Lifestyle, Travel

Honeymoon Part 3: Dubai

No Comments

It has been quite a while since my last honeymoon post as I’ve been very busy with Instagram campaigns and a few travels ( I will write about them soon).

The third and final stop on our honeymoon was Dubai. I had been to Dubai in 2018 and did a 5 part series on it called The Dubai Diaries, so this post won’t be as elaborate. I’ll focus on the highlights of our trip to Dubai.

Getting there

In my last post we were in Thailand, and our original plan was to go to Bali and then Dubai on the way back to Canada. However after spending a lot of time at resorts we decided we wanted to do something more fast paced and decided to skip Bali and leave it for another trip. On a whim we booked a first class ticket on Emirates straight to Dubai. It was totally spontaneous but so worth it! The first class experience onboard the Emirates A380 definitely lives up to the hype.

A first class ticket comes with chauffeur service to and from the airport so our journey started with a luxury pickup straight from our hotel. We were treated to bottomless glasses of Dom Perignon, the very best onboard amenities, gourmet food and a hot shower at 35 000 feet! This is definitely a bucket list item! Both Sashien and I had always wanted to try out the Emirates First Class experience and it was well worth it.

Accommodations

We spent a week in Dubai and stayed at three different hotels. Our first hotel was The First Collection at Jumeirah Village Circle and we were there for 2 nights. This 4 star hotel was clean and offered amenities such as a gym, rooftop pool and easy access to transportation, however it was a little far from many of the attractions.

Our next hotel was Atlantis The Palm which was a family friendly resort located on Palm Jumeirah. Having visited Atlantis Paradise in the Bahamas I was quite familiar with this brand of resort but I found The Palm a lot more noisy, unruly and a little  disappointing.

Our last and final hotel was St. Regis the Palm Dubai, also located on Palm Jumeirah. This was probably the most relaxing hotel and our favourite out of the three properties. We enjoyed the butler service which the brand is known for, proximity to shopping and beach club access at this hotel.

Excursions and Activities

We spent a week in Dubai and since this blog is the Weekend Fashionista, ofcoruse we went shopping, a LOT! However almost any mall in Dubai is wonderful and it was very hard to choose a favourite so I won’t focus too much on the shopping we did. Here are the highlights of our excursions in Dubai

Visiting the Souks

No visit to Dubai is complete without a stop at the Old Souk and Gold Souk areas. We loved visting the Old Souk and walking through the marketplace. We found the vendors particularly amusing as they kept hawking at us and yelling things in hindi at us, for the record, neither of us are Indian. I would also recommend taking an abra (traditional water taxi ) ride across the Deira Creek. It costs just 1 dirham and is a nice experience.

Dining at At. Mosphere

At. Mosphere is a fine dining restaurant located at the Burj Khalifa. I had posted about dinner there on my previous visit to Dubai so I was curious to see this restaurant during the day. Located on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa this restaurant offers the most beautiful views of Dubai along with one of the most luxurious dining experiences. The staff pride themselves on allowing guests to dine in the clouds. One of the most iconic moments from our lunch was the cocktail I ordered which came with dry ice, fruit and my very own bottle of perfume as a souvenir! Add dining at At. Mosphere to your Dubai must do list!

Touring the Burj Al Arab

Dubai is almost synonymous with the Burj Al Arab, the famous hotel shaped like a sailboat. I had previously visited this property for a high tea but Sashien and I wanted to do a tour and see the most opulent parts of this luxurious hotel. There are various tours you can sign up for and we opted to try a golden espresso martini at the end of the tour. This is probably the best espresso martini I’ve ever had, it had gold dust on it! There are many different yours to choose from or you can simply make a reservation to dine at one of the restaurants onsite as well.

Desert Safari

No trip to Dubai is complete without a desert safari, dune bashing and dinner at a bedouin camp. This was one of the most fun experiences on our trip. We really got into this one and decided to wear some traditional attire for our day in the desert. There are many different tour companies you can book with but we booked through a company called Orient Tours

Our afternoon included transportation to and from Sharjah, dune bashing, camel rides, an outdoor buffet dinner, traditional show and activities such as henna tattoos, photos with a falcon and a Shisha station. This was such a fun experience and I would highly recommend it. I had been on a desert safari before and I’d definitely do it again!

Have you been to Dubai yet? If so what did you enjoy most about your visit?

Lifestyle, Travel

Honeymoon Part 2: Thailand + W Koh Samui

No Comments

I’m back with another post about our honeymoon travels. Our first stop was the Maldives and we really enjoyed our time there. Soon after we left for our second location – Thailand!

I had never been to Thailand before so I was really excited to visit a new country. We flew Bangkok Airways from Male to Bangkok. The flight was just ok, I wouldn’t say they are the best airline as the plane was old and the seats/decor were dated. We upgraded to business class but the food and entertainment weren’t up to par. There was no in-flight entertainment system. However the crew was friendly and kind.

Bangkok

We arrived in Bangkok in the evening and there was quite a long line for immigration at the airport. It took us about 45 minutes to get through, so by the time we got to our hotel we were very tired. We were in Bagkok for 3 nights and we stayed the the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel.

The hotel was centrally located close to shops, malls, other hotels and the Erawan shrine. However it was not well maintained. The lobby of the hotel was beautiful but the rooms were dated with stained carpets and generally dingy looking. Although this hotel is rated as a 5 star property I did not feel it was at that level of service, but keep in mind this is just our personal experience. We upgraded our room status to a Club room to have access to the Club Lounge which offered breakfast, tea and cocktails.

We took a tour from the hotel on our first full day in Bangkok and visited the Royal Grand Palace and temples around it. We booked our tour via the hotel concierge and the tour guide, Alex was great. I’ve linked his account here if you wish to find out more about the tour. In addition to the temples we also visited the canals and took a longtail boat ride along the canal. This was definitely the highlight of our time in Bangkok. Our hotel was located close to many different shopping malls so we threw some shopping into our itinerary as well.

 

W Koh Samui

Our next stop was the island of Koh Samui. We took another Bangkok Airways flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui, this short flight was quite pleasant. We stayed at the W Koh Samui.

I liked this hotel much better than the one we stayed at in Bangkok. The hotel consists of villas and we really enjoyed our tropical oasis villa which featured a private pool, garden and outdoor shower.

W hotels are known for their whatever whenever service, which means the staff will go out of their way to accommodate guests and the W Koh Samui was no exception. The staff were so helpful and drove us around the resort in golf carts as the grounds were quite extensive.

A few features of the resort that we particularly enjoyed were:

  1. The personalized service + pick up and drop off at your villa
  2.  The Sweet Spot – these were little kiosks located throughout the resort where guests could grab water, beer or ice cream. This was a complimentary service for hotel guests.
  3. Lobby lounge DJ and nightly fire show

In addition to this the hotel also featured an afternoon tea in the lobby which had a very unique design featuring a giant pool with seats actually in the water. This was one of the most instagramable hotels I’ve ever visited, there was so much to see and do here.

I would definitely recommend adding Thailand to your honeymoon itinerary, especially Koh Samui we really enjoyed our time there.

Stay tuned for our third and final destination!

Lifestyle, Travel

Honeymoon Part 1: Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives

No Comments

It’s been a while since my last post about my trip to Bermuda and so much has happened since then. I’ve taken on an additional role at work which has kept me rather busy although I have managed to keep up on Instagram. I’ve been wanting to write about this hotel for a while so I’m happy to finally have the chance to share our experience at the beautiful Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives.

If you recall from my Instagram posts in January, Sashien and I had our wedding reception at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka (wedding photos are currently being edited and I will share some once I receive them) and I’ve been a patron of this hotel since 2008. As we had our wedding in Colombo it made sense to start off our honeymoon in the Maldives one of the most luxurious honeymoon destinations in the world. Since we trusted and knew the Cinnamon brand of hotels we decided to choose a Cinnamon property in the Maldives and Cinnamon Dhonveli did not disappoint.

Getting There

There is one international airport in the Maldives located in the capital city of Male. Since we were in Colombo we flew Sri Lankan Airlines direct to Male however there are many other airlines that fly there from the Middle East, Europe and East Asia. Once you land in Male you have to take either a speedboat or a seaplane to your resort. Each resort is located on its own little island or atoll. Luckily for us Cinnamon Dhonveli was pretty close to Male and only a 25 minute speedboat ride away. I am a very strong swimmer and absolutely fearless when it comes to water but this speedboat ride even had me shakey! The Indian ocean can be very rough so it’s extremely important that you wear your lifejacket and hold on tight as it can get quite bumpy out there. If you do get motion sick I would strongly suggest taking your medication before you board the boat.

The Resort

Once we got to the resort we were greeted and welcomed with Cinnamon Hotels’ signature brand of hospitality. We were offered cold towels and drinks as we waited to be checked in. Since we were on our honeymoon we were upgraded to an overwater suite which is located on a dock built into the sea and the suites are freestanding on the water. We were in room 701 which was the furthest out into the sea and offered the best privacy and views of the ocean and lagoon.

There are other room categories at the resort which consist of bungalows and rooms. You can opt for a water bungalow which is the similar to a suite but excludes a living room area, a beach bungalow is located on the land and comes in a duplex style as well as a pool option. There are also simple beach rooms. A full list of all the room types can be found here.

Overwater Suite

Our suite was located at the end of the dock and we enjoyed walking along the dock to get to the main island for our meals. The suite was equipped with a spacious living area which included a coffee table that looked down into the ocean (yes we could see some fish swimming by).

The suite had a king bed and large sliding doors which opened out onto the spacious sundeck which included a seating area, overwater hammock and steps to go down into the ocean. I really enjoyed taking a dip in the Indian ocean first thing in the morning, it’s a great way to start the day.

Here’s a room tour:

There was also a large bathroom with a shower and tub, the sun deck could also be accessed from the bathroom. The suite came equipped with a mini bar, refillable branded water bottles and  sun care essentials courtesy of Spa Ceylon.

The Amenities + Dining 

Cinnamon Dhonveli is very much a luxury resort offering amenities such as a spa, pools, water sports, wellness activities and offsite excursions. One interesting feature at this resort is when you book directly through their website you can choose 2 complimentary activities as part of your stay. The activities consist of:

  • 4 course dinner by the beach
  • Malé city excursion
  • Dolphin watching experience
  • Kid Stays Free
  • 45-minute spa treatment

We chose the Dolphin Experience and the 4 course dinner by the beach and we really enjoyed both of these activities.

The resort features 4 dining outlets: Tex Mex, Beach Bar, Koimala and Raalu Bar. Depending on your room category and package type you may be assigned to one particular restaurant for your all inclusive meals and drinks. We chose the breakfast and dinner package and decided to explore the various options including in-room dining for lunch.

The Verdict

If you haven’t been to the Maldives before then you definitely need to check our this destination. The climate in the Maldives is extremely warm and humid so be sure to stay hydrated and use lots of sunscreen. I would definitely recommend checking out Cinnamon Dhonveli for its proximity to the airport, beautiful rooms and amenities and friendly staff. We stayed there for 3 nights and I felt that was sufficient; keep in mind each hotel is located on its own island so you don’t need to much time at a resort to get a feel for the place.

The Maldives is a muslim country so be aware of cultural and religious norms when you arrive. I would suggest a more modest outfit for the airport. Beware of the rules concerning alcohol as no one can bring alcohol into the airport and it is not served at any airport lounges, although it is readily available at the resorts.

We really enjoyed starting off our honeymoon at Cinnamon Dhonveli and we look forward to checking out the other Cinnamon properties in the Maldives.

Lifestyle, Travel

Live Exquisite at the St. Regis Bermuda

No Comments

Earlier this month I had the absolute pleasure of visiting the beautiful island of Bermuda! It was my first time in Bermuda and it certainly won’t be my last.

I stayed at the exquisite St. Regis Bermuda Resort located in St. George’s which is just a short drive away from the airport. In true St. Regis tradition the hotel staff are warm, welcoming and treat every guest like family. The service at this resort was impeccable which made the breathtaking ocean views that much sweater.

The Rooms

The St. Regis Bermuda offers many different room types ranging from limited ocean views, partial ocean views and ocean front rooms and suites. I had the privilege of staying in a beautiful ocean view king room with sweeping vistas of the Atlantic ocean, the hotel pool and the historic Fort St. Catherine’s.

One thing I loved about my room was the bathroom. If you’ve been following me for a while you know that I’m pretty picky when it comes to hotel rooms and bathrooms and this one did not disappoint. The bathroom was huge with double sinks, a rain shower, a large soaker tub and generous closet space!

I loved listening to the sound of the ocean as I was falling asleep at night and waking up to a gorgeous sea view in the morning.

Dining

The hotel offers many different dining options from Lina Restaurant for breakfast and lunch, BLT Steak NY for dinner and the St. Regis Bar which opens at 4pm every day. I especially enjoyed the creative cocktails at the bar and the beautiful views from Lina at breakfast.

In addition to these dining options guests at the St. Regis are treated to a Champagne sabouring ceremony every evening as the staff celebrate the transition from day to night. I had the opportunity to experience this during my stay and it was a lovely way to kick off the evening. Guests are invited to the terrace where they are told the history of the St. Regis brand and how the sabrage came to be part of the St. Regis experience. It is said that the art of sabrage was popularized by none other than Napoleon Bonaparte who allegedly used his sword to open bottles of champagne and is quoted as famously saying “Always carry champagne! In victory you deserve it & in defeat you need it!”

Alexandra Mosher Collection

During my time at the St. Regis I was invited to attend a beautiful afternoon tea celebrating international women’s day and the launch of Bermudian jewellery designer Alexandra Mosher’s newest collection inspired by the St. Regis. This was Alexandra’s second collection in collaboration with the St. Regis Bermuda and was an homage to Caroline Astor; the mother of John Jacob Astor IV the founder fo the St. Regis brand.

The collection features jewellery that will take you from day to night. For example for  breakfast you can wear a delicate pair of studs and add on an intricate pendant for an afternoon by the pool. For evening sabrage add a beautiful bracelet and accent piece to your pendant. The studs also convert to hanging earrings for dancing the night away at the St. Regis bar. This is such a versatile collection influenced by the victorian era.

I truly enjoyed the afternoon tea as I got to meet Alexandra along with so many other lovely ladies. One of my favourite things about Bermuda is the people, they made me feel so welcome and at ease.

Excursions

Walk through St. George’s

 

The resort is located in the picturesque city of St. George’s. Everywhere you look is just so beautiful! The city centre is just a short walk from the hotel and features quaint shops, the town hall and many restaurants and dining options. I took a small trip into St. George’s and enjoyed walking through the city.

Crystal and Fantasy Caves

One of the hidden treasure of Bermuda and a must-do in St. George’s is a visit to the fantasy and crystal caves. You can take a short taxi ride from the hotel and purchase tour tickets to cover both caves. These caves are stunning and they truly are a natural wonder.

Lili Bermuda

I love perfume so a stop at Lili Bermuda was a must for me. This adorable perfumery is run by master perfumer Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone who is also Canada’s Honorary Consul in Bermuda and so the property doubles as the Canadian Consulate. Isabelle was gracious enough to give me a tour of her perfumery and I was pleased to learn they also offer classes where you can make your own scent. I enjoyed a walk through the charming gardens at Lili Bermuda and I was thrilled to hear they frequently host tea parties onsite as well. It’s such a lovely spot for a girl’s day out or even a bridal shower.

Day trip to Hamilton

Hamilton is the capital of Bermuda and is located about 40 mins away from the hotel. A trip into town is a must when you’re staying at the St. Regis. Hamilton was so lively and colourful. I enjoyed walking through Queen Elizabeth Park and stopping by the Bermuda sign for a mandatory photo! When you go into Hamilton be sure to stop in at Flying Colours for some souvenirs and the English Sports Shop to pick up a pair of Bermuda shorts. I picked up a pair for my husband and there were so many colours and designs to choose from. Pro-tip: gentlemen make sure you size up and go up 2 sizes from your pants size as the shorts do fit a bit snug.

I also popped in at Alexandra Mosher’s flagship store in Hamilton and it was a pretty pink dreamland! If you know me you know that pink is my favourite colour so I was literally in heaven in this store. Be sure to check out her pink sand pieces and other jewellery inspired by the textures of Bermuda.

I truly enjoyed my time in Bermuda and I can’t wait to visit again. A huge thank you to the St. Regis Bermuda for hosting me and inviting me to be a part of such a lovely weekend!

 

Lifestyle, Travel

The Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach

No Comments

I’m back with another fun hotel review that I’m excited to share with you! Last month I visited Miami, Florida and stayed at the Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach. This was my second collaboration with Sonesta Hotels, if you recall I visited the beautiful Yorkville Royal Sonesta last year.

The Hotel

The Nautilus hotel is conveniently located on Collins Ave, a trendy street in Miami Beach. It’s close to restaurants, shopping and night life. The hotel has a wonderful vintage tropical vibe to it. As you walk into the lobby you’ll notice lush greenery, wicker furniture and lots of tropical prints. I love anything tropical so I immediately loved the aesthetic of this lobby.

At the end of the lobby is the elegant bar which seamlessly pairs vintage charm with trendy libations. The gold flamingos in the the centre of the bar really give the place a tropical vintage vibe. I really liked the colour scheme in this area too. They also offer a daily happy hour from 5-7pm, I’d highly recommend checking this out.

The Nautilus also boasts a vibrant collection of Art by notable artists like Any Warhol. The hotel regularly hosts an event called Whiskey, Wine and Warhol featuring a live jazz band paying tribute to the Gatsby Era of sound and lots of creative cocktails. Admission to the event is free and guest get to experience the hotel’s exclusive art collection.

The Rooms

The Nautilus is housed in a historic building on Collins avenue and has undergone an extensive renovation. The rooms offer views of the ocean or city but are a little on the smaller side. Our room had generous space in the sleeping and lounging area but the bathroom was a little small for my liking. I would recommend booking a junior suite or suite at this hotel, as they look lovely and spacious. Oceanfront balcony rooms sell out fast so it’s best to book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Dining + Beach Access

The hotel offers ample choices for dining, there is a coffee shop located in the lobby, the lobby bar and the Nautilus Cabana Club which offers indoor and outdoor seating. We liked having breakfast outside each morning. The seating area was lovely with views of the pool, lawn and lots of tropical chic decor. Since the weather in Miami is hot I opted for an iced coffee each morning to start the day off.

One thing we loved about this hotel is the direct access to the beach. You can take the hotel’s famous walkway right down to the beach. Hotel guests have access to loungers and towels. You can also order drinks at the beach. If the ocean is not your thing the hotel also offers an outdoor pool with loungers and cabanas. You can rent a cabana for the day for approx. $250. This is a great option for groups, families and couples. I love being near the water so I enjoyed spending the day in the cabana and working by the pool. There’s also amazing music to listen to while you relax.

If you’re looking for a hotel that mixes retro style with modern luxury and is centrally located then the Nautilus Sonesta Miami Beach is the hotel for you! There’s so much to see at the hotel and surrounding areas you will certainly enjoy your stay at this hotel. Thank you to the staff at the Nautilus Miami for hosting us.

 

 

 

Lifestyle, Travel

The Yorkville Royal Sonesta

No Comments

I’m back! And this time I’m sharing one of my favourite hotels in Toronto with you, the Yorkville Royal Sonesta. Yorkville is my favourite part of Toronto, its’s just so posh and chic. Whenever I’m in the city I always make it a point to stop by this neighbourhood. I’d always wanted to stay in Yorkville and enjoy a classy weekend getaway in Toronto so when I came across the Yorkville Royal Sonesta I was totally thrilled.

The Hotel

Located just steps away from stores like Holt Renfrew, Louis Vuitton and Harry Rosen the Royal Sonesta is the perfect hotel for a weekend getaway in Yorkville. This boutique hotel located close to Mink Mile offers chic and stylish guest rooms and suites with views of Queen’s Park and Toronto’s famed skyline. The hotel is also just across the street from the Royal Conservatory of Music and close by to the University of Toronto and the Rogers Centre.

Our experience at the Royal Sonesta was seamless and easy. We were able to take advantage of the onsite valet parking and text to have our car ready whenever we needed it. Check-in was smooth and we received a warm welcome from the front desk staff. Pro-tip you can ask for bottled water at the front desk on your way in or out of the hotel.

The Empress 

As you walk down the hallway to the elevators you will be greeted by the hotel’s mascot The Express of Yorkville. Her portrait can be seen hanging at the end of the hallway between the elevators and Signatures Restaurant, but just who is she? The Empress is a fearless lioness ruling over her kingdom of Yorkville with pride. Lionesses are symbols of elegance, strength and courage; and just as a lioness watches over her pride the staff at the Yorkville Royal Sonesta strive to work together to provide guests with an empressive stay at their hotel.

We stayed in a studio king suite which was spacious and featured views of Toronto’s skyline including the CN tower. There was ample space to work or even host a business meeting in this suite. The bed was comfortable and the room was also well lit. I loved the modern finishes in the bathroom and of course the multiple selfie mirrors!

In addition to two restaurants the hotel also features an indoor rooftop pool, business center and gym.

The Food

There are two restaurants located inside the hotel; Signatures Restaurant which offers upscale cuisine and a variety of dishes inspired by Toronto’s vibrant communities and Proof Bar and Patio which offers cocktails, light bites and the dining dome experience.

We had the pleasure of dining at Signatures for breakfast as the restaurant offers an a la carte breakfast selection with so many dishes to choose from. My favourite was the Yorkville Elite which is a great way to start the day! The restaurant also offers a lunch and dinner service, and is a popular spot for business lunches.

Perhaps the most prestigious offering the restaurant has is High Tea with the Empress. If you’ve been following me for a while you know that I simply adore afternoon tea and Signatures did not disappoint. The High Tea service is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 1pm-5pm. The service features  a selection of black, green, herbal, white, oolong, and rooibos teas. The tea service also include a variety of savory pastries and snacks along with sweets and scones.

On Saturday evening we had the pleasure of experiencing the dining domes at Proof Bar. The outdoor dining domes are heated igloo type domes which are just perfect for a cozy and romantic winter dining experience. Each dome has its own lighting, seating area, blankets and heaters. There are two types of experiences to choose from: the light lounge menu which features seasonal cocktails, shared appetizers and a selection of individual desserts for $65 per person plus HST and the prix fixe fine dining menu which features a three course meal with prosecco for $140 per person plus HST, perfect for a date night in Toronto.

The Verdict

We really enjoyed our stay at the Yorkville Royal Sonesta. This was a special weekend as we were celebrating our 5 year anniversary and the hotel staff went above and beyond to ensure we had a memorable experience. We are already planning our next trip to Toronto and I can’t wait to stay at the Royal Sonesta again.

Lifestyle, Travel, Wine & Dine

124 on Queen

No Comments

Last weekend we had the pleasure of being treated to a wonderful stay in Niagra-on-the-Lake. I was so excited to check out 124 on Queen Hotel and Spa. I had seen this hotel online, it looked lovely and seeing it in person; it did not disappoint!

Here’s a recap of our luxurious weekend in NOTL.

The Hotel

124 on Queen is a 72-room hotel offering a variety of luxurious guest room options ranging from deluxe rooms to fully-appointed two bedroom villas. The room I stayed in was modern, spacious and felt more like an apartment than a room. The hotel spans over 6 adjacent buildings which is important to note if you’re staying in a different part of the hotel.

My room was on the first floor of the main hotel building and had  an updated bathroom (with two sinks) featuring L’Occitane  amenities, totally luxurious. The bed had ample room and was so comfy! I’m a morning person and I’m usually up very early but I did sleep in at this hotel! The room also featured a sitting area, huge tv and gas fireplace. Another feature we enjoyed was the min-bar area which had a sink and nespresso machine. This made our mornings that much more enjoyable.

The Spa

In addition to its guest rooms 124 on Queen also features a 12000 square foot spa. The Spa at Q is Niagara’s newest destination spa. We tried out the hydro therapy circuit which included hot and warm pools, pools, a dry sauna, eucalyptus steam room and sensory showers. The most unique feature in the circuit is the snow room! This was the first time I had ever heard of such a concept and I was so excited to check it out. It actually snows on you in this room!

The Spa also offers many different beauty and wellness treatments such as massages, facials and mani/pedis. There is a great lounge for relaxing and a therapeutic salt room. If you haven’t visited the Spa at Q yet add it to your list!

The Food

124 on Queen features three options for dining, the Q lounge, Treadwell Cuisine and Gate House Pizza which opens this summer. We had the opportunity to check them out. If you’re looking for sophisticated cocktails, bites and food in a relaxed atmosphere then Q lounge is the place for you.

We tried out two of their cocktails, I opted for The Royal Treatment and Sashien tried out the Rolex. I am loving the names of these cocktails. We also enjoyed some light bites and got a chance to take in a hockey game on the tv.

The following evening we were treated to an amazing culinary experience at Treadwell Cuisine, a notable farm-to-table restaurant. We had a 4 course tasting menu and got to see the chefs in action. If you do visit Treadwell I’d recommend sitting by the bar so you can interact with the chefs and watch your food being plated. The restaurant has won many awards and was named one of the world’s best restaurants for wine by Wine Spectator Magazine. Treadwell has  one of the largest collections of Ontario wines in the world and boasts a large wine cellar in the basement. We really enjoyed our dinner there, a special thank you to Chef Gavin for making our experience one to remember.

The Verdict

If you haven’t been to NOTL or just haven’t visited in a while then I highly recommend staying at 124 on Queen. Not only are the staff so welcoming, the service is impeccable and the food is divine! The hotel is also very centrally located and close by to shops, parks and walking trails. One thing I forgot to mention is the Starbucks that’s in the hotel. Located close to the lobby, you don’t t even have to go outside to grab a coffee. When you’re in there be sure to check out the signature mugs featuring the hotel.

You’re probably thinking there’s something else that Niagara-on-the-Lake is famous for, and you’re right! Wine! We asked the concierge about nearby wineries and he was able to provide us with a great list to check out. We had some time on Sunday before dinner so we stopped by a few of our favourites during the day. You can also ask the hotel for their recommendations or even assistance with booking a wine tour.

A huge thank you to the staff at 124 on Queen for making our stay luxurious and relaxing! We will definitely be back!

Lifestyle, Travel

Sri Lanka Trip Recap

No Comments

I’m back, after a long break! I can’t believe we are already halfway through January 2023. This year is just flying by. I took a break from blogging and campaigns for the month of December as I was on vacation. I’m back in Canada now and I can’t wait to tell you all about my trip to Sri Lanka! As some of you know I was born in Sri Lanka.

Getting There

I’m not going to lie, it takes a while to get to Sri Lanka. In total it’s about 18 hours of flying and when you factor in transits it takes about 24 hours to get there. There’s many different routes you can take from Canada but as I live in Ottawa I flew through Europe. In the past Air Canada offered direct flights from Ottawa t0 London, UK and Ottawa to Frankfurt but they’ve since been discontinued. I decided not to take any chances with my luggage getting lost via a domestic transfer in Canada so my mom and I flew directly to London from Montreal and then directly from London to Colombo. We flew two different airlines, Air Canada to London and Sri Lankan Airlines to Colombo.

Pro-tip – we were able to find a great deal on roundtrip business class tickets on Google Flights and purchased our tickets directly from the Air Canada website. I’d totally recommend this splurge as you are going to be flying for a long period of time.

There’s many other routes you can take into Colombo including via Dubai, Qatar, Japan or Singapore depending on which end of Canada you’re traveling from.

Accommodation

I stayed at two main hotels during my time in Colombo and did some short trips around the island. The first hotel I stayed at was Cinnamon Lakeside. I had been to this hotel for the restaurants and high tea many times but this was my first stay at the hotel. It’s great as a dining option but I wouldn’t recommend it as a stay. The rooms were a bit smaller, dated and not soundproof.  I was only there for a week as I had a wedding to attend at this hotel. The event spaces and venues here are great though, just not the guest rooms.

I spent the rest of my 4 week stay at my go-to hotel Cinnamon Grand Colombo. My family has been staying at this hotel since 2008 and they never disappoint. The hotel is arguably the best hotel in Colombo with 501 guest rooms, 9 restaurants, 2 pools, a gym, tennis court and lots of green space. It’s also very centrally located and is really more of a resort in the city.

Pro-tip: If you upgrade your room type to an executive floor room, you have access to the exclusive executive lounge. The lounge is only open to executive room guests and offers complimentary breakfast, high-tea and cocktails daily. Totally worth the money. And as an added bonus you also have the option of having breakfast in the lounge or heading to Plates, the hotel’s buffet restaurant, if you want a wider selection.

The executive rooms also come with 24hr butler service!

Things to do

Sri Lanka has SO MUCH to offer! It’s definitely not your typical beach vacation. Despite all the negative press this country has received lately (much of which is over exaggerated) it’s a wonderful place to visit and there is truly something for everyone there.

If you’re looking to just relax you can head to any of the beaches in the country, but if you also like surfing and more of that island vibe you can check out Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa or Mirissa. You can also stop by the historic city of Galle. Want to learn more about our culture? Be sure to visit some historic sites like the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, arguably the 8th wonder of the world. You can also check out the ancient cities of Anuradapura and Polonnaruwa. Don’t forget to visit by the Temple of the Tooth in Kandy as well. If you’re tired of the warm weather, head to Nuwara Eliya. Known as little England this part of the island is cooler that the rest of the country with temperatures between 5 and 20 degrees celcius depending on the time of year.

Finally if you’re like me and love shopping then Colombo is the city for you!

I found this list of places to visit online.

Yala Safari

Sashien and I wanted to try something a bit more adventurous so we took a drive down to Yala National Park on the island’s eastern side and went on a safari. We stayed at Jetwing Yala which is a hotel located inside the park itself. There’s many hotels to choose from in Yala, some of which are situated inside the park.

It took us about 4.5 hrs to get to Yala by car from Colombo and we took the highway there. We booked a private safari online and our guide picked us up at the hotel. We booked our safari on this website: https://www.yalasrilanka.lk/yala-safari-ride

Please note: there are different prices for tourists and locals, this practice is quite common in Sri Lanka. The safari booking does not cover tickets to the park so you do need to pay for those as well.

We booked the half-day afternoon safari and it was 4 hours long from 2-6pm. We had the whole jeep to ourselves and really enjoyed our time. We saw so many different types fo animals. I’ve recapped our safari in this reel.

The hotel was also beautiful and we loved the nature and beach views at breakfast. Jetwing Yala had more of a rustic feel to it, not my favourite type of aesthetic but it was clean and modern. They also offer a safari camp but it was closed for renovations when we were there.

Anantara Kalutara

We also visited Kalutara which is  about an hour away from Colombo. Unlike Yala this was a more relaxed trip. We decided to stay at Anantara Kalutara. This resort is beautiful and offers views of the lagoon and the sea. We stayed in an ocean view room which was spacious and luxurious.

The staff were very helpful and accommodating. We especially enjoyed their welcome ceremony where each guest was asked to light the traditional oil lamp while a drummer played and blew a conch shell.

If you’re celebrating a special occasion the hotel also has a beautiful treehouse which is the perfect setting for a romantic meal overlooking the lagoon. Sashien surprised me with an anniversary dinner complete with fireworks and a custom menu put together by the hotel.

The hotel also has two pools one that’s for families and one that’s adults only. We decide to stick to the adults only side as the other pool was quite busy.

Christmas and NYE in Colombo

We spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Colombo and it was epic! Sri Lankans love a good party and this year they went all out for Christmas. All the streets in Colombo were decorated and all the hotels had their own Christmas displays. My favourite display was the Home for Christmas installation at the Hilton Colombo. It really got me into the Christmas spirit.

For NYE we decided to go for an indoor party (there’s so many outdoor beach parties to choose from if you prefer a more casual setting) since it was warm outside. We purchased tickets to the Cinnamon Grand Dinner Dance hosted in the grand ballroom. The ticket included a buffet dinner, drinks at the table, live band + DJ and breakfast buffet. It was amazing and we loved it! I have never seen that much food in one room in my life! The party started at 9pm and went on til the wee hours of the morning. We left around 4 am and it was still going strong! What a fantastic way to kick off 2023! I’ve attended the dances at this hotel in the past and they never disappoint.

The Verdict

If you’re looking for a one of a kind tropical experience that’s not your run of the mill beach vacay then Sri Lanka is the place for you! You will definitely get your money’s worth at this luxury vacation destination! It’s also important to note that if you do invest in going to Sri Lanka you understand that it is very much a luxury destination despite some of the “budget travel” content you may see from travel bloggers and backpackers. Local vendors do need to be supported so please be kind shop local!

I’ll be sharing everything I bought on this trip on my Instagram stories so stay tuned! Feel free to ask me any questions about the trip as well.

 

 

Lifestyle, Travel

Christmas in Perth, ON

2 Comments

I’m back with another travel blog post and I’m so excited to share it with you! Last weekend I visited Perth, ON a small town less than an hour away from Ottawa. I first discovered Perth in the summer and have been back many times since.

This time I decided to check out some of their Holiday events, you know how I love Christmas! There’s something about small towns this time of year that’s just magical and Perth is no exception. Everything in Perth is so pretty, you feel like you’re living in a hallmark movie. The town itself is over 200 years old and there is so much history to see and appreciate.

Attractions 

Perth Museum

My first stop as I arrived in Perth was the Perth Museum. The museum is open to the public Wednesday-Sunday from 10 am-5pm. Tours are self guided and there is no admission fee but a donation is always nice. The museum is located at 11 Gore St. in downtown Perth, inside the Matheson House.  The house was built for Roderick Matheson in the 1840’s who was a wealthy merchant and eventually became a Senator in Canada’s first parliament. The museum consists of four period rooms; the parlour, drawing room, dining room and kitchen.

 Crystal Palace

I also checked out Crystal Palace which during the holiday season is home to a lovely collection of Christmas trees decorated by local businesses.  The palace is a giant glass structure which hosts events such as weddings and the Perth Farmer’s Market every Saturday throughout the summer. I arrived on a Friday and stayed for the market the following day as there was a special Christmas edition of the market on Nov 19th. The market is a great place to find treasures and homemade treats from local artisans.

Stewart Park & Town Hall

During the holidays Perth is lit! I was lucky to be in town when the Christmas lights were turned on. Stewart Park located in the heart of downtown Perth has a new light installation with red and green lights brightening up the trees. It looks truly magical. Don’t forget to check out the gazebo outside town hall, it’s all lit up as well and is a great spot for some holiday photos. During the day you can take a stroll through the park which offers views of the Perth Water Tower, the red bridge (another great spot for photos) and Code’s Mill.

 Shopping, Food and Accommodation

Shopping

Looking to get a head start on your Christmas shopping? Then Perth is the place for you. Their shop, stamp & win event is currently on and runs through to December 31st. You get a stamp card and a stamp for every $10 you spend at participating local businesses. It takes $100 to fill up a card and once full you’re entered into a draw to win one of three prizes!

I was in Perth on Friday November 18th, just in time for the Merry & Bright shopping event. This special event took place in the evening from 4-8pm and local businesses were open late. I had so much fun checking out all the shops in the downtown area. Many of them were offering holiday treats as well. One of the highlights of my evening was running into Father Christmas (Brent McLaren, the Perth Town Crier) who was walking the streets to greet shoppers!

Some of the stores I visited are:

There’s also many shops located in the streets surrounding the downtown area such as Spirit Children’s Boutique, Miss Penny’s Closet and of course Top Shelf Distillers if you’re looking for some alcoholic gifts. This local brewery is quite well known in Ottawa as well. I had the pleasure of attending one of their events in Ottawa at the Rideau Club a few years ago.

Dining

I checked out two restaurants in Perth. I had lunch at Gather ( their sandwiches are so good!) and dinner at Michael’s Table. Both restaurants are located in the downtown area and the food was amazing! I’d definitely go back. Other dining options include North Folk Cafe for coffee, paninis or cinnamon buns and Fiddleheads for a meal overlooking Stewart Park in the summer.

Accommodation

I stayed at the beautiful Best Western Plus Perth Parkside Inn & Spa. The hotel was so clean and really felt more like a boutique hotel. The staff were friendly and the breakfast at The Locks was great! Our room came with a balcony and some lovely winter views of Stewart Park and the Perth Water Tower. This hotel is perfect for a little weekend getaway any time of the year. It’s also located just across the street from Code’s Mill and many shops and restaurants are a short walk away.

Another option for accommodation in Perth is Nevis Estate Bed and Breakfast. Located on Drummond street it’s close to highway 7 and a short distance away from the downtown core.

Holiday Events

There is so much going on in Perth this holiday season! Mark your calendars because this Saturday November 26th is the Once Upon A Christmas event. There will be choirs, music, hot chocolate, wagon rides and fun for the whole family. There’s also some upcoming concerts, meet & greet with Santa and Mrs. Clause and Scrooge The Musical. A full list of holiday events can be found here on the Perth Tourism Website.

I had such a lovely time in Perth last weekend I can’t wait to go back and I might just visit this weekend as well. A big thank you to Perth Tourism for helping me plan my trip.

 

Lifestyle, Travel

Fall Weekend in Toronto

No Comments

I’m back with a new blog post and more travels to tell you about! I spent last weekend in Toronto exploring some Fall and holiday activities around the city.

Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel

As usual we flew in to Billy Bishop airport on Porter Airlines, it’s definitely the fastest way into the city. This time we stayed at the newly renovated Sheraton Centre Toronto. The hotel has a beautiful lobby with two bars(Dual Citizen and 43Down) and lots of space to sit, eat or work.

The room was spacious and comfortable. One of the key features at the Sheraton Toronto is the Club Lounge located on the 43rd floor. Offering sweeping views of downtown Toronto the Club Lounge is open for breakfast, all-day snacks and cocktails in the evening. It’s also a great place to relax, work or have a business meeting. You can upgrade your room to include access to the lounge.

We really enjoyed the breakfast at the lounge, the staff were so accommodating and the food was great. I really enjoyed the cold pressed juice made fresh daily in-house!

The Sheraton also offers lost of space for meetings and conferences. The hotel was busy as there were quite a few events going on during our stay but the attention to detail and customer service was amazing!

Activities

This trip was a little more relaxed for us in terms of activities as we were arrived late on Friday evening. Toronto has so much to offer in general, especially around the holidays. I started off my Saturday with some shopping with Laura Ackermans from Your Shop Girl

Your Shop Girl offers personal shopping and image consulting services. There’s a number of different packages for women and men that you can choose from. It’s also a great service to use if you want to get some Christmas shopping done! Laura took me on a quick tour of the trendy Queen St West area. We visited some local favourites like Horses Atelier, The Latest Scoop and Coal Miner’s Daughter.

Toronto is known for its entertainment industry and being home to the Toronto International Film Festival, but the city also offers many other specialized entertainment events. One of them is the Reel Asian Film Festival which features work but filmmakers of Asian heritage. We got to stop by the festival and catch some short films which also included works by South Asian filmmakers.

My favourite activity on this trip was our candle making workshop at Kandl Artistique Yorkville. This trendy boutique offers an olfactory experience! You can shop their existing candles or sign up for a workshop and create your own. Sashien and I really enjoyed the workshop, it’s a relaxing experience that’s a great date idea as well. The workshop runs about an hour and you get to choose your custom scent and name your candle. Once the candles are poured it takes about 30-mins to an hour for them to be ready for pick up so make sure you have something to do while you wait. The store also offers a cafe with snacks, tea, coffee and wine! Can you guess what I named my candle? The Weekend Fashionista of course!

Lunch

We checked out two spots for lunch on this trip. On Saturday we stopped by Le Sélect Bistro, a cozy French restaurant. This restaurant offers a great brunch menu with some traditional french items. I tried the Croque Monsieur and Sashien had the Beef Tartare. Both were delicious! The cocktails and wine list was also extensive and I was impressed that they had my favourite cocktail, a Kir Royale on the menu.

After our candle making workshop on Sunday,  we stopped by Signatures Restaurant at the Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel. The restaurant offers a new menu with items such as grilled shrimp, tacos and ravioli for lunch. Signatures is also a popular brunch spot in Yorkville and offers an elevated dining experience.

Dinner and Drinks

We had two amazing dinners in Toronto. On Friday evening we stopped by 43Down which is located inside the lobby of the Sheraton Centre Toronto. This restaurant is a great high end spot for dinner and drinks and features a new winter menu. We tried their duck fat fries, angus beef tartare and smoked aurora duck drumettes. The food was delicious but the real stars of the show are their drinks.

We tried the Boulavardier In Ice which has a really cool presentation where the alcohol is injected into a globe of ice. Once this is done you get to crush the ice and drink it. This is such a special cocktail that only 10 of them are prepared a night, so go early if you want to try it. 43Down also offers great smoked drinks such as the 43rd which comes in a smoke chamber.

On Saturday night we had another amazing dining experience at BlueBlood Steakhouse located inside Casa Loma. This was on our list of restaurants to try so we were very excited to experience it. We both tried the Wagyu beef steaks and they were done to perfection! For sides we went with garlic mashed potatoes and lobster mac & cheese, both so decadent.

The drinks at BlueBlood were also divine and I tried their famous Once Upon A Time cocktail. This truly was a dining experience! Everything from the decor, the drinks, food and ambiance was just perfect! If you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply feel the need to get dressed up for dinner then BlueBlood is the place to go!

After dinner we also stopped by Parc Ave for drinks. This new luxury cocktail bar and lounge is located in the Yorkville area and offers high end cocktails. We got there around 8pm but some parts of the lounge opened only at 10pm. If you plan on going to Parc Ave I’d suggest saving it as a late night spot. The bar and lounge are also quite small so it is liable to fill up as the night goes on.

We really enjoyed this weekend getaway to Toronto. If you haven’t visited the city yet then perhaps add it to your holiday travel plans. There’s so much going on in the city this time of year and a full list of activities and attractions can be found at Destination Toronto. They can also help you plan your trip to the city. A huge thank you to the Destination Toronto team for partnering with us on this trip!