Great Business: Glimpse Guides

Over here at The Sent we are starting to really understand the value of travel. Getting away allows you to learn, gain perspective on your day-to-day, and to relax. When your kids are young, sometimes you limit travel because it feels safest to hunker down at home, or choose vacation locations that are easy to get to and affordable. Let’s be honest, who wants to pay $14 for a hot dog at The Ritz that will only be half eaten? That being said, there are a lot of options that can feel luxurious for adults while also being kid friendly. Sadly I’m not as well travelled as I’d like to be so I called in a true “professional” to serve you up a list of all the best places to hit up on your next family trip. Jordan Rhodes is a mother of 2 with one on the way. Her website and app, Glimpse Guides, features city by city guides with all the best (and family friendly) hotels, restaurants, shopping and activities. Her site is super fun to surf around on if you need inspiration before your next trip. All of Jordan’s top picks are listed below. Thanks Jordan for sharing all of this wonderful information with my fabulous readers!

The Best of The Best with Jordan Rhodes of Glimpse Guides 

While traveling with kids can admittedly be painful, I believe that even at a young age, it is one of the most important things we can do for our children. Travel has the power to open their eyes to the rest of the world, and create a lasting impact on the way they view others, and the way others will ultimately view them. I want my kids to know about everything life has to offer – the joy of experiencing a new food, the awe of seeing a new culture for the first time, and I want them to experience the pain that comes with seeing poverty.

Now having said that, I will admit that my husband and I work hard so that our family is able to do these things in a luxurious way. Because if I’m going to be screamed at by time-zone effected toddlers, have food thrown at me that “is disgusting”, and get stared down by the disgruntled passengers on our flight, then dammit I want some pampering thrown in. So here is a list of travel favorites from my family’s vacations.

If you enjoy it please visit our site for more luxury family travel and lifestyle advice, Instagram @glimpseguides, or download the Glimpse Guides App of city guides in iTunes – the charities who receive the proceeds (including the Little Wings Foundation), will thank you.

The List

Best big city hotel – The Berkeley in London. Just like its sister hotels, Claridge’s and the Connaught, The Berkeley goes above and beyond for families, but is a little more modern and less formal than the other two. They provide welcome gifts and special treats for children throughout the stay, and the rooftop pool is perfect for winding down after a day at the nearby Museum of Natural History. Plus the well-known Blue Bar downstairs is one of the best in the city (for those nights when parents need to sneak away)

Best small city hotel – The White Elephant in Nantucket. They blow it away with amenities for kids, and you don’t have to bring a thing because even diapers and toys are on hand. Plus its location is a convenient stone’s throw from the center of town and two popular beaches

Best oasis hotel in the middle of a city – The Hotel Bel-Air in California. It’s charming rooms and villas are spread over 12 acres of gardens and lemon trees. Plus it’s close to one of my favorite LA restaurants – the Brentwood Katsuya

Best mountain resort – The Four Seasons in Jackson Hole. I love this luxury mountain lodge, where you can ski in/ski out in the winter or hike up the Teton mountain range in the summer. Plus Yellowstone National Park is an easy day trip and who doesn’t want to see Old Faithful at least once?

Best ocean resort – The Tucker’s Point in Bermuda. This resort by the Rosewood hotel group is the best of Bermuda, with its beautiful beaches, swimming pools and three upscale restaurants to choose from

Best countryside resort – The Turnberry in Scotland.  Our family loves this gorgeous 1906 hotel built right on the ocean. There is a kids playroom, golf, tennis, falconry, off-roading, a swimming pool, treasure hunts, you name it

Best big city boutique hotel – The Chateau Marmont in LA. Its Hollywood history is incomparable and rooms come with little kitchens that are perfect for families. Plus the outdoor restaurant is a nightly refuge for famous actors and personalities

Best small city boutique hotel – The Soniat House in New Orleans. Wrought iron balconies, a French-style courtyard, breakfast served in bed on silver trays…the list of charm goes on. But keep in mind only kids over 10 are allowed

Best dude ranch – The A Bar A in Wyoming. I’ll admit, I haven’t been here with my own kids yet, because it’s best when they’re at least 5, but I came here as a kid myself and seriously count down the days to get back. One of the oldest guest ranches in the country, there are over 100,000 acres to enjoy horseback riding, fly-fishing and hiking

Best big city restaurant – Au Fudge in LA. Opened by Jessica Biel among others, it features a restaurant, playroom for kids, bar for parents, boutique and outdoor seating

Best small city restaurant – La Giostra in Florence. There’s just something about this Italian restaurant that people rave about. Founded by a prince and run by his sons, it is always recommended by visitors and locals

Best date night restaurant – Caviar Kaspia in Paris. There’s nothing better than their caviar-stuffed baked potato at midnight. Plus the people watching is unrivaled

Best fancy meal – Le Bernardin in New York City. This 3 Michelin-starred New York institution by Eric Rippert is expensive and a scene and I love it

Best casual meal – Gracias Madre in LA. I dream about this vegan food that you probably wouldn’t even realize was vegan if I didn’t tell you

Best big city activity for families – The American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Kids are in awe of its extensive collection of taxidermied animals from all over the world

Best small city activity for families – The Audubon Park in New Orleans. A trolley will drop you off from downtown, after which families can enjoy a zoo, water park, playgrounds, riding stables and picnics

Best day trip for families – The Harry Potter Warner Brothers Studio tour outside of London (https://www.wbstudiotour.co.uk/). All kids are fans and the train ride to get there is an adventure in itself

Best department store – The Liberty in London. Home of the ‘Liberty print’, it also houses the best gifts, designer clothing brands and gorgeous selection of flowers

Best big city boutique – Merci in Paris. It has the best selection of home decor and gifts, along with a bookstore and coffee shop

Best small city boutique – Leta Austin Foster in Palm Beach. They carry D. Portault, Stubbs and Wooten, stationery, fine china, beauty products, the list goes on

Best children’s boutique – the Bonpoint outlet on Rue de l’Université in Paris. It’s not anywhere near as gorgeous as the stunning full-priced Bonpoint on the nearby Rue de Tournon, but cheap Bonpoint? And you get the vat back? Yes, please!

Best travel accessory – Céline crossbody bags

Best travel gadget – My Canon Rebel camera. I love how the built-in wifi makes transferring photos to Instagram super easy

Best travel beauty products – Sarah Chapman travel kits, Santa Maria Novella rosewater, Clarins beauty flash balm, Herbivore Botanicals Rose Hibiscus face mist for dry airplanes

Favorite airplane outfit – Rick Owens blazers, Everlane t-shirts, Theory leggings, Stan Smiths, Heidi Wynne cashmere scarves and my Chanel shopping tote

Best travel item for kids – iPads. Although I make sure they only get these when traveling so that 1) they’re excited when I pull them out, and 2) they don’t turn into technology zombies

Best travel advice – Mimi Van Wyck once told me that travel is not the time to teach kids lessons, and I totally agree. Unless they’ve been rude to someone, let them just enjoy themselves