2016 Reader Survey

It's that time of year again!

This past year has been a huge transition for me. After living abroad for two years, adjusting to life back home seemed impossible. I spent time at home settling myself into a job, reconnecting with friends, and enjoying having my family close by. It's been a crazy year but I think it's time for me to hear your input! I was so happy to read everyone's thoughts during last year's reader survey and I'm really looking forward to the 2016 results!

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The Westin Chicago River North

I'm not a hostel type of girl and I've never rented an Airbnb (don't worry, that'll be changing next month). I guess you could call me old fashioned when it comes to booking accommodation. Some travelers will budget every cent. For me however, I've always found with enough research you can find the perfect hotel at a reasonable price. 

My friends and I decided to split the cost of a hotel during our trip to Chicago a few weeks back. Since there were three of us, we decided to go for something central. We settled on the Westin Chicago River North. As soon as we stepped inside the lobby of this modern hotel we were in love. We lucked out in getting a room with a view. Chicago is beautiful from above!

So let me tell you a little story about our stay at the Westin Chicago River North. We didn't get into our room until 9pm on a Friday evening. Between work and school, all of us were exhausted. We decided instead of going out on our first night, why not grab a snack in the hotel lobby?

Somehow, within seconds of leaving our room, one of us got stuck. Stuck how, you may ask? Well, my dear friend Maison accidentally locked herself in the adjoining room hallway. We tried our room key once. We tried it twice. After SEVERAL attempts, we decided it was time to call down to the front desk for assistance. George, the front desk guy, found the whole situation hilarious. 

Eventually, the hotel 'engineers' were called up. They examined the situation and decided it was time to break it down. Yes, you read that correctly. The engineers BROKE THE DOOR DOWN. In the end, Maison was saved, George was very much amused, and we were all offered free snacks in the lobby. Best Friday night staff ever? I say YES! 

We all really enjoyed our stay at the Westin Chicago River North. Between the friendly staff, our little misadventure, and the modern room, we found everything to be perfect! If you find yourself in Chicago with a friend or two, the Westin is the perfect place to stay while exploring the Windy City. 

xoxo

Playa Manuel Antonio | Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known for many things. Volcanos, rain forests, and of course their beaches. After our action packed holiday, my friend, Meagan, and I wanted at least one day to just sit and relax on the beach. We took the four hour car ride from Monte Verde to Manuel Antonio, or as the locals call it, a Costa Rican "massage". Mainly gravel roads, the drive isn't easy but as soon as the Pacific opens in front of you, you are immediately blown away.

Manuel Antonio is like a lot of beaches in Latin America. There are very touristy parts of it, but if you walk down far enough (the part near the National Park), the beach feels untouched. We found a spot under an umbrella, broke out our books, and spent hours just laying around in the sand.

We stayed in a gorgeous hotel where their motto was "still more monkeys than people". Hotel Costa Verde was located a short 10 minute walk from the beach which was ideal for a beach day. Their grounds stretch across several blocks and include unique restaurants and pools. Too lazy to walk up the hill? No problem! One of the employees will grab the truck and take you there!

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT MANUEL ANTONIO 

+ Manuel Antonio isn't actually the city, it's the National Park/beach. The nearest city is Quepos.

+ The surrounding area is very Americanized. Almost everyone speaks English and accepts US dollars. 

+ Manuel Antonio National Park's last admission is at 3:00pm. Not 3:15, not 3:05. 3:00 exactly. We learned the hard way.

+ When you're entering the city make sure to look up at the power lines to spot cute tiny little monkeys.  They're everywhere if you know where to look.

+ San Jose airport is a short 2 1/2 hour drive from the beach, making it an easy access point if you don't want to venture too far away. 

xoxo