The Wyndham Resort at Avon

This past May, Neal and I, took a trip to Colorado. We wanted to get out of town for a few days for our anniversary. After much contemplation we decided to look into our timeshare and see if anything sparked our interest. We were happy to find the Wyndham Resort at Avon.

This resort is beautiful and has many great amenities. Upon check-in guests are given s’more packages to roast s’mores out on the patio. Even if you are the only person wanting to sit on the patio, they will still light a fire for you.

This resort has an owner’s lounge that hosts happy hour each day. On weekends you can sit and listen to live music. There is a game room with a pool table, and there are several retail stores and restaurants within walking distance.

The room had a large beautiful kitchen for cooking in. There was a fireplace, and a personal balcony. The bathroom came equipped with a luxury shower. The overall feel of the room was modern and very comfortable.

The room we stayed in did not have a whirlpool, but, the hotel did have an amazing hot tub. When I say amazing, I mean it was gorgeous. The hot tub was large and it had a waterfall that separated it into two sections. We were lucky enough to have the back section completely to ourselves. It was a wonderful experience.

If you are looking for further activities, the area around the Wyndham is beautiful. You can wander along the river or check out the many sculptures around town. The concierge is also more than willing to set you up with an activity plan. We chose to visit Hanging Lake, which is a fun little hike, but must be done early in the day or you may not find parking anywhere near the trail.

To check out more photos of the Wyndham, or to look for availability, please visit: https://www.extraholidays.com/beaver-creek-co/wyndham-resort-at-avon-accomodation.aspx

Romantic Nights at Bally’s

In an earlier post, you may have noticed, that I mentioned having a favorite section of rooms at Bally’s, which I loved to stay in because of the amazing view. From those rooms you can see the Bellagio water fountain show, the Eiffel tower, and the Paris pool. The view is exceptional and makes for a nice evening in with my man. You could experience this too if you ask for a room with this particular view, it costs a little extra to upgrade, but it’s worth it.

This is not the only magical room at Bally’s. Two years back, Neal and I decided to get married in Las Vegas. We were checking into Bally’s that night after the ceremony. Upon arrival we told the host about our day and our plans. She was very thoughtful and kind to us and she told the woman checking us in to upgrade us to a suite.

It’s these amazing gestures that make for a memorable trip. That room is still on my mind when I look back on that magical day. That particular host’s gesture is why I will keep coming back to Bally’s, and I will enjoy every moment of it.

The Wyndham Grand Desert

One of my favorite places to stay in Las Vegas, which is still technically on the strip, is the Wyndham Grand Desert. The Wyndham Grand Desert is located on the corner of Harmon and Koval. You can see the MGM Grand and easily walk to it.

From the Wyndham you can easily walk to many wonderful casino destinations; I have done so countless times. If however, you desire to leave the Wyndham and walking is not your thing, you can jump on the free shuttle, which will drop you off at Harrah’s, during designated hours.

The reason I love the Wyndham so much is because it is a clean and quiet atmosphere with large spacious rooms. I always get the one or two bedroom deluxe, which has a whirlpool and a kitchen. You can cook meals if you feel like it and at the end of the day you can relax in your oversized whirlpool with whomever your heart desires.

If the room leaves you wanting, the beautiful outdoor spaces and extra activities will not. The Wyndham Grand Desert has 3 pools and 4 outdoor hot tubs. It has a barbecue area and outdoor bar. If you want to take in a movie, there is also a 3D movie theatre. There are children’s activities for the younger family members and to keep up with the younger family members, there is a coffee bar as well.

I haven’t listed every amenity available, but I have given you a pretty decent overview. This resort is beautiful and fun for the whole family.

For more information, please visit: https://www.extraholidays.com/

Hotels a Plenty

I’m not afraid to admit this; well actually, I’m proud to admit this. I’m a bit of a hotel snob. My husband probably regrets the first time he took me to a hotel that had a whirlpool in the room, because I now prefer to have a whirlpool suite every place I stay.

Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of options that have other perks that can make up for the lack of a whirlpool, such as a great view, or amazing community hot tub. Sometimes the location is the biggest perk. I have a favorite room section at Bally’s in Las Vegas, where I can sit in the window and watch the Bellagio fountain show go off every fifteen minutes. A glass of wine and that view, with someone you love, can make for a very romantic evening.

I have visited a lot of hotels in the past seven years. Prior to the past seven years, I had no idea the type of hotel room you could stay in, for little to nothing. My husband and I find some of the best deals when we travel and our friends and family are always asking us about those deals. I would like to share those finds with you as well as give you a view of your different hotel options, in the posts following this entry.

The High Roller

While visiting Las Vegas, I highly recommend a ride on the High Roller, which is located at the LINQ. The High Roller is by far one of my favorite attractions in Las Vegas. You can see for miles and the view is great during the day or at night, as well as in the rain, (providing it is not thundering and lightening, the wheel only stops for bad storms, to load bars, to help the handy-capped, or due to an emergency).

This famous Ferris wheel is 550 feet tall and it takes thirty minutes to travel around one time. It is currently the largest wheel in the world. On your thirty minute ride you can choose to purchase a happy hour pass which allows you as many cocktails as you can responsibly drink, in a thirty minute timespan.  It is well worth the price for such an experience.

A regular price ticket can be purchased, only minutes before riding, directly at the site of the High Roller. You may also purchase tickets ahead of time online. If you are on a tighter budget due to a little gambling, amazing deals for this particular perk can be found on Groupon, Travelzoo, and some of the other discount sites. I recently purchased a ticket for $30 for the day-time happy hour ride.

Other High Roller options include the chance to do chocolate tastings every Thursday from 5pm-8:30pm. If chocolate isn’t your thing, you could try a little yoga. Yoga sessions are 60 minutes and must be booked ahead of time.

The High Roller is great for couples, families, and of course all of your bachelor and bachelorette parties. Even if you do have a little fear of heights, don’t let that deter you. The cars are very spacious and secure. Be a little daring and have some fun, you won’t regret the beautiful views.

For more information on the High Roller: https://www.caesars.com/linq/high-roller

China Ranch Date Farm

The next time you visit Las Vegas, providing you have transportation, why not try doing something a little different. There are many wonderful places just outside of Vegas that can make for a great experience. One such place is China Ranch Date Farm.

China Ranch is an oasis in the desert. It is filled with beautiful date trees. You can wander through the date farm and see the trees, the nurseries, and a few other perks, such as their nature trail, where you may catch glimpses of crayfish swimming in the creek.

Inside the store you will find tons of fun items for purchase. You can taste test some of the different dates and even buy a bag or five to take home with you. If you do nothing else while at the ranch, their bakery has the most wonderful date shakes; they are a must try.

On the outer edge of the farm is desert that is filled with random old cars and historical items. There are several hiking trails to explore. One such trail gives you a view overlooking the entire date farm. This trip is truly a worthwhile experience for families and couples alike.

If you would like more information on China Ranch Dates, Inc., please visit their website at the following address: https://www.chinaranch.com/

The Beginning of Star Spirit Adventures

Today is the beginning of something new. While I have held a previous blog, it was not organized by any means. I was young when I first began chattering away on Blogger. Now that I have grown more into myself, it is only fitting that I find a more serious way to express my experiences.

I love to travel and I do so frequently. While most of my adventures take place in the US, there are the occasional trips elsewhere. My goal is to share my photos and knowledge with those who love to travel as much as I do. I hope that my readers will find joy in this site and the photos and information that will be provided.

Adventure is wherever the desire takes you.