On Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, we packed up our things and went on a long awaited family trip. I say long awaited because it's been a year and a half since we took a vacation as a family
anywhere. We've been on day trips, but our finances wouldn't allow for much more than that...
Since November is considered "out-of-season" for many places, we got a wonderful deal on a four-star resort in Charlotte, North Carolina. Most people at the airport looked at us like we had two heads when we said our final destination was Charlotte. "You mean you're vacationing
there?" one woman asked surprised. Her final destination was Atlantis in the Bahamas.
Yes, I suppose going to Charlotte, North Carolina sounds like an unusual travel destination, especially since we don't have any friends or family there, but we had a WONDERFUL time. We enjoyed four-star, luxury service at a fraction of the cost, and we found tons of family friendly places to bring little Lewie. Since most people cleared out of the hotel the day after Thanksgiving, we found ourselves enjoying the resort (and all its amenities) practically by ourselves. And the service...
 |
| The Ballantyne Hotel lobby. (Can you find Little Lewie?) |
 |
| More of the hotel lobby...at night. |
 |
| Our view from the second floor balcony. |
 |
| The flowers that were waiting for us in the hotel upon arrival. |
 |
| They gave us complimentary breakfast in bed everyday during our stay... |
 |
| My order of fruit...almost too pretty to eat...almost. |
 |
| One of the many centerpieces they used to decorate our breakfast-in-bed table. |
 |
| The hotel lent us a golf cart for free and allowed us to ride around their 18 hole golf course. |
 |
| Little Lewie and Big Lewie took turns driving. |
 |
| Little Lewie's picture of my husband. |
 |
| Another picture by Little Lewie. (I swear he's a natural.) |
 |
| Our resort (from a golf cart point of view). |
 |
| Chillin' at tee number three before returning to the hotel. |
 |
| The beautiful pool we had a chance to enjoy by ourselves. |
 |
| Another view of the indoor heated pool. (They were open from 6 am to 10 pm everyday!) |
 |
| Our luxurious marble bathroom. |
 |
| A bubble bath fit for a prince. |
 |
| Pure joy! |
 |
| Our glass shower. I wrote messages to Little Lewie when it steamed up. |
 |
| My husband even had a chance to enjoy an over-sized bubble bath. |
 |
| A surprise for Little Lewie...compliments of the hotel. |
The service was to die for!! My husband and I have stayed at pretty amazing hotels before (especially on our honeymoon), but we never stayed at a hotel so friendly and dedicated to making you feel like royalty. I knew breakfast in bed was included in our package, but I never knew we'd be allow to order up to $70 worth of breakfast in bed. Even more, we were given little "surprises" along the way like the flower arrangement when we arrived, the milk and cookies waiting for us after our evening gaunt, or the little chocolates they brought to us every night when "turning down" our bed.
Yes, for five nights and four days, we lived a life of luxury. After this experience, I don't believe staying at a hotel will ever be this amazing again...unless we come back!
Posts
That looks like an amazing place! I love when hotels make you feel incredible. How nice you guys got out of town for a few days...so important to take that time.
ReplyDeleteAs an anonymous commenter I just want to say that your husband is very, very handsome and looks like a great guy. Boy are you lucky! If I were you I would be sure to remind him very often how great you think he is and show him how much you love him whenever you have an opportunity. I can tell just from his pictures that he would really love a new SWR Bass Guitar amp for Christmas. I can post some suggestions for which amp model he might like if you want me to. Also, I can tell from the pictures of your trip that your husband loves you more than he can possibly express with words and thanks God every day for blessing me...oops! I mean "him" with such an amazing family.
ReplyDeleteoh my gosh, what a beautiful hotel and looks like such a fun time...especially that big 'ol bubble bath!!! FUN! We need to pick up and do that soon too. Lewie is getting SOOO big! love the pic of him in the lobby!
ReplyDeleteI used to live in Charlotte. Ballantyne is AWESOME and underrated. Kudos to you for trying something different. I'm so glad you had a great time! http://chatonsworld.blogspot.com.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like it was an amazing family trip! Good for you! Love those bubble bath shots.
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous there! I bet you had a great time!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a wonderful trip! I love getting resort trips at a fraction of the price! That pool looks like so much fun and it is always great when you have it all to yourself. I am happy for you that you finally got to get away on a family vacation! Have a great day my friend!
ReplyDeleteMama Hen
This looks like such an awesome trip - I bet Lewie will have such special memories!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! That looks like so much fun! And I love North Carolina, so I would absolutely take a vacation there. My personal favorite is Wilmington, but I'm not picky! Can't beat 4 stars at an off season rate. Love the pictures. Makes me want a cookie.
ReplyDeleteOh my god. That looks AMAZING! We've never been on a "real" vacation anywhere as a family. So jealous of this trip - and what a deal! This was such a great idea! And Little Lewie IS a natural photographer.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like so much fun! I keep hoping we can afford a family vacation soon! Scott hasn't been to the cabin since before Scotty's first birthday and that's the only place we ever go!
ReplyDelete