since Lake Tahoe is split on the Stateline of Nevada, most hotels have casinos and our favorite place to stay is Harvey's. It's located on the North side of Lake Tahoe Blvd without another hotel obstructing the view. Find the best rate to stay at Harvey’s by reserving your room through Booking.com. It's not bad waking up to this every morning...

The rooms have been recently renovated and are very spacious with spectacular Tahoe lake views. With a casino at the base of the hotel and a bar and restaurant at the top with breathtaking views of the lake, this place is perfect! There are many restaurants and activities that are walking distance, including Heavenly.

HARVEY'S IS ALSO PET FRIENDLY! MEET RICHARD!

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What to Do in Lake Tahoe

There are so many different things to do in Tahoe and something for everyone:

• Heavenly Summer Adventure - zip-lining, tubing, ropes course, hiking (see more below)

• Paddle Wheel Cruise around the lake on Ms Dixie II (see more below)

• Visit Squaw Valley - Olympic Park

• Hiking trails in state parks and Fallen Leaf Lake - see more in our post of our favorite trails, Tahoe Hikes for the Casual Hiker 

• Biking along the lake

• Kayaking and water sports on the lake

• Renting a boat and don’t forget the jet ski's 

• Paddleboats! 

• Horseback Riding in the mountains to great heights and great views

• Explore Zephyr Cove

• Gamble in the casinos

Hike to Eagle Falls

Here are a few of our favorite things to do in detail:

1. Heavenly Lake Tahoe

During winter these Heavenly gondolas take you up for skiing, but during summer, there is a playground. The base is close to the Stateline taking you up a 2.4 mile ride up in the Heavenly Mountain Gondola with panoramic views of Lake Tahoe. On the way up, there is a stop at the Observation Deck where we took photos and breathed in that fresh mountain air. For summer 2019, Heavenly opens June 21st! There’s even a YOGA class at the top of the mountain!

Gondola Price: Adult $50

At the very top, there are a few adventures you can embark on:

• Tubing down a thrilling 500ft-long hill

• Zip-line 1,000ft-long zip line at top speeds of 40 MPH

• Ridge Rider Mountain Coaster - a single rider coasting down a 3,400' track, descends 300 vertical feet, and accelerate around two lateral loops (SO FUN)

• Ropes courses

Price: Ultimate Adventure Pass for only $99 (includes Gondola ride) Buy 3 get the 4th free!

If you have never been to Tahoe, the gondola is a must-do. Because it is a little pricey, I don't think it's something you have to do every time you go, but it was really fun to play like a kid for a day!

The Tamarack Lodge at the top has overpriced average theme park type food, setup commissary style. This ski resort is great, even in the middle of summer!

2. Lake Tour on the Ms Dixie II Paddle Wheel

The Ms Dixie is a large paddlewheel boat that cruises across the lake to Emerald Bay and back. A recording plays throughout the 2 hour tour, giving the history of Lake Tahoe and fun facts. Lunch and complete bar service are available for purchase.

The sites were spectacular! It was nice being on the water and not in the freezing lake. I also learned new things about Tahoe that I never knew! For instance, "The center of the Lake can appear cobalt blue, as blue light is absorbed further, leaving visible violet light as the predominant light color. In shallow areas, the water can appear emerald or turquoise in color since green is the predominant light color at shallow depths." Cool, right?

Within Emerald Bay is the only island in Lake Tahoe, Fannette Island, where the lady of Vikingsholm would go to have tea in the afternoon in the little castle built on top. So jealous.

Prices: Ages 12 and Up: $65.00 , Ages 3-11: $33.00

They also offer a Dinner sunset cruise as well. 

EMERALD BAY AND FANNETTE ISLAND

3. Explore Emerald Bay

Along the Southwest shore off Route 89, is Emerald Bay. It's about 45 mins (22 miles) from Tahoe City, and we usually park along the highway (or there is a parking lot for $10) and then hike down the Rubicon trail to the Vikingsholm, a 38-room mansion that is recognized as some of the best Scandinavian architecture in the US. You can always rent a boat from our friends at Get My Boat (it’s like Airbnb for boats), to get there too!

The architect who built and designed this incredible mansion, was Leonard Palme, who was hired by his aunt Laura Knight. See more info on the CA Parks and Rec site.

We went on some great hikes that were fairly moderate, we don’t hike too often but there is a bit of an incline! See more in our Tahoe Hikes for the Casual Hiker post!

EMERALD BAY LIVING UP TO ITS NAME

4. Visit Squaw Valley - Take the Aerial Tram to Olympic Park!

Address: 1990 Squaw Peak Road, Olympic Valley, CA 96146

Check hours on their website (usually 9a-4p - there’s a winter/summer toggle at the top of their site): Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows

Squaw Valley - Olympic Park

Squaw Valley was home to Winter Olympics in 1960. Now during winter, its a winter wonderland with tons of runs to ski or snowboard! We went during summer and there is even a pool and jacuzzi on top. Can’t imagine getting in the water during the winter! Or getting out of the water I should say!

Squaw Valley Aerial Tram to High Camp

The Aerial Tram was $46 to take you to the top and drop off at High Camp. We explored the Olympic Museum, which was free to get into, had some fun standing on the podium and looking at other memorabilia! The clothing and style of the olympians during that era was amazing! You can check out some uniforms, sporting goods such as hockey sticks and pucks, and looking through other commemorative pieces.

There is a bistro restaurant, called Granite Bistro Cafe, complete with stunning views! If you take the last tram, you ride with some of the staff and racks! If you’re looking for a snack, souvenir, water bottle, or sandwich type items, visit the High Camp Marketplace. Check out the cute ice cream cookies they had:

The base of Squaw Valley has residencies, rentals and a large shopping center. We walked through some shops, got a coffee and saw the cutest ice cream shop!

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Where to Eat in Lake Tahoe? Restaurants with Lake Views

There are so many delectable restaurants with stunning lake views. Let's start with my favorites, shall we?:

Susie Scoops Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt

Address: 869 Tahoe Blvd, Incline Village, NV 89451

• Price: $

• Specialty: Dessert/ Ice Cream/ Frozen Yogurt

This cute little ice cream store is located in Incline Village and attached to the toy shop, Village Toys! Inside the walls are pink with ice cream lights and decorations everywhere like an old fashioned ice cream shop. I wanted to live there. ;-)

They offer 28 flavors made locally as well as frozen yogurt, smoothies, shaved ice (18 flavors), shakes & malts (any flavors), floats, hand-dipped waffle cones, specialty sundaes, pints to go, & ice cream cakes! EVERYTHING ICE CREAM! Exceptional flavors: Peppermint, Mud pie and Peanut Butter Cup ice cream.

Edgewood Lake Tahoe - Hotel, Spa, & Golf Course

Address: 100 Lake Pkwy, Stateline, NV 89449

Edgewood Restaurant 

Price: $$$$ Specialty: Seafood / Steaks / Grill Menu: Edgewood Menu Reservations: Opentable.com

Photo provided from the restaurant’s website

With stunning floor-to-ceiling windows and an elegant lodge atmosphere, diners enjoy striking views of mountains, pines, and the glistening sapphire lake while celebrating golden anniversaries and creating diamond memories.

Located on the Edgewood golf course right on the lake, its the perfect spot for dinner at sunset. The filet steaks are delicious!

Brooks Bar and Deck

• Price: $$$

• Lunch Specialty: American / Sandwiches / Salads

• Menu: Brooks Menu

• Reservations: Opentable.com

We enjoy burgers, sandwiches and cocktails on the patio at Brooks Bar and Deck for lunch. Make a reservation ahead of time! They are on OpenTable.com

COTTON CANDY @ 19 KITCHEN & BAR

19 Kitchen & Bar - Harvey's Lake Tahoe

Address: 18 US-50, Stateline, NV 89449

• Price: $$$$

• Specialty: Seafood / Steaks / Grill

• Menu: 19 MENU

• Reservations: Opentable.com

This restaurant is located atop of the Harvey's Hotel with great steaks and amazing birds eye views of the lake. We usually go right around sunset and request a table by the window. Also, don't miss out on their cotton candy for dessert!

Riva Grill on the Lake

Address: 900 Ski Run Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

• Price: $$

• Lunch Specialties: Salads / Sandwiches

• Menu: Riva Menu

• Reservations: Opentable.com

For lunch and cocktails, you must go to Riva Grill on the Lake and try a Wet Woody. Yes, I just said that. They are famous for these rum drinks and these woody's sure pack a punch! 

Lunch options are great, ask for a table on the patio. 

Friday’s Station Steak & Seafood Grill

Address: Harrah's Hotel - 19-29 Lincoln Hwy, Stateline, NV 89449

• Price: $$$$

• Specialties: Seafood / Steaks / Grill

• Menu: Friday’s Menu

• Reservations: Opentable.com

Located on the top floor of Harrah's, this Lake Tahoe fine dining gem features a dramatic entrance, a 1,000-bottle display wine cellar and magnificent views from every table. Favorite meal: Prime Rib with mashed potatoes. Is your mouth watering too?

Ciera Steak & Chophouse

Address: Montbleu Resort Casino & Spa - 55 US-50, Stateline, NV 89449

• Price: $$$$

• Specialties: Seafood / Steaks / Grill

• Menu: Ciera Menu

• Reservations: Opentable.com

I'd put them in the Top 10 best steak dinners I've ever had! This fabulous 4 Diamond Steak and Chophouse has an exquisite variety of steaks and chops to go along with their extensive 300 bottle wine list.

The sides were amazing, we ordered all potatoes (the White Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes Gratinée were my fave) and the white truffle mac and cheese. These paired well with my mouth watering Cowboy Ribeye.

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Also, check out these great things to do in Tahoe and California! 

Hotel Review: Hotel De Chai The Colonial - Chiang Mai, Thailand

Hotel De Chai The Colonial - The best hotel in Chiang Mai

Address: 6/3 Thapae Rd Soi 4, ตำบลช้างคลาน Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand

Website: http://www.dechaihotel.com/

Hotel de Chai - Chiang Mai

Booking hotels in Thailand is definitely overwhelming. Everything is relatively cheap but is there any place worth staying? I have to say, I LOVED our hotel in Chiang Mai. With a central location, it was easy to get in and out of the city! We even got a free night using one of our credit cards. Find the best rate to visit Chiang Mai by booking your room through Booking.com. Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks! 

Hotel De Chai seemed like it was either new or had a facelift! The rooms were very modern with Thai accents. Our room was a great size with a huge bathroom. I could have done cartwheels in there. Could have.

The staff was very accommodating for all of our needs and always gave us water when we asked nicely!

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LOBBY

Sawasdee (hello in Thai)! The lobby was small, but no need to be any bigger, really. There were plenty of chairs to wait or hang out in.

Lobby - Hotel de Chai - Chiang Mai, Thailand

As we waited to check-in, we had a seat next to the koi pond and they brought us fancy juice. We sent the Thaismile Connect (pocket wifi) to our hotel and it was there when we arrived! Hooray! It was about $5 USD a day, check them our here: http://www.thaismileconnect.com/

Initially, our room wasn't ready, so we locked our bags with our Luggage Locks and I packed my little crossbody travel bag with a few things and we ready to go out to explore, but the room was suddenly ready for us (isn’t that always the way?)!

Here was the view down to the lobby koi pond from outside our room on the third floor.

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HOTEL ROOM

Guest Room - Hotel de Chai - Chiang Mai, Thailand

The bedroom was rather large! We booked a Superior Room which was plenty of room for the 2 of us and had 3 closets. 2 closets had room for our carry-on suitcases and the other one had a mini refrigerator, water bottles, and snacks in it. One day we had Oreos and the next day we had KitKat Bars... It was like Santa came! We'd ask the front desk for fresh water bottles constantly. Don't drink the tap water in Chiang Mai! 

Chiang Mai is an older city, so there aren't really pretty views, but at least there is a bird’s eye view! However, sunrises make it spectacular! 

Views - Hotel de Chai - Chiang Mai, Thailand

Also, it was pretty great when I looked out and saw lanterns floating on New Years Eve!

So I guess you could say the views are great from the De Chai The Colonial Hotel in Chiang Mai!

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BATHROOM

The bathroom was large and had plenty of room to spare. It was also covered in wall to wall windows which we kept most of them closed because others could kind of see in. We were up high enough that it probably didn't REALLY matter. 

This place felt new. Even if had been renovated, they did a great job at making it feel like everything had been replaced.

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RESTAURANT

There was a restaurant off the main entrance of De Chai where we had free breakfast every morning. You could order eggs any style and waffles, pancakes, potatoes, meat (sausage or bacon) fruit, yogurt, etc. were found at the buffet. There was also traditional Thai food - noodles, rice, curry… Great way to start the day!

Restaurant - Hotel de Chai - Chiang Mai, Thailand

They served lunch and dinner as well as a happy hour but we were always out exploring!

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POOL & BAR / MASSAGES

There was a very nice pool and a bar but we never really saw anyone there. We were waiting for our pool/beach time for Koh Yao Noi, we had a lot of temples to see in Chiang Mai! 

There was also a spa off of the lobby. We didn't use their services since we found options when we were meandering through the city. There are a lot of cheap places to get massages all over Thailand!

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Getting Around

It was about 15 minutes from the Chiang Mai Airport and a very inexpensive private taxi cab ride (don’t pay more than 300 baht).

We even were picked up for our Elephant Sanctuary tour from the hotel. See our full Elephant Nature Park post.

See our full post on the Floating Lanterns in Chiang Mai on New Year’s Eve!

I can’t wait to go back to Thailand, we’d stay here again in a heartbeat! Find the best rate to visit Chiang Mai by booking your room through Booking.com.

Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.

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 MORE THAILAND POSTS:

6 Days in Aruba - What to do in Aruba and Full Itinerary Included!

We spent 6 glorious days in Aruba and it didn’t seem like enough! The island is known as “One Happy Island” and it definitely lives up to it’s name! The people are so nice there, it’s very clean, and you feel very safe. The beaches are gorgeous, full of white sand from coral and white rock weathering away onto the shores.

Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island

There are many activities to do for couples or as families. If you’re bringing kids, teens would enjoy the island more than tiny kids. We were there for 6 days and never bored. Here is all you need to know to plan your perfect trip to Aruba.

UTV Tour - Around Aruba UTV Tours

This blog uses affiliate links. If you’d like to purchase a recommended product, please use the link to support this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, it simply allows me to continue creating these posts. Thank you so much for your love and support!

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DAY 1

Arrival into Aruba

We arrived into Aruba’s Queen Beatrix Airport, right along the water! Arriving was pretty easy, we got off the plane, handed a government agent our declaration card and scanned our passports where our picture was taken by an automated machine. Also, the airport had views of the ocean were gorgeous while walking through!

Pro-tip: Tourism boards are usually parked in the arrivals area with reusable bags filled with coupons and info about Aruba... they are FREE, so take one! We used them all over, around the hotel, threw towels in for our UTV tour, to the beach, etc. 

Taxi Drive views of Downtown from the Aruba Airport

It’s a $25 flat rate to get from the airport to the high rise hotels or $18 to get to the Downtown hotels. Here is a link to handy chart for taxi rates for getting around Aruba: Taxi Fares in Aruba

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Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino

Address: Juan E, J.E. Irausquin Blvd #85, Noord, Aruba

Website: Hyatt Regency Aruba

We ALWAYS find THE BEST rates through Booking.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room+rental car! They even have apartments, lodges, and houses you can rent, just like AirBnB or VRBO! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino for 4 nights over New Years 2019! Located mid beach of hotel row, it is the perfect place to spend the day at the beach and walking distance to everything!  The rooms were so nice, hard wood floors and super spacious! The pool was huge, complete with a water slide, volleyball net and swim up bar to get your drink on!

My favorite part of walking through the resort was looking for wildlife! Parrots, swans, large iguanas, coi fish, and turtles were all over! 

Read our full HOTEL REVIEW here: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino

We also stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino so we could visit the flamingos on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach! Read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach. We’ll get more into that on Day 5 and 6!

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Afternoon Beach Time

After we checked into the Hyatt Regency Aruba, we couldn’t wait to go to the beach and grab a bite to eat! There were a bunch of restaurants inland but we wanted to eat by the water. From our room, I could see a restaurant on Pelican Pier and said we should eat there. Reviews on Yelp and Google Maps said The Pelican Nest Seafood & Grill Bar was good, which was good enough for me!

Pelican Pier in Aruba

Restaurant: The Pelican Nest Seafood & Grill Bar

Address: On Pelican Pier, J.E. Irausquin Blvd 237, Noord, Aruba

Website: pelican-aruba.com

Cuisine type: Caribbean, Seafood |  Price Range: $20 - $30

We sat down in the bar which was open seating, ordered chicken sandwiches and happy hour beverages since we were there between 4-6pm. We sat at the bar along the walkway and weren’t complaining about the oceanfront views.

Pelican Nest Drinks

Chicken Sandwiches at Pelican Nest

After our meal, not sure if it was lunch or dinner, but walked along the beach to catch a beautiful sunset.

Sunset on Aruba Beach

Watch where you step, you never know what you might find!

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Ice Cream in Aruba - Gelatissimo Palm Beach

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 345, Noord, Aruba

Website: Gianni’s Gelatissimo

Pricing: $3-$8

Gelatissimo - Ice Cream in Aruba

We went exploring inland where we saw shops and restaurants on our drive in. Of course we had to find some ice cream and we came across some delicious gelato at Gelatissimo!

I went with a waffle cone trying the Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nutella (chocolate hazelnut).

Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nutella (chocolate hazelnut)

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New Years in Aruba

New Years Fireworks in Aruba

We asked our cab driver where the place to be is at midnight on New Years Eve, to which he said, “right in front of your hotel!” Perfect. He wasn’t wrong, we had a few drinks at the bar and wandered down to the beach around 11p. Fireworks are legal in Aruba so they were going off all day along with these giant firecrackers that people would set up randomly in the streets. We sat and watched as people set off sparklers and small fireworks around us. As soon as midnight hit, a bunch of barges in the water close to the beach shot off fireworks for a good 20 minutes! It was spectacular, the whole beach was lit up from this amazing display! 

New Years Fireworks in Aruba

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DAY 2

Breakfast in Aruba - Dushi Bagels & Burgers

Address: J. E. Irausquin Blvd #87 Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.dushibagelsandburgers.com

Cuisine type: Bagels, Breakfast, Burgers, Sandwiches |  Price Range: $7-$12

We decided to try a restaurant recommended by a friend, which was walking distance to our hotel called Dushi Bagels. The price was right for our meals and the service was quick. There was a bit of a wait so we just ate at the bar. They also offer to go options if you’re in a hurry! We enjoyed a breakfast burrito with ham, french toast, and delicious hash browns.

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UTV Tours - Around Aruba Tours 

Website: https://www.aroundarubatours.com/tours-in-aruba/

Or book through Viator tours: Aruba UTV Tour

Booking: We took a 4 hour UTV Tour around the island with Around Aruba Tours. It was $180 for the 2 of us. The Hyatt Regency concierge was able to book the afternoon tour for us. They also offer ATV tours and Jeep tours too! Note: An ATV is for one person, the UTVs hold 2-4 people. The driver should be at least 18 years old with a valid driving license while the minimum age for the passengers is set at 6 years.

What to bring: You will get very dusty, I’d avoid wearing white. You must wear sunglasses or something to protect your eyes. They will provide a souvenir bandana to shield half of your face from the dirt and dust. The tour ends in the Natural Pool, where you can jump in the water if you want to, I’d wear a swimsuit under your clothes because there isn’t a place to change. Also, bring a towel if you’re going in the water! The tour provides small bottles of water that they have in coolers on ice.

Our guide was AB, who was energetic and funny, and he even grew up on the island! He picked us up at our hotel in a school bus around 2pm and took us to Phillip’s Animal Garden to get situated. We paid there (they do take credit cards) and as the tour company was collecting information and payment, we were able to wander and feed the island’s most exotic animals.

Our first stop was the Alto Vista Chapel which was built in 1750. It was renovated in 1950’s and rebuilt by missionaries from Venezuela. It resembles the church in Westworld to me!

Alto Vista Chapel

Alto Vista Chapel

We traveled as a group following single file. Driving from spot to spot was dusty (and very bumpy) but had spectacular views.

Aruba UTV Tour Views

The next stop was the Natural Bridge, where a rock formation created a bridge. Not a whole lot to see but you can walk on top of it (or jump).

Our next stop was the abandoned Bushiribana Gold Mill, which sits on the northern coast. This site once processed ore from mines in the nearby hills during Aruba's gold rush of the nineteenth century. In 1824, gold was found on the island and over 3 million pounds of gold were produced.

Next, we entered the Arikok National Park on Aruba’s east coast. Conchi is a natural ocean pool sheltered by craggy rock formations. Beaches include Boca Prins and Dos Playa, a turtle nesting site.

Some got in the pool while others wandered around. I climbed on rocks and could see crabs and fish in the shallow waters nearby. Josh got in and waved!

Natural Pool

Crabs at the Natural Pool

We were dropped off at our hotel and needed to shower off the dirt! We were starving and wanted to go somewhere close-by that we could walk to…

Dinner at Smokey Joe’s Island Grill

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87, Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.smokeyjoesaruba.com/

Cuisine type: American, International  | Price Range: $20 - $30

AB our UTV tour guide recommended Smokey Joe’s and told us they have all you can eat ribs on Tuesday and Thursday claiming they are “the best ribs in the Caribbean.” The ribs were good, and we got some chicken as well. The service was really slow, but we weren’t in a rush, just hungry!

I saw the Pink Iguana drink on the menu and it was everything I wanted. It was like a Miami vice or lava flow, filled with coconut cream, rum and strawberries! For dessert, we HAD to try the Fried Oreos and vanilla ice cream! We didn’t leave anything behind.

We did a quick stroll around the shops to walk off our dinner.

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DAY 3

Breakfast at a Dutch Pancake House - Diana’s Pancake Place

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370, Noord, Aruba

Website: Facebook Page

Cuisine type: Dutch |  Price Range: under $15

Diana’s Pancake House is located by hotel row and across from the Hyatt, above the I Love Aruba store. Dutch pancakes are served as one pancake on a large plate with whatever ingredients you desire from the menu. The pancakes were bigger than my face! I went with the Hawaiian (ham, cheese, and pineapple) and Josh had the Apple Cinnamon. They were good, but we weren’t planning on going back every morning.

Diving with Aqua Windies

Address: Dr. Horacio E. Oduber blvd 4, Eagle Beach, Aruba

Website: aquawindies.com

We went diving two days in a row with Aqua Windies! Everyone was super nice, we would get picked up and get our gear at the dive shop before continuing on to the boat. On our first day our crew was Sean, Big Rob, Rob, and Dan. We went out with Sean, who was new to them. He was very nice, but wasn’t privy as to where to look for marine life that frequented certain spots.

We drove out past our hotel to a dock with tons of birds and the prettiest aqua waters.

We had two great dives, checking out some sunken ships and the coral reef that has grown on and around them! We even caught a ray passing through!

Dinner at Salt and Pepper

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370-A, Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.saltandpepperaruba.com/

Cuisine type: Spanish, Tapas |  Price Range: $10 - $20

Salt and Pepper shakers were everywhere! They had different salt and pepper shakers at every table and the walls inside had shelves and shelves of shakers. They even offer free sangria for those who bring a set for them to keep! After our dives we were so hungry, so we ordered quite a few tapas plates to try:

Meatballs - my fave 

Chicken wings - josh fave

Fried Brie - Yum *drool*

Spicy beef - Great!

Chicken pincho - good sauce 

Grouper - not a huge fish fan, but it was pretty good!

Chorizo sausage - it was good, but everything else as better

We ordered a beers to go, you can walk around with alcohol (just like Vegas)! We walked down through some of the hotels and played in the casinos, while checking out the pools and properties.

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DAY 4

Diving with Aqua Windies - Aruba Scuba Diving

We went out for a second day of diving with Aqua Windies bright and early to check out the airplanes. Our guide’s name was Ed who was from New Jersey and was hilarious! The airplanes were so cool and so large underwater. You could even go right through them! Our second dive was at Harbor Reef where we found lots of giant eels!

One of our favorite dives was the Airplane Wreck (70-90 ft / 24-30 m), a Convair 400 and a Beech craft 18. Both airplanes were sunk on a sloping reef surrounded by soft corals. Check out our Scuba in Aruba video here:

Relaxation

We shared a sandwich at the pool bar and spent the afternoon by the pool and took a long walk along the beach.

Steak Dinner at the Sunset Grille Steakhouse

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 81, Noord, Aruba

Website: Hilton Aruba Resort | Dinner Menu

For our last dinner over by Palm Beach, we decided to be fancy and have a nice steak dinner. We had a reservation at Sunset Grille, located in the Hilton Aruba Resort, which was right next to our hotel and a quick jaunt down the beach.

We sat outside to enjoy the sunset while at the Sunset Grille! I had a mouth watering Filet Mignon and Josh ordered the Cowboy Bone-in Rib Eye. For sides, we tried the Garlic mashed potatoes and Gouda Cheese Croquettes. The croquettes were little balls of cheese and potato heaven. SO GOOD.

For dessert, we had the Chocolate Decadence Cake, rich and sweet, served with fruit on the side. YUM!

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DAY 5

Breakfast at Salt and Pepper

American Breakfast | Price Range: $10 - $20

Even though we had already had dinner here, we loved the service and the breakfast menu looked good! I had and omelet that was overloaded with ham (thats a good thing) with amazing hash browns! Their house coffee was great too, came with free refills!

New Hotel Check-in: Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino

Address: L.G. Smith Blvd 82, Oranjestad, Aruba

Website: Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino

Flamingos on Renaissance Island

Find the best rate to visit these flamingos by booking your room through Booking.com 

I had been waiting ALL week to check into this hotel! What I was looking forward to the most for our Aruba trip was meeting the flamingos on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach.

Again, read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.

Renaissance Adult Only hotel

There are 2 hotels at the Renaissance property, both right across from each other. The adults only hotel is more inland but still in the marina. It’s also connected to a very fancy, high end mall and casino! We tried to check in, but our room wasn’t ready. We were given passes to get to Renaissance Island to go to Flamingo Beach!

More flamingo pictures here: Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.

Dinner Downtown at Driftwood Restaurant

Address: Driftwood Building, Klipstraat 12, Oranjestad, Aruba

Website: driftwoodaruba.com

Cuisine type: Aruban, Caribbean, Seafood |  Price Range: $25 - $35

Loved the ambiance! The walls were plastered with driftwood and it felt like a being on a ship with steering wheels as lamps (minus the sea sickness)! Something happened in the kitchen and it took over an hour to get our food. The way they seat you and take orders, we weren’t quite sure who exactly was our waiter. We asked if everything was alright with our order and they apologized for the delay. A round of drinks with mermaid accoutrements came on the house.

I ordered the chicken with tropical citrus sauce and wish I had the recipe for that sauce! Josh tried the Aruban meal - fresh catch of the day with potato and veggies. Although the presentation of the meal was underwhelming, the food quality was spectacular.

For dessert, we ordered the Brownie a la mode and it was perfection!

Brownie a la mode at Driftwood Aruba

After dinner, we walked around the downtown area and played in a few casinos. I was still reeling from my day with the flamingos!

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DAY 6

Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach & Breakfast

We had to get up early to go to Flamingo Beach one more time so I could feed them! We tried to hop on the 8am boat but because the tide was low, they were boarding outside so we missed it and waited for the next one. The island wasn’t crowded at all! I was able to feed them and get some great pictures of just us!

One more time, read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.

Feeding flamingos on Flamingo Beach

We had breakfast over by the Iguana beach and this completed our PERFECT Aruba trip.

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Departing from the Aruba Airport

We were warned by a few people to get to the airport at least 3 hours early if you are traveling back to the United States from Aruba. Not only do you pass through Aruba customs, but you also pass through US customs. The benefit here is that you don’t have to hassle with customs when you get to the US, the bad part is you spend a long time in lines at the airport. There were 7 steps to get to the gate, here is why it takes so long to get through the Aruba airport customs:

Step 1

First you have to check-in and check your baggage, which took about 30 mins to get to the counter.

Step 2

Next, you have to clear customs with Aruba. This line was outside and luckily it was a nice breezy day! It took about 15 mins to get to the front of this line.

Step 3

After, we were to take everything through the TSA metal detectors, all electronics must come out of your bags. This line took another 15 mins or so.

We thought we were done since we entered the terminal with duty free shops, but no, we were not done yet.

Step 4

We kept walking until we entered the US customs area where you have to find your bags that you checked in step 1. Some bags were on the carousels and others were lined up by airport staff. We were not allowed to open our bags.

Step 5 

After gathering our bags, we lined up for the US customs check. The line takes about 30 minutes or Global Entry had no line.

Step 6

Once we were passed the custom agents, we dropped our bags off, again.

Step 7 

Now we had to go through the TSA metal detectors one last time. Luckily there was a separate line for TSA pre-check, but you still have to take your shoes off. This took about 10 minutes.

Finally, we entered the terminal to find our gate! We had time to spare and with our Priority Pass account, we could go into the VIP lounge. It was a small lounge with limited snacks: bagged chips, muffins, sandwiches, and drinks included: wine, rum, whiskey, coffee, beer or soda. We were ok with this, all we wanted to do was sit and grab a bite to eat!

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We were exhausted when we got back home, but were ready to go back right away! Let us know what you thought of the post or if you have any questions in the comments below!

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Guide to Aruba: Where to Stay, Where to Eat, Things to Do

How to spend your days on One Happy Island and everything you need to know! This blog uses affiliate links. If you’d like to purchase a recommended product, please use the link to support this blog. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, it simply allows me to continue creating these posts. Thank you so much for your love and support!

Best Hotels in Aruba

There are some great places to stay in Aruba, with the options of hotels in the Downtown area, hotel row along the beach or Airbnb. We decided to stay in hotels but a few friends we met while diving, were loving their Airbnb’s, but they weren’t right on the beach like we were! Hotel row had every hotel you could think of at all price points (Hyatt, Hilton, Ritz Carlton, Marriott, Holiday Inn) located right on the beach.

All of them had casinos and you could walk from one to another. I’m used to Vegas casinos which you cannot compare to Aruba casinos. The casinos played the American dollar with the options of slots in different denominations as well as tables including 3 card poker, black jack, roulette, etc. There wasn’t a fee to enter or anything, and all the casinos seemed to have a players card option. If you play long enough you can get free drinks! On the slots there was an option to order drinks once you hit the threshold. 

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino! Located mid beach of hotel row, it is the perfect place to spend your days at the beach and is walking distance to almost everything!  The rooms were so nice, hard wood floors and super spacious! The pool was huge, complete with a water slide, volleyball net and swim up bar to get your drink on!

Read our full HOTEL REVIEW here: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino

Renaissance Island - Flamingo Beach

We also stayed at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino so we could visit the flamingos on Renaissance Island’s Flamingo Beach! Read our full review on the Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino and Everything you need to know about Flamingo Beach.

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Getting To and From the Aruba Airport

TAXI DRIVE VIEWS OF DOWNTOWN FROM THE ARUBA AIRPORT

It’s a $25 flat rate to get a taxi from the Aruba airport to the high rise hotels or $18 to get to the Downtown hotels. Here is a link to a handy chart for taxi rates for getting around Aruba: Taxi Fares in Aruba

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Things to do in Aruba

UTV Tour - Around Aruba Tours 

Website: https://www.aroundarubatours.com/tours-in-aruba/

Or book through Viator tours: Aruba UTV Tour

Booking: We took a 4 hour UTV Tour around the island with Around Aruba Tours. It was $180 for the 2 of us. The Hyatt Regency concierge was able to book the afternoon tour for us. They also offer ATV tours and Jeep tours too! Note: An ATV is for one person, the UTVs hold 2-4 people. The driver should be at least 18 years old with a valid driving license while the minimum age for the passengers is set at 6 years.

Scuba Diving with Aqua Windies

Address: Dr. Horacio E. Oduber blvd 4, Eagle Beach, Aruba

Website: aquawindies.com

There is so much to see underwater in Aruba! Not only are there shipwrecks to see, but there are also airplanes below! We went with Aqua Windies Dive Shop, which had very experienced divers giving us a chance to see some fish in the most vibrant coral reefs!

You can always rent a boat from our friends at GetMyBoat.com, it’s like Airbnb for boats!

See our Scuba in Aruba Airplane Wreck dive here:

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Restaurants and Where to Eat in Aruba

BREAKFAST IN ARUBA

Dushi Bagels & Burgers

Address: J. E. Irausquin Blvd #87 Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.dushibagelsandburgers.com

Cuisine type: Bagels, Breakfast, Burgers, Sandwiches |  Price Range: $7-$12

Looking for the perfect breakfast spot in Aruba? Dushi bagels is your spot! The price was right for our meals and the service was quick. There was a bit of a wait so we just ate at the bar. They also offer to go options if you’re in a hurry! There was an extensive menu of great American breakfast food options, we enjoyed a breakfast burrito with ham, french toast, and delicious hash browns.

Breakfast at a Dutch Pancake House - Diana’s Pancake Place

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370, Noord, Aruba

Website: Facebook Page

Cuisine type: Dutch  |  Price Range: under $15

Diana’s Pancake House is located by hotel row and across from the Hyatt, above the I Love Aruba store. Dutch pancakes are served as one pancake on a large plate with whatever ingredients you desire from the menu. The pancakes were bigger than my face! I went with the Hawaiian (ham, cheese, and pineapple) and Josh had the Apple Cinnamon. They were good, but we weren’t planning on going back every morning.

LUNCH/DINNER IN ARUBA

The Pelican Nest Seafood & Grill Bar

Address: On Pelican Pier, J.E. Irausquin Blvd 237, Noord, Aruba

Website: pelican-aruba.com

Cuisine type: Caribbean, Seafood, Sandwiches |  Price Range: $20 - $30

The Pelican Nest was built over the water with gorgeous aqua water views one all sides! Most specialty dishes are fish centered. We had a late lunch and had a delicious chicken sandwich and happy hour drinks in the bar!

Smokey Joe’s Island Grill

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87, Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.smokeyjoesaruba.com/

Cuisine type: American, International   |   Price Range: $20 - $30

On Tuesday and Thursday you can get all you can eat ribs! They claim they are “the best ribs in the Caribbean.” The ribs were actually really good, and we got some chicken wings as well. The service was really slow, but we weren’t in a rush, just hungry! Most of the food was American cuisine and very filling!

I saw the Pink Iguana drink on the menu and it was everything I wanted. It was like a Miami vice or lava flow, filled with coconut cream, rum and strawberries! For dessert, we tried the OREO SURPRISE with fried oreos and vanilla ice cream. Nothing was left behind.

Salt and Pepper

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370-A, Noord, Aruba

Website: http://www.saltandpepperaruba.com/

Cuisine type: Spanish, Tapas  |   Price Range: $10 - $20

Salt and Pepper shakers were everywhere! They had different salt and pepper shakers at every table and the walls inside had shelves and shelves of shakers. They even offer free sangria for those who bring a set for them to keep! Spanish tapas were the specialty here, perfect for any amount in your party! We ordered 7 items and ate it all! Our faves: meatballs, chicken wings, fried brie

We also enjoyed a delicious breakfast here with many American breakfast options (coffee was great too).

Sunset Grille at the Hilton Aruba

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 81, Noord, Aruba

Website: Hilton Aruba Resort   |   Dinner Menu

We made a reservation about a month in advance at Sunset Grille, located in the Hilton Aruba Resort among the various hotels along the beach. We sat outside to enjoy the sunset while at the Sunset Grille! I had a mouth watering Filet Mignon and Josh ordered the Cowboy Bone-in Rib Eye. For sides, we tried the Garlic mashed potatoes and Gouda Cheese Croquettes. The croquettes were little balls of cheese and potato heaven. SO GOOD. 

Driftwood Restaurant - Downtown Aruba

Address: Driftwood Building, Klipstraat 12, Oranjestad, Aruba

Website: driftwoodaruba.com

Cuisine type: Aruban, Caribbean, Seafood    |      Price Range: $25 - $35
This place was so charming! The walls were plastered with driftwood and it felt like a being on a ship with steering wheels as lamps (minus the sea sickness)! I ordered the chicken with tropical citrus sauce and wish I had the recipe for that sauce! Josh tried the Aruban meal - fresh catch of the day with potato and veggies. Although the presentation of the meal was underwhelming, the food quality was spectacular. For dessert, we ordered the Brownie a la mode and it was perfection!

Ice Cream in Aruba - Gelatissimo Palm Beach

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 345, Noord, Aruba

Website: Gianni’s Gelatissimo

Pricing: $3-$8

We went exploring inland where we saw shops and restaurants on our drive in. Of course we had to find some ice cream and we came across some delicious gelato at Gelatissimo! They had any flavor of gelato you could imagine. There was something for everyone to enjoy. I went with a waffle cone trying the Stracciatella (chocolate chip) and Nutella (chocolate hazelnut).

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ARUBA HOTEL REVIEW: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Casino and Spa

Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Casino and Spa

Address: Juan E, J.E. Irausquin Blvd #85, Aruba

Website: Hyatt Regency Aruba

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Aruba for 4 nights over New Years 2019! Located mid beach of hotel row, it is the perfect place to spend the day at the beach and walking distance to everything! 

Find the best rate to visit Aruba by booking your room through Booking.com and compare rates with Hyatt.com. See deals of up to 50% off! You can save a bunch of money if you book a bundle flight+room! By booking through this link, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link!

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Rooms at the Hyatt Regency Aruba

The rooms were really nice, super spacious and very modern. Lined with gorgeous hard wood floors and a soft but firm bed, we felt right at home here. The balconies were very small, not really for sitting out on but good for shaking sand off clothes and shoes.

The room was equipped with new appliances like a refrigerator and a very large TV! We work in television, but typically never turn on the TV while we’re on vacation! In Aruba we celebrated New Years an hour before the East Coast, so we came back to the room and watched the ball drop with Ryan Seacrest on our giant tv! 

In the window there was a chaise lounge where we would sit and look at the view, nap, or just hang out!

The water was so pretty in Aruba! We loved our view!

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Bathrooms at the Hyatt Regency Aruba

Most hotels we’ve gone to lately that have renovated their rooms have walk in rain showers, this was another hotel to add to that list. Don’t get me wrong, they’re perfectly fine and seem to give more space in the bathroom. I like a big counter for all of my toiletries and this place checked all boxes for a perfect bathroom! 

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Casino at the Hyatt Regency Aruba

I’m used to Vegas casinos which you cannot compare to Aruba casinos. The casinos played in The American dollar with the options of slots in different denominations as well as tables including 3 card poker, black jack, roulette, etc. There wasn’t a fee to enter or anything, all the casinos seemed to have a players card option. If you play long enough you can get free drinks! It was so cool, on the slot machines, there was an option to order drinks once you hit the threshold!

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Find the best rate to visit Aruba by booking your room through Booking.com

Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks! 

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Pool at the Hyatt Regency Aruba

There were a few pools to choose from to dip into! We enjoyed sitting in the half foot pool and observing around us! They even have a water slide that is fun for all ages!

If you want a drink but don’t want to get out of the pool, you don’t have to here! The main pool has a swim up bar and also a volleyball net.  

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Relax on the Beach

You can rent a little hut for free if you’re staying at the hotel! Full service and beach chairs come with the rental and feel free to dip in the warm ocean! There are many places along the beach to enjoy some surf - ski doo, wind surf, sunset cruises, pirate ship cruise, anything!

Forgot your sunblock or don’t have enough room in your suitcase? No sweat! For about $2 you can get a spray on by this cool high-tech booth!

Don’t forget to pack these guys:

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Restaurants at the Hyatt Regency Aruba

As the Hyatt is a resort, there were many restaurants to keep you on property for convenience and accessibility. 

Ruinas del Mar

Open air restaurant with food fresh from the sea or a savory steak. Join them for Sunday Brunch!

Kadushi Juice Bar

Not only do they have a great variety of juices and smoothies, they have POPSICLES! YUM!

Palms 

We ate out at the bar between the pool and the beach one day. They serve basic lunch food such as salads, sandwiches, quesadillas, etc. happy hour runs everyday from 5:30-6:30p with discounts on drinks and half price quesadillas!

At night the bar closer to the lobby opens up for the rest of the evening. We had a night cap there every night! 

Starbucks/Market 

Their Market had a great selection of snacks, to go items and coffee! We grabbed pastries and coffee one morning before we went diving. 

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Wandering around the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort

The lobby was open aired and had plenty of little nooks to hang out in. Just connect to their wifi to plan your day or to sit and take a break!

My favorite part of walking through the resort was looking for wildlife! Parrots, swans, large iguanas, coi fish, and turtles were all over! 

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New Years at the Hyatt Regency Aruba

New Years Eve in Aruba

We asked our cab driver where the place to be is at midnight on New Years Eve, to which he said, “right in front of your hotel!” Perfect. He wasn’t wrong, we had a few drinks at the bar and wandered down to the beach around 11p. Fireworks are legal in Aruba so they were going off all day along with these giant firecrackers that people would set up randomly in the streets. We sat and watched as people set off sparklers and small fireworks around us. As soon as midnight hit, a bunch of barges in the water close to the beach shot off fireworks for a good 20 minutes! It was spectacular, the whole beach was lit up from this amazing display! 

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Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.

If you liked this post please share it on your favorite social media site using the Share button below because we’d love to get the word out! Feel free to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board:

Find the best rate to visit Aruba by booking your room through Booking.com

Not only will you find the best rate out there but by clicking this link and booking a night, I receive a commission at no additional cost to you! PLEASE support our blog and bookmark this link! :-) Thanks! 

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How to Spend 5 Days in Tromso, Norway - Tromsø, Norway Itinerary

What is there to do in Tromsø, Norway during winter? PLENTY!

Northern Lights just outside of Tromsø, Norway

For our winter trip, we wandered to Norway and it has been one of our best trips yet! We wanted to see the northern lights but knew it was never guaranteed, so we booked other excursions to make our trip worthwhile while such as dog sledding, reindeer rides, and whale watching.

Josh was working with a producer that has a friend who has a travel business called Off The Map Travel, specializing in trips to the Arctic Circle to find the northern lights. After a few emails back and forth with Katie, she sent us an itinerary that we could adjust to our liking. One thing listed on our itinerary was spending the night in a Sami lavvu (teepee). Josh was very excited about this, but I didn't like the idea of spending the night in a tent in the cold, it sounded awful. Katie assured us it would be warm and everyone loves it. Fine, we'll try it. I still wasn't completely convinced but agreed to it for some reason. Anyway, we finalized our itinerary and the lavvu was like living in a fairytale (well, almost). The next steps were to book our flights and purchase warm clothes since this California girl doesn't know what to do in the snow but wants to build a snowman.

Click here for our Packing Essentials for Snow Guide and Check-List

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Getting to Tromso, Norway

Since we were in Syracuse for Christmas, we flew SAS from Newark to Oslo to Tromsø, Norway, and upgraded to business class for more comfort to hopefully get some sleep on the plane. There weren’t any direct flights to Tromsø from New York.

SAS Business class was really nice complete with a large screen in the seat in front of you and a decent selection of entertainment. The food was ok, not your typical American meal, the venison was very tough, but the wine selection was fantastic. Best part was the ice cream, of course, they served 3 Twins Ice Cream - sea salted caramel! SO DELICIOUS!

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Day 1

HOTEL IN TROMSO NORWAY: Clarion at the Edge

We arrived in Oslo, went through customs, and continued to baggage claim to get our bags to check them in again to get to Tromso.

Tromsø views

After landing in Tromso, our taxi driver was there to pick us up and take us to our hotel, the Clarion at the Edge. The Clarion is a newer hotel, very modern and eco-friendly. To power the lights in your room you have to put the key in a switch and they all illuminate.

Clarion at the Edge - Tromso, Norway

Our room overlooked the Tromso Sound towards the Arctic Cathedral. Apparently, they are building a port right in front of the hotel so there were 2 giant cranes obstructing our view. The beds were very comfortable and the bathroom is very tiny.

View from our room at the Clarion in Tromso, Norway

Their restaurant on the second floor had good food (and wine). Oh and they had the best sign:

Stressed Spelled Backwards is desserts! YES IT IS!

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Presis has swings as dining room chairs

DINNER IN TROMSO: Presis

Storgata 36, 9008 Tromsø, Norway

We had about an hour before we had to meet for our dog sledding adventure, just enough time to grab a bite. Right around the corner from our hotel was a Tapas bar called Presis serving Spanish and Arctic Tapas.

Upon entering, the candlelight from the tables gave a cozy and welcoming vibe, and my eyes lit up when I looked over observing that instead of chairs, some of the tables had swings! The four-year-old inside me wanted to run over and sit on one instantly, but instead, the hostess sat us at a table with plain old regular four-legged chairs by the window instead. It was probably for the better because I would have played on the swing and knocked over food, water, or a candle with the potential of lighting the restaurant on fire. So instead, I sat for a quick picture.

The food was delicious. We had their ham, bread with salt and olive oil, potatoes with a garlic aioli sauce, and spicy meatballs. It was the perfect amount of food for the 2 of us, almost too much!

Click here for our Packing Essentials for Snow Guide and Check-List
 

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Night Dog Sledding and Getting Lost

We quickly walked over to the Scandic Ishavshotel where Arctic Adventure Tours had a small bus was there to take us up to see the puppies! It was about a 30 min drive to our spot and as soon as we got off the bus I ran straight for the dogs!

Dog sledding pup sleeping

They were chained to little dog houses and jumping in and out of them, excited we were there to visit and give them attention! We were called into a room to suit up and get a winter suit, boots, gloves, and a headlamp for our sledding. It was probably for the better to wear their gear since the dogs were so smelly (but still so cute) it wouldn't stink up our clothes on our first day.

We had a quick orientation and headed to the sleds. The dogs instantly started barking and jumping with excitement when they saw us!

We jumped in our sleds and they untied each sled team one by one and off we went! The dogs run fast and are good about following each other. They are even skilled to run and poop at the same time. Lol. I liked riding more than driving! You have to do a little peddling/running when going up hills, the pups get a little tired and need a boost!

The dogs got all tangled and wouldn't run at one point, so we were stranded trying to get them in line. Since we were the last ones, everyone had gone ahead and we were stuck there. We waited for a little bit, and finally saw a headlamp heading towards us. Hooray we were saved! Even the instructor couldn't tear them apart. We sat and waited for another 5 minutes when they finally finished and joined the rest of our group. How could you get mad at a face like this:

Our sleds had pelts to sit on to make it more comfortable!

Dog sleds!

And off we went for about an hour! We saw so many stars and got caught in some snow!

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Day 2

Reindeer Sleigh Ride

See our full post here: Reindeer Rides in Norway

The hotel provided a free buffet breakfast in the morning at their restaurant, with tons of options from pancakes to an omelet station.

Our first adventure of the day was a reindeer sleigh ride! We walked over to the Radisson Blu and got on a small bus of about 14 people to the Tromso Lapland. It was a 20 minute drive to the Sami lavvu where we changed into a winter suit and gloves provided by the tour. We jumped back on the bus and drove another 20 mins to the reindeer. After a small hike up the hill, the reindeer were waiting for us by a bunch of sleighs. I leaped to them (literally, I was that excited)!

Reindeer in Norway

Of course I had to pet them and take tons of pictures, which I'm sure they loved me invading their personal space. It's what I do best. Soon after, we were all seated and ready for take off. The reindeer don't run quite as fast as the dogs, it's a slower paced, more peaceful ride.

Reindeer Rides in Tromso, Norway

This was a once in a lifetime experience. Not only did we have a reindeer ride, but we also learned of the native Sami culture. The reindeer ride consisted of about 7 or 8 reindeer pulling individual sleds. They are connected by ropes and then all sleds are connected one by one. At first, the guide was leading the reindeer up and around the hill and then hopped on the sled and away we went. The ride lasted about 40 mins total and was very peaceful trekking through the freshly powdered snow. for 3km. After our ride, they tied the reindeer in a more open area, where we were able to feed them!

Feeding Reindeer

Most of the time they would knock the food out of my hands and almost force me out of the way with their antlers to eat the remains from the snowy ground. I did get to pet them, their fur is coarse and some of them even had fur fuzz on their antlers! We then moved locations to a traditional Sami Lavuu (it looks like a teepee) with an authentic Sami guide where we had reindeer stew for lunch while being told stories of their culture along and even a joik (Sami song) was sung for us. Our guide was from a Sami reindeer herding families explaining how valuable reindeer are enriched in their culture.

See our full story: Reindeer Rides in Tromsø, Norway

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Drinks in Tromsø: Huken Pub

Strandgata 22, 9008 Tromsø, Norway

Huken Pub in Tromso, Norway

A storm came in so strong that the rain from it turned into icy roads. We were supposed to go out to see the lights but the bus wasn't going to be safe in the icy conditions and we had to cancel our tour. 

We weren't surprised, it was still overcast and others who had gone out the night before drove 2 hours to Finland to see the Northern Lights, some weren't able to catch them at all.

Huken Pub brews

Instead, we went to Huken Pub right around the corner of our hotel. We had some time to kill, where we just wanted to sit and have a beer. This was the perfect place. The decor is unique, suitcases as tables and barn chic interior.

Huken Pub Bar

The people sitting next to us had burgers that looked amazing but we had just had dinner at the hotel. They had a vast selection of Mack beers along with a few others. Not great for large groups as it is a small place inside and doesn't really have a bar to stand at. It's cozy and perfect for 2 people! 

After a couple of drinks, we walked around for a bit and enjoyed the charm of this quaint town.

Streets of Tromso

Church in Tromso

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Day 3

Whale Watching

See the full story here: Whale Watching in Norway

It was finally our day to go whale watching and we were so excited! I was a little apprehensive as to how cold it was going to be, with being on the water and rain in our forecast, but they said there were warm waterproof suits to wear. Perfect, now my clothes won't get wet and I'll still be warm! Win, Win.

Tromso Harbor

We booked this excursion through Off the Map Travel and our whale watching company name was ACIN (Arctic Cruise in Norway), we boarded the Arctic Princess, a Lagoon 450 Catamaran. 

Whale Watching - Orcas in Norway

A fellow tour company had spotted a pod of killer whales and gave a call to our captain. We drove straight towards them. WOW! There were probably about 10 Orcas in the pod and they would surface now and again where you could see their prominent white spot near there eye. They weren't jumping out of the water like Free Willy or Shamu at Sea World, but it was still mesmerizing to watch these beautiful creatures. 

Killer whales in Norway

The whales didn't seem bothered by the surrounding boats at all, coming fairly close to a couple of them. There was a flock of seagulls trying to get in on the whales’ feeding situation. We could see where the pod was heading based on where the birds were circling. You could tell when some would surface as they would give a burst through their blowholes.

We watched them for almost an hour it seemed and my feet were so cold, it was to the point where I couldn't really feel them anymore. The fear of frostbite and losing my toes set in, it was time to go inside and warm up and head back to Tromso.  See the full story here: Whale Watching in Norway

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New Hotel: Sleeping in a Teepee

See our full story of the lavvu stay here: Sleeping in a Teepee

We checked out of our hotel (we told them we needed a late check-out so we could shower and I'm so glad we did! Off the Map travel had arranged our transfer over to the Lyngen Alps. When we arrived, we met Ann Kristin with Aurora Alps, who was in charge of our tours for the next few days. We were supposed to stay in a cabin the first night, so I had one last night to get used to the idea I would be sleeping in a teepee, in the snow. However, they told us our Itinerary had changed and we were spending that night in the teepee. O.M.G. She made it sound like it was no big deal and that it would be easier for us. I was anxious and nervous inside. 

Sami Lavvu - Tent we spent the night in

We grabbed our bags and walked to the lavvu (teepee) which was about 50 feet from the house with a lit path and charming white lights strung in front.

HOW ENCHANTING! I then forgot all my fears, and as we entered the candlelit lavvu, I loved everything about it. There was a giant picnic table with food, a bar with hot drinks ready to go, a warm stove with lots of firewood, a comfortable living room setup, and a separate area with sleeping bags. Along with the candles, there were some lights strung along the top of the lavvu giving off plenty of light. I was mesmerized and felt like I was in another world. This was my kind of camping, as long as the fire kept burning!

See more in our full story of the lavvu stay here: Sleeping in a Teepee

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Snowshoes and Searching for the Northern Lights

In front of our cozy lavvu, were 2 sets of snowshoes. They were cute and I took a picture but didn't know how to use them. Ann Kristin had advised the Northern Lights would be out that night and we should use the snowshoes to get to the clearing not far from the teepee. We gathered all of our camera gear and Josh helped me get my snowshoes on and off we went. We found the clearing but the sky was cloudy and there was a light rain. We decided to wait a bit and see if the weather would clear up.

After about 15 minutes, we started to see stars and the clouds started to dissipate. We thought we were looking for green flashes or some kind of light in the sky but didn't see anything like that. Josh decided to take pictures of the stars while we waited for the aurora borealis to show. After a few pictures, he yelled, "THAT'S IT!" There it was, on his camera screen, green Northern lights! We realized they looked more like glowing clouds to the naked eye! "What about that?! Or that?!" We shot at everything in the sky, taking tons of shots and getting something a little different every time. 

Our first Northern Lights sighting

We were excited we were able to see the lights on our first night and couldn't wait until we were going out with a guide the next night!

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Day 4

Dog Sledding Adventure

We checked out of the teepee and stored our bags with Aurora Alps, which they brought them over to the cabin next door later that day. We went back towards Tromsø but stopped just after the bridge for our day dog sledding tour! There were so many cute smelly pups that were so happy to see us! 

We felt like pros since we had already gone dog sledding at night in the dark! We put on our suits over our clothes and jumped on our sleds.

Dog sledding in Norway

It was kinda rainy and it seemed like the path they were taking hadn't had snow in a while. In certain areas it was almost like water skiing which was fun but since it was raining, water had somehow leaked into my suit, and I was wet and very very cold. 

We warmed up and had some lunch in the community room (and lots of hot chocolate!). 

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Northern Lights in Finland

Evening Northern Lights Tour

We had a private tour, arranged by Off the Map Travel to go see the Northern Lights. We looked at the weather pattern and hoped we could see the lights and not too many clouds! Our driver picked us up in a large van at our cabin and took us about an hour North of us where the weather was better, and we even drove into Finland to find the Northern Lights! We brought all of our camera gear and ANYTHING to keep us warm. 

What are the northern lights exactly? Well, the Aurora is an incredible light show caused by collisions between electrically charged particles released from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere and collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen. The lights are seen around the magnetic poles of the northern and southern hemispheres.

After a many stops over 3 hours, it was time to head back to the cabin. We were beyond thrilled we were able to see the lights.

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Day 5

We were exhausted by this point, we had done so much in 4 days! We finally slept in a bit, but I was still excited to try cross country skiing! 

Cross country skiing in Norway

Since it was my first time, I may have fallen a couple of times, but overall was fun since it was something I had never done before! My thighs were definitely sore the next day! We took in the scenery, being secluded in the woods, and even saw moose tracks!

Winter in Norway

We stopped at their cabin in the middle of the woods which had no power, but a cozy area for a fire to cook hot dogs and have some hot cocoa from a thermos! We signed the guest book hoping we'd return one day! 

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New Years Eve Night and the Northern Lights

As we were enjoying our last night in Norway, we went to dinner in the main hall, and then went out at midnight for the neighbors fireworks show. The law allows fireworks to be shot off only on New Years Eve night from 11:30pm to 12:30am. The neighbors gather together to compete against other neighborhoods for the best fireworks display!  

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Last Glimpse of the Northern Lights

At about 1am the skies started to clear and the Northern Lights were directly above us! We got the GoPro and the rest of our gear and setup for a light show!

There was a glow and we were glad we were to able to see them one last time, or so we thought. We went inside for about an hour to warm up and get ready for bed. Josh went out one last time to take a look and came back yelling, "come out, come out!" I ran outside and could actually see the Northern Lights without a lens!

Northern Lights in Norway

We went inside again to warm up and edit some photos to show our family and friends at home. It was getting close to 5am and it was time for bed. As I got into bed and was scrolling threw Instagram, I heard Josh open the door, he yelled, "they're back, come out!" We went running out and there were bright green streaks across the sky! 

Aurora Borealis in Norway

As I was looking in the sky, one of the glowing clouds got brighter and greener and started moving! I turned to Josh and said, "look at that," pointing at the green streak of the aurora borealis! 

This green streak only got brighter and brighter and danced across the sky, dazzling different colors of white, green and blue as it moved. 

Aurora Borealis near Tromso, Norway

It was the perfect way to end our 5-day trip to Norway and great start to a new year! 

Don’t forget to pack these guys:

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Please note this is not a sponsored post and based on my own personal experience, all thoughts are my own.

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