Mantra Sun City Surfers Paradise

Sometimes you just need to grab the kids and go on a staycation with your best family friends and this week that is exactly what we did!

We went down the coast and stayed at Mantra Sun City with Piper and Joshua’s besties Harlow and Noah and let me tell you they had a ball!!

Mantra Sun City is known for its family friendly vibe and of course the incredible pools and waterslides!

Located just one block from the pristine beaches of the Gold Coast, Mantra Sun City is the ideal base for your Surfers Paradise stay.

When you’re not spending your days exploring the bustling beachside city, enjoy the many guest services and leisure facilities onsite such as the already mentioned Aztec-inspired pool featuring snake-like waterslides or relax in the spa, get fit in the gym or enjoy a delicious meal at the onsite Koastal Restaurant.

To help make your stay a relaxed one be sure to take advantage of the 24 hour reception, complimentary secure parking, room service, in room internet access.

The dining was amazing and kept all the kids happy with a variety of eating options and a big modern menu blending the new with the classics. Fast, great value meals made from fresh local ingredients in the Kitchen.

Something for everyone and kids get to choose from all their favourite things too, including my fave dessert! Koastal Kitchen features 2 dining option as listed below.

Tapas Bar
On the go, want some share plates or not that hungry? Not a problem. Koastal Kitchen tapas plates master the art of simple ingredients made super tasty. Quick and delicious and lots to choose from!

Restaurant
The sun, the surf, the shopping, the excitement, it builds an appetite! Start the day with a wholesome family breakfast or get everyone together for a catch up dinner in the Koastal Kitchen restaurant. The pizzas are fresh from the oven, the grills, salads and seafood fast and fabulous. Kids have their own special menu.

We stayed in a 2 bedroom apartment the perfect choice for a family of four, the Two Bedroom Apartments are large and spacious with plenty of room to spread out with the family providing all your basic accomodation needs while offering comfortable furnishings and spacious areas to kick back and relax on your Surfers Paradise holiday.

Featuring two separate bedrooms, each with a king zip bed, Two Bedroom Apartments offer the added convenience of self-catering, with a large fully equipped kitchen, and laundry. Each apartment has a private balcony with sweeping views across Surfers Paradise towards the hinterland.

If you feel like escaping from the resort then there’s plenty to do outside in the bustling beachside city of Surfers Paradise. It offers so many holidays in one, attracting people from all over Australia and the world. With long sandy beaches, sparkling ocean and great surf, breathtaking skyline, good shopping, fabulous dining and nightlife, as well as a huge range of entertainment and theme parks, there really is something for everyone here.

Mantra Sun City is centrally located in Surfers Paradise, making it the ideal base to explore the best of the Gold Coast. Wander down to the beach and laze the days away listening to the sound of the waves crashing against the shore, or if you’re feeling energetic take a surf lesson.

Just a short walk from the hotel takes you to Cavill Avenue, the dining, entertainment and shopping hub of Surfers Paradise where you can browse designer boutiques and discount outlets at your leisure. On Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evenings stroll down to the beachfront street markets, which sell locally made crafts and delicacies.

We adored our time at Mantra Sun City and would recommend it for the perfect family holiday.

This post was written in collaboration with Mantra Sun City but as always, opinions are honest and my own.



Peppers Noosa Resort and Villas


We recently just got back from the beautiful Peppers Noosa Resort and Villas.

I’ve never actually stayed in Noosa (I know who even am I?) and it was the hubby’s birthday so i thought why not give it a go?

After looking through some different places to stay in the Noosa area I decided on Peppers Noosa.

We absolutely loved our time at Peppers it was just the luxurious little break we needed.

Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas is nestled in the serenity of Noosa National Park. How you spend your days is totally up to you but we loved lazing in the free-form swimming pool, hitting the beautiful Stephanie’s Ocean Spa, or just taking it easy and relaxing by the beach or in the room. The beautiful world class shopping and restaurants of Noosa are a short 500 metre stroll away in bustling hub of Hastings Street and Laguna Beach.

At this premium Noosa accommodation you’ll find the ultimate in eco-conscious sustainability with solar energy and rainwater irrigation.

Peppers Noosa is designed with two completely unique and beautiful accommodation concepts in mind, there is the resort, where you’re located right in the heart of it all. Featuring fully-equipped kitchens, a laundry room, and dining areas, you are spoiled with all the conveniences you could desire.

Or discover your home away from home in a beautiful Noosa Villa. We stayed in the Resort and absolutely adored it.

Aside from spacious and stylish accommodation, Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas offers WiFi access, a gymnasium and steam room, complimentary car parking and 24 hour reception.

For onsite dining, View Restaurant provides a relaxing and welcoming environment.

My favourite part of staying at Peppers was the beautiful View restaurant. You can take in the breathtaking views across Laguna Bay as you dine in style at View Restaurant situated right above the resort. This is one of the best breakfast, dinner and event experiences in Noosa. The food was just simply incredible.

Celebrity Chef Matt Golinski heads up the kitchen at View Restaurant as the hotel’s Food Ambassador and Advisory Executive Chef.

Matt is a Noosa-local himself and has launched a menu that showcases seasonal, locally-sourced produce in flavoursome dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Staying at Peppers Noosa was an experience I’ll never forget. The food, the accommodation and the scenery was just beautiful and just the escape we needed.

This post was written in collaboration with Peppers Noosa Resort and Villas but as always, opinions are honest and my own



Rivershore Resort

Last week we ventured up the Sunshine Coast to visit the beautiful Rivershore Resort to experience something I have always wanted to do, glamping!

It was such a fun experience and the kids absolutely loved every single second of it.

The Rivershore is a Sunshine Coast Resort with a difference!

Surround yourself in extravagance and luxury in one of the spacious five star 15 safari tents on offer.

All luxurious, spacious self-contained safari tents offer ensuite bathrooms, kitchenette and river views to ensure that you have everything you need for a relaxed and comfortable stay.

Experience being amongst nature whilst keeping all the creature comforts of a five-star hotel.

About Rivershore’s Luxury Glamping Tents.

Imported from South Africa and designed to withstand the most extreme Queensland conditions. The design allows for the full height windows to be rolled up and catch the prevailing sea breeze to provide a beautiful temperature during summer and the insulated canvas providing the perfect winter escape.

All the lovely furniture has been handcrafted on the Sunshine Coast from the timber vanity to the beautiful four posted king bed and the comfy outdoor lounge chairs, and the highest quality king mattress,  finished off with luxury guest amenities and premium linen.

All this provides a unique memorable experience all year round.

The kids favourite part of the trip was of course the pools!

There is a 8m x 8m heated kids pool 3 water spray features perfect for the little ones to enjoy and a 25m x 18m heated resort pool that is the perfect place to relax, catch some sun, play or do some laps.

Oh and the pools also feature 2 x large waterslides and open spa seating so you can enjoy a drink or two in the comfort of the pool.

The kids also loved the large children’s playground and it is located just near the café/restaurant and resort pool – perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee and keeping an eye on the kids.

The jumping pillow was little Miss P’s fave part of Rivershore Resort and Josh liked the 9 hole mini golf course and the recreational equipment for hire.

We absolutely adored our time at the Rivershore Resort and highly recommend a stay there.

*This post was written in collaboration with Rivershore Resort but as always, opinions are honest and my own.



Peppers Salt Resort & Spa Kingscliff

This week we set off down to New South Wales for a little R & R.

The start of this year has been all about transitioning Josh into home education and getting Piper started in prep. The kids have been working so hard and I thought we all deserved a much needed break to kick back and relax.

We decided to head down to Peppers Salt Resort and Spa in Kingscliff, I wanted somewhere relaxing, luxe and kid friendly and Peppers ticked all the boxes.

Peppers Salt Resort & Spa Kingscliff is the ideal holiday destination with numerous amenities for guests such as 24 hour front desk, jacuzzi or spa, tennis court, you will wake up feeling excited every day for your time in Kingscliff.

 

A little about the rooms and amenities:


Make yourself at home in one of the 263 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected and your Insta feed up to date, and cable programming is available for your entertainment.

Pamper yourself with a kid-free visit to the spa, which offers endless amounts of body treatments and facials and a beautiful space for you to have some much needed mum time.


After you’re done at the spa you can pop down with the kids to one of the two outdoor swimming pools, or outdoor tennis or there’s even bicycles to rent!

Now onto the important part…. FOOD!
Enjoy a satisfying meal at the restaurant serving guests of Peppers Salt Resort & Spa. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. Buffet breakfasts are available daily because lets be honest, no holiday is complete without a good old buffet breakfast.

For specials and bookings contact www.mantrahotels.com

If you have any questions please just drop us a line we love to chat.

Kerry xoxo

*This post was written in collaboration with Salt Resoert and Spa but as always, opinions are honest and my own.

 

 

 



Pipers Greatest Show!!

Last weekend we celebrated Miss Pipers fifth birthday with her greatest showman themed birthday party! Our little Piper is utterly obsessed with the greatest showman. From the moment she heard the soundtrack she was in love. She loved everything about it from the music to the costumes and of course the love story between Anne Wheeler and Phillip Carlyle. She was absolutely set on being a mini Anne Wheeler at her next birthday party no matter what! So we started organising!

As the months went by Piper would come to us with her own little ideas and dreams for her party that she’d thought up with her little imagination. My personal fave was “MUM! We could get a tightrope and a trapeze and I could show everyone my tricks!” yeah as you can probably imagine we decided to go against that idea but we did go with her idea of a red carpet, golden animals and a buffet with sushi.

We were lucky enough to have the incredible @bris.powerhouse as our venue. We used the rooftop terrace and had a spectacular view of the Brisbane river. The styling was all down to the beautiful people at @avideas_ and balloons were from @BigWAustralia. The theming work was so incredible and fully transformed the room transporting us into a vintage circus inspired world of The Greatest Showman. I got the incredible cake from the wonderful bakery @veganyumm and it was so delicious! The rest of the catering was done by the girls at @ThePlatterPlace. We had a completely vegan grazing table complete with sushi and rice paper rolls! It was so incredible and everyone could not stop talking about it! The entertainment this year was done by the beautiful Natty from @StrawberryFundaeEvents. Natty was a dream and the kids absolutely adored her. From dance parties and games to photos and cake cutting Natty did it all. Now last but definitely not least little Miss P’s costume was from @littleSchnucki, Piper was so obsessed with her costume it was so beautiful.

We had an absolute ball celebrating Miss P’s 5th birthday! Here are some photos from the special day taken by the incredibly talented @emmajadephotographer



VOCO Gold Coast Staycation

Earlier this week I decided to escape the Christmas stress and go on a little holiday. I adore Queensland and all it has to offer so I thought this time I thought I’d head down the Gold Coast and opt for a little staycation.

Christmas can be such a stressful time of year and having this holiday booked was kind of like a light at the end of the tunnel and inspiration to get all my Christmas shopping (and the dreaded Christmas wrapping) done before we headed off on our little mini road trip.

This time I decided to stay at Voco Gold Coast and I was not disappointed. From free wifi, stunning pools and day spas to the gorgeous Gold Coast beaches and iconic Surfers paradise being just a short walk away this hotel is a one stop shop for all your vacay essentials.

Being a mum and just loving to be a super organized person I always research wherever I’m staying within an inch of its life before I decide. So to make it easier on you guys I thought I’d write this blog post and put all the information in one spot.

Listed below is a list of all the restaurants and cafes available at Voco.
Clifford’s Grill & Lounge –
Class and culture, salt and sophistication, with an emphasis on interaction, taste and relaxation, Clifford’s is just what the Coast has been waiting for. Come together over the finest food.

Waves Buffet Restaurant –
At Waves Buffet restaurant offers a fresh local seafood buffet accompanied by a selection of season themed international dishes inspired by the exotic flavours of Asia, India and the Mediterranean.

Social House – Bar
Lounge, dine, game. connect, celebrate and relax over tapas platters and cocktails. Watch the game on the weekend with your mates, cold beers in hand. Catch up after work for drinks and dinner with colleagues or stop by for a mid week business lunch paired with a sneaky glass of wine or beer.

Decadent High Tea
A chunky, contemporary and generous high tea that does not come with the typical cucumber sandwiches. Sip tea, coffee, sparkling or champagne garnished with waves of prosciutto, curls of chocolate and hills of clotted cream.

Social House – cafe
Get good coffee where baristas remember your order. Before getting on the G:link, choose something from the grab and go menu: pastries, salads and wraps. Stop by Social House Cafe before or after your swim in the Pacific Ocean for some Surfers Paradise nourishment. Order a protein booster to feed sore muscles after your beach run. Bring the morning paper and settle in with your favourite coffee at Social House Cafe.

The rooms are modern and has absolutely stunning views of the Gold Coast and with free WI-FI what more could you possibly want?!

My favourite part of staying in a beautiful hotel is always the day spa and Voco’s is stunning. With spa features such as: Masseuse, Hydro therapy, Sauna, Steam bathing, Beauty treatments, Body scrub, Waxing, Facials, Foot reflexology, Therapy baths and Paraffin hand treatment.

The kids adored the pool. I had to bribe them on our final night with pizza from the room service menu just to get them out of the pool and back to the room for showers.

We loved our little staycation and I think i’m going to make it a yearly Christmas tradition as it was so perfect and exactly what we needed before the stress of Christmas.

If you have any questions, I’d be more than happy to answer them so please don’t hesitate to let me know.

*This post was written in collaboration with VOCO GOLD COAST  but as always, opinions are honest and my own.



Stay in a heritage cottage in one of the world’s great parks

 

For all our fabulous followers you can stay in this iconic location with 25% off accommodation.

Its simple just email The Residences and use the code ‘UNIQUEHOME’

Imagine being able to stay in a heritage cottage in one of the world’s great parks. Well it is possible, and just minutes from the Sydney CBD.

The Residences Centennial Park  are set to become an iconic accommodation experience for locals and tourists alike.

We were thrilled to enjoy a night away in Sydney in the gorgeous Rangers Residence with kids in tow.

The homes are beautiful, spacious and so well maintained it has the perfect historic feel to it, yet with all the modern convinces at the same time.  It’s so well stocked full of everything you could wish for in the kitchen. We loved the fact you could just pop out the door and find yourself on the Centennial Parklands cycleway loop just a few metres away.

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About The Accommodation

The historic (1890s) Residences are uniquely located in Sydney’s Centennial Parklands.

Featuring two unique Residences – Originally built in 1890-91 from sandstone quarried directly from the site, The Superintendents Residence was the home of the Park Superintendent and his family. The building offers a superb view down Parkes Drive and across Centennial Park to the suburbs beyond.

The Superintendents Residence sleeps up to eight people in four King or twin bedded rooms, ideal for weddings, family, social or corporate groups. It also offers a beautifully landscaped private backyard with a courtyard for entertaining and parking. The house also offers a stunning dining room, study and fully equipped kitchen.

 

The Ranger’s Residence  circa 1890s, is perched on a hilltop inside Sydney’s Centennial Parklands, near the Roberston Rd Gates. With sweeping views across the park, this home welcomes everyone, including the family pet, to experience its hidden charm and see the park at dark.

The Ranger’s Residence has 3 king and queen bedrooms with views into the parklands, 2 bathrooms, full-service kitchen and private garden. The wrap-around verandah overlooks the ancient Morton Bay Figs and parkland lagoons. This nook is ideal for wine with friends, luncheons, intimate garden party, special occasions, or for the bridal party to stay and get prepare for the big day and a family brunch afterwards.

Experience the vast gardens, labyrinth, bike tracks, duck ponds and horse riding adventures during your stay. Watch the sunrise and be the first to say ‘hello’ Centennial Park!  While enjoying home-grown honey from your own backyard.

Boasting unlimited park access and close to Sydney’s Eastern suburbs and local beaches, with horse riding, bike hire, native flora and fauna, formal gardens and a vibrant range of community events on the doorstep, The Residences Centennial Park are a truly unique short-stay experience.

The Residences are one of Sydney’s most unique accommodation experiences that is not to be missed.

Amenities

Air conditioned 

Dining Setting 

Cots Available 

Linen and Towels Provided 

Non-Smoking 

Kitchen 

Laundry Facilities 

Outdoor Setting 

Verandah 

Wireless Internet 

Views 

Barbeque 

Bath 

Lounge Area

Heating 

Cable/Satellite TV 

Pet friendly 

2 bathrooms 

On site parking 

Breakfast provided upon request 

Tea/Coffee Making

 

For us one night was just not enough and it’s at the top of our list to revisit one day!

If you have any questions please just drop us a line we love to chat.

Kerry xoxo

Contact www.theresidencescentennialpark.com

 

*This post was written in collaboration with The Residences Centennial Park  but as always, opinions are honest and my own.

Photographer – Anastasia Fua

Wardrobe – Alfaberry

 



Looking for a place to stay for the family in Bali – Villa Ayu

 

We just got back from the beautiful Bali and had an absolute ball. This time we decided against a resort and stayed at the stunning Villa Ayu , only 20 mins from the airport and 25 mins from Seminyak it’s the perfect oasisis. With a huge 40 square metre sparkling blue pool and three large, well appointed executive bedrooms this Villa is perfect for a large family.

My favourite part of  our experience at Villa Ayu was that it was the perfect peaceful getaway from the hustle in the heart of Bali. It’s the perfect place to get work done and really relax. I loved having no distractions and being able to order poolside massages via Go-JEK for $9.00 AUD straight to our villa. It’s also a great place for the kids to play, explore and swim and really get in some great family time.

ROOMS

Located around the pool, the three master suites in this Jimbaran villa are equally impressive. You can leave the doors open to take in the picturesque scene of the outdoor area with the azure pool and lush gardens – or enjoy air-conditioned comfort. Villa Ayu is a hidden slice of paradise!  There are entertainment systems, a desk and chair, and end tables with reading lamps. The bathrooms have rainfall showers and there’s a terrazzo tub for taking long soaks.

LIVING ROOMS

Villa Ayu’s flat level living area sprawls under the main pavilion to create a relaxing and comfortable lounge with a dining area and kitchen that are all separated by artfully placed, modern furnishings. The room has a uniquely serene atmosphere allowing guests to lounge in comfort, eat in style or even sit and read a book on the colourful, comfy cushions. The classic Balinese wooden Bale besides the pool also makes for an enticing spot to commune after the day’s activities. Kick back on a beanbag, a couch or even take a dip in the pool as you while away the long afternoons in your very own Bali holiday villa.

POOL

Villa Ayu’s pool is a sparkling white oasis that will beckon you for evening swims accompanied by starry skies, cooling afternoon plunges or even cheeky early morning dips as you climb out of bed.

KITCHEN

At one end of the main lounging pavilion is a fully equipped, modern kitchen that’s ready and waiting with everything you need to make a meal for just you or the family. Pull up one of the stools at the breakfast bar and enjoy a morning coffee with your fruit breakfast. Or ask the staff for help and try your hand at preparing an Indonesian recipe or visit the local supermarket for your own ingredients.

OPEN DINING AREA

This luxury Jimbaran villa is perfect for dinner parties. Once you’re ready for some food, the gorgeous eight-person dining table is waiting and ready to be set for a feast! You can cook for yourself; order from some of the world-class restaurants in the area, or ask the staff to create fresh Indonesian dishes that will satisfy even the pickiest appetite. Whatever you choose, you’ll find yourself making unforgettable memories as you laugh away the evening over fine food and good wine.

We adored our beautiful housekeepers who helped us out everyday! The kids even cried when we had to leave them! It was so nice to pre organise dinner with them the day before and have it ready for us after a big day of exploring.

If you have little ones be mindful that the villa is located on a main road so the noise can sometimes be quite loud. The main road also makes it very dangerous to walk along so we decided to use car service whenever we left the Villa.

Overall our experience with Villa Ayu was incredible and we would love to stay there again.

If you have any questions please just drop us a line we love to chat.

Kerry xoxo

 

*This post was written in collaboration with Villa Ayu but as always, opinions are honest and my own.

 



Caribbean Resort Mooloolaba Staycation Review

Looking for a staycation package that is thoughtfully-designed with families in mind?

What about reasonably priced and just a stone’s throw away from the beach?

Sounds fantastic, doesn’t it?

I’ll give you a quick overview of our recent staycation at the Caribbean Resort Mooloolaba that ticks all the boxes.  

The location is excellent as you can walk everywhere and not use the car, it’s within easy walking distance to the Esplanade and Shopping Center, just a short stroll to the Beach, Restaurants, Surf Club and Wharf entertainment area. Plus the hotel has a nice café attached for coffee & breakfast if you don’t feel like using the fully equipped kitchen in your room.

This is, by far, one of the most memorable staycations we’ve ever had. We were really looking for a simple beach side holiday where we could just relax for a couple of days and take some time out to just be together as a family.

Value-for-Money Staycation Package

At the Resort, head down to the central pool to work on your tan and enjoy a relaxing swim and spa. Clear your head and get the body moving with an invigorating workout in the gymnasium or cleanse your pores in the steam room.

Let the kids take advantage of the well stocked games room at the resort. With a number of games on offer, there is plenty to keep them entertained while you enjoy some peace and quiet. Back in your room, there’s free Foxtel TV with two movie channels plus a kid’s channel or take advantage of the free wi-fi

Inside Your Room:

Open plan lounge, dining and kitchen area

  •       Fully equipped kitchen
  •       Air-conditioning / heating in lounge only and fans in the bedrooms
  •       Free foxtel satellite TV
  •       Free WiFi Internet access (download limits apply)
  •       Spa bath in bathroom (or outdoor jacuzzi)
  •       Walk-in shower (most)
  •        Private balcony / terrace
  •        Flatscreen TV / DVD player / Stereo / CD player
  •        Second TV in master bedroom

 

Book the Perfect Hotel in Mooloolaba – Visit www.caribbeanresort.com.au for full details and reservations.

 

I hope this post answers all your questions but if not feel free to leave a comment below and I’ll be sure to get back to you!

Happy exploring xx

 

 

*This post was written in collaboration with Caribbean Resort but as always, opinions are honest and my own.