New Year, New Experiences: Part II – Marana, AZ

After a beautiful stay in Phoenix, we knew it would be hard to top that experience. We packed up in the Mustang (yes, I left TJ alone for 2 minutes in the rental car office and we went from compact to sports car), put the top down and headed south.  One of the most surprising things to me is the difference in landscape between Phoenix and Tucson. We left patches of green golf courses and palm trees for an arid, desert terrain, just two hours to the south.  We experienced for the first time what felt like a mirage. After a few hours of driving past cacti and lots of brown, out of nowhere sprung the signs for The Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain. Nestled tightly within Tortolina Mountains, sat the sprawling luxury 5 star resort that we would call home for another 3 nights.

The Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain - Marana, AZ

This resort was vastly different than the one we just came from. Dripping in luxury, sat sparkling pools and large open lounge spaces, all surrounded by mountains. The sun was blazing and it was lunchtime, so we made a beeline for the poolside restaurant, Turquesa. After a latin inspired lunch, we settled in to soak up the last few hours of warm, Arizona sun.

The Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain - Marana, AZWe checked into our room, only to be greeted by a beautiful view and a spread of desserts. (Someone knew there was a pregnant lady in this room!).  And the bathtub! OH! Readers, you must understand, when you have been unable to soak in a hot tub for months, a bathtub becomes your new best friend.  And one this big meant full submersion. Other room amenities included a dual headed shower, a Nespresso machine and the most perfect morning view of a sunrise, complete with a balcony.

The Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain - Marana, AZ

I made sure to spend every single morning sipping my morning tea with biscotti watching the sunrise, because that is something one doesn’t always have the luxury of doing.  Sunrise for me usually happens driving to work or on the weekends, I’ve already been up and at it for hours and it is long forgotten. Neither situation is ideal, so I made sure to enjoy it while I could.

On our first morning, we ventured out to explore the trails. The hotel is situated among 20+ miles of hiking and biking trails and you better believe I wasn’t going to miss out on that just because I was carrying a bowling ball! The concierge was a bit weary about sending us out on a trail, but eventually we were told there was an out-and-back just past the entrance that was a short, steady climb with a great view.  Little did he know, as soon as I saw that that trail connected to a more significant trail, we’d be gone for hours. We ended up hiking 2 miles that morning, snaking back and forth, up and down the mountain, taking in spectacular views of the area.

By the time we finished, I had definitely earned my lunch at the golf club.

We grabbed the hotel shuttle and headed over to The Golf Club at Dove Mountain, where our favorite on-site restaurant, Cayton’s Burger Bistro was located.  The restaurant sits on the edge of the course with breathtaking views, delicious burgers and a regular guest, a friendly little road runner. After lunch, we finally caught sight of the resort turtle, Rocky.  He was huge! And adorable.

The Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain - Marana, AZ

We spent the rest of the afternoon basking in the sun and enjoying the mountain views. In the evenings at Dove Mountain, there is an old tradition of playing fluted music from the mountain top, which is naturally broadcast throughout the canyon. On this particular night, we made sure to grab a seat by the fire and listen to the sounds of the flutist against the setting sun, before heading out to meet my cousin in downtown Tuscon at a great restaurant, Wild Garlic Grille.

The Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain - Marana, AZ

On our last full day at Dove Mountain.  TJ was itching to hit the golf course and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to experience my first full spa day. I have to admit that some of the best views at Dove Mountain, came from these one of a kind experiences. If you weren’t there to golf or hit the spa, there are plenty of other activities to take advantage of including guided hikes, mixology classes (we did this, it was delicious…even my virgin cocktail!) and great activities for kids.

The Golf Club @ Dove Mountain

The Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain - Marana, AZMy day at the spa was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.  The adults only, heated pool was PERFECT.  The pool at the spa was wedged into a side of the mountain, making guests feel surrounded by nature. My masseuse, Justin, was amazing and treated me to one of the best experiences of my pregnancy – a complicated contraption that allowed me to lay on my belly for my massage.  I spent the rest of the day lounging poolside, enjoying lunch from the spa menu. After a day like that, I finally understood why people *invest* in a spa day at luxury resorts.

After 3 exceptional days enjoying all of the amenities and luxuries the Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain had to offer, it was time to head home.  Thank you to the staff here for wonderful food, impeccable service and the perfect way to end our babymoon. Until next time, Arizona…

The Ritz Carlton, Dove Mountain - Marana, AZ

“People don’t take trips, trips take people.” – John Steinbeck

 

New Year, New Experiences: Part I – Phoenix

What better way to start a new year than on vacation – am I right?!  If you’re in the industry, you’ve probably heard of the term “babymoon” – essentially an excuse to get in one more amazing trip before the arrival of a baby.  You can bet I was all set to take advantage of any “excuse” to travel.  Trouble was, we needed somewhere warm in January. Not hard, you say?  You forgot about Zika. Sadly, this mama-to-be wasn’t heading anywhere south of Florida and Hawaii seemed like the most financially irresponsible decision one could make before swamped with all of the costs of a newborn. So where did we decide, might you be wondering?  Sunny, dry and BEAUTIFUL Arizona. TJ’s first time to AZ and certainly not my last, we set out to make this a trip filled with grand accommodations, delicious food and luxury services.  And Arizona, my friends, did not disappoint.

What a view!  We stepped out of the car at the Royal Palms Resort & Spa and knew it was going to be a good day.  This boutique style property recently joined the Hyatt family, introducing us to our very first Unbound Collection property.  The Royal Palms is an historic hotel (my fave!) and has hosted many of the rich and famous throughout its years.  The property itself is smaller than when it was first established as a residence in 1929.

Royal Palms Resort - Phoenix, AZWe walked through the breezeway where we were greeted by a warm, sunny courtyard begging for us to kick back and order lunch. For the first time ever in my life, I was glad our room wasn’t ready.  Oprah says there is no such thing as a coincidence and on this day, she was right.  We settled into the courtyard to wait for our room and devour a delicious lunch, when suddenly a friendly, familiar face approached our table.  Little did I know, one of my friends from college, a fellow U of Cinci Hospitality graduate, was now the Director of Engineering at this beautiful resort.  You have to understand, despite Facebook, I had no idea this friend was working at The Royal Palms or even lived in Arizona!  Needless to say, Jeremy made sure this was going to be one trip we wouldn’t forget.

We checked into our (now upgraded) room and I was blown away. From the sitting area, complete with sparkling apple cider and chocolate covered strawberries, to the enormous soaking tub – the room was immaculate.  Jeremy informed us that the rooms recently underwent renovation and from my perspective, they did a fabulous job.

Even with all of the traveling I do, it’s rare I get to indulge in the luxuries a resort has to offer. But this is our babymoon, after all!  The Royal Palms has a gorgeous pool (and hot tub, but I’m not allowed in those!), a poolside restaurant, a full service spa & salon, a famous, fine dining restaurant, T. Cook’s.  Good news, I experienced it all!  We spent every day poolside, soaking up the Arizona sun, eating fresh foods and sipping fresh squeezed juices.  (One thing I love about Arizona – these people seem to appreciate high quality, natural food and healthy cooking. Everything was crisp and fresh. Even the french fries!)

When we weren’t by the pool, we’d alternate walks through the Jardin d’Amore (Garden of Love!), the Orange Grove and the Alegria Lawn.  One of my favorite parts of this resort were the pathways that led to hidden seating areas, orange groves, and flowers teaming with hummingbirds. If you stepped out in the morning before other guests were awake, a stroll to this part of the resort was one of the most romantic places you could find.

Although we didn’t get a chance to enjoy them, the Royal Palms offers daily group fitness classes, a guided History & Art Tour, mixology classes, regular live music, and games. I totally did have my eye on those group fitness classes, but I was easily swayed into a walk to breakfast each morning!

And certainly, all that walking and sunning definitely leaves you hungry.  Offsite, we found two fantastic breakfast spots within walking distance (2 miles is walking distance, right?)  La Grande Orange – a super funky, local grocery and cafe serving up amazing pizza and delicious egg dishes, and one of our

new favorite breakfast spots, O.H.S.O. – a cyclist and dog friendly brewery conveniently located on a bike trail (!) and serving up some of the best breakfast I’ve had in a long time.  We loved that nearly every diner on the outdoor patio brought a pooch. Each doggy guest received his/her own water bowl with their name.  Too bad Mr. Zeus was back in Ohio!  On property, you’ll find T. Cook’s, a famed Phoenix area restaurant.  We enjoyed a fabulous dinner there on our very first night and our server, Sasha, was extraordinary. T. Cook’s serves breakfast, lunch and dinner if you visit and at dinner I’d recommend reservations.

The Mix Up Bar ultimately ended up being TJ’s favorite hangout spot and where we spent our NYE.  On this particular holiday occasion the place was glitzed up with NYE hats, beads, and decor; there was a great duo serenading us and lots of inspiring appetizers. We settled in at one of the last empty tables and enjoyed people watching and “noshing”.  To ring in the new year on our last night at The Royal Palms, we eventually retired to the courtyard where it all began and watched the guests attending the blowout party hosted by the hotel on the opposite lawn… TJ with his cigar and bourbon and me with a mocktail.

If this is how 2018 starts, I can’t wait to see how it ends.

A sincere thank you to the staff of the Royal Palms Resort & Spa for treating us to one of our most memorable and top of the chart hotel experiences.

“People don’t take trips, trips take people.” – John Steinbeck

That’s a Wrap! 2017 Edition

What a year! This was a year of some serious travel for me and also some big life changes.  If you missed the memo – TJ and I are expecting a baby boy in March, so we did as much traveling as we could, and hopefully you did too! If you didn’t make it to any of my favorite stops in 2017, now is your chance to make your 2018 bucket list.  Where will you be off to?  Let’s talk about some favorites from the year so you can plan to make 2018 your best travel year yet!

January

Looking for a different Caribbean Getaway! Check out La Martinique!

How can you have a bad travel year when you kick it off on a French Caribbean island?  I was fortunate enough to start the year in Martinique with my family.  It was our first visit and I’m still reminiscing about the amazing French food, beautiful beaches and perfect weather.  On this trip I also discovered Norwegian Airlines for the first time, which was definitely a highlight of 2017.  If you haven’t looked for an international trip on Norwegian yet, I can’t help but ask, what in the world are you waiting for?! They’ll spoil you rotten in the air, deliver you to some dreamy international destination and you won’t even have to pay much for it.

February

February introduced me to some great independent properties, both new and old across the state. From Unique Ohio Lodging @ Sebring Mansion & Spathe massive overhaul happening in Salem, OH of the Stables Inn & Suites to the relatively new Mills Park Hotel in YellowSprings, seeing the success and growth of independent properties has a special place in my heart. One of my favorite visits was to the Sebring Mansion.  This romantic, luxurious inn and spa is tucked away in Sebring, OH.  Haven’t heard of it?  Don’t worry, neither had I.  And I think that’s part of the charm. Sebring was actually once known as the Pottery Capital of the World!  Quite a bit of pottery is still made in Sebring and you will find some at the mansion.  The guestrooms here are absolutely phenomenal, each with a hand selected bed and whirlpool.  You can’t help but feel the romance when you walk into these individually appointed rooms. This adults-only retreat should not go unnoticed. If you haven’t spend a girls weekend or a romantic night away here yet, do so in 2018.

March

March was an amazing month for me. I was able to travel to Europe for the first time. TJ and I embarked on a 2 week adventure to Italy and France.  We ate and walked (so much walking!) first through Venice, then the Cinque Terre, over to Nice and Eze along the French Riviera and finished in Paris.

There were so many wonderful memories of this trip, I have to encourage you to go back and read each post for yourself.  Some of the highlights were definitely our trip to  in NYC en route, visiting the often missed Venitian island of Burano, hiking the Cinque Terre and some of the most spectacular views I’ve ever seen, the richness of the French Riviera – the teas, the perfumes, the cheese, and wine, the people!! And the romance of Paris.  Even writing this recap I find myself yearning to return.  I swear I will retire one day to the French Riviera…until then…

April

After weeks on the road in March, is was refreshing to be home.  My home, but also my hometown.  If you haven’t learned yet, I don’t slow down for long and I was on the road for work within a week of our return from Europe.  Luckily, I was able to stay at the chic St. Paul Hotel in downtown Wooster.  The St. Paul has been around a while, but when you live next door, you don’t often know what’s in your backyard.  Two things that impressed me most about the St. Paul – the attention to detail in decor and attention to detail in service.  The lobby and rooms are filled with locally sourced and many custom pieces of furniture and decor, including the massive room dividers, headboards and case goods and the beautiful hearth in the lobby.  And the service? Flawless. I still remember how exhausted I was when I arrived at check in and the desk agent personally walked me to my room, perhaps fearing I might fall asleep en route.  I’m so proud this hotel is in my very own Wayne County, don’t miss it!

May

By May, I was already thinking summer.  I spent a good part of the month traveling around to properties

perfect for a weekend getaway, whether it’s to Ohio’s wine country or the shores of Lake Erie, this month reminded me how many great places Ohio has to offer.  I discovered for the first time Geneva/Geneva-on-the-Lake.  We have a number of great members there, yet it isn’t an area I visit often.  On this particular trip I was able to get a sneak peek at a brand new cottage style property, Vineyard Woods and have a fantastic farm-to-table style dinner at Crosswinds Grille, the on-site restaurant of the Lakehouse Inn & Winery. Set among Ohio’s vineyards, Vineyard Woods offers guests a charming, bungalow experience deep in the woods, while Lakehouse Inn & Winery sits right on the water with spectacular views.  Next time you’re up visiting for a glass or two of vino, consider staying a night or two, there are plenty of awesome places that await.

June

New lodging option in small town Ohio, close to Akron, Wooster

June was all about what’s new. New builds. New brands and new discoveries.  I am still super excited about the new Cobblestone brand that made its grand entrance into Ohio in my very own hometown of Orrville. This new brand only builds in small towns – what a concept!  Capping around 40 rooms with a bar, pool and some meeting space, this type of small chain is perfect for a small town that might not be able to support a large chain brand.  Cobblestone made it’s debut in May and I’m still hearing about it!

Next up on my list of faves is the makeover happening at the Avalon Inn & Resort.  I was completely unaware of this sophisticated golf and spa oasis on Ohio’s eastern edge.  Surrounded by golf courses and dripping in class, this spot needs to be on your bucket list. I was there midweek and this place was packed.  With multiple on-site restaurants, a beautiful indoor pool (outdoor coming soon!), tennis courts, a rec room, an expansive gym, spa and outdoor (and indoor!?) golfing, you could spend days here. I was only sad my time was so limited!

Upscale lodging, resort in Eastern Ohio

July

Great, new lodging in Eastern, OH

In July I realized that Best Westerns aren’t Best Westerns anymore, well, not what I remembered anyway.  The brand has embraced a lot of individuality over the past few years and it shows in the new projects coming online.  I visited a new member in Steubenville, OH to make this discovery.  A former BW was torn down to be replaced by a fresh one and wow! is all I can say.  The Best Western Plus The Inn at Franciscan Square is brand spankin’ new and beautiful. Throughout the lobby and rooms are subtle nods to Franciscan University which sits on top of the hill, just across the street from the inn. If you didn’t know to look for it, these small details would probably go unnoticed by your average traveler, but you my friend, are not the average traveler. Next time you’re headed to Pittsburgh, stop by and check it out, or stay a while!

August

Speaking of brands coming to life, I am just so impressed with the new concepts rolling out in lodging.  Greater Cincinnati Area Lodging, MarriottFive to ten years ago, you wouldn’t have to work too hard to convince me that a Marriott is a Marriott, a Hilton a Hilton, etc. Now?  Try blindfolding someone and dropping them in a lobby of your favorite chain, I bet they wouldn’t know where they were.  I visited two vastly different chains in August, proof that the brand concept has taken a turn in a direction I quite like. First, the new Marriott concepts – I visited the Cincinnati Marriott North only to be swept off my feet by the changes. I had just been here a year or so before, right before renovations went underway and WOW.  You need to check these out.  My favorite part is the massive, jaw dropping chandelier that greets you upon arrival.  What’s even cooler though? Marriott lobby after Marriott lobby and the chandelier won’t be the same. 🙂

Historic lodging in downtown ClevelandLater in August, I got to visit a DoubleTree, but not just any DoubleTree, Cleveland’s own Tudor Arms.  You may recall that back before Curio became a thing, DoubleTree was Hilton’s go to brand for conversions and historic properties, so this brand was already taking individuality in stride and the Tudor Arms was no exception. With a massive, spectacular ballroom and a unique Romeo & Juliette style loft overlooking the ballroom, it’s no wonder this venue is jam packed with weddings weekend after weekend.

September 

September was once again one of our craziest months of travel.  Fortunately, all of those weekends included fantastic overnight accommodations and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the historic and lovely Renaissance Cleveland.  This hotel has sat on Public Square for a long, long time and it remains a focal point of beauty.  We were there for a wedding, which gave me a new perspective on the hotel, a property I have visited many times before for business meetings. Of course, the couple did an amazing job highlighting the charm of venue, but also to note was wonderful food and great service. It was also my first time dining at Sans Souci, the onsite restaurant.  My parents told me this used to be the place to go for dinner, way back when. We were there for breakfast and the buffet was seriously one of the best I’ve ever had.  The wait staff has been there since “way back when” and even if the restaurant doesn’t boast the same reputation it once did, the service staff would never let you know it.  Great food, great hotel, great people. We will be back!

October

Looking back, I’m not 100% sure what I was talking about. Every month was a busy travel month for us, and October was no exception. I’m having a very difficult time deciding which visit to highlight from October, because I got to see some of Ohio’s best properties, quite literally. Perhaps I should do that, focus on the best?  But I’m not the only one to judge, The Welsh Hills Inn in Granville, OH has others convinced too.  This property has been on the TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice list for the past 5 years, even in its top spots including #1 B&B and Inn in the U.S. in 2015. HERE! Right in Ohio!  Guys, if you haven’t been, you are crazy. I was crazy, until October.  From the beautiful grounds, to the adorable house dogs to the innkeepers themselves, this B&B tucked away just East of Columbus is truly one of my most memorable visits of 2017. I hope to stay sometime soon and experience it the way so many others have.

November

By November, I’m sure you feel like you need a break from all of this travel. I sure did! I started off the month with one final trip to Cincinnati and then I took a much needed break to help prep for the reason I do what I do – a celebration of the lodging industry in Ohio at OHLA’s Annual Conference. My highlight for November really is all of you. The people who make this industry what it is, together we are stronger, and I am so proud to be a part of Ohio’s amazing travel industry.

December

It doesn’t take much to remind myself how fortunate I am.  To be a part of such a fun and growing industry is amazing. Each December, when I get to wrap my year by traveling to an inspiring & gorgeous domestic location to share with others all of the great things we are doing in Ohio, it gears me up for the year to come. I return from this trip thinking, how can I and we grow?  Who should I visit? Where should I travel?

This year, that inspirational trip took me to St. Pete Beach to an historic hotel masterpiece. If you didn’t know, visiting every Historic Hotel in America is on my bucket list… which get’s harder as more hotels are added to the registrar, but I try to notch a few off the list every year. The Don Cesar was one of the coolest hotel experiences I’ve had in a while. The history behind the oceanfront Pink Palace is one of the best love stories I’ve ever heard and you can feel it in the walls. If you missed this posting, don’t let the year end without a dive (pun intended!) into the romance and lure of the Don Cesar.

Looking back at the year, I really set myself up for high travel expectations in 2018. But, I have one small little bundle of joy that might slow us down. I’m counting on you, my readers, my coworkers and friends to make 2018 your year of exceptional travel. Where will it take you? Want to share it with the travel community?

So grab your passport, strap on your backpack – whether it’s around the corner or across the ocean, let’s experience something new…

Here’s to 2018, a year of travel experiences for all.

“People don’t take trips, trips take people.” – John Steinbeck