A Perfect Trip for YOU vs…
View from Aston Maui Hill in South Kihei, Maui, Hawaii. Excellent resort for those who want more of an apartment-style lodging; great for multi-generational trips.
…a Perfect Trip for Everyone Else on the Internet
One of the benefits of partnering with a travel advisor for your trip is the customization-finding a match for you, not a match for the internet. Do you have "musts" in a hotel?
(Warning: long post ahead!)
I've been thinking about this in terms of hotels, after my Hawaii and San Francisco trip these last couple weeks. The two places we stayed were wonderful-we would choose each of them again in a second. But the details are essential-the were wonderful FOR US. They might not be wonderful for YOU. When we work together on a trip, we start with a complimentary consultation where we explore what matters to you most when you travel, so I can create a trip that really does feel like you.
🏨 When you google or use AI for trip planning, you will get a lot of hotel choices. You can then dig in to reviews and look at things like location, room size, amenities, resort fees, etc...and by then, if you're like me in the old days, you have one million tabs open and your brain is full. And-here's the kicker-what you've found is what might work great for OTHER PEOPLE. Not for you and your crew. I cut through this noise for you-I learn what you want and need, and then I send you one curated choice that I've done the research on and that I think will be the very best fit for you. (If I miss, we can totally try again, but most the time it's a hit).
I'll give you a little more of the why behind the choices I made for my family on our vacation to share a little about what I consider:
🌴 Maui: We stayed at the Aston Maui Hill, in South Kihei. This is a condo resort-1-3 bedrooms, with full kitchens. The grounds are lovely and the lanais are huge. Great pool, free and convenient parking, and activities like tennis and bocce courts. Across the street from the beach.
💖 Perfect for us: We had 10 people, multi-generation, in three units. Everyone had a bedroom except for one kid, and we could cook many of our meals in the units and eat together (big dining room tables and eating out in Hawaii is EXPENSIVE). We had in room washer and dryer-so key with a longer trip! We love Kihei and the beaches at the South end so the location was perfect. We didn't have an unlimited budget.
👎Would not be a good fit for: People who want more of a hotel experience or true luxury or daily housekeeping. People with accessibility needs; most units are up at least a couple stairs. Those who like a modern vibe in their lodging-each unit here is different and it was very Golden Girl coded (I looooove that and now want my bedroom to be retro-Hawaiian themed with lots of rattan but you might not). People who don't want to cook at all on vacation. People who want onsite restaurants and bars or the ability to easily walk to those. People without a car (though tbh, anywhere in Hawaii outside of Honolulu is tough without a car).
🌁 San Francisco: This was a one night trip on our way for one of our kids to do their appointment for their educational visa for Austria (side note: total PITA). We stayed at The Andrews, an older building a few blocks from Union Square.
💖 Perfect for us: We wanted to be in this location and I didn't want to spend over $200; extra difficult with the Men's World Cup in town. The hotel has a great vintage feel-it actually seems like a European hotel. Which to me means charming PLUS quirky. Stairs are steep, elevator is tiny (and has one of those cage gates) and rooms were basic (bed was fabulous). The onsite restaurant, FINO, had absolutely amazing Italian food including the best bolognese and zabaglione I've ever had.
👎 Would not be a good fit for: Those with mobility issues, those nervous about walking near unhoused people (it's close to Union Square but edging into a less wealthy neighborhood), those who want a known, non-quirky experience in their hotel.
If you want planning personalized for YOU-your needs, your wishes, your budget, your bucket list-reach out. I love making my clients' travel dreams come true.
Have a wonderful week!
Sara
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