Just Back From: Chelsea Flower Show in London

London is one of my favorite cities - and I know I’m not alone. The charming streets, classic black cabs, British accents, loads of culture, and now the food scene - all make London a delightful destination. My mom and I just returned from a trip for her birthday to visit the famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show. If you’re interested in the show and tips to attend next year, read on! For more on our London exploring, shopping and dining recommendations check out my London guide here.

The Chelsea Flower Show is held for five days every May at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, and is attended by over 150,000 people each year, including members of the Royal Family. Tickets much be purchased in advance and they definitely sell out a few weeks before the event.

We spent three full days in London, and purchased tickets to go to the show on two separate days. Tickets are sold by time, and there are specific days and times that are only available to RHS members. We had tickets for Wednesday starting at 3:30pm and 8am on Thursday. The show runs from 8am-8pm each day.

We loved having the opportunity to go to the show twice. On Wednesday we arrived right at 3:30pm and had time to walk around, get our bearings and see part of the exhibitions inside. We were really tired since we’d landed at 6am that morning, so only stayed a few hours, but it was really helpful to get an overview and then plot out the things that we wanted to prioritize the next day. There’s a lot of people there and it’s a big space, so it can feel overwhelming. Having a bit of a plan helped us to maximize our time.

On Thursday we were back at the show first thing and planned to spend most of the day there. Our first stop was the “Back to Nature” garden that Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, designed. This was clearly a highlight of the show this year, for good reason. We had to wait in line about 30 minutes to enter, but once we were in it didn’t feel too crowded and we were able to walk through, admiring the treehouse, rope swing, fire pit and tepees at our own pace. It was a lovely, nature-filled oasis and seems to have been very well received.

We spent the rest of the morning covering the the exhibition hall - filled with roses, compact herb and vegetable gardens, decorative floral arrangements and everything in between. Even for someone who doesn’t know a lot about flowers (me) it was a fascinating place to explore. And for my mom, a garden and plant enthusiast, it was a dream come true!

Where to Stay: The St. Regis Punta Mita, Nayarit, Mexico

Margaritas, fresh guacamole and endless sunshine… I love Mexico, and it’s such an easy trip from the West Coast. If you’re craving a quick escape to Mexico, book a trip to the St. Regis Punta Mita now. There’s not much I love more than stepping off the plane in another country and it has been a few years since my last trip to Mexico. The trip was super easy — about a 3 hour flight from San Francisco, then a 45 minute drive to the property once you land in Puerto Vallarta — plus this incredible hotel made our first international trip with the babe a breeze!

Set on a private beach on Punta Mita, the St. Regis is totally secluded. When you need a break from the beach, the hotel has three pools (one is for adults only) spread across the property. This set up helps any part of the hotel from feeling crowded. We were there the week before Christmas, and it never felt too busy at all.

Once you arrive everything is taken care of for you. Each room has dedicated service that is on call 24 hours a day to and available for the duration of your stay. From the early morning complimentary coffee service in our room (with mini chocolate muffins for me and bananas for the babe) to dinner reservations and arranging transportation, no detail was overlooked. This is the type of service I think is usually overkill, but the St. Regis executes well and our butlers were incredibly helpful without being obnoxious about it. The service here is truly one of the things that sets this hotel apart - starting with the adorable stuffed giraffe waiting for our son in his crib on arrival.

The food is delicious - think fresh seafood and traditional Mexican dishes like tacos and quesadillas. One of the highlights was the daily happy hour in the main lobby where special mezcal margaritas and champagne are served overlooking this view.

The St. Regis is an indulgent but fabulous choice for a relaxing trip. And really an incredible spot if you have kids. This was probably the most relaxing vacation we could have with a young babe. And a reminder that the St. Regis is a Starwood property so if you have points, this would be a good time to redeem them. As we left all of the staff told us they’d see us next year - I hope they are right!

— IF YOU GO —

Details… 120 rooms set on a 22-acre beach front property with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. Very kid friendly - hotel staff were so happy to accommodate our little one and there were lots of other kids on the property.

Pack… The vibe was more casual here than I expected. Bring a good book (I was so excited to finally dig into this), and essentials for the beach plus a big beach bag to throw everything in.

Plan ahead… The hotel can arrange airport pick up and drop off which was a nice way to arrive. Email the concierge a week ahead of your trip to arrange.

Day trip… While it’s definitely tempting to never leave the property, we ventured to Sayulita one day and had a yummy lunch overlooking the beach at Don Pedros , then spent some time shopping. There are colorful weavings, baskets, pompoms and skulls aplenty (like the beautiful selection at Evoke the Spirit). I was excited to explore Sayulita, and while our time was rushed, it felt crowded and touristy which I was honestly a bit disappointed about.

Where to Stay: The Claska Hotel, Tokyo

Part hotel, part restaurant, part event space and part super cool design shop, this hip and quirky boutique hotel is a hidden gem in Tokyo’s off-the-beaten path Meguro neighborhood.

The hotel was remodeled from an old business hotel in 2003 as a collaboration between the English Design firm Tomato and up-and-coming Japanese designers. The minimalist aesthetic of the space is thoughtful and well designed, but still retains the energy and slightly worn feel from a past time.

Not all rooms are created equal at the Claska, and the hotel is often booked up months in advance. Each room has a different design, so guests often do their research and reserve a specific room.

The Claska’s restaurant Kiokuh is situated right in the lobby, ideal for people watching in the lobby over a pot of tea or cocktail. The restaurant’s French-based menu serves breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the day. There are two options for breakfast - either a Japanese and American menu. Meals are simple but delicious. Try the Japanese breakfast if you are feeling adventurous!

Claska’s fantastic shop “DO” sells a well curated mix of Japanese clothing and housewares. Certainly not your traditional souvenir shop, this is a destination in itself where ceramics, artisan fabrics, and trendy clothes abound.

Take advantage of the hotel’s complimentary bikes to explore the many interior design shops and restaurants sprinkled throughout the neighborhood. Meguro is slightly off the beaten path, but much more low key than many parts of busy Tokyo. Its a charming neighborhood and I really enjoyed exploring this quieter side to the city. 

-- IF YOU GO -- 

Pack... comfy walking shoes, pocket wifi and a Tokyo guidebook

Plan ahead... each room at the Claska is different. do you research and book in advance if you have a preference on your room's style (my vote is for the "Modern" rooms: Japanese and Scandinavian style, with clean lines and plenty of space!)

Read more… One-stop shop for design lovers

Just Back From: Oahu

We just returned from an idyllic few days spent on the North Shore of Oahu, the third year in a row that we've made this trip. While I always love traveling somewhere new, returning to the same place again and again has lots of benefits as well. You know what to expect, what to pack and have a good idea of what you want to do, so there's less planning and more time to just relax.

This time we brought our 3 month old baby - his first flight and first vacation (!) - which made returning to a place we know all the more appealing. We fell into an easy routine of early mornings watching the sunrise, lazy days on the beach and afternoons spent reading (or napping) during tropical rainstorms. We indulged in fresh ahi and yummy pad thai from food trucks and slept better than we have in months. 

{For all the scoop on what to eat and where to wander, check out my newly-updated North Shore travel guide}

If you are planning a trip to Hawaii, I highly recommend checking out Oahu for a local feel of the islands.  

Go Now: Portugal in the Off Season

There’s a reason it feels like everyone you know traveled to Portugal in 2017. The country has been exploding as a popular destination over the past few years, and shows no signs of slowing down. With the allure of delicious food, gorgeous beaches and charming towns, U.S. travel to Portugal increased 22 percent in 2016. And while June - September is peak tourist season in Portugal, here are 5 reasons why you should consider visiting in the off-season. That means now!

Constantly popping up on travel lists from Travel & Leisure naming it destination of the year for 2017 and the New York Times including in their 52 Places to Travel last year, there is no shortage of arguments for why you should book a flight asap. And while summer is the peak tourist season in Portugal, here are 5 reasons why you should consider visiting in the next few months:

Weather - Portugal’s weather is consistently mild. With highs in the summer reaching into the 80s (Fahrenheit), the winter low rarely gets below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, with daily averages in the low 60s. These mild temperatures make for especially pleasant sightseeing. Layer with a scarf and light jacket and you’ll you’ll be sufficiently prepared for your days of exploring (but also be prepared for rain, just in case!)

No crowds - One of the best perks of traveling anywhere in the off-season is enjoying a city without fighting the crowds. The convenience of this alone is a huge selling point for me. Restaurant reservations (or just walking in) are much easier to come by. The more touristy spots, such as museums or the Tower of Belem or the Palace of Pena in Sintra, are so much more enjoyable when you aren’t stuck waiting in long lines. There is even a noticeable difference, allowing for a more pleasant experience, when you are just wandering the streets without fighting crowds.

Money - In that it goes further. Always a main consideration when planning a vacation, budget is super important and Portugal tops of my list of awesome and affordable destinations! There are plenty of flight specials and hotel deals to be found this time of year. We flew on TAP Portugal which offers a flight direct flights from the U.S. as well as the free stopover option that played a role in driving tourism to Iceland. We also found very reasonable pricing for Airbnbs. As a bonus, now is a particularly good time to visit Europe with the dollar strong against the Euro.

That winter light - Hear me out on this one. Yes, days are shorter this time of year and while some could argue that gives you less time to sightsee, there is something about the light in the winter that is magical. Crisper and sharper, the scenic vistas of Lisbon will be all the more breathtaking in the glowy winter light.

Authentic Portugal - Last but not least, traveling at less popular time for other tourists opens you up to experiences you may likely not be exposed to other times of the year. Sleepy beach towns, quiet restaurants and nearly empty hotels create space for connections with locals that busier seasons wouldn’t allow. One of the most powerful experiences of travel is connecting with people living in a different place and in a different culture than you. It expands your horizons and forces you to get outside of your comfort zone. In seasons when the hospitality industry is focused on catering to tourists they don’t have the time to have a meaningful conversation with you, but in the off-season they aren’t as worried about serving everyone staying at the hotel or working through a mile-long wait list. Space naturally opens up for authentic connections, which has the chance to leave a lasting impression on you as a traveler.

Where to Stay: Sublime Comporta

Often the road less traveled leads you to exactly where you need to be. And the road to Comporta, Portugal in November is certainly a less traveled path. Known as a popular beach escape for many Europeans, Comporta is increasingly a popular destination with new hotels opening up over the past few years.

Visiting in the off-season gave us a chance to see the sleepy beach town without tourists, or really many people at all. With most of the town was closed for the season, we enjoyed a relaxing few days at the new-ish Sublime Comporta hotel and leisurely explored the area without fighting any crowds or traffic. Within an easy hour drive from Lisbon, we were happy to escape to a nice hotel for the last few days of our trip. 

Located on 17 acres, the Sublime Comporta is built to blend in with the natural surroundings. We stayed in a Cabana Suite that included a cozy king bed, and a full kitchen, fireplace and living area in a separate room, plus a deck and private pool give you the option to never leave your cabana! 

A spa, pool, fire pit, on-site organic garden, yoga pavilion and tennis courts offer plenty of activities to keep you busy during your stay. We, however, found it hard to leave the cozy couch in front of the fire (and the staff was happy to frequently re-stock our wood supply). It was so pleasant to hunker down and enjoy our minimalist but comfortable cabana. 

The on-site restaurant Sem Porta uses lots of local ingredients and offers an upscale dining experience. While the restaurant was good, it's very pricey, and we really enjoyed eating a more causal meal in the lobby bar one night.  

The hotel is not right on the beach, but it can be reached in a quick 10 minute drive. We ventured out several times for meals during the day, and while a lot was shut down for the season, we found a few noteworthy spots. Have I mentioned the amazingly delicious seafood that we encountered at most meals on this trip? Enjoy!  

• Comporta Cafe - One of our best meals of the trip. We ate on the deck right off the beach, filled up on clams and seafood spaghetti and enjoyed the ocean breeze.
• Restaurante Dona Bia - A popular restaurant but was unfortunately closed for the season.
• Eucalyptus - We had a casual meal here - a good place for a simple sandwich and coffee. 

Just Back From: South Lake Tahoe

Sometimes there is nothing better than a road trip to get out of town, explore a new place and re-connect with the great outdoors. A highlight of our long weekend in Tahoe was the well-located, stylish and welcoming Coachman Hotel. The details will impress those with a keen eye for design and the well stocked bar and hot tub will take care of the rest! Pop over to my South Lake travel notes for more tips on how to make the most of your time on the lake!