Our Obsession With Airport Lounges

Our Obsession With Airport Lounges

Richard and I look forward to our summer travels all year long. We spend January to June planning and September to December reminiscing. Like many of you, we can't sleep the night before we are set to go away. We are like little kids at Christmas, excited beyond belief. When we do travel, we do it well. We strike a good balance between splurging and budgeting when necessary. Our very first year we travelled to Europe, we decided to get lounge passes at the airport. We headed to the Plaza Premium Lounge at the Toronto Aiport. We got to choose a 2, 3, or 4 hour package. We went with the 2 hour package for $40. 

The following year we had the BMO World Elite Mastercard, which gave us free access to the Plaza Premium Lounges with up to four visits a year. 

When you enter the lounge, the space is filled with lounge chairs, couches, workstations, and more. The furniture is modern, simple, and chic. The environment is fairly quiet, with businessman following up on emails or other travellers reading or chatting with their travelling partners. 

There are large washrooms with basic toiletries and showers if you wish to freshen up before (or after) your flight. You can find numerous magazines and international newspapers to read while you pass the time in an area much more relaxing than the traditional airplane terminal. Don't be afraid you will miss your flight, because the departures are live on the lounge screens and the receptionist will remind you if they do not see you checkout in time. 

There are outlets to charge your electronics and computers to use if you wish to confirm hotel reservations, read reviews, or just email your family before boarding the plane. 

You will notice a wide variety of food choices available. This variety aims to please travellers from all over the world. There are soups, salads, sandwiches, meats, rices, pastas, deserts and more. When you are visiting a Plaza Premium Lounge in other countries, you will notice that the foods available will strongly but not solely reflect that specific culture. There are often small snacks or pieces of fruit you can take with you onto the plane to ease any hunger as you wait for your in flight meals. 

Pearson International Lounge
Photo: @conciergecouple

The lounges also serve a variety of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Many lounges have a bar and bartender on sight or a self serve bar area. Cocktails, tea, coffee, wine, beer, juice, etc. are all available to you in unlimited quantities. Richard and I like to have a few drinks before we board the plane to celebrate a new journey ahead, and for Richard to calm his flying nerves. 

Top 3 reasons to visit a lounge on your next trip:

1. Drinks

2. Healthy and nutritious food choices

3. Comfort

If you tend to buy a drink and a meal at the airport you will likely spend close to $15. Yes, you could budget here, but for us the extra money is so worth it and it sets the tone for the glamorous and special trip ahead. When it comes to lounges, we splurge. 

Would You Rather Your Hotel Offer You Free Happy Hour or Breakfast?

Isn't it wonderful when you book an amazing hotel, only to find out it also includes breakfast or a free evening cocktail reception? Unfortunately this does not happen as much as we travellers would like, or as often as it used to with the cost of everything on the rise. But when it does, it is often one or the other, but we have been lucky enough to stay somewhere that included both....more on that later.

Happy Hour:

Some hotels offer a happy hour, or evening reception for their guests. Often each guest room is given a drink or two in the early evening in the hotel bar or lounge. No one enjoys an evening beverage more than Richard and I, so an evening reception is always a draw or wonderful surprise for us. We have experienced several. One that stands out is the Kimpton hotel in San Francisco. They had a managers reception that focused on Napa wines. The wines changed during our stay, and there was even a house made sangria with fresh fruit one night. It is a nice touch when the beverages from the area are highlighted or featured

Free Breakfast:

Okay so there is free continental breakfast, and then there is free breakfast...We have stayed at some hotels that include incredible full, healthy, and cooked to order breakfast. If you like to indulge in eggs, freshly squeezed juice, and other savoury delights then Southeast Asia hotels are for you! When Richard and I stayed in Bali we had the best breakfasts ever! When we stayed in Seminyak, Indonesia and stayed at Sun Island Villas, we were given a menu each morning with numerous choices. There was traditional North American breakfast fare to choose from as well as Indonesian dishes such as savoury noodles topped with an over easy egg. Richard tried a new item each of the 5 mornings we stayed. To accompany your meal there was a light buffet of breads, sweets, and fruit. I also have to share that we have never been coffee drinkers until we had a latte made for us each morning with Balinese coffee.

One other breakfast hot spot for us was when we stayed in Ubud, Indonesia. First off let me tell you that this hotel is amazing. Words cannot describe it. So of course the breakfast was special for us too. The staff at Ubud Padi Villas brought us a menu each evening, allowing us to select which breakfast items we would like for the morning. The menu varied each day. We could choose to have it delivered to our villa, cabana, or enjoy it in an outdoor bungalow on the hotel grounds (picture below). They made coconut sugar and palm sugar filled crepes among many other great items.

Ubud Padi Villas, Ubud Bali
Photo: @conciergecouple

Best of Both Worlds:

Yes, we are not blind to the fact that our room rate likely covers the cost of the breakfast or happy hour, but when you get a great deal on a great hotel and there is a bonus, why would we go to the competition? Example: The Kinzie Hotel in Chicago. Not only do they have an evening cocktail reception in their upper floor bar, but they even have created their own signature cocktails if you are interested. Even once your 2 drinks per night vouchers are finished, the prices of additional drinks are fair. Please note: Richard and I never ran out of vouchers...we simply asked for more and they gave us more at the front desk! During this reception they also have major appetizers and small bites. I am not talking about fried appetizers, they are snacks like: charcuterie trays, dips and veggies, mini sliders, spicy meatballs and fresh bread, even some desserts. Okay I am getting off topic..

Breakfast here is very innovative and centered around a fresh idea. They deliver breakfast to EVERY floor EVERY morning. Yes, you read that correct. Each room has a serving tray for you to bring out into the hall and gather the food items you would like. They encourage you to wear your robe, and don't feel embarrassed because everyone is. You gather boiled eggs, yogurts, fruit, bagels, cereal, cheese, and so much more on your train and then....Enjoy it in your bed. Ahhhh.....Isn't this concept so simple yet amazing?! We think so. I tell you, we barely eat out at restaurants in Chicago when we stay here...but we still do :)

Vacationing in St. Barts

Today we are fortunate enough to have a guest post from blogger, Anisa of www.twotravelingtexans.com

Check out all Katherine & Anisa's inspirational thoughts and pics at: 

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You always hear about celebrities vacationing in St. Barts (more formally referred to as St. Barthelemy).  The island, which is a short ferry ride away from St. Martin, is known as a playground for the rich and famous.  So of course, when Katherine and I were in St. Martin, we decided we should do a day trip to St. Barts and see what all the fuss is about.

We did some research and felt like the Great Bay Express from Bobby’s marina (on the Dutch side of St. Martin) was the best option.  It was actually a pretty rough ride but luckily it only takes 45 minutes.   Some people refer to it as the “vomit comet”.  We sat on the upper deck and tried to enjoy the views while we were being rocked up and down.  If you are worried about getting seasick, there are also flights.  The airport in St. Barts is between the sea and a mountain, so I can imagine that the landing might be a bit scary.

We rented a car so that we would be able to explore the island at our own pace.  St. Barts is beautiful, with lots of greenery and mountains.  The driving was relatively easy although we did accidentally go down a street the wrong way once!

The beautiful and quiet Saline Beach
Photo: @twotravelingtexans

Our first stop was Saline Beach, which was absolutely beautiful.  The beach is a 5 minute walk from the parking lot.   The walk is very easy – no speciality footwear is required.  We were lucky to almost have the beach to ourselves, so we were able to both be in the water while our belongings were in a bag on the sand.  We carefully monitored the bag to ensure that no one was getting near it, and we didn't go too far out in the water.  There was one guy who was totally naked that decided to sunbathe on the beach (without a towel) which seemed odd to us, but we just carried on as we had faced similar situations in St. Martin.  If you do visit Saline Beach, you should be aware that it doesn't have any facilities.

The water at Saline Beach was just perfect
Photo: @twotravelingtexans

Our next stop was lunch.  We decided to splurge and visit Sand Bar, a Jean George restaurant, which is located at the Eden Rock hotel.  The setting was stunning, we sat with a view of St. Jean Beach.  From our table we could see the planes take off and land from the airport.  The food was excellent as well, although it was expensive.  After lunch, we walked on the beach and got in the water for a little bit.  Also, close by there is a location of the internationally known beach club Nikki Beach, which is a nice place to get a drink.

Truffle pizza at The Sandbar
Photo: @twotravelingtexans

Then, it was time to continue our drive.  We headed to the northwest part of the island.  The mountains were beautiful and the views of the ocean were just stunning.  So we stopped frequently to walk around and take pictures.  Then we decided to return the car and head back towards the ferry.

View From our drive on the northwest part of St. Bart
Photo: @twotravelingtexans

Since the ferry terminal is in Gustavia, there are some nice shops and places to grab food and drinks close by.  Before looking at the shops, we stopped in at Le Select, which is known for its burgers and as a great place for casual drinks.  Some people even think Jimmy Buffet's song "Cheeseburger in Paradise" is written about this place.  Then we visited shops along Rue de Republique, but it was more expensive than in St. Martin or the US.  Most places in St. Barts do accept both Euros and Dollars.

Nice view of the sun setting on our ferry back to St. Martin
Photo: @twotravelingtexans

Then after a lovely day of exploring a beautiful island, it was time to head back.  I was a little hesitant to get back on the ferry, but luckily the ride back was smooth.  I can understand why celebrities like to come to St. Barts, it really is beautiful and sophisticated.