There’s a reason why, arguably, California is the best state to live in. We’ve got all the seasons with snowy mountains in one direction. The desert in the opposite direction. The beach all along the coastline. And farmland in between. You could leave the snow up North at sunrise and be basking in the heat of the desert down South by sunset. There’s always somewhere to go without having to leave the state, if you choose not to.
While snowboarding and skiing is not my thing, my husband partakes and is in the process of teaching our daughter the ropes. So, for Winter-break we took off for a week-long vacation to the Northstar Resort in Tahoe. Chris dropped Delilah off at snowboarding school for classes, and he took off to enjoy the slopes. Meanwhile, I enjoyed the peace and quiet of our cozy room, shopped at the resorts shops downstairs in the Village, and popped by the local pizza joint for pizza and beers, of course. Time for myself while the fam did their thing was wonderful. When I was done shopping and eating, I’d head back to the room to sit in front of a warm fire and wait for them to come back in time for dinner.
I cannot say enough great things about the Northstar Resort in Tahoe. It’s like having an apartment. Full kitchen, fireplace in the living room, and even a washer/dryer. With everything you could possibly need provided. Plus there’s a little general store within the Northstar village where you can pick up just about anything you might want in addition to what they provide in the room.
Truthfully we did NOT want to leave. BUT perhaps a lot of that sentiment was due to the fact that we were staying at Northstar the week AFTER “ski week”. That’s the key to enjoying the facilities. Because had we been there the week prior, it would not have been as fun, trying to surf through the crowds of kids who were on Winter-break from school. We did make the decision to take Delilah out of school the week we were there because she is only in TK. Not a whole lot for her to miss aside from socializing with the other 5-year-olds and coloring.
Needless to say, Northstar we will see you next Winter and we cannot wait!
While Tahoe for Winter-break is going to be a new tradition, Palm Springs for Spring break is definitely not a new one for us as we’ve taken off for our favorite desert enclave almost every Spring for 8 years now. We LOVE Palm Springs and I’ve been trying to convince Chris to get us a vacation house there for quite some time…he’ll come around. Had to get him used to the scorching heat first. Heat has nothin on me. I thrive in 100+ degree weather. I will go to Palm Springs in April when the highs reach 85. And I’ll be there in the midst of August when the highs can reach upwards of 120. August is a fun time to go because most people can’t take the extreme temperatures so resort fees are low to entice the few crazy people willing to stay there. Hello. I am crazy people.
We’ve stayed at the Avalon Hotel & Bungalows 3 times over the years. It’s become our home away from home. Mind you, we’ve stayed at other nearby establishments. The boutique hotels being our go-to. But Avalon just fits us. The lush, perfectly manicured landscaping. The welcoming staff. The casual yet chic atmosphere. The black/white aesthetic. It’s perfect. We first discovered this property when we stayed for our honeymoon 8 years ago. We always manage to get a good deal because if we stay in April, we stay the week BEFORE Coachella. Do yourself a favor and try not to stay during festival season. The 20-somethings have a tendency to be a bit annoying this time of year. Nuff said.
I will say though, that The Avalon is a great place to stay for families and couples alike. Chris and I have vacationed here with and without our little munchkin. This hotel caters to all. Don’t worry…if you are trying to avoid the little ones, there are 2 adult-only pools and one pool specifically for the kiddos, tucked away from the adult pools so their screams and splashes are veiled from the peacefulness the Avalon aims to maintain.
Now we’ve stayed within the hotel part and we’ve stayed in a suite out by the bungalows. Not much to complain about. I can say that we will definitely be booking a bungalow next time we stay. They look like fun, not to mention their 3 pools are convenient, spread throughout the property. I also plan on trying out the onsite Estrella Spa. I’ve been meaning to for years but always get carried away lounging by the pool all day, followed by early dinners downtown. Then back to our room for dessert and coziness.
Now…to plan an August escape back to the Avalon! See you soon Palm Springs!
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