WINTER ESCAPES WITHIN DRIVING DISTANCE FROM TORONTO!

Photo Courtesy of Nachelle Nocom

Photo Courtesy of Nachelle Nocom

* Please Note - Some links in this post may be affiliate links *

Come on, winter isn’t that bad! There is something to say about the beauty of freshly fallen snow and how it makes everything glisten. It’s so picturesque! Top it all off with the smell of a wood burning fire and you’ve got a recipe for the coziest little winter escape to cure all your COVID winter woah’s.

If you’re smart, and I know you are, you’re already thinking about trying to plan a little getaway for this winter. To help you out and save you A WHOLE LOT OF TIME (you’re welcome!), I have compiled a list of cute properties within driving distance of Toronto. Don’t let me catch you sleeping on this opportunity though, these properties wont have rooms available for long…

P.s. if you book one of these properties, please let me know below in the comments! I’d love to learn what properties resonated with you!


- CABINS, COTTAGES & BUNKIES -

The beautifully decorated Birchwood Cottage is located in the heart of Haliburton, Ontario, a scenic 2.5-hour drive from downtown Toronto. Newly renovated, the cottage sleeps 6 comfortably and features 3 bedrooms each fitted with King Size beds. The cottage does have wifi and does feature a hot tub on the deck with beautiful views of Redstone Lake!

If you are looking to surprise your honey with an intimate and romantic getaway, I’d suggest a stay at this little modern bunkie! Perfect for a couple retreat with its outdoor hot tub and indoor wood burning fireplace, AUX BOX Muskoka is a 2.5 hours drive from the city. NOTE* This property doesn’t have running water and has an indoor composting toilet.

Photo Courtesy of Andrew Ly

Photo Courtesy of Andrew Ly

This open concept, lakefront A-Frame Cottage is located in Bancroft, Ontario, less than a 3-hour drive from downtown Toronto. Its spacious interior features bright white walls, a lovely kitchen, 3 bedrooms with 5 beds (guest must bring their own sheets and towels) and is suitable for 5 guests. Unfortunately, this cottage does not accept children under the age of 8 years old.

This modern industrial Container Cottage was newly built by the owner and features a mix of modern and soft cozy textures. Built using three containers, the cottage has 3 bedrooms (one with a bunk bed) and can host 6 guests comfortably. Although not on the lake (only a short walk away), the cottage does feature a beautiful deck with a hot tub, wifi, TV, Indoor fireplace, large windows and a beautiful kitchen.

Another impressive little bunkie, this little cabin is located in Komoka, Ontario, a little over a 2-hour drive from downtown Toronto. Perfect for a couple, the cabin is bright and welcoming with large windows to make you feel like your sleeping outdoors. Inside the cabin, you will find one double bed and an electric fireplace. A bathroom with a toilet and shower is available to guests however they are located about a 2-minute drive up the lane.


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- CONVERTED CHURCHES -

A property that has been on my bucketful for awhile, this converted church also located in PEC, offers tons of privacy and features 3 bedrooms and 2 seperate bathrooms. Suitable for up to 8 guests, the property features souring ceilings, a bright interior, a large living room, a beautiful kitchen with a breakfast nook, a large dining room table and a small laundry room. Additional features include Wifi, Netflix, PrimeTV, Sonos, fresh linens/towels, and coffee.

A new property on my radar, this bright, open concept converted church in the heart of PEC looks like a lovely place to stay for a weekend with a loved one. Although suitable for 4, the property doesn’t offer much privacy and is much more suitable for a single couple or a family of 4 looking to get away for a couple days. The property does have a few lovely elements to it though like a little kitchenette, a wood burning fireplace and a beautiful bathtub enclave .


Photo Courtesy of Rafael Leao

Photo Courtesy of Rafael Leao

- TREEHOUSES & HOMES -

An industrial chick private retreat, this modern home located in PEC boosts 4000 spacious feet of open concept, minimalist interior with floor to cieling windows. With 4 bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms, this property is suitable for hosting up to 8 guest and features a larger living room, kitchen and dining area for gathering. The only downside, no furry friends allowed.

Feel like escaping for a weekend to a luxury tree house in the woods this winter? I have just the place for you! This beautiful tree house in Minden Hills, Ontario, close to Haliburton, is a 2.5 hour drive from Toronto. This property has indoor plumping with a beautiful rainfall shower, a loft style bedroom, a indoor fireplace and a large deck. The floor to ceiling windows also provide gorgeous views of the surrounding wood and fill the tree house with tons of natural light. NOTE: Host does not allow pets or children under 12

This all white, renovated century home in PEC offers stack white Scandinavian inspired interiors. Although suitable for 3 guests, there is only 1 bedroom with a queen bed and 1 bathroom. The property does feature a full kitchen and indoor fireplace, and comes with amenities life WiFi, TV, bathroom essentials and bed-sheets, pillow and hangers.

Runaway to this little love shack near Blue Mountain, a short 1.5 hour drive from Toronto. This tiny home is perfect for a couple in need of a change of scenery and a moment to reconnect with nature. The tiny home features 1 loft bedroom with a queen size bed, a small kitchen and seating area. Although it does have a heater, there is no running water, bathroom (outhouse close by), electricity or running water however the host does provide two pairs of snowshoes, battery operated lanterns for light at night, a fridge (powered by propane) and there is a fire pit outside where you can enjoy a fire.


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DISCOVERING SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE - A DIFFERENT SIDE TO MEXICO

Exploring the hilly cobblestone streets of San miguel de Allende

Exploring the hilly cobblestone streets of San miguel de Allende

It was 6am and I was tired. It had taken me pretty much all of the previous day to travel from Toronto to Mexico and I hadn’t arrived at my accommodations until close to 1am. Now, in the early morning, I found myself floating 1000 feet above the small town of San Miguel de Allende in a giant hot air balloon. The sun was starting to rise in the distance and streaks of light illuminated the world below me, casting a warm glow. ‘How did I get here?’ I asked myself in a bit of a daze from the beauty I was witnessing.

Truth be told the answer to my question is not as amazing as that first sleepy morning in San Miguel. It was my editor who had reached out to me and asked if I wanted to go, and if I am being completely honest, San Miguel was a destination that had yet to come up on my radar. Curious to know more about it, I of course did what most millennials do, I Googled it and was soon scrolling through beautiful pictures of bright colourful buildings and cobblestone streets. ‘This place is so beautiful!’ I thought to myself. With my sights set on San Miguel I instantly started to day dream of all the pretty shots I was going to take and I knew there was no way I was going to pass up this opportunity. 

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE WEATHER

The weather in San Miguel de Allende doesn’t vary too much thought the year. The average high temperatures hover between 22 and 31 degrees Celsius (73 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit), and the best time to visit San Miguel de Allende is said to be between November through April because there is less rainfall than in the summer months. One thing to note though is that it does get chillier at night so make sure to bring some cardigans or layers for after the sun goes down.


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San Miguel de Allende is a beautiful, walkable, little town in the heart of Mexico!

San Miguel de Allende is a beautiful, walkable, little town in the heart of Mexico!

San Miguel de Allende is a small, charming, hilly town in Mexico (population of about 90,000 in the town proper) that is located 270km north west of Mexico City. Unlike other more popular Mexican beach destinations, San Miguel de Allende is completely land locked and is actually situated at a higher elevation than Denver, Colorado. In the early 20th century the small town of San Miguel was in danger of becoming a ghost town, but thanks to the opening of the renowned Instituto Allende (a visual arts school) in 1950, the city developed a booming art scene that drew in people from all over the world. Today, the city continues to thrive and its flourishing art scene has become a haven for bohemian expats and artist who want to settle in Mexico (the town as about 17,000 expats which is quite larger considering its total population). In recent years, gastronomy has also started to take centre stage in San Miguel aided by the town’s lush surrounding farmlands and vineyards. Today, San Miguel is a popular weekend retreat for Mexicans, a hot spot for weddings, and an attractive destination for international visitors like myself.

- SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE HOTELS -

Travelling to San Miguel is not cheap. Unlike other destinations in Mexico, the closest airport to San Miguel is actually in Leon, an hours drive away which makes it a little more difficult to get to. Shuttles and car rentals are available but since accommodations are in such demand, it’s better to visit during the week to avoid peak hotel room rates.

While in San Miguel I stayed at Hotel La Morada, a quaint 4-star boutique hotel with only 26 rooms. This hotel in San Miguel was perfectly located steps away from the main square of town and I could see the iconic pink church, Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel from my room’s balcony. The hotel itself was once a colonial house that recently underwent renovations and although the remodeling gave the hotel quite an upgrade, it still maintains much of its historical charm.

If you are looking for more upscale accommodations to stay at while in San Miguel there is no shortage of choices. Three that I visited for drinks and/or dinner while in town and found VERY APPEALING were L’Otel, Rosewood San Miguel, and Live Aqua.

L’Otel, a luxurious, super boutique property – only 10 rooms, all of which are suites – is actually located a stones-throw away from my hotel and was part of Doce 18 Concept House, a collective of design, art, and gastronomy offerings. Travel and Leisure listed L’Otel as one of the best boutique hotel in the world in 2017 and it did not disappoint. You don’t have to stay there to enjoy it either. Check out the stores and wander around the food hall downstairs before making your way to the top floor where the hotel is located. You can buy a drink or order bites from the bar upstairs and enjoy it outside by the pool. You well love it and I can only describe it as an interior designer’s wet dream.

During my time in San Miguel De Allende, I spent a morning visiting the San Miguel Rosewood Hotel. This hotel was very impressive in both size and the way it fuses history with modern convenience and style. One of the great features of this hotel is that it has a few large residence style suits ranging from 2 - 5 bedroom that you can book when travelling as a large family, group of friends or for a wedding party. Each suite features spacious indoor living areas, garden patios, a full kitchen, private garage and rooftop terraces! You can even elevate your experience with these suits with the addition of a personal butler or a pre arrival grocery service. Furhter, the Sense Spa at Rosewood San Miguel De Allende is also worth check out as it mixes luxury pampering with indigenous Mexican ingredients known for their healing properties.

The third hotel that I loved after just a quick visit was Live Aqua Urban Resort. This 153 room hotel is luxury to THE MAX. The hotel itself has a very modern feel and although I didn’t stay there, I did get to walk around the property and enjoy a tasty dinner at Spice Market, an Asian restaurant located on the second floor of the hotel. If you can’t afford to stay there, like me, I definitely would still recommend going to check it out to grab a drink or a bite. My experience was fantastic and I loved the meal and the delectable cocktails.


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- THINGS TO DO IN SAN MIGUEL -

In terms of activities I would definitely recommend doing the hot air balloon ride while in town. It was my first time in a balloon and since I am usually scared of heights, I wasn’t completely sure how it was going to go at first. To my surprise though I felt very safe and since the basket walls are quite tall, you end up feeling very secure. The company we used for our excursion was Globo San Miguel Hot Air Balloon Adventures. Rates start at about $200 CAD per person and after our excursion they took us to the Rosewood San Migel De Allende Hotel where they had arranged a beautiful breakfast in the hotel’s courtyard (an extra $25 CAD with your ticket). In hindsight I think this was probably the most delightful way to be first introduced to San Miguel and I absolutely loved the whole experience.

While in town I would also recommend checking out Fabrica La Aurora, an old textile factory that has been transformed into a multi-use art space that is now home to galleries, antique shops, and artist workshops. You can easily spend an afternoon there perusing through all the different spaces or even sign up for a workshops with a local artist. It’s a great way to experience the local art scene in San Miguel and get a taste for what it would be like to live there as an artist.

Since San Miguel has so much lush farmland surrounding it, I would also recommend doing a tasting at one of the local wineries. I mean where else can you try Mexican wine? I got a chance to do a tasting at Toyan Vineyard, an organic winery located just 10 minutes from the heart of town. Toyan offers tours of La Cava, ‘the caves’, a wine cellar 14 meters below ground. Stone monk sculptures light up the pathway down to the cellar and it is here where you will also find their tasting room which doubles as an event space. The tour and tasting was about an hour to an hour and a half long and the whole experience here was way more amusing then other wine tasting experiences I have had in the past. It definitely felt like more of a unique considering they actually bring you down into the cellars and you get to walk through dark lit corridors lined with barrels and bottles of wine. It also gave me a great excuse to bring a bottle of wine home as a souvenir!

- RESTAURANTS IN SAN MIGUEL - 

As I mentioned, in recent years an elevated gastronomy scene has become part of San Miguel’s overall draw. One place that has made quiet a name for its self is Chef Jorge Cocega’s restaurant Ruta De La Milpa. Chef Jorge forages for fresh local ingredients that he uses to create elevated indigenous dishes. It’s not just about experiencing traditional Mexican food at Ruta De La Milpa, it’s more about getting a REAL taste of Mexico in a fine dining setting. While there my group and I got to try Chef Jorge’s tasting menu which ran the gamut of menu offerings and the excessive amounts of ‘mmm, so good’ coming from everyone at our table was a sure indication that I was not the only one who was blown away by the meal. 

El Petite Four, a French patisserie and cafe in the heart of town also needs to be on your list of restaurants in San Miguel you need to try. We spent an hour here one morning, hanging in the courtyard of the patisserie enjoying a selection of wonderful pastries, sandwiches and coffees. The cousin duo who started this patisserie 20 years ago has built a business that has today become a staple and go-to place for wedding cakes in San Miguel. Chef Paco came out and welcomed our group and it was so nice to be able to interact and learn more about how their little French patisserie came to be in San Miguel – a very interesting story you should ask him to recount for you when you go.

Last but definitely not least, if you have the opportunity to get out to the countryside I would recommend going to El Vergel Bistro and Market, a small French country restaurant by Chef Ari Vasquez. Alongside the restaurant you will also find a small market where you can purchase a selection of deli products, cheeses, and even wines to take home with you. My group stopped here on the way back from visiting the hot springs and enjoyed a beautiful meal accompanied by a delicious glass of rosé on their shaded patio. The whole experience felt quite tranquil and I loved not just the food but this ‘new setting’ of enjoying lunch in the Mexican countryside.

Although my trip to San Miguel de Allende was a short one, I was taken aback by how beautiful and charming the hilly, colourful cobblestone town was. It was unlike any other travel experience I have had in Mexico. San Miguel felt truly unique which is why it was not surprising to find out that it continues to see an increase in visitors each year. If you are looking to experience a less commercial, more authentic Mexican experience, I would definitely recommend starting with San Miguel. I have full faith in its ability to capture the hearts of all who visit, as I know firsthand, it captured mine.


ADDITIONAL PHOTOS FROM MY TRIP


That’s it! If you have any questions about San Miguel De Allende, hotels in San Miguel De Allende restaurants in San Migel De Allende or have some comments/recommendations for the best restaurants in San Miguel, please feel free to hit me up in the comments section below, otherwise I hope you have a beautiful trip to San Miguel!


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NUEVO HAVANA - A CITY NO LONGER FROZEN IN TIME

Posing by the beautiful staircase at La Guarida

The first time I went to Havana I was broken hearted. One evening, in my final year of high school nearing March break, my high school sweetheart broke up with me. At the time we had plans to go on grad trip together to Cuba and I had been anticipating our trip for MONTHS. Devastated - at the breakup not the change in trip plans, although I wouldn’t put it past me - I went crying to my best friend. Little did I know that in doing so I would actually come to also make a new bestie. When I arrived I was stunned to learn that I was not the only one visiting my friend with a bag of ‘broken heart woes’. Another girl, an acquaintance I had only met once or twice previously, had also been dumped by her boyfriend and both of us went crying to our dearest friend. Fast forward to a week later, I proposed to my new friend that she come to Cuba with me. The plan was to go down to Cuba with my dad and stay on his boat in Havana for a couple days before ditching the parental unit and spending 4 glorious solo days on the beaches of Varadero. Finding it hard to say no to such an enticing plan, she agreed to join me. In the end, although broken hearted when we arrived, our trip to Havana revived us and helped us shake off our heartache. Between the sun, the parties, the new eye candy and each others' company we both came home feeling stronger and better about our ‘single life’ situation.

I told Adam (my now boyfriend) this story many years later after he asked how my girlfriend and I had met. It was during this recounting that he also confessed his love for Cuba. Unlike my story of heartbreak Adam’s visit to Havana a decade ago was for New Years with his family. At the time there wasn’t that many streets lights in Havana but as his cousins and family roamed through old Havana after dinner they heard cheers coming from a nearby street. When they reached the top of the street they saw people sprinting down the street, ducking under balconies trying to avoid buckets of water being thrown upon them from the apartments above. People on either end of the street would cheer the runners on while the people armed with buckets of water on the balconies would erupt into laughter and cheer every time they hit their moving targets. At the time his cousins were all between 18-24 and they decided to test their luck. The first cousin, a girl, made it to the end of the street unscathed. The four boys that followed (Adam included) did not. Adam’s recount of this story, the 100 yard dash he had left and the wall of water he saw come down on him at the last second, gave me instant FOMO! To this day I can’t think of another New Years Eve travel experience that I have heard of that can beat that story! SERIOUSLY!

Local Life - A fruit stand in Old Havana


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So when it came to picking what destinations we wanted to travel to in 2019, Havana was at the top of the list. It had been a decade since our last visits and we figured it was about time we go back. We knew Havana would make for a great short-haul trip that we could easily do over an extended long weekend and so this past April over the easter long weekend we ventured back to Havana determined to make some great Cuba memories together.

Although a lot has changed since our last visits, there was so much that we experienced this time around that we wanted to highlight. For example, 3 weeks prior to our arrival mobile data became available making it easier to stay connected. In addition, two new luxury hotels had also opened in Havana in the last year, now providing a level of hospitality that was not available previously. Lastly, government’s stronghold on independent businesses had seemed to have lessened since we were both there last, giving way to many new restaurants (referred to as ‘Paladars’ in Cuba) being opened by young Cuban entrepreneurs. Cuba was on the rise and we were experiencing the destination at the beginning of its economic revival.

Rooftop pool hangs at the Iberostar Grand Packard

While in Havana, Adam and I had the chance to preview both of the new luxury hotel properties.The first three nights were spent at the Iberostar Grand Packard and the last two nights were at the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski. Both hotels have great rooftop pools, are equipped with gorgeous spas, fitness facilities, and lobby cigar lounges, but if I have to recommend one I would definitely lean towards the Iberostar Grand Packard. My experience with service at the Iberostar was top notch. One day my feet had started to bleed from the 3-4 blisters I had got wearing new sandals and the hotel’s medical centre disinfected my wounds, patched me up and sent me on my way, at no cost, within 10 minutes. Also the table service at brunch was great!. The staff were so attentive and observant, remembering my coffee preferences from the morning before. Not to say the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski was not good - they have a brilliant view overlooking the city from the rooftop view and the location is smack dab in the centre of old Havana, but it’s the little touches from Iberostar, when it came to service, that pushed the needle in their favour.

Iberostar Grand Packard

Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski

While in Havana Adam and I discovered a few new restaurants that we loved including Mas Habana and Cafe El Dandy. Mas Habana we had stumbled upon while walking around Old Havana and recognized it from a list of recommendations we received from a local expat blogger. We had originally planned to grab dinner there but once we heard the lunch special was a seafood paella with clams, crab, lobster, and shrimp, we could not help ourselves.

Our lunch at Mas Habana was definitely my favourite meal of the trip where as Cafe El Dandy was Adam’s. Another recommendation from our friendly local expat friend, Cafe El Dandy was first recommended to us as a cheap breakfast option. Since Iberostar had an amazing breakfast buffet that was complimentary with our stay we never quite made it to Cafe El Dandy for breakfast but we did go there for lunch. Adam had the pork tacos while I enjoyed a traditional Cuban sandwich. Although my sandwich was great, it was Adam’s tacos that made Cafe El Dandy his favourite restaurant of our trip and the best part - IT’S SO DELICIOUS AND CHEAP!

Besides exploring Old Havana, which we did for the first two days, there were also two activities that I would definitely recommend you do on your next visit to Havana. One, wake up early and go check out Fusterlandia, a mosaic garden made by a local Cuban artist by the name of Jose Fuster. Fusterlandia is located about a 20 minute drive from downtown Havana so you will need to take a car to get there, which I understand sounds like a lot of effort but when you see how cool this place looks on Instagram you will want to go. Surrounding the garden are a few different stores belonging to local artists selling their work and it was so cool to just spend a couple hours there exploring and taking in some local flavours and culture. There is no entrance free into Fusterlandia so the crowd does get big by midday which is why I recommend getting up early and doing it first thing in the morning.


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The second activity that you must do while in Havana is check out Fábrica de Arte Cubano for a party night out. Fabrica is an interesting place and it wasn’t until our second attempt at going that Adam and I finally got in. Located about a 10 minute drive from Old Havana, you want to get to Fabrica early (around 8PM), otherwise the line will be around the block and you will be waiting all night to get in. Essentially, Fabrica is an old factory that has been turned into a mixed-use gallery and art space. Each room in ‘the club’ offers different music genres with its own vibe - whether it’s a DJ mixing, old school music videos on a projector, or a live band. As you move from room to room you also notice lots of different art on the walls with each room feeling quite unique compared to the last and deserving of 10-15 minutes of your attention. Another cool thing about Fabrica is that there are no cash bars! Instead, when you walk in, you pay a small amount (2-4 pesos) for a small card which the bartenders inside will stamp with each of your drink orders. At the end of the night you return your card to the attendant on the way out and only then have to pay. I think our bill came out to the equivalent of $10 CAD which I felt was pretty ridiculously cheap considering how much we drank and how much fun we had. Lines to get drinks were never very long and I feel like this card/payment system had a lot to do with it. Walking away from our Fabrica experience Adam and I were both amazed that a place this cool existed in Havana. It felt so underground and perhaps even sort of ‘counter-culture' to our previous perceptions of what life in Cuba was like that it kind of blew our nightlife expectations out of the water. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Fabrica De Arte Cubano

Needless to say Adam and I came back from Havana with many amazing new memories but I can’t help but feel a cringe of worry that with its revived economy, Havana will start to lose some of the characteristics that charmed us in the first place. Don’t get me wrong, development is good and change is inevitable but now that the gateway to America has been opened the crowds of tourists in Havana are noticeably bigger than before, not to mention the prices for both hotels and food has gone up. Havana is still a great place to visit and I would 100% recommend going, but I implore you to do it sooner than later as I worry it will no longer be a cheap destination to travel to in a couple years. Also take note to avoid peek periods so as not feel overwhelmed by the growing crowds and get out and explore the neighbourhoods surrounding Old Havana to get more even of an authentic feel. You’re gonna love it, I just know it!


OTHER VIDEOS & PHOTOS FROM MY TRIP


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HOTEL REVIEW: MY PUPPY STAYCATION AT HOTEL X TORONTO

Whenever I get the chance to look at the Toronto skyline it becomes ever so apparent to me how much this city is changing. In the last 15-20 years, Toronto has seen a massive boom in new buildings and the truth is the demand for more is still going strong. With the influx of new residents and businesses comes more work opportunities, neighbourhood gentrification and development, and my favourite, more options for cuisine! Toronto has never been a more popular travel destination than it is now. And not just for fellow Canadians, but for international visitors, students, and businesses. In the past three years, Toronto has seen at least a half a dozen hotel openings or redesigns (Broadview, Andore, Bisha, Saint James, and Le Germain all come to mind), but none have been more highly anticipated than the newest and first Canadian Library Hotel Collection property, Hotel X Toronto.

Why was it so highly anticipated you may ask? Well because of the service of course! The Library Hotel Collection group is known for raking in the awards on TripAdvisor – a customer ranked awards system! That means that they are the clear leader in customer ratings for consumer satisfaction, and service – no small feat! In 2017 alone they won 18 TripAdvisor awards including ‘Best Hotel IN THE WORLD’ – an outstanding achievement for their new property in Budapest, the Aria Hotel! So when I heard they were setting up their first Canadian location in Toronto, I had super high expectations.

As you can imagine, when Hotel X Toronto invited to host me for a staycation with my little puppacino and some girlfriends I had to say yes! One of the hardest things about going away for me is having to leave my beloved little fur baby, Ms. Sophie, behind. No matter where I go there isn’t a day that goes by where I am not looking at old photos of her on my phone or showing them to other people I meet. Since she’s a little squishy face French Bulldog I have always been scared to travel with her in the case she faces any breathing issues or heaven forbid becomes a victim to one of those horrific airline news stories *shutter*. Anyways, pushing those thoughts out of my mind, I was excited to have my first ‘away from home’ experience with Ms. Sophie and hang out with my girl gang to boot!


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Upon our arrival to Hotel X Toronto (Krystle and I showed up together in a jam-packed car that must have made us look like we were a travelling caravan that was moving in! Haha!) and checking into our room, Sophie and I immediately noticed why Hotel X is already ranking so high in customer satisfaction. Travelling with your furry friend in tow, I quickly learned, can often be hard especially when it comes to them adjusting and becoming comfortable with their new surroundings. At first, I could tell that Sophie wasn’t sure about what was going on and stayed low to the floor, but both our large One Bedroom Suite and the friendly staff made her feel welcome. It didn’t take long for her to settle in and start running around, dodging furniture comfortably like she owned the place. I could really tell that Hotel X knew a happy fur baby makes for a happy mom and if I was going to enjoy my stay, they needed to make both Sophie’s and my stay as comfortable as possible. Their efforts definitely showed and they scored some much deserved brownie points from me for their addition of dog bowls, distilled bottles of water, and a lovely dog bed in our room.

Once Sophie was settled and I felt comfortable enough to leave her in the room alone, I went to check out the rest of the hotel. The hotel itself is located on seven acres of property right downtown within Exhibition Place. At first, I thought it was kind of a strange location, but it soon became apparent that it was actually quite well positioned. Being across from the Enercare Convention Centre, walking distance to Budweiser stage, BMO Field, Liberty Grande, Medieval Times, and a few minutes from Billy Bishop Airport, Union Station, Liberty Village, Toronto’s downtown core, the ACC (now Scotiabank Arena!), and the Rogers Centre (forever the SkyDome to me) make it a perfect location for people visiting the city. Also, if being close to all those things doesn’t sound convenient enough for you, Hotel X Toronto offers complimentary luxury car service to and from Billy Bishop Airport and Union Station, and outbound car service within a 5 km radius. Yup, you heard me right! That includes Billy Bishop Airport and Toronto Union Station! Did I mention it would be in a BMW X5? Double brownie points there!

After spending a total of two nights and three days at the hotel I feel like both Sophie and I really got to explore the hotel and take full advantage of the experience. Although there are many great things to say about the hotel including their friendly staff and impeccable service, here were some of my favourite features:

Massive Sports Complex - I am putting this feature first because I have never seen anything like it at any hotel I have ever stayed at IN THE WORLD! It was quite INSANE and to put it in any other way would be doing it an injustice. Ten X, Toronto’s newest sports complex is attached to Hotel X Toronto and is a huge feature if you are staying at the hotel. That is because guests are able to access this otherwise members-only facility. The complex itself is massive and houses:

-   4 indoor tennis courts
-   9 squash courts
-   4 fitness studios with classes daily (Technogym’s GroupCycle, Pilates, Group Fitness & Hot Yoga)
-   6,500 sq. ft. fitness centre with brand new state-of-the-art equipment
-   3,000 sq. ft. play centre for children
-   pro shop with a juice bar
-   members lounge and cafe
-   junior sports lounge where you will find a pool table and an awesome basketball arcade game, which you know I had to play!

Yes, it’s as insane as it sounds and since you are a guest of the hotel and are likely travelling from a different city or country you don’t need to worry about lugging your tennis racket or sports equipment with you because they have all of it available to rent at your convenience!

Ready for a tennis match at Ten X Toronto - Picture Credit @SincerelyKn

Large Garden and Outdoor Area - Most of the time I wouldn’t think of this as being an important feature, but since I was travelling with my pup having a safe place for her to run around, play, and do her business was important to me. When we are at home Sophie and I often go for at least one long walk a day and at least ten minutes of that she’s off leash (I want her to gain some independence). I wanted to make sure she was happy and comfortable so having a large outdoor area right on the property made it easy for both of us to step out for fresh air, run around, and enjoy ourselves. Since the area was on hotel grounds it was also well lit at night, gated, clean and felt very safe. I never had to worry about Sophie if she was wandering around off-leash, which I truly appreciated.

‘The Pond’ Rooftop Pool - A huge feature of the hotel is their rooftop pool and although many similar pools have recently opened up in Toronto this one has become quite the hot spot for both hotel guests and resident Torontonians alike. Getting a chair by the pool was sometimes tough especially towards the afternoon, but while the girls and I were staying at the hotel we made sure to get up early and reserve our chairs to ensure we had somewhere to sit. I’m not going to lie we spent most of our staycation hanging poolside both during the day and at night because it was the perfect spot to beat the heat and enjoy a sunset cocktail.

Library Club Lounge - Depending on your booking at Hotel X Toronto, certain rooms like the Library Club Guestroom or a Suite, include access to the Library Club Lounge on the 3rd Floor. During our stay, the girls and I spent a lot of time at the Library Club Lounge because unlike the pool it was dog friendly. Also given how much time we spent there and how much free wine and food we consumed, it definitely would have been worth the extra charge. The girls and I would find ourselves there first thing in the morning for the Continental Breakfast (6:30-10:30 AM) and then again for complimentary Wine & Hors d'oeuvres hour (4:30-7:30 PM) every day with our little fur babies in tow. There is a large patio space (the dogs are not actually allowed inside) with comfortable couches and tables making it a super convenient place to hang out, drink, eat, and get work done if you so choose.

Two Cinemas - That’s right! TWO! One is a smaller (60 person) screening room for a more intimate setting and the other is a full-blown 11,000 sq. ft. cinema (the same as you would find at a major movie theatre)! I was so impressed and blown away by this feature! Imagine being able to watch a movie in the screening room without even having to leave your hotel! Complimentary! See what’s playing at Hotel X Toronto this month -> HERE!

A Nespresso Cafe and a Starbucks - So as you probably already know I love my morning coffee. Having two high-end coffee shops to choose from was the icing on the cake for me. Every morning I would get up, grab a quality coffee and head out with Ms. Sophie for our morning walk around the garden. Not only are there two coffee shops to choose from but each room has a Nespresso machine making it even easier to get your caffeine fix without having to leave the room. Well played Hotel X, well played!

A Photography Gallery - A lot of the photography art you see around the hotel is actually by a Canadian photographer named Neil Dankoff, whose work consists of mainly beautiful landscapes from all over the world. In fact, he was specifically commissioned by Library Hotel Collection to travel the world and create over 800 pieces to be put on display and scattered around the hotel. The best part about this collaboration is that if you see a piece that you like around the hotel you can head down to Kandy Gallery, a 2,200 sq. ft. art gallery showcasing more of Neil Dankoff’s work, and purchase a piece right on the spot!

Sophie and I in the Kandy Gallery - Picture Credit @Dineandfash

If I have one bad thing to say about the hotel it’s that they don’t have any fine dining options… YET. Most of the food we had was in the Library Club Lounge, which was simple buffet style food, at Falcon Bar, which was more bar-bites, and some in-room dining, which in my experience is never that exceptional and I have low expectations for anyways. Since Library Hotel Collection is a well revered hotel group, somewhat comparable to service standards you would expect at The Four Seasons, you would expect to be able to find an elevated dining experience in the hotel. The good news is that the hotel’s lobby bar and restaurant Petros 82 (a Mediterranean style restaurant) is scheduled to open in late 2018 and I have no doubt it will fill my need for elevated cuisine. I expect nothing more than a mouthwatering Mediterranean menu that will delight my senses, and I can’t wait to come back once it opens with a full report!

The girls and I hanging on my room balcony enjoying some rose and in-room dining ! Left to Right @SincerelyKN, @theCuriousCreature, @DineandFash, Me


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MAGICAL SPOTS YOU NEED TO VISIT IN FLORIDA!

Selby Gardens in Sarasota

With this new age of social media has come a growing amount of travel envy. Travel bloggers post beautiful pictures from far away places you have never been to and maybe never even heard of before. The result: more people then ever are filled with the need to escape to see the world and discover their own slice of the globe.

To me traveling isn’t always about going to popular destination with a lot of hype. It's more about discovery and adventure of the unknown. That is why on my last trip to Florida I was determined to see a side of Florida I had yet to discover, and boy did I find some magical spots!

Sunset at Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota


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Having been to Florida many times before and only last year discovering Tampa (which I love) I was excited to visit the beautiful beach town of Sarasota. I had heard many great things (there are a lot of people in Tampa who live in/are from Sarasota), about this small, posh, Central Florida beach town and needed to find out for myself if the rumors were true! 

Sarasota is a small town with a population of approximately 53,000. Located on the southwest coast of Florida on the southern tip of the Tampa Bay area it's about an hour drive from the Tampa airport. Although you may not suspect it, Sarasota is known internationally for having the best beaches in the US! With their crystal blue water and white sand I can totally see why.

Hanging with @ToFoodies at the rooftop pool at the Westin Hotel in Sarasota

New to Sarasota (and where I stayed while in town) is the new Westin Sarasota. The rooms are clean, bright, and modern, and the hotel itself is an easy walk to many great attractions including Selby Gardens, downtown Sarasota restaurants, and their famous ‘Unconditional Surrender’ statue. I was so excited when I arrived I ran immediately up to their rooftop, which has both a great bar and a large pool, to check out their amazing view and enjoy a glass (or two) of rose during the sunset hours. 

When in Sarasota there are so many great places to eat. Even before I checked in I went to Columbia Restaurant- a small Cuban/Spanish cuisine chain that started in Tampa (it happens to also be the oldest Spanish restaurant in the US). For over 50 years Columbia has had their location in Sarasota and when you walk inside today its still packed with patrons. It may be their table side demonstration of how they make pitchers of mojito, their awesome food, or their wrap around patio that keeps people coming back.  Although I enjoyed all of those things for me it was also a great spot to hang out and people watch!

Pathway to Lido Beach in Sarasota


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After you are done eating at Columbia you have to walk to Lido beach. An entrance to the beach is located only a 5 minute walk from the Columbia restaurant and takes your through a nice stretch of town with plenty of clothing stores, ice cream shops, and restaurants. It's here that I really experienced that posh, quaint, beach town vibe Sarasota is known for.

A few other great activities I would definitely recommend include checking out the Ringling Brother Museum and Selby Gardens! The Ringling Brothers, if you are not familiar, owned the largest traveling circus company in the US during the 19-20th century which was a huge source of entertainment at the time. Although the Ringling Circus had its last show in May 2017 you can still see memorabilia about and from the circus at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.

Pink Archways of the Museum Courtyard at the Ringling in Sarasota

The Ringling campus, which spans about 20 acres, also features Florida’s state art museums with over 10,000 pieces ranging from ancient antiques, paintings, and sculpture to more contemporary prints and photographs. While there you MUST also tour John and Mable Ringlings home, all of which was custom designed by Mable Ringling herself and features the most beautiful stain glass windows. Another MUST - a visit to the pink archways of the museum courtyard  - its a dream!

Selby Gardens is another beautiful spot to check out when in Sarasota. An easy walk through the manicured greenhouse and garden reveals a variety of beautiful plant species, artwork, and plenty of places to take photos. In the middle of the gardens there is also a giant tree jungle gym for the kids with multiple levels. It kinda made me wish I was five again so I could join in! It looked so fun!

Lifeguard Station at Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota

Before you leave town you have to visit the best beach (RANKED!) in the US - Siesta Key Beach. The sand at this beach is made up of mostly mineral quarts which causes the beach to appear a cool white and feel as fine as baby powder. To add even more appeal Siesta Key also features a really cute lifeguard station, which you are totally allowed to climb up on and watch the sunset from. I honestly wish I had brought a picnic because I didn't want to leave! The sand and water was so nice and the sunset that night was so purple, pink, and all kinds of beautiful.

If you happen to rent a car while in Central Florida I would also tell you to day trip (it's about an hour drive further south) to Englewood, Fl. One of the funnest activities I did on my last trip was a ‘Riding the Waves’ Barrier Island Eco Tour. Essentially, you are given a two person pontoon boat and get to drive up and down the bay with an instructor/leader. It was so fun to be out on the water, in the Florida sunshine, and to top it all off we saw an entire school of dolphins! A day and activity I will definitely never forget.

Pastel Building at the Fisherman's Village market pier in Punta Gorda

If you head out to Englewood there are two places close by in the town of Punta Gorda that I would also definitely recommend: Fisherman's Village - a market pier with numerous pastel colored building filled with numerous boutiques and restaurants, and Peace River Seafood and Crab Shack - a super popular and delicious crab shack with huge portions! YUM!

I had such a wonderful time discovering this new side of Florida and had one of the most magical trips yet. If you have any questions about any of the activities or spots mentioned above feel free to leave me message in the comments below! Until next time - Arrivederci!!


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