Walking into the Hotel Felix in Chicago I was immediately drawn into an inviting lobby with soft couches, modern decor and a spanning gas fireplace. I was hesitant to check in because I felt like lounging for a while after a long day of travel. After a smooth check in I was up to the room to see how it fared. I’m always excited to see how a non-chain hotel compares to its cookie cutter competition. Unique items started adding up… a spa-like bathroom, modern art, soft linens, a large flatscreen television, and a high rise view definitely set it apart.

In addition to the stylish room, the Hotel Felix also boasts many eco-friendly features that are appreciated. They meet silver LEED certification standards making them the first of their kind in the Chicago area. Things like low flow toilets and shower heads, carpet made of recycled materials and motion activated temperature control systems are a sign that they’re trying to appeal to the eco conscious.

The free high speed internet, which is not always the case at high end  boutique hotels was definitely appreciated. They also had a really nice fitness room and luxurious on-site spa and restaurant. The location, which was close to shopping, a plethora of great food options, tourist attractions and most importantly public transportation, made it a great stay.

The rooms are a little on the smaller side (the decor and features definitely make up for it), which was not a big deal for us since we were out and about so much, but we don’t think this would necessarily be the best hotel for families because of that. Would it make a great place to bring your spouse for a romantic getaway in the city? Absolutely. A great place to meet up with friends from out of town? Definitely.

Overall I was very impressed by my stay at the Felix, its friendly staff and welcoming feel. Make sure to check it out next time you visit the windy city.

We just got back from a recent trip to Denver, Colorado. Reid has been there a few times but this was my first time ever-stepping foot in the state that is just neighboring the one I currently reside in. While gallivanting in the colorful state capitol, we were able to stay in some pretty amazing hotels in downtown Denver. One of those is The Oxford Hotel located right in the LoDo district of Denver (lower downtown historic district). A beautiful boutique hotel that is classic in all the right ways.

The library with books available for guests and beautiful antiques to enjoy.

Remember when you were a kid and you got to stay in a hotel? You were so excited to explore every floor, stop by every vending machine, and push all the buttons in the elevator. Well, staying at the historic Oxford left me feeling the same way. There was so many things to feast your eyes on, including all the lovely antiques on every floor. I wanted to bring them all home with me. It really felt like I was staying at a hotel from the late 1800s to early 1900s but with all the modern updates one would expect.

The lobby at the Oxford Hotel

The Oxford Hotel is all about the details.  Every room is different but each beautiful and unique in their own way. Some of the rooms even feature claw foot tubs. They have done a great job restoring this hotel without neglecting it’s history. We loved all the amenities. Valet parking is always much appreciated. Free WiFi is a must these days, but I mention it because we have stayed at classy boutique hotels before who have charged an arm and a leg for it. The lobby was breathtaking, especially since it was decorated for the holiday season. Just take a look at that ceiling!  We even thought it charming that they changed the rugs in the elevator every day to new ones that had the day of the week printed on it. The staff was very professional and extremely friendly. Another interesting thing we found was that they have real room keys, not the electronic cards. It just adds to the ambiance of a historic hotel.

Beautiful bed in our room.

The only things I need to point out is that it is an old hotel. So understandably the floors creak a little more than you may be used to. If you have people above you, you will hear them walking around and you may hear muffled voices through the vents in the bathroom. But don’t let that deter you from this hotel! It’s worth it! You can stay in a cookie cutter hotel chain anytime; you don’t always get the opportunity to experience a little history! Oh yeah and one more thing. We found out after we got home that the Oxford Hotel was featured on The Today Show as one of the most haunted hotels (you can check out the clip here). But I felt no negative energies when I was there and am a light sleeper and had no issues, so I’m not buying it!

*The Oxford Hotel hosted our accomodations. It in no way created a bias toward our review.

During our latest trip to St. Cloud, Minnesota we stayed at the Homewood Suites. Homewood Suites is an extended stay brand owned by Hilton. I had stayed there before a couple years earlier but had never stayed there with a baby before. In an earlier post I mentioned I wanted to explore and seek out hotels to see if they were family friendly and what caused them to be so.

First off, as we were packing for our trip up North we called the hotel to see if we needed to cart our pack n play with us and check it on the plane. We were crossing our fingers we wouldn’t need to do so but you really never know. The hotel was very friendly and informed us they had new cribs and upon arrival it would be set up in our room. This was a major plus to us as a) we didn’t have to bring and check the pack n play and b) we wouldn’t have to set it up.

When we got there the staff was friendly and kind. We had booked a one room suite which was absolutely perfect. The baby crib was set up and cute and they even had rubber duckies for bath time (BabyTravels is a little young for bath time toys but it is the thought that counts). We opted for a one-room suite instead of a studio which we could have done with our small family, because we were able to put the baby in bed at night and close the door and go into the living area and watch some TV and hang out without disturbing the little one’s sleep. I loved that the hotel room had two big flat screen TV’s.

Even though BabyTravels is too little I did take mental note that the breakfast had kid-friendly options and the pool was spacious and even open late. All in all I think that the Homewood Suites is a great family friendly hotel that can accommodate even larger families with the option of getting a two-room suite.

So what exactly makes a family friendly hotel? Is it just offering cribs and free breakfast to children under 12? Perhaps it’s more. Perhaps it involves the overall attitude of the hotel. There are definitely hotels built for romantic getaways or hotels that are built to be five star extravagances catering to the rich and famous. Maybe family friendly hotels are built from the ground up with an attitude of fun and adventure. Maybe it’s more than just a checklist of a few amenities.

Look at the Nickelodeon Family Suites; it screams family friendly (although no one wants to be slimed upon check in). It boasts a huge water park, a kid’s spa, a mall and 4-D experience. I still think there is a difference between being kid friendly and family friendly because I think the thought of staying at this hotel would give some parents a headache, while others would probably love it. Maybe family friendly hotels have something for everyone, a place for the kids to have fun with a lounge for the parents to relax in.

I don’t think a hotel doesn’t have to be quite this extreme to be considered a family friendly hotel. I think some simple things can be done as well.  An example could be if a family has reserved a crib having it set up for them when they arrive in case they get in late, having foods in the continental breakfast that would appeal to younger folks, extra towels, etc. But really it’s the attitude and the combination of these amenities that the hotel takes on that I think makes the difference.

This year I plan to explore this concept and seek out hotels that claim to be family friendly and report my findings here. However, till then I’d love to hear your thoughts or hear of places you have stayed that you thought fit the bill and why.

*picture courtesy of www.nickhotel.com

Who doesn’t like to stay in a sexy boutique hotel where the accommodations are contemporary, unique and stylish? Unfortunately, it’s not always an option when you are looking for affordability and a place to house your children. Or perhaps you love the idea of modern but prefer the ease of a chain? Choice Hotels new brand Cambria Suites allows you to get the both of best worlds. It’s affordable, convenient yet sleek and modern. It’s a hotel chain where you will feel comfortable bringing your family on vacation or bringing your loved one for a quick romantic getaway. It’s a great choice too for those health conscious travelers because they offer organic and healthy options at their cafes and have healthy freshly prepared snacks to grab.

We were invited to stay at Cambria Suites on our recent trip to San Antonio. We loved the close proximity to the airport- yet it didn’t feel like an airport hotel at all. The room was modern and chic. When I stay at a hotel I really notice the little things. I think little things can make a hotel room feel luxurious over cheap. This hotel nailed it from the Bath & Body Works bathroom products all the way down to the Wolf Gang Puck coffee and organic tea. I’m serious, I know those are small in the large picture but a hotel that pays attention to detail makes a really big difference in your quality of stay. We definitely did not feel we were sleeping at the Super 8 Motel.

I also loved that there was an LCD TV in every room. We had a two-room suite so there was three! That’s one more TV then we have in our house. The rooms were large, spacious and the most important thing- the beds were super comfortable. Look at how it’s decorated, isn’t it fun? There are 15 locations across the country and more in the works. Definitely recommended for my budget-minded traveler friends who still like the life of luxury (that’s me).

My favorite part of this unique hotel? Well it had to be the music, pillow and spiritual menus. That’s right, a menu to pick your favorite pillow type (hard, soft, firm,etc.), the type of music you want to listen to on your room’s iPod dock (they load up an iPod for you to enjoy during your stay), and your choice of spiritual reading placed in the top drawer of the nightstand. Talk about going the extra mile to make a person feel welcome and at home. The bed was one of the most comfortable I had slept in and the LCD TV was a great touch. They also have a great room service menu. It’s beautiful hotels, that while you are in the heart of the city with so many exciting things to do all around- you really don’t want to leave your room!

Although I can’t say enough good things about Hotel Lucia, it was really a wonderful stay; I must share the very few downsides you may want to know about. There isn’t any on site parking, and there is a charge to valet. Also, the one thing that I thought odd about the modern hotel was the charge to use their wifi. Other than those small downsides, I highly recommend you think outside the box and look for unique and interesting hotels to stay in.

 

photo credit goes to Jumbo Hostel

Well I bet you didn’t think it could you would be staying in an old nuclear bunker converted into a hotel! For only £6 (which would be the equivalent to almost $9.00) you can sleep underground in a bunker. Ok it does sound a little cool- and really I might be willing to try it out except there is no heating (mind you it is underground) so you are provided rubber water bottles for your bed. Also because the ventilation system is so dang loud you are provided earplugs. A lottery is held to see who gets the hot water in their morning shower and there are no windows. Basically you are sleeping in a prison cell.

If this is starting to sound horrid, it’s ok-you can always upgrade to a luxury room for £11. Now you get an antique bed from a condemned hotel. Wow- sounds….luxurious? I know it’s cheap but really? I mean you’ve got to have standards people! It would be kind of cool to say you stayed in an underground nuclear bunker in Switzerland, and it is pretty cheap, I could see how there could be some benefits… Ok I retract my previous statement I might actually stay in this hotel.

Check out the YouTube video on the Null Stern Hotel!

This post is focusing on The Pod Hotel. It’s a unique and modern hotel that is also an affordable option for the notoriously expensive New York hotel market. The Pod Hotel, formerly the Pickwick Arms, has been redesigned into a modern form on a technically advanced hostel and hotel. The Pod’s unique room features include: iPod docking stations,LCD-screen televisions with cable, free WiFi, wireless mini bar, and rain-style shower heads, just to name a few.  The hotel also has a rooftop deck and a garden style cafe. The hotel offers rooms that share bathrooms, private rooms, and studio style townhouses, many different styles to fit your personal needs.

It’s a great choice for younger travelers who aren’t brave enough to try hostels because the room rates are so affordable. Rooms start at $89 per night and range all the way up to $229- a steal for downtown New York City. One of my favorite things about this hotel is the Pod Community Blog which acts as an online concierge as sorts and allows for guests who are currently staying at the hotel to interact, ask questions, get recommendations and make requests. Questions posted on the site by guests are monitored and answered directly by the hotel’s concierge.

I honestly think we are going to see more and more hotels of these sorts pop up in large metropolitan cities around the country. At least I hope they catch on (or franchise). This is a clearly targeted demographic (one that I’m proud to be a part of) that is looking for hotels with these amentities. The Pod Hotel is pushing the boundaries of the traditional hotels by being above the technology curve. Can’t wait until I have the opportunity to visit New York- have been wanting to check out The Pod myself for some time now. If you get there before me- let me know what it’s like!

There are plenty of websites out there that can help you locate a hostel to stay at- one including hostels.com which also helps you book online as well.

Here are some things to consider when determining whether or not staying at a hostel is right for you:

1) Are you ok without having a private bathroom and sharing with complete strangers?

2) Are you ok to live without luxury for a few days in sacrifice to visit somewhere amazing?

3) Do weird people creep you out?

Putting that aside my first stay at a hostel I was scared. I had no idea what to expect except for what I had seen on TV. But it was fun, clean and more importantly cheap. For more adventurous travelers I would definitely recommend it, however I do offer this advice:

Bring your own towel and in some cases you might have to provide your own bedding so find that out ahead of time

Don’t expect HBO in your bedroom (although I have stayed in hostels with cable tv before)

And finally just in case bring flip flops to wear in the shower- because you just never know!