There’s something special about packing up the car on a whim and heading somewhere new, especially as a family. Our spontaneous trip to Santa Fe turned into one of those unexpectedly perfect getaways—equal parts adventure and relaxation. From the moment we arrived at El Rey Court, we felt like we had discovered a place that truly captured the spirit of the Southwest while still being welcoming and comfortable for traveling with a toddler.
There are some places that stay with you long after you leave, and our time in Matera was exactly that, unforgettable. Known for its ancient cave dwellings and timeless atmosphere, this southern Italian city feels like stepping into another world. We wanted our stay to reflect that same sense of place, and Sant’Angelo Luxury Resort delivered in every possible way. Built into the historic Sassi, the hotel perfectly blends the raw beauty of Matera’s past with refined, modern luxury. From the moment we arrived, we were completely captivated, not just by the setting, but by the feeling that we were experiencing something truly unique and special.
For Andrew’s birthday, we took a trip to Sedona and stayed at The Wilde Resort & Spa. Andrew got to do some fishing (his birthday wish) and mama got to squeeze in some “me time” at the spa, pool, and fitness center. The ambiance and the setting were so peaceful and beautiful, making it the perfect escape. Surrounded by the stunning red rock formations, The Wilde Resort offered the exact kind of serene getaway we needed before our upcoming wedding. From relaxing by the pool to indulging in a rejuvenating spa treatment, every corner of the resort had something to offer.
During our Colorado trip, we stayed at The Rathbone Hotel & Parlor Bar in Montrose—and it turned out to be a true gem. I was instantly drawn to this boutique hotel by its beautifully designed rooms and the stunning restaurant on-site. Housed in a historic Montrose building, the property has been thoughtfully renovated, blending classic charm with modern comfort. The spacious rooms, soaring ceilings, and meticulous attention to detail made our stay extra special. As luck would have it, our visit coincided with my birthday, so having such a gorgeous place to celebrate made the trip even more memorable. We had an incredibly comfortable stay and such a great overall experience that I couldn’t wait to share it with you all here on the blog!
We recently returned from our family trip to Colorado, where we stayed at the most charming modern, western-themed boutique hotel in Ridgway—Hotel Palomino. The property looks like a little western town straight out of a movie set! Once an old western-style building known as “Trail Town,” it’s been thoughtfully upcycled by its owners, who are Ridgway locals, into a fresh and stylish hospitality concept. I absolutely love what they’ve done to breathe new life into the place!
Andrew and I loved this boutique hotel in Venice beach, Gjelina Hotel. The eclectic interiors felt like art deco style meets French countryside, and we were obsessed! With beautiful courtyard areas, a balcony with an ocean view, and a gorgeous lobby, it felt like we were stepping into a different world. It was such a dreamy hotel, and we had an amazing time during our stay there. We wished we could have stayed for at least a week! I will be sharing more of our experience at Gjelina in this blog post.
While visiting Malibu, we stayed at the incredible Malibu Beach Inn! Located right next to Surfrider Beach and the Malibu Pier, this beachfront hotel offers incredible views of the ocean. We had a stunning ocean view room, and it was very relaxing being that close to the water. The sound of the ocean was so peaceful, especially for Andrew, who loves the water. The hotel interiors were incredible, every detail was amazing. My sister, who lives in Los Angeles, joined us for the night, and we had so much fun hanging out in our beautiful room. I’ll be sharing more of our stay at this boutique hotel in this blog post!
On the second day of our California trip, we left Palm Springs in the early afternoon and drove down to San Diego! After exploring Little Italy, we drove over to the Andaz in downtown to check in. We relaxed in our room for a little while and then headed up to North Park for dinner at trattoria Cori. Our room was beautiful, and it was the perfect space to unwind after our day of touring the city. The location was amazing because we were only about a 10-20 min drive away from everything we wanted to do. In this blog post, I will be sharing more about our stay at the Andaz!
Palm Springs was one of the stops on our big California trip. Andrew had never been, which is why I wanted it to be one of our stops, and I had been years ago with my family. I have always loved retro, mid-century vibes and Palm Springs is known for that, of course! During our time there, we stayed at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club, a hotel I have always wanted to go to. This hotel definitely had that retro feel to it! With two restaurants, a pool, and that iconic Palm Springs scenery, it was the perfect hotel. I will be highlighting more of our experience staying at the Ace Hotel in this blog post.
This past weekend, Andrew, Sage, and I did a “staycation” at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Scottsdale. It was a much-needed getaway for our little family with lots of fun activities in a beautiful desert setting! This was our first staycation together, and I have to say, it’s a super convenient way of “getting away”. We may have to do another in the future, maybe in the summer here in the Phoenix area, to take advantage of the pool! I’ll be sharing more about the hotel, its amenities, and what we did during our quick stay.
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