We don’t ring in the New Year.  We could blame it on our children, but that would be a lie.  Erik and I have been together for ten years and I don’t think we have ever stayed up to celebrate.  It just is not important to us.

When our friends Susan and Smith from Idaho suggested that we meet up for a few days before we enter a new decade, we got really excited.  It had been a year and a half that we had not seen each other.  Their twin boys and our daughter Coralie had not seen each other for so long and we knew they needed to reconnect.  They are like three peas in a pod

Since, our friends were visiting family in Fort Collins; we figured we would meet in Denver for three days.  They are also a huge outdoorsey family, but the idea of staying in a hotel sounded just divine.  Erik and I used our Christmas gift money to go on this trip and to pay for a few meals out.

I cannot explain how much fun we really had.  It was such an amazing experience to see all the little kids running around, playing, taking baths, reading stories and reconnecting.  We were able to relax and feel like we did not need to entertain because we were in a hotel, a neutral territory.  I also think that the hotel we stayed in had a lot to do with how much fun we had.  TheBurnsley Hotel   may be the best kept secret of Denver.  We really could not believe how spacious the rooms were, how affordable and how luxurious the space was and how very accommodating it was to families.  Each room comes with a full working kitchen and a large living room.  You also get free parking.  The hotel has a restaurant and bar but we did not try it out, because we cooked most of our meals in the room so the kids could play freely.  We actually made food for the kiddos, put them to sleep and then had a great meal in our room, while we hung out as adults.  We ate lunch on the town, which was easy sinceThe Burnsley Hotel  is centrally located.  We walked to the Denver Art Museum ( a fabulous kid friendly exhibit is on now, but this museum is always kid friendly),  the library and to two great restaurants: City to City and Bones.  I will tell everyone I know about these great places and about The Burnsley Hotel.

I know we had great company in Denver, but I cannot stress how much a vacation like this one is fun.  Next time you want to plan a quick getaway for your family, maybe think of renting a hotel room, gathering good food, fun toys, and good drinks.  You don’t need to drive far from home.  Rent a hotel room that has a kitchen and eat out only once a day.  Your kids will behave in the restaurant if you go when they are rested (lunch usually) and you will save money if you don’t always eat out.

After you get home, and see how refreshed and relaxed you are, you won’t  regret not having planned an epic outdoor adventure.

Heidi

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