Favorite Destinations

If you have never been to The Florida Keys and Key West, you are really missing out! Start planning now. Fly into  Miami, rent a car, and enjoy the view as you pass through the Upper and Lower Keys to get to Key West. It’s about a 3.5 hour drive from Miami, so don’t be in a hurry. (The great views start about an hour and a half into the drive.)

Stop in Islamorada and have lunch at Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar waterfront casual dining. Relax.

(Pictured here at Lunch at Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar!)

Once you get to Key West, you don’t need a car. We turned our car in as soon as we arrived in Key West and ubered to our hotel. (We flew back home out of Key West). If you stay on or near Duval Street (the main drag) you can walk everywhere. Most hotels have loaner bikes, which is a great way to get around Key West. While you are walking Duval Street be sure to stop for a beverage at the well known dives, Sloppy Joe’s, Hog’s Breath Saloon, and Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville Key West

Watch the sunset at Mallory Square, where sunset watching is an event every night. Street performers, artists, and food carts, and craft vendors gather nightly to celebrate the views! Sunsets and people watching are my favorites in Key West!

Pedal your bike over to the southernmost point of Key West and get a picture with the buoy. Only 90 miles from Cuba.

We were there in January, and the weather was delightful. Warm and sunny, no humidity. I think it’s the best month to visit with less crowds. After you visit the buoy, pedal over to Louie’s Backyard for lunch, or just have a drink on their big deck and stare at the water. Life is good.

Key West is full of great adventures, from fishing to sightseeing tours, walking Duval Street, taking a trolley tour and enjoy!

There are many wonderful places to stay in Key West. We stayed at The Saint Hotel Key West, Autograph Collection, a quaint hotel in an excellent location on the corner of Duval and Eaton Street.

If you want to stay off the main drag try the  Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel. You get a private beach, marina with jet ski tours, kayaking, and paddling. You can take the hotel shuttle to Duval street throughout the day!

Click to book any Marriott Properties in Key West! We all need to get away from our own 4 walls! 

Are you a Hilton member?  Check out the

St. Kitts, West Indies: “Time Well Wasted”

Favorite Destinations

When you hear of St. Kitts, it’s usually in connection with Nevis. St. Kitts is the larger of the 2 Caribbean islands that comprise St. Kitts and Nevis. Beautiful beaches of white, gray, and black sands, rain forested mountains and a wonderful breeze that is always just the right amount of wind!

We stayed at the St. Kitts Marriott & The Royal Beach Casino, a delightful hotel with all that you need to enjoy some fun in the sun. Multiple on-site restaurants and coffee shops, large pool area, and spacious beaches with plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas. The pizza shack at the pool has the best pizza on the island! You can golf at The Royal St. Kitts Golf Club – one of the best kept and scenic golf courses in the Caribbean.

Out the hotel door to the left is a 5 minute walk to many off site restaurants, a mini-grocery store, booze and tobacco, and souvenirs. We ate breakfast at Ritual Coffee Shop and Breakfast most mornings. Rams Express mini supermarket carried all the snacks and water we needed. Just past these 2 places and still walking distance, was Rock Lobster Restaurant for dinner – the best meal we had on the island! One night we  drove to Shiggidy Shack for dinner, a fun and unique experience on the water and close to the Marriott. Other places not to miss are Vibes Beach Bar on the strip, and Shipwreck Beach Bar and Grill. Here is a great link to St. Kitts food and drink locations.

St. Kitts is a delightful destination. Take the ferry over to Nevis and explore. You won’t be disappointed.  

Getting to St. Kitts (SKB): American Airlines offers connections via Miami and Charlotte. You can see more information at the St. Kitts tourism site.  Don’t forget your passport.

 

 

You can explore the Marriott St. Kitts by clicking below:

 

Hilton Head, South Carolina is that ideal vacation destination that has something for everyone. You can fly in Savannah Airport (SAV), which is approximately 40 minutes drive.  If you are driving, just follow I-95 South to Exit 8, just off the coast of South Carolina. From the exit, it’s about a 40 minute drive into beautiful Hilton Head Island. 

Here are the top 6 reasons you should pack your bags and vacation here.

1. I like the fact that I can DRIVE to Hilton Head. NOT flying means I don’t have to stress about “packing light” in my suitcase, and I can just throw everything in the car – beach bags, beach chairs, and use the expandable zipper on my luggage without worrying about whether it will fit in the overhead bin.  
2. Something for everyone- Honeymooners, family vacations, golfers (32 courses), girls get-away, traveling with your pets. Don’t leave Fido at home!  Hilton Head has beaches, museums, shopping, tennis, mini golf, kids camp. Bring a bike or rent one – Hilton Head has miles of bike trails so the whole family can enjoy the great outdoors! Go fishing, play tennis, get a massage, and horseback riding. Sailing, kayaking, or riding a banana boat! Sample the great seafood. Explore the great history of the island. Hilton Head has it covered.

1. Beautiful beaches.  There’s nothing like an island destination, especially when it is in the continental United States! Pull up a chair, kick off your flip flops,  and put your toes in the sand. The salt air is most certainly the cure for what ails you. Pack your picnic bag and a cooler of your favorite libations and you’ve got a great day ahead. Enjoy the ocean breeze. Try a different restaurant every night. Create your own family memories. Make next year’s reservation.   

1. 

   Harbor Town Lighthouse. Be sure to stop at Harbor Town and CLIMB the lighthouse for a fabulous view of the island. While you are there, stroll along the marina and admire the stately docked yachts. Enjoy some great dining and local seafood at the marina restaurants. Afterwards you can browse the shops and watch the sunset. While you are at the marina, make reservations for a sunset dinner cruise one evening. Or reserve a spot and take a day ferry over to Savannah, Georgia for the day. It’s a 45 minute ferry ride to Savannah.

1. Shopping, shopping, and more shopping. You can find every store you need in Hilton Head. You will have to look under the live oaks and palm trees, as Hilton Head does a great job of keeping the island looking “islandy”. Check out the beautiful  trees and shrubs on Hilton Head.

1. Relax and unwind. This beach was made for chilling. Read a book. Take a nap. Fill up your beach bag with sea shells to take home. Enjoy the ocean breeze and watch the sunset. Something for everyone.

Full disclosure: I got married on Hilton Head at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa!  So of course it is one of my favorite hotels! It’s oceanfront, with a huge pool, bike rentals, and more. I have also stayed at the Marriott Hilton Head Resort and Spa, another great oceanfront hotel.

You can explore the Westin and the Marriott at Hilton Head by clicking below:

Here are more pictures from Hilton Head!

Savannah is one of my favorite destinations. I go once a year with my sister and mom. With so many things to do in Savannah, we offer up our top picks. For starters, we love River Street. Look at that lovely full moon, looking towards the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa.

1. River Street’s views are what we love best. The striking Talmadge Memorial Bridge, the Savannah River, the paddle wheel boats, and the huge container ships that glide by. The places to really take in the scenery are rooftop bars along River Street, and the best time is at sunset into early evening. Here are our favorites:

Myrtle and Rose

Located at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside in the new Riverside District, this is truly one of the best views in town overlooking the Savannah River. Also at the JW Marriott is the Electric Moon rooftop bar. Catch either of these for photo-worthy sunset views.

Rocks on the River, located in the historic district atop the roof of The Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront, is another favorite of ours.

2. Visit Savannah Plant Riverside. If you can, book an experience at the brand new JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside. If you can’t stay, at least visit. Marriott has “recycled” what was once a power plant and turned it into a beautiful hotel. It’s a destination itself with rooftop bars, several restaurants, live music, art galleries, shops, and more. 

3. Explore the Historic Squares

Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia, and it is so easy to walk and see the 22 beautiful squares in the historic district. Originally designed for practice and drills for the early militia, today the squares are gathering places of beauty and much history. I haven’t seen all 22, but my sister has. Each square has its own delights waiting to be discovered, but her favorite is Lafayette Square. Located near the birthplace of Juliet Gordon Lowe (the Andrew Lowe House) and the stunning Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, the square features a quirky fountain with birds and frogs in its design. Any square, however, is a great place to rest your feet and watch the world go by.

4. Explore City Market: City Market is four blocks filled with restaurants, retail shopping, art galleries, and more. With so many restaurants here, you’ll be sure to find something that fits just right. Among our faves are Garibaldi – be sure to save room for  dessert – Vinnie Van Go-Go’s Pizza, and Sorry Charlie’s Oyster Bar.  We always enjoy the free samples at Byrd’s Famous Cookies. My mom and sister also found the American Prohibition Museum next door fascinating.

5. The Olde Pink House: Be sure to treat yourself to lunch or dinner at The Olde Pink House. It’s a Savannah staple, and be sure to save room for dessert! Yes it really is a pink house! Call ahead to make reservations.

6. Wormsloe Plantation: 

Lined with hundred-year-old live oaks dripping with moss, the entrance to Wormsloe Plantation never disappoints.

Just 15 minutes from the Historic District, Wormsloe was established by Noble Jones, a carpenter who arrived in Georgia in 1722 with the first group of settlers from England. He went from carpenter to doctor, constable, Indian agent, land surveyor, and more, playing a significant role in Savannah’s earliest development. Today you can visit the museum, tour the trails, and experience events hosted here throughout the year. The name “Wormsloe,” by the way, came from Noble Jones’ hometown in England. 

7. Bonaventure Cemetery:

Beautiful, eerie, and full of stories, Bonaventure Cemetery is the final resting place for generations of Savannah residents. Maps are available at the cemetery office for leisurely drives, but the best introduction is a guided tour. It was featured in the movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

Where to Stay: 

JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside is brand new, trendy, and beautiful, and expensive.

The Doubletree Savannah Historic District on Bay street is diagonal to City Market and one block from River Street. It’s a great base for walking and sightseeing in Savannah. Don’t forget to collect the free warm chocolate chip cookie at check in. I have stayed here for many years because I love its great location and reasonable price.

The Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Historic District is directly across the street from the Doubletree Historic District. It is my second choice to stay. Love the location right at City Market and one block from River Street, and reasonable price.

The Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront, an Autograph Hotel by Marriott, features fantastic views from its rooftop bar and restaurant, Rocks on the River.

Springhill Suites Savannah Downtown/Historic District is my latest find. Located at 150 Montgomery Street, it is a quick walk to City market, restaurants and hot spots. Free Breakfast is included. All the rooms are suites which have a microwave and refrigerator. 

Travel Tip: Hotels in downtown historic Savannah  are getting expensive. When planning your trip, make sure there is not a big event in town, festival, or St. Patrick’s Day. Rates are much higher then.