It was 2am. We’d just arrived in Maui after a 6-and-a-half hour flight. I was recovering from pneumonia. We’d been anticipating and needing this vacation for months.

My boyfriend had bought a week at a “luxury Maui condo” at a charity auction several months earlier. What a great excuse to get away. It’s for the children after all! After struggling to find a week that worked with our and the condo owner’s schedule we squeezed in a week just before the “prize” was to expire.

Upon discovering the mouldy construction zone, it wasn’t like we could just complain and get a new room. Condo, remember? No matter how loud we screamed, no one was listening and the money was gone months ago.

So, what to do? Our first thought was to just make the best of it. The money was spent dammit. We got in our rental car and drove over to the all-night-mart in search of booze. Surely vodka mixed with my pneumonia meds would create a haze and make this better. It turns out you can’t buy alcohol at a grocery store in Hawaii after 11pm. And it was way past that. We returned to Shitsville with a can of Pringles and bottled water. As I drifted off to sleep I wondered if the comforter had been washed and hoped things would look better in the light of day.

They didn’t. And that’s when we decided that “making the best of it” didn’t have to mean staying put.

Sometimes in life you just have to bite the bullet. Sometimes you just have to grab hold of the moment, do what gives you pleasure and pay the consequences later (read: credit card bill). Maybe it’ll mean we spend our next vacation at home, but it will have been worth it. Because instead of staying in Hell, we packed ourselves up and moved to a 5-star hotel at the other end of the island. As I type this I’m sipping my morning latte and enjoying a fantastic view.

Vacations can be a lot of work. Most of the getting there isn’t any fun. If you’ve got kids in tow, ensuring everyone is packed properly, fed and happy is an ongoing battle. Lost luggage, crappy accommodations, bad weather, getting sick, lost or things just not working out the way they’re supposed to makes people grumpy and that’s when the bickering begins. Are we having fun yet?

My advice is, if things aren’t going according to plan on your trip, take action to make the best of it. Maybe that means booking a day to yourself, away from the family, to go explore your locale. Maybe it means giving yourself the freedom to sit and do nothing. Maybe it means lighting a scented candle (I often do this when staying in sterile hotel rooms) or maybe it means treating yourself to a nice meal or changing hotels. Personally, I’d rather take half as many vacations and actually go to places and do things that make me happy. Otherwise I’m perfectly satisfied to stay home.

If you ever find yourself at a charity event bidding on a vacation, read the fine print. How long is it good for? Are there black out periods and will you be able to use it before it expires? Is it cheaper than what you’d pay if you just book it yourself? Is there anyone to complain to if things don’t turn out to be as promised? Only bid on vacations where accommodations are clear. That is, at a specific hotel that you know and not something broad like “luxury accommodations”. General terms like that are a red flag.

In this case our lessons learned have turned into the vacation I dreamed of only better, because of what will be funny memories. As I cut coupons and eat Kraft dinner for the next few months, I’ll think of the warm Maui breezes, afternoon mai tais and the endless ocean view and I will smile.

Trying to narrow down where to stay in big cities like Toronto, LA and especially New York, or choosing one in a total foreign locale, can be overwhelming.  That’s why Tablet hotels is always my first stop.  Tablet whittles down the list to something more manageable.

It provides a selection of hotels at various price points and rates them out of 20.  They state that only real Tablet guests can submit reviews.  And if the ratings fall too low (under 17) the hotel gets bumped off the site.  While some chains are included (the Hyatt’s Andaz chain for example), chic boutique hotels with character are Tablet’s stock in trade. 

I used Tablet to book my hotels in Amsterdam, New York and Scottsdale and most recently, it led to the Sunset Marquis, for an upcoming trip to LA.

Photo: Sunset Marquis

While I love Tablet, I don’t stop there. For a second opinion, I cross reference with Oyster.  It calls itself the hotel tell-all site and they claim to send investigators to stay at and photograph the hotels they list to give you the real inside scoop, providing pictures and a list of pros and cons. (Check their photo fakeouts, quite interesting.) 

According to Oyster, Sunset Marquis has slow, dirty elevators and you have to pay for wifi (one of my travel pet peeves!!) But considering the pluses – nice pools and spacious rooms – I can live with the minuses. Oyster does a good job of cutting to the chase.

Next, I check Tripadvisor, taking information here with a grain of salt.  (Well, I take all online information for a grain of salt.)  Case in point, it lists the Magic Castle in Los Angeles as the top hotel in the city.  Really? Perhaps for a certain clientele, like those with kids.

Still, Tripadvisor and Yelp are useful in rounding out the picture.  I recommend reading a selection of reviews, including a few bad ones.  (Tripadvisor has been accused of including fake reviews.) Even the negative ones be misleading, but its often easy to weed through legitimate complaints and those guests who are simply whiners. 

(One good test of these two sites is to do a search of your own city and see if you agree with the rankings and recommendations.)

Then I hit Fodor’s and Frommer’s, companies that have been in the travel business since the word “web” still had us thinking of spiders. Their recommendations include star ratings, price guides and useful descriptions.

Both of these sites have included the Sunset Marquis, a good sign.  But Fodors says standard suites at Sunset Marquis are small, the opposite of Oyster’s info.  You can appreciate the need for cross-referencing. I guess I’ll be the judge.   

I do question how often these sites update their vast databases. (They cover so much more than just hotels, the world over.)  Frommers lists the “Thompson Beverly Hills”, but the hotel’s name has been changed to Sixty Beverly Hills.

You can book rooms via most of the above-mentioned sites, but I still like to visit the hotel’s pages to view additional photos and scout deals. 

After all that research, I’m ready for a vacation!

Photo: Kicking back at Colony Palms, Palm Springs – Tablet recommended 

Top Photo: Villa D’Este, Lake Como

I keep a running list of worthy hotels to hang my hat whenever I’m on the road.  The tough part about that is it means trying new places and not always getting to return to my favourite spots.

A recent long weekend in Whistler was one such trip, when we decided to stay at the Nita Lake Lodge instead of my usual haunt.  But I’m happy to report this is a resort you should consider the next time you travel to the area. Nita Lake Lodge is a quiet, family-friendly place (including the dog), nestled on the edge of, yes, a lake, at the southern edge of Whistler. Rooms are oversized, wifi is free, and so is the use of paddle boards, canoes and bikes.

There are three restaurants to choose from, which gives a little something for everyone.  The bar has a big fireplace and oversized furniture, and the bartender knows how to make a proper martini.  The deck overlooking the lake is serene and relaxed.  We were thankful for the respite from the overcrowded village.  The higher-end restaurant, Aura, was pretty good, although my omelet was overdone.  

The real gem of this hotel might be its cafe, Fix.  To-die-for pastries (THE best butter tart I’ve ever had), lots of gluten-free products, and really good coffee.  I love being able to scoot down first thing in the morning for a quick latte to go.  That option is always a plus for me at any hotel.

My only complaint is that when we borrowed a couple of bikes to ride to the village, both our chains fell off.  Talk about a buzz kill.  I guess free use means the bikes get a lot of use.  Thankfully the hotel shuttle was quick to pick us up.

At this time of year, prices at Nita Lake are comparable to the Fairmont Chateau Resort.  And while the latter has a popular bar and is located right at the base of the mountain, the rooms are shabby and in serious need of updating.  In the summertime, I’d rather have lake access.  If you can, buck up for a room with a view of the water.  You won’t be sorry!
 
Next week, Kristina and I will be in staying at Toronto’s Trump hotel and I will be sure to give it a run for its money.  It’s currently rated as the top hotel in the city by TripAdvisor.  We’ll just see about that.

Please share your favourite hotels at any price point, from anywhere in the world!

Photos courtesy Nita Lake Lodge

I may be biased because I was born there, but Croatia has a lot to offer travelers who like to explore the road slightly less traveled. Read more: Croatian Sensation

Baska, Croatia

Paris

Paris is a must-visit for anyone headed to Europe. I went in July, and it was a hot one. Though it’s a popular stop for tourists, you can still find some hidden gems. Read more: Summer in Paris 

 Place des Vosges, Le Marais, Paris

Prague

One of the most picturesque European cities I’ve ever seen, wandering the streets is a treat for the eyes. There weren’t as many tourists here as I’ve experienced in other European cities, and the streets were so clean! Read more: Czeching Out Prague

Prague’s Old Town Facades

Lake Como, Italy

Lake Como, in the northern lake region of Italy, is famous for being the most beautiful lake in the country. And this is where the real Bellagio is! Take a video tour of Bellagio, Italy with me.

Shopping in Bellagio! 

Milan

I’ve been to Milan a few times for the amazing shopping, but there’s one restaurant I return to again and again for the perfect Italian meal. Read more: A Taste of Milan

A bowl of Pasta at A Santa Lucia

Amsterdam

I really enjoyed visiting Amsterdam, but what I also loved was staying at a luxurious hotel with a budget price tag (and a twist). Take a video tour of the College Hotel.

College Hotel, Amsterdam 

Yorkshire

While this trip was for work (to film the Best British Dishes episode for Anna & Kristina’s Grocery Bag), it was still a wonderful area to explore, and a nice change from the hustle and bustle of London. Read more: Much more than pudding to Yorkshire

Swinton Park Castle, Yorkshire

Where to next? Send your suggestions!

Sunsets in general are mesmerizing and inspiring to be sure, but that they are fleeting and we make such an effort to get a glimpse before it’s gone is an encouraging sign of the romance of the human spirit.  We’re watching from a boat here in Santorini and spent a couple of hours getting to the best viewing spot.  Along the shoreline, I can see people young and old — families, couples and singles — all scrambling for a good spot to savour the moment.

For me, it’s my favourite time of day; twilight.  That moment between day and night. Ending and beginning.

Accurately describing a sunset is impossible and even a picture doesn’t tell the whole story. I’m even reluctant to take too many shots because I don’t want to miss a second with my own eyes.

Wherever you are this summer, I hope you’re enjoying the sunset.

Be sure to share with us your best sunset shot with a location.  Enter our Black’s Camera & Wall Art Giveaway! (August 21-September 21, 2013).

Ear plugs and eye mask

A must on the plane, but I also pull these out in many a hotel room. You never know when you’ll end up sleeping right near the elevator or in a room with insufficient window-coverings.  I like wax earplugs and airplane issued eye masks. (Which I’ve saved from the odd visit to business class.) They’re not too snug and more comfortable than any I’ve purchased.

Lightweight scarf

I find most airports and airplanes on the nippy side, especially when I’m traveling in summer and dressed in lighter garb.  A lightweight scarf like this one keeps out the chill when wrapped around your neck. I also use it as a blanket. And at my designation, it turns into a handy evening wrap.  I like the gauzy cotton scarves from the brand free to be.  This one is a fun colour for summer.  

Hanging toiletry bag

Bathroom counter-top space can be at a premium, especially in Europe or when you’re traveling with a partner.  I can always find somewhere to hang this and the clear panels make it easy to find things.  I have this one from Baggallini.

Nail scissors

Of all the things in my toiletry bag, this one comes in handy at the most unusual times.  I’ve even used it to help change a tire!  It’s also good for cutting off price tags, opening packages, trimming lose threads, etc.  (A small pocketknife works too.) Tweezerman makes among the best.

E-reader

I’m a voracious reader and used to travel with a suitcase full of books. So when e-readers came out, I was first in line.  I often hear people say “I’ll just watch TV or a movie on the plane.” Clearly, they’ve never had their screen malfunction.  Not fun on a cross-ocean journey.  I have a Sony eReader^™ but Kindle and Kobo are great options as well.  (And no, an iPad doesn’t cut it.  I like to read at the beach and the glare outdoors is unbearable.)

Energy Bars

If I don’t like the airplane food, or I wake up in the middle of the night feeling peckish due to jetlag, it’s always good to have something to snack on. As someone who tries to eat gluten free, they’re also a good breakfast option in parts unknown. My two favourites are Elevate Me bars and GoMacro bars.

Got a packing must have? Share the knowledge!

Top photo:
Arriving at the train station in Milan, Italy, August 2012.

On a recent flight to Paris, the man sitting next to me was in his 60s and off to ride his bike around Europe for 6 months.  His lodging itinerary was made up entirely of arrangements he’d made in advance to stay in strangers’ homes.  I don’t mean the bed and breakfast set up, which is a bit more formal, but rather crashing on a stranger’s sofa, having a hot meal and hot shower, and being on your way.   All for the price of whatever you feel like leaving: say 10 or 15 bucks.  He did it more to meet interesting people and understand different cultures than as a way to save money (although that part isn’t bad either, of course).

Personally, I’ve never liked the idea of a B&B.  I just don’t find the experience of staying in someone else’s house and having to socialize over breakfast enjoyable. I like to read my paper in silence. I don’t want a three course meal with blueberry muffins and making small talk with a stranger first thing in the morning isn’t my idea of a vacation.

Fortunately the new era of hotelery offers something for everyone.  Whether you want something cheap, something to yourself, or something homey, if you don’t mind being surrounded by other people’s stuff, check out some of these property rental sites for your next vacay.  It’s an interesting and usually cost effective alternative to a traditional hotel. And if you’re really smart you’ll rent out your own home at the same time to help pay for your trip.

www.airbnb.com

This site alone has changed the way people lodge when they travel. It’s a fast-growing Silicon Valley start-up company with listings in hundreds of cities around the world, at every price point.  You as the owner sign up your property and airbnb serves as the directory and facilitator (taking a cut from the rental price).  Whether you’re the renter or the rentee, be sure to do your research; read reviews and be aware of your risks, rights, and obligations.

www.wimdu.com

See above!

www.warmshowers.org

The Warm Showers community is a free, worldwide service designed specifically for touring cyclists.  There’s an interactive map to let travellers find hosts along their route; a way to share stories with like-minded people and get a good night’s sleep before getting back on your bike.  Now that’s commitment to the sport.

Have you got any other tips for finding unique accommodations or travel ideas?

Top photo: Yodod/flickr

My very presence felt like one giant irritation in the shadow of a general arrogance.   I walked around saying merci and je m’excuse for no good reason.  I felt like the hillbilly who somehow got into the cool party and was about to be discovered and shown the door.

Colony Palms Hotel – street view

Stay

From the road, the Colony Palms Hotel on Indian Canyon is not much to look at.  But once you pass through the arched doorway, this boutique hotel is a chic desert retreat. 

The hotel has an intriguing backstory.  In the 30s, it was owned by a Purple Gang mobster.  He also used it to run an underground speakeasy, brothel and gambling house.

Today, the renovated hotel has 56 Moroccan-inspired rooms, a pool, a restaurant, a spa, and some lush grounds full of fragrant honeysuckle, bougainvilleas, and hummingbirds. 

The rooms are spacious, comfortable and quiet.  One exception: don’t stay in room #4. The air-con units outside are pretty noisy. We had to move.

The pool area isn’t huge, but I loved the chill vibe. The music is mellow (think Thievery Corporation) and the drinks, while not cheap ($13 for a lime margarita), are definitely stiff.

The clientele is predominantly made up of stylish couples.  I spent half my time reading and the other half taking notes on poolside fashions.  The hotel literature says it’s a desert hideaway for many of Hollywood’s music and movie industry elite. I saw Veep’s Reed Scott catching a few rays. 

The pool at the Colony Palms Hotel

Eat

About half a block away, next to the always busy Cheeky’s restaurant, is Birba (look for the big red B), serving what is perhaps one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had.  Gluten-free no less!*  I also had a bite of their regular thin crust pizza and it was divine.  Try the homemade sausage, mushroom and onion.  The pie is so good, I had to go back twice in the space of five days!

*I found that PS does a great job of catering to the gluten-free crowd.  Lulu’s on Palm Canyon has a whole section of the menu devoted to GF foods.

Thumbs up for the gluten-free pizza at Birba

On a return trip to Birba’s big red B for more delicious GF pizza!

Shop

I also made two trips to the Desert Premium outlet mall in Cabazon.  (It’s a 20 minute drive from the hotel.)  OMG, it’s a shopper’s treasure trove.  Gucci, Prada, Versace, Tory Burch, DVF, Vince, Nike, Ugg, J Crew…SO MANY STORES!!!  Give yourself a good three hours to navigate it all.  In addition to packing a credit card, bring a jacket or sweater.  There’s a mean wind that blows through the mall (hence all the windmill farms you see on the way) and whenever I’ve been there, it’s always much chillier than PS. 

Soaking up the desert sun, enjoying some quintessential Palm Springs scenery

Loving my Atika loafers!