Looking for the most 5-star experience in Anaheim, California? Look no further than the Westin Anaheim. Located directly across the way from California Adventure, the Westin Anaheim provides a backdrop for coveted park view rooms and fireworks displays.

Pull into serenity off of Katella Ave. (if you know, you know), and immediately, you know you are in the right place. A regal structure beckons you with a fab lobby bar, impressive breakfast buffet, Heavenly beds with soaking tubs, and a rooftop bar with views. I mean, how could you not?

On the corner of the entrances, you will find Blossom for coffee, light bites, and a gift shop with unique clothing and souvin-ear options, and Puesto, one of the more revered Mexican restaurants in the area. A little walk down also brings you to Fleming’s Steak House, with an outdoor patio and a perfect kid’s menu (and a lovely bar with a top-notch wine list and martinis).

Inside dining offers The Tangerine Cafe where that yummy breakfast buffet is held (they also have great menu items as well), and Rise Rooftop, which, offers a relaxed vibe with music and a drink and dining menu to lend to the magnificent views of the park. When you book the Westin Anaheim with RSMLVTravel, you will receive a complimentary breakfast buffet for 2, a $100 Resort Credit, and a possibility of early/late check-in/out.

Ready to book? Call me and we can discuss room configuration options that are right for you and your family. The Westin Anaheim offers all levels of room categories from Leading to Presidential Suites, connecting rooms, and main floor with patios, also Club Level options. There’s also a sweet family program to make your littles feel welcome.

We Make It Through The Rain and The Snow Since There’s Somewhere to Go…

Oh, I know some of you are having the weirdest and coldest winters of your lives these last few weeks. I can attest that even Vegas is no different. Most people think Vegas has one season- which basically it does, HOT. But remember, we are a desert with extreme weather patterns: very hot, very cold. Spring and Fall usually last somewhere between 2-4 weeks. But these last few weeks have been so wild! In 24-hours it will be blue skies, then gray, then hail, then snow, then rain, then blue skies again. What’s a girl to do? We headed to So Cal (during a time when it was sunny and warm!) and did the Disney thing.

Most of us from the West side of the country can do Disneyland with our eyes closed and one hand tied behind our backs. And, as much as I love sharing the Disney experience with my kids, we are all getting older- including mom- and I want a nice bar in my lobby with good wine, comfy sheets and towels, and a decent coffee bar within walking distance of the nearest park gate. Ah…and delicious dining options helps. Let’s not kid each other, Disney’s 5-star is more about convenience and ambiance, not the comfort creatures that this compression sock + nike tennis shoes wearing, can’t do backpacks because my shoulders hurt mama craves. But guess what? I found it. IN ANAHEIM. At the Westin Anaheim. (more below)

We also had an opportunity to take a VIP Tour. The guided 7-hour tour through Disneyland and California Adventure allows you to “Skip the Line” so to speak. And, yes, we got on all the rides, and yes, it was still exhausting. But we also had VIP seating for the 100th Celebration of Disney Fireworks display, and honestly, that made it all worth it. The VIP tour can be quite pricey based on the time of year you are booking, but it does come with benefits. We can chat more about your personal Disney trip and if the VIP tour is right for you.

We had the chance to ride Splash Mountain for the last time (over and over again) before it closes permanently for its Princess Tiana make-over. We rode the new Mickey and Minnie’s RunAway Railway. And, of course Rise of the Resistance. We even went straight to the front of Peter Pan. But most importantly, I was able to spend time with one of my besties, her mom, and her kids, along with my mom and my kids. Good fun and priceless memories, which is what it is all about after all.

xoxo-

Stefanie

You guys…I just returned from the most amazing 4-day weekend yoga retreat in Baja Mexico with some of the most influential women I’ve met. I’m not talking famous actors, New York Times authors, or CEO Boss Babes for Fortune 500 companies (I mean, they could have been, but honestly, we didn’t get that far). I’m talking about women, similar in age, like minded, moms and wives who run small businesses, who run the company, who serve in their community, and who kick-ass at running their homes and families. It was physically challenging, spiritually moving, and insightfully connecting. We did yoga twice a day for 4 days. We bathed in an hour of sound of chimes and gongs at sunset. We practiced gratitude and forgiveness. We thanked ourselves and each other for being present. Then we ate some of the most delicious and healthiest Mexican food and sipped Mezcalitas. We shopped, surfed, walked along the beach, watched the whales swim and play in the sunshine in the sea that expanded as far as our eyes could see. We lounged by the pool and caught up on our reading. We soaked up the sun (maybe a bit too much). We stayed up way too late by the fire telling captivating stories about our lives. And people listened. We laughed so hard our abs got a workout. Oh, and I got to spend 5 uninterrupted days with one of my BFFS! We went home feeling connected and inspired. And we all met each other just 4- days before, many for the first time. In fact, we were having such a great time, that one of my 12-year olds responded to my Instagram story with, “I’m starting to think you are not actually doing yoga.”

I always try to take one thing from my experiences away and build it into my everyday life at home, as a reminder that I am a person who needs mental, physical and spiritual connection to keep my soul going. Life is heavy, and sometimes we get caught up in the motions. Little things like a new coffee ritual from Havana, or hitting up my local farmer’s market to inspire me to cook more, or sipping a really great wine from South Africa…remind me that this is just one part of me and who I am. I am more than a mom. More than a Travel Advisor. More than a wife. These little things help me lighten my load a bit.

The last few days, I have been playing this Spotify playlist by Courtney Harris (our fearless yoga leader) every morning after I drop my kiddos to school. It is quiet in my house. I like quiet. But music can keep us connected to ourselves and moments. I loved my time in Mexico with my impromptu tribe and a yoga teacher who was so dialed into what her yogis needed. I am sharing her playlist so maybe it will help take you away to that special place mentally and help lighten your load daily.