A Little Bit of Christmas in the Spring: A Family Stay at The Inn at Christmas Place

Instead of heading somewhere warm for my Spring Break, my family used this opportunity to head to somewhere a bit cooler, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. If you are not familiar with the Pigeon Forge area, it is just outside of Gatlinburg and it is one of my family’s favorite vacation spots. Both my husband and I grew up visiting the area so we love coming back and experiencing it with our daughter whenever we get the chance. For this visit, we decided to stay somewhere new that we have both been wanting to visit, The Inn at Christmas Place.

The Inn at Christmas Place is the sweetest little hotel that is literally decorated for Christmas all year long. You are experiencing the spirit of Christmas every day of your visit and you can truly feel the magic of this special holiday in every aspect of the hotel. The architecture of the hotel itself brought a sense of charm to the building and you really felt like you were in a quaint little cabin. Christmas lights adorned the building and a large nativity scene sat just outside the entrance, greeting you as you turned into the parking lot. There was also a very large Christmas tree across from the front entrance that featured carolers singing. The walkway to this tree was light up at night and it definitely made for some great pictures. One of my favorite things of the entire hotel was the doormen. Dressed liked something you would see out of a movie, they were always ready to welcome you inside or wish you on your way.

Out the back door and you will find the perfect area to gather with friends. A small waterfall, plenty of seating, and fire-pits make this an incredible way to start your morning or end your evening. There was a large balcony overlooking the courtyard or you could sit and numerous chairs and benches lining the path. The little waterfall was truly picturesque and was just a great way to relax. Of course everything was decorated for Christmas, giving you plenty of photo opportunities, and sparking joy around every corner.

For our stay, we decided on the King Mini Suite. This room featured a pillowtop king bed and a full sleeper sofa. We had an in-room, two person whirlpool, that Vivi loved! We also had a gas fireplace with a fully decorated mantle and a Christmas tree. Vivi called it her “Christmas Home,” and the whole experience was just magical. Other amenities included a private balcony, refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot, and a flat screen television with a DVD player. Each afternoon, our room was cleaned and our pillows were adorned with Hershey Kisses. It was a sweet treat and something that Vivi definitely loved coming “home” to enjoy.

Of course the room that was decorated the most was the hotel lobby. The trees were immaculate, the decorations were exquisite, and the staff was just as cheerful as one of Santa’s elves. We enjoyed grabbing a hot coffee every morning on the way out, warm cider in the evening, and a cookie every night before bed. All of this could be found just by the lobby counter and was definitely a nice treat.

We loved sitting on the comfy couches and talking with the other hotel guests and we even managed to sneak in a kiss under the mistletoe. Just off the main lobby was another sitting area. It was here that you could find Santa almost every morning during breakfast talking with the children, or on some evenings hosting a sing-a-long. I think it was the addition of Santa that really evoked the spirit of Christmas at the hotel. He was truly the highlight of the entire trip

Another favorite that the hotel offered was a Deluxe Complimentary breakfast. Every morning guests can enjoy homemade omelettes, an assortment of items for a warm meal, and the tastiest cakes and pastries. Besides all of that, you could also enjoy a large yogurt bar with toppings, fruit, waffles, cereals and all the coffee and juice your belly could hold. We tried the hot meal and the omelettes and both were amazing. Vivi liked being able to have all of her usual favorites for breakfast and we just loved getting a quality meal that we did not have to buy!

We made sure to stop by and see Santa every morning after breakfast to tell him about our day and snap some pictures. There was never a wait to see him so Vivi was able to talk to him as long as she liked. He was so patient with her and always had a kind word.

The hotel also featured your typical amenities. Those included a small work out room, an indoor pool, hot tub and an outdoor pool with water slide. The outdoor pool was closed because it was still quite cold on our visit, but I did manage to grab a picture through the fence. We did enjoy the indoor pool one evening, along with the hot tub. It was the perfect way to rest our tired muscles after exploring the streets of Gatlinburg.

Besides the typical amenities, the hotel also featured a few things that were unique to the hotel. The first of those was a Scavenger Hunt. Sheets were available with pictures for you to find things all over the hotel. Once you found all the things on the list you could take it to the front desk for a treat. The Scavenger Hunt was great because it gave you the opportunity to really explore the hotel and enjoy all of the decorations. There was something fun and unique decorating every corner and the Scavenger Hunt was the perfect way to see it all. The other amenity was the opportunity to write a letter to Santa. The cutest little writing desk, complete with stationary, was available to children to write a letter to Santa. The letters could be placed in the mailbox or hand delivered to him in the lobby. Vivi chose to hand-deliver her letter and Santa promised to take care of her this Christmas.

If you ever forgot what was happening at the hotel each day, an information sheet could be found in the elevator each day. The sheet was updated daily with all important hotel information, as well as the weather report and a count down until Christmas.

I could go on and on about the magic of the season at The Inn at Christmas Place but I really think the best way to experience that magic is to plan your own family vacation. Compared to other hotels in the area, it was reasonably priced. When you take into account all that the hotel has to offer, including the deluxe complimentary breakfast, the hotel was very affordable and it is somewhere that we will stay again. There is a lot of places to stay in the Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg area so I think that it is important to find somewhere unique to stay to make your trip that much more memorable. This is definitely the most unique hotel that we have ever stayed in the area and it really did make our entire trip even more enjoyable.

The spirit of Christmas is alive every day at The Inn at Christmas Place and we are so thankful that we were able to experience that magic first hand. This amazing hotel is the perfect place to stay whether you are a family with small children, a couple celebrating an anniversary, or even a group of girlfriends getting out of town. There is truly something for everyone and no one can resist that Christmas magic. I encourage you to consider booking a vacation and enjoy Christmas anytime of the year!

Disclaimer: I was given a media rate in exchange for my blog post but all opinions are my own. Affiliate links may be used and I may receive a small commission.

The Alida: A Savannah Staycation

In the chaos of our life, Justin and I finally made time to celebrate our anniversary and were thrilled to enjoy a night at The Alida, the newest hotel to become a part of the historic district in Savannah.

Located at the west- end of River Street, this gorgeous hotel boasts scenic views, amazing cuisine, and architecture that is inspired by the ships traveling through the Savannah River, just outside the hotel. The hotel is at the end of River Street that had not been used in the past few years. Thanks to The Alida and a current project, The Plant Riverside District, the west-end of River Street has gotten a much needed face lift and is offering new and exciting things to both tourists and locals.

Upon walking into our room, I was immediately drawn to the large window seat. It boasted a gorgeous view of the city and was the perfect spot to read a book or just enjoy the ships passing through. The window seat was also a unique way of hiding your storage. There was a closet located at each end of the window seat and drawers were located under the seat itself. I really like this because it allowed the room more opportunity for free space. There was no need for a dresser so you could move about more easily within the room. I feel like this is so important when staying in a hotel because your room can often times start to feel confining. The unique use of storage and the large windows really helped the room to feel more open and an all together more inviting experience.

On each floor of the hotel you can find a water station. I really like this idea because you were able to pick from tap, sparkling or still water, and take as much or as little as you like. Fruit was also available, as well as an ice machine. I have never seen anything like this in another hotel and it was a nice treat to have cool, sparkling water, anytime I like. This is a free service and just a way for you to feel more at home.

The Trade Room

Venturing down from our room, we made a stop at the lobby bar, The Trade Room.

The Trade Room is conveniently located within the lobby of The Alida and is available for guests or anyone just wanting a drink. I used this opportunity to order one of the bar’s signature cocktails, the Strawberry-Ginger Phosphate. This drink had just the right amount of sweetness and was a refreshing treat. The ginger gave the drink the perfect bite and it all came together for very enjoyable experience. While sitting at the bar, we made friends with some other hotel guests, a few of which had their dogs with them. We were delighted to see that The Alida was a dog friendly hotel. Whether you want to stay with your dog, or just stop in with them for a drink, your four-legged babies are always welcome.

Just outside The Trade Room is some adorable outdoor seating. It had two fire pits to keep you warm on those colder nights and just looked like the perfect place to hang out with friends and enjoy a drink. Out here you can also find the hotel pool. While it was too cold to swim, I couldn’t help but check everything out. I was in love with the cute little cabanas. They will be the perfect spot to relax through our hot summer months.  Plenty of seating was available to work on your tan or just enjoy the view. There was also a Pool Bar that is open on warmer days serving refreshing drinks and light bites.

Dinner at Rhett

After a drink, we were getting hungry so we used that opportunity to check out the hotel restaurant, Rhett. The best way to describe Rhett would be an upscale diner. I want you to picture your favorite, small town diner and then give it a touch of elegance.

That is Rhett.

The cozy booths, plastic cups, and comfort foods really help you to feel at home but the elegance in the atmosphere leaves you feeling fancy. The architecture in the restaurant is one of the best places to really get a feel for the ships coming down the Savannah River.

We happened to be visiting the restaurant right in the heart of Restaurant Week, so we were able to sample 3 courses of the menus signature items at a fixed price or just order off the menu. I opted for the 3 courses while Justin just ordered off the menu. We both started our meals with the Wedge Salad. It was perfectly crisp, beautifully dressed and the dressing was definitely homemade.

For our main courses, I went with the Roasted Pork. The pork sat on a bed of collards and was served with fingerling potatoes, boiled peanuts and chilis. Each flavor complemented the next and I wish I had more of those boiled peanuts. Justin went with the Burger American. He is very picky when it comes to his food and he said it was the best burger that he has eaten in a long time. We both cleaned our plates.

For my final course, I went with the Chocolate Mousse. It was rich, creamy and just the right size serving. Served with a homemade cookie, it was the perfect ending to an amazing meal.

The Lost Square

After dinner, there is always room for one more drink, so we headed upstairs to check out the rooftop bar, The Lost Square.

This bar boasts an amazing view of the city and the Savannah River. It is the perfect place to end a night out with friends or a romantic dinner for two. With a large fireplace, heat lamps, and comfy seating, you are sure to stay warm on those cooler nights while good drinks and even better conversation, warm your soul. The Lost Square was definitely the highlight of our stay because it just had an amazing atmosphere. Around the corner from the bar is also a large area available to rent for parties or events.

KEEP Shop

Savannah is known for some amazing, local shopping, but you don’t have to leave the hotel to see all that is to offer. Keep Shop is located inside the lobby of The Alida and has custom Stetson hats, Satchel leather goods, Salacia Salts apothecary and Element Clay Studio ceramics. You can also find items that you may have left at home, but with an upscale twist. Pretty, gold nail clippers, natural toothpaste, and unique bobby pins, are just a few of the things that you can find lining the shelves of Keep Shop. They also have fun toys for your little ones. My personal favorite item from the shop is The Alida Signature Candle. As you walk through the hotel, you will notice their signature smell. I am not exactly sure what the combination is, but it is amazing. The signature candle smells exactly like that scent so you can literally take a piece of The Alida home with you. A candle definitely came home with me and it makes my house smell so good. If you buy anything during your stay, I strongly encourage you to take a candle home with  you.

Also located within the lobby is plenty of sitting areas. Come in from the heat and have a drink, read a book in one of the window seats, or just sit back and people watch. It is also a great place to take all the Instagram photos. There is literally something around every corner just screaming to be photographed. Whatever you decide, there is space available for you to make yourself at home.

Justin and I enjoyed every aspect of our stay at The Alida. The staff was welcoming, the hotel was gorgeous, and the food was amazing. I am so thankful that we had the opportunity to experience so much that this new Savannah staple has to offer. We are already planning on taking our friends out to dinner at Rhett and will definitely be grabbing a drink at one of the bars. Whether you are planning a trip to Savannah or just looking for somewhere to enjoy a staycation, I cannot recommend The Alida enough.

Disclaimer: My stay at The Alida and meal at Rhett was comped by the hotel, but all opinions are my own.

The Grove: A New Savannah Staple

One of my favorite things about Savannah is all of the yummy, local cuisine. We have a lot of truly amazing restaurants that feature unique dishes, friendly atmospheres, and some great views of the city. Our newest addition, The Grove, is no exception and is already making waves in our little community.

Over my Spring Break I called up my sweet friend Amy Darley of the YouTube channel Team Darley to see if she wanted to join me for lunch. She had been eager to try it out as well so we met on a Thursday for lunch with an open mind and empty bellies. We were immediately blown away by the building. It is striking and modern with crisp white, black pops, and lots of doors and windows. On nice days you can find all of the doors open making the atmosphere even more inviting. One of the first things that you are sure to notice is the tiled floor. It has quickly become one of the most Instagrammed spots in Savannah and it is easy to see why. It pulls you into the building and just encourages you to pull up a seat and stay for a while.

When we visited they were still operating on an abbreviated menu. We quickly made our choices and then sat back to enjoy the ambiance and architecture. We both knew that we wanted to get the Honey Drizzled Fries. It with just the right amount of sweetness mixed with a hint of jalapeno, creating the perfect glaze on a salty and crisp french fry. I could have probably eaten my weight in them! For my meal I got the Savannah Salad. It was light, refreshing and made complete by the tastiest candied pecans. Truly a southern staple. Amy selected The Grove Burger and she said that it was so good. We both cleaned our plates, a sure sign that the food was delicious!

Now that the full menu is complete, I personally cannot wait to head back and taste the Low Country Kale, Forsyth Fried Okra, and the Veggie Burger!

After we finished our meal, we took a tour of the building. The restaurant consists of three stories. The first flour was the main dining room where we ate. There is a large bar area in the main dining room, but there is also a second bar area off the side of the restaurant. This bar area has large doors that are opened up to City Market on nice days. There is also outdoor seating so you can enjoy your meal while taking in the hustle and bustle of City Market. The second floor was a space that was available to use for meeting and parties. It housed large, comfy chairs, a bar area, and a large table with plenty of seating. The final floor was the rooftop bar and it is definitely the shining star of the entire restaurant. Large doors are opened out onto the deck with a perfect view overlooking City Market. There is a bar, comfy couch style seating and high-top tables. This is sure to become one of the busiest spots for Savannah night life and I cannot wait to head up there for Date Night and drinks with my husband in the very near future.

The Grove truly is the perfect addition to our charming little town. It is located in a central location and has something to meet all the needs of its guests. Whether you are dining with your family (I brought Vivi with me!), hanging out with girlfriends, or just enjoying a Date Night, The Grove is the perfect place to enjoy a great meal in the perfect atmosphere. If you are local, be sure to stop in and check it out, and if you are a visiting then you definitely need to add it to your to-do list! Either way, be sure to tell them that Being Mrs. Fowler sent you! I promise that you will not be disappointed!

My Outfit Details & Similar Styles:

Top | Pants | Shoes | Handbag | Earrings | Sunglasses

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post! I just wanted to share my personal review on a restaurant that I am happy is now a part of our Savannah scene! I will definitely be back to enjoy more things on the menu!

Anniversary Staycation Bliss with Hyatt Regency Savannah

I have lived in the beautiful city of Savannah, GA for my entire life. So much of this city is part of my history and has made me the person that I am today. The sights, the smells, the tastes and the sounds all provide to the experience of this Hostess City of the South and make Savannah the place that it is today.

Strangely enough, one of the best places that holds a lot of history, for me, is The Hyatt Regency Hotel. How can a hotel hold history you may be asking. Well, when I was a little girl, my Grandfather was one of the Fire Chiefs in Savannah. Every year we would go with him and attend the firefighter convention at none other than the Hyatt in Savannah. As I got older, I found myself at the Hyatt again to attend my Senior Prom. Finally, once I had entered adulthood, I was able to attend many of my husband’s company Christmas parties at the Hyatt. One hotel was able to provide for me memories through every stage in my life. It makes sense that when I was looking for a hotel to celebrate my husband’s and my anniversary I would look to The Hyatt.

We recently celebrated being married for 3 years and were hoping to have a staycation weekend in Savannah. From the moment that I initially contacted the staff at the Hyatt, they were nothing but welcoming and eager to have us join them at the hotel. They went above and beyond and put us in an amazing suite and had chilled champagne and chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us in the room. After enjoying our snack, we changed clothes to enjoy our anniversary dinner at Moss + Oak. Moss + Oak is the restaurant located inside of the Hyatt. It was one of the more recent renovations to the Hyatt and is definitely one of my favorite places in the hotel. It is a fine dining experience with a family friendly atmosphere. Over the summer, I was lucky enough to try out the restaurant for lunch. You can check out my first experience with Moss + Oak in a previous post. I really love Moss + Oak because the service is great, the food is exceptional and they have an open concept kitchen. This means that you can see the chefs preparing your meal, which is a really neat thing to witness.

For our anniversary dinner, they more than exceeded my expectations and previous experience. We were led to a reserved table and were immediately greeted with two appetizers, the Deviled Eggs and the Boiled Peanut Hummus. Both were exceptional and a perfect, southern start to our meal. Our waitress, Brittney, was super nice and helpful. She spent time with us, got to know us as a couple and was nice enough to take most of our pictures. For dinner, we added another appetizer, the Fried Green Tomatoes with homemade Pimento Cheese and also ordered entrees. Justin went with the Fried Chicken and I had the Salmon. They were both amazing meals that we promptly devoured. My husband, who rarely comments on a meal, said that it was one of the best meals that he had ever eaten. We finished up our meal with Bread Pudding. With dark chocolate chips and hints of banana, it was moist with just the right amount of sweetness and the perfect end to our night. Afterwards, we finished up our drinks around the outdoor fire pits and just enjoyed one another, as well as the view of the Savannah River.

The next morning, we woke up to explore and play tourist in our city. The beds were beyond comfortable and I probably slept better than I had in a while. After getting ready, with a mimosa in hand, we were ready to explore the hotel and go find some breakfast. Our floor of the hotel just happened to be the same floor at the Rooftop Terrace. This is a truly amazing space with a view of the Savannah River. They have lots of fun seating, perfect for sunbathing, catching up with friends, or just watching the boats as they pass under the bridge. If you with rather stay indoors, the hotel lobby has a lot of available seating perfect for reading, watching the news or just enjoying your coffee. With large, floor to ceiling windows you can still enjoy a view of the Savannah River with the comforts of heat or AC.

While we did not take part in these ammenities, the Hyatt also offers Stay Fit and the Hyatt. This is an indoor pool area as well as a gym overlooking River Street. The gym includes treadmills, weights, spin bikes and other equipment. It was a very nice area that is perfect if you are wishing to stay active while away from home.

The hotel also offers access to both River Street and Bay Street so you can easily get to some of the biggest tourist spots in Savannah. While they do not have self-parking, they have a very spacious underground parking garage with valet parking. The great thing about Savannah is that you can walk everywhere. We stayed at the Hyatt for an entire weekend and never once took our car. We walked everywhere and on one occasion we took a pedicab. It is a very tourist friendly city and was perfect for our weekend getaway.

As far as anniversary weekends go, this was definitely one to remember. Justin and I enjoyed every minute of our staycation weekend in Savannah. It was so nice to just get away and enjoy one another’s company. It was also nice to explore Downtown Savannah. Having grown up here, it is very easy to take for granted just how beautiful of a city that we are able to live. It was nice to experience that beauty and do it all within the comforts of an amazing hotel. The Hyatt Regency Hotel of Savannah is truly an incredible business that adds so much to our city. I am thankful that I was able to add another memory with this hotel to my life. I can’t recommend the staff and services at the Hyatt enough. If you are visiting Savannah, celebrating an anniversary, or just looking to getaway, I highly recommend the Hyatt. We will definitely be back the next time we needs a weekend away!

Disclaimer: The first photo featured in this post was retrieved from a Google search. The rest of the pictures were taken with my personal camera. I received dinner and a night stay at the Hyatt in exchange for this post but all opinions are my own.