Hotels Archives - Masshole Mommy

Plan a Family Friendly Getaway at Great Wolf Lodge New England

May 072018

Tucked away in central Massachusetts, Great Wolf Lodge New England is THE place to go for a weekend of family fun! Located in Fitchburg, Great Wolf Lodge is more than just a water park. Sure, your family is in for an incredible water park experience when you visit, but there is much, much more including tons of family friendly attractions, shopping, entertainment and various dining options – all under one roof! I was invited to spend this past weekend at Great Wolf Lodge with my family, so I am going to tell you all about it.

Great Wolf Lodge is more than just a water park. Sure, your family is in for an incredible water park experience when you visit, but there is much, much more including tons of family friendly attractions, shopping, entertainment and various dining options - all under one roof!

If you are like me, the Indoor water park is most likely the initial draw to Great Wolf Lodge. Obviously around these parts we have much more cold weather than we do hot weather, so that makes an indoor water park very appealing. The water park includes a number of awesome water slides, an indoor wave pool and Fort Mackenzie, which is a water fort tree house with slides and toys. You can also Grab a tube and float your way around Crooked Creek (lazy river), try to pass across the Big Foot Pass, where you have to cross these large, floating lily pads using only cargo nets for help or play in Chinook Cove, activity pool gives you the chance to swim, splash and shoot some hoops.

Chef’s Demonstration Table at the Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa

Jan 172018

I don’t know about you, but my husband I are always looking for fun date night ideas. We are both foodies, so going out to eat makes us both very happy, but every now and then it’s fun to change things up. Last weekend we definitely leveled up our date night! We spent a super fun night at the Chef’s Demonstration Table at the Dan’l Webster Inn in Sandwich.

The Chef's Demonstration Table at the Dan'l Webster Inn is a unique entertainment experience. Enjoy a cooking lesson and a wonderful dinner all in one fun night out.

The evening was quite entertaining as about 23 of us watched Chef Steve Chausse and Pastry Chef Lydia Broderick prepare a 3 course meal from scratch. The menu included roasted Stuffed Artichoke Tartlet, Winter Flounder Francaise with a beurre blanc sauce and a Ricotta Cheesecake with an almond crust for dessert. The two chefs made all three dishes from scratch all while providing tips on which tools and materials are best to use and lots of other practical tips that we will be able to use at home. Continue reading »

Plan Your Next Romantic Cape Cod Getaway at the Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa

Jan 152018

Here in Massachusetts a sandwich isn’t just a delicious combination of lunch meat, condiments and bread – it’s a town on Cape Cod, too. Yes, the actual name of the town is Sandwich and what a lovely town it is. I actually spent many childhood summers in Sandwich and I have so many fond memories of all my time there. My Great Aunt Millie and Uncle Jack used to rent a beach cottage on N Shore Blvd every summer and as kids we loved visiting them and playing on the beach. Sure there are beaches in Maryland (where they were from), but there is something really special about Cape Cod and it kept them coming back year after year.

Aside from the amazing beaches, there is charm everywhere you look. Cape Cod is filled with antique shops, boutiques, museums, cafes and so much more. It really is a wonderful getaway destination and I have just the place for you to stay when you start planning your trip to “The Cape”: The Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa!

The Dan'l Webster Inn & Spa is the perfect destination for your Cape Cod vacation, business gathering, wedding or simply a quick Cape Cod getaway.

The Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa in Sandwich, Cape Cod’s oldest town, has been in business for over 300 years. When you book a stay in one of the 48 guest rooms/suites at the Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa, you will be pleasantly surprised when enter your guest room. Each room has it’s own lovely decor and is full of amenities that you will help you to have a comfortable stay, including WiFi, a coffee maker, hair-dryer and more. If you are looking for a little more than just a room, there are suites available which feature canopy and/or four-poster beds, fireplaces and over-sized whirlpool tubs. Continue reading »

Take a Providence Staycation at Extended Stay America East Providence

Dec 112017

Like me, I know most of you are busy moms and being as busy as we are, sometimes we just need to get away. Sadly, a trip to warm tropical destinations is not always in the cards, but a staycation can be just what we need. Recently my husband and I had a chance to do just that – take a little staycation – at Extended Stay America in East Providence, Rhode Island. Yes, I live in Massachusetts, but this hotel is only about 30 minutes from me. This hotel is in a great location and there’s a ton of things to do in that area, so I was thrilled about the weekend away.

In the newly remodeled Extended Stay America in East Providence, RI, they have re-imagined everything to provide you with the best stay possible.

When you choose to stay at Extended Stay America you will not only find friendly staff, but the practical touches that make being away from home easier. Each of their spacious suites offers a fully equipped kitchen, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV with premium channels, free grab-and-go breakfast and on-site laundry facilities. While Christian and I chose a kid-free stay, Extended Stay America is family-friendly and kids stay free! If your babies aren’t the human kind, they have pet-friendly hotel suites in over 600 locations throughout the US. Continue reading »

Plan a Fun Family Getaway at the Cape Codder Resort and Spa

Nov 272017

Located in the heart of Cape Cod, The Cape Codder Resort and Spa makes a wonderful spot for a family getaway. The Cape Codder has an indoor water park, a wide variety of room options, several restaurants, a full service spa and more. Everything you need to enjoy your getaway is located all under one roof!

Located in the heart of Cape Cod, The Cape Codder Resort and Spa makes a wonderful spot for a family getaway with their indoor water park and more!

Cape Codder Water Park

The Cape Codder Resort and Spa boasts the only one of its kind indoor/outdoor Water Park on Cape Cod. Here are some of the highlights:

There are two 160-foot “Stars and Stripes” high-speed water slides!
A 50-foot and an 80-foot water slide winding through a replica of a pirate ship.

A Weekend at The Inn at Mystic + Harbour House Restaurant

Jun 042017

The Inn at Mystic in Mystic, Connecticut sits high up on a hill overlooking Fishers Island Sound and Mystic Harbor. Once a private estate, the Inn at Mystic now consists of a hotel, restaurant, mansion, and full service banquet operations. They’ve been welcoming guests for over fifty years and with relaxing accommodations including rooms with ocean views, Jacuzzis, and wood burning fireplaces – it’s no wonder.

Stay in comfort at the Inn at Mystic

The Inn at Mystic consists of three unique lodging choices: the Main Building, the East Wing, or the Haley Mansion. The Main Building and East Wing are centrally located on the property with 52 rooms decorated in a nautical style that fits in perfectly with the surroundings, all with modern amenities and private baths.

Stay at the Cathedral Ledge Resort in North Conway, NH

Mar 292017

The Mount Washington Valley area of New Hampshire is one of my favorite parts of the state to visit. Made up of eight villages, it is almost like taking a step back in time when you visit the area. In the heart of Mt. Washington Valley, you’ll undoubtedly end up in North Conway and once you visit, you will definitely want to stay. Cathedral Ledge Resort is located in North Conway, New Hampshire, is just a little over two hours from Boston and if you’re looking for a place to stay in the area – this is it.

There are a couple of options when staying at Cathedral Ledge Resort. You can choose to rent a Bungalow or a Townhouse. My family stayed in a townhouse, but I am going to tell you about both of your options – so that way if you are planning on booking a stay there, you can choose what’s right for your family.

Bungalow: Lovely out of the way cottages sleep six with private driveway, two bedrooms each with private bath & Jacuzzi, plus 1/2 bath in case you have kids set up on the pull-out couch overnight. Full kitchen, washer/dryer, outdoor grill and patio set. Have all the amenities, just a little more quiet. Continue reading »

The Element Boston Seaport I Boston Staycation Approved

Jan 252017

My family almost always stays close to home during the February vacation. I would be devastated if any travel plans we made got disrupted because of snow, so we definitely prefer staycations. My family and I recently got to experience a stay at the Element Boston Seaport and it’s the perfect location for a Boston staycation. It’s located right in the heart of Boston’s thriving Seaport District and there are tons of family-friendly attractions within walking distance of the hotel. As far as I am concerned that is a big selling point when I am looking for a place to stay with my family.

The Element Boston Seaport was built to be green from the ground up, guestrooms are spacious, stylish, sustainable and designed for comfort, providing guests with space to live their life while away from home.

Fun For the Whole Family at the Brand New Water Park at the Cape Codder in Hyannis

Aug 072016

Last week my oldest son turned 12. TWELVE! I’m honestly not sure when that happened, but in any case I can personally attest to the fact that the “tween” thing is real. He’s not quite a teen yet, but definitely he has all the attitude & sassiness of one. He’s also apparently too cool to do “kid” stuff anymore, which has created a bit of a challenge for me to keep him entertained (and off those pesky electronics) this summer. Both of my boys have August birthdays and I always plan a day of fun for them on their special days and this year I was really scrambling to come up with something that my oldest would like.

Then it came to me – I would take them to the brand new water park at the Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis. If you’ve been around here for a while, you may remember that my family stayed there about 18 months ago and the boys really enjoyed the indoor wave pool (if you need a refresher, here is the post). I had heard that the Cape Codder was expanding and creating an amazing water park and when I found out that they had just opened on Friday July 30th, I knew that it was where I was going to take my kids for my oldest’s birthday. My oldest loves to swim and I knew a day at the water park would be right up his alley.

The Wave Pool, which was already there, is approximately 10,000 square feet and the expansion is an additional 20,000 square feet – you you can only imagine how excited both my boys were when I told them that’s where we were going! It’s the only one of its kind on Cape Cod and has so much fun to offer! Continue reading »

Family Travel: The Holiday Inn Springfield/Enfield

May 232016

Now that summer is in full swing here in New England, it’s a great time to head out and explore all that western Massachusetts has to offer. Boasting a wide variety of attractions for every member of the family, western Massachusetts is the place to be. Although we’re been to the western part of our state many times over the years, my family recently spent a fantastic weekend in western Mass. While we were there, we stayed at the Holiday Inn in Enfield, CT.

When you book a stay at The Holiday Inn Springfield/Enfield, you will get a chance to experience the comfort and charm of all that New England has to offer. The hotel is only a short drive from Bradley International Airport and Enfield is centrally located between Springfield, MA and Hartford, CT, (right off I-91) which makes this hotel a great choice for travelers. There’s plenty of free parking, too!

In addition to a fitness center, indoor/outdoor pools, and on-site recreational activities that include tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, The Holiday Inn Springfield/Enfield offers an airport shuttle to nearby Bradley International for their guests. Continue reading »

A Stay at the Old Mystic Inn, Mystic, CT

Oct 142015

When I say Mystic, Connecticut, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Mystic Pizza, the 1988 film starring Julia Roberts? Sure, you can get a great pizza at Mystic Pizza (which is a real place) while watching the movie on replay mode inside the downtown restaurant, but Mystic actually has a lot more to offer than that.

Mystic, Connecticut is a small, quaint, historic New England village that’s just a few minutes over the Rhode Island border. It’s only about an hour and fifteen minutes from my home in southeastern Massachusetts, making it the perfect place to escape to for a weekend away. Mystic has been a top tourist attraction in Connecticut for years with its restored sea captain’s houses, boating, museums, abundance of local restaurants and other attractions like the aquarium and Seaport.

My husband, Christian, and I spent two nights in Mystic recently and and stayed at the Old Mystic Inn.

It is an older Inn, but it has lots of charm. Christian and I have stayed in many bed & breakfasts over the years and I have to say that my expectations were more than exceeded at the Old Mystic Inn. It was such a delightful, charming place to stay and I left there wondering why it took me so long to stay there in the first place.

**Disclosure: I received a two night stay at the Old Mystic Inn at no charge thanks to my friends at Mystic Country. All opinions expressed here are strictly my own and were not influenced in any way.

Let me tell you all about our experience at the Inn. Continue reading »

The Killington Grand Resort Hotel #KillingtonMoms #Beast365

Jul 162015

When a lot of people think about the state of Vermont, they think of winter and probably more specifically – winter sports like skiing and snowboarding. But did you know that the Green Mountain State has a ton to offer in the summer as well? Not only are the mountains breath-taking to look at, there are so many family friendly attractions and activities in this charming state. My family had a chance to experience one of those family-friendly attractions last week. The brand spankin’ new Adventure Center up at Killington Mountain that I told you about yesterday was a huge hit with my kids, but today I wanted to tell you about where we stayed while we were there: The Killington Grand Resort Hotel.

At the Killington Grand Resort Hotel you will find that they offer a 75-foot outdoor heated pool with two hot tubs (open year-round), a state of the art health club that includes a sauna & steam room, the Killington Grand Spa – a full service spa, a game room, coin operated laundry services, multiple conference rooms, complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel, complimentary DVD library plus XBOX games and components, the Grand Essentials Coffee and Sundry Shop (open daily) and Ovations Restaurant & Rendezvous Lounge, which is their onsite restaurant. Continue reading »

Family Travel: Hotel Viking in Newport, RI

May 312015

With summer in full swing here in New England, families may want to consider a trip to Newport, RI. Amongst fabulous Gilded Age mansions, you will find that Newport is filled with many family-friendly attractions. My husband and I are not strangers to Newport, but we had never brought the kids along with us – until recently. Over Memorial Day weekend, the four of us had a lovely weekend in Newport and loved our stay at the Hotel Viking, which is located at One Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island.

At Hotel Viking you’ll find that they offer valet parking (for a small fee), a delightful on-site restaurant, a full-service spa, a fitness center, two ballrooms, boardrooms, private meeting spaces, an indoor pool, the historic Newport Kay Chapel and 209 guest rooms. The room we stayed in room had two queen beds and the four of us were comfortable there for our two night stay. The room includes a gourmet honor basket filled with a variety of snacks , a mini fridge (stocked with an honor bar and also including items such as water and soda), a Flat screen LCD TV, Keurig coffee maker with a variety of coffees, an iron & ironing board, an in-room safe, hairdryer, and desk. There is free wi-fi available at Hotel Viking and you can get the password from the folks at the front desk.

Our weekend getaway was part of the “We are Family” package. The “We are Family” package was designed to encourage families to put the mobile devices down and turn up the fun – and that is exactly what we did while we were in Newport. The package, which starts at $189 per night ($409 in the summer), includes the following: Continue reading »

Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando

Mar 202015

**Disclosure: I was stayed at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort as part of an awesome press trip at Universal Orlando Resort, but all of the opinions you will read here are strictly my own and were not influenced in any way. Really.**

Have you ever dreamt about visiting the South Seas, but were put off by the amount of travel involved? What if I told you that I know how you can get a taste of the South Seas, without having to travel halfway around the world. I recently had a chance to spend a few nights at the Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando Resort and I honestly felt like I was on a tropical vacation.

As soon as I arrived, I was greeted with a cheerful “Aloha” by the friendly hotel staff member that checked me in. I arrived at the hotel a little bit before the 4 pm check-in time, so my room wasn’t quite ready when I got there. The folks over at Luggage Services gladly held my bag for me until my room was ready, which freed me up to explore the hotel.

While I waited, I sat outside in the Orchid Court Lounge. It’s a lovely area where I was able to enjoy the reflection pool that was surrounded by gorgeous carved statues. Continue reading »

5 Things To Do in Mystic, CT During the Winter

Feb 242015

When you think of Mystic, CT, what comes to mind? Boating? Fishing? Summer?

Sure, Mystic is a fantastic place for your summer vacation, but did you know that a visit to Mystic during the winter can be just as much fun? I know, you’re probably thinking – “Don’t a lot of things shut down for the winter?” Well, the answer is yes and no. There are a few shops and restaurants that only open for the summer in Mystic, but for the most part, everything stays open year round. Not only is it a great place for a romantic getaway, Mystic has some really fun, family friendly attractions as well. My husband, Chris, and I spent this past weekend in Mystic and today I am going to share five things that you can do in Mystic during the winter.

1. The Mystic Seaport

The Mystic Seaport is known as the Museum of America and the Sea. It includes three major components for people who visit: a re-created 19th -century coastal village with historic ships, a working preservation shipyard, and formal exhibit galleries. The Mystic Seaport is located across 19 acres of land along Connecticut’s Mystic River. There is definitely something for everyone at the Mystic Seaport.

The preservation shipyard is something to see. My husband and I got to spend a few minutes watching a really skilled craftsman use 19th century tools and techniques to preserve this historic wooden ship. It was fascinating to watch. Continue reading »

Our Visit to The Great Wolf Lodge New England

Feb 072015

In case you live in the area and hadn’t heard, The Great Wolf Lodge opened here in New England last spring. Ever since it opened, my kids have been asking and asking to go. You see, they play an unusually high amount of television ads for the Great Wolf Lodge, so if you watch tv at all, like us, you’ve seen hundreds of commercials for it. I’m not exaggerating.

Anyhow, last weekend we finally got a chance to check it out. The boys were beside themselves when they heard we were going.

There are over 400 rooms at the Great Wolf Lodge and there are several room options, but we stayed in a family suite. Our room had two queen beds, a a twin-size sofa-sleeper, a microwave, a coffee maker and a 32″ TV. Continue reading »

The Cape Codder Resort & Spa is THE Place to Stay on Cape Cod

Dec 222014

**Disclosure: My family and I received a complimentary stay at The Cape Codder Resort & Spa in exchange for our honest opinions about our experiences. All opinions expressed here are strictly my own and were not influenced in any way**

If you’re looking for a getaway on Cape Cod, Hyannis is the place to go. Located mid-cape, Hyannis is one of the seven villages that make up the town of Barnstable. I have been vacationing on Cape Cod all my life, and to me, Hyannis is the hub of the cape. There are so many shops, restaurants and tourist attractions – all located relatively close together, which is why it’s the perfect destination for your Cape Cod vacation.

It sounds great, right?

So now that you’ve decided on Hyannis for your next trip, where do you stay? That’s easy. The Cape Codder Resort & Spa!

The Cape Codder is conveniently located right in the heart of all the action, so you’ll be able to get to everything in the area quickly and easily.

My family stayed at the The Cape Codder Resort & Spa this past weekend and I am going to tell you all about it so that you will know why it’s the place to stay when you plan your next Cape Cod get away!

Check-in at the The Cape Codder Resort & Spa is 3 pm and we were there promptly at 3! We looked online and knew there were so many things to do at the resort and we couldn’t wait to get going. The room that my family stayed in had two queen sized beds (which were very comfortable) many other conveniences such as wireless internet access and dataport for my laptop, an in-room coffee maker, an iron & ironing board, and an interactive television system that provides access to digitally formatted movies, on-demand movies, an on-screen channel line-up and in-room check-out service! Continue reading »