La Jolla Mom

The “Best” hotel depends on the kind of trip and stay you are looking to have.

These are the properties I recommend most often based on location, room type, amenities, service, and who they actually work best for.

Unsure where to book your next vacation? Comment below what you’re looking for and I’ll suggest a few!

This is something I don’t talk about a ton, and every time it comes up I kind of forget how strange it sounds.

For the first few years of my daughter’s life, we lived at a Four Seasons.

It was just our normal at the time, but looking back, I realize how much those years shaped the way I think about hotels and travel now.

I notice the tiny things. How a hotel actually feels once you’ve been there for more than a night. What makes service feel effortless. What families really need.

So now when I review a stay, especially for families, I think back to those years and what it was actually like navigating hospitality spaces with a little one.

I notice things like balconies with furniture that can be climbed on. Whether there’s an easy way to get clean hot water for bottles. How far the room is from the pool. Whether the bathroom setup works with kids. The things you don’t really think about until you’re standing there with a tired baby.

That’s probably why my hotel reviews can get a little specific. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what makes a hotel truly work for families, and that kind of intel is hard to have without lived experience.

There are a lot of Safari Park upgrades, and the most expensive one isn’t automatically the best one for your visit.

You can have a great day with just admission and the included Africa Tram. But if you want something more immersive, the right tour really depends on who you’re going with and how big you want to go!

Swipe to read which ones I would recommend.

Halloween already?? Yes. 🎃

Swipe to see when everything is kicking off!

Fairmont Grand Del Mar is where people book a room to explore San Diego from and then realize they don’t want to leave.

The property sits on 400 acres in Carmel Valley, twenty minutes inland from the coast.

Rooms are genuinely large. There’s a Tom Fazio golf course, horseback riding through the canyon preserve next door, a spa, and Addison, which has three Michelin stars.
Most guests figure out by day two that leaving is optional.

It’s one of our most-booked properties for good reason. Swipe to read my full review.