Vacation With Kids

Costa Rica Review Coming Soon!

2012-10-29T17:08:00.000-07:00

Spring Break our family spent a week in Pura Vida paradise. I am working on the review now, but will have it up soon. Costa Rica is an amazing country and very family friendly- perfect for children of all ages.

Vacation Mama in Family Travel Magazine

2012-10-29T16:41:00.001-07:00

Check out the latest edition of Family Travel Magazine to see one of Vacation Mama's tips for flying with infants.

Pack 3 extra diapers and an extra outfit in a separate ziploc bag. Carol Aubin of http://www.vacationwithkids.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much Family Travel Magazine for quoting Vacation Mama in your article!

YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado

2012-08-07T19:08:00.002-07:00

For the past four years our family has traveled to Estes Park, Colorado and stayed at the ultimate family vacation destination- YMCA of the Rockies. With reasonable lodging from hotel type rooms, 2 to 3 bedroom cabins, 3 to 4 bedroom vacation homes and retreat lodges that sleep up to 88 people, there is something for everyone at the YMCA.

Our family particularly enjoys the Day Camp. For $26 per child ($14 for half day for 3 to 4 year olds), per day, children ages 3 through entering 8th grade, attend camp from 8:15 to 3:15 Monday through Friday. This fee includes snacks and various activities. Sack lunch, horseback riding, and cook out are an additional fee. Children are grouped according to their uprising grade and activities range by age and can include horseback riding, arts and crafts, all day hikes in the Rocky Mountain National Park, overnight camping, ropes course, rock wall, swimming, cook outs and endless games and camp style songs lead by college aged counselors. Personally, I think this is the best deal around. At pick up my children are dirty, exhausted and excited to tell me about their daily adventure.
The Y also has camp for teens (entering grades 9-12), but rates vary daily by activity.

Note: The YMCA Day Camp is affiliated with Christianity. Citing the YMCA Day Camp Parent Handbook: Their mission is to "strengthen the character of campers and staff through our activities, actions, and words by living Christian values in an enriching and fun environment." The camp promotes honesty, respect, caring, responsibility and faith. Children of all faith and backgrounds are welcome.

The Day Camp allows my husband and I to spend time together, exploring Rocky Mountain National Park, horseback riding with Jackson Stables, mountain biking, trail running, shopping in downtown Estes Park, walking around the historicalStanley Hotel, and indulging in a massage at Riverspointe Spa.

Of course there are so many other things to do at the YMCA that your kids do not need to attend camp. Hourly activities in Sweet Memorial, swimming pool and slide, arts and crafts building, endless trails, guided hikes, spin and fly fishing, tennis courts, mini golf, mountain bikes, Frisbee golf, zip lining, wild life spotting (at anytime during the day you can see deer, elk, chipmunks and ground squirrels) and through Jackson Stables- horseback and pony rides and evening hay rides. These are only a few of the countless activities available at The YMCA.

As far as lodging, we rent a 2 bedroom cabin. Sometimes we get the higher end cabin with a fireplace and other times we get a basic cabin which includes a kitchen with a microwave, refrigerator and stove, local telephone and linens including towels. Some cabins have a coffee maker, toaster and disposal. The vacation homes have dishwashers, TVs and some have Internet. That is something else of note- the YMCA has wi-fi that is weak in most areas except the Administration Building. If you do not want to be "unplugged", this family vacation may not be for you. During your reservation request, you can specify sleeping arrangements (bunk beds, twin bed, king bed, etc.). Requests are not guaranteed, but every year I have had friendly reservation agents that help as much as possible. Cabins are located throughout the YMCA with plenty of parking, open spaces, decks with picnic tables. Some cabins are near gathering areas (small playgrounds with boulders to climb, tether ball and horseshoes)and have great views of the mountain ranges.

Reservation Process: For the summer months, the YMCA of the Rockies cabins are in demand, therefore the reservation process can be tricky. There are 3 ways you can make a reservation - Cabin Donors, Members and Non-Members. Cabin Donors receive top priority for reservations. Member ($200 annual donation or $500 for a 3 year donation), requests are accepted beginning January 1st. Reservations are placed in piles based on year of continuous membership, with the oldest standing membership having top priority. Beginning March 1st, reservation staff take the first pile's reservations (oldest membership) and begin fulfilling requests. Once the entire pile is confirmed, the reservation staff moves on to the next year's pile and so on until the newest members pile's is filled. Once all cabin donors and member reservations have been attended to, the Non-Members submit their reservations, which is April 1st.

Note: There was one year that part of my family who was a member did not get a confirmed cabin and had to make other arrangements. My advice is to be flexible with your dates and provide 3 different options with cabins and dates.

Overall, this is one of my favorite family vacation destinations. I think this will be a tradition we will continue for many years to come. It is an easy drive for us, the YMCA is a warm and welcoming environment, families at the Y have always been very friendly, and we make lasting memories as a family. What more could you ask for?

Westin Kierland

2012-08-06T19:11:00.001-07:00

Westin Kierland in Scottsdale, AZ was wonderful! The kids had so much fun with the kids camp and kid friendly activities. The hit of the week was 'Kids in the Kitchen". My children donned aprons and chefs hats and used the hotel's commercial kitchen to make cookies as "big as their face". There was a nominal fee for this activity. This program gave my husband and I some adult time to explore the beautiful hotel.Kids Camp was fun for this kids. Located in a converted hotel room, the Kids Camp had a lot of toys and activities to keep my kids entertained for the day. Animals to pet, arts and crafts, bins of legos and train tracks, my children seem happy and exhausted by pick up. Price was $80 per child for full day, including lunch and snacks.

While Kids Camp and Kids in the Kitchen cost money, there are plenty of Family Fun activites that do not cost money. Two big hits were the Kierland Scavenger Hunt and petting zoo. At check in kids receive Kierland Passports and a map of the hotel. The kids are encouraged to follow the map and collect stamps and pins on their passport. This was a great way to see the entire hotel and get acquainted with the hotel layout.

The Petting Zoo was so fun for us as a family. Well, except the python. I hate snakes. . . A fun one hour show and tell from the Phoenix Zoo, several animals including a hedgehog, hawk, hissing cockroach and python made an appearance. Also in the evening, a Scottish Bagpiper plays during sunset and complimentary s'mores are roasted in the firepits.

Let's not forget the big highlight of the Westin- the pool! The pool has a water slide, lazy river and shallow kids area. During our spring break, there were many free activities around the pool including volleyball and limbo. There is a kids menu (quesadillas, chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, etc.) with enough variety for a 5 night stay. Food can add up quickly though, especially with eating out every meal. Another nice touch was the store located at the front of the pool. Upon showing your key to get in to the pool, there is a store with pool necessities for parents. Water wings, intertubes, and sunscreen, and other emergency item are for sale at a mark up. You can always drive across the street to the grocery store and save a few dollars.

Rooms were nice and basic- your typical hotel room with two double beds, double vanity and separate shower, toilet and bathtub. It was a sweet surprise to see our kids names in the bathtub as a warm welcome. Overall, this was a wonderful family friendly vacation. I loved having family time and adult time. The Westin Kierland has so many family focused activities for all ages, a wide variety of restaurants, a fun pool, and a lively bar for the adults. We will definitely visit again!

It's been awhile!

2012-08-06T17:55:00.000-07:00

I apologize. It has been over 2 years since I updated this blog. Life with 2 children got in the way of my free time. But with summer coming to an end, I have more time to dedicate to one of my favorite hobbies- vacation with my family! I promise I am back and have great reviews to share!

Spring Break is booked!

2010-02-11T15:42:00.000-08:00

After days of research, I finally decided to book our Spring Break at Westin's Kierland Resort and Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. Winning factors were the kid's club, the pool, and the spa. I am excited to review this beautiful resort. Photo Credit: Starwood Hotels Westin Kierland

The Wigwam Resort in Arizona

2010-02-11T10:10:00.000-08:00

FYI - I just spoke with The Wigwam Resort in Arizona and they no longer offer Camp Pow Wow for kids.

La Costa Resort and Spa Carlsbad, California

2010-02-10T11:25:00.000-08:00

Sadly to say, our next vacation was almost 2 years later. After our wonderful vacation to Grand Velas, we added to our family a daughter, K. At this time C was 36 months old and K was 14 months old. We just put our house (back) on the market and the weekend of our first open house we decided to get out of Los Angeles and head south to La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad. I don't recall how I booked the hotel, but I assume Travelocity or Orbitz. I do remember the rate was $199 per night for 2 nights. See, my mommy brain isn't complete mush . . . yet.

It was an easy drive and the resort provided us with great directions. Despite a long valet line, we checked in with our 2 large suitcases, pack n play, and Phil and Ted's stroller. If you are keeping up I have left the swing and baby bjorn at home for good and am becoming less of a pack mule. Sadly to say I did pack floaties, inflatable tubes, beach balls, blankets, and snacks (gotta have Goldfish!). FYI- the resort has inflatable tubes and sand toys for the kids to use. Unfortunately I did leave the baby monitor at home but luckily there was a Target near by. lol.

At check in they had a separate welcome for the kids with face painting and a cute overnight gift for them (mainly toiletries). It was a nice touch. La Costa also upgraded our room to a suite which was a wonderful way to start our vacation. The hotel is set up in beautiful Spanish style villas with several units in a circle facing a hot tub. It's very quite and peaceful and you do not feel like you are in a large resort. Our room had a nice size living area with a sofa and tv and a separate bedroom with two queen beds. Our patio opened up to the hot tub which is why we bought a monitor. After the kids went to sleep we would sit in the hot tub with our ears close to the monitor while our children slept about 15 feet away.

In the evening they had a fun party with the kids and made s'mores along with live Latin music. My son loved listening to the music and dancing under the stars.

But let's talk about what La Costa is known for in the parent world - pools and the kid's center, Kidtopia. The pools were great! There was a sandy beach area by the kid's pool that was located right next to a nice bar with typical bar food (hamburgers, nachos, french fries, etc.) My kids loved playing in the sand. There is also a water park with smaller slides for the little kids and shooting water fountains for the toddlers. For the bigger kids, they have larger water slides.

Kidtopia is a wonderful kids club that is open to children as young as 6 months old. They offer full day (for $80) and half day ($55) sessions and honestly, it looked like a lot of fun. However, we did not take advantage of the kid's club. We were having too much fun with the kids at the pool to use their services. But the facilities looked up to date and most importantly clean. The next trip I will send the kids.

As far as food, it was, um, blah. I don't know another way of describing. All I know is that we were not impressed. C's mac n cheese had no flavor and lucky for K, I brought her food. Service was also slow. I don't know about you, but when I am eating with a 3 year old and a 1 year old at a family friendly resort, I expect to be out of there in under and hour and a half. Actually 45 minutes would be ideal. The next night we drove to Outback and had a fabulous fast dinner.

There are several other things to do at La Costa besides swim. They have a spa and a gold course as well. It is a beautiful facility and I would go back again.

Vacation Mama

Grand Velas in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

2010-02-10T09:03:00.000-08:00

Ah, our first ever real vacation with our son who was 13 months old at the time. It was my Mother's Day present from my husband and I was ready to get off the sofa and head to a tropical destination that had a swim up bar and an infinity pool. Our son, C, had been a pro at flying. His first flight was when he was 6 weeks old and by the time he was 7 weeks old he had flown 4 times. But of course, I was still worried about the flight, not to mention him getting sick in Mexico, what food he was going to eat, nursing in public, naps, meals out, the temper tantrums, him in a pool, sand in his eyes, him waking up at night crying, etc. Wow, this wasn't sounding like a vacation to me. Sounds more like a nightmare! But the hotel was booked, flights were purchased and it was MY Mother's Day present after all. I might as well try to enjoy myself.

And I can honestly say, this has been my favorite family vacation. The flight was a snap (thanks Mexicana Airlines, Goldfish, Baby Einstein and the sweet man that didn't mind my son kicking his seat). We purchased a 3 night stay at the all inclusive Grand Velas in Nuevo Vallarta through Sky Auction for about $200 per night in a Parlor Suite. After we walked out of customs, we walked to the VIP Transportation and were immediately swooped into a newer van for the short 10 minute drive to the hotel. By the way, this a free service offered by Grand Velas which is very much apprecitated. Once we arrived at the hotel we were greeted by a warm staff, hot towels and jamica water. Our room was ready and the Parlor Suite (which is there basic room) was outstanding. I had a very large separate bedroom with 2 queen beds, tv and a large closet. The bathroom was also large with a deep tub and shower. There was living room/dining room with a sleeper sofa and breakfast table. The balcony faced the infinity pool and the the ocean. I was finally glad to be off the sofa and in paradise.

The first thing we did was put on swim suits and head to the pool. Of course I brought a separate suitcase for floaties, inflatable rings, sand toys, sunscreen, and snacks. God forbid I couldn't find Gerber Graduates or Goldfish in Mexico. lol. The pool was fantastic. I guess i should say pools because it was really 3 interconnected pools. The pool closest to the ocean had a wonderful ledge that was about 18 inches in depth so my son spent most of the 3 days just walking on the ledge which was perfectly located by the swim up bar. There is a children's pool which is small but my son refused to get in it. He wanted the big pool.

The restaurants were good, we especially loved Azul. At this time I brought all of C's food so I didn't pay attention to a specific kid's menu. But the staff was always so accommodating, making him grilled chicken, finding more mango slices, etc. My only complaint were the wooden highchairs. Armed with Pampers Clean n Play (do they make that anymore?) i would diligently sanitize the tray but I never felt it was really clean.

We did not use the Kids Club since it was for children 4 plus, but my understanding is it is a few loosely supervised activities, not a true kids club where you drop you child off in the morning and pick up before dinner.

The only thing that turned me off was we stupidly signed up for the "tour" which was basically a 90 minute meeting with a staff member trying to sell you a timeshare (which is separate from the hotel). In return we received a $100 voucher to the spa. Not worth it. I wish I had the 90 minutes back to play in the pool with my son.

One last note- the spa is amazing! I had a wonderful experience and a good massage on the beach.

Overall, this has been my favorite resort. Next time we go, I won't be fooled by the tour and I will leave sand toys, sunscreen, floaties, inflatable tubes, Goldfish, Gerber Graduates and stroller at home. The gift shop sells everything but strollers, Goldfish and Gerber Graduates. And just like that I became less of a pack mule.

And to be honest, we had so much fun at Grand Velas, we came home with a souvenir. Our daughter was born a little over 9 months later. :)

-Vacation Mama

Welcome to Vacation With Kids!

2010-02-10T08:47:00.000-08:00

Hello out there and welcome to Vacation With Kids! I am a mom of two wonderful ,90% of the time, kids ages 5 and 4. And like most parents, I miss the days before kids when you could just pack a carry on in about 10 minutes and hop on plane to paradise with your husband at a moment's notice. Before kids we traveled about every month to exciting, and not so exciting, destinations. Mostly in the United States and Mexico, but there were some fun European and Carribbean adventures as well.

Now, it is a completely different story. Packing takes a minimum of 2 nights. My printed list of things to pack is about 2 pages. My carry on has turned into two large suitcases, car seats, stroller, pack n play, swing, baby bjorn, sound machine, baby monitor, diaper bag, backpacks of snacks, quite toys, crayons, dvd player, dvds, leapsters, etc. Well you get the picture - I look like a pack mule walking through the airport.

But even with the added luggage I love to vacation with our kids. Each trip I pack smarter, lose an article (this year - it's the stroller!!) and make lasting memories with my family.

So you maybe wondering why I am starting this blog or maybe you didn't even make it this far. For those that did- I promise I have a point. I am going to blog about the resorts we have gone to and write honest reviews. I promise my reviews won't be based on advertising ( I HATE that), but based on how nice the kid's club was, how the staff treated my children (even during mid meltdown), the cleanliness of the rooms (pee stained mattresses and all!), kids menus, easy of travel, cost, etc.

If I can help out one family, then I feel that I am making a difference.

- Vacation Mama