Hip Travel Mama: Seattle travel expert. Luxury family travel guide. Luxury hotel reviews for families.

Summer Travel and Flip Flops: What kind of Beachgoer are you?

Posted by Anne Taylor Hartzell on May 17, 2012 at 10:42 am

I love the beach. Sun, surf and endless hours of playing in the sand with the kids. Not sure what beach vacation fits your family’s style and budget this summer? The team at Expedia has developed a very cool new Beachgoer Facebook quiz to help you discover what type of beachgoer you are and determine your perfect Beach Travel profile. After answering a few quick questions, I discovered that Argentina would be a great international beach for our family. I also get a list of bloggers to follow to learn more about their top recommendations and bucket lists. I’m thrilled to be a part of this group of travel bloggers that includes some of my favorite travel blogger friends including; Johnny Jet, Beth Whitman, Wanderlust and Lipstick, Spencer Spellman, The Traveling Philosopher, Trish Friesen with TripStyler and Carol Cain, New York City Mama. The full list of rock star travel bloggers can be found here. I was pleased to discover that HipTravelMama popped up as a result of me taking the quiz. Whew!

Biggest Summer Sale in Expedia’s history

If you haven’t booked that summer beach vacation, you are in luck. With this new Beachgoer Facebook app, Expedia just launched its biggest summer sale in the history of the company. I’ve done some searching and with airfare high this summer, the packages for travel to beach destinations are pretty darn great.

Summer Flip Flop Report: You are hitting the beach this Summer

Expedia also released the results of a new, Flip Flop Report, where they surveyed beachgoers worldwide to better understand how we like to travel. The result – while we love to lounge around on the beach, we are still super cost-conscious. In the US, the most important factor for 78% of beachgoers is the total trip price. The beach itself matters too – total vacation price and beach quality are the #1 and #2 criteria for travelers in 14 of the 21 countries surveyed – but the cost of the visit is the top consideration. The study also found:

The Popularity of the Beach is Unsurpassed: Argentineans are the most sun-soaked, spending an average of 11 days at a time, while Koreans spent a mere 3.2 days per trip, while Americans are creatures of habit: one of the least important criteria for Americans when selecting a beach location is the desire to find a new location.

For Most Beachgoers, the Most Popular Activity is No Activity At All: Relaxing and sunbathing were among the top two activities for beachgoers across all five continents. The Irish, at 75%, were the most likely to relax, while Mexicans (79%) seem to be happiest with lying in the sun. Brazilians (40%) were likeliest to exercise on the beach; when doing so, they may well stumble over the Japanese, who were 14 times likelier to relax (28%) than exercise (2%).

Germans are Likeliest to Sunbathe Nude: Germans displayed the most permissive attitudes towards nude sunbathing. A full 15% of German respondents indicated that they sunbathed naked. Indians and Spaniards (8%) were the second-likeliest to shed their clothing, while the French (5% clothing-free) were more aligned with Americans (2%), the British (2%) and the Japanese (1%).

View the full report, and take a closer look at this super retro and cool infographic with great stats on what beachgoers like you are doing around the world.

Disclosure: This post was done in partnership with Expedia as part of HipTravelmama’s paid participation as a travel blogger in the new Expedia Beachgoer App and Blogger Recommendation Tool.

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Video: Alderbrook Resort and Spa Hotel Review

Posted by Anne Taylor Hartzell on May 8, 2012 at 8:59 am

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I’m excited to share that we will be kicking off a new series of videos, featuring some of my favorite properties and hip hotels to stay with kids. First up, Alderbrook Resort and Spa in Hood Canal, Washington. This is an incredible family friendly property, just 2 hours from Seattle, accessible by the Bremerton Ferry or the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Alderbrook exudes relaxed luxury and there is something for everyone at the Alderbrook Resort. We can’t wait to return with friends this summer!

Can’t wait to visit? Head over for Mother’s Day Brunch this weekend.

Brunch will be served from 8am-3pm on Sunday, May 13th. Adults cost $43 and children 10 and under cost $16. Click HERE to view the menu and call the Restaurant at (360) 898-5500 to RSVP. (Limited space is available.)

Check out this incredible family package for Memorial Day weekend. The staff has thought of everything mom and dad needs for a great and relaxing family weekend away! Want to see more? I’ve put together this fun Pinterest board that features the unique experience of Alderbrook Resort.

Memorial Day Weekend at Alderbrook Resort & Spa

FRIDAY MAY 25TH
THE WOODY’S LIVE
· Live Rock & Roll music in the Ballroom from 8:00pm to midnight (21 and over)

SATURDAY MAY 26TH

RIVER BOAT POKER ON THE CANAL
·         A Texas hold’em poker tournament on Lady Alderbrook (21 and over) starting at 8 p.m.
·         There will be a full bar and light snacks on the boat
·         Min. $10 donation required for entry into the tournament
* All donations will to go “The Fallen Soldiers Fund” in honor of Memorial Day
*Winner receives free two night stay, $200 restaurant credit & $200 spa credit

SUNDAY MAY 27TH

LIVE MAGIC & COMEDY SHOWS WITH NATE JESTER~
·         Magic show for the family at 7:00pm-8:00pm in the Olympic Ballroom
-          This is a family friendly show for Resort guests
-          Free admission
·         Magic/ comedy show for adults at 10:00pm-11:00pm in the Olympic Ballroom
-          This is an adult only show
-          Must be 21 years of age or older to attend
-          Hotel guest are free, non-hotel guests $10 cover charge
-          Doors open at 9:00pm

THE ALDERBROOK RESORT & SPA WILL ALSO BE OFFERING COMPLIMENTARY CHILDCARE FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY EVENINGS FROM 7:00PM TO 1:00AM

Visit Alderbrook Resort and Spa for more details on packages and pricing.

Note: we were hosted guests of the Alderbrook Resort, but were not required to write or express any opinions about our stay. As always, the opinions here are our own and reflect our personal family experience.

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Giveaway: Spring Experience “Day to Date Night” Makeover

Posted by Anne Taylor Hartzell on April 24, 2012 at 4:53 pm

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In less than two short weeks, a small group of lucky ladies in the Seattle area will be headed to Willows Lodge for our Spring Experience May 5-6, 2012! I’m so excited! We will relax, sip some wine, eat some great food, network, and learn fitness, fashion and style tips to get us in shape and ready for summer! To celebrate, we are giving away a spring makeover with our Willows Lodge Spring Experience experts for one lucky registered attendee and one of her roommates to get a new look and personal plan for spring and summer! If you haven’t registered, we have just a few rooms left – call Willows Lodge at 425-424-2589 or email your reservation request to kathleen.boyd@willowslodge.com.

The “Day to Date Night” Spring Makeover Giveaway includes (For You and 1 Friend)

If you win, you and one friend will get a ‘before and after” spring transformation at the event including:

Dry style and hair and beauty consult with Tommy Gene Harlow, The Thomas Report [and creator of “Day to Date Night” tips you can find on his site.]
Personalized spring personal styling by Kim Brooks with Pink Pagoda Style and online retailer, Kris + Kate (Outfit available for purchase at the event)
Jewelery and select accessories consult by Megan Kophs, Stella and Dot
Optional personal fitness and nutrition consult by personal trainer, Joan Dandeneau
Learn how to start/enhance your yoga practice with Terra Yoga instructor, Rebecca Pitzer

HOW TO ENTER:

Leave a comment in this blog post below telling us WHO you would want to win the Day to Date Night Makeover with you and ONE QUESTION you have on spring style, beauty, fashion or fitness.
SHARE this post with your roommates so they can enter you too!
SUBSCRIBE to our email newsletter [on the top, right hand corner] for hip travel tips, exclusive offers and promotions. We use this to keep you updated and will not share your email or personal information.

FOLLOW @HipTravelMama on Twitter

You must be a registered Spring Experience at Willows Lodge 2012 attendee to win. As always, don’t forget to “Like” HipTravelMama on Facebook so you can get the latest news, tips and information on fun trips, events and experiences!

This Sweepstakes starts at 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) on April 24, 2012, and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on April 27, 2012. (“Entry Period”). Each attendee gets one entry for themselves and one their friend. The more friends that participate and list you, the more chances you have to win! Winners will be chosen at random using Random.Org. We will notify the winner over the weekend and announce the winner on Monday, April 30, 2012 so check back here, Facebook or via email!

Know Before You Go

The fun starts at 3:00 pm PDT Saturday, May 5, 2012. All ladies will check-in to their room, have a Cinco de Mayo cocktail, enjoy spa treatments, a brow bar by Spa at Willows, 1:1 time with the experts while wine tasting so you will be able to mingle freely! Then take what you learned to get dressed up for a private, four course wine-pairing dinner that night!

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

COMMON TERMS USED IN THESE RULES:

These are the official rules that govern how the HipTravelMama sweepstakes promotion will operate. This promotion will be simply referred to as the “Sweepstakes” throughout the rest of these rules.

In these rules, “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to HipTravelMama, the sponsor of the Sweepstakes. “You” refers to an eligible Sweepstakes entrant.

WHAT ARE THE START AND END DATES?

This Sweepstakes starts at 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) on April 24, 2012, and ends at 11:59 p.m. PT on April 27, 2012. (“Entry Period”).

CAN I ENTER?

You are eligible to enter this Sweepstakes if you meet the following requirements at time of entry:
You are NOT an immediate family (parent, sibling, spouse, child) or household member of a HipTravelMama employee, subsidiary, or a person involved in any part of the administration and execution of this Sweepstakes.
You must be a legal resident of the 50 United States and District of Columbia, and 21 years of age or older.
This Sweepstakes is void outside of the geographic area described above and wherever else prohibited by law.
You are a registered attendee of Willows Lodge Spring Experience

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE WON?

If you are a potential winner, we will notify you by sending a message to the e-mail address, the phone number, or mailing address (if any) provided at time of entry within (2) days following the random drawing. If the notification that we send is returned as undeliverable, or you are otherwise unreachable for any reason, we may award the prize to an alternate, randomly selected winner. Only three (3) alternate drawings will be held after which the applicable prize will remain un-awarded.

If there is a dispute as to who is the potential winner, we will consider the potential winner to be the authorized account holder of the e-mail address used to enter the Sweepstakes. If you are a potential winner, we may require you to sign an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability/Publicity Release and a W-9 tax form or W-8 BEN tax form within 10 days of notification. If you do not complete the required forms as instructed and/or return the required forms within the time period listed on the winner notification message, we may disqualify you and select an alternate, randomly selected winner.

If you are confirmed as a winner of this Sweepstakes:

You may not exchange your prize for cash or any other merchandise or services. However, if for any reason an advertised prize is unavailable, we reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value; and

You may not designate someone else as the winner. If you are unable or unwilling to accept your prize, we will award it to an alternate potential winner; and

If you accept a prize, you will be solely responsible for all applicable taxes related to accepting the prize; and

Unless otherwise noted, all prizes are subject to their manufacturer’s warranty and / or terms and conditions.

WHAT ARE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING?

Your odds of winning this Sweepstakes depend on the number of eligible entries we receive.

WHAT OTHER CONDITIONS ARE YOU AGREEING TO BY ENTERING THIS SWEEPSTAKES?

By entering this Sweepstakes you agree:

To abide by these Official Rules; and

To release and hold harmless Anne Taylor Communications, LLC., DBA HipTravelMama, and its respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees and agents from any and all liability or any injury, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this Sweepstakes or any prize won; and

That HipTravelMama’s decisions will be final and binding on all matters related to this Sweepstakes; and

That by accepting a prize, HipTravelMama may use of your proper name and state of residence online and in print, or in any other media, in connection with this Sweepstakes, without payment or compensation to you, except where prohibited by law.

WHAT LAWS GOVERN THE WAY THIS SWEEPSTAKES IS EXECUTED AND ADMINISTRATED?

This Sweepstakes will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts of the State of Washington for any disputes arising out of this Sweepstakes.

WHAT IF SOMETHING UNEXPECTED HAPPENS AND THE SWEEPSTAKES CAN’T RUN AS PLANNED?

If cheating, a virus, bug, catastrophic event, or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled, (also referred to as force majeure) affects the fairness and / or integrity of this Sweepstakes, we reserve the right to cancel, change or suspend this Sweepstakes. This right is reserved whether the event is due to human or technical error. If a solution cannot be found to restore the integrity of the Sweepstakes, we reserve the right to randomly select winners from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Sweepstakes.

If you attempt to compromise the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Sweepstakes by hacking or by cheating or committing fraud in ANY way, we may seek damages from you to the fullest extent permitted by law. Further, we may ban you from participating in any of our future Sweepstakes, so please play fairly.

Posted in May 5-6,12 Spring Experience @WillowsLodge, retreats

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Chasing the Sun: Sunny Getaways and Travel Deals on Q13Fox News Seattle

Posted by Anne Taylor Hartzell on April 20, 2012 at 10:13 pm

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I’m a sun chaser and always on the hunt for great getaways to sunny destinations. Today, I joined the team at Q13FOX Seattle again to share tips, deals and inspiration for quick and affordable sunny getaways. Some of my faves include trips less than 2-5 hours away from Seattle by air – to the desert, to the beach and flying south for some California dreaming. Tune into Q13FOX next Friday at 4pm PDT, as I dish on some of the hottest places to vacation this summer and help you find great deals on summer travel! Here’s a link to the video as Q13FOX News Anchor, Matt Lorch and I talk travel with Q13FOX viewers:

Got a Favorite Summer Travel Photo? We are also asking Q13 FOX viewers to share their most memorable summer trips and you can join in the fun too! Post a picture of your family or a photo of you in your favorite summer family travel destination our Facebook page with your name, the location of the photo and why it was your favorite trip, and you could see your picture aired on Q13FOX News in the 4pm hour next Friday!

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On the Agenda: Hey Ladies, Who’s in for Cinco de Mayo at Willows Lodge?

Posted by Anne Taylor Hartzell on April 13, 2012 at 8:55 am

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As we return from Spring Break rested and recharged from family time, we are counting down the days to our Spring Experience girlfriend getaway at Willows Lodge in Woodinville Wine Country, May 5-6, 2012. It’s Cinco de Mayo weekend and we are going to celebrate with our girlfriends HipTravelMama style! We’ve got two fantastic updates for attendees that involve Spa and Food. Need I say more?

2012 Spring Experience Willows Lodge Agenda
Saturday, May 5, 2012

3:00 pm arrive at Willows Lodge and welcome Cinco de Mayo cocktail
3:00-5:00 pm: Spring Experience event in the Sammamish Ballroom featuring:

Top beauty, fashion, fitness and yoga experts to help you look great and get in shape for summer!
Enjoy mini-spa appointments and brow waxing from the newly renovated Spa at Willows Lodge. Upgrades available to a full spa service. Take a peek at the full spa menu here

Each Spring Experience package includes your choice of 20 minute mini spa treatments: Mini microderm hand facial, Mini massage, or Hot stone foot massage
The Spa at Willows will also feature a Brow Bar from 3-5pm for an additional $15, so you can give those brows a gorgeous uplift for spring!

* Upgrades to full spa services are available for just $75. Call the Spa at Willows to book your treatment at (425) 424 2900 or email spa@willowslodge.com. Upgrades are on a first-come, first-serve, space available basis.

4:30- 5:30 pm Woodinville Wine Tasting and education with Barking Frog’s Certified Sommelier, Jennifer Schmitt

6:00 pm – Cinco de Mayo Infused, Four-Course Wine Pairing Dinner handcrafted by Award-winning Barking Frog Executive Chef Bobby Moore

HipTravelMama 2012 Spring Experience Cinco de Mayo Dinner Menu

All of these delicious dishes with tastings of handpicked Washington wines included*

First Course: Tequila Prawns
Mixed Organic Greens, Cilantro ~ Lime Vinaigrette

Second Course: Oven Roasted Sea Bass
Tomatillo ~ Avocado Mousse, Black Rice, Candied Jalapeno

Third Course: Cumin Crusted Pork Tenderloin
Crispy Polenta Cake, Coriander Dusted Baby Spinach, Piquillo Pepper Sauce

Fourth Course: House Made Churros with Mexican Chocolate Dip

Sunday, May 6, 2012
8:30-10:00 am – Breakfast in Fireside Cellars

10:30-11:30am – Hour of Power of Yoga featuring Rebecca Pitzer, Terra Yoga OR Boot Camp with Fitness expert Joan Dandeneau (pre-registration required)
12:00 pm – Check out!

*dinner includes wine tastings with each course. Full bottles of wine will be available for purchase at the table to charge to your room.

And as always, we’ve pulled together fun giveaways and a surprise contest kicking off next week for all registered attendees. Space is limited. Grab your best gal pals and reserve your Spring Experience at Willows Lodge: call 425-424-2589 or email your reservation request to kathleen.boyd@willowslodge.com. Be sure to specifiy your spa treatment preference or upgrade at booking! We look forward to celebrating Cinco de Mayo and kicking off the season in style and in shape for summer!

Posted in May 5-6,12 Spring Experience @WillowsLodge, retreats

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Spring Crafts and Easter Family Fun with Peeps

Posted by Anne Taylor Hartzell on April 5, 2012 at 3:54 pm

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First, I must preface that this post has nothing to do with travel. This one is just pure, family fun and an outlet for a little case of spring fever and inspired creativity. Some of my favorite memories with my mom growing up were celebrating the holidays doing crafts. Now as a mama myself, I love the pure experience and connection that happens during this special craft time with the kids. We are a bit obsessed with Peeps. Fortunately, there are so many amazing blogs and images to feed our creativity, including my new love affair with Pinterest, where in addition to travel inspiration, I’m collecting quite a board of Easter Crafts with Kids.
Here’s how to make a Peep Wreath, one of our favorite crafts to make with kids and other fun, edible crafts with Peeps!

Peep Wreath Materials:

You will need a 10″ or 12″ straw wreath (available at craft stores)
We used about 50 peeps for ours, but if you want to go bigger or fill the whole wreath, you can use up to 140
Box of round toothpicks
Ribbon for hanging

Step 1 – stick toothpick into wreath about half way, then set the Peep on top of it.

Step 2. Continue adding peeps around the wreath. Start another row if desired until completely covered (or you run out of Peeps!)

The final product!

Peeps S’mores for the big kids!

Peeps and Jelly Bellies dress up a vase of spring flowers!

What Easter crafts have you created with peeps?

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2012 Expedia Spring Travel Trends and Inspiration

Posted by Anne Taylor Hartzell on March 28, 2012 at 7:20 am

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I find it extremely fitting that it was snowing in Seattle when I climbed into the car at 3:00am to drive to the studio last week. SNOWING IN MARCH. I was on my way to talk spring travel with broadcast outlets across the country, in partnership with Expedia. Watching the snow come down on my windshield, I was longing to head straight to the airport to get on a plane to anywhere warm and dry. Do the long winter days have you ready to escape too?

Maybe you already have your spring break plans locked, are on spring break now, or are planning on sticking closer to home this spring. The good news is there has never been a better time to find great deals on spring trips and start planning those summer getaways. The Expedia American Traveler Survey indicates that despite the economy, we are still out there traveling and we are using blogs like this (thank you!) and social media to influence where to go, where to stay and find great deals. And guess what is making a comeback? The great American road trip. Many of you are longing to hit the roads this summer despite higher gas prices. You are also taking shorter roadtrips and spending longer in your destination. Sound like you? Watch this video to get more tips and see how others are traveling this spring. Enjoy!

Note: This post is in partnership with Expedia.

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Grand Hyatt Seattle American Girl Doll Getaway

Posted by Anne Taylor Hartzell on March 26, 2012 at 5:56 pm

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If you are looking for a last minute idea for spring break in Seattle with the kids, or to celebrate a special overnight getaway with your little girl, the Grand Hyatt Seattle has a special American Girl package that will make her swoon. It includes an overnight stay at the Grand Hyatt Seattle, milk and cookies, a fun take-home bed for her American Girl doll and a $25 American Girl Doll Store Gift Certificate to visit the American Girl Doll Store Seattle, a 25 minute drive north to Alderwood Mall. Time is of the essence on this one – The American Girl Package must be booked and used by April 30, 2012, so don’t delay!

Little Surprises, Big Memories

A few weeks ago, I whisked our oldest to downtown Seattle for a special mom and daughter overnight trip. I secretly packed her overnight bag, her American Girl Doll (Julie) and matching jammies, and put it into the back of the car. We all piled into the car and she thought we were going out for a family dinner. She had been bugging me for months for some alone time with mom, and you can imagine her surprise when she discovered that she was on her way to a special evening with mom all to herself.

We arrived and she was greeted with a special bed for her doll Julie, milk and a big plate of homemade cookies. After a fun dinner out, we came back to our room and headed down to the fourth floor to the fintess center to warm up and soak in the hot tub and sauna. After getting on our jammies, we painted toes, ate milk and cookies and watched a movie. After a great night sleep, we had room service with exceptional food.

Mom and Daughters Shop ‘Till You Drop

The Grand Hyatt Seattle is in a great location for a mom and daughter weekend. The property is located across from Pacific Place, Nordstrom, Anthropologie, and lots of great shopping for moms and daughters to spend a day or weekend. For older moms and daughters looking for a little Spa time, elaia Spa at sister property Olive 8 across the street has incredible spa packages. We are looking forward to our staying at the Olive 8 Hyatt to try out the spa, pool and get a closer look at the style and decor on our next visit to downtown Seattle!

Recipe for Urbane Homemade Granola

1 qt maple syrup

1 qt honey

2 qt canola oil

Mix together w/ whisk until homogenous

1 pkg bran flakes (opt)

4 containers old fashioned oats

3 c pecans- roughly chopped

3c pistachio

2 c walnuts- roughly chopped

2 c sliced almonds

Flour

Brown sugar

Toss mix with enough flour to lightly coat nuts and oats.
Toss again with enough brown sugar to evenly distribute lightly throughout mixture

1 c flax seeds

1c sesame seeds

3 c desiccated coconut

2 c coconut flake (unsweetened- though either will do)

Add to dry mixture and thoroughly blend

** All blending should be done by hand…do not put in mixer of any kind!!

Add wet to dry mixture and coat evenly (* the mixture should be wet)
Bake at 300 F and turn mix every 15 min to evenly bake
When mixture is evenly golden brown and toasted it is finished!!

More Fun Pictures from our Special Seattle Mom and Daughter Weekend!

Room with a view. Seattle City Skyline and Puget Sound.

Warmed up in the Grand Hyatt hot tub and sauna!

Super cozy and stylish details at the Grand Hyatt Seattle

Note: We were hosted guests of the Grand Hyatt Seattle, but were not required to express any opinions, or write about our stay.

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Maui’s The Fairmont Kea Lani Pampers Families In Style

Posted by Anne Taylor Hartzell on March 16, 2012 at 10:43 am

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The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui Pool: Photo Source: The Fairmont

Our Maui family journey continues and takes us south to Wailea. Wailea remains my favorite region to vacation on Maui. This trip, we were fortunate to try out the Fairmont Kea Lani and were blown away by the service, style and many extras this resort offers families of all sizes.

Our visit came at the perfect time for this style-obsessed family. The Fairmont Kea Lani has made big investments in updating this iconic property and has nearly completed a $28 million renovation, making the Kea Lani a luxurious vacation experience. There are stylistic details everywhere you turn, with whitewashed buildings, open breezeways with hip lounging areas, and every suite has impeccable style, from the art on the wall, to the gorgeous bathrooms and curvy pull out couches.

In Hawaiian, Kea Lani means, “heavenly white,” and the hotel’s architecture reflects a strong Mediterranean influence infused with Hawaiian history. As a guest, you feel a sense of the spirit of the place the moment you walk through the open lobby.

New renovation brings Comfort and Hip Style for Families

With 413 one-bedroom suites and 37 beachfront villas, The Fairmont Kea Lani is an intimate luxury resort and offers a slower pace to that of other large neighboring hotels. Sitting on the soft white sands of Polo Beach, with 22 acres of tropical landscape (including tropical fruit trees, and a small grove of banana trees that the kids club uses to teach kids about local agriculture), there are no shortage of open, grassy areas and places to explore on the property.

“Over the past three years, over $28 million has been invested in improvements and renovations. The culmination is our signature restaurant, Kō, which is reopening in a few short weeks after a complete rebuild,” said Megan Haertling, Director of Public Relations. “These many improvements will not only result in a beautiful and luxurious resort, but will also provide new dining options and experiences for the many families that visit us each year.”

All-Suites and Luxury Villas are perfectly suited for families

The spacious, renovated rooms and villas are perfect for families. All rooms have separate bedrooms (with seriously sturdy doors), beautiful bathrooms, pull out couches and spacious balconies with dining seating for four and a lounge chair. I even had enough room to roll out my yoga mat and practice on the balcony overlooking the ocean. Each unit is equipt with a Keurig coffee maker, mini–fridge and ample space for afternoon naps.

Down by the beach, the 2 and 3 bedroom villas are stunning and great for larger families, or vacationing with friends. Completely renovated, each villa has a full kitchen, laundry room, private splash pool and BBQ. The villas are also stocked with all of the little extras, such as board games, Wii consoles and other family amenities. The nightly rates are a bit higher than other villa properties in Wailea, but include so many extras that I expect once you add it all up, the cost is very comparable. Sharing a villa with another family is always a great way to cut your costs in half.

All the Little Extras Are Included

On vacation, the little extras such as eating out and activities are what start to hit your budget. But at the Fairmont Kea Lani, they’ve gone out of their way to anticipate what families need and include it in the package.

Most villa packages now include a complimentary luxury class rental vehicle (sedan, convertible, SUV, Jeep, or minivan) for pick up at the Kahului airport (OGG). New to 2012, villa guests have complimentary valet parking, as well as a daily breakfast buffet for villa guests at Kea Lani Restaurant (four guests daily for two-bedroom villas and six guests daily for three-bedroom villas).

The Fairmont Kea Lani also has no resort fee (a big deal, as most Maui resorts charge $25 a night which can add up for a week stay), and kids under 5 eat free. Other extras included in your stay include water sports including complimentary boogie boards, snorkels and paddle boards, and pineapple and popsicles for the kids poolside.

Family friendly at it’s finest

Perhaps my biggest takeaway from our stay at the Fairmont Kea Lani, is that the resort didn’t just say it was family-friendly, it delivered. Family-friendly is something you know when you experience it, and shows up in subtle ways and in the little details. In my experience, many hotels do a lot of talking about how “family friendly” their properties are, but few execute it with precision. Others hotels and resorts go too far to please kids, leaving parents feeling like it’s the kids that took them on vacation. We didn’t have to force making our family fit at the Fairmont Kea Lani, it was just, truly, great and comfortable for our family.

New Kō Restaurant: Celebrating Hawaiian Culture and Community

The newly transformed signature restaurant Kō, which means “sugarcane” in Hawaiian, showcases the diverse culinary history and many cultures of Hawaii’s sugarcane plantation era, serving innovative dishes and family recipes that have been passed down for generations. Executive Chef at The Fairmont Kea Lani, Tylun Pang, shares more on the new Kō Restaurant and involvement with Maui’s community.

Because the restaurant was not yet open on our visit, we were fortunate to be able to enjoy the extraordinary cuisine of Kō and experience a Twilight Dinner under a private cabana poolside. This dinner is a memory we will cherish as a family for years to come.

The pictures from our trip to the Fairmont Kea Lani perhaps do a better job of telling the story of our experience. I’ve dedicated a board on Pinterest to our Fairmont Kea Lani experience for you to enjoy and plan your own experience. Aloha!

Note: we were hosted guests of the Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui but were not required to express any opinions or write about our stay. I’ve done my best to share our family experience and as always, can vary for every family.

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Maui Condo or Luxury Hotel? Honua Kai Resort Delivers Best of Both for Families

Posted by Anne Taylor Hartzell on March 14, 2012 at 8:51 am

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3 Bedroom Honua Kai suite. Source: Honua Kai Resort

Just north of the busy Ka’anapali strip on 38 acres of quiet, Maui oceanfront resort property, sits the Honua Kai Resort and Spa, one of my favorite new, kid friendly luxury hotels on Maui. We first fell in love with the Honua Kai last winter. This year, we were able to spend mid-winter break at the Honua Kai with extended friends and family. The Honua Kai is the best of both worlds – all of the comforts of home in a full-service, laid-back luxury resort. Each unit in the all-suite Honua Kai has a full kitchen, washer and dryer and spacious glass balcony, providing ample room for you and your family to spread out and relax on vacation.

The Honua Kai Resort and Spa is the ultimate, smart luxury experience on Maui. Starting at around $300/night for a one bedroom unit (rate varies by resort view and season), which is comparable to most luxury hotel rooms on Maui in popular resort areas, Honua Kai is the ideal combination for families – luxury condo, separate bedrooms for you and your kids, and all the amenities of a full-service resort. With 2 and 3 bedroom units, large families can spread out and by sharing a larger unit with friends, you can split the cost and cut your vacation budget in half, without sacrificing style and service.

Connection and Community at the Honua Kai Resort

If you are a social crew like ours, you will love the Honua Kai. Walking through the property at night gives you a true sense of the magic of Honua Kai, as groups of friends and families relax, laugh and socialize on balconies, BBQ areas teem with dads grilling food, sharing a beer and talking while their food cooks. Most nights, you will find kids running around playing night tag on the spacious open grassy areas. During the day, families relax and chat while enjoying poolside service from Dukes Beach House, lounging by one of The Honua Kai’s many family-friendly pools, or heading out to the beach to make sandcastles and snorkel.

Honua Kai is where you can watch your family grow.

We were excited to learn on this trip that the Honua Kai’s Kids Program offers childcare and activities for kids ages 3-12. Parents of young children rejoice! Most hotels offer childrens programs for kids 5 years old and older, so we’ve never had the opportunity to take advantage of this childcare option at a resort yet. This is another simple detail that makes a big difference for parents of young children when traveling. Parents can simply take a stroll down the beach, relax by the pool uninterrupted, or get a date night out at the onsite restaurant, Dukes. Breathe, sigh of relief.

During our last visit, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Yvonne Biegel, a mom of three boys and rep for Honua Kai. She shared that the Honua Kai hopes to be the kind of resort that grows with families as they grow, and that when the kids are grown, they will bring their kids. “We have guests who honeymooned here when we opened three years ago, and they come back every year. It will be so fun to see them bringing their new babies and watching them grow up at Honua Kai,” said Yvonne Biegel.

Our good friends and neighbors who vacation with us each year, and who joined us on this trip had this to say about the Honua Kai:

“Simply perfect for our family! The property is luxury paired with laid-back, aloha spirit at its best. Dukes has extraordinary food at affordable prices, so I don’t feel guilty eating out, when I know I could be cooking up a storm in our beautiful kitchen in our unit. The pool is wonderful for all ages and the beach is so close, yet never feels crowded. The ‘Aina Gourmet Market in the hotel is so charming and we visited every day; morning coffee, afternoon gelato, snacks (wine included) – they had a great selection.” – Kristen Bristol, Seattle, WA.

Wonder what “A Day in the Life at Honua Kai” feels like? Here’s our experience. And the next day, you get up and do it all over again:

Barefoot beach runs, calm surf and morning sun make a great start to the day.

Morning cupcakes and coffee with aloha spirit. Just a typical day at the onsite ‘Aina Gourmet Market.

In the morning, sandcastles, surf splashing and toes in the sand.

In the afternoon, after a quick lunch break in our unit, we are poolside with beverage and book in hand. Kids slide, splash and laugh.

Pre-dinner, enjoying a frosty beer on your spacious, private balcony.

Dinner at Dukes Restaurant. 5 kids, 4 parents, 2 grandparents. Life is good.

Watching the kids grow before your eyes. Priceless.

Sometimes pictures tell the story more powerfully than words. It is days like these that soften the rigors of parenting, help us take time out to recalibrate on what is most important to us, and most importantly reconnect with our families and the people in our life that bring us joy. The Honua Kai holds a special place in our heart, a resort we hope to return to year after year to have our family reconnect, recharge, and watch grow.

Do you have a question about the Honua Kai Resort and Spa, or are you trying to find the perfect property for your family on Maui? Leave it here on the comments or head on over to HipTravelMama’s Facebook page and ask me there.