Author Archives: tvaldeegan

Convenience and comfort at Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel

Posted on July 21, 2013 by tvaldeegan

When you’re traveling for work, you hope for a decent hotel and hope that the location is close enough to see or do something if you have a few moments of downtime. And of course, you hope that you can find a decent meal.

The Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel has all of this and more. Located outside of the city center of Atlanta, the hotel is connected to the Cobb Galleria Centre convention center with restaurants and shops. We ate at Jocks and Jills, a bar and grill, which had great food and friendly service.

Just across the street through a sky walkway sits the Cumberland Mall. You’ll find all of the standard mall stores inside, as well as some chain and local restaurants. We had dinner – and cheesecake – at the Cheesecake Factory, which is always a good place to eat with friends.

The hotel itself is nice. The inner courtyard is large and open, in what looks to be that it was an Embassy Suites-type hotel in a previous life. The hotel is perfect for groups and those coming to conventions. The rooms were clean, beds soft and the breakfast buffet was good.

Downtown Atlanta is a short drive away, depending on the traffic and time of day. I’d recommend staying at the Renaissance Waverly if you want to be out of yet near enough to visit the city center.

Disclosure: I stayed here for work. The hotel did not compensate me in any way and the opinions here are my own.

A few days at the Chicago Westin Michigan Avenue

Posted on May 10, 2013 by tvaldeegan

Any hotel next to the Hancock building may look small, but when the hotel has two wings and two separate elevators, the place is a lot larger than it looks.

When I stayed at the Chicago Westin Michigan Avenue in March, the hotel was packed but I never felt overwhelmed or had to wait excessively. It was definitely a smooth operation. The hotel had a mix of business travelers, sports groups and families, many of whom were shopping at the nearby Water Tower Place. In fact, the check-in desk has an American Girl on display and I saw many little girls walking around with their girls.

The hotel rooms are fairly typical, with a desk, flat-screen TV and a comfy chair. The room did not have a separate refrigerator but did have a filled minibar.

The bathroom was clean and included the standard Westin toiletries. With a full hotel, I was surprised to find that I did not hear any noises from the hallway or from neighbors.

In the lobby, the hotel has a small Starbucks (with typical Chicago prices including $6 for a yogurt cup with granola). The restaurant bar was fairly full of people but I did not eat or drink there.

The Water Tower Place mall and Michigan Avenue shopping is just outside the door, and Giordano’s famous pizza is just a couple of walkable blocks away.

Disclosure: I stayed at the Westin Michigan Avenue for my day job and did not receive any compensation. This is my own personal review and opinions are my own.

Categories: Travel with kids | Tags: Chicago hotels, Chicago Westin Michigan Avenue, Water Tower place shopping hotel | Leave a comment

Exploring the new and improved Michigan Science Center

Posted on March 30, 2013 by tvaldeegan

When your son, who has been practicing indoor baseball for the past four months, says he’d rather skip his first scrimmage because he still wants to explore, you know you’ve hit on a good thing.

I had never been to the Michigan Science Center before last weekend. Sure, I had heard of it when it was the Detroit Science Center but never made it there. I wasn’t quite sure what was there, if it was worth it and what the age ranges were.

I was missing out.

My son and I spent five hours at the Michigan Science Center on a recent Saturday, were still having fun and did not see everything that we wanted to see. Had my daughter not had a gymnastics class, I’m sure it would have been even harder to get them to leave.

When I hear “science center,” I think of science experiments and complicated processes that make my head spin. In reality, the science center makes learning fun. I’m not sure who was having a better time when we went into the “jamming room” and played the guitar and drums.

Of course, one of our favorites was the electric show – the classic show where you see someone put their hair on end. We had a great time learning about electrical currents and how our bodies react by touching and impacting the currents.

Unfortunately, we ended up missing the planetarium but we did see the IMAX show of tornado alley. My son walked in and said “where’s the screen?” I told him “the whole thing (dome) is the screen.” Whoa, blew his mind!

We had a nice break in the middle of our visit for lunch at the Cosmic Café, which had a good selection and was affordable.

Overall, we had a fantastic day and are already looking to go back again.

Discount Offer: Use code TweetTeam for the Michigan Science Center @mi_sci through April 5 and get $3 off adult/$2 off child admission. Not valid with any other offer. Limit 6.

Disclosure: We attended the Michigan Science Center as part of the TweetTeam. This post was not expected nor is part of the event for attending and is solely my opinion.

Categories: Me and my family | Tags: Detroit Science Center, Michigan Science Center | Leave a comment

What every hotel should have

Posted on March 13, 2013 by tvaldeegan

I stayed at a hotel recently that didn’t have an alarm clock or a coffee maker in the room. Apparently, they don’t cater to business travelers and/or wanted people to sleep in. As I traveled on several trips to a few states in less than a month, I began to make a mental list of things that every hotel should have.

A plug near the bed. For your phone. Especially if you don’t offer an alarm clock.

A refrigerator. It doesn’t take up that much space. I was recently at a hotel that had a “cooling unit” with a sign that said it would only cool to around 55 degrees and was not to be considered a refrigerator. Why? Why go through that bother? Just put in a fridge and make everyone happy.

A hair dryer. Standard, yet so many have been through the ringer.

A magnifying mirror. I found that I like hotels that have this now that I’m getting a little older. Although, sometimes the results can be more than you bargained for.

Ample coffee. One caffeinated and one decaffeinated is usually standard. If you offer a one-cup experience, give us a little more, please.

A safe that can fit a laptop. Safes come in so many shapes and sizes, and if it can’t fit my laptop, it’s not very useful to me.

A thermostat that allows you to turn on a fan. When you’re in a room with three other humans (including the little humans), being able to turn on the fan at night can make everyone sleep a little more soundly by having some white noise. Especially when those loud people coming crashing through the hallway after hitting the bar.

Room-darkening curtains . The ocean view is nice, but not for my little humans who are still adjusting to a new time zone. We recently had a hotel that had sliding wooden louvered doors to cover the sliding glass door. Pretty, but it sure didn’t keep out any light.

So what did I leave off the list? What else should a hotel have?

Categories: Family Friendly Resorts, Travel with kids | Tags: Family friendly hotels, hotel amenities, hotel coffee | Leave a comment

It’s a go with the Go Oahu card

Posted on March 11, 2013 by tvaldeegan

If you’re headed to Oahu with kids, the Go Oahu card is a pretty safe bet. You’ll probably want to hit the major tourist attractions, and this card covers almost all of them. From museums and scenic spots to snorkeling and sailing, the card covers just about every option.

My favorite activity from the card was the Makani Catamaran sail. We chose a morning sail and had no problem finding the catamaran. The crew had their system down and it was a fabulous morning of sailing. We had donuts and fresh fruit, drinks and plenty of warm Hawaiian breezes. I was more than happy to just be out on the water, sunning myself on the netted area, but we were also treated to sea turtles, flying fish and in the distance, a whale blowing a friendly spout of a salute.

We did attempt to do a kayak and snorkel trip but once we arrived at the location, we were told that they had just discontinued their alliance with the card. Sadly, we were there at the beginning of the year so we were caught in the changeover. Looking at the site now, it looks like they’ve replaced it with a new activity. My advice? Always call first to avoid disappointment later.

We learned our lesson and called ahead for the Hanauma Bay Snorkel. Unfortunately, they were already sold out for the day that we could attend. From others we met on the island, we were told repeatedly that it was a great place to go for snorkeling, and great for kids because of the calmer waters.

Another place we experienced was Wet ‘N Wild Hawaii, Oahu’s waterpark. It was the off-season so a few of the rides traded off at different times of the day, but we had fun trying to surf, battling the waves in the wave pool and getting adventurous on the water slides.

If we had more time, we would’ve definitely taken advantage of more activities. As an investment, the Go Card gives you a lot of great options.

Disclosure: My family received Go Oahu cards as part of my husband’s work trip. This review is my own opinion and was not a requirement of using the cards.

Categories: Travel with kids | Tags: Go Oahu Card, Oahu Catamaran, Oahu Snorkel, Wet 'N Wild Hawaii | Leave a comment

Exploring the ocean at Oahu’s Sea Life Park

Posted on March 7, 2013 by tvaldeegan

On a recent trip to Oahu, our family had Go Oahu cards, which offer access to many attractions across the island. We decided to try Sea Life Park as one of our options.

Although it can be fun to look at fish and sharks in an aquarium, Sea Life Park offers much, much more. We had a fun afternoon there taking in the sites and activities. Sure, they have sharks in tanks, and even that was a great experience for my kids because we were able to see a diver going in the tank.

But, we were also able to buy some lettuce and feed the sea turtles, touch starfish and other sea creatures and see a dolphin show. My kids absolutely loved the giant turtles, swimming around and actively going after their lunch.

We were too late to feed the sea lions but watched others give it a go, much the sea lions’ delight. There was even a play area for when the kids needed to blow off a little steam.

The view doesn’t hurt, either. Nestled between the mountains and the ocean, it’s just a great location to get out, walk around and experience the ocean life that Hawaii has to offer.

So if you’re in Hawaii and want to get out for a nice, scenic drive and meet some creatures from the deep, Sea Life Park is a great way to go.

Categories: Travel with kids | Tags: feed sea turtles, Hawaii aquarium, Hawaii Sea Life Park | Leave a comment

A Water Wonderland at JW Marriott Ihilani

Posted on February 11, 2013 by tvaldeegan

A secluded cove. A nice pool. Palm trees. A warm tropical breeze. It doesn’t get much more relaxing than the JW Marriott Ihilani in Ko ’Olina, Oahu.

We stayed for a few days in January and it was the most relaxing part of our trip. Located in an area with an entry gate, you have other hotels, a luau, restaurants, a grocery store and golf course all within walking distance.

The hotel rooms are spacious, with a nice entryway, desk area and a huge bathroom with separate tub and shower. The toilet also has its own door, which can be a lifesaver when you’re sharing a room with family. The wooden blinds slide all the way open on one wall and you’re rewarded with a sweeping view of the pool area and the cove’s beach, shared with the Disney Aulani resort next door, and the Marriott timeshare a little further down. The balcony has its own reclining lounger and a table with chairs, perfect for warm, lazy days with the warm Hawaiian breeze.

When the kids were ready for some downtime, I was able to recline on the balcony with a book in hand while the kids played some games and recharged for our next adventure.

On the beach, you can rent kayaks and water hammocks. We chose a water hammock, which I don’t have a photo of because we were busy out on the water having a fun time. It’s like a circular trampoline for the water, although guests are discouraged from jumping on it. The kids were trying to knock their dad off of it and I was just trying to stay put.

Speaking of warm, lazy days, one day we chose to stay put and had lunch poolside. The chicken basket was homemade, which pleased mom, and the Caesar salad was huge and refreshing.

For dinner choices, one night we headed down to Roy’s Ko ‘Olina and were treated to a wonderful dinner. Starting with edamame and moving through delicious seafood, we ended the meal with Roy’s famous pineapple upside down cake, definitely worth the wait! We also tried Monkeypod, right across the street from Ihilani, which had great fish tacos.

Besides the pool and the ocean cove, the most striking feature at the JW Marriott Ihilani are the small ponds just down from the lobby. In one, you find stingrays. In another, you find baby hammerhead sharks. And the last is full of colorful ocean fish and sea life. The hotel has a program where the kids can feed the sharks, enter the pool and learn about and touch creatures like a sea cucumber and starfish, and get up close with the manta rays and stingrays, feeding them and feeling their bodies brush past your legs.

It’s an experience that my kids will remember for the rest of their lives. And we’ll remember the JW Marriott Ihilani as the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure.

Disclosure: My husband received the hotel stay as part of business. This review is my personal opinion and no compensation was received directly by me.

Categories: Family Friendly Resorts, Travel with kids | Tags: family friendly Oahu hotels, feed sharks in Hawaii, JW Marriott Ihilani, Ko Olina Resorts | Leave a comment

Surfs up in Oahu

Posted on February 5, 2013 by tvaldeegan

Having never created a bucket list, I never thought I’d be one to try surfing. Although I have to say, a few years ago, I never thought I’d zipline, either.

You live, you learn and you try new things.

We recently went on a family vacation in Hawaii and were at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s famous North Shore. You wouldn’t go to Mexico and not have a margarita, and you wouldn’t go to Hawaii without getting in the water. So, we had a family surf lesson.

What I didn’t know is that yoga is essential to surfing. You need to have a strong core to flex and get up on the board – and squat. Of course, my kids with a lower center of gravity and natural flexibility were up on their boards almost instantly.

My husband and I? Not so fast, although we each managed to make it up briefly. I did enjoy a saltwater mouthwash at one point, though.

Surfing is cool and all but how about surfing with Crush? It’s called Turtle Bay for a reason. We paddled and surfed alongside the green sea turtles. Huge and majestic, I had a big smile on my face after paddling past them.

And finally, you learn that a spa treatment would be a really good idea the day after surfing, because the next day your stomach muscles will be sore, as well as various other body parts.

But you also learn that trying new things together as a family can make a lifetime of memories.

Categories: Family Friendly Resorts, Travel with kids | Tags: family surfing, Turtle Bay Resort. Oahu surfing | Leave a comment

Review: Oahu’s Turtle Bay Resort

Posted on January 29, 2013 by tvaldeegan

Listening to the pounding surf and waves crashing sounds like a cliché or like a sound machine designed to make you sleep, but at Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu, Hawaii’s fabled North Shore, it’s just a Tuesday night.

With rolling waves designed for surfing, the resort is situated on a picturesque bay with a secluded calm beach and two pools – one with a deep end for adults and another with waterfall and slide for the kids.

We spent three nights at Turtle Bay in January and it was the perfect escape. Because Turtle Bay was our first stop, I didn’t know at the time of the hustle and bustle I was escaping in Waikiki. But after experiencing both, I’d pick Turtle Bay every time.

The resort, scheduled for a large scale renovation and expansion this year, has good sized rooms with large closets and an area with a mini fridge, perfect for traveling with kids.

But we really didn’t spend much time in the room. After a sumptuous breakfast overlooking the ocean, we spent all of our time either at the beach or the pool. Although one afternoon we did take a walk to see the horse stables and another stretch of beach that had another stunning view.

We tried our hand on the tennis courts, which were in nice shape and home to many lessons for guests. We didn’t get a chance but the resort also rents bicycles and snorkel equipment, of which we saw a lot of in the swimming beach. We also saw ukulele lessons in the lobby, and the resort provided a daily list of activities and excursions.

Each Sunday night, the poolside beach area is home to the fire sword show, with entertainers in native garb performing fiery feats for the audience.

Just down the street, we took a tour of Kahuku Farms and had a meal at one of the many shrimp trucks. Just a bit further is the Polynesian Cultural Center, a top tourist spot on Oahu.

It may be out of the way from the tall towers in Waikiki but that’s how we like it – a place to retreat and relax and have a true vacation.

Disclosure: My husband and our family received accommodations as part of his business travel. This review was not part of the stay and the opinions are my own.

Categories: Family Friendly Resorts, Travel with kids | Tags: Oahu North Shore, Oahu Resorts, Oahu with kids, Turtle Bay Resort | 1 Comment

Out with the old, in with the new — appliances

Posted on January 18, 2013 by tvaldeegan

A New Year turned into new appliances for my family – some planned and (of course) one big one unplanned. New to our household for 2013 are:

A toaster oven. Our old toaster oven was white, stuck out like a sore thumb in our kitchen, was 20+ years old and had all of the numbers on the dials worn off. To replace it, I purchased the Black & Decker TRO480 Toaster Oven, regularly $49.99 at Macy’s for a Black Friday price of $19.99. So far, it’s nice to be able to see the numbers of the oven settings instead of guessing, and I love using a toaster oven to warm up a small snack for the kids, leftover pizza or toasting a bagel.

A vacuum cleaner. For my wedding 11 years ago, my aunt gave me her used Kirby because she had purchased a new one. I don’t know how long she had it before me, and it came with a huge box of attachments that we may have tried once and then kept in a closet. However, after many years of use, the front cracked and was being held together by duct tape so none of the funky stuff from the carpets would shoot back out. I replaced it with the Hoover Pet WindTunnel T-Series HEPA Bagged Upright Vacuum. Do you know how hard it is to find a vacuum cleaner with a bag? I tried a bagless once and I hate cleaning out the chamber – it seems like you can never get all of the dog hair out. I prefer the bag type but they are getting harder to find. I’ve only used it once and my only complaint is that the lever on the side will push down and then pop up to get wedged under a bed or a coach. I’ll need to make sure I vacuum near those things in the other direction with the lever on the outside.

A coffee maker. We have some funky coffee at work and many people there have a coffee pot in their office. I bought the Keurig B60 Coffee Maker on Black Friday but have not taken it out of the box yet. Should I keep it for home and take my current pot-type to work or vice versa? I drink coffee during the week at work and weekends at home. Still deciding on this one but wanted to try a Keurig to reduce waste.

And finally, the major unplanned appliance was a new furnace. We came home from our Florida work/vacation trip the first week in January to find our house at 40 degrees – when we had set the thermostat at 60. Fortunately, the furnace was out but no pipes burst and we had no major damage – except to our bank account. We ended up with a shiny new Amana Distinctions furnace that is 96.1% efficient. The good news is, it comes with a Federal tax credit and a rebate from our electric provider. Not enough to make me want to buy more furnaces but I’m glad to have some money coming back to us eventually.

One thing that I’ve never thought about until it changed was how a furnace makes your house sound. With a new furnace, the house sounds are slightly different. When all is quiet, new noises, however normal, still sound different.

So that’s what’s new in our household for 2013.

Categories: Me and my family | Leave a comment