SLEEP

Public Chicago

An elegantly designed hotel in the pretty area of the Gold Coast, the Public is in walking distance to shopping district Michigan Avenue and a number of delicious restaurants (keep reading). The chandeliers in the grand lobby, roaring fire in the lounge and impressively designed restaurant and bar will tick all the boxes.

EAT

Boka

One of the most delicious restaurants i’ve ever frequented, Boka is a gastronomy experience to remember. It was the priciest meal we had in Chicago but absolutely worth it.

La Sirena Clandestina

South American cuisine wouldn’t normally be on the top of my to-eat list, but I couldn’t resist checking out La Sirenas stripped back interiors and relaxed vibe in the trendy district of Fulton Market. The food was bursting with flavour and so were the cocktails!

Blue Door Kitchen

As I scoured the internet for good brunch places, the Blue Door Kitchen came up top a lot, and rightly so. You’re met with their complimentary homemade scones and lemon butter whilst you melt into their cosy armchairs in a somewhat British setting. I recommend the eggs and sweet potatoe hash all the way.

The Allis

I’m rather obsessed with the interior design of the Soho House group’s establishments, so had to visit the beautiful Soho House Chicago for lunch at their restaurant The Allis. Perfectly poached eggs were served with scrumptious bread and avocado on plates that would rival your grannys collection – I had briefly died at gone to heaven.

The Hampton Social

A restaurant that can only be described as Pinterest worthy, the Hampton inspired escape in the heart of bustling Chicago was a treat to enjoy a seafood lunch at. We retreated to the seaside-esque lounge area after with large glasses of rosé – the sign told us to!

3 Arts Club

Around the corner from our hotel was 3 Arts Club and how glad I was to discover it – just look at it’s beauty! Chandeliers paired with raw brick and full sized trees was the backdrop for a rather glamorous breakfast. We unfortunately didn’t have time to go back for dinner but I can just image how elegant and romantic it would have been once night fell.

DRINK

Trencherman

Green bottles line the shelves of this urban watering hole whilst soul music pumped from the speakers. Staff were friendly and people were trendy.

Cindys Rooftop

After visiting Chicagos infamous ‘bean’ sculpture, head to Cindys for a drink on the roof top and take in the birds-eye view.

DO

The Bean

It’s a must see in Chicago, not because it’s a tourist spot, but because it’s actually very impressive in its form and distorted reflection!

Cowshed Spa

After exploring the city for hours, take your tired body to Cowshed Spa in Soho House Hotel for some pampering. It’s one of the most perfect mani/pedi experiences i’ve ever had.

Navy Pier

If you’re not afraid of heights, head to Navy Pier and ride the ferris wheel for some impressive views of the city and Lake Michigan.

The Field Museum

Head to Chicago’s Natural History Museum to view it’s vast collection (20 million apparently) of species, including dinosaurs and blue whales!

Now when I tell people this is my rule, I always get the ‘that’s ridiculous, what if you really like somewhere?!’, but what’s to say the next place isn’t going to be just as good? My only * to my rule is that of course I will attend your wedding or hen or important social engagement if it’s in a ‘Been There’ country, i’m not completely stubborn, don’t worry friends.

So on that note, when my girlfriends and I were trying to pick a destination for a long weekend away, with warm weather and things of interest rather than sun loungers and drinking, we chose Budapest, an up and coming city for everything from design to dining.

We Airbnb’ed an apartment called Broadway Residence, and it was just a luxurious as the name would suggest. Peter, our host, couldn’t have been more accommodating when we arrived; showing us around the local area, giving us places to eat, drink and be merry. The apartment was kitted out with state of the art mods and cons and the little extra touches (which I won’t give away) made the experience a 5 star rating.

The city itself is beautiful, with Art Nouveau architecture and green rugged hills on the banks of the Danube River. It’s small enough to walk around but make use of the hop on hop off buses if you’re not great with a map or on foot. Climb the Gellért Hill in Buda (the city is divided by the Danube River, Buda is the leafy side, Pest is more urban) and take in the breathtaking views from the fortress at the top. You can see the infamous parliament buildings and for miles over Pests skyline. Cross over the river and visit the ‘Shoes on the Danube Bank’ memorial, representing the Jews that were killed by the fascist militiamen in Budapest during World War II – quite poignant.

Drop into the famous New York Kávéház to stare at the ceilings and eat exquisite desserts – don’t bother with Afternoon Tea, the sweet treats are the best part so just get them on their own.

Budapest is known for it’s spa culture and thermal baths (due to there being over 1000 natural thermal springs in the city), so a dip is a must to do as the locals do. There’s plenty to choose from but we went for massages and a soak in the Géllert Baths – it’s not luxury, but it’s an experience.

My friends and I would consider ourselves foodies, in that we love to eat good food, so it’s always imperative when going away to get recommendations or do a lot research as to where we’ll have our next meal (which tends to be almost every 2 hours). So we were delighted when we found the establishments below and devoured various cuisines in beautifully designed settings. Here’s a few must visit spots.

Liberté, a stylish bistro around the corner from our Airbnb, serving nice lunches and good coffee. Just check out that decor.

Mazel Tov, middle eastern cuisine in a fairy light and raw brick wall setting. Get a table out in the patio area for the best ambience and note, the portions are big!

Innio Wine Bar, guzzle Rioja and tapas is this authentic Spanish setting. Make sure to get the aubergine dip, it’s divine.

Ruin bars are a must to visit for drinks and sheeshas – there’s more crap hanging off the walls than you can shake your drink at, but it all adds to the character and wildness. Szimpla is busy and bustling (and touristy of course, but fun!)

BOB is a trendy late bar with good house music and nice cocktails. There’s plenty of clubs in the city, it just depends what music you’re into as to what one to pick. If you do book the Broadway Residence, Peter will hook you up.

So that’s a wrap, thanks Budapest for giving me new experiences and fun memories, but alas, I won’t see you again…what, it’s a rule!

Louise x

The hotel itself is a beautiful haven set on the banks of the Lough Leane over looking Killarney National Park. The views are something to behold, and the hotel has does an amazing job at giving you every opportunity of witnessing it. From the floor to ceiling windows in the reception or large windows spanning the length of the Panorama Restaurant, you can just stare at a piece of beauty all day.

The view is also celebrated in the spa area of the hotel and has a beautiful transition between outdoors and in. The facilities here are definitely one of the best i’ve experience in Ireland; infinity pools, thermal suites, relaxation areas – all surrounded by luscious green.

There’s plenty of places in the hotel to eat, drink and relax. Definitely book into the Panorama Restaurant when you’re there, because as well as the delicious food, the atmosphere, and views of course, are quite wonderful. There are more casual dining options in the bar and brasserie, with the pub style lounge area providing trad music on Fridays and you can get some quiet time with a game of chess in the library too.

Whilst down there, we headed off on the Killarney to Dingle driving route and stopped at various beautiful places along the way. Inch Strand is definitely worth a stop at for a walk. Drive up to Connor Pass and take in the lavish green landscape and rolling hills down to the sea. Stop in Kerry for coffee at Bean in Dingle, grab a freshly baked cinnamon swirl from the artisan bakery or fish and chips from The Boatyard and watch the hustle and bustle pass.

Before you leave, pick up a salted caramel ice cream from the original Murphys and head on to the Slea Head drive and stop at the beach itself for some fresh sea air.

One this is for sure Kerry, i’ll be back.

Louise x

The hotel itself is traditional, cosy, and has a home from home feel to it. It’s wonderful for a Winters break as there’s fires lit almost around every corner, with many a sofas and comfy armchairs to lounge on with a glass of wine in hand.

Our superior room had a completely cloud like king sized bed, and was decorated in a traditional way. If you can, ask to not have a room near the car park as the service trucks can be a little noisy in the mornings!

There was plenty of places to eat in the hotel; the River Room restaurant for fine dining and Afternoon Tea, Gillies Grill, and Fratellis, which served really reasonably priced Italian cuisine. It’s great to have the option of places to eat; if you’re staying more than one night then you mightn’t want the same menu twice.

Breakfast is served in Gillies Grill (above) which is an array of fruits, cereals, pastries, a crepe station (yum!) and of course, every thing you want in a fry (the best bit being potato farls – a Northern Irish must!) The grounds around the hotel make for a lovely walk after breakfast or lunch, and you can take in the rush of the River Maine that flows through the estate.

Now to the most essential part. The highlight of this hotel is, of course, the enormous spa village that’s situated indoor and out on the grounds. I won’t even attempt to list the amount of things to try as it would be as long as the cosy bathrobe I wore whilst I hopped from bubbles to saunas. My favourites to mention are the outdoor hot tubs, especially as we experienced them on such a sunny and crisp Winters day.

There are water beds to lounge on beside the beautiful indoor pool (both fun and relaxing!), and they also have a snow cabin to jump into after a long rest in the glass walled Sanarium. You could honestly spend hours melting your troubles away here, it’s definitely one of the best spas I’ve ever experienced, and I’d go back in a heart beat just to soak in the outdoor tubs whilst the birds chirp away around me.

Louise x

The hotel is a small, wood panelled building with every room looking out onto Lough Ree. It’s rustic, cosy and screams serenity. The welcome to the hotel was wonderfully warm and we were escorted to our room by one of the staff. We were staying in ‘Chablis’ and it was huge! Natural light flooded the room through all the windows (don’t worry, there were black out blinds for that all important lie in!) and the view from the balcony was so beautiful.

Once all settled in, we took a walk down to the nearby Glasson Village for a spot of lunch and a few cheeky afternoon drinks in Grogans. It’s the epitome of an Irish country pub; fires lit, trinkets hanging every where and that homely smell of turf.

After we were fed and watered, we went back to the hotel and hopped in the outdoor hot tub. There are two that sit under a little wooden canopy and you look out to the lake – pure bliss!

Spa time done, we went back to our room and got ready for dinner (and yes, I had a nap – I couldn’t resist that huge bed!) I have to mention that it was our friends 1st wedding anniversary which I had mentioned to the receptionist upon booking the hotel, and they went above and beyond to make sure that it was well celebrated. They had chocolate strawberries and a note in their room when they checked in, and when we went down to dinner, the table was decorated with balloons and a card from the hotel. They also sent out a decorated dessert at the end of our meal – now that’s great customer service!

After dinner was over, we retired to the bar for a few night caps. As with the restaurant, all the front side was glass so you were always graced with that beautiful lake view. I happily sipped my glass of vino in front of the big stove.

Breakfast the next morning was served in the restaurant where we had dinner. I loved the fact that when you walk downstairs you caught the lake view every where you went.

After a mean feed of eggs benedict, fresh fruit (ok, and I had a mini chocolate croissant too), we headed back out into the crisp air and went on our way. I’m giving extra brownie points to the extremely attentive staff of Wineport Lodge, and that fact you can get views like this just outside your hotel room.

Getting There

Ok, listen up, because this could make or break your trip! You can fly to Dubrovnik from Dublin with Aer Lingus but there’s only one flight a day (take note if you’re planning on connecting to the boat to Hvar). Hop on the airport shuttle bus (you can buy tickets once you come out of arrivals, they’re around €10) for 30 mins and you’ll be at Dubrovnik’s main port. To get to Hvar, there is only one boat a day that leaves at 4:30pm but you must call ahead and book at least a week to guarantee a space. The same applies for returning – only one boat leaves Hvar every day for Dubrovnik at 9am. This takes 3.5 hours and is around €20.

Sleep

Hvar – Amfora Grand Beach Resort:

Situated just a stones throw away from Hvar Town, this beautiful 4* hotel comes highly recommended. The best bit about it is the pool area – with it’s private cabanas, swim-to-beach-bar, waterfalls and a separate area for kids, you can easily spend every day here. The rooms in the hotel are crisp white, modern spaces with very comfortable beds. Breakfast is an array of continental and local cuisine that will keep you going till lunch time. The only negative thing to note is don’t go for the buffet dinner!

Dubrovnik – Royal Princess Hotel:

The most impressive part of this hotel has to be the rooms. The spacious suites have a separate living room, kitchenette and 2 bathrooms, as well as a bed you could get lost in! It’s less than 10 minutes in a taxi to the Old Town where I would recommend eating, as although this hotel is on a resort with a couple of restaurants, I wouldn’t recommend the food.

Eat

Zori – Palmižana Island:

This isn’t actually on Hvar Island but on it’s small neighbouring island that has not much on it apart from a couple of eateries. Hire a private speed boat to take you over (about €70 return and he’ll pick you up when ever you’re finished) when the sun is setting and it’s a memory you’ll have forever. Sit under palm trees and twinkly lights and indulge in a delicious steak or seafood. It’s also a busy spot to visit in the daytime too.

diVino – Hvar Town:

This beautiful alfresco restaurant overlooking the harbour of Hvar Town, is the perfect place to yacht-watch whilst enjoying beautiful presented food and great service.

Restaurant Kopun – Dubrovnik Old Town:

Situated beside a stunning church, this family run restaurant serves local cuisine in a casual al fresco setting. Be sure to get the Croatian dish of capon – it’s a rooster stew served with gnocchi and is really tasty!

Do

Bonj les Bains Beach Club – Hvar:

This beach club next to the Amfora Hotel is a luxury swap to the sun beds on the pebble beach nearby. It has it’s own private decking with cushion covered loungers, private cabanas and waiter service. Piped chilled out house music will be your theme tune for the day whilst you go from sun bathing to cooling off in the crystal clear waters.

Rent A Moped:

Renting a moped is the best way to explore Hvar (you can of course get a car if you’re not confident on a moped.) From Hvar Town, head East along the coast and stop at  one of the many beautiful beaches for a swim (Milna, Zaraće). We stopped off at Dubovica as had heard it was more secluded and less touristy, and that it was. There was nothing there but two small beach-shack-cafes and lots of unspoilt crystal clear waters.

From there, head to Stari Grad town and stop for a drink and a spot of boat watching. Then continue to the small village of Dol, where you will find a family run winery and restaurant called Santa Marija. The food is fresh off the farm and seriously tasty – trying some of their homemade wine is also a must (non-drivers of course)!

You can continue onto Jelsa at the other end of the island but you will need to refuel. Alternatively, take the mountain route back to Hvar Town through Brusje village – breathtaking views is what awaits you.

Stay

Marriott Marquis

We stayed here for a couple of nights when we first arrived. It’s centrally located, very reasonably priced and has good facilities. The rooms aren’t state of the art but the bed was like a cloud to sleep on! Prices start from $199 per room.

Clift Hotel

We spent 6 nights in the Clift Hotel and it was a really lovely stay – It’s just up the road from Union Square so centrally located too. We were upgraded to a Junior Suite which had a living room off the bedroom (albeit the bathroom was a little small) but with all the floor-to-cieling mirrors in the room it felt like a never ending space! The staff were really friendly and helpful, and the Redroom bar downstairs was great for a nightcap (or few).

Eat

Marlowe

From the food to the trendy atmosphere, Marlowe ticked all the boxes. The dishes were hearty and wholesome and the place was full of energy. It’s a great spot for drinks at the bar too if you’re not feeling the menu.

Foreign Cinema

The Foreign Cinema in the Mission District had to be my favourite dinner of the week. Whilst we enjoyed our seriously delicious food (get the sesame chicken!), they screened an old movie on the wall (this changes month-to-month.) It’s important to note that you must get a seat outside in the courtyard to be able to see the movie and enjoy the experience in the best way. For me it was a match made in heaven!

Montesacro Pinseria

This trendy little Italian joint is hidden away off 6th Street and is a great spot to grab lunch. All the staff and chefs are Italian and they are experts in the original way of making pizza, called Pinsas. The wood oven way leaves it oozing with flavour and is meant to be a more digestible alternatives to our pizzas made today – bonus points!

Scomas

When you visit Sausalito on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge (which you must), a lovely waterside dining experience is Scomas. Whether you get a table outside or in, the seafood is amazing and it has an elegant air of ladies-who-lunch about it.

Pier 23

If you’re looking for a relaxed restaurant by the sea for lunch then Pier 23 down at Fishermans Wharf is it. They play some great music outdoors to accompany the seaside sounds and they do a mean sandwich.

Drink

Trick Dog

Ever had a cocktail out of a little man shaped mug? Well you will at Trick Dog. They serve up some really unique cocktail concoctions in an uber-cool stripped back bar. There’s no sign on the door, just a few Chinese symbol so look out for them.

The View

At the top of the Marriott Marquis hotel is The View, a bar with yes, you guessed it, a serious view of the city. Definitely worth a visit if you want a good picture of the San Francisco skyline.

BDK

Just across the road from the Clift Hotel was BDK. It’s a really trendy spot that does super tasty food as well as a mean cocktail.

Barrel House

When you’re in Sausalito, pull up a pew outside and watch the water world go by with a drink in hand. The view of the bay is one of the best seats in the town and you can make your own Bloody Mary with their quirky DIY menu.

Do

Muir Woods

Seeing the tallest trees in the world has always been on my bucket list, so I was delighted to tick that off after my visit to Muir Woods just outside the city. Redwoods in this forest are almost 300ft high – it’s really an amazing site.

See the seals at Pier 39

A super touristy area is Pier 39, but it’s a must visit to catch all the seals there basking in the Californian sun.

Alcatraz

One of the most interesting places you’ll ever see in your life is Alcatraz. The stories this place has is fascinating. Make sure you get the audio tour for when you’re walking around – it’s definitely worth it to learn all you can. They actually had an ex-resident, Bill Baker, there at the time giving a talk about his experience on the Rock over 50 years ago.

Cycle to Sausalito

The best way to experience the Golden Gate bridge is to cycle over it. You can ride all the way from Fishersmans Wharf to Sausalito in about an hour and a half. The views are incredible and definitely worth the slug up some rather steep hills!

A few last things to note on your trip:

• Alcohol is expensive – $12 average for a glass of wine.
• It is a relatively safe city but there are a lot of homeless people.
• If you’re planning to do a lot of walking, bring comfortable shoes as there are some seriously steep hills.
• It can get really chilly in the evenings and when the fog rolls in (it happens really fast!)
• The cable car is one of the main touristy things to do but be prepared to cue for a long time if you don’t get there first thing.
• Don’t forget to tip minimum of 15%, for drinks and food!

Most importantly, have an amazing time!

Louise x

So, first on the list, BrookLodge in Wicklow. I headed there on Friday for the weekend with my other half for some much needed R&R. The hotel is set in it’s own little man-made village with restaurants, pubs, a spa, golfing range and even it’s own church! It’s the perfect countryside getaway with your partner or girlfriends, or an idyllic spot for a wedding (i’ve been to one here before and it was bliss!)

After a wonderfully warm welcome from the staff we checked into our room. It was traditional and cosy, with views out to the gardens (and the wandering ducks and chickens). As well as complimentary bottled water, there was a fresh fruit basket, chilli chocolate and homemade spices on the desk which was a lovely added touch to arrive to.

We arrived late afternoon on the Friday so relaxed in the Waterside Lounge with a cheeseboard. The big comfortable armchairs and sofas are perfect for sinking into for hours with a glass of vino (there’s me, sinking, and probably on the Mintstagram!)

The village is known for it’s organic, free range (that’s where the chickens come in), and wild food options. You can buy their homemade produce there and even take away fresh eggs from the basket in reception when you’re leaving.

On Friday evening, we went to La Taverna Armento for some delicious Italian offerings. After a complimentary glass of prosecco on arrival (brownie points!), we immersed ourselves in the relaxed, traditional atmosphere and ordered two of their wood fired pizzas. They were cooked perfectly and filled with flavour, just the comfort food we were after. The meal was finished with a deliciously light tiramisu just to be extra glutenous!

The next morning we entered The White Room where an array of cereals, fruit, pastries and juices were on offer. I helped myself to a little taster of a few and the homemade granola is definitely a must have. The cooked breakfast, and my poached eggs, was hearty and wholesome, and all washed down well with a big pot of tea.

Saturday afternoon brought some much needed spa time and a half hour back massage at a very reasonable cost of €40. The therapist was thorough and tailored the treatment to my achy areas, afterwards giving me a glass of homemade smoothie and leaving me to further unwind in the relaxation area. All the facilities in the spa are great however it was disappointing to see that the outdoor hot tub was closed for repairs, as that’s my favourite bit!

After all the soaking, we went for a lazy stroll around the grounds and sat on the patio soaking up the sun with a drink. It’s such a relaxing environment to really allow the mind to switch off – I could waste away many an afternoon there! Later that evening we went for a drink in Actons Pub, another fine establishment on the grounds, before heading to dinner in the Strawberry Tree. It’s the only certified organic restaurant in Ireland, with most of the food farmed in the area or foraged by their own chefs.

The dark and dramatic decor created a sophisticated and warm atmosphere – that paired with the on-point service made the food taste even better! We went for the set menu (€65), which including an amuse-bouche, a starter, a pallet-cleansing option of soup or sorbet, main course and dessert. I have to say, I couldn’t fault the food at all.

All in all our stay was delightful. My only negative point to note, and it’s not the hotels fault but natures, is that if you’re a light sleeper I would advise on bringing earplugs just incase the crows and cockerel are acting up outside, they can be rather loud!

See you again soon I hope BrookLodge, and thanks for the lovely stay! Louise x