This month’s edition of the Luxury Travel Blog Network has a little bit of everything from midwest travel (yes, people go there) to luxe flights on Qatar Airways.
Here’s what’s happening in luxury:
Charu Suri from Butterfly Diary has done the hard work of rounding up the best of spa treatments from around the world, you’re welcome.
Ana Silva O’Reilly aka Mrs. O Around the World took a business class trip on Qatar Airways just to give us the report. Spoiler alert, it puts Delta to shame, and then some.
The fabulous Nadine Jolie lived the M Life in Las Vegas. Wondering what that is? It’s RIDICULOUS luxury in sin city, I seriously need to check this out next time I’m there – without kids – as if that’s going to happen. Seriously, read her post and drool.
Katie Goldstein from Traveling Panties makes the case that Cleveland is more than just a fly over city- check out her 10 Best Things to do in Cleveland list.
Keep up with all the fab travels of my posh posse at The Luxury Travel Blog Network.
The newest Luxury Travel Mom – Lindley Pless
Lindley Pless knows a good vacation. From pounding the pavement in Paris to hiking the Na’Pali Coast in Kuaii – she is most happy when exploring new terrain. She now lives in the burbs with 2 young daughters so itineraries have changed since her footloose and fancy free pre-kids days. Now she scours the world – looking for just the right resort to host a husband, wife, and elementary aged children. When not travelling Lindley writes for The Sentimentalist and DuJour Magazine. She is also the founder of the non-profit Little Wings Foundation – that hosts family volunteer days and donates to charities worldwide. You can also follow her on Twitter.
The article broke in the New York Post a few days ago. My inbox was flooded with friends asking me about it since I write so often about Luxury and Disney that I am the second Google search result on the subject.
Our VIP Tour Guide Kristen-worth every penny
Of course I’ve heard about these gray market services. My friends at our country club are shocked that I pay full price for the VIP service offered by Disney at $300 per hour. No, it’s not given to me by Disney or even discounted. I pay it fair and square. Though I’m offered numbers for tour guides that are former Disney employees who can “game the system” for you or handicapped guides who “need the money so it’s a win-win” I always pass.
It’s cheating
It’s wrong
It’s telling my children that cheating and using other people’s misfortune is ok because we are better than other people, we shouldn’t HAVE to wait in line. Isn’t that what these moms are saying to every other person who plays by the rules? I’m better than you and the rules don’t apply to me.
On a recent trip to Disney I was joined by one of my best friends in the world, Karin, founder of Special Needs Travel Mom, and her disabled daughter. I learned how difficult enjoying the parks can be for a child who truly has special needs. Veronica can’t walk, see or speak. Just sitting her in a ride is a challenge. The help provided by the Disney cast members at every attraction was crucial to her experiencing Disney. Is it fair that someone who is using a “disabled guide” but is perfectly abled, just too “important” to stand in line should be placed in front of her? The moms traveling with special needs children DESERVE the front of the line, they need it and they are exhausted when they get there.
Karin and Veronica with Chip and Dale
If a family afford the $120 an hour to hire the cheaters they can afford the $300 to hire the legitimate Disney service. Their money and time is not more important than anyone else’s. Would it be ok to pay a kid to take their test because “he needs the money” and “Johnny doesn’t have time to study?”
Our children are watching our every move, I want mine to learn that breaking the rules is not ok just because it’s convenient and we can afford it.
Luxury Travel Mom writer Lindley Pless flew her whole brood to Jamaica for a family vacation at the Tryall Club. According to Lindley “This was the first vacation I can remember taking with small children where I actually relaxed.” Enough said, we are IN.
As we got off the plane we were embraced by bright sun and the warm winds of Jamaica. Sunglasses were donned and sweaters were peeled off. It was hard to imagine that just over 3 hours earlier we were boarding our direct flight from JFK to Montego Bay…
Jamaica welcomed us with the hustle and bustle of bright colors and crowded streets as we were shuttled in a small van for the 30-minute ride through the city and along the coast to the resort. As we turned off the small highway we were greeted by a serene hillside resort that immediately took me back to times gone by.
The Tryall Club is a tropical oasis where ripe fruit dangles from mango trees that cling to the lush hillside. The bright white stucco buildings are clean and well kept but you sense they haven’t changed much since the club was opened to visitors in the 1940s. Once a sugar cane plantation, there are traces of the storied history hidden amongst the 2,200 acre property.
The villas are nestled among 50 foot palm trees – almost every one offering views of the Caribbean Sea. Golf carts (included with each villa) shuttle visitors from place to place and sarong-covered bathing suits are standard attire. We loved the casual feel of the resort – dressing up only for the all-island cocktail party Monday night (where we had the chance to meet and speak with hotel management) and for the Beach BBQ on Wednesday. I guess it was three times that we donned our island-chic attire because we also headed to Reggae night on Friday down on the beach – and it was fabulous! While at the villa we dined in sundresses and khakis with casual polos. Each villa comes fully staffed and has its own pool. We went from table to pool – lingering over our morning coffee and Times Digest while the kids scampered away from the table to take a dip in the pool.
The staff at our villa Serenity was soft spoken and kind – eager to meet our every need. I personally liked that a hotel manager called to check on us each day as well, making sure that everything in our villa was satisfactory. As usual I over-packed, not realizing that it is customary for the villa staff to do your laundry. Each morning as we headed to the beach they made the beds, cleaned the rooms, and collected the previous days clothes. They were delivered back to our rooms each evening after having been washed, line dried, and ironed.
The in-villa chef was spectacular – impressing us with local fare like jerked chicken and rum bread pudding. I can’t speak to the talents of other chefs because each villa has a chef that works only within that one home. That perhaps might be the risk of “villa style” housing. I subtly interviewed others who were at the resort at the same time as us and I can report back that they all said their food was very good.
(One bit of advice – do not eat your meals at the Main House. They are not used to many people using their services and while the food was very good the wait was painfully long. With great chefs in the villas – breakfast and lunch are best eaten at home. I never had a chance to eat at the beachside restaurant but I heard the wait there was also quite long.)
At the beginning of the week our chef asked us what types of foods we liked to eat and from that point on his interpretation of our tastes were spot on. Once or twice we requested special things – like pancakes for the kids or lobster for the adults. The day we ate lobster the fishermen came to our door and the chef introduced us to our evening meal. The 2 lobsters (a little more than 1 lb each) were paid for with $60 cash. This was probably the priciest expense of the week.
I love that all the water sports are included at the beach. Free services included incredible snorkeling (gear provided) 100 yards off the peer. We also had a blast trying paddle boarding. The beach staff worked quickly and upon request set us up with chair covers and towels. The beach is a little smaller than what I was used to in Mexico and Turks & Caicos but the sand was clean and the water clear. Because of the reef the beach is almost wave-less. That makes it ideal for toddlers who can play along the edge without getting knocked down. The big permanent straw umbrellas are necessary since the sun is intense in Jamaica. One note –beach chairs and umbrellas were almost all being used by 11:00am. If you want them – get there by 10am.
While at Tryall I was given a tour of 5 other villas. They really ran the gamut – and I returned home to tell my husband that Tryall did have something for everyone. Hummingbird House, which had just been renovated, would be ideal for 2 or 3 families to share. It is one of the most expensive homes on the island but the open aired spaces and views seem well worth it. I did see a few homes that felt a little dated – I think getting a housing recommendation from those who have been there before is the best way to pick a villa.
The golf course is incredibly well kept considering it was the dry season. The caddies couldn’t be nicer – although I must admit that the “Just relax mon!” mantra was grating on my nerves by the tenth time I drilled my golfball into the thick trees that line many of the holes. The “Cocktail Waitress” who cruises the course in a cart at all hours and the water views made me forget about my terrible playing.
It was blissful to be able to sneak in 2 rounds of golf – knowing that our kids were happily playing at the Kids Camp with our babysitter Antonise. The sitter service is a dream come true. Babysitters cost just $5 an hour ($2 fees are added for additional children) and we were able to book the same person each of the 7 days we were there. She was full of energy and our kids liked her immediately. I felt better knowing she was CPR certified and an excellent swimmer. The kids camp is open all day and children 5 and up can hang out there on their own. Children 4 and under must attend with a sitter or parent. The Kids Camp staff was fabulous and very creative. The girls enjoyed making tie-dyed t-shirts, beading bracelets, and doing mini-Olympics on the beach most of all.
Wednesday night’s beach barbecue was a highlight of the week. The girls stayed up until 10pm (a first for them) – dancing the night away after enjoying a buffet full of traditional Jamaican food. The beach ride on a friendly donkey adorned with flowers, and a show that included limbo, fire eating, and traditional Jamaican dance was being talked about long after we got home. The other people staying at the resort at the same time as us couldn’t have been nicer. It was great getting to know them over a cocktail as all our children who recognized each other from Kids Camp danced nearby.
We also treated ourselves to in-villa one-hour spa-treatments on our last afternoon in Jamaica. My husband and I both remarked that we had rarely had such good massages on vacation. Both women who came to the villa and set up in 5 minutes flat, had lovely relaxing demeanors and were excellent at their craft. Rumor has it that the spa is ripe for a redo – so we had been told to get our services at home. We felt the breeze and listened to the exotic birds chirping in the background during our treatments – clearly staying at the villa was the right choice.
Lastly – I did make a quick trip to the commissary mid-week to see what it had to offer. I was surprised to find a full grocery store where you could buy everything from fresh fruit to candy. I grabbed 6 bottles of Grace’s hot sauce to bring home with us and a container of Jamaican Curry Powder. The hot sauce has been used many times since our return. A spicy remembrance of our fabulous week at Tryall… Would I go back next year? Absolutely!
Don’t forget:
Bug spray
Kids Shampoo (Our villa provided us with Molten Brown. Ideal for adults but stings kiddy eyes!)
Cash/Small Bills (Prices are very reasonable and tips are expected by caddies/tennis hitting partners/ball boys so save yourself the cost of converting money while there)
Perks:
The staff at the villas do laundry so pack light!
Towels are aplenty at the beach so no need to lug towels from your villa
Babysitters are $5/hour (that is not a type-o)
The golf course has great views and you don’t need to bring clubs (I rented brand new Taylor Made RBZ’s)
Jet Blue flies direct to Montego Bay, Jamaica-the kids loved the free TV and snacks
Lindley is a guest writer for Luxury Travel Mom. This is her review of a family vacation, she was not hosted by Tryall nor compensated for her article. Although I do plan to crack open a nice bottle of pink champagne with her. Find more of Lindley’s writing on her blog The Sentimentalist.
He’d like to thank the Academy
The Four Seasons in New York is literally rolling out the red carpet for families.
I’m often asked, “Do you feel comfortable bringing all of your kids to such fancy hotels?” These questions come from people who clearly know my boys. The answer is absolutely yes. Luxury hotels WANT kids (even wild boys) and the best of these hotels are pulling out all the stops to woo traveling families.
We were recently invited to spend the weekend at the uber luxe Four Seasons smack in the heart of mid-town Manhattan and to experience their new partnership program with Red Carpet Kids.
Why yes you can take my Lighting McQueen rollie-may I tip you in Skittles?
The Four Seasons New York has long been a haven for masters of the universe and traveling glitterati. I’m not sure it would have been the top of my family friendly New York hotels list prior to this trip. Kind of like Daddy Warbucks, the Four Seasons is all serious business on the outside and all kid friendly on the inside.
At check-in the kids were each given their own little backpack filled with a stuffed Maxine, the Beanie Baby mascot of the hotel. Remember the Beanie Baby craze? Yeah, the guy who invented them owns the Four Seasons New York, so that whole thing really worked out for him.
Keaton with Maxine and the smoking hot-I mean talented-General Manager of the hotel
We stayed in a Manhattan Suite which had plenty of room for the whole family, AND a special mini-bar where according to Keaton “parents have the party after their kids go to bed.”
Here is his video tour of the suite:
As fabulous as a stay at the Four Seasons is, the new partnership with Red Carpet Kids has taken a family trip to New York over the top.
It’s not cheap, the good things in life never are. When you book your stay you can arrange your Red Carpet Kids package at the same time. Rates are at bottom of the article.
Red Carpet Kids NYC
This is what you’ll get:
The mini-celebrities and their VIP staff (that’s you) are whisked by limo to the upper east side headquarters of Red Carpet kids to make their big screen debut
For mini-VIP’s and their staff
There they are greeted by tuxedo wearing butlers and are trailed by the “paparazzi”
The best part? They all speak in fake British accents and never break character
Event staff usher the tiny stars to the literal red carpet where they take questions from the press.
My favorite answer was when Keaton was asked “What are you wearing tonight?” “Clothes” he said. “Who dressed you?” “Um, my mom.”
The paparazzi even dress the part and follow the min-celebs around
Here’s a little clip of other burning questions the press need answered:
Next, it’s off to wardrobe where they change in to their super hero costumes – in a phone booth – natch.
Heeeerrreee they come to save the daaayyy!
The magic happens in the green room where they make them fly and defeat Captain Evil
“Um, when do I get a gun?”
Once the movie is “wrapped” and “in the can”, the stars have an after party of course. Pizza for them, champagne and sushi for their handlers (again, that’s us)
Eat your heart out DeNiro
What’s a move premiere without a screening?
The screening room has seats that came from Radio City Music Hall and free movie candy for everyone.
Keaton is still convinced “it’s coming to theaters soon mom, for real”
Just the cost of movie candy alone pays for the party (just tell yourself that)
After the premiere are of course – the awards. Everyone gets an Oscar.
I can’t believe he didn’t thank his mother:
As if the limo, paparazzi and free candy weren’t enough, the Four Seasons mocked up a New York Post and it was waiting in the room when we returned.
Keaton still thinks this is real
All of the “actors” get a copy of their blockbuster movie on DVD to take home and torture grandparents with on holidays. Red Carpet Kids can be booked for parities by savvy New York City kids as well.
The Four Seasons New York is a fab location for posh traveling families, adding on the Red Carpet Kids package can take a stay in New York and turn it in to the memory of a lifetime.
Though our stay at the Four Seasons and our Red Carpet experience were all complimentary, Keaton’s love cannot be bought with stardom and free candy. Because all candy is free to him and he already thinks he’s a star.
This weekend package is available starting at USD 4,000.00 plus tax for one night including a luxurious Four Seasons guest room, transfer to and from Red Carpet Kids film studio, the Red Carpet Kids film experience and a special movie-inspired amenity. Guests can book additional nights at rates starting at USD 695.00 plus tax, per night. Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance by calling 212 758 5700, and Red Carpet Kids Experience is for families up to 5 persons. All offers are subject to availability at the time of reservation
Just in case you are too busy actually raising your children to think about what you want for Mother’s Day, I’ve been doing some thinking for both of us. Feel free to send this link to your husband and/or children and gently suggest that perhaps instead of heading to mall on Saturday night to buy whatever they can find, they can click here and make this the best Mother’s Day ever.
Vespa
I’ll take the scooter AND the Paris tour. Image from ParisByScooter.com
Who wouldn’t love to tool around the city of light Audrey Hepburn style? Actually I’d take either Paris OR the Vespa – but both would be nice.’
Sassy Stationery
I LOVE the stationery from Iomoi.
I am OBSESSED with this website, Iomoi. They have the cheekiest most fabulous stationery and home accessories (think monogrammed ice buckets, trays, etc). Mr. Seahorse makes me unimaginably happy.
India Hicks Jewelry
India Hicks Silver Necklace
I love everything about India Hicks, her style, her hair, her bikini body. I am certain that just by wearing her jewelry I will look equally fabulous. This coral branch and mother of pearl necklace just screams beachy boho luxe chic. Don’t you think?
Sparkly Jimmy Choos
I’ve decided that sparkly gold is the new black. These go with jeans, bathrobes and swim suits. Nothing says Mother’s Day like sipping champagne in sparkly shoes. I wear a 37 1/2, in case anyone asks.
Perrier-Jouet Rose (better known as pink champagne)
Speaking of champagne….really, this goes with all of the above gifts right? Sipping pink champagne while wearing sparkly shoes, India Hicks jewels and riding your Vespa – all while writing a thank you note.
Mother’s Day Movement
In all seriousness, you know I’m about more than the bling and champagne. This Mother’s Day I’m donating to so other mothers can have what we take for granted; health care, food for their babies, personal safety. My friend Kim Athan and a group of her friends were inspired by the book Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wu Dunn about the oppression of half the population, women. Did you know that $14 billion is spent annually in the United States on Mother’s Day celebrations on things such as flowers, cards and meals. The women who founded Mother’s Day Movement have been helping Mother’s by raising money for a different organization each year. This year they are focused on the Fistula Foundation.
So kick off your sparkly’s and click over to Mother’s Day Movement to give the gift of dignity to a woman suffering with a debilitating fistula.
Happy Mother’s Day to my dear readers – I want to thank you for all the support and encouragement as I follow my dreams. If you are one of my cutie patootie twenty something year old Luxe Travel Chica’s – call your mother. Better yet, take her to lunch and tell her thank you.
If you are a husband and wondering – how do I buy that? Click on the photo, it takes you to the website. Except for the champagne, but I know you know how to get that.
“Disclosure: Sponsored by Capital One Venture. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Capital One Venture.”
Title got your attention right?
When I signed up for the Venture card I wrote a story about it and said I would tell you all when I used my rewards. It took me a year and a half to finally do it. I admit I am a total point hoarder; I collect them and never use them.
Am I the only one who reads stories of people saving $50,000 on vacations by cleverly using their credit card rewards, hotel points, and some voodoo with total envy?
It just seems too complicated between blackout dates, confusing rules, and my utter conviction that I will have a “better use for them in the future.” Then they just pile up in my account.
As I wrote about last year, I opened a Capital One Venture credit card for a few reasons:
- Our family’s current credit card, which we’ve had for fifteen years, doesn’t even get us so much as a thank you coffee, let alone reward miles.
- I wanted credit in my own name. Seeing friends struggle after divorce made me realize how important it is for women to have their own credit. It’s also a great example to set for my daughter.
- As a family who travels at least twice a month, sometimes more, we needed a card that would not only give us the best value but rewards that we could actually use and enjoy. According to my research, the Venture card is the best credit card for miles.
I realized this is the perfect time to use all the points I’ve been collecting on my card. We’re headed to Disney World this weekend for Mother’s Day. We were invited to a social media conference and we were even provided with a free hotel room. Of course no hotel room actually accommodates our large family, so we have to book an extra room at our own expense. Since my husband was not thrilled at the idea of spending Mother’s Day in Disney I told him, “the whole trip is free.” So now I need to, um, make that part true.
Capital One has an app called “Purchase Eraser.” First off, can we talk about what an awesome name that is? You can book travel and then erase it off your statement by using miles to pay for your travel. Honestly, I was pretty skeptical at first; I’m not good at this kind of stuff (refer back to point hoarding). I called my travel agent to ask for help. He said, true quote, “That’s my favorite card for people to book travel with rewards. I book their tickets as usual and with this easy to use app, the cost just comes off their bill.”
So the $600/night hotel room in Disney is booked on my Venture card (courtesy of my fab travel agent) and I have 90 days after my trip to erase it, while I continue to earn more miles. I must not be the only person who doesn’t find using reward points easy; they even made a video with step-by-step instructions on how to erase your purchases.
The calculation is easy; you add two zeros to each purchase, that’s how many miles you need. So I can erase each night from our Disney stay with 60,000 miles.
Now I can feel confident when I tell my husband the trip is free and I can’t think of a better way to spend my hard earned miles than on a trip to Disney World with my kids for Mother’s Day.
What are you doing this Mother’s Day? Are you using rewards to spend time with your family?
Getting your child’s passport can seem confusing and overwhelming. Forms, more forms, pictures.
It can be painless and done in less than 30 minutes. Let me show you how:
Get all of your forms together ahead of time
You can download the forms online or pick them up at the Post Office
You will need:
A DS 11 - This is used for the first time you apply AND if you renew your child’s passport while they are still a minor. A child’s passport is only good for 5 years.
Their original birth certificate
Both parents present at application – if one parent can’t be there – you will need a form DS 3053 that is notarized
Parent’s identification
If you are renewing your child’s passport you must bring the old passport but you CANNOT USE A RENEWAL FORM – you must use the DS 11
Make an appointment at your local Post Office
Who knew the Post Office could do it all?
I have done passports a million ways. I once paid a fortune for a fancy expeditor, he screwed it up. Another time I needed a same day passport, I spent my entire day at the passport office in another city when I really needed to be packing (clearly I was already behind). The fastest and easiest way I have ever gotten a passport, for me or my children, was at my local Post Office.
Don’t hassle with getting a photo taken somewhere else – your Post Office can take it on the spot
It’s important that your hair look “just right” for a Passport Photo
Double check that they offer photo services when you make the appointment. Most Post Offices will take the photo while mom hurriedly fills out the forms. Then you won’t get there and find out that your photo was the wrong size or cropped incorrectly. Yes, this has also happened to me.
Bring your checkbook
I forgot mine, shocker, but they let me buy money orders with a debit card and all was fine. The fee will vary based on whether or not you are asking for an expedited passport, etc.
Get an expedited passport
They say two weeks, mine has always come more quickly. I am an impatient panicker and always want to have it in my hand long before the trip, or the day before depending on how disorganized I am.
Macie and I are headed to Haiti next month, we renewed her passport at our local Post Office yesterday. I timed us, we were in and out in 28 minutes. That included filling out forms, getting a photo and buying money orders to pay the fees. A more organized person might have done it in 15. We’ll be posting from Haiti and hope you will follow us along on our trip.
What I need to stay organized (not pictured-pot of coffee)
So I tried to be cool and go digital with my organization, iCal, iNotes, iThis, iThat. But then I would be in a different time zone and get all confused on what time to enter an event. Also, my kids can’t see what’s in my phone, neither can my husband, or babysitter. Yeah yeah, I could print it, but the wireless printer only works half the time.
So I gave up on digital and started using my momAgenda Home Office agenda again.
Pros
- It’s big and has lots of space to write notes
- I can see the entire week at once
- It lays flat on the desk
- Easy for entire family to see where they should be
Cons:
- It doesn’t fit in my purse
- If I take it with me, um, no one at home can see it
As a member of the momAgenda Council of Media Moms I get the chance to review and giveaway products. This campaign I chose the Mini-Daily Planner. You can enter for a chance to win your own in the comments section.
So now I’m keeping two calendars, one that stays at home and one that fits in my purse. I also carry my moleskin every day to write notes for articles and to store keepsakes like my photo booth pics from Disney. After years of carrying diaper bags I was excited to get this swank handbag for Christmas.
No room for big calendar-or diapers-or bottles-or matchbox cars
After using the momAgenda Mini-Daily Planner for the week I’m feeling more organized. It might be taking the time to write down every event twice that keeps me from forgetting, but whatever it is, it’s good.
It's like my office edition had a cute little orange baby
Mini-Agenda/Moleskin/Wallet/iPhone/lipstick-done
Pros:
- Fits in my handbag
- Has space for each child’s schedule on every page
- Matches my wallet
Cons:
- Is day at a glance – can’t see entire week
- Have to write things in two calendars
Tell me how you keep your brood organized in the comments section below. I will choose a winner by Random.org at 9:00am EDT Friday May 3.
As a member of the momAgenda Council of Media Moms I receive products for review at no cost and am compensated for my posts.
Plan your next Luxury Family Vacation with Preferred Family-Win a $100 Visa Gift Card-Giveaway
Ever wish you could find and book great luxury properties, that are truly family friendly, all in one place?
Well now you can. The Preferred Hotel Group has launched Preferred Family, a website designed just for the luxury traveling family.
The folks at Preferred Hotels reached out to a select group of family travel bloggers to provide a live feed of timely and useful family travel information. I was initially skeptical about how luxury their suite of hotels might be. To my surprise I found many hotels I had already reviewed, not only for Luxury Travel Mom but also for Greenwich Magazine, on the list.
Now you know I love using a travel agent, however if you are the type that likes to manage all the details (read control freak), this website might be just right for you. Unlike discount booking sites where hotels save the worst rooms for you, when you book through Preferred you get VIP treatment.
Now that I have your attention, this is what you can do on Preferred Family:
Search by Destination
Sort of makes you want to click them all doesn't it?
You can search by map or list. Sadly you can’t travel by map (anyone get the Muppet Movie joke in there?). I prefer the map view, there’s nothing better for daydreaming than a map full of posh hotel pins.
From there you can refine your search by the things traveling moms really care about: Babysitting, connecting rooms, playgrounds, cribs, and equipment rentals. Speaking of connecting rooms, you can also search for hotels that offer a 50% discount on that second room that is often only occupied by a screaming baby.
They could add bars to the amenity list - just sayin'
Book online or by phone
You can book directly from the site or talk to a real live person by phone. Though I make my living online, I really prefer to talk to a person when booking travel. Give them a ring at 866-990-9491.
Get VIP Treatment
I’m a big fan of both the Virtuoso travel packages and American Express Platinum access. Preferred Family puts together their own VIP perks. Both the amenities and the number of participating hotels are impressive.
Check out some of these great perks. Currently I’m researching Enchantment for the Summer Travel Issue of Greenwich Magazine, it’s that swank, and on sale at Preferred Family.
Plan your activities
I have a saying, “if you don’t give your children something to do, you deserve whatever they come up with.” Planning for family friendly activities on vacation is even more important. Preferred Family has a brilliant section called Three Days In...
Here you’ll find great local intel (even the cab phone number in Paris) as well as suggested outings. This isn’t a be all end all list, I checked two cities I know a lot about, Seattle and Paris and would have made different recommendations. However the ideas are a great starting point and all of the local information in one place is priceless.
Printable Summary of Essential Hotel Information for Families
Once a destination and a short list of hotels have been selected, families can print and easily compare/contrast summaries of all the family-focused amenities and services offered at each hotel.
I highly recommend Preferred Family when researching luxury family friendly hotels. I only review properties I’ve personally tried on Luxury Travel Mom and since I’m one woman, with four children, who the government says really need to be in school more than is convenient for me, I can’t cover them all. Of course I would trust my review first, but I can’t book your hotel, or get you cookies and milk before you go to bed, so for that I give Preferred Family two thumbs up.
Okay, the Giveaway. I know you were waiting for this part. Preferred Family is giving away a $100 Visa gift card through Luxury Travel Mom.
Here’s what you need to do:
Go to Preferred Family and comment HERE on my site answering the question “Which luxury property is at the top of your bucket list?”
Go to Twitter and follow Preferred Family. If you’re not following ME I mean, what the heck, do that too.
I will choose a winner via Random.org THIS Friday April 26, 2013 at 9:00am EDT. You will have 48 hours to provide us your name and address for mailing or I will go to the next name on the list. You must be following Preferred Family on Twitter to win.
I am not paid by Preferred Family to be a part of the Family Travel Blogs, I was however compensated to research their site and write this review. A girl’s gotta pay for shoes somehow, but I wouldn’t recommend this if I didn’t believe in it. Notice no Orbitz on my site? Yeah, there’s a reason why.
