Visited the Hello Kitty Cafe Las vegas

We were visiting Las Vegas, staying at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino. I heard about the Hello Kitty Cafe located just outside the hotel. We were there too early and so we decided to take photos before they open.  If you are a fan of hello kitty;  finding this cafe was a plus for your trip in Vegas.

 

The Hello Kitty Cafe is a fun little spot in Las Vegas. It’s basically a food truck. You can get hot or cold beverages and a sweet treats. They also sell shirts and other merchandise.  They have an area to seat on and its decorated as well so you can enjoy your treats.

 

Hello Kitty Cafe - a fun little place in the heart of Vegas.

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17 comments Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Cities and Towns, Family Attractions, Las Vegas, Nevada, Places to Eat and Shop, Summer Getaway, United States

Visit Black Fox Lodge, a Tapestry Collection by Hilton

We went on  a weekend getaway and stayed at Black Fox Lodge,  Pigeon Forge newest hotel. The location of this hotel was super convenient to everything we wanted to do in Pigeon Forge and to other nearby city like Gatlinburg and Sevierville.  The entire place is amazing from the time you step out of your car and into the lobby. The design is beautiful - when you walk in to their front door you will welcome by the elegant fireplace and fully furnish interior   lobby.  The little details makes you appreciate this property.

Location wise, it's right behind the main strip and The Island entertainment complex is within walking distance.  You can also walk up and down the parkway without driving.

The Hotel Entrance

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23 comments Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, United States

10 Free Things To Do in Las Vegas

Around the world, Las Vegas is known as adult Disneyland, not the one that was made for families. And yet over the years Las Vegas has worked to broaden its appeal to a wider market that includes families with children.  Each hotel in Vegas is a miniature theme park. The energy, the bright lights, amazing hotels and sights and more can be found in or around them. One of the great things about Vegas is there is always something new in town to check out.  Although some of the sights may be very expensive, luckily there is some attractions that  you don’t really need to pay for anything in Sin City to have a great time.  Walking down The Strip of Vegas is the only way to truly feel how big Vegas is.  Just remember wear comfortable shoes, the Strip is very, very long if you get too tired, you can always grab a taxi cab to take you back to your hotel.

We had so much fun just walking up and down the Strip and checking out different hotels.  I made a list for you  for 10 Free Things to do while in Vegas.

1.  The Venetian Hotel and Casino

It is said that Venice is one Europe's most romantic and is the most beautiful city.  To be able to experience it you have to visit the city in person as you'll get a better appreciation of the amazing waterways and interconnecting bridges throughout this city. To those who can't make it to Venice, Italy, The Venetian Hotel Las Vegas delivers some of the scenery along with its Las Vegas tweaks.  Make memories with your loved one by taking a gondola ride through Venice's narrow waterways while admiring the Renaissance era's multi-colored structures or travel across the Grand Canal watching the summer sunset.     Even though  these replicas are smaller in scale when compared with the originals and they're mostly made from fiberglass not stone but you'll get the idea.

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47 comments Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Las Vegas, Nevada, Travel Tips, United States

The Park Vista: A Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Gatlinburg

We had a great time at the Park Vista Hotel this Labor Day weekend.  It's the nicest place we've stayed in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.  It's been a busy week for us but it is good to finally can go on vacation.  My husband and I receive a complimentary stay  at Park Vista for business purposes.   For the money, I think this is an excellent hotel to spend a vacation that is close to Smoky Mountain.  The location is just a few minutes from the  town of Gatlinburg.  There are numerous restaurants, bars, and shops within a short distance from the place. The trolley bus stops right by at the front of the lobby.  If you are planning to take any tours while there, a convenient tour pickup spot available at the hotel.

As we go inside , we were welcomed by the amazing atrium lobby.  The circular shape of the hotel ensures that every guest room has a spectacular view of Smokies.   We stayed on the 13th floor our King bed room was clean and included a mini fridge and TV.  The bed was comfortable we both had a great night sleep.

 A creative wood art carved by the lobby of  Park Vista.

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36 comments Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States

The Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino Las Vegas

Located in the heart of the Strip making it the center of the Las Vegas excitement. The Monte Carlo Hotel Las Vegas with contemporary decor stands out for its Mediterranean feel.  The hotel, named to invoke the Place du Casino in Monte Carlo, features chandelier domes, marble floors, neoclassical arches, ornate fountains, and statues. There is a wave pools and lazy rivers, crisp cocktails and private cabanas at Monte Carlo perfect for tropical retreat. The Blvd Plaza located in front of the resort is the ultimate gathering spot and ideal setting to relax, re-energize and socialize. It features a variety of unique culinary venues and a casual, lively environment. The resort is neighbor to the all-new park,  outdoor destination for dining and entertainment and the state-of-the-art T-Mobile Arena.

We have not stayed at the Monte Carlo Hotel on this trip so I can't say much about the hotel service. However I thought it was worth a visit while in Vegas.

Monte Carlo Hotel themed is inspired by European-style Architecture.

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19 comments Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

The Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas

Each resort along The Las Vegas Strip has its own ambience and characteristics, with the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino  being both classy and elegant. This hotel theme is Oceanic Island paradise set in the desert of Las Vegas. We really like the Mandalay Bay. Each hotel room has beautifully gold leafed windows.  When flying into or out of McCarran Airport, Mandalay Bay (and Luxor) are the most prominent Hotels you will see. Mandalay Bay is located on the far south end of the Strip almost directly across from McCarran Airport.

One of the attraction in this hotel is the Shark Reef Aquarium.  Here you will experience the undersea ocean of fantastic sights. A face-to-face with some of the earth's most fascinating creatures in North America's only predator-based aquarium and exhibit. See sharks of all kinds, along with saw-fish, giant rays, endangered green sea turtles, piranha, moon jellies and the rare golden crocodiles. It's a reasonable size aquarium considering that it is attached to the hotel.  Prices are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $14 for kids.

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18 comments Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Things to do in Destin Weekend Getaways

One of our favorite weekend getaways is to Destin. Florida.  It is a 7-8 hour drive from our location, so we try to get there about 1-2 times a year.  It is located in the area of Florida called “The Panhandle” because it is shaped like it is the handle of Florida when viewing it on a map.  It is located on the Gulf of Mexico, and is also called the Gulf Coast of Florida and The Emerald Coast due to its beautifully clear colored ocean water.  Destin beaches are characterized by their clear blue/green water and white sand, which is commonly referred to as “sugar sand”.  But trust us, it isn’t because it is sweet 😀 .  The texture and appearance of the sand is similar to sugar.

We enjoy all the beaches but have noticed that each have their own attributes.  Beached located within Destin city limits and to the west seem to have more activity and people.  Food vendors, beach volleyball, a few restaurants, and piers are all located in these areas.  During peak times, these beaches can get quite busy with mostly under 50+ crowd.  So if you like being around people and don’t mind social interaction, then these beaches are for you.  There are many hotels, rental units, and restaurants within close proximity to each other and many that are right on the beach.  Beach and restaurant parking can be challenging at times so be prepared. Shopping centers abound and traffic isn’t bad.

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18 comments Beaches and Islands, Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Destin, Florida, Places to Eat and Shop, Travel Tips, United States

Best Things to Do in Memphis

Downtown Memphis, Tennessee

We recently enjoyed a week-long trip to Memphis, TN for business.  While there, we had the pleasure of staying at the Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel.  The following review will cover the hotel and some of the interesting things to do while in Memphis.

Located at 250 N. Main St in downtown Memphis, this hotel has 19 floors is quite large.  It has a modern feel and is well maintained. The staff were pleasant and accommodating.  Supervisory staff were always on hand and capably resolved any and every situation no matter how minor. There is concierge service and underground parking ramp parking available for a fee.  It is connected to the Cook Convention Center, which shares the parking garage with the hotel.  There is an in-house security staff that monitors the hotel 24/7.  Both the parking and security features are good to know since all downtown area hotels need to take added precautions to help protect guests from unwanted panhandlers and potential crime. 

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37 comments Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Memphis, Tennessee, Travel Tips, United States

Willy's Beach Resort | Station 1 Boracay Island

Traveling to Boracay Island is not easy.  There's the transfer plane ride to Kalibo. I highly recommend to get a direct flight to Caticlan Airport for extra fee to skip the three hours van ride. After that the ferry ride and the hotel pick up ride --  Oh yes not a joke! But going to an island  like Boracay that has fresh air , clear blue water, white sugary sand and welcoming locals.  I think its totally worth it.  Its all about being committed to a relaxing journey.

One of the popular resorts of Boracay Island in the Philippines  is Willy's Boracay Beach Resort. It is a beachfront resort located in Station One. We wanted a location that was reputable and offered comforts that would make our stay more enjoyable, but was not overpriced or too commercial. We decided to pick Willy's Beach Resort for our getaway. We stay there for 3D/2N on a Deluxe room, we pay Php20,000 or about USD500.00 for two rooms.  It offered air conditioning in every room, had its own restaurant and beach bar.

On this exact location is the Willy's Rock. Locals claim Willy’s Rock is Boracay’s most recognizable landmark and probably the most photographed place in Boracay. On the top of this rock is  a statue of the Virgin Mary.

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17 comments Asia Travel, Beaches and Islands, Boracay, Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Philippines Trips

Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel

We stayed at Sheraton Hotel downtown Memphis  for five nights for my husband's conference.  The hotel  is located near the convention center overlooking the Mississippi River close by the Bass Pro Shop.  We arrived Sunday afternoon a 6-hr drive from Knoxville. We were greeted by the Valet outside as soon as we parked our car.  Parking at the hotel was $26 a night.  They only offered valet parking.  No self parking.  Check in was easy as the front desk personnel gave us everything we requested, they gave us the Elvis Presley Suite so awesome!

Also, having an access to the Club level was great.  They allowed us to come in to the VIP lounge whenever we wanted for refreshments. The breakfast in the club lounge was good.  They kept their breakfast foods like: bagels, scrambled eggs, bacon, etc.,  are well stocked. For  dinner they serve a tray of cheese and crackers, veggies and fruits platter with dips, and other finger foods. They offered  complimentary coffee/tea and fruits juice all day.  The employees working in the VIP lounge were great.  They were friendly and helpful.

We stayed at Elvis Presley Suite 😍

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14 comments Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Back to the Beach in Destin Florida

This is our third visit, and still the best place to stay in Destin. Located on Florida’s Emerald Coast, which gets its name from its beautiful, clear green water. Beaches here have extremely fine, soft sand, so if you’re a beach-walker or your kids enjoy building sand castles, this could be a great family destination. 

Here are some tips for you all: 

• If you come to Destin in March or April, keep in mind that it's high season — prices are higher, and it tends to be noisier and more crowded.

• If you come in July - August the temperature is in high 90's.

• Remember to wear comfortable footwear and clothing, keep yourself hydrated throughout the day, and use sunscreen.

• If you want to avoid peak season, October and November are quieter months. During low season, restaurants and attractions stay open and keep normal hours.

The best days are the B.E.A.C.H. days!

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21 comments Beaches and Islands, Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Destin, Florida, Places to Eat and Shop, Summer Getaway

Wears Valley Log Cabins

This year we only experience mild winter in East Tennessee and I like it by the way.  Just because the temperatures are a little uncomfortable doesn't mean you need to be stuck inside all winter. Driving around is a pleasure, and allows for plenty of exploring. We both enjoy an uncrowded area of Wears Valley where we can briefly survey the mountain range beyond in all its glory on a mid morning drive.

First winter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park should not be missed. Even if there is snow accumulation and some business establishments are closed. There is still many places to check out. Also, bears are hibernating, so there is not much concern there either. Though the GSMNP is not vibrantly green like other seasons, you may be surprised to discover how breathtaking it is even on a winter days.

The mountain cabin homes located throughout Wears Valley, Townsend Tennessee.

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10 comments Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Jeep Adventure, Mountain, Road Trip, Tennessee, Townsend, Winter Memories

Alona Tropical Beach Resort Panglao Island, Philippines

On our two weeks vacation to my homeland Philippines , my husband  and I got a chance to explore this beautiful island of Bohol. This time we decided to go a little far from the city to get the best relaxation we both needed. A friend of mine recommended Alona Beach resort for a real tropical feel. No doubt it is indeed a tropical paradise for a snowbird  like us. The beach is located at the end of the stretch of Alona beach sandwiched by the more expensive class A resorts - Amorita on the right (hilltop) and Hennan on the left. 

Magnificent for Romantic Get-Away

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7 comments Asia Travel, Beaches and Islands, Bohol, Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Philippines Trips, Summer Getaway

Ultimate Escape Cabin at Gatlinburg Falls Resort

We decided to take a break for at least two days in the mountain.  We just want to go somewhere to relax and do nothing, and Smokies is our place! This is our second time rented a cabin at Gatlinburg Falls Resort. We stayed at Ultimate Escape, it was nicely furnished , there is a hot tub on the deck ,  a fully functioning kitchen, and laundry facilities. Our rented cabin  offers ultimate relaxation.  My husband and I enjoyed the peaceful view from the deck and  the hot tub overlooking the Smoky Mountains. Our get away goal was relaxation and that is definitely what we got here!  We're already planning to re-book for next year, and probably each year thereafter.

The front view  of Ultimate Escape Cabin

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23 comments Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Gatlinburg, Mountain, Tennessee, Vacation, Winter Memories

The Luxor Hotel and Casino Las Vegas

Luxor is one of the most known hotels in  Las Vegas because of Egyptian theme,  interior walls of a pyramid style tower and  twin ziggurat towers.  It has two hotel buildings, the Pyramid and the Tower:  the Tower is newer but i think the Pyramid is pretty cool because your window in the room is at an angle.

We stayed at Luxor for five nights in mid October and were really happy with everything. Luxor hotel  is located further end of the strip, but right down the street from the airport. Its always fun to walk into this hotel.  Just seeing the pyramid structure is really cool. Since Luxor is at the end of the strip, it's nice that there's a tram that connects from Luxor-Mandalay- Excalibur,  from there you can walk to New York New York or cross the strip to hop on the bus.  

The hotel is named after the city of Luxor (ancient Thebes) in Egypt

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24 comments Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Las Vegas, Nevada, Summer Getaway

Smoky Mountain Log Cabins

Winter has been rough this year East Tennessee has been hit repeatedly with snow and ice. For a place where it only snows a few times a year, having a 3 to 4 inches of snow in the ground is a big deal.  Anyway this weekend finally our temperature is back to 40-ish again YAY! We drove to Gatlinburg and spend hours there admiring the snowy scene in the Smoky Mountains. Amazing views can be found everywhere in the Smokies, see for yourself.

Smoky Mountain Cabins Rental

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8 comments Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Winter Memories

Gatlinburg Falls Resort

I will start by saying Gatlinburg and the surrounding areas are a great place to visit with many attractions and you'll never run out of things to do and see, great for families. My husband booked the one bedroom cabin at Gatlinburg Falls resort for a winter holiday vacation. I never lodge in a cabin before so I didn't know what to expect.  We stayed in Bear Den  that offers a mountain view deck and a relaxing hot tub.  It was like coming home every night. We have officially called this our "favorite vacation!" The cabin we rented was comfortable and very inviting and we are so glad we chose this cabin from all the choices that were available in this area. It is far enough off the beaten path to enjoy the peaceful, serene beauty of the place, but close enough to easily access all the many attractions in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and the Smoky Mountains. We will definitely be back!

Located at: 645 Park Vista Way Gatlinburg, TN 37738 USA - (www.gatlinburgfallsresort.com)

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9 comments Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Winter Memories

Hotel Valley Ho | Scottsdale Arizona Resort + Spa

We stayed at the Valley Ho Resort for five days.  The Hotel Valley Ho is a beautiful and unique hotel.  It has retro designed that is almost a throwback to old Palm Springs or old time Vegas. This is very large and spread out hotel complex, with more than a few buildings worth of rooms.

This hotel is located at 6850 E Main St. Scottsdale, Arizona.  A historic Scottsdale Arts District and you can walk to great shops and restaurants. Tips for parking , if you don't want to pay for $15 for valet parking. Go on the other side of the property and you can park for free.

The back patio with a reclining chair and table, completely private.

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9 comments Arizona, Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Scottsdale, Summer Getaway, United States

The Caesar Palace Las Vegas Hotel

I might have a little bias towards this hotel because I love the movie “The Hangover”. It was a blast walking and recalling the naughtiness of the characters in this movies. Like the ancient Roman era it celebrates, everything about this place is extravagant and over the top. Caesars Palace is one of the first places that comes to mind when I think of Las Vegas.  This iconic Las Vegas Resort was one of Vegas first themed, luxury-style resorts in Las Vegas Strip for decades.

The Caesars Palace location is right in the center of the Strip, could not be more convenient. Besides walking, other forms of transportation that are readily available to take you wherever in Las Vegas you wish to go include taxis, the Deuce bus, and the Las Vegas Monorail which has a stop at Caesars.With the amount of shopping, dining, and entertainment available on-site, you can have a pretty exciting time in this hotel.

The Forum Shops at the Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino

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18 comments Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Family Attractions, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Visit Ravella at Lake Las Vegas

Last October we went to Las Vegas for my husband's business trip. We stayed at Ravella Lake front Resort, Henderson Nevada. It was 30 minutes away from Las Vegas Strip. Here we have a little bit of privacy away from the busy streets and loud crowd. We spend 5 days at the Mediterranean-inspired oasis in the Southwestern desert.  Ravella at Lake Las Vegas infuses a dramatic setting with unimaginable luxury. Ideal for professional retreats, family vacations, and romantic getaways, this spectacular resort entices travelers from across the globe with world-class golf courses, soothing spa treatments, and unforgettable cuisine.

It is a once in a life time opportunity for us to stay in this luxurious hotel, especially it was all expenses paid. It’s like business/vacation trip, here are some of photos, the view from our suite. Located at:  1610 Lake Las Vegas Blvd. Henderson, Nevada USA.

The resort surrounded by Rock Mountain and Palm Trees

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12 comments Cabin and Hotel Reviews, Henderson, Nevada, Summer Getaway