It is such a special thing to me that I get to share my birthday month of May with my daughter, and that Jason and Leonix have back-to-back birthdays just a few weeks later in June! But, I’ll be honest, it can also make for some hectic planning for gifts, parties, etc. Well, this time around I was still riding high from the incredible staycation we did for Katya’s birthday, so I decided to pull it off again! And this time we headed for my husband’s favorite hotel: The Langham.
WE RECEIVED VIP TREATMENT AT THE LANGHAM
From the moment we checked in on the club level, we were given a VIP welcome and made to feel so special. The Langham Club Lounge is a private luxurious haven for guests who prefer a discerning level of comfort. This 4,000 square foot lounge features panoramic views of Chicago. A breakfast buffet, all-day refreshments, afternoon tea, premium bar service and hors d’oeuvres are served daily. Private arrival and departure services are provided by dedicated butlers. Katya and Leo were like kids in a candy store, pretty much because it’s set up like a candy store, with all the treats you can think of! I even spied a perfect workspace in the corner with the most fabulous view. Note to self: do all your writing at The Langham.
But it just kept getting better: our jaws dropped when we went to our “room” and instead found a gorgeous suite overlooking the river. There was even a walk-in closet and a huge marble bathroom, so you know I felt right at home! As if it weren’t already incredible enough, the staff had added thoughtful touches with champagne and more treats, and—get this—personalized robes for the kids! Add letters to anything and you will have Leo’s heart for life. It truly made both of them smile so big, and Jason and I were very touched.
THE KID’S SUITE OF THEIR DREAMS
Katya and Leonix dragged me from the bathroom of my dreams to stop by the kid’s suite before dinner. Wow—even if you’re an adult, all the toys and video games will definitely bring out your inner child! My kids are still talking about it.
DINNER AT THE TRAVELLE
It was my turn to pull them away, and we headed to Travelle for dinner. I cheated on my diet and I’m not even sorry about it—we ate our way through the food chain and every single thing, from a bone marrow dish to the oysters, was just exceptional. Yet again, The Langham staff took the experience to the next level by giving us a special tour of the kitchen. I have been lucky enough to marry a man who loves to cook, so this was the absolute best gift for Jason. Finally, Katya and Leonix doffed personalized chef hats (seriously SO CUTE) and created their own ice cream sundaes, complete with sprinkles. Or piles of sprinkles with a dash of ice cream, depending on how you look at it.
Did we stop eating? No, we did not. How could we, when we could get room service delivered to The Langham’s movie suite? There were so many movies to choose from, it was impossible to narrow it down to just one, so we let the kids indulge in a double feature.
A WELL EQUIPPED FITNESS CENTER
The next morning, after celebrating Leonix’s birthday with breakfast in bed, I decided to haul myself to the hotel gym for a little damage control. Usually, I don’t find fitness centers in hotels anything to write home about, but I was seriously impressed by how well-equipped it was, and I got a good 20-minute workout in. I hope my trainer’s proud of me!
FAMILY FUN AT THE POOL AND AL FRESCO FINE DINING
Then it was on to more family fun at The Langham’s beautiful indoor pool. I’m a huge fan of swimming indoors because I can actually relax and enjoy myself without chasing down Leonix and Katya for a sunscreen reapplication. Moms, can I get an Amen? We splashed around in the pool and jacuzzi and worked up an appetite, which meant it was the perfect time to grab one of the hotel’s gourmet picnic baskets and head to the park for a little fine dining al fresco. How sweet is that idea?! Finally, it was time to go home—I may have been even sadder than my kids about leaving!
Al fresco dining
CELEBRATE THE EVERYDAY AT THE LANGHAM
In just 24 hours, we created so many unforgettable memories, and I really can’t recommend this experience enough. If you need a last-minute gift for Dad, trust me, forget the ties and the golf accessories and get him an experience! It’s the perfect present for any occasion, but then again, you don’t really need one. The Langham’s motto is “Celebrate the Everyday.” They say, “We understand that people come to The Langham to create happy, wonderful memories. There’s really no bigger honour for us hoteliers than to fully own your celebrations and play a part in creating these wonderful memories for all our guests.” My family and I will definitely be taking that as an invitation to go back anytime.
Xo Tali
