Park Hyatt Istanbul – Maçka Palas, the Hotel Review

This summer we spent a few weeks in Turkey, and we absolutely fell in love with this country. We began our Turkish journey in Istanbul, one of the oldest and biggest cities in the world. We were happy to discover that Istanbul has several Hyatt properties, which not only meant that we could enjoy our stay in Istanbul for free (on points) but also would get exceptional service.

For our first 3 nights in Istanbul, we chose to stay at Park Hyatt Istanbul – Maçka Palas. This hotel is located in the Nişantaşı district of the city, within the walking distance of Taksim Square, various restaurants and shops, and just a short ride to the historical part of Istanbul.

Read more

Things to see in Istanbul in 3 days

We spent two weeks in beautiful Turkey this summer, or as you are supposed to say, Türkiye. We had a very busy schedule and tried to accomplish a lot during our stay. The very first part of our Turkish journey began in Istanbul, one of the largest and oldest cities in the world, where we spent a few days.

Greek settlers founded Istanbul in the 7th century B.C. The city served as an imperial capital for almost 1600 years: during the Roman, Latin, late Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. This city, rich in history and culture, attracts millions of tourists every year. If you are only visiting Istanbul for a short period – this itinerary is about must-see and must-try things in the city.

Read more

Türkiye with kids: Antalya to Istanbul road trip

A rooftop terrace at the Fulya Pansiyon Hotel, Eğirdir/Isparta, Türkiye

This summer, we embarked on an unforgettable Antalya to Istanbul road trip with our kids, a family adventure across Türkiye filled with ancient ruins, coastal views, charming towns, and incredible food.

From relaxing at an all-inclusive resort on the Mediterranean to exploring Istanbul, one of the world’s oldest and most vibrant cities, we designed this journey to balance fun, culture, and history. Keep reading for our detailed Türkiye road trip itinerary, family travel tips, and the best stops along the way.

Read more

Everything you need to know about the Centurion Lounge, by American Express

Airports are often associated with the stress of going through the TSA / Airport Security, and when you think of an airport, you don’t usually imagine a luxurious experience. American Express Centurion Lounge is a luxury travel perk that gives you a space in the airport to relax and enjoy high-quality food and drinks absolutely for free! How can you actually get that benefit?

Keep on reading, and we will demystify some of the aspects of getting into an American Express Centurion Lounge.

Read more

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa, the Hotel Review

If you are looking for a family-oriented oceanfront resort in Southern California, Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa is one of them. This Spanish-inspired hotel has a great location, just minutes away from the beach, with gorgeous Pacific Ocean views. Spanning across several acres, the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach has various dining options, pools, and a spa, and offers resort activities for kids and adults (including surfing lessons!).

Read more

Amazing food from around the world

Recently we have realized that we get equally excited about visiting a new place as much as about trying new restaurants and food! I guess this is how we started our “foodie” journey. 😅 What can we say, we just love to eat!

When traveling we love to try local food, if possible, to explore a different cultural atmosphere fully. How do we find a good restaurant? Mostly on Yelp (no matter how trivial it may sound)🤷🏻‍♀️ or sometimes on TripAdvisor. We came to the conclusion that the rating doesn’t usually lie and if something is 2.5 stars, well it’s probably going to end up being 2.5 stars.

Here are some of our favorite restaurants from around the world that we have been lucky to try on our trips.

Read more

Everything you need to know about booking Hyatt hotels with Points

Looking to make the most of your Hyatt points? Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or new to the World of Hyatt program, booking Hyatt hotels with points can unlock exceptional value. From luxury resorts to family-friendly hotels and all-inclusive getaways, there are options around the world for every type of traveler.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about booking Hyatt hotels on points: how to earn them, how the Hyatt award chart works, which redemptions offer the best value, and tips for scoring free nights, suite upgrades, and more. With the right strategy, you can stretch your points further and enjoy top-tier stays without breaking the bank.

Read more

Waterfront Hotel, Oakland CA, the Hotel Review

We spent a weekend at the Waterfront Hotel in Oakland, CA a few weeks ago. The Waterfront Hotel is a boutique hotel located in the heart of the Jack London Square. A famous marina area on the Oakland Harbor and the Alameda Oakland Ferry Dock, the Jack London Square offers dining with water views, nestled with breweries and stores. It hosts special outdoor events and a Sunday morning Farmer’s Market.

Read more

The Confidante Miami Beach by Hyatt, the Hotel Review

This post is about our 4 night stay in Miami Beach, Florida at the oceanfront hotel The Confidante Miami Beach by Hyatt.

This Category 5 hotel is from the Unbound Collection by Hyatt, with 20,000 Hyatt Points per night on a standard night (17,000 Hyatt Points on off-peak nights, and 23,000 Hyatt Points on peak nights).

We were lucky enough to book our room before March 22, 2022 when it was still a Category 4 hotel, before Hyatt updated its award chart and bumped some of the properties to a higher category.

Read more

Park Hyatt Washington D.C., the Hotel Review

This early April, we spent three days in the Nation’s Capital – Washington D.C. To enhance our experience, we chose to stay at Park Hyatt Washington D.C.

We arrived at the Washington Dulles International Airport late evening and took a taxi to the hotel. If you are arriving at this airport, remember that it’s located more than 30 mi from Downtown Washington D.C. (in Virginia, to be exact); therefore, the ride could be relatively expensive.

Read more