No Equal: the Peerless Kimpton

Outdoor restaurant at La Peer

For a certain type of traveler, Kimpton Hotels are ideal.

1. Love to bike? Kimpton Hotels have free bikes.
2. Traveling with a dog? All Kimpton Hotels are dog friendly.
3. Bringing the kids? Kimptons are also welcome children.
4. And if you like luxury, Kimpton has you covered. The hotels provide robes in every room, high thread count Frette linens, superb service..

Signature Kimpton bike

La Peer

I am lucky to be staying at La Peer Hotel, in West Hollywood, CA, courtesy of Infiniti. The boutique hotel has a lovely outdoor pool and an outdoor restaurant and bar. There is an indoor place to eat, too, if the weather doesn't cooperate. But it's 70 and sunny with the bluest sky. Just about perfect.

My room is a gigantic corner room with 2 queen beds, a tub and a stand alone shower.

My huge shower

Did I mention the daily happy hour, with free drinks? Or the morning coffee in the lobby? There is a compact fitness center just past the pool.

I hadn't stayed in a Kimpton since it was taken over by Starwood. But it seems just like the old Kimpton, minus the New York Times that is usually in the lobby.

There is a yoga mat in my room and eco friendly full bottles of shower gel, shampoo and conditioner in the bathroom. Towels are thick and soft.

The outdoor bar at La Peer

As a Kimpton rewards member, you still get to 'raid the minibar' and have a free snack. And the room has a mini fridge, stocked with drinks, but there's room for a water bottle or 2 of your own.

West Hollywood fun

The Grove, an outdoor mall

I took one of the bikes for a spin, and wandered around The Grove, one of the finest outdoor shopping malls. I biked on a bike lane along Santa Monica Boulevard, through Beverly Hills, and found cute restaurants, all with outdoor seating.

Right around the hotel, there are design shops and high end clothing boutiques. You can actually walk to these!

But I'll be driving a new Infiniti.

8 Favorite Orlando Resorts: Family Hotels

Liki Tiki Village. Photo Credit: Vacatia

Orlando is a family travel Mecca, led by Disney World but buoyed by Harry Potter fans and Sea World lovers too. If you are only going to Disney, you may find it easier to stay on site, but if you are planning on visiting other Orlando theme parks and attractions, there are many family friendly hotels to consider. Below, 8 Orlando resorts that should be on your radar:

1.  Ritz-Carlton at Grande Lakes.

Ritz-Carlton at Grande Lakes: for well-heeled families this is the place to go. There is a Ritz Kids supervised program for ages 4-12, a kid’s night out program so parents can enjoy a dinner without their children, a kiddie pool and a playground. But most important, besides the luxury rooms and attentive service, is the The Protect Our Little Ones (P.O.L.O.) package: electrical outlets are covered in rooms and alcohol is taken out of the minbar, both the keep adult beverages away from kids and to provide refrigerator space.

2. Waldorf Astoria Orlando 

Waldorf Astoria Orlando is another top tier choice. The large luxury rooms easily accommodate families and the golf course adds another adult activity (the WA Kids Club tends to children ages 5-12 and Astoria After Dark gives parents a night out. There is a zero entry pool, and access to the Bonnet Creek adventure pools.

3. Marriott's Grande Vista 

Marriott's Grande Vista offers family villas with full kitchens, living rooms and washers / dryers. There are two pools, plus a kiddie pool, beach campfires, Kid's Night Out, and an indoor play maze for rainy or extremely hot days. There is also plenty of family friendly dining on site.

4.Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld 

Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld is next to both SeaWorld and the Aquatica waterpark. There are two kiddie pools and three large pools, miniature golf and a putting green. The luxury rooms include allergy-free rooms, great for kids with sensitive immune systems.

5. Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld

Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld has a waterpark,a kiddie pool and a regular pool. There is a game room and ping-pong tables (remember, table tennis is an Olympic sport!).

6. Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort

Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort, an all suite family resort features five pools with water slides, splash zones and lazy rivers, miniature golf, beach volleyball, BBQ & picnic areas, indoor game rooms and playgrounds. The suites have living rooms, fully equipped kitchens and washers and dryers.

7. JW Marriott Orlando

JW Marriott Orlando is luxury resort that has a Lazy River Pool, guided Eco-Tours by canoe and kayak, and large rooms with connecting rooms for big families.

8. Liki Tiki Village

Liki Tiki Village has a water park with a water volcano, wave pool and water slides. There is miniature golf and plenty of family friendly dining.  If you prefer to cook, you have a full kitchen, plus outdoor BBQ pits and picnic tables.

Note: this post is sponsored by Vacatia.

Forget Mall Walking: Radisson Blu Mall of America Has a Great Gym

The pool at the Radisson Blu Mall of America

Malls have become popular with walking groups, who power through the climate controlled environments, often just as stores are opening and crowds are thin. But at the Radisson Blu Mall of America you can follow your fitness routine at a big gym, next to a huge indoor pool.

I am not a swimmer, but the clean, perfect temperature pool enticed me. Large windows let the sun stream in, and the families using the facility were all happy. The family-friendly hotel provides special adult only hours for lap swimmers.

The fitness center at Radisson Blu Mall of America

The gym offered everything needed for a great workout; thick yoga mats for stretching, mirrors so you could watch your form, stability balls and bosu balls. There were plenty of free weights, cardio machines and soft towels for mopping up sweat.

Blue light fixtures at the gym

The gym even had blue light fixtures to reflect the Radisson color scheme.

Note: I was a guest of Radisson Blu Mall of America. Opinions expressed are my own.