Bistro Chic » Travel

Flavors of Disney World

jennifer — Fri, 04 May 2012 02:28:53 +0000

Bonjour! I recently returned from a trip to the happiest place on Earth…Disney World! You may wonder why I seem to make Disney an annual trip. Well, I like Disney for many reasons…including that it is quite a nostalgic place for me. I worked at Disney World over 10 years ago, in the Magic Kingdom, and it was at Disney where I met my husband. Sappy, I know.

Having traveled to Disney nearly every year since I worked there, I can honestly say that Disney World food is not high on my list, especially when this Bistro Chic girl lives near many, many fantastic Chicagoland restaurants. However on this trip, I was able to sample the culinary delights of Disney’s event/catering for a meeting I was attending. Not only was the food superb but the delivery of the food and drinks was exceptional….ie. a dreamy French macaron carefully embedded in a dainty teacup of green tea rice pudding. Oui Oui, Disney!

And, for the first time, I was fortunate enough to eat at the California Grill in the Contemporary, which delivered awesome views and amazing food, a la a cheese plate that was definitely worth a photo and writing home about.

Although most Disney cuisine is still less than stellar, compared to Chicago restaurants, it is still possible to find a few hidden and tasty gems in the World.

And on my next trip, I plan to find a few more

Ciao!

5 Days in Southern California

jennifer — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:48:12 +0000

Bonjour! I just returned from a fabulous trip to Carlsbad, CA, where it was 65-75 degrees every day. Aside from the weather, there were many reasons why my trip across country was fantastic…..

I stayed in a beautiful, luxury resort – La Costa – with a huge room all to myself
I enjoyed a wonderful piece of pork from Sbicca in Del Mar
I bought a darling pair of sandals from the resort’s tres chic boutique
I learned that Conundrum produces a red blend wine – ooh la la!
I was fortunate to run every day outside with an unbelievable Southern California view (above)
I was able to visit with my younger brother and his family who moved to San Diego about 5 years ago

All of this and more! Not bad for a 5-day business trip Next stop, sunny Florida in April!

Ciao

15 Minutes with Charles Dickens

jennifer — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:00:08 +0000

Eight years ago I traveled to London and visited Charles Dickens’ house – 48 Doughty Street, now a museum – for the first time. Dickens’ is one of my very favorite British authors so getting to see the house where he wrote was quite an event for me. My husband and I had already been in Europe 2 weeks and we made London our last stop on the tour, and Dickens’ house was our last historic stop on our very last day. I remember thinking we had plenty of time to see additional sites before heading to the Dickens’ house – or so I thought. Little did I know we would spend over an hour trying to find the ordinary looking house that seemed to blend in unassumingly on a normal looking, Camden area street. When we finally arrived, right at 5pm, the museum hostess said that the house was closing for the day. I explained that I had always wanted to see the inside of the house and that I would only spend 5 minutes if she could spare it.

The young woman, who could see the near desperation in my eyes, was gracious enough to let my husband and I in, when everyone else was shuffled out. 5 minutes – only 5 minutes? Well, we ended up spending about 15 minutes walking through the multi-tiered house where Dickens had lived 1837 to 1839. Although I can’t remember every detail of the house (I don’t think we were allowed to take photos and I was just happy to be there) it was very much like the Victorian images Dickens’ wrote about in his books – simple but elegant furnishings appropriate for that time period. Quite lovely and definitely what I imagined. It was easy to imagine him writing his famous works, including Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby in this house.

After our 15 minutes of browsing the many small rooms (many that were made to look like people – maybe even Dickens – was still living there) we thanked our hostess once more and made out way out the bright green front door. My husband snapped one final photo of me outside the house. And to this day, I look at it and feel a slight melancholy in my heart.

In honor of Charles Dickens 200th birthday on February 7, reread your favorite Dickens novel. Can you guess what mine is?

Ciao!

A Travel Chic Itinerary

jennifer — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 04:06:33 +0000

(photo source)

Bonjour! It’s been quite a while since I posted my travel schedule – maybe because I haven’t traveled since the beginning of December! Qui, I can’t believe it’s been nearly two months since I’ve flown anywhere, and for someone who has airline status, that makes me a little teary-eyed.

But fear not, this Bistro Chic has many reasons to bring out her travel chic wardrobe in the next few months. Just take a look at this fabulous itinerary ….

February – Tampa, Florida

March – San Diego, California

April – Orlando, Florida

May – Toronto, Ontario

May – New York, New York (possibly!)

June – Baltimore, Maryland

Sadly, a trip to Europe is not in my immediate future – so I must go on with a smile knowing that I can still have a European staycation at some point this year.

And where will your travels be taking you this year?

Christmas Sleepover in Chicago

jennifer — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 04:06:42 +0000

(photo source)

Bonjour! My husband and I and our two small children returned yesterday from a lovely, albeit whirlwind trip to downtown Chicago. Although we have stayed overnight in the city many times, this was our first annual Christmas sleepover in the Windy City.

Prior to our weekend getaway, we planned out the many things we would do as we played “tourist” in our own city. We did hit a few of the big sites – Water Tower Place, Michigan Avenue, American Girl, Macy’s, etc., but it was really the little things that made our stay memorable.

For instance, if you ever have the opportunity to stay overnight in Chicago, I highly recommend the Hotel Palomar – a fairly new hotel to Chicago, but a pro when it comes to the “little things”.

After looking at several hotels, we decided on the Palomar – a boutique hotel that is part of the Kimpton Hotel line. Having never stayed at a Kimpton Hotel, we were not sure what to expect, although the many amenities mentioned on the site had us very excited. Upon check-in, we realized that we were not staying at your basic hotel chain. Our children enjoyed hot chocolate and marshmallows in the lobby while I was at the front desk – so simple a gesture, but a huge bonus for kids who are chilly. The kids also received their very own goodie bags, complete with a winter activity book, pencils, a kaleidoscope, and more. And for the adults….. I was informed that because I was a Kimpton In Touch member, I could “raid the mini” bar (keeping it under $10) for free. This little amenity would prove to come in very handy at the end of our stay when only an $8 bag of gummy bears would suffice to calm slightly wild children.

The room was quite modern and well-appointed with very comfortable beds and….a goldfish? That’s right, we were very surprised to find a little friend in our room, a goldfish on loan from the hotel, that my children affectionately called “goldie”. The excitement grew as we opened the closet only to find animal print bathrobes for the whole family. Yes, there is nothing like seeing your children in leopard print robes, with goggles and flip flops on as they head to the pool. And speaking of the pool, the desk staff had the foresight to give us a room on the same floor as the pool, only a 20 ft walk from our room! They really must be mother’s helpers or Santa’s elves.

After walking all over the city in 25 degree temps, we were thrilled to find steaming cider back in the hotel lobby along with little bowls of specialty candies – lemonheads, jawbreakers, etc. Although we were not able to partake, the hotel did host a wine tasting reception in the early evening – which I’ve heard also include hot toddies and kiddie cocktails. There’s always next time, right?

The cold and endless walking finally got to us and we decided to have dinner in our room. And, because I said the secret password upon check-in (sorry, you’ll have to like them on Facebook to learn the secret word!), we were all treated to complimentary freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and milk in our hotel room at night. This was not only clever but a very thoughtful treat for an exhausted family.

At breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant Sable Kitchen & Bar, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast. But more important than the food, was the wonderful gesture by one of restaurant staff. After I returned from taking my 4 year old to the bathroom, I stopped in the lobby to grab two complimentary hot chocolates – one for me, and one for my daughter. Big mistake – my son was disappointed that I did not get him a drink as well and began to look very sad. A staff member, who was not our server, must have noticed my son’s face, when he appeared with an even bigger cup of hot chocolate with a marshmallow just for my son. The man said that he had a brother too and knew how important it was for brothers and sisters to have the “‘same” treats. Voila! That was all it took to put a smile on my son’s face and I didn’t even know the man’s name.

And so, with our luggage and a bag of gummy bears in hand, we headed down to retrieve our car from the valet. As the doormen opened the door for my children, one man smiled and said “well hello princess” and asked my daughter and son if they had fun during their stay. The smiles on their faces were answers enough – I was smiling too, all the way home.

Christmas in Washington

jennifer — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:22:24 +0000

Yesterday I returned from Washington, DC, after spending 3 days there for what will probably be my last business trip of 2011. As I mentioned before, I’ve been to Washington many times, mostly on business. However, this was my first time visiting the Capitol during the holidays. After spending a day and a half in meetings, I determined to see something – anything – Christmasy, and not just the decorated tree in the hotel lobby.

First stop, Le Pain Quotidien, a cute little French cafe where my colleagues and I were in search of a snack and something warm to drink before we embarked on our Washington Christmas adventure….

Next, it was about a mile walk to view the National Christmas Tree, standing in front of the White House Ellipse. Although the tree and decorations were a bit underwhelming, it was quite festive to listen to Christmas Carols and watch the toy trains go round and round.

We then headed to a holiday tour of historic homes, which included Anderson House, a beautiful turn-of-the century mansion.

All four of the houses we toured were decked out in period holiday decor, live festive music, and light refreshments. Woodrow Wilson House also showcased an interactive exhibit featuring artifacts from the early 1900s, including an old radio microphone, period clothing, and a vacuum cleaner.

My personal favorite was a photo of King Edward VIII (ie. the English King who abdicated his throne to marry an American divorcee a la King’s Speech)…

As most of you know, I love all things Victorian/Olde English, yet seeing the historic homes made me even more nostalgic for an era that I will never see. It also let me experience Washington in a way I never had, which made my holidays and my business trip seem a little brighter – even without the snow.

A Capitol Christmas

jennifer — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:23:12 +0000

(photo source)

Fresh off of my trip to Maui, this Bistro Chic girl is headed back to the friendly skies later (with status!) this week for my second Fall/Winter excursion and my 12th trip of the year – this time to Washington, DC. Although I’ve been to the Capitol many times, I’ve never visited DC during the holidays. Like any big city, Washington, DC, has many holiday events and sites for locals and tourists to enjoy. Yet there are also a few distinct experiences that lend themselves to our beautiful Capitol city.

The National Christmas Tree - In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge was the first US President to light the 48 foot National Christmas Tree located in the Ellipse, a short walk from the White House. After 89 years, the lighting of the National Christmas Tree is a tradition that still remains and is one of the most memorable moments of the holiday season in the US.

Zoo Lights at the National Zoo - The National Zoo displays thousands of sparkling lights featuring sculptures of many of the Zoo’s most popular animals, including giant pandas, Asian elephants, and a sea lion. Visitors can also enjoy winter-themed crafts, ice sculpting demonstrations, choral groups, and storytellers. Best of all – the zoo and the lights festival are free!

Candlelight Tour of Historic Homes - Visitors can stop by historic homes, including Mount Vernon and Montpellier Mansion, for a candlelight tour, festive holiday decor, carol singing, and more.

Learn more about holiday events and experiences in Washington, DC.

Finally, I Have Status

jennifer — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:14:54 +0000

(photo source)

If you would have told me a year ago that I would have elite status on a major airline, I wouldn’t have believed you. But that, my fellow traveling friends, is exactly what I have finally earned 11 months and 11 trips later.

So how do I benefit from having the first level of “status”? Good question.

Aside from all of the arbitrary benefits (ie. priority check-in and boarding on Alaska Airlines), there are three benefits which definitely have purpose:

Priority Security and Boarding Privileges: No longer do I have to wait in the long line at security or wonder if my carry on bag will have a place in the overhead bin. These may seem like incidentals to most, but tell that to someone who nearly missed her flight because she had to go through “regular” security.
Same Day Standby: This allows me to standby for a different flight on the same day without incurring a fee – truly important for business travelers who would do just about anything to get home early after a long day of meetings.
No Checked Baggage Fee: That’s right! No more fees for my two checked bags – at least for the next year. Oh what I wouldn’t have given to have this little perk when I went to Vancouver last November.

As you can see, having the lowest level of status on an airline has merely minor perks – but having bragging rights can not be overrated.

From Good To Great: Four Seasons Wailea

jennifer — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:00:17 +0000

(Four Seasons Wailea Serenity Pool)

For a seasoned traveler, I’ve come to expect certain amenities from hotels and resorts where I lodge. Good service, clean hotel rooms, and decent food choices are top on my list for just about any place I stay, for work or play. When you think about it, these factors really aren’t amenities, but something that any good hotel or resort should deliver if it expects to attract repeat customers.

But it takes more than just the “expected” to make me return to a hotel or resort over and over. For me, hotels and resorts that go above and beyond the wake-up call of duty deserve my repeat business and, subsequently, kudos in my articles.

For instance, 10 years ago I spent 10 days at the Four Seasons Wailea, Maui, Hawaii, for my honeymoon. No amount of wedding pampering can even compare to that I received at the Four Seasons. Now, 10 years later, I returned to the same resort for my anniversary, only to find the Four Seasons even more extraordinary than before.

As I remembered, the Four Seasons provided many standard amenities that would be expected for good hotels. What surprised me more – 10 years ago and still today – were all of the little things that were unexpected. And, it is all of these little things that sets the Four Seasons apart from any other hotel or resort chain:

The Little Things: What Makes a Good Hotel Great

Welcome Home – Upon checking in at the FS front desk, a hostess presented us with a fresh flower lei (a beaded lei for my husband), fresh citrus water, and a pineapple treat. We also received chilled lavender towels to refresh us after a long flight. This special attention upon arrival made us feel like we were being welcomed home after a long time away.

Special Occasions – It is not unusual for a hotel to acknowledge an anniversary; however, the FS made our anniversary extra special with little touches. After receiving a warm congratulations from the front desk staff, we were delighted to find an anniversary card signed by several hotel staff in our room. Later that day, we returned to our room to find a single red rose, two wine glasses, and yet another personalized card with a note pointing us to the small fridge that held a bottle of Domaine Carneros champagne.

Perk up and Refresh – Throughout our stay, I was extremely pleased with the complimentary refreshments provided by the resort, including coffee/tea and lemon-infused water stations around the resort, and, my favorite, Nespresso cafe in the business center!

Bathroom Bliss – Walking into our huge bathroom was like walking into L’Occitane heaven – shampoo, conditioner, body wash, after sun cream for soothing skin, hand and body bar soap – everything L’Occitane. Plus, for added entertainment, there was a built-in wall radio with preselected stations, including Hawaiian music. And, it was not only our bathroom that had extra touches. Every bathroom around the resort displayed cloth/fabric, not paper towels, for hand drying. Now I realize that this may not be “green” by today’s standards, but it is definitely classy.

Room with (more than) a View – Aside from the beautiful bathroom, the actual ocean view room we stayed in was large and gorgeous with calming colors and tasteful decor, not to mention cozy blankets and throw pillows. It made me feel like I was coming home to an actual bedroom and not just a hotel room.

Beyond the Balcony – Ample amenities could be found around the resort which was a mix of lush tropical flowers and greenery and well-manicured lawns. Although we did not partake in many of the complimentary activities, guests could enjoy 1 hour of snorkeling a day, outrigger canoing, yoga on the beach, wellness classes/speakers, and more – all complimentary.

Sounds of Serenity – The FS Serenity Pool was not built when my husband and I were there 10 years ago. The new addition was by far the BEST new feature of the resort! Not only was the pool a serene gem overlooking the beach, but it was built with adults in mind. The sounds of the nearby waterfall and the bubbling of the pool waters – from both the hot tub and the “cool” bubbles – provided a white noise that cancelled out others’ conversations and bar noise. An infinity-edge pool overlooking the ocean and swim up bar added an even more glamorous touch to this adults-only section. Furthermore, staff hand delivered pool-side amenities, including cucumbers for your eyes, cold washcloths, evian water spritzes, and cool treats such as watermelon and icy pops.

Service, Service, Service – If there is one thing the Four Seasons does better than any hotel chain it would have to be service – especially when it comes to hotel rooms. Not only was the housekeeping staff discreet (rarely saw or heard them in the hall), they provided top-notch service, not once, but twice a day. After a morning of laying by the pool, we would return to the room to find it not only cleaned, but our toiletries/clothes organized. During turndown service in the evening, staff cleaned our room yet again, giving us fresh towels, laying out slippers by each side of the bed, and providing us with fresh towels, more bottled water, and a list of the following day’s activities. The FS staff is also known for personalized service and their attention to detail. When my husband unknowingly left $32 in his shorts he sent to the hotel dry cleaning service, we received a call from security letting us know that they would drop it off to our room – which they promptly did. When making dinner reservations at a restaurant off property, the concierge desk left a note in our room giving us directions, reservation information, and a menu with hand-written notes about the signature dishes – not to mention another anniversary wish. Finally, no matter where we went, we were acknowledged in some way by the staff – many times by our names, even by the pool staff who seemed to have to memorized dozens of names each day.

Sweet Endings – After a relaxing and magical stay at the FS Wailea, we said our last goodbyes to the resort staff and headed out to the valet area for our car. We were, once again, amazed to find a map with directions to the airport, along with a thank you note, a bag of jelly belly candies, and bottled water for the drive. This was a fantastic finishing touch that made me smile, even as I was leaving this gorgeous place.

As you can see, from arrival to departure, the Four Seasons took care of my husband and I like no other resort can. The hotel truly embodies what it means to be a great hotel and anything but ordinary. Although I won’t be able to afford another Four Seasons stay for quite some time (it may take 10 more years to save!), it was worth every penny and more.

Mahalo Four Seasons Wailea for another memorable trip, 10 years in the making.

Back from the Islands

jennifer — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:44:22 +0000

I’ve just returned from nearly two weeks in Hawaii. Although I’d love to share details with you about my stay, especially my experience at the Four Seasons Wailea, I am completely exhausted.

Instead, join me on Thursday for a recap and photo tour, plus a special segment about why the little things matter when you’re traveling.

Happy Halloween!