ALEX Hotel Marseille

A few weeks ago I was invited to try out a brand new boutique hotel in Marseille, <a href="http://www.alex-hotel.fr/" target="_blank">ALEX Hotel.</a> The hotel is ideally located in the city centre a few minutes walk from the monumental stairs of the main train station Saint Charles. Designed by the architechts from <a href="http://www.togu-architecture.com/" target="_blank">TOGU </a>studio, the hotel has a classic external architecture with a classified facade. However, the interior design has a contemporary and eclectic vibe, where modern concrete desks flirt with traditional cement tiles.<br /><br /><i>Il y a quelques semaines, j'étais invitée à essayer un tout nouveau boutique hôtel à Marseille, <a href="http://www.alex-hotel.fr/" target="_blank">ALEX Hotel.</a> L'hôtel est idéalement situé au coeur du centre veille, à quelques minutes à pied du monumental escalier de la gare Saint Charles. Signé par les architectes du cabinet <a href="http://www.togu-architecture.com/" target="_blank">TOGU</a>, l'ALEX Hotel est classique dans son architecture extérieure, ses façades étant d'ailleurs classées aux bâtiments de France. Pour autant, il révèle un design intérieur contemporain et éclectique, où la modernité d'un desk en béton flirte avec le patchwork de carreaux de ciment traditionnels.</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8AHlr0KVX9AYx4zAcbg4mh7ux1m-BaA9iSDAPYiJCgA8Zs-MEgTDMauhyphenhyphenI1rncTflUQKOBUoc2Ffh-Lyr-D-GbzIMidk5n9VzyRiHwqIHYSOFQbRrZDgqVIBMwubpbo2UOo8FNHadKA/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+01.+Fac%C3%8C%C2%A7ade+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8AHlr0KVX9AYx4zAcbg4mh7ux1m-BaA9iSDAPYiJCgA8Zs-MEgTDMauhyphenhyphenI1rncTflUQKOBUoc2Ffh-Lyr-D-GbzIMidk5n9VzyRiHwqIHYSOFQbRrZDgqVIBMwubpbo2UOo8FNHadKA/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+01.+Fac%C3%8C%C2%A7ade+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8TD43G5YukEx9HdeWXRPTNahMDZvediKHEePr4BOf8sCJ5-BRWeL_CdoytQJOOoA8e27GIhhpjciUcTzxgrCg_aqWEvt9R0e6hIjIBmihaqEngbJtqlTXFlqhxUxabdDBR31-Rwj_Yw/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Lobby+0+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8TD43G5YukEx9HdeWXRPTNahMDZvediKHEePr4BOf8sCJ5-BRWeL_CdoytQJOOoA8e27GIhhpjciUcTzxgrCg_aqWEvt9R0e6hIjIBmihaqEngbJtqlTXFlqhxUxabdDBR31-Rwj_Yw/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Lobby+0+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6bcfA7GZOhYLIUtvYQ6K0VAB4SW3OP_dhEaeB866ELd0OYCMQRMKT-CZsHzP5pcMJbhNwNsMuMJ5_rDnZmGx_NCqJaZTBap17BX8dioQAdjIDWDymkWzk9XxyIEba8V-1TUG_jbplX0/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Lobby+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6bcfA7GZOhYLIUtvYQ6K0VAB4SW3OP_dhEaeB866ELd0OYCMQRMKT-CZsHzP5pcMJbhNwNsMuMJ5_rDnZmGx_NCqJaZTBap17BX8dioQAdjIDWDymkWzk9XxyIEba8V-1TUG_jbplX0/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Lobby+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" /></a></div><br />In line with Marseille's diversity, each floor has its own colour: orange, green, blue and grey/red. My room was located on the top 4th floor (in grey/red). I loved the breathtaking view of Marseille, but also the sober design and the excellent bedding comfort - essential!<br /><br /><i>A l'image de la diversité de Marseille, chaque étage a sa propre couleur: orange, vert, bleu et gris/rouge. </i><i>Ma chambre était située au 4ème et dernier étage (en gris/rouge). J'ai adoré la vue époustouflante sur Marseille, mais aussi la sobriété de la déco et l'excellent confort de la literie - indispensable!</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a5OGGkApyZzxFxGy7_8eAE6JqOHQSYnqxSAF9ia7tJ9XdIif04HgY6C_H43oNi2Jzw2-PwQrdZvv1yEpePerHxHThNx5NrCiHwElQB78dtvfTmpp0SKbjIklq1AT7oUJ5ZH_lu4NeCU/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Chambre+Deluxe+2+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a5OGGkApyZzxFxGy7_8eAE6JqOHQSYnqxSAF9ia7tJ9XdIif04HgY6C_H43oNi2Jzw2-PwQrdZvv1yEpePerHxHThNx5NrCiHwElQB78dtvfTmpp0SKbjIklq1AT7oUJ5ZH_lu4NeCU/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Chambre+Deluxe+2+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4JyoFMdQZZ67mzfBT_m69i45ofQEhFMSn5ZjQDwzdbjliTrKatPfenV8a6BZIdXOQ-EnqudRjQDBm3A8XObwPkdA8HFKtQZFAyy4cJZqiGWZ8-g8asWGJkoqt9khOlubA3bVe2gJjkQ/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Chambre+Deluxe+5+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4JyoFMdQZZ67mzfBT_m69i45ofQEhFMSn5ZjQDwzdbjliTrKatPfenV8a6BZIdXOQ-EnqudRjQDBm3A8XObwPkdA8HFKtQZFAyy4cJZqiGWZ8-g8asWGJkoqt9khOlubA3bVe2gJjkQ/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Chambre+Deluxe+5+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMcyLds8EENHjSUFQthUfsyTuChd4LTtAijfu6kLgKt1_RA-jTJzLKbHbOBseDE2NcItT7lxbzFj3VFQW9Wk8tv03OyyH70dNP6fuYkh5MmyARhcD6_mT9XCVXJDwILv_m38081aLX74/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Chambre+Club+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMcyLds8EENHjSUFQthUfsyTuChd4LTtAijfu6kLgKt1_RA-jTJzLKbHbOBseDE2NcItT7lxbzFj3VFQW9Wk8tv03OyyH70dNP6fuYkh5MmyARhcD6_mT9XCVXJDwILv_m38081aLX74/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Chambre+Club+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" /></a></div><br />The 21 rooms and Junior Suites are designed as unique rooms, which all have a similar look but where furniture, accessories and wall prints are never identical. And as a guiding thread throughout the hotel: the amazing cement tiles matching the colours of each floor.<br /><br /><i>Les 21 chambres et Junior Suites sont chacune imaginées comme une pièce unique, qui se ressemblent les unes aux autres, mais où mobilier, accessoires et décoration murale ne sont jamais identiques. Et comme fil rouge à travers l'hotel: les superbes carreaux de ciments assortis aux couleurs de chaque étage.</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjko1Xui4PyHEem0scR51owocuLTo_wEkzcImGW_4CEYU-_VSGgxNB9m77ns0Jl_V96s36y8B9yECGFKwMgb8kUov9xZK9uroSq49yIGwbrPrX4S34BJaKg0QcMik6Wy4EODgG5PTCbq9s/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Chambre+Deluxe+4+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjko1Xui4PyHEem0scR51owocuLTo_wEkzcImGW_4CEYU-_VSGgxNB9m77ns0Jl_V96s36y8B9yECGFKwMgb8kUov9xZK9uroSq49yIGwbrPrX4S34BJaKg0QcMik6Wy4EODgG5PTCbq9s/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Chambre+Deluxe+4+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpTgqJ6aPcmF5oGEVQ9u_VSnlwFJ6kHxNBJeg0RgZo-TIFmU9xKl4bapgjgQdTZ8QK5M8I3h7GOi20mhByeunJ2Bvz45dWOgV_dxGL28QosBe3Xv7zZvg1nY0gyM2Lcd0tZPIpGMddqU/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Chambre+Deluxe+8+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpTgqJ6aPcmF5oGEVQ9u_VSnlwFJ6kHxNBJeg0RgZo-TIFmU9xKl4bapgjgQdTZ8QK5M8I3h7GOi20mhByeunJ2Bvz45dWOgV_dxGL28QosBe3Xv7zZvg1nY0gyM2Lcd0tZPIpGMddqU/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Chambre+Deluxe+8+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvRGsia9TnsU9mOBFrROm8BnhTOekpf_qADHO2v_qaAxA_xdB5FYkx0Y-h89U606CBxj4P8JKgOjSRDVRjOt9NveQaX9VJ6u7VQoAwsVDC450VaMQpvIZ1sY3HsZirmeOdQOd-kTP7gE/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Chambre+Deluxe+6+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvRGsia9TnsU9mOBFrROm8BnhTOekpf_qADHO2v_qaAxA_xdB5FYkx0Y-h89U606CBxj4P8JKgOjSRDVRjOt9NveQaX9VJ6u7VQoAwsVDC450VaMQpvIZ1sY3HsZirmeOdQOd-kTP7gE/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Chambre+Deluxe+6+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" /></a></div><br />Another great asset is the adorable courtyard at the back of the hotel, perfect for a peaceful rest but also for having breakfast, which by the way was both generous and delicious.<br /><br />A big thank you to the whole team at <a href="http://www.alex-hotel.fr/" target="_blank">ALEX Hotel</a> for the warm welcome and perfect service!<br /><br /><i>Un autre atout</i><i> est l'adorable cour à l'arrière de l'hôtel, idéal pour se reposer au calme ou pour prendre son petit déjeuner, qui d'ailleurs était aussi copieux que délicieux.</i><br /><i><br /></i><i>Un grand merci à toute l'équipe de <a href="http://www.alex-hotel.fr/" target="_blank">ALEX Hotel</a> pour un accueil chaleureux et un service impeccable!</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUHHnS9SUHmlAbEFAhBOg1AKZz9znrgBI6rfNncVW4VWdimGbLhGoiY-R490UteHwyBjdYxSL4W8UAc3TkaMB1mtvvrDkXC7gJW-qPnMm45UB9dQTEEhQQegLMQvt5nCnwcRaClHw0e0/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Terrasse+petit+de%C3%8C%C2%81jeuner+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUHHnS9SUHmlAbEFAhBOg1AKZz9znrgBI6rfNncVW4VWdimGbLhGoiY-R490UteHwyBjdYxSL4W8UAc3TkaMB1mtvvrDkXC7gJW-qPnMm45UB9dQTEEhQQegLMQvt5nCnwcRaClHw0e0/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Terrasse+petit+de%C3%8C%C2%81jeuner+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QSNxyV632-Ky1e_IzF1fV3RX3ESHkF7htsMMuUS5Yo4xTorYvuM8h6qvFtQXaeiJQqq-reO0dcpeRgRb0NEUklCsDurd1PrZPs41Dfo8DDo-i382raAoMoRiTjoxg6hQ4z71dWj1VB4/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Terrasse+2+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QSNxyV632-Ky1e_IzF1fV3RX3ESHkF7htsMMuUS5Yo4xTorYvuM8h6qvFtQXaeiJQqq-reO0dcpeRgRb0NEUklCsDurd1PrZPs41Dfo8DDo-i382raAoMoRiTjoxg6hQ4z71dWj1VB4/s1600/ALEX+HO%C3%8C%E2%80%9ATEL+Marseille+-+Terrasse+2+-+Copyright+@Jo+Yana.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Photos: © <a href="http://www.joyana.fr/" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); color: #009ee0; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jo Yana</a> / Agence Pour l’amour du beau</i></span></span></div><br />On <a href="http://instagram.com/anna_g" target="_blank">my instagram (anna_g)</a> you can see more pictures from my visit to Marseille!<br />Thanks also to Camille de <a href="http://www.journal-du-design.fr/" target="_blank">Journal du design</a> <span style="background-color: white;">Vincent de </span><a href="http://www.blog-espritdesign.com/" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); background-color: white; color: #009ee0; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Blog Esprit Design</a><span style="background-color: white;">, Valentin de </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="http://muuuz.com/" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); background-color: white; color: #009ee0; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Muuuz</a>, <span style="background-color: white;">Peter de </span><a href="http://theblogdeco.com/" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); background-color: white; color: #009ee0; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Theblogdeco</a> et <a href="http://www.joyana.fr/" target="_blank">Jo Yana</a> for the excellent company :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Sur <a href="http://instagram.com/anna_g" target="_blank">mon instagram (anna_g)</a> vous pouvez voir d'autres photos de mon séjour à Marseille!</i></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Et merci à Camille de <a href="http://www.journal-du-design.fr/" target="_blank">Journal du design</a> <span style="background-color: white;">Vincent de </span><a href="http://www.blog-espritdesign.com/" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); background-color: white; color: #009ee0; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Blog Esprit Design</a><span style="background-color: white;">, Valentin de </span><a href="http://muuuz.com/" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); background-color: white; color: #009ee0; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Muuuz</a>, <span style="background-color: white;">Peter de </span><a href="http://theblogdeco.com/" style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; -webkit-transform: translate3d(0px, 0px, 0px); background-color: white; color: #009ee0; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Theblogdeco</a> et <a href="http://www.joyana.fr/" target="_blank">Jo Yana</a><span style="background-color: white;"> pour l'excellente compagnie :)</span></i></span>

ALEX Hotel Marseille

A few weeks ago I was invited to try out a brand new boutique hotel in Marseille, ALEX Hotel. The hotel is ideally located in the city cent...

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Blog tour Amsterdam - Volkshotel, Uber and a roundup

I'm so late with everything this year that I haven't even finished showing you everything from <a href="http://www.bloggerstour.com/" target="_blank">our blog tour in Amsterdam</a> in October... Well, in this round up from the trip I first of all want to show you a few more photos from <a href="http://volkshotel.nl/" target="_blank">Volkshotel</a>, the hotel that I already mentioned <a href="http://lamaisondannag.blogspot.fr/2014_07_01_archive.html" target="_blank">here</a> but which turned out to be even more cool in reality...<br /><br /><i>Je suis tellement en retard avec tout cette année que je n'ai même pas fini de vous parler de <a href="http://www.bloggerstour.com/" target="_blank">notre blog tour à Amsterdam</a> en octobre... Bref, dans ce dernier post sur ce voyage, je voulais tout d'abord vous montrer quelques photos supplémentaires de <a href="http://volkshotel.nl/" target="_blank">Volkshotel</a>, l'hôtel dont je vous ai déjà parlé <a href="http://lamaisondannag.blogspot.fr/2014_07_01_archive.html" target="_blank">ici </a>et qui s'est avéré être encore plus cool en réalité...</i><br /><i><br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNBMQpp5ra-H-NP7IzP0r6GmDefCzcghWvx-ROv_WthjYIuuDlf-8nowwpOBjiAqRM3_Coi7drP63XvjllPVLmdGlEl-mEnOxi3vU4CSCUuGdSf1ocYAHQprduI_dAEdGyiaMgi2VS3U/s1600/_MG_8944_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNBMQpp5ra-H-NP7IzP0r6GmDefCzcghWvx-ROv_WthjYIuuDlf-8nowwpOBjiAqRM3_Coi7drP63XvjllPVLmdGlEl-mEnOxi3vU4CSCUuGdSf1ocYAHQprduI_dAEdGyiaMgi2VS3U/s1600/_MG_8944_s.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaEGHMt1j9ecMq66AI_kmQZJWjBGddTDFQKD9tqs6TLE5B2xXtYCIb6s1yJ0fNX-jqM3L_MVPEehpFiZbV8G9i8K81gw4dXIOPs9Fs8wuPb0qgN_an1h7-nAvWm1QDklo0tpCErfGU6w/s1600/volkshotel2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWaEGHMt1j9ecMq66AI_kmQZJWjBGddTDFQKD9tqs6TLE5B2xXtYCIb6s1yJ0fNX-jqM3L_MVPEehpFiZbV8G9i8K81gw4dXIOPs9Fs8wuPb0qgN_an1h7-nAvWm1QDklo0tpCErfGU6w/s1600/volkshotel2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvIOiDEK__TPgFMhAiXWRY3yN7xLU8smFWo_7fvOv8o9JC9oQvNEi124DTtyTzJBInHVD3o7dJHwGuuOfxOM2VPj_GJA4SXs1iC3G8XWSuio6E9z98MK3G8TfDaoHS48kmWaOG0ZQggA/s1600/volkshotel3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvIOiDEK__TPgFMhAiXWRY3yN7xLU8smFWo_7fvOv8o9JC9oQvNEi124DTtyTzJBInHVD3o7dJHwGuuOfxOM2VPj_GJA4SXs1iC3G8XWSuio6E9z98MK3G8TfDaoHS48kmWaOG0ZQggA/s1600/volkshotel3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Photo <a href="http://pikkuvarpunen.blogspot.fr/" target="_blank">Susanna Vento/Varpunen</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They also have 9 special rooms that have been designed by 9 different designers/architects/creative people...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Ils ont aussi 9 chambres spéciales qui ont été décorées par 9 designers/architectes/créatifs différents...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XlbIAyg3tbSQSafAWcRmpK1oe_CP6NHC9Lo7ioWRGz5SnAe3DsNiRn_uslDovP8fOJe7MOQWWOffYpd3ZnQerxetutyAQFoyXcLgXIxkA8DFUOeaNcSYmZpKqd301CBnw3FUm_O0TwM/s1600/6b475697-daa8-49b9-807d-d889f5f33e8d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XlbIAyg3tbSQSafAWcRmpK1oe_CP6NHC9Lo7ioWRGz5SnAe3DsNiRn_uslDovP8fOJe7MOQWWOffYpd3ZnQerxetutyAQFoyXcLgXIxkA8DFUOeaNcSYmZpKqd301CBnw3FUm_O0TwM/s1600/6b475697-daa8-49b9-807d-d889f5f33e8d.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67SHN4Y9CedssFeI7oC_nlOlvFc5SduXqcc9EUpbhCZrh_GmI2FfgkrKq6K2WXWH7f-4lQSh-hHE-phEoMCyf6NnJlsvpz9NIKuCmkQn9lSyc2VV318dkNguoqGEMy8fH4lSWqAl7eJg/s1600/13cd3d71-b276-49c8-9bec-fd9f57f45af5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67SHN4Y9CedssFeI7oC_nlOlvFc5SduXqcc9EUpbhCZrh_GmI2FfgkrKq6K2WXWH7f-4lQSh-hHE-phEoMCyf6NnJlsvpz9NIKuCmkQn9lSyc2VV318dkNguoqGEMy8fH4lSWqAl7eJg/s1600/13cd3d71-b276-49c8-9bec-fd9f57f45af5.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwOrY_bS5NprwqSLATQjX36fu2OHHwihh7V4cBvZbMt8g2iBq8WsZTJ9j71nt2EBOb0tfkFIM85ckK84SZEGXJthSZPeLhj3u7Vn3jpcyJrjemjSi_cKObMMylhxvRaKNioopFeartms/s1600/a1866fd6-1b69-4d9b-91e4-4bae697ff68d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwOrY_bS5NprwqSLATQjX36fu2OHHwihh7V4cBvZbMt8g2iBq8WsZTJ9j71nt2EBOb0tfkFIM85ckK84SZEGXJthSZPeLhj3u7Vn3jpcyJrjemjSi_cKObMMylhxvRaKNioopFeartms/s1600/a1866fd6-1b69-4d9b-91e4-4bae697ff68d.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Press photos <a href="http://volkshotel.nl/" target="_blank">Volkshotel</a></i></div><br />We were lucky to once more be able to use the excellent services of <a href="http://www.uber.com/go/AMSBLOGTOUR" target="_blank">Uber </a>to get around Amsterdam (just as we did on our blog tour in Stockholm). What I like the most about <a href="http://www.uber.com/go/AMSBLOGTOUR" target="_blank">Uber </a>is that it's so easy and quick to use. Just download their app on your phone, register and order your cab.<br /><i><br /></i><i>Encore une fois, on a eu la chance de pouvoir profiter de l'excellent service d'<a href="http://www.uber.com/go/AMSBLOGTOUR" target="_blank">Uber</a> pour nous déplacer à travers Amsterdam (comme on l'avait déjà fait à notre blog tour à Stockholm). Ce que j'aime bien avec <a href="http://www.uber.com/go/AMSBLOGTOUR" target="_blank">Uber</a>, c'est que c'est très facile et rapide d'utilisation. Il suffit de télécharger leur app sur son téléphone, s'enregistrer et commander son taxi.</i><br /><i><br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2I69YjLV_OLTABamGosDERHFZukZzJXlAGW38TGQAsVVEe-Mumdch2OuBYrcSlozTcjK68upKTPoTfpzu0QQwFJrjaB1Mou8aLbHpTeKF5DKoUYlIKfv3Z38ujJ06-7XKPRjCIyC-7U/s1600/uber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn2I69YjLV_OLTABamGosDERHFZukZzJXlAGW38TGQAsVVEe-Mumdch2OuBYrcSlozTcjK68upKTPoTfpzu0QQwFJrjaB1Mou8aLbHpTeKF5DKoUYlIKfv3Z38ujJ06-7XKPRjCIyC-7U/s1600/uber.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo <a href="http://pikkuvarpunen.blogspot.fr/" target="_blank">Susanna Vento/Varpunen</a></i></div><br />We did lots of more great things too, like enjoying a delicious dinner in a spectacular setting at the <a href="http://hyatt.com/corporate/restaurants/Bluespoon/en/Home.html" target="_blank">Bluespoon restaurant</a> (designed by Marcel Wanders)...<br /><br /><i>On a fait plein d'autres trucs chouettes aussi, comme profiter d'un diner délicieux dans un lieu spectaculaire au <a href="http://hyatt.com/corporate/restaurants/Bluespoon/en/Home.html" target="_blank">restaurant Bluespoon</a> (décoré par Marcel Wanders)...</i><br /><i><br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8K7PVO1miuZH01V-sNA38jlOvLmRkxdWqRgCkPGiQKSyHtQPhVGus4sMksZhVgjbBOgcbo3Ks3pHTZh2u4Nh8KbrxjM5D1WjRBmXacqfwJgnGuoir1zD6mmdcReLUPPj38HILdHPY60/s1600/photo+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8K7PVO1miuZH01V-sNA38jlOvLmRkxdWqRgCkPGiQKSyHtQPhVGus4sMksZhVgjbBOgcbo3Ks3pHTZh2u4Nh8KbrxjM5D1WjRBmXacqfwJgnGuoir1zD6mmdcReLUPPj38HILdHPY60/s1600/photo+(10).JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo Anna Gustafsson</i></div><br />... visiting the <a href="http://www.woonbeurs.nl/" target="_blank">Woonbeurs fair</a> where we spent a great moment together with the editorial team of Dutch magazine <a href="http://www.vtwonen.nl/" target="_blank">vtwonen </a>in their very inspiring room settings...<br /><br /><i>... visiter le <a href="http://www.woonbeurs.nl/" target="_blank">salon Woonbeurs</a> où on a passé un super moment avec l'équipe éditoriale du magazine néerlandais <a href="http://www.vtwonen.nl/" target="_blank">vtwonen</a> sur leur très grand et inspirant stand...</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMHWWFF_0QC3nEuBPCI0Gc_ebyjWYR3jc1WfetEps5BGk6UoVQmHgnp0HuDk2aeUF1UTmwVqLw_SP3vcLuiUIwwAH8hvCIU_mtJ8C_snPEdXgBdvKCOvTazk0FyVKPsWVc4DB6yuGLAk/s1600/collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMHWWFF_0QC3nEuBPCI0Gc_ebyjWYR3jc1WfetEps5BGk6UoVQmHgnp0HuDk2aeUF1UTmwVqLw_SP3vcLuiUIwwAH8hvCIU_mtJ8C_snPEdXgBdvKCOvTazk0FyVKPsWVc4DB6yuGLAk/s1600/collage.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo Anna Gustafsson</i></div><br />... and also attending the <a href="http://meettheblogger.eu/" target="_blank">Meet the Blogger</a> conference where all of us gave a talk on different topics (mine was about my journey from blog to webshop).<br /><br /><i>... et aussi participer à la conférence <a href="http://meettheblogger.eu/" target="_blank">Meet the Blogger</a> où nous avons tous donné un discours sur différents sujets (pour ma part, j'ai parlé de mon parcours de blog à webshop).</i><br /><i><br /></i><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A big thank you to all our sponsors <i>/ Un très grand merci à tous nos sponsors:</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pistache.amsterdam?ref=ts&fref=ts" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Pistache</a><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"> | <a href="http://www.ladygreycatering.nl/" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #003366; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="http://www.ladygreycatering.nl/">Lady Grey Catering</a><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> | </span><a href="https://www.uber.com/" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #003366; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="https://www.uber.com/">Uber</a><span style="line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> |</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.bosicetea.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #003366; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="http://www.bosicetea.com/">BOS</a><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"> |</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.v2cgin.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #003366; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="http://www.v2cgin.com/">V2C Gin</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> |</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> </span><a href="http://www.bierenco.nl/en/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #003366; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="http://www.bierenco.nl/en/">Bier&Co</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> | </span><a href="http://www.fatboy.com/nl/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #003366; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="http://www.fatboy.com/nl/">Fatboy</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> | </span><a href="http://www.tj.dk/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #003366; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="http://www.tj.dk/">Thuesen Jensen</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> | </span><a href="http://www.volkshotel.nl/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #003366; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="http://www.volkshotel.nl/">Volkshotel</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;">  </span><a href="http://www.moooi.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #003366; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="http://www.moooi.com/">Moooi Brandstore &Showroom </a><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"> | </span><a href="http://www.libratone.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #003366; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="http://www.libratone.com/">Libratone</a><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"> | </span><a href="http://www.iamsterdam.com/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #003366; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="http://www.iamsterdam.com/">IAmsterdam</a><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"> | </span><a href="http://hyatt.com/corporate/restaurants/Bluespoon/nl/Home.html?src=vanity_bluespoon-restaurant.nl" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Bluespoon restaurant</a></span></b></div>

Blog tour Amsterdam - Volkshotel, Uber and a roundup

I'm so late with everything this year that I haven't even finished showing you everything from our blog tour in Amsterdam in Octobe...

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Volkshotel Amsterdam

Je profite de quelques semaines de vacances reposantes en Suède en ce moment, histoire de recharger les batteries pour la rentrée... Parmi les projets sympas qui m'attendent, un blog tour à Amsterdam début octobre! <a href="http://www.bloggerstour.com/" target="_blank">Notre groupe de bloggers européens</a> va notamment participer à l'événement <a href="http://meettheblogger.eu/events/amsterdamconference2014/" target="_blank">Meet the blogger le 4 octobre</a>. On va même y animer quelques ateliers, alors si vous avez envie de nous y retrouver, prenez vite votre billet <a href="https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/meet-the-blogger-amsterdam-conference-2014-registration-11679960075" target="_blank">ici</a>.<br /><br /><i>I'm enjoying a few weeks of relaxing holidays in Sweden at the moment, trying to to recharge my batteries for this autumn... One of the fun projects waiting for me is a blog tour to Amsterdam early October! <a href="http://www.bloggerstour.com/" target="_blank">Our group of European bloggers</a> will, among other things, participate in the <a href="http://meettheblogger.eu/events/amsterdamconference2014/" target="_blank">Meet the blogger event on Oct 4th</a>. We will even hold a few workshops there, so if you want to come and hang out with us, book your ticket <a href="https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/meet-the-blogger-amsterdam-conference-2014-registration-11679960075" target="_blank">here</a>. </i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgiy_ryeEeN4aLWRE5g5JJs3K77CMj2jRAdiG45pPQuurj1xFPKhzIbqcKamuaL4kgp9SbM2jzhP8C_RPI6Pm8tb2O5OhsIOGn4pdXG331MUPr13TVDOfbepROcPWjNx_0kzTqgjDUG4/s1600/room+edmund+a+mountain+in+the+middle+of+the+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgiy_ryeEeN4aLWRE5g5JJs3K77CMj2jRAdiG45pPQuurj1xFPKhzIbqcKamuaL4kgp9SbM2jzhP8C_RPI6Pm8tb2O5OhsIOGn4pdXG331MUPr13TVDOfbepROcPWjNx_0kzTqgjDUG4/s1600/room+edmund+a+mountain+in+the+middle+of+the+room.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">J'hâte de découvrir cet hôtel dans laquelle nous allons rester: <a href="https://www.volkshotel.nl/" target="_blank">Volkshotel</a>. Ouvert il y a quelques semaines seulement, c'est un hôtel pour tous, ouvert aux "mères célibataires, traders, punk rockers et poètes..."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>I'm really excited about seeing more of this hotel where we will be staying: <a href="https://www.volkshotel.nl/" target="_blank">Volkshotel</a>. Opened only a few weeks ago, it's a hotel open to everyone: "single moms, stockbrokers, punk rockers and poets..."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjlo5XlT-GB9RUWHzX4zXiviVOPyNTimeWtZyDRgWCuCNBL5PQ09-7Tbxub7A83iJShAe-GICrofV5bkSZQG4Wl5np76QwGXHOZxmLiaEsf8NXXG0z04zk0PR8waCDNiseRdrSFH2yJs/s1600/white+bike+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrjlo5XlT-GB9RUWHzX4zXiviVOPyNTimeWtZyDRgWCuCNBL5PQ09-7Tbxub7A83iJShAe-GICrofV5bkSZQG4Wl5np76QwGXHOZxmLiaEsf8NXXG0z04zk0PR8waCDNiseRdrSFH2yJs/s1600/white+bike+room.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9DS1J1FMzLNlXkhkpxmmcwL_bU7PTnNY5JHLzx_CoF7vcVtOhtrjLP2o41HKZubb_TRMQVA2uBnq9jkC6nfizF6QV0DOrpSd1EUyyKGCSQi8mMjYJ96kHL0GS4Ns_rVNq8u1rBihM2w/s1600/7.+Photo+Mark+Groeneveld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9DS1J1FMzLNlXkhkpxmmcwL_bU7PTnNY5JHLzx_CoF7vcVtOhtrjLP2o41HKZubb_TRMQVA2uBnq9jkC6nfizF6QV0DOrpSd1EUyyKGCSQi8mMjYJ96kHL0GS4Ns_rVNq8u1rBihM2w/s1600/7.+Photo+Mark+Groeneveld.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pendant 45 ans, ce bâtiment appartenait au journal progressiste hollandais De Volkskrant, avant de devenir un espace de travail pour des centaines de créateurs. Le bâtiment entre maintenant dans une nouvelle époque en tant qu'hôtel, où des découpages de journaux se mélangent aux détails d'origine en acier, bois, béton et verre.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>During 45 years, this building belonged to one the of the most progressive Dutch newspapers, De Volkskrant, before becoming a huge work space for hundreds of creative minds. The building now enters a new era as hotel, where newspaper cut outs mix with original elements in steel, wood, concrete and glass.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUF4KaKkpgN_a9ENOUiWVm_C_QJ3Vpe8DG12ctmf2AjE6dIxFTRiXworHSxP578sggb2uP1spPB1p1MnEJQLBY23NcbqIcSGw42dG1dFEcJNry_tGY0xQ7T5ZefQ_22P_vLb337Ijg2I/s1600/OPENING+-+bar+-+reception+downstairs+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUF4KaKkpgN_a9ENOUiWVm_C_QJ3Vpe8DG12ctmf2AjE6dIxFTRiXworHSxP578sggb2uP1spPB1p1MnEJQLBY23NcbqIcSGw42dG1dFEcJNry_tGY0xQ7T5ZefQ_22P_vLb337Ijg2I/s1600/OPENING+-+bar+-+reception+downstairs+copy.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Comprenant un hôtel, café, bar, restaurant, club et espaces de travail créatifs, l'ancien bâtiment à journaux est ouvert à tous.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Including a hotel, café, bar, restaurant, club and creative work spaces, the former newspaper building is open to everyone.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIJyJAGoBQevFHczBXLZsmcMf78sdeQ5Nd1NApAdxwIpBRr48n2WDis7j88TLSWczDqrEEXo_R5MsBkbKoyQpkegNkVDE2EnY5RUF537e6YNOcuJpcw25ZFRkTY9HpI68GXHHicztfEM/s1600/OPENING+rooftop+sauna+and+baths+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIJyJAGoBQevFHczBXLZsmcMf78sdeQ5Nd1NApAdxwIpBRr48n2WDis7j88TLSWczDqrEEXo_R5MsBkbKoyQpkegNkVDE2EnY5RUF537e6YNOcuJpcw25ZFRkTY9HpI68GXHHicztfEM/s1600/OPENING+rooftop+sauna+and+baths+copy.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On peut aussi boire un verre sur le toit terrasse en profitant du sauna et l'une des trois baignoires en bois.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>You can also have a few drinks on the rooftop terrace while trying out the sauna and one of the three hot bath tubs.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJHcCrHv07c995SqvmjCU2NK0SVUILyKIQ2DTYlSJEkRDfBerlQRuWi-c733Ve9lIWFvOtEoAA0A1UcuoFjAJFgC6knSmPcTJbmq4Io0pmS-uFbYy9iw1AnP1CqdyR1xKbo60lx8uT3U/s1600/petit+canvas+7th+floor+horizontaal+copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJHcCrHv07c995SqvmjCU2NK0SVUILyKIQ2DTYlSJEkRDfBerlQRuWi-c733Ve9lIWFvOtEoAA0A1UcuoFjAJFgC6knSmPcTJbmq4Io0pmS-uFbYy9iw1AnP1CqdyR1xKbo60lx8uT3U/s1600/petit+canvas+7th+floor+horizontaal+copy.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Photos <a href="https://www.volkshotel.nl/" target="_blank">Volkshotel</a> / Mark Groeneveld / <a href="http://www.vosgesparis.com/" target="_blank">Vosgesparis</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Si quelques jours à Amsterdam vous tentent, sachez que le <a href="https://www.volkshotel.nl/" target="_blank">Volkshotel</a> propose un tarif préférentiel de 69 euros la chambre double jusqu'à fin juillet!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>If you're planning a few days in Amsterdam, you should know that the <a href="https://www.volkshotel.nl/" target="_blank">Volkshotel</a> offers a special rate of 69 euros for a double room until end of July!</i></div>

Volkshotel Amsterdam

Je profite de quelques semaines de vacances reposantes en Suède en ce moment, histoire de recharger les batteries pour la rentrée... Parmi l...

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vacation in your own city

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk01ivLPMdOATks0qUaLfEzjegITsaBLUieSyaoOT2psIsK2EUJfETDZgi8npEJNnedIk21rQ_riNG4wpAAO48ZhdTPdk4flVfJ9fOvPMytcYu47c4Wl3JKky02po-TDYkkU67LyzB25g/s1600/fairmont+royal+york+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk01ivLPMdOATks0qUaLfEzjegITsaBLUieSyaoOT2psIsK2EUJfETDZgi8npEJNnedIk21rQ_riNG4wpAAO48ZhdTPdk4flVfJ9fOvPMytcYu47c4Wl3JKky02po-TDYkkU67LyzB25g/s1600/fairmont+royal+york+4.jpg" /></a></div><br />Two nights ago Aubrey and I packed our bags and checked into the <a href="http://www.fairmont.com/royal-york-toronto/" target="_blank">Fairmont Royal York</a> for a night off in our own city. I did a similar "vacation" with my Mom close to a year ago - the two of us checked into our own rooms, and just relaxed at the hotel (I had meant to blog about it but totally forgot) Anyhow, with Oscar sleeping over with his Uncle Pete and my Mom, Aubrey and I just hung out together like we used to do pre-parenthood.  We walked up to the Eaton Centre and popped into Chapter's and I picked up two books I had been interested in, and we walked back to the hotel and sat in the <a href="http://www.fairmont.com/royal-york-toronto/accommodations/fairmont-gold/" target="_blank">Gold Floor </a>lounge and read our books <i>uninterrupted </i>and ate appetizers all night. No shows. No major event. Just quiet, sitting across from each other in a beautiful lounge. It was the<i> best night ever</i>.  The Gold Floor gives you access to private check in, and a lounge that serves coffee, tea, appetizers and desserts - and in the morning, a beautiful buffet of breakfast. All I wanted to do was to sit in the lounge all night and read a book. And that is just what we did. Aubrey and I slept in until 9:30 in the morning. Heaven. When we were going to pick up Oscar from my Mom's house later on that afternoon we remarked how it was crazy how we felt like we had been away on a vacation - but we were in our own city. I can't recommend this kind of vacation enough. Just pick a hotel that has amenities that makes it feel luxurious for a night - I'm sure lots of hotels in the city are divine and perhaps we'll explore others in years to come. But I adore this hotel and really do recommend buying a new book, sitting in the lounge and doing absolutely nothing.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_vA8e8Z68JtYtTEl5Lel23Oa_EY0N6cToPEpWG1hJ9Yq76_3ITTeaH3zHQQLSJw3MMvM0g9VRqdcawJaMB7h68V0Oc3doV5Iztq0ztMYKoKc3174amPJvA2E5gEzD7mR4OrMsLuBCEo/s1600/fairmont+royal+york+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_vA8e8Z68JtYtTEl5Lel23Oa_EY0N6cToPEpWG1hJ9Yq76_3ITTeaH3zHQQLSJw3MMvM0g9VRqdcawJaMB7h68V0Oc3doV5Iztq0ztMYKoKc3174amPJvA2E5gEzD7mR4OrMsLuBCEo/s1600/fairmont+royal+york+3.jpg" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17umjrgG80_ADAhkI-FDR6eo3zTeg4fAA-k1j58aO6e9Xsg0LbOUfDPe9qpX4JXa1x6E4EB_e_SVyfQa_d5TvTmZHgT3YFr7G1rcV3s77Z-maKwHlcVj9E1tFO4-F_9ouckg-X92yUf4/s1600/fairmont+royal+york+1+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17umjrgG80_ADAhkI-FDR6eo3zTeg4fAA-k1j58aO6e9Xsg0LbOUfDPe9qpX4JXa1x6E4EB_e_SVyfQa_d5TvTmZHgT3YFr7G1rcV3s77Z-maKwHlcVj9E1tFO4-F_9ouckg-X92yUf4/s1600/fairmont+royal+york+1+.jpg" /></a></div><br />

vacation in your own city

Two nights ago Aubrey and I packed our bags and checked into the Fairmont Royal York for a night off in our own city. I did a similar ...

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coral

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XZXINsUm86_UynzbpCqWGLDTxTLEabVInYr7GQevQOpLkQZ8DEoICXstQ1s0-xIdr8_7e3jspiz0hCK79PMBWaq9OlZbyP7fYa-1tZpnX0Q35brtkP-7q0PTJCwNqFSaB0T_vbMe9R4/s1600/IMG_2262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLdAMPz3f9848lsCNe-bttwqxD5DqfqKa4Gpn63Qh_-KWlVMzD_tneSU2KIxbNpILUHoWV3gzVs9Vg_9ILSB5g_cdfYO7kF3uz92Al9d3KaIOLPeOWLn5lnTt86Xii3kPv8tijhO1KPw/s1600/IMG_2265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLdAMPz3f9848lsCNe-bttwqxD5DqfqKa4Gpn63Qh_-KWlVMzD_tneSU2KIxbNpILUHoWV3gzVs9Vg_9ILSB5g_cdfYO7kF3uz92Al9d3KaIOLPeOWLn5lnTt86Xii3kPv8tijhO1KPw/s1600/IMG_2265.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9XZXINsUm86_UynzbpCqWGLDTxTLEabVInYr7GQevQOpLkQZ8DEoICXstQ1s0-xIdr8_7e3jspiz0hCK79PMBWaq9OlZbyP7fYa-1tZpnX0Q35brtkP-7q0PTJCwNqFSaB0T_vbMe9R4/s1600/IMG_2262.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Lately I've been inspired by nature and I'm working on a series of sketches with cacti, succulents, coral, and palms. So it was great fun to be in a location a few weeks ago where coral and palms were in abundance.<br /><br />Each day I kept diving to find cool pieces of coral underwater for Oscar and he'd be <i>so excited</i> when I'd come back up on the beach with a few in my hand ... <i>"ooooo! oooo! I like that one!"</i> He'd say. And then he would run back up the beach to put them in his bag. I felt like I was the coolest person on earth to my little guy, and that was a pretty nice feeling. I brought some pieces of the broken off coral home - washed them, soaked them in a bleach solution to get any stinkies away and Oscar and I have been examining the pieces with great interest.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6BQ4fK-EtIvuNRZ0uvOdoejwJOeQSL3YLDgBlCmKak_lQtVhgJUgCQ43v4-R5jToW22Pn2IImBm7Q65yLfO94AWJCqKt_mA2FZaVlAX-_zb_U6ebKpei8bts7TwDpXBj1IZxc2IxiQI/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6BQ4fK-EtIvuNRZ0uvOdoejwJOeQSL3YLDgBlCmKak_lQtVhgJUgCQ43v4-R5jToW22Pn2IImBm7Q65yLfO94AWJCqKt_mA2FZaVlAX-_zb_U6ebKpei8bts7TwDpXBj1IZxc2IxiQI/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a><br /><i>It helped that we had watched some of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blue_Planet" target="_blank">Blue Planet Natural History of the Ocean </a>on <a href="https://www.netflix.com/?locale=en-CA" target="_blank">Netflix </a>a few days prior to leaving. It was really cool learning about coral and how it lives, and survives. So it gave Oscar and I some talking points when holding up the pieces that had broken off and washed into the beach area. </i><br /><br />

coral

Lately I've been inspired by nature and I'm working on a series of sketches with cacti, succulents, coral, and palms. So it was grea...

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Travelling with kids / stuff I'm really glad I brought

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SORCZeL6EPVsD1bcpRRGN2YWIQ-p0DGSTWL5DVZBQi3CTZ8M9p4EquyLQ8-hQ45WRmKiTnfSX3I8vBXzP_UBHnA6-GgAalNUkizcLXkVR4EY-3LQxdE5KjvSvE-mRlwIr9TDtJhE9T8/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SORCZeL6EPVsD1bcpRRGN2YWIQ-p0DGSTWL5DVZBQi3CTZ8M9p4EquyLQ8-hQ45WRmKiTnfSX3I8vBXzP_UBHnA6-GgAalNUkizcLXkVR4EY-3LQxdE5KjvSvE-mRlwIr9TDtJhE9T8/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-SORCZeL6EPVsD1bcpRRGN2YWIQ-p0DGSTWL5DVZBQi3CTZ8M9p4EquyLQ8-hQ45WRmKiTnfSX3I8vBXzP_UBHnA6-GgAalNUkizcLXkVR4EY-3LQxdE5KjvSvE-mRlwIr9TDtJhE9T8/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Oscar just conquered his <i>first </i>flight so I'm no expert at travelling with kids - but I did want to share what really worked for us, helping ease Oscar into the flight and stay in a <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2014/03/resort-review-riu-bachata-dominican.html" target="_blank">destination resort</a>. We plan on doing this more so I'm sure I'll gather more tips & tricks along the way but for now here are some things I am so glad we brought with us, and did prior to leaving that prepared us for travel.<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjjy_nLMtZnqZZFzlFjmUdhl3X9qfX4FymypZ1fbrlH9N7cSgNEJaG1Goc05cs7y9hyih_N5XWrkH0Yt0NqKuvGQGgs0Er9asue5BZ9JGV7t1eXVa5VcbH7FfVGtxtdfGTafOfwQyS5Y/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjjy_nLMtZnqZZFzlFjmUdhl3X9qfX4FymypZ1fbrlH9N7cSgNEJaG1Goc05cs7y9hyih_N5XWrkH0Yt0NqKuvGQGgs0Er9asue5BZ9JGV7t1eXVa5VcbH7FfVGtxtdfGTafOfwQyS5Y/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />First things first - <i>I talked to friends and asked them what they did</i>. My friend Meagan has an <a href="http://www.miniglobetrotters.com/1/post/2011/08/its-not-the-destination-but-the-journeyright.html" target="_blank">awesome travel blog</a> and we chatted over pedicures one night a few days before my flight and she gave me some really valuable tips like bringing presents for the kids on the plane and things like bringing snacks. The food tip was a life saver. Seriously, make a mental note on that one. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hkaSGKRN_sFcnY0d06_vG6P0U61vOpPLZo8VbfrrOhAk9_bVzAwBDPvr63piGRsAH_HDxE_pdudpRl4F-ulTRUofELue-ULO1MO3NlnXWgRCogNcCsxFxMINE7CwRHwKd-yHAg25zro/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hkaSGKRN_sFcnY0d06_vG6P0U61vOpPLZo8VbfrrOhAk9_bVzAwBDPvr63piGRsAH_HDxE_pdudpRl4F-ulTRUofELue-ULO1MO3NlnXWgRCogNcCsxFxMINE7CwRHwKd-yHAg25zro/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b>No. 1 - Books and toys <i>from home</i> for familiarity + communication tool</b><br />I brought some (soft cover) books from home that were some of Oscar's favourite so that at bedtime had some familiarity. When we we had gone to Great Wolf Lodge a few months back - I was surprised that even with all the excitement and fun Oscar was really sad at night and wanted his own bed. ("I want to go <i>home </i>Mommy". It broke my heart) Knowing that, I wanted to make sure bedtime felt like home so I brought <i>familiar </i>books and a stuffed animal (his "Bun Bun") <i>The bunny was also important as a communication tool - I would ask him on the airplane how the bunny was feeling - I found that he was more open to talking about how the bunny was feeling vs. himself. Thankfully Bun-Bun was always "super excited!!!" about the trip. ;)</i><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF96e5PEVMT525gNRDz6B-qOhDHFZbVQUAjdRqDie7734XyYqjWzX68CfwAAyfcjzFJLPSEqFnnQ7pePL9ioBlhki3FDhlp-LDCfeNqnQvFCzSeah8hiysravRmUeswWZD7VG99Q2Tk3I/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF96e5PEVMT525gNRDz6B-qOhDHFZbVQUAjdRqDie7734XyYqjWzX68CfwAAyfcjzFJLPSEqFnnQ7pePL9ioBlhki3FDhlp-LDCfeNqnQvFCzSeah8hiysravRmUeswWZD7VG99Q2Tk3I/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><b>No. 2 - "Play Packs"</b><br />I picked up a few "PlayPacks" from Target's dollar bin and they were awesome. Play Packs come with crayons, stickers, and an activity book. I bought a few, and wished I had brought more. We brought them with us to dinners at night -  It kept Oscar entertained so Aubrey and I could enjoy our dinner at a relatively normal pace. <b>Available at: </b><a href="http://www.target.ca/en/" target="_blank">Target</a>, Dollarama, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Disney%20Grab%20%26%20Go%20Play%20Packs" target="_blank">Amazon</a> Typically around $1-$3 each<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZpQZd3GFHhwRrGN2mDFLK89o732UFmfWIrDQBgdxKl9oxAvIU1s0SEN4jnSBsgTlcoA0ER6oWy-RKsuIRsS0ZJVLjQDPmkd1ZyU0got2bQduMVuULcP9zdOzcS5dkbcpqhbnwbJowWM/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZpQZd3GFHhwRrGN2mDFLK89o732UFmfWIrDQBgdxKl9oxAvIU1s0SEN4jnSBsgTlcoA0ER6oWy-RKsuIRsS0ZJVLjQDPmkd1ZyU0got2bQduMVuULcP9zdOzcS5dkbcpqhbnwbJowWM/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" /></a><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>No. 3 Tech / iPad and LeapPad + Headphones</b><br />I appreciate that not all families have iPads or, tablets of any sort but if you are thinking of getting one, or, can borrow one from a family member - it comes in <i>really </i>handy. The iPad was awesome - I loaded up a whack of <i>new </i>apps and movies (more on that later) which saved us during the flights. The<a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/12/gift-idea-for-kids-leappad-ultra-from.html" target="_blank"> LeapPad</a> was also awesome - we let him bring the <a href="http://aubreyandlindsay.blogspot.ca/2013/12/gift-idea-for-kids-leappad-ultra-from.html" target="_blank">LeapPad </a>to the pool area, so he'd lie in the shade, under an umbrella, and Aubrey would read his book beside him. The two had some quiet time in the shade outdoors after a full day of swimming and searching for coral. The headphones were a life saver as it meant Aubrey and I could talk and not interupt what he was watching.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQGyleT81xB4Ekllv45ZvMAr-zeLExyBteG5iE5wkU5EHx-V7URGN-MFfvNjHGCzYtHz8xd00e-y3YN2ntnLL9wZfRILV_VhU0xDhsQdz79E0t78BK3U79-wOqZWLdgLQ_nRnpe8Ozxo/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQGyleT81xB4Ekllv45ZvMAr-zeLExyBteG5iE5wkU5EHx-V7URGN-MFfvNjHGCzYtHz8xd00e-y3YN2ntnLL9wZfRILV_VhU0xDhsQdz79E0t78BK3U79-wOqZWLdgLQ_nRnpe8Ozxo/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b>No. 4 - Gifts & Loot Bags</b><br />My Mom did this for us kids when we'd travel to Ottawa to visit my grandparents - she'd make up lootbags of new things to entertain us on the trip. Oscar is too young to be given a loot bag because he'd just seriously go through the whole thing and the excitement would be done in 2 minutes. So I wrapped up individual gifts in wrapping paper and brought them along in our carry on bag, and also, packed others in our suitcase. This was awesome for the flight. My own downfall was that I forgot to save some for the flight home, and well....oops.<br /><br /><i>Tip: I resisted buying toys from the dollar store because they always end up being kind of junky so I got nicer cars like Hot Wheels and some Disney Cars characters because I knew Oscar would play with them. I also got some gummy / stretchy frogs / lizzards that he thought was hilarious. Buying from Mastermind? They gift wrap for free!</i><br /><i><br /></i><i><br /></i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2CbW2w4-rhv5uSXIXDMyFQM5Mx92Yb8-4SdZyTSFncqEUrRQVPpGBliGudELrzYPlz1ATg-yZQwcPtXUc2CZRqbScccJscUFMDYiSPuOmT_93Z4q_R5SJiKWPlMwkXyQRFQUwAxNbwo/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2CbW2w4-rhv5uSXIXDMyFQM5Mx92Yb8-4SdZyTSFncqEUrRQVPpGBliGudELrzYPlz1ATg-yZQwcPtXUc2CZRqbScccJscUFMDYiSPuOmT_93Z4q_R5SJiKWPlMwkXyQRFQUwAxNbwo/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b>No. 5 - Sand & Water Bag by Melissa and Doug</b><br />Officially this is called "<a href="http://www.mastermindtoys.com/Melissa-Doug-Sunny-Patch-Cinco-Starfish-Collapsible-Bucket.aspx" target="_blank">Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Cinco Starfish Collapsible Bucke</a>t" but let's just call it a sand and water bag because that's really what it is. This was awesome to have at the beach! It's waterproof and Oscar could carry his cars,shells and coral around in it. I <i>love </i>this bag! <br />Available at: <a href="http://www.mastermindtoys.com/Melissa-Doug-Sunny-Patch-Cinco-Starfish-Collapsible-Bucket.aspx" target="_blank">MastermindToys.com</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBrqpnkHGXYvkqsEAJcnChi572J0uXEMtJR_zwywN54YjNDUFVKs9Y1UEjtziB3F0fu-Isbb0u691n6WXkvjFqbuKfWyCamjirlUN3OgO_9fi8Z4WFYTR7YzBrRpjgHJ46rL0r0X6mJg/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBrqpnkHGXYvkqsEAJcnChi572J0uXEMtJR_zwywN54YjNDUFVKs9Y1UEjtziB3F0fu-Isbb0u691n6WXkvjFqbuKfWyCamjirlUN3OgO_9fi8Z4WFYTR7YzBrRpjgHJ46rL0r0X6mJg/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b>No. 6 GlowSticks </b><br />Go to the dollar store and buy a few packages of necklaces, bracelets etc. Oscar adores glow stuff, but also it turned out to be a great way for Oscar to meet other kids*. You know when you're out at an event and someone has the coolest glow stuff, and we've all wondered where they get them...(And usually a vendor is selling them 10 blocks away) Well, here's my trick - bring a whack load of glow stuff in your bag from the dollar store. Oscar would play with some glow wands and offer extras to other kids. It was an awesome ice breaker. <br /><i>*Unfortunately English wasn't dominant language at the resort so it was a little tricky - but this "ice breaker" for kids is really great should you maybe go somewhere where your language is more common. </i><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQAKTiQh6Zfw1qSulYwMgrjce7OSw_fv9EvmAF2RW1AYn3ilCMVJpYIXzpaUaIhL1Ly0CfIeCpJxheuxiXZDINYl9Eic2IH-Xp6nq-uYoWSZ-1BD_0SaWVI6leEV1I0as73_UPB0m6Kg/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQAKTiQh6Zfw1qSulYwMgrjce7OSw_fv9EvmAF2RW1AYn3ilCMVJpYIXzpaUaIhL1Ly0CfIeCpJxheuxiXZDINYl9Eic2IH-Xp6nq-uYoWSZ-1BD_0SaWVI6leEV1I0as73_UPB0m6Kg/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b>No. 7 Backpack</b><br />Kids love taking ownership of things, so we got Oscar a backpack a month before the trip, and he packed some of his cars and his LeapPad in his own backpack.<br />Available at: <a href="http://www.skiphop.com/product/zoopacks.html" target="_blank">Skip Hop Backpack</a>, Purchased at <a href="http://www.target.ca/" target="_blank">Target</a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lqn_4GX1pkxXp0cXKiVTCLPGLxcFEfoR2T2fbC95_Ucw0m39Qt7bVi-iTNial9Yi0T38N9kmhA2j1wLnzmvPQ5HgDVkCT8omuU4-Bvv7hMTi4Rgmr4i9MDHboZhPL8iASS4t9UTPrq0/s1600/IMG_1507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lqn_4GX1pkxXp0cXKiVTCLPGLxcFEfoR2T2fbC95_Ucw0m39Qt7bVi-iTNial9Yi0T38N9kmhA2j1wLnzmvPQ5HgDVkCT8omuU4-Bvv7hMTi4Rgmr4i9MDHboZhPL8iASS4t9UTPrq0/s1600/IMG_1507.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HAlOPW6yq9Ery_wCqWzlF4zvDjirAkq2kz72M-L6rbXEgKvtn-MhfZW8LiogE9QkwoaTKOsr4JWnXaV1L1f6MKuU6rQdJ3nnAgY7l1v5WdbLqG2JLFte8nf0eFLnqTCJ1r8A-N2Dii0/s1600/Untitled-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HAlOPW6yq9Ery_wCqWzlF4zvDjirAkq2kz72M-L6rbXEgKvtn-MhfZW8LiogE9QkwoaTKOsr4JWnXaV1L1f6MKuU6rQdJ3nnAgY7l1v5WdbLqG2JLFte8nf0eFLnqTCJ1r8A-N2Dii0/s1600/Untitled-5.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b>No. 8 - Food</b><br />This was the one recommendation that Meagan gave me that I owe her BIG time for. Snacks. She mentioned that kids sometimes don't want to eat the food in a new place. Oscar unfortunately got a picky food eater gene from me - so I knew that we may run into some issues. Meagan suggested those baby foods, which kids love - apple / pear / etc. I also brought some goldfish and, granola bars. As it turns out, because our resort had the whacky dining times, we really needed those snacks (gold fish / bars) to hold us between lunch and dinner. The snacks were also great on the plane, and just to cure crankies. The rainbow goldfish we never get at home, so it was something a little different and fun that was added fun for Oscar. Just bring some snacks / food just in case your kids don't acclimatize to the dining facilities.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV63zVtxgHANWc5ohteuYqA2fL0VwC-v18FivMSfDHwK6xIvlNPJaFuqg4CNVF0md-qMEQCoBYa9rK9hlJv7fvIVjh_rQbt0YXFf_7_eson9pBGXwPxSWFCdI_XhH-04voP7HXeAmdrxo/s1600/Untitled-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV63zVtxgHANWc5ohteuYqA2fL0VwC-v18FivMSfDHwK6xIvlNPJaFuqg4CNVF0md-qMEQCoBYa9rK9hlJv7fvIVjh_rQbt0YXFf_7_eson9pBGXwPxSWFCdI_XhH-04voP7HXeAmdrxo/s1600/Untitled-6.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b>No. 9 ZipLock Bags</b><br />Bring Ziplock bags. Seriously, they were awesome and take up little room. They will come in super handy for if you want to bring some food home from the buffet to keep your kid happy until the next meal. We also used them for storing things like shampoos, suntan lotion - it keeps everything REALLY organized and easy to find. Bring extras for the food.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIebtG5sEtemuJjbq3MvqodC2NFpdgZvaTUu7llGcbg-dacrCpzW-LoFTstlGBh8mg0QxUHw2yKbpOQbn4Tmg8YyuFkEVP_6oGXFgG2a9NaRh5BNWZrZa1Qw3X-iQ3tUgNbE2W-is2_E/s1600/IMG_1540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIebtG5sEtemuJjbq3MvqodC2NFpdgZvaTUu7llGcbg-dacrCpzW-LoFTstlGBh8mg0QxUHw2yKbpOQbn4Tmg8YyuFkEVP_6oGXFgG2a9NaRh5BNWZrZa1Qw3X-iQ3tUgNbE2W-is2_E/s1600/IMG_1540.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />That's it for my list of what I'm so glad I brought, that kept Oscar entertained and happy at the resort. Please feel free to share your own tips & tricks for travelling with kids for others, as I'm sure there is a wealth of knowledge that you all have!<br /><br />xo Lindsay

Travelling with kids / stuff I'm really glad I brought

Oscar just conquered his first flight so I'm no expert at travelling with kids - but I did want to share what really worked for us, help...

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resort review / Riu Bachata, Dominican Republic

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlXBNx77N4HBrIcJPE8NPant9kij0bxzLf3tghWBm5KODJnqDY2XJMgxYSlGI0z3o1-OH4wIkr2UW0eAHtadND9tSVMKP5Z3R4me8qeviRG9M5Z2HWisbzgQIlcbLsqV3uECDVWetrKU/s1600/IMG_1594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDlXBNx77N4HBrIcJPE8NPant9kij0bxzLf3tghWBm5KODJnqDY2XJMgxYSlGI0z3o1-OH4wIkr2UW0eAHtadND9tSVMKP5Z3R4me8qeviRG9M5Z2HWisbzgQIlcbLsqV3uECDVWetrKU/s1600/IMG_1594.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHOtx4uJxQN3sKrUAxZpAU_KdXz2XF5N_gVZkOuvpvG35SS2133PrSFU24bnp98rkEpbMovQMZTV9wnvlniVl80S-FcA492QUnASHqCdJCqYRDFnrMdmEepcmp1r0Mj3rd2K0hQ0Y4Ws/s1600/pool_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHOtx4uJxQN3sKrUAxZpAU_KdXz2XF5N_gVZkOuvpvG35SS2133PrSFU24bnp98rkEpbMovQMZTV9wnvlniVl80S-FcA492QUnASHqCdJCqYRDFnrMdmEepcmp1r0Mj3rd2K0hQ0Y4Ws/s1600/pool_2.jpg" /></a></div><br />I wanted to share pictures and a review of our resort with you - we ended up picking the <a href="http://www.riu.com/en/Paises/dominican-republic/puerto-plata/clubhotel-riu-bachata/oferta.jsp?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_content=PuertoPlata&utm_campaign=Properties&src=tig_us_ppc_puertoplata_google_canada_brand_properties_bachata_phrase_leadrate_66&mkwid=s7CcVc5r9_dc&pcrid=35108505698&pmt=p&pkw=riu%20bachata%20in%20puerto%20plata" target="_blank">Riu Bachata in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic</a>. Riu is a Spanish chain, which we were new to. Although you're welcome to scroll through to just see some of our photos (or watch our home video) I thought that a full review of the place may help another family should one of you be looking for a place that is a nice starter place as a family to visit. There are <i>so </i>many resorts to choose from, each a little different and offering different amenities. I found it overwhelming, which is why I wanted to post an extensive review of where we stayed! Should you like to read more about the resort, and my review, it's after the jump! (Because it is super long)<br /><br /><a name="more"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI_y9CZUJvlgAW40THHDDVq2JTrvdaYY1A94n0G472GTj-qKnl1u3skPPmSrqWH6zgIdbERqKMH8t4LkpI2Z8MMAWCqml5gWOy2rlZhi2KDAevAGL822AI9c42BcTv6PF9325xEEAidg/s1600/1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI_y9CZUJvlgAW40THHDDVq2JTrvdaYY1A94n0G472GTj-qKnl1u3skPPmSrqWH6zgIdbERqKMH8t4LkpI2Z8MMAWCqml5gWOy2rlZhi2KDAevAGL822AI9c42BcTv6PF9325xEEAidg/s1600/1e.jpg" /></a></div>We spent a lot of time researching where to go. At the suggestion of my Mom, we enlisted the help of a travel agent after doing research online for a few weeks. We got the help from Yvette from <a href="http://www.yyztravel.com/" target="_blank">YYZ Travel</a> (her contact info is at the very bottom of the post).<br /><br />We did some initial research and knew of what we wanted to begin with and an agent was really helpful in narrowing the options down more. When it came time for booking the trip - Yvette took the time to speaking to the resort in on our behalf requesting special items like an extra bed in the room for Oscar.<br /><br />Some things that we did know when talking with Yvette - we had a budget for the trip, knew we wanted no less than four stars and, chose to go to the Dominican Republic. The Dominican was close enough for us from Toronto (four hour flight) which was manageable for me, considering it was Oscar's first flight.<br /><br />In all honesty, I wanted desperately to do a trip via a Beaches Resort, Sandals, or Club Med because they all have the amazing reputation behind them of being great - especially with kids. But the prices were out of reach for us at this stage. I also was dreaming of going somewhere like Hawaii but the flight time was making it a no-go for Oscar's first trip. Maybe another day. Aubrey and I have both traveled to Cuba, Mexico and the Dominican Republic together and I felt most comfortable with the Dominican, so we focused in on that location.<br /><br />We were going last minute in part to try to get savings, although we were running the risk of narrowing down our options of what was available. It was a risk we had to take to make a trip workable financially, and in the end it was ok.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIhhU6YpP91s-kH9XHHNTBdLHX9X24duZH_pnraIXrkJH0yJOB7QxEgg_KzkTOwnb-FOeya4KUxymxW5RrlluW6emrgqNP5z1Wii86IUiGLTor7xe4rgqzE_bCJUQTVByvyCpM9By51U/s1600/s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIhhU6YpP91s-kH9XHHNTBdLHX9X24duZH_pnraIXrkJH0yJOB7QxEgg_KzkTOwnb-FOeya4KUxymxW5RrlluW6emrgqNP5z1Wii86IUiGLTor7xe4rgqzE_bCJUQTVByvyCpM9By51U/s1600/s.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><ul><li>All inclusive - Takes the guess work out of budgeting</li><li>Four stars or more</li><li>Child Friendly, although not necessarily geared <i>towards </i>kids. I wanted a mix of relaxing but child appropriate. </li><li>Small resort - we didn't want to have to walk very far to the beach / food / rooms. Some resorts we had been to in the past, you hop on little shuttles to get to the beach. That ruled out any resort immediately.</li><li>Small Beach - I didn't want the beach to be full of party animals. (been there. done that.)</li><li>Great bedrooms - with a small child I knew that we'd be indoors more than previous trips</li><li>Pool </li><li>Close to airport - we didn't want to be on an hour long bus ride to the resort</li></ul><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl6P0FARCWb1ysw-75n-Y2TcWu_Fd6bIbSYz6o3GFqtAPrkrSbqJ5mMuPp8gLAGyvkSHFqiFafejDh0ImZ9_MhF1VwIRhOp_Z9988RxOiVNdjVzCPBlXlyQFL1S2pnCEJHQO6THFrbD8/s1600/123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtl6P0FARCWb1ysw-75n-Y2TcWu_Fd6bIbSYz6o3GFqtAPrkrSbqJ5mMuPp8gLAGyvkSHFqiFafejDh0ImZ9_MhF1VwIRhOp_Z9988RxOiVNdjVzCPBlXlyQFL1S2pnCEJHQO6THFrbD8/s1600/123.jpg" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://www.signaturevacations.com/Puerto-Plata/Hotels/RIU-BACHATA.asp" target="_blank">Riu Bachata</a>, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic via <a href="http://www.sunwing.ca/" target="_blank">Sunwing Vacations.</a> Below are my ratings of the features. The rating system is going on the base knowledge of what an all inclusive, destination resort offers you. It's not the same as a five star / four star hotel in Toronto, so you kind of have to read the review.<br /><br /><i><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="388" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yIjSxnsePyI?rel=0" width="690"></iframe><br /></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5ZnF-MGYiXAUZosSKQn3vzUn2p-4DMzsa8BgnyNJm3G-VSwO_uakqoO38E1-taMPluoW7RSreZJqFk71KBxDENgZ91m2txN1uFVp3GU2NOLnYc5Q5GIUBsOl08zB4cR-uMmUEJPYw_M/s1600/IMG_1590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5ZnF-MGYiXAUZosSKQn3vzUn2p-4DMzsa8BgnyNJm3G-VSwO_uakqoO38E1-taMPluoW7RSreZJqFk71KBxDENgZ91m2txN1uFVp3GU2NOLnYc5Q5GIUBsOl08zB4cR-uMmUEJPYw_M/s1600/IMG_1590.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjiYpYUUWnsLOukXeigXESEeAlggJztLh9M2zkx7lOdqikR6MQ0fHpB0eUqet9FtMkTfMh8tockM2hzhLWjGkJ9cCkXW54YEPdklplqHeJdmcn4Rx7IslideTjEY0g-6FCNXHHUpDBFI/s1600/1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcjiYpYUUWnsLOukXeigXESEeAlggJztLh9M2zkx7lOdqikR6MQ0fHpB0eUqet9FtMkTfMh8tockM2hzhLWjGkJ9cCkXW54YEPdklplqHeJdmcn4Rx7IslideTjEY0g-6FCNXHHUpDBFI/s1600/1e.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b>Staff: 10/10 </b><br />Always really friendly, not vying for tips as I have experienced in resorts that we had gone to before. Here, should you choose to tip, it's a sign of appreciation but not required or expected.<br /><br />The hotel staff all seemed to have a great repor with one another, which I think shows a great work environment. Kind, helpful, and always really nice to Oscar. The main desk staff wasn't really all that friendly but you deal with them so infrequently that I didn't deduct points. Staff aren't intrusive, but if you need something they were really helpful. Lots of staff, and finding someone should you need something was never an issue.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUvcr3CZSp2okrOhhWnP_t4UHW1E3G-KnUL-b9kFmndgAeHWfG7SkI_Kes2Qz7kCogEtYQeIcytMbHj7t1qDd6ScBfsPz6tK1RzEuBbcfEkbLYlQuvLY4dh2MWXTz7gRlO5UM0sXvt6Q/s1600/1es.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUvcr3CZSp2okrOhhWnP_t4UHW1E3G-KnUL-b9kFmndgAeHWfG7SkI_Kes2Qz7kCogEtYQeIcytMbHj7t1qDd6ScBfsPz6tK1RzEuBbcfEkbLYlQuvLY4dh2MWXTz7gRlO5UM0sXvt6Q/s1600/1es.jpg" /></a></div><br /><b>The food: I say 5/10, Aubrey says 7/10</b><br />I wasn't a huge fan of the food and found it repetitive. Aubrey says I'm picky and disagrees with my rating. I don't disagree with him, so I'm putting both of our reviews in. :) Breakfast was great. No complaints - croissants, pancakes and eggs along with many fruits and other dishes. (A child would be happy with any of the choices). Lunch and Dinner there was a lot of selection but I just didn't really warm to it. Pasta was a go-to choice for Oscar every night. Ham and cheese sandwiches were always available, so we just took the ham out and pretended it was a grilled cheese sandwich and Oscar was happy. :)<br /><br /><b>Food Services - Hours of Operation: 4/10</b><br />The hours of operation of the main restaurant I found frustrating when you're trying to feed kids. But it's all inclusive so I guess you have to take the good with the bad. The breakfast was always fine - it ended at 10am and it closed down until 1pm for lunch - which I thought was late for kids. (Oscar eats usually at noon) And then dinner wasn't open until 6pm which I found awkward. There was a snack bar area that operated in between those hours but the food wasn't super healthy or ideal for little ones.(French fries, hot dogs etc)  I've preferred resorts where a snack bar operated 24 hours, which meant less scheduling around meals. They had "A-la-carte" restaurants which we didn't go to, but I overheard other guests saying they were good. The services at the restaurants was always 10/10.<br /><i><b>Tip</b>: Bring snacks from home to have at the resort if you have kids. It makes the break between lunch and dinner way better. (More on that in another post)</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXhhpThzswDas6q-7xC7g4uhGo1r4URUbooR4tY3NoGtGd6DWph9HVO_yYtxKidpYX2jUAxA5uYvAbK_7JvIqya84jXE_D5lKBbjUe1SYuowUDe0SS4I5US2HKbO1ip9xBWg20IcPQ3U/s1600/1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXhhpThzswDas6q-7xC7g4uhGo1r4URUbooR4tY3NoGtGd6DWph9HVO_yYtxKidpYX2jUAxA5uYvAbK_7JvIqya84jXE_D5lKBbjUe1SYuowUDe0SS4I5US2HKbO1ip9xBWg20IcPQ3U/s1600/1e.jpg" /></a></div><b>Rooms: 9/10 : </b>We booked a "Family Size" room. Our room was on the main floor - number  715 and the Building was Number 7.  It was the perfect location - although we could kind of hear the club / entertainment at the main lobby area at night - so had Oscar been much younger it may have been hard to get him to sleep. We ran the air conditioning and fan in the room which muffled the sound slightly, but if you have young kids maybe bring a sound machine.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwShSsaQ__Y_sqGIYsighNP9vM-ybpKhR3o8BDG4dYPRWver6tLboSonltOPS7nubXwX68ybgbvj19b33KdWa0_6LgzvXVQ_yCLTgstPTIkN6hjsAXQF7z1zit2SbPWEAYFZIDwdiWUo/s1600/IMG_1937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijwShSsaQ__Y_sqGIYsighNP9vM-ybpKhR3o8BDG4dYPRWver6tLboSonltOPS7nubXwX68ybgbvj19b33KdWa0_6LgzvXVQ_yCLTgstPTIkN6hjsAXQF7z1zit2SbPWEAYFZIDwdiWUo/s1600/IMG_1937.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGyaTOugK953gwgwmKkykQ7bVSQa4idnNkZUj1cAU-cNAW1z862QDeilmpB-vph-DB0eiN4Bp40udtB6YjkWmsc3ExNGCx14PVmrQzCofhgSWWvA_mhYW3nrlAr4qKaqKFmPmuvIcnd0/s1600/IMG_1936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGyaTOugK953gwgwmKkykQ7bVSQa4idnNkZUj1cAU-cNAW1z862QDeilmpB-vph-DB0eiN4Bp40udtB6YjkWmsc3ExNGCx14PVmrQzCofhgSWWvA_mhYW3nrlAr4qKaqKFmPmuvIcnd0/s1600/IMG_1936.jpg" /></a><b>Pros</b>:<br /><ul><li>There was a small bistro table with two chairs in the room so we could eat in our room should we choose to bring food back from the buffet. </li><li>The rooms were really, really well maintained - better than some high end hotel rooms I've stayed in, in Toronto. On a number of occasions I saw people touching up paint on rooms when guests weren't in them. They definitely take care of the property. </li><li>They clean the rooms daily when you request it by putting a sign on your door</li><li>A lot of closet space</li><li>Mini Bar that they replenish with beer and bottled water for you</li><li>If you're the drinking kind, they have alcohol dispensers in the room</li><li>Air Conditioning and a Fan</li><li>Little porches off the rooms with chairs and a drying rack for your towels / clothes</li><li>Extra pillows and blankets at the front desk</li></ul><div><b>Cons</b></div><ul><li>The shower was kind of small, and awkward. The hot water wasn't overly hot - but I have to tell you that I'm someone that cranks up the heat in showers and if anyone were to go into a shower at the same temperature they'd scream. I like hot, hot showers. I'm sure that 100% of anyone else that you'd ask would say the temperature was fine. </li><li>Beds weren't all that comfortable. It wasn't awful, but I definitely missed my soft bed at home. </li><li>TV Channels are all in Spanish. Not that it is a con - I just wanted to mention it because if you have a little one and want some quiet downtime I'd suggest an iPad or other tablet loaded with movies. Personally I liked watching the Spanish Soaps in the afternoon. Had no idea what they were saying but it was quite dramatic. ;)</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzl1MRwJNeImVKn57QaSVMZiLqRODhvHl3bcPxKH0X-KZzDxepkKNoSwJ8yMnWFSb6rFxd37vmCWRecKKzKVccTlHL5wiY75b6NMIo2VCS2g517XOT1Mp3eeB1XZsm25uJMSHXlDHT2U/s1600/IMG_1594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzl1MRwJNeImVKn57QaSVMZiLqRODhvHl3bcPxKH0X-KZzDxepkKNoSwJ8yMnWFSb6rFxd37vmCWRecKKzKVccTlHL5wiY75b6NMIo2VCS2g517XOT1Mp3eeB1XZsm25uJMSHXlDHT2U/s1600/IMG_1594.jpg" /></a></div><br />Our hotel room was 715 [See A above] which overlooked a grassy area, which was nice because you didn't have walkby traffic. If I were to visit again, I would request the same room [Family Room] or, possibly the buildings 1 through 5 [See B] as it was quiet and 2 and two overlooked the Ocean.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1aKiPU0HkIq-UtV_CU9NB9BfYe0PpgANqRdgFzfnXVlEbs9nEUrnICzldFmG-6uI1vka4S-dtEU4ercetltelXS-zXLHBH6VdpsF0jtxWkxxqCsWe1j-Wm6pJ76_iVIyY5X9MRWCvKY/s1600/1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_1aKiPU0HkIq-UtV_CU9NB9BfYe0PpgANqRdgFzfnXVlEbs9nEUrnICzldFmG-6uI1vka4S-dtEU4ercetltelXS-zXLHBH6VdpsF0jtxWkxxqCsWe1j-Wm6pJ76_iVIyY5X9MRWCvKY/s1600/1e.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><b>Beach 10/10 : </b>Kind of rocky in some areas but the stretch of beach gives you some variation. It's a public beach so you do have the occasional local vendors approaching you to sell you items / services although they are very respective of when you say no thank you and they don't hassle you. I loved that at one end of the beach there is a lot of tree cover close to the water - which was great for if you had kids. You could be in the shade, hang your towel from the tree, and within seconds jump in the water. The beach is what would make me go back to this resort.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7KJTV9TxFC_u9WY0Leth-u_AbbWFRrAI6rBeLeJ9Fdi8v6TSJz5HqC3iyPplOEub0TDvwfZ9jZUHL3UA_2i4CfBB2L2i_CE8k9RDxscyIKx4Nfj_v1PUP2dUe3cmzK-KbcIYTO7T-5o/s1600/Untitled-522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7KJTV9TxFC_u9WY0Leth-u_AbbWFRrAI6rBeLeJ9Fdi8v6TSJz5HqC3iyPplOEub0TDvwfZ9jZUHL3UA_2i4CfBB2L2i_CE8k9RDxscyIKx4Nfj_v1PUP2dUe3cmzK-KbcIYTO7T-5o/s1600/Untitled-522.jpg" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfRUQBZJ0c4NIjrxsI3y7onBHQripB0qYICOL3aRRD_wu3B-2jhDZPYJ1K3gc42p56g3MXss9bQdf682AjuxPUm2Y-6HVh-TGP-yQjRpvYmd2uPERZ-wcCwMhaj_JfDush3l-ziKJlVI/s1600/beach_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfRUQBZJ0c4NIjrxsI3y7onBHQripB0qYICOL3aRRD_wu3B-2jhDZPYJ1K3gc42p56g3MXss9bQdf682AjuxPUm2Y-6HVh-TGP-yQjRpvYmd2uPERZ-wcCwMhaj_JfDush3l-ziKJlVI/s1600/beach_3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLk6tZyEDiktiS6p_lDpcpPAavny0yoJjphZNtgGx1RTyyF9-UQFGvlhWdb-5J5TG_DZjKERkz8vOLJfIOAn0YWJ-zTuyNmfz-TQDGprsF6lL474zh7Jt0Ug3weqWdfLOMqQcVDaRx5I/s1600/beach_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLk6tZyEDiktiS6p_lDpcpPAavny0yoJjphZNtgGx1RTyyF9-UQFGvlhWdb-5J5TG_DZjKERkz8vOLJfIOAn0YWJ-zTuyNmfz-TQDGprsF6lL474zh7Jt0Ug3weqWdfLOMqQcVDaRx5I/s1600/beach_8.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfEgVX8400O8NH9BRcx8llRHptKSX5YPdO_nt1gmkHiP6348jOkKeJRR4pYgqecfGeobCTj5gV6WFbPkl7xckhKTZFLDMUV9d92x0QD7pJttTo3lP2EIOrnnC9_RiArSwWqCtr8CdrnQ/s1600/1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfEgVX8400O8NH9BRcx8llRHptKSX5YPdO_nt1gmkHiP6348jOkKeJRR4pYgqecfGeobCTj5gV6WFbPkl7xckhKTZFLDMUV9d92x0QD7pJttTo3lP2EIOrnnC9_RiArSwWqCtr8CdrnQ/s1600/1e.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>Pool 10/10: </b>Although I'm not really a sit by the pool person, I have to give this section of the resort a great review<b>. </b>Clean, large, lots of activities should you want to do them, swim up bar, drink cart that goes around. They have a towel service - you get a card per person that gets you a towel. Return the towels for fresh ones. It's a great system. There is a fair amount of chairs and shade. Although the pool wasn't my area of choice in the resort, it was without a doubt beautiful, large and had room for a lot of guests to find seats. There is a small pool that I thought was a hot tub, but it turns out it's a wading pool for kids - which was an amazing feature. Oscar loved playing in it in addition to swimming with Aubrey through the larger pool with his water wings on.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DCtmS6n1ff4kJDD14yRIWy7xwO4LKcSJ_cWixi6V68EXT7936i2TPbeSrndWxDPVDRSdOKDaWvg74Q1ZdB1pzZx-fZ4YR4aZi3g9wy2soGnHzcY0tKuuyt2AgIykcBUcfGyR4_ikLG8/s1600/pool_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DCtmS6n1ff4kJDD14yRIWy7xwO4LKcSJ_cWixi6V68EXT7936i2TPbeSrndWxDPVDRSdOKDaWvg74Q1ZdB1pzZx-fZ4YR4aZi3g9wy2soGnHzcY0tKuuyt2AgIykcBUcfGyR4_ikLG8/s1600/pool_2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyB09gcgjDeaaoh2HFNpvZJwIisypJAcnos3xOVbaoL5CtY2hUC4b1vfqWl_7KPyPOlr0Ww5mhItWTc4rMeka27fFJ9YkfPMTW8Sj2INeaaAjyXPo_yLUYM0Okq3Tr5eEtIxZgVGW8Nk/s1600/pool_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyB09gcgjDeaaoh2HFNpvZJwIisypJAcnos3xOVbaoL5CtY2hUC4b1vfqWl_7KPyPOlr0Ww5mhItWTc4rMeka27fFJ9YkfPMTW8Sj2INeaaAjyXPo_yLUYM0Okq3Tr5eEtIxZgVGW8Nk/s1600/pool_1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneT23u1D6IoOPl_bl0l-7anktUH5P-FOnggXEjLVdWCsqKDZkfkVM1ghymVMKhpoXTGfxip8K8McnA27OX0faesutJ6HOu1kdeV6pWAVntH-KcGiTbPtE9Cq06P2YVo3N9mSjKzGsN3o/s1600/IMG_1407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneT23u1D6IoOPl_bl0l-7anktUH5P-FOnggXEjLVdWCsqKDZkfkVM1ghymVMKhpoXTGfxip8K8McnA27OX0faesutJ6HOu1kdeV6pWAVntH-KcGiTbPtE9Cq06P2YVo3N9mSjKzGsN3o/s1600/IMG_1407.jpg" /></a></div><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFW1VphUG6c5suMR3KWT50aRz_ULGT3V4TT4SulZPtEyvCbV1Jvz3MJ9q3rjCG_qzW7tvhPPGDAAIsQLn6pcdNO8Le1WlOBthrJF0xE8Y6pGHgbQ5fT2ja6o-cwJ6JBIIuMb5RbBW5CnU/s1600/1e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFW1VphUG6c5suMR3KWT50aRz_ULGT3V4TT4SulZPtEyvCbV1Jvz3MJ9q3rjCG_qzW7tvhPPGDAAIsQLn6pcdNO8Le1WlOBthrJF0xE8Y6pGHgbQ5fT2ja6o-cwJ6JBIIuMb5RbBW5CnU/s1600/1e.jpg" /></a></div><b>Kids Activities 4/10:  </b>Don't let the rating worry you.<b> </b>The resort is <i>totally </i>welcoming of kids and even has designated kids areas with swings and some sand toys - but I gave it this rating because it's not really a resort that is designed <i>for </i>kids. Did Oscar have a great time? Yes! He loved it! He loved the beach, the swimming pool - but he was pretty young for any organized activities. I didn't see much going on with older kids. This isn't really a place that goes out of the way to supply families with stuff and there wasn't any play area where you could leave your child to play with a supervisor if you and your significant other wanted to go for dinner. We didn't expect them too have these service so we weren't dissapointed, but I just wanted to illustrate that you have to entertain your kids! Just bring Grandma with you if you want a babysitter. :)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlegwAN7Z-X56ma-HhhGvVXHnGzgsC0lAQi3AkV-emavQW3dz6SjWilG9IR7FeOB_fb0B96xnG9x5wW5BfBSkcSArWqeK3nu0z969jr09n0LuMQON176eU-H_NZvBfcfS_FKfmeltoAOY/s1600/IMG_1684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlegwAN7Z-X56ma-HhhGvVXHnGzgsC0lAQi3AkV-emavQW3dz6SjWilG9IR7FeOB_fb0B96xnG9x5wW5BfBSkcSArWqeK3nu0z969jr09n0LuMQON176eU-H_NZvBfcfS_FKfmeltoAOY/s1600/IMG_1684.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK2Dxd3LZN6i1rVFu1IK-Vk7QSAnNyVuaF5n0imLU62FGm1ZLzZ2WoTNkc0gJy5uuIpC2YTPr-Aa5QokUMuaBjMAksWcXOhwdKQa-C_c8KCdIbOS3XK94C7pWXmgF47XQhrP0MoH1O1I/s1600/123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvK2Dxd3LZN6i1rVFu1IK-Vk7QSAnNyVuaF5n0imLU62FGm1ZLzZ2WoTNkc0gJy5uuIpC2YTPr-Aa5QokUMuaBjMAksWcXOhwdKQa-C_c8KCdIbOS3XK94C7pWXmgF47XQhrP0MoH1O1I/s1600/123.jpg" /></a></div>Aubrey and I were talking about our thoughts on the resort and I think he says it best when he said that it's "As Advertised". It's pretty much exactly as they show you on their website. It's a nice resort - well maintained, attentive staff. No surprises at all which is for me, a really great plus. Overall it was a <i>nice </i>trip. By the end I was feeling a little homesick in part because of the food, but also because we were in the minority - not many people spoke English as their first langage. Aubrey attributes to this to the fact that Riu is a Spanish chain and appeals more to Europe perhaps? It made making friends or small talk pretty hard. The main lobby is a little dated, but you don't really hang out in the lobby so I didn't see it as a negative. We may try another resort another time, but have no issues recommending this one as a great "As Advertised" place - with or, without kids.<br /><br /><b>Links</b>:<br /><ul><li><b>Our Travel Agent for this trip: </b><a href="http://www.yyztravel.com/" target="_blank">Yvette Erdos-Levine at YYZ Travel</a> (1-877-999-4768) or yvette[at]yyztravel.com  (Aubrey's Mom has used her help for years, so came recommended)</li><li><a href="http://www.riu.com/en/Paises/dominican-republic/puerto-plata/clubhotel-riu-bachata/oferta.jsp?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_content=PuertoPlata&utm_campaign=Properties&src=tig_us_ppc_puertoplata_google_canada_brand_properties_bachata_phrase_leadrate_66&mkwid=s7CcVc5r9_dc&pcrid=35108505698&pmt=p&pkw=riu%20bachata%20in%20puerto%20plata" target="_blank">Riu Bachata</a> </li><li><a href="http://www.signaturevacations.com/Puerto-Plata/Hotels/RIU-BACHATA.asp" target="_blank">Sunwing, Riu Bachata</a></li></ul><br /><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-bRPA3ugc0s4%2FUx_FlbMlBeI%2FAAAAAAAAMqQ%2Fe9vGGWZ6F7k%2Fs1600%2FIMG_1936.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGyaTOugK953gwgwmKkykQ7bVSQa4idnNkZUj1cAU-cNAW1z862QDeilmpB-vph-DB0eiN4Bp40udtB6YjkWmsc3ExNGCx14PVmrQzCofhgSWWvA_mhYW3nrlAr4qKaqKFmPmuvIcnd0/s1600/IMG_1936.jpg" -->

resort review / Riu Bachata, Dominican Republic

I wanted to share pictures and a review of our resort with you - we ended up picking the Riu Bachata in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic . R...

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