Our Family’s Winter Staycation

 

 

Sometimes you just need to get away! When hopping on a plane isn’t the easiest thing to do, the next best thing is to find a hotel that makes you feel like you are miles away from home when in fact you could get back home pretty easily.

A few weeks ago we traveled to Toronto for a family getaway that helped us all recharge so we were ready to start the New Year relaxed and ready to go!

We checked into the Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto for our staycation, and we have already been saying we are ready to go back!

There are some hotels and restaurants we go to that aren’t the most welcoming to children. Having a toddler can often mean you are in the habit of making sure wherever you travel is kid-friendly. Although we have rarely ever been met with a no-kids policy, it’s just nice to know that kids are welcomed in a special way. Finding out that our destination had a Trump Kids program made us comfortable with the fact that this luxury destination would be welcoming to our toddler.

Upon check-in to our staycation our son was ready to head to our suite with his luggage and trusty bear in hand to see what our “tower room” looked like. He thinks all hotels are called towers, so we just go with the flow when it comes to his lingo. Right from the moment we were met by the valet parking attendant our son was greeted in his car seat like he was an important guest. He walked into the lobby and picked up his room key, excited to head to our room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our room was a dream, plain and simple. I’ve stayed at this hotel before, but this room wowed me. Our son ran from room to room to see what was waiting for us, and in fact there was A LOT waiting for us!

A video game console was there with age-appropriate games (basically his dream come true), along with a spread that was personalized and filled with all kinds of treats. There was milk, cookies, fruit, chocolate (white chocolate which is his favorite!), Macarons which we all fought over, and let me tell you – that truffle butter popcorn we found in our room is the stuff that dreams are made of.

There were little gifts for each of us including a super cool robot planter that our son wanted to paint immediately (not in that pretty room kid!), and more surprises awaited us in the next room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We found a tent lit up with lights for our son that him that had coloring books, stuffed animals, and his own in-residence cards that he could hand out to other guest with his name and hotel address. Seriously – the cutest ever. He squealed when he saw it.

Our son has been bugging us to go camping for about a year now, so his kids glamping experience was a long time coming! He was so happy to hang out and sleep in this super cool tent. When he asked us where the fire and marshmallows were we distracted him with the treats on the table!

The Trump Kids program includes a children’s room service menu (we took advantage the next day and had grilled cheese, fries and ice cream), cribs and bed rails if needed, children books, board games, and even things like swimming lessons and nanny services for an extra fee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
In the bathroom there was a treat for me – a bath was drawn with fresh rose-petals and Prosecco. Immediately I ordered everyone out so I could enjoy! Ok, maybe not immediately – I’m not that mean of a mom. But they were banished shortly after I made this discovery!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our big plan for the weekend? Not doing much of anything! We spend SO much time swimming in that gorgeous pool our skin was wrinkled each day. On one of the days of our stay we went to the pool three times! The hot tub was where I spent most of my time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While at the hotel I headed to the Purebeauty Salon & Spa for an incredible Oxygen Facial that kind of sort of changed my life. I don’t usually go for facials, but I couldn’t believe how amazing this one was for my skin.

The spa itself was pretty stunning and I just loved getting away for a bit to have some time to myself. I had a lovely consultation with my facialist for advice on my skin, and basically the plan is to head back to that spa as often as possible. I loved relaxing in my robe and being pampered!
 

 

 

 

 

 

We decided at some point we should actually leave the hotel and we walked down to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada which was only a short walk away.

This is our son’s favorite spot in the city hands-down. He loves all of the interactive exhibits in the Aquarium, and we love them too because it helps him burn off energy! Every time go there we see something we haven’t seen before.

We spent hours walking through all of the exhibits, and we had an episode at the end of our visit where our son proclaimed “he was never leaving”. I considered my options, and then coaxed him back into the stroller. Clearly a good time was had by all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We mostly spent the rest of our trip inside the hotel! We really took advantage of enjoying all of the amenities and services found inside the hotel.

There are so many things to share about why I love this hotel. The thing I love the most? The people who work there. They worked tirelessly to make sure we had an amazing stay. Each time we asked a question in the lobby, or when we called down to the front desk with a question the staff made offers that went beyond just answering our questions.

Every aspect prior to our arrival was so well thought out. Who arrives to a hotel with a fresh bath drawn with rose petals floating in the water? This is what I call above and beyond. It’s also basically ruined any future hotel stays for me because they likely won’t measure up.

For our son the added touches like his little tent and residency cards made a huge impact on him. The video game surprise basically made his stay. Anytime we walked through the lobby or the hotel not only were my husband I greeted, but specifically our son was said hello to! He was welcomed into every corner of that hotel, and it was a big deal to him. We not only felt comfortable traveling with a toddler to this hotel, but genuinely welcomed.

My spa visit was not only relaxing, but I hands-down received the best facial I’ve ever had, and I was provided so much skincare advice with my treatment. It was a very personalized experience that I won’t soon forget.

Our favorite thing to do in that hotel was truly just hanging out in our room. We spent so much time as a family enjoying each other.

When we left the hotel we were faced with a serious dilemma. The toddler declared “I’m not leaving” much in the same manner as he did at the Aquarium, but this time with some impressive dramatics. I believe he included stomping his foot on the floor and crossing his arms.

Extraction was not easy. It involved a 15 minute long conversation on why we needed to leave, and more than one promise was made to him regarding our return.

In the weeks since we checked out he’s only brought up that promise to return to the “tower” about 27 times.

For more details on the Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto, visit their website here.

Photos in this post of our hotel stay were provided by CL Buchanan Photography!

 

 

 

Our stay at this hotel was provided in exchange for my honest review.