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A Traveler's Look at the Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, N.C.

I’m just going to cut to the chase here and declare on record that the Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, has the coolest, hippest, most luxurious bathroom that I’ve personally experienced so far in my travels.

As soon as our bellman left our room, my son pushed us out of the way and headed to the bathroom uttering, “Make way, I’m going to watch some TV in the bathroom!”

Marble and granite bathroom in a deluxe room at Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, NC

How often does a 7-year-old get to say that?

This eco-friendly boutique hotel, located in the heart of uptown Charlotte, has bathrooms so large that it rivals the size of a small bedroom.  The TV screen, located in the bathroom mirror, makes it urban cool.

Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte

In fact, the entire hotel carries a cool, city vibe.  Not only is it in one of the best locations in the city, but it’s Mother Earth’s best friend, too. The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, is the first LEED® Gold-certified hotel for greater Charlotte and the Ritz-Carlton brand. The hotel offers environmentally mindful features and practices, including a green, vegetated roof and rooftop beehives to make its own honey that is used in ice cream and organic spa treatments.

We didn’t visit the bees, but we saw lots of chocolate. 

Delicious goodies from the chocolate afternoon tea

The hotel is known for its sinfully delicious Bar Cocoa, the hotel’s decadent chocolate bar featuring hot chocolate, cookies, pastries, cupcakes, and confections.

Look at what greeted us when we entered our room on the 12th floor.

She could not keep her hands off the cupcakes
I’m pretty sure my kids thought they stepped into a dream world: a room filled with chocolate goodies and a TV in the bathroom. That’s living life to the fullest.  And truthfully, that is what we were there to do.  As I shared in my article on Skimbaco Lifestyle, I wanted a pre-holiday getaway to experience the excitement of the holidays in another town, indulge in the hotel’s chocolate tea, and to make December birthdays a little more special.

And there is just something special about a Ritz-Carlton that makes a destination even more special.  Charlotte is no exception.  This is a boutique hotel with just 146 rooms and 18 floors.  The rooms are sleek, plush, and contemporary.  So modern, in fact, that we were like “country mice” visiting the city. We had to ask how to turn on the lamps beside our beds. 

Two people could sit at the desk and work.


We settled into our spacious room for four quite comfortably, and one of the design elements that I truly loved about the room was the work desk.  It was designed so that two people could easily work at the desk, which our children adored.  I think I’m going to frame this little beauty made by my son.  I love that it is on hotel stationery to record this special, family time.








The entire weekend we were in Charlotte was kid-focused. The hotel is within walking distance to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Discovery Place, in addition to other uptown attractions and restaurants.  

The hotel has complimentary trek bikes for guests to use while in the city as well as weekday complimentary transportation around the city using a hybrid vehicle, all part of its award-winning eco-friendly initiatives.

When we first arrived at the hotel around 4:30 p.m., lights in the lobby were very dim, and I later learned that this happens every Saturday as the hotel salutes candlepower and a simpler, more energy-efficient way of illumination. 

This table in the Lobby Lounge by the fire screen is so cozy. 









With the sleek, sophisticated, modern design of the lobby, along with the dim lighting, I did wonder for a few brief seconds if I had made a mistake bringing the kids.  But let me assure you that no matter how fancy the building is, Ritz-Carlton is still one of the most kid-friendly hotel brands I’ve stayed in on a vacation.

When we returned to our room after swimming in the coolest indoor pool ever, we found out that Mother Nature left my kids, new eco-friendly friends.  They really know how to go the extra mile to make a young guest feel welcomed, and a seasoned guest feels pampered.

The hotel's "Mother Nature" left my kids, new friends. They continue to sleep with them at home in Raleigh.  The
indoor pool at the Ritz-Carlton,  Charlotte is fabulous. It also doubles as a lounge and one can sip on drinks overlooking the city skyline. 


In addition to Bar Cocoa, we dined in the Lobby Lounge for breakfast.  One of the things that you can pretty much guarantee when you check into a Ritz-Carlton is delicious cuisine.  They had a fantastic children’s breakfast menu.  Apparently, the chocolate chip pancakes will rock your world.  My son, who ordered French toast, took a bite of his sister’s pancake and declared, “That is PARADISE!”

Breakfast in the Lobby Lounge was delightful.

He wanted to order those the next day, but our beds were so comfy that we slept in and were too late for breakfast.

Instead, we grabbed a pastry in Bar Cocoa and told Madame Cocoa, who is dressed entirely in chocolate, that we will visit again one day.

Her chocolate hat, dress, and shoes are quite impressive

When the valet said goodbye to us as we were on our way back home, he stocked our car with complimentary bottled water. I have to honestly say that I love the complimentary bottled water perk in Ritz-Carlton hotels because when I travel, I can't seem to drink enough. 

 And after staying in an award-winning green hotel, you can bet that I recycled the bottles when I got home. 

 WANT TO GO:
Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte
201 East Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 
Visit http://www.charlottesgotalot.com/




Disclosure: I was a media guest of The Ritz-Carlton so I could feature the resort as part of my “Pack Your Bags” segments as well as on assignment for Skimbaco Lifestyle Magazine.  My family did have out-of-pocket expenses while at the hotel.  As with all of my hotel reviews, these are my honest opinions and are not influenced by the hotel.
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Beating The Birthday Blues in Chapel Hill, NC

Every year, I ring in the new year one year older and a pound heavier. 2013 is no exception. That’s the problem of having a post-Christmas birthday.  It’s kind of a double-whammy.

 In my opinion, once you finally reach 21, getting a year older ranks right up there with visits to the dentist and gynecologist.  Since I really like my dentist and gynecologist, I look forward to my birthday the least now.
Don’t get me wrong: I love having a special day in my life, and I’m certainly glad to be living another year on this earth,  but I did frown a little when I no longer could say I was 43 this year. 
Gasp! I’ve come to the realization that I’m only six years away from the big 5-O.
My son and I both have post-Christmas birthdays
Getting an AARP card just doesn’t seem as joyful as buying your first drink in a bar. 
Seriously, I can’t help but laugh when I see a 25-year-old post on her friend’s Facebook wall that they are so “old” now.
Yeah, I thought that, too, at one time. But 25 — old? Wait ’til you turn 44, girls.
On your 44th birthday, you’ll try to recapture your youth and visit your college alma mater in hopes of getting just one of your children to like your University over N.C. State.  Not that there is anything wrong with N.C. State! I’m just saying that I wish I wasn’t the only person in my family who loves to wear Carolina blue. 
The beautiful UNC-Chapel Hill campus. I am the class of 1991. My concentration was in Broadcast Journalism. 


The University of North Carolina is located in Chapel Hill, NC. It is a beautiful town.
To learn more about Chapel Hill, visit http://www.visitchapelhill.org/
And, of course, since it’s more than 20 years since you graduated from college, nothing is as you remember on campus, either. Half the things on Franklin Street weren’t even there when you were in college. Sweatshirt stores are replaced with high-end clothing boutiques.  Bet my dad was glad they weren’t there when I was in college.
You’ll indulge on your birthday lunch with a bacon, lettuce, and fried green tomato and end the brisk afternoon with a French vanilla cupcake topped with a Carolina Blue accent, of course. 
Sugarland Bakery is a delight on Franklin Street. 
By 6 p.m, you feel overly full and tired as if you had partied all night, but without drinking one drop of alcohol.  You spend the rest of the evening in your pajamas on the couch, watching back-to-back shows of HGTV’s “Property Brothers.”  Your husband gets the kids to bed. 
Wow! You realize that the age of 44 is not that bad.  It’s nice to be blissfully lazy.
And God certainly knew what he was doing in my life because my son has his birthday just three days after mine.
For his sake, I’m over my birthday blues and am ready to party with a big fat cake from the Farmer’s Market on his big day. 
Happy 7th Birthday, Mr. Cool! 
After all, those birthdays under the age of 21 certainly need celebrating.
No one counts calories until the New Year anyway!  That’s right. I indulged.  Hence, the pound heavier I mentioned earlier. 
Hope your new year is starting off great.

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Soup's On: In-The-Money Greens Soup

Happy New Year!

It's been rainy here in Raleigh, North Carolina today.  Actually, it was the perfect day to put on a pot of soup.  In keeping with Southern tradition, I ate some greens today to ensure wealth and luck in 2013. This soup is easy, good, and a great way to get in some greens in your diet.

This soup is perfect for a winter's day using Southern  Greens or Kale

In-The-Money Greens Soup
adapted from A Dash of Down East, The Junior Guild of Rocky Mount, NC cookbook. 

 12 to 14 cups of raw collard greens or a package of Trader Joe's Southern Greens with Collards, Turnip, and Mustard Greens. You could probably use Kale, too. 
cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup water
4 tablespoons of butter
1/2 cup of finely chopped onion
4 cups of mashed potatoes (I used Trader Joe's frozen mashed potatoes)
4 cups of chicken stock
salt to taste

 Heat olive oil in a soup pot. Stir in greens until pot holds all greens. Add garlic and water. Cover. Steam 10 minutes until just tender. Remove cover, and cook off any excess water. Set collards aside to cool in a different dish. 

 In same pot, melt butter. Saute onion until soft. Stir in prepared mashed potatoes.  Gradually stir in stock. Bring to a simmer. Meanwhile, finely chop greens, and add to soup. Simmer for 15-minutes on low. Salt to taste.

 I served in with a Bacon and Mushroom Savory Pie. 

I wish you a wonderful and happy new year!
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A Few of My Loves at My Favorite Inns

As 2012 draws to a close, I thought I would take a moment to reflect on my travels this year and give you the lowdown on what I really loved at each property I visited.  I had a fabulous time featuring so many different hotels on the Hines-Sight Blog and Skimbaco Lifestyle.  All these hotels are so different that there is no way to compare the properties and say that one was the absolute best.

Each hotel I visited this year was unique, and each property has its own special story to tell. I loved something about every visit.  Some hotels are better suited for romantic getaways, and others are perfect for families. The six properties I visited this year all have different price points, and the experience at each one was vastly different.  What stood out at each property?  Here are some of my loves from my “Pack Your Bags” features.

The Ballantyne Hotel and Lodge, Charlotte, North Carolina
http://www.hinessightblog.com/2012/02/pack-your-bags-were-heading-to.html

I loved the Southern, elegant décor with verandas overlooking a championship golf course and resort pool. The rooms had the same traditional lux feel.
I loved the Spa experience. It is a gorgeous facility and ranks as an all-time best experience.
I loved the coconut cake in the Gallery Restaurant, and it was probably the best I’ve had anywhere in a long time.
I loved the original artwork throughout the hotel.

The Mast Farm Inn, Valle Crucis, North Carolina
http://www.hinessightblog.com/2012/05/pack-your-bags-were-heading-to-the-mast.html



I loved the décor in our cabin. I felt as if I was staying in a place that could grace the cover of a magazine.
I loved the coffee served in our cabin. It’s some of the best coffee I’ve ever had. It also was a plus that I could drink it on the porch overlooking the mountains.
I loved that it had little extras like children’s books and games in the cabin.
I loved the Southern cheese grits the next morning.

The King’s Daughters Inn, Durham, North Carolina
http://www.hinessightblog.com/2012/08/pack-your-bags-were-heading-to-kings.html


I loved that it felt as if I was staying in a private mansion.
I loved the individual and outstanding décor of every room.
I loved the chocolate chip waffles, scones, and other delicious goodies at breakfast.
I loved the black towel in the bathroom that said “make-up.” It’s brilliant.
  
The Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia
http://www.hinessightblog.com/2012/11/the-beautiful-hotel-roanoke-in-roanoke.html

I loved the grand Tudor architecture of this hotel.
I loved the chocolate chip cookies at check-in.
I loved the formal breakfast in this hotel and dessert on the veranda. Food definitely gets an A during our stay.
I loved the location of this hotel. It is in the heart of Roanoke.

The Homestead Resort, Hot Springs Virginia
http://www.hinessightblog.com/2012/09/pack-your-bags-were-heading-to.html


I loved the Southern character of this hotel. You truly felt as if you were transported to a genteel time in the South. 
I loved the fire pit at this hotel. It’s a great place for families to gather and get to know each other while vacationing.
I loved that we had the same housekeeper daily, and we got to know her while there. We also got to know staff in the restaurants, too. 
I loved the resort pool at the Homestead.  It is fantastic.
I loved that my son got to ride a horse and learn archery. I love that my children still speak fondly of Zip the horse. I truly loved our time at the Homestead. It was a grand family vacation, and it has really sold me on the resort concept for a vacation.

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte, North Carolina
http://www.skimbacolifestyle.com/2012/12/travel-insight-the-ritz-carlton-charlotte-offers-chocolate-trees-tea-and-priceless-family-memories.html



OK, I’ve not yet published my “Pack Your Bags” yet for this property on the blog, but there is very little not to love about a Ritz-Carlton.  I’m going to save my loves for the upcoming feature in January, but I’ll give you a small hint with these words: chocolate, turn-down service, a granite bathroom,complimentary bottled water, and an indoor pool.  True loves!

Trust me, you would be happy to check in at any of these properties.  Here’s to more traveling in 2013.







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Holiday Houses in North Carolina

Throughout December, I snapped photos of houses for my Instagram feed. It was a lot of fun, and I think people liked it.  I may have started a Hines-Sight Blog tradition.Which house is your favorite?























And I would like to thank the Hines-Sight Blog Facebook community for submitting some homes for my blog. Mandi McClure submitted this beautiful home from Lincolnton, NC 



Beanne Steins, a photographer in Mebane, NC, submitted this photo of her own home. The bungalow is 100-years-old, and is just beautiful in the snow.  North Carolina did not see a white Christmas this year, but maybe we'll see some snow in 2013. Happy New Year!











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