Special Offer of the Week - Hyatt Regency Cambridge

A Massachusetts Suite at Hyatt Regency, Cambridge
copyright, Hyatt Hotels


From the Hyatt Regency Cambridge website, this week's family vacation special offer of the week:

Take a break from the hectic pace and relax together. Our weekend Family Fun Package includes:

• Deluxe guestroom with Grand Bed
• 50% off the hotel's prevailing rate of the day on a second room (adjoining or connecting) for children (subject to availability - not guaranteed)
• American breakfast buffet for four in Zephyr on the Charles (two adults, two children)
• Kids welcome gift bag (one per child)
• Bicycle rentals available seasonally
• Complimentary in-room movie, including assorted snacks and dips with sodas for a family of four
• Complimentary validated self-parking
• Complimentary shuttle service to select destinations within Cambridge

Kids menus are available in Zephyr on the Charles and through Room Service. You’ll also have full access to the Health Club including glass enclosed heated pool with rooftop sundeck, exercise equipment, whirlpool, sauna and steam.

Special Offer of the Week - The Chester Grosvenor and Spa

The entrance to the hotel
copyright, The Chester Grosvenor and Spa


If your children are fascinated with fish, sharks and aquatic life in general, this family package from The Chester Grosvenor and Spa, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, will delight them. The hotel is located in the heart of Chester and is a mere 15 minutes from the Blue Planet Aquarium, with whom they've partnered to create this package.

-Two interconnecting rooms for two adults and up to three children
-A family pass to the Blue Planet Aquarium
-An adoption certificate and commemorative photograph for your child's adopted fish (kids get to choose from a Caribbean Leopard Shark, a Clownfish ("Nemo fish"), a red-eared terrapin and a Piranha!)
-An Information pack about the adoptee's species
-Full English breakfast
-24 hour car parking


The Aquatunnel at Blue Planet Aquarium
copyright, Blue Planet Aquarium

Chester is located in the northwestern part of England and the area is well-knowned for its Roman history and striking architecture. Other sights to take in around Chester: the Norman cathedral, the Roman amphitheatre, and the Chester Zoo, Britain's biggest. Take advantage of shopping at Chester's famous 'Rows' and in the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet Village.


A Classic Room at The Chester Grosvenor and Spa
copyright, The Chester Grosvenor and Spa

Rates for this package are approximately $750US a night per family and the package is available until further notice. To check availability or to book this package, visit their website or call +44 (0)1244 324024.

The Easter Bunny is not Belgian

Okay, we know it has been a few days since our last post and we are deeply sorry. Our only excuse is that we've been gorging ourselves on Easter candy, specifically the chocolates (we throw the peeps in the garbage - they look cute but they're horrid.)

And you should be happy our faces are smeared in chocolate, because it really inspired us. As we were sitting, happily licking our fingers and feeling the sugar high rush through us, we thought, wouldn't it be even better if these were really good chocolates? All due respect to Hershey (and we did mention their hotels last week) but if these were really divine chocolates of the gourmet kind, no kid would have had a chance of getting their hands on any. It almost turned into a fistfight as it was.

And so, today we take you to Belgium, whose city of Bruges has a chocolate museum, God bless them, called Choco-Story. While we unhappily note that they enforce some silly rule about looking with your eyes, not your hands, blah, blah, blah, we still think it's worth a visit.

Unfortunately we have to inform you that, unless you are already in Belgium or really desperate or spontaneous, you will have just missed Bruges' 2nd Annual Chocolate Festival, which ends tomorrow. But now that you know it exists, you can make plans for next year. In the meantime, there are enough chocolatiers and chocolate tours in Brussels and Bruges to satiate your chocolate fix.

Where to stay? We recommend the Hotel Amigo in Brussels, a Rocco Forte hotel and member of The Leading Hotels of the World, which has a Children at the Amigo package that includes:
-up to 50% off the children's room
-a welcome basket in your room filled with "goodies and sweets"
-full buffet breakfast in the restaurant or breakfast in your room
-a Bvlgari amenity for the children


Hotel Amigo entrance, copyright Rocco Forte Hotels

Hotel Amigo also offers a family lunch menu and has a special play area with TV, DVDs and art materials for the children. Of course, you'll probably be busy enough outside, exploring the wonderful culture of Brussels. Kids or no, you'll have to find a way to sample some world-renowned Belgian beer, and the country's beautiful lace is definitely worth examining (and bringing home).

Just don't forget to bring us some chocolate.

Hotel Amigo's Children at the Amigo package is available on weekends until April 30 2007 at a rate of 375 Euros a night (approximately $494) for two adjoining or connected Classic rooms for 2 adults and 2 children. The package is for one night; additional nights may be added. For more information or to check availability and/or book this package, click here.


copyright Rocco Forte Hotels

Special Offer of the Week - Mandarin Oriental, Miami

We don't know about you, but to us this has been an odd winter. Just when we thought we were getting by with a relatively mild season and were headed blissfully into spring, temperatures went below freezing. Then we had some beautiful days that turned out to be flukes, because where we are, we're in for a cold Easter. No, we don't care that it was still a short winter with a rather late arrival - where we are, it was snowing outside today, and we're a tad snippy about it.

So of course, we're thinking of places where the weather is warm with no hint of snow. (You will find we are warm-weather fans here, although we try to keep in mind that, much as we hate it, some of you actually like snow...) For us, the first place that comes to mind is Miami, a city we happen to love. While you often hear about the celebrity scene, hot clubs, and newest restaurants, Miami is definitely not just for singles and celebs.


Oriental Suite bedroom, The Mandarin Oriental, Miami


The Mini MO package from one of Miami's first-rate hotels, the Mandarin Oriental, Miami, delivers fun for adults and children, both on and off the property. The 3-night package includes:
-Luxurious accommodations
-American breakfast daily
-A complimentary crib or rollaway bed
-Age appropriate kids' welcome gift, special bathroom amenities and bathrobes
-Complimentary DVD player and and iPod upon request
-A family picnic on the private beach with a beach butler
-Entrance to Miami Children's Museum, which includes: admission for the day including access to the Museum's 14 exhibit galleries, one rock climb per child and adult on the 30-foot Mt. MiCiMu rock climbing wall and lunch.
-Complimentary Valet Parking

Special Touches: Among many welcoming features for children is the hotel spa's little yoga program for the 5-11 group, in which the kids can contort themselves into cool animal poses.



Oasis Beach Club, The Mandarin Oriental, Miami

The Mini MO package is available through May 31. From now until April 30, rates for the 3-night package begin at $1899 for a superior room. From May 1 to 31, rates begin at $1689 for a superior room. To book this package or for further information, click here, or call the Mandarin Oriental reservation line at 866.526.6567

Ride 'Em Cowboy

Gateway Canyons Resort, copyright Gateway Canyons

Straight from National Geographic Traveler's A*List deals:

Families can learn the ropes with real life cowboys and experience an authentic dude ranch at the Summit School Riding Ranch in Gateway, Colorado, starting at $1,686 for a family of four (rate is based on $1,286 for double occupancy and $200 per child). The package includes four nights' deluxe accommodations, horseback riding lessons, and three gourmet cowboy lunches and dinners.

The package is available from May 1 through October 15. For more information and reservations, call 866 671 4733.

Celebrate 10

That's what the luxurious and child-friendly Cape Grace hotel in Cape Town is calling their celebration of 10 years of excellent service. Rather than merely offering special rates, they've whipped up a menu of 10 sensory experiences, any of which can be booked (some at additional cost) to make an already exceptional stay even more memorable. Here they are, directly from their website:

Number One for Taste
Bold flavours and culinary flair await as you sample dishes from the onewaterfront menu, paired with fine South African wines.

Divine Duo
Create your wedding registry online at www.capegrace.com/registry and receive a free 30 minute back massage each. Book a couple's massage and not only will you have unlimited access to the Hot Spa, but you'll also receive a complimentary hair wash & blow dry in the Vanilla Salon.

A Truly South African Trio
Tantalise your taste buds as you enjoy a selection of three red and three white wines, accompanied by an array of superb cheeses.

Something 4 the Whole Family
'Build' your own picnic basket filled with your favourite treats and let our chauffeurs whisk you off to Cape Town's most beautiful beaches.

Rejuvenate All Five Senses
Enjoy our signature African Cape Massage, followed by a 'mini' Comfort Zone facial or, a full facial followed by a half hour back massage. All whilst taking in magnificent views of Table Mountain and the Mother City.

Six of the Best
Join our Whisky Sommelier in sampling 6 malts from around the world for a private tasting - selected from our extensive range of over 460 whiskies.

Seventh Heaven
Indulge in an array of decadent dessert canapés paired with fine South African sparkling and dessert wines.

Eight Bells at Sunset
Watch the sunset aboard one of Cape Town's historic yachts before enjoying fresh Walvis Bay oysters and bubbly in Bascule bar.

Head for Cloud Number Nine
Hop aboard a helicopter and experience the scenic beauty of the Cape Peninsula before returning to Cape Town via majestic Table Mountain.

Top 10 Thrill
Experience the rush of a Harley Davidson Motorcycle ride to the Constantia Winelands where you'll enjoy lunch at Constantia Uitsig, before your 'chariot' returns you to Cape Grace.



Cape Grace pool


Furthermore, Cape Grace does a superb job of welcoming children: their website's Family Stays page opens with "Our younger guests are important to us," a statement they follow up on with the detailed attention they pay to the offspring. Children receive a welcome gift upon arrival, and are treated to storytime in the library every day. The hotel offers a selection of videos and DVDs for kids, with free players for each media available upon request. They've also you covered in emergencies, keeping diapers, bibs, thermometers and even pacifiers in stock. And should you not wish to schlep your carseat with you, you'll be covered here. They even have small toilet seats (which we love, because we carry ours everywhere so that dear daughter can have her 15-minute potty visits without being us being held hostage in the bathroom.)

Cape Grace is offering a special Family Time package through December 19 2007. The package includes:
-children's welcome gift upon arrival
-4 hours of complimentary babysitting
-full breakfast daily in the waterfront restaurant or in your room


Cape Grace coloring book, offered upon arrival


Both children and adults can enjoy such additional complimentary features as:
-African storytelling in the library every evening
-Daily turndown of homemade gingerbread men and flavoured milk
-"Things to do for Kids in Cape Town" list of family activities
-Heated outdoor swimming pool
-Luxury private transfers to town and nearby beaches, subject to availability
-Cape history and wine presentation at 18h00 every evening
-Use of hot spa with sauna, steam room, mineral spa bath, rain shower and body shower
-24-hour Internet access in the Communication Centre
-Port and sherry every evening from 17h00 to 23h00 in the library
-Tea and coffee delivered to your room with your wake-up call

Ahhh...it all sounds lovely.



Cape Grace room
www.capegrace.com
The Family Time package starts at approximately $621 a night (based on current conversion rates) for a superior room in low season (May 1 - August 31) and go up to approximately $727 a night for the same accommodation in high season (January 6 - April 30 & September 1 - December 19). Contact the hotel at reservations@capegrace.com or at +27 21 410 7100 for exact rates and other accommodation options, including 2 and 3-bedroom suites.

Easter Vacation Packages in the US

We promised you some information on Easter family vacation ideas that wouldn't require a passport - and then were surprised at how few there were. Why, we wondered, was it that we couldn't throw a stone in Europe without hitting a hotel celebrating Easter, but yet we were so hard-pressed to find good packages in the United States?

Then we were reminded of how, in our days at school, the week off was called Easter break. And then in a nod to other religions - or really a move away from religion altogether - it became Spring Break, which was in many cases moved away from Easter Week to avoid any connection to what is, in actuality, the most holy day of the Christian calendar.

So there you have it, folks. For Spring Break you can find vacations up the wazoo, but that's not what we promised you. We promised some kind of Easter bunny action, and that's what we looked for high and low. We know you may be waiting until Spring Break to jet out of town anyhow, but if you're like us and plan your getaways around your calendar and not the school's, here are some spots for you.


Mirror Inn Lake & Spa, Lake Placid, NY

Deluxe Noonmark Room, copyright Mirror Lake Inn

Stay in a Deluxe Noonmark Room on either Saturday or Sunday night for $345 a night, the rate for 2 adults and 2 children. The kids will begin Easter Sunday with an Easter Egg Hunt and a coloring contest, followed by Easter brunch for the family. If you add on a night or two, you may be able to take advantage of the outside-the-norm activities the hotel offers for children, from an indoor class on Animal Tracking (taught by an Adirondack Mountain guide & animal tracker) to a precious class called Yoga for Kids & Elephants, using poses based on the lovable Babar.

The Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel & Spa, Pasadena, CA
The Egg-ceptional Easter package includes overnight accommodations in a deluxe guestroom on Saturday April 7, Easter brunch in the Ritz-Carlton Ballroom for up to 2 adults and 2 children, and complimentary admission for up to 2 children to the Easter Egg Hunt and the special petting zoo. Rates start at $470 with the option to upgrade to a Club Level Guestroom.

Hershey Lodge, Hershey, PA
We'd prefer to see this package at Hotel Hershey, Hershey's more upscale hotel, but alas, no luck. Still, if the idea of being in a town dedicated to chocolate is heaven to you, you may be able to overlook the rather unexciting Hershey Lodge. Their Easter package, with a 2-night minimum stay, starts at $258.50 a night, and includes deluxe accommodations for two (kids stay free), Easter Sunday Brunch, and admission to Hershey Gardens & Hershey Museum.

Otesaga Resort Hotel, Cooperstown, NY
With the baseball season officially opening the week before Easter, what better place to spend Easter than in the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, especially if you have baseball fans among your offspring? The Otesaga Resort Hotel is hosting an Easter Family Weekend Package for any two consecutive nights from April 5 to April 9, with Double MAP rates at $545 (children from 7-18 pay $90, children under 7 are free). The package includes standard guestroom accommodations and 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts per guest, with all kinds of fun activities for the kids: a family egg roll on the hotel lawn on Saturday, an Easter egg coloring contest, and a special visit from the Easter Bunny. A historic tour of Cooperstown and a wine tasting round it out for the adults.

Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina
Their website has a full itinerary of Easter activities for the weekend, including Easter Bonnet High Tea, and for those so inclined, a sunrise Easter service on Sunday morning. Not everything is Easter-related, but it all sounds fun; potato sack races, the Family Fun Run and Family Art Class should keep you and the kids well-occupied. Rates start at $179 per person per night (children 12 and under stay & eat free with an adult), and include overnight accommodations, breakfast and dinner and a commemorative family photo.


A final note before we hit the road, so to speak: several luxury hotels around the country, particularly those in large cities, are not offering full-blown Easter packages with accommodations, but are still hosting an Easter brunch. One option? Book a regular night's stay (or a non-Easter package) in a nice destination close to you, and reserve spots at their Easter brunch for a little extra. It could make for a nice & fast Easter getaway in your own hometown or a city close to you.

Easter in Europe

If you're still up in the air about taking an Easter family vacation, here are some ideas (all packages are valid from April 5th to 9th unless otherwise indicated):

The Lapa Palace,Lisbon

Terrace view from garden view room, Lapa Palace

The Lapa Palace has a 3-night Easter package, that includes daily buffet breakfast and one dinner or lunch. Their concierge can guide you to various Easter festivities in the surrounding area, including a two-week long religious festival in Obidos that's worth a visit. Depending on the age of your children, you can take advantage of babysitting, their VIP Kids program, or special teen programs.
Special Touches: Lapa Palace has its own cooking school. If you're more into eating than cooking, several in-room dining menus include a Children's Menu and one delightfully called "Snacks in Pyjamas".


Gran Hotel La Florida, Barcelona

Chocolate dessert from Gran Hotel La Florida

Easter at La Florida includes 2 nights accommodation, buffet breakfast at L'Orangerie Restaurant, access to the hotel's Zen Zone Spa and a 1.5 hour massage per person. The hotel can provide babysitting and will also arrange children's activities upon request.
Special Touches: On Sundays the hotel hosts Indulgent Chocolate Afternoons, a special chocolate dessert and wine tasting that is absolutely decadent.


Hotel Baltschug Kempinski, Moscow

Hotel at night

Visit the Kremlin over Easter and receive a complimentary Easter gift, buffet breakfast, and early checkin/late checkout. The hotel also offers an Easter brunch, which is free for children under 9.
Special Touches: We'd actually recommend their year-round Family & Kids Programme, which goes all out to welcome the little ones. With that package the kids get (among other things) a teddy bear, bathrobes & slippers in their size, night turndown with milk & cookies and a destination information kit to tell them all about Moscow. Book that and reserve a spot at Easter brunch for a better vacation for the kids.

Mardavall Hotel & Spa, Mallorca

Junior Suite Terrace View

Celebrate Semana Santa, as its known in Spain, in high style at Mardavall. Their 7-night package for Holy Week (the week preceding Easter) features breakfast buffet, limousine transfers, Easter brunch with live music, fresh fruit in your room daily and free spa access. Kids will get to scamper around hunting Easter eggs, and if you attend Easter Mass at La Seu Cathedral in Palma, you might get a glimpse of Spain's royal family.
Special Touches: Mardavall has amassed a huge collection of contemporary art by Mallorcan or Balearic artists, and each of the hotel's room boasts two original paintings from the collection.


Villa d'Este, Lake Como

Villa d'Este

Villa d'Este hosts Easter in traditional Italian style. Book their 3-night Easter package(available from April 5th-10th) and stay in an Executive room with a garden or park view. In addition you'll enjoy full buffet breakfast, one 3-course dinner at one of the hotel's fine restaurants, a traditional Easter lunch and cocktail on the lake terrace and a special Easter gift.
Special Touches: Arrange for a private motor-boat tour on breathtaking Lake Como and take in the quaint towns and splendid villas that dot its shores.


Hotel Le Bristol, Paris

Room at Hotel Le Bristol

Although this hotel isn't offering a special package for Easter, they do have a delightful family package available throughout the year whose rates include connecting rooms, breakfast for four and a special surprise for the children. On Easter Day, the family can attend the Pascal Brunch, which is sure to be a hit with the kids. On the itinerary: an Easter egg hunt with real white rabbits in attendance and a mini-pastry class, as well as other activities that parents can watch while enjoying the feast.
Special Touches: In a nod to eco-friendliness, the hotel offers two Smart Cars for guests to zip around Paris & shop. The cars' minute dimensions are a perfect excuse to have your packages delivered back to the hotel.

If you're not in the mood for the last-minute dash to Europe, check back on Friday for family vacation ideas in the US.

TabletKids

Today's NY Times Travel Section notes that TabletHotels, a favorite booking site of ours that give travelers a choice of luxury accommodations around the world, is coming out with TabletKids, for families who want to travel in style.

This is good news; apparently we're not the only people obsessed with keeping a certain level of style and luxury in our family travels. According to Laurent Vernhes, TabletHotel's chief executive, roughly a third of their bookings come from families and the demand for cool and sophisticated options for family travelers has increased. Add our voice to that demand, Mr. Vernhes - this is all we live for.

What is great about this subsection of TabletHotels is that you will be able to search for specific amenities such as connecting rooms, cribs or room service for children. (Remember, many posh spots, particularly the smaller boutique properties, may not offer some or all of these, so it will be good to see those that do upfront.) We've checked out the website and what we love is that in addition to noting all the usual special features that make each hotel posh and fabulous, TabletKids adds all the child-specific information: how many children are accommodated per type of room, when children are considered adults for booking purposes, even what type of room you'll need to book based on the size and sleeping options needed by your family.

Kudos to TabletHotels. We can't be more thrilled.


A suite at Amankila in Indonesia, a TabletKids hotel


A bath at Amankila

Special Offer of the Week - Carlisle Bay, Antigua

Suite, Carlisle Bay


Tiny but beautiful Antigua is home to several resorts, including the cozy and contemporary Carlisle Bay, a member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World, and sister hotel to London's One Aldwych. The hotel offers a special "Chill Out" package, valid from April 14th - November 2nd, that includes:

-accommodation for 2 adults and 2 children for 7 nights in a Beach Suite
-full breakfast daily
-afternoon tea daily
-a 3-course dinner and coffee daily from the a la carte menus at either of the two restaurants

In addition to the package details above, you'll be able to take advantage of such complimentary amenities as non-motorized watersports, daily movie viewings in the hotel's screening room, 9 tennis courts, and yoga classes. There's also the Cool Kids Club, which accepts children starting at 6 months. Children 3 and up are free.

Special touches include what Tatler called "the funkiest library on earth", a modern reading room with hip touches like fiber-optic lighting that changes colors in the evening, and WiFi access.

The Library at Carlisle Bay



Rates for the Chill Out Offer for a family of four (2 adults + 2 children) are $5610. Rates are also available for double and single occupancy. For more information or to book this package, call the reservations department at 268.484.0000. Note that the hotel is closed from September 1st to October 12th.

Special Offer of the Week - Italy

Entrance to Westin Excelsior, Rome


We always hear talk of Paris in the springtime, but what about Rome? Or Milan, Florence or Venice, for that matter?

Buck the trend with a special offer from several Starwood properties in Italy. Their "FAMtastic Offer" includes:

-daily buffet breakfast
-extra bed free of charge for children up to 17 sharing a room with parents
-additional room for children at 50% off the room rate
-a 50% discount on one lunch or dinner in the hotel restaurant (valid for stays of 3 nights or more)

Participating hotels are:
-Westin Excelsior Florence
-Westin Excelsior Rome
-Westin Palace Milan
-Westin Europa & Regina, Venice
-Sheraton Roma Hotel & Conference Centre
-Hotel Villa Cipriani
-Sheraton Diana Majestic

Rates vary from hotel to hotel but check soon: this offer is only good for stays through April 7th.

Special Offer of the Week - Fairmont Chateau Laurier, Ottawa

From March 1st to March 27th, the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa is offering a getaway package for the entire family.

Your package rate includes accommodations for one night, breakfast, a family pass to the Museum of Civilization and IMAX Theater, and free meals for children 5 and under. Rates start at $279CAD a night and are based on 2 adults and 2 children.

Ottawa, Canada's capital city, boasts over 29 museums and over 60 festivals. Sparks Street Pedestrian Mall makes for great shopping.

For more information on this package, visit Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

Pre-Baby Vacation Plans

You're not even a parent yet. You're just eagerly awaiting the arrival of your little one, and you're here because it has occurred to you that once Baby shows up, your vacations, not to mention your life, may go through some changes.

Kudos to you for not being one of those who thinks that life will be exactly the same after baby gets here, with just the small addition of some really cute baby clothes, a spiffed up nursery, and of course, an adorable baby that never cries and sleeps 10 hours a night. Yes, life will change. But it's not too late to cram in one last vacation before Baby arrives, a chance to enjoy some pre-baby bliss and get spoiled like hell.

If you're thinking about where best to spend your last few vacation moments as a childless couple, there's a website just for you. Babymoonfinder.com specializes in helping expectant couples find and plan that wail-free getaway. (Check out Globorati's post on this.)

What's cool about Babymoonfinder.com is that they're not just finding places for you to go - you can go on Expedia or Orbitz and do that yourself. What they help you to do is find any one of the growing number of packages that pamper you with your impending parental status in mind. For instance, the W Hotels in New York feature a Baby Me package, for stays until March 31st, that include a onesie for Baby, a subscription to American Baby magazine, and a gift for Baby that will be sent upon his or her arrival. Other hotels include prenatal massages for Mommy or a couples massage, which we love even more. Fabulous.

Skip on over to Babymoonfinder.com and plan that vacation. Trust us, you may not think you need it, but you do. Once you've planned your babymoon, come back to Child of Leisure: we'll tell you where to tote Junior once he's safely out of the box.