Thursday, February 20, 2014

LIFE LIST: HYATT AT THE ARCH HOTEL


Where: The Hyatt At The Arch Hotel in St Louis Missouri is directly across from the Gateway Arch. In fact it is the closest building to the Arch.


The view from the $99 room.
When: June 2013 on my big 30th Birthday trip!


The first night was just my daughter and me.

Cost: I stayed in 2 different rooms at this fabulous hotel- the standard room was $99 and the suite was $180. The reason was because the first night it was just me and my daughter so we didn't need the larger room and I was trying to keep the cost of our very last minute trip down. The $99 room was so nice with a decent view that I almost cancelled the suite, how much nicer could it be? I was already quite pleased with my room. Luckily I did not cancel and we stayed in the corner suite which was much larger than the studio apartment we lived in a few years ago....actually now that I think about it, the standard room was also much larger than our studio apartment.
It was the coolest way to wake up on my 30th birthday in an awesome suite, with large picture windows looking over the Mississippi River and a front row view of the Gateway Arch, and my husband had decorated the room in the middle of the night with balloons and signs-absolutely the best birthday ever. St Louis quickly became one of my favorite cities in the U.S.


Why this is on my list: While doing research for my trip to St Louis there was no doubt that this was the best hotel choice. I always like to pick a unique hotel and what was unique about the Hyatt at the Arch one was the spectacular view. I am still amazed by the extremely reasonably priced room for what I got, which was a view unlike I've ever had at any other hotel (well, expect for that one time I went to Hawaii and stayed on the ocean) impeccable service, 2 very large, flawlessly clean rooms. And there's a Starbucks inside the hotel, they recycle, delivered a newpaper to my room each morning, a nice gym that I would have liked to use but appreciated that it was there, when I needed a few supplies they sent them up to my room free of charge...on top of all that the location is sublime. It was so awesome to just walk across the street and be at the Gateway Arch. If there's one thing I truly have a knack for, it's choosing the most magnificent hotels to stay in.



Will I stay there again? There was a bellman in the lobby who asked me this question and after I replied "of course! Why would I stay anywhere else?" he said "Good, cuz if you do I'm gonna find out about it, I'm gonna go to the hotel where you staying and start acting crazy until they kick us both out, then I'll bring you back here!" This guy was hilarious, I absolutely loved the staff here, they were so friendly and helpful, there were 3 that really stood out, Keith, Zack and Brad, they were a delight to talk to and made this trip even more special.

The Lobby
 Something I'd recommend? If you stay anywhere else in St Louis, you'd be doing a disservice to yourself, and you can't beat the price. Essentially there's no reason t stay elsewhere. 

the standard room
Large spacious walk in closet w/safe
$99/night room-bigger than my old apartment



My only complaint...I've never stayed somewhere you had to pay for internet access. But It's worth it to get the low room rate.

the corner suite 





This bathroom/closet was huge.



The view from the corner suite only $180/night.



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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

LIFE LIST: ARTHUR BRYANT'S



Where: Arthur Bryant's Barbeque in Kansas City Missouri


When: Father's Day, June 16th 2013

Cost: About $10/plate

Why this is on my list? My husband spends a lot of time in Kansas City and he always goes to this restaurant, he had heard about it from the Food Network- I think it was 'Diners, Drive ins and Dives', I was floored that my husband had done something 'life listy' that I hadn't! When I found out we'd be in KC on Father's Day I thought this would be the perfect dinner for a man on Father's Day- a giant plate of down home BBQ.

Something I'd recommend? I am not gonna lie...this diner is in a very sketchy part of town, it is no frills inside, and the food was good but certainly not the greatest meal I've ever had. Had my husband not been with us and had this place NOT been featured on television there's no way I would have eaten here. I like to visit restaurants that I see on the Travel Channel and Food Network but this was kind of a 'been there, done that' situation. If it was in a nicer area I'd probably go back, but as it stands now...once was plenty. I am glad we went and it was a cool way to celebrate Father's Day.



Related Posts:


T Rex Cafe
Legoland
Kansas City Botanic Garden
Budweiser Brewery 
See the Gateway Arch
Go to the top of the Gateway Arch 
30 Awesome things on my 30th Birthday Trip
Kansas City Public Library 


The Ultimate Life List is now on Facebook click here to like it!


Tuesday, February 18, 2014

LIFE LIST: LUNCH AT CINDERELLA'S CASTLE


When: August 2013

Where: Cinderella's Castle inside the Magic Kingdom, Disney World Florida


Cost: Since we had the 'deluxe dining plan' it did NOT cost extra 'money', it was however 2 meal vouchers instead of 1 like everywhere else we ate. Which was fine because it included a lot; Your child gets a special photo opportunity with Cinderella along with a 8 x 10 printed photo (included), a magic wand and wishing star from Cinderella, a full meal including desert. And we got to visit with Snow White, Ariel, Jasmine and Beauty. Each of the princesses come right to your table and you are able to take as many photos as you'd like. The 'character dining' in Disney World was absolutely the best aspect of our time in Disney World, particularly for our young daughter, 2, who adores all the Disney Princesses. If you do not take advantage of the character dining you are really missing out.

*reservations must be made in advance, for best results 6 months in advance.


Why this is on my list: I remember eating there when I was about 10 years old with my Aunt, I know I liked it and knew that if I ever went back I wanted to experience it again and it did not disappoint. It was a joy to be able to take my daughter to Cinderellas Castle, she got to meet Cinderella herself and all the other princesses...needless to say she was in heaven.
























Will I do it again? Already planning our next trip, though this time I will use my own advice and make the reservations as early in advance as possible to arrange better timing.

Related posts:

Disney World
Animal Kingdom Lodge Hotel 
10 Tips to Enhance Your Trip to Disney World





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Monday, February 17, 2014

LIFE LIST: UNIQUE BUILDING IN KANSAS CITY


"I've been drunk for about a week now, and I thought it might sober me up to sit in a library." F. Scott Fitzgerald

When: June 2013

Where: Kansas City Public Library  Kansas City, Missouri



Cost: Free


Why this is on my list? I have a long list of things I look for when traveling and unique buildings is one of them. And obviously I couldn't pass on the opportunity to see a building painted like a book shelf.



Will I go again? Unlikely. Aesthetically, this is the best thing to see in Kansas City Missouri so if you are in the area you must not miss it.



Related Posts:
T Rex Cafe
Legoland
Kansas City Botanic Garden
Budweiser Brewery 
See the Gateway Arch
Go to the top of the Gateway Arch 
30 Awesome things on my 30th Birthday Trip



The Ultimate Life List is now on Facebook click here to like it!


Monday, February 10, 2014

My Top 15 Picks for the Perfect Valentine's Date


We've all done the dinner and a movie deal...how about for some different to make this Valentine's Day Memorable! Check the attached links for hours/schedules. 

  1. Go to the Shooting Range @ Double Action in Troy
  2. Go Trampolining @ Airtime Trampoline in Troy
  3. Authentic French Dining @ The French Gourmet in Ferndale
  4. Horse Back Riding @ Times Square Riding Academy in Ortonville
  5. Play Pool @ The Shark's Club in Waterford
  6. Comedy Club @ The Holly Hotel in Holly
  7. Indoor Go Kart Riding @ Kart 2 Kart in Sterling Heights
  8. Visit a Museum @ The Detroit Institute of Arts in Detroit 
  9. Couples Massage Beds @ The Relaxing Waters Day Spa in Shelby Township 
  10. Relax in a Salt Cave @ Touch of Europe Day Spa in West Bloomfield 
  11. Ice Skate @ Onyx Ice Arena in Rochester Hills
  12. Learn to Blow Glass @ The Glass Academy in Dearborn
  13. Toboggan @ The Fridge in Waterford
  14. Eat Sushi @ Sumo Sushi in Rochester 
  15. Learn Hand to Hand Combat Tactics @ Krav Maga Detroit in Troy

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

15 sweet gifts for your Valentine

On my recent trip to my favorite family run business I had hoped they would have a plethora of goodies available for this coming Valentine's Day...and they did not disappoint! Here are 12 great gifts to give your favorite Michigander and for your loved ones who have made the most peculiar decision to leave God's country they will ship anything in their store out of state.

*Writing a Michigan themed blog as well as blogging professionally has been on my mind for 3 years now so I'm starting here to see how it goes!


1. "You will forever be my always" wooden wall decor $23.99


2. FREE heart shaped box of chocolates with every floral order of $55 or more placed BEFORE February 7th-$11 value

3. Hand made necklaces with charms. Locally made and can be personalized with 1 week *shown $32


4. Floral arrangements starting at $35 *above shown $45


5. Cheeky reversible door knob hangers $6.99


6. Sparkly hearts assorted sizes $2.99-$23.99 ($23.99 shown)


7. Glass "Be Mine" and "i love you" ornaments can be added to any floral arrangement or gift $7.99


8. "I love you" canvas $150


9. "Clarkston Love" tank top $29








10. Double sided wooden heart, blank side is also a chalkboard $46.99


11. "XO" wooden blocks $18.99 each


12. "Kiss me I'm from Michigan" tee $28.50


13. "Together we so rock" wooden sign $37.99


14. Assorted Chocolates $2.50-$3.99


15. "Head over heels" charm $18


All of the above items are available at The Birdfeeder/Bonnie and Clyde located on Main Street in Downtown Clarkston, Michigan @ 7150 North Main Street, Clarkston Mi. 248.625.9007.
Call the Clarkston Flower Shoppe to order your flowers for Valentine's Day at 248.625.9711
or order online www.clarkstonflowershoppe.com 

Disclaimer: Prices are based per item. Several of the above items are made or printed in Michigan. Information printed above is relevant and available only as of February 2014. 

LIKE the Ultimate Life List on facebook to see more Michigan motivated lists.

Click HERE to view my list of 15 Great Gifts For Your Favorite Michigander which I am so proud to say was printed on the front page of The Oakland Press the week before Christmas.

For any further information about this store or The Ultimate Life List you can email me at Allisonslifelist@gmail.com

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