Happy New Year loves!
I hope you all had a fabulous holiday season and are ready to conquer the new decade! I closed out 2019 with my first solo trip since having my daughter; so I wanted to get in some quality Mommy-Iya time before I was off on my adventures.
We packed our bags and planned a little weekend getaway at St Regis Bal Harbour – I’ve been to Miami many times but I was excited to create new memories & experience it anew, through Iya’s eyes.
After a long cross-country flight all we wanted to do was relax, and we were able to do just that as soon as we touched down at MIA. Sedan service was waiting for us at baggage claim and from there it was a quick drive to the gorgeous property. Marble, mirrors, & crystal, oh my! St Regis Bal Harbour is so grand and absolutely stunning; a total change from the tiny art-deco hotels I’d squeeze into in my 20s.
Glasses of bubbly & a juice box (& beach toys!!!) were brought out while we we checked in and our butler, Earl, greeted us and took us up to our Atlantic Suite which was so comfortable, spacious, & beautiful! Our suite had a proper dining table which made meals significantly easier with a toddler. It is so important to maintain some sort of routine while away with littles otherwise I swear everything falls into chaos. Being able to call our butler for french press coffee at any hour definitely helped keep me going behind an energetic 2 year old too!
Signature Rituals
The one reoccurring sentiment I’ve carried throughout my motherhood-journey is the intention to create traditions with my daughter & our little family. I love the idea of always coming back to something & feeling at home no matter where we are; a North Star of sorts. My absolute favorite thing about the St Regis brand is the way they invite us to take part in their signature rituals to experience their legacy. Every St Regis property celebrates three rituals: The Bloody Mary Ritual, The Afternoon Tea Ritual, & The Evening Ritual of champagne sabering.
For weeks, I looked forward to our trip to St Regis Bal Harbour because of The Afternoon Tea Ritual – if you caught my Instagram stories, you can surely see why! The spread was absolutely incredible and Iya’s still talking about the macarons today! It was such a treat to get dolled up with my baby girl and enjoy all the goodies. It may not be a resolution but something I’d love to manifest for the new year (& decade) ahead is to create more memories like this one. While all St Regis properties take part in the brand’s signature rituals, each hotel has its own unique take & interpretation. Hopping the globe with my mini and checking off more St Regis Afternoon Teas sounds like an exceptional travel and mommy goal! Let’s do it Iya, cheers!