Loulou's views

Are you planning a trip to the city that never sleeps in 2025? If New York City is on your travel list this year, planning where to stay can be a challenge, because there are countless hotels to choose from, but if you're looking for a luxurious getaway perfect for families in the heart of Tribeca, book your stay at Four Season New York Downtown .  The Four Seasons New York Downtown is considered to be one of the best hotels in New York, winner of the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star award, and only minutes away from my favorite bridge in the world--the Brooklyn Bridge. The hotel is also close to the 9/11 Memorial and museum, One World Observatory, and SoHo, the perfect neighborhood for shopping, dining, and walking around--especially if want to avoid the more tourist-y neighborhood of Times Square.  The Four Seasons New York Downtown is located in the financial district and is one of the tallest residential buildings in Manhattan, complete with 28 spacious suites and 189 guest r...

Weekend road trip, anyone? Now that the weather is getting warmer, it’s a perfect time for a weekend getaway and what better place to visit than Toronto? Weekend trips to Canada’s largest city in the spring and summer are always made better when staying at the luxurious Hazelton Hotel in the heart of Yorkville, making it the perfect destination to visit with girlfriends, because you’ll be in the heart of the city’s most upscale neighbourhood, steps away from many fashionable stores and art galleries, restaurants, and bars. This is where you can happily explore all the great department stores, unique boutiques, and luxury shops like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. The Hazelton Hotel is Canada’s first and only Forbes Five Star independent luxury boutique hotel, with sixty-two beautifully designed rooms and fifteen stunning suites, all reminiscent of 1940’s Hollywood glamour and style. The spacious guest rooms average over 620 square feet, with large ceilings, custom designed furniture, and e...

I'm back from an incredible press trip to Chicago with Choose Chicago --one of the best big cities on earth. In fact, Chicago was just voted the Best Big City in the United States   for the seventh years in a row , and I have to say... I agree. When visiting Chicago, there is so much to see and do--and the city caters to every type of tourist, whether you're into sports, (from the Chicago Bulls tot he Bears to the Cubs--they've got it all!) sightseeing, shopping, dining, or just taking in the stunning and historic architecture. From the award winning food scene, beautiful parks and green spaces, luxury hotels, attractions, and vibrant neighbourhoods, it's a city everyone should add to their travel bucket list.  Here's a rundown of where I stayed, where I dined, and what I visited, to help you plan your itinerary for your upcoming Chicago trip!  How to get there We flew out of Ottawa with Porter, and landed in Toronto's downtown Billy Bishop airport. Flying Porte...

We are back from our month long annual summer vacation in Greece, and this year, we had the pleasure of staying at the brand new W Costa Navarino resort.  I was invited to the W to review the new property and surrounding areas and it was a wonderful experience! My entire family loved every minute, especially the pools, rooms, and dining choices. We stayed in two gorgeous and spacious rooms, both with a large, infinity-style shared private pool right off our back balcony decks. The W Costa Navarino is a beautiful escape for those looking for a getaway unlike any other. From the Navarino waterfront, to the vivid and bright design and architecture, the hotel prides itself on being inclusive and welcoming to everyone, in luxurious surroundings that include rooms with private swim-up pools, airy and modern one and two bedroom suites, and stunning beachfront villas overlooking the Ionian Sea. If you're planning on visiting Greece this year or next, you should definitely visit the W Cost...

'Tis the season, friends! Christmas is less than two weeks away, and it's crunch time to get your holiday shopping done. While I'm a lover of last minute shopping (I will literally go the mall on Christmas Eve, just because I love the hustle and bustle of shopping hours before Christmas) I know most people are not into that stress, so to make things easier, I've put together a list of some great gifts to give this holiday season:  The gift of experience:  This holiday season, offer your family the gift of live performance. Make new memories by treating your kids to a day at the NAC , and taking them to see Mozart's Flight of Fancy and Romeo and Juliet Ballet . You can buy your tickets online, print them out, and surprise your family with tickets to so many upcoming family shows. A perfect gift to give those who have it all.  The gift for plant lovers:  Support local and visit Robert Plant Greenhouses in Ottawa's east this holiday season, and select from a huge...

Every trip to Toronto is made even more memorable for me when I stay at The Hazelton Hotel, located right in the heart of luxurious Yorkville.  I've had the pleasure of staying at the Hazelton Hotel many times over the last several years, and with each visit, I fall in love with the hotel even more. The Hazelton Hotel is most definitely a perfect escape for a couple looking for a romantic getaway and it's also perfect for a best friends weekend trip, a work retreat, or simply, any visit to Toronto. The Hazelton is "Canada's first and only Forbes five-star independent luxury boutique hotel" and though it's considered a boutique hotel because it only has 77 (very spacious) rooms and suites, it feels very grand and luxurious. The hotel is constantly ranked the #1 hotel in Toronto on TripAdvisor (five years and counting!) and was just voted the N umber Three Best Hotel in Canada  Conde Nast Traveller's 2022 Readers' Choice Awards. I have to agree, becaus...

I had the great pleasure of once again joining Choose Chicago on a press trip to experience the vibrant city of Chicago. Chicago was recently voted the Best Big City in America and as usual, Chicago was a dream, and I can't wait to return. (To read more about all the fun things to do in Chicago if you're planning a trip to the Windy City for your next holiday escape, you can read my article in Canadian Geographic Travel ).  Here are a few highlights that'll help you plan your next Chicago trip with ease--how to get there, where to stay, where to dine, and what to do:  Porter Airlines Travelling during the pandemic can be challenging, but my flight with Porter Airlines made the experience smooth, comfortable, and safe. I had all the necessary documents with me (proof of vaccination and rapid test for entry to the USA) and Porter took care of the rest--I was met with excellent service checking in, and in-flight (we loved our flight attendant so much!) along with tasty snack...