It wasn’t easy to choose a hotel in New York. I couldn’t decide to go the AirBnb route or do a mystery deal on Hotwire or just look for a good deal.

I ended up searching on Booking.Com. My criteria was:

-price and location (in that order).

I originally booked the Courtyard By Marriott New York Manhattan/Central Park, but was graciously upgraded to stay at the Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Central Park which is directly above the Courtyard Marriott (how convenient).

The price was right and the location was prime! Not mention that we could always find the hotel when we got off the subway as it’s the tallest building around.

Here’s what we loved about our stay:

1. It was convenient to get to our room i.e. we didnt have to walk a mile down the corridor to get to our room. (huge pet peeve of mine).

2. The view was spectacular. It was so spectacular that we kept the curtains open all the time.

3. The hot buffet breakfast was a definite perk.

4. Our spacious room had a full kitchen.

When I pulled out one of the drawers in the kitchen I discovered that it wasn’t a drawer but it was a dishwasher. As you can see, we even used it.

5.. The lounge had these cozy spots so I could watch the U.S Open and sip on my happy hour cocktail.

I adore Happy Hour menus.

6. The location was just perfect. We were exactly where we wanted to be..walking distance to Times Square, Central Park and 5th Avenue. PERFECT.

7.  I loved the decor of our room and the fact that it was a corner suite was an added bonus.

I truly had a wonderful experience at the Residence Inn Marriott Manhattan/Central Park and would stay there in the future. As always, I’m looking forward to my next trip to NYC.

For more information:

Website: Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Central Park

Address: 1717 Broadway Ave, NY, NY

Phone: 1 212-324-3774

Disclosure: The upgrade was complimentary however all opinions are my own.

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I adore a quick getaway. This past weekend, I had the chance to getaway to Kitchener Waterloo. My itinerary included: a visit to St. Jacobs Market, Tubing at Chicopee Tube Park and a visit to the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory. Of course I had to squeeze in a visit to an independent coffee shop as well.

Here’s exactly how we spent 24 hours in Kitchen Waterloo.

Friday March 7th:

6:30 pm Arrived at the Four Points by Sheraton Kitchener-Waterloo Hotel & Suites and was immediately impressed with their contemporary decor. Bonus points for the box of ear phones in the Fitness Room for guests who forget to bring a pair! Wow…talk about paying attention to detail. Everyone loved the clean pool and bubbling jacuzzi as well. I would stay at this property again in a heart beat.

Saturday March 8th:

9:00 am Quick coffee at DVLB. We loved the coffee and the cool space that this coffee shop offered. I’m sure it’s a hit with customers both in the morning and in the evening too!!

10:00 – 11:00 Visit to St. Jacobs  Farmers’ Market. This was my first time at this market and it will not be my last time!!

12:00 pm – Another visit to the pool at Four Points by Sheraton and then checked out.

1:00 – 2:00 pm – Dropped by the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory  and totally was in love this space.  Three words come to mind: peaceful, beautiful, and tranquility.

2:30 – 4:30 pm.- A visit to Chicopee Tube Park. Disclosure: I did not participate  (um…tried it a few years ago and it’s not for me!!) but my boyfriend (who had never been tubing before), was a happy camper.

5:00 pm – 6:30 pm – Travel back to Toronto (sniff).

This getaway provided us with an opportunity to getaway, explore Ontario, and visit some attractions that appealed to us. It would be a great destination for the upcoming Family Day Weekend as well.

Many thanks to Waterloo Regional Tourism  Marketing Corporation for reaching out to me and for making this trip happen!!

For more information:

Four Points by Sheraton Waterloo-Kitchener Hotel & Suites, 547 King St. N, Waterloo, ON 519 -884-0100 Twitter: @4PointsWaterloo

Chicopee Tube Park: 1600 River Road E, Kitchener, ON 519-895 2322 Twitter: @chicopeepark

Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory: 250 Kossuth Road, Cambridge, ON 519 653-1234 Twitter; @

St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market Twitter: @stjacobsmarket

Waterloo Regional Tourism – Twitter: @ExploreWR

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Last month, when I had the Hyundai Sport for a week, I knew I wanted to drive the car and not let it sit in my garage! I googled “spa resort near Toronto”  and guess what appeared? Hockley Valley Resort!

I picked up the phone and they graciously invited me for an overnight stay and two spa treatments. I graciously accepted!

The only thing I knew about this resort was that the Food Bloggers Conference of Canada was held at Hockley Valley Resort back in May. Plus after I did a search on google map, I discovered that it was an hour and 2 minutes away from midtown Toronto. (yay)

The drive there was BEAUTIFUL. Probably one of the nicest drives I’ve had in a long time.

I checked in and had the nicest chat with the front desk staff before making a b-line  to the pool to take advantage of the gorgeous weather that we were having. (no humidity – remember those days?)

While lounging by the pool, I wolfed down a delicious pizza from the wood-fired oven. Loved the fact that the pizza was made with fresh ingredients from the organic garden and chef’s herb garden. #impressed

After lunch, I had the privilege of having an anti oxygen facial. Never had this treatment before but I LOVED IT. I couldn’t stop staring at my face! I am still 48 years old but my skin felt like it was 28 years old.

Once my spa treatment was over, I floated to my room feeling very relaxed and very youthful!! Amazing what a facial can do to lift your spirits.

When I entered my room, I was overwhelmed with this gorgeous room which was on TWO floors, and had TWO FIREPLACES (including one in my bathroom). I found out that the entire property underwent a 7 million dollar renovation a few years ago, which would explain the contemporary fresh look that is present throughout the resort!

The next day, I enjoyed a magnificent buffet breakfast and loved their commitment to using local suppliers.

On my last day, I had one more treatment (a flex massage) and a beer  (one beer, I promise) at the bar before driving home.

If you are looking for a get -away, that is close to Toronto – please consider Hockley Valley Resort. They have it all – golf, amazing restaurants, spas, and more!! In fact they are running a special summer promotion right now. Here’s the info  http://www.hockley.com/The-Great-Summer-Getaway

This family owned boutique resort is going to be on my radar from now on!!

For more information:

Tel: 519-942-0754
Toll Free: 1-866-HOCKLEY (462-5539)
info@hockley.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HockleyValleyResort

Twitter: @hockleyVresort

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