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Simple vacation pleasures: Board games, treats, and family time

By Mara 4 Comments

Hotel Monaco Philadelphia Family Hour

The Hotel Monaco in Philadelphia will loan your family a board game or two

Sometimes the simplest things make for a fabulous family vacation. When the Hotel Monaco Philadelphia invited me and my family for a complimentary overnight to check out their new Family Fun Night package, I jumped at the chance to enjoy a quick getaway in one of the Monaco’s stylish rooms.

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia

Relaxing in our room overlooking Independence Hall

The package includes valet parking, a backpack full of games for the kids, an in-room movie, and late checkout the next day. But what really sounded fun to me was Family Hour in the living room (which is what all Kimpton hotels call their lobbies). Family Hour is full of the kinds of small pleasures that kids and adults love. First, you get your choice of fun treats.

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia treats

I saw just as many adults as kids helping themselves to these treats.

Then, you’re invited to pull out a board game and make yourself comfortable. We started out with a round of Sorry!

Hotel Monaco Philadelphia board games

Nothing like a little friendly competition.

Then we moved onto a rousing round of Apples to Apples (lots giggling ensued).

Kimpton Philadelphia Family Hour

We love playing Apples to Apples – it makes us all very silly.

And the best part about Family Hour? Immediately on its heels comes Wine Hour. Sip a glass or two while you finish up your games. It may not be the best wine in the world, but you’ll be so comfortable that you won’t mind.

Hotel Monaco Philadelphia Wine Hour

I like how the Hotel Monaco rolls – from Family Hour to Wine Hour.

The atmosphere in the lobby was convivial. Everyone clearly felt cared for and relaxed and I loved that my kids could be part of this low-key, slightly quirky elegance.

I’m sharing this post today as part of my friend Keryn’s new Friday Postcards series. If you’d like to get your weekend started off with some travel photo inspiration I hope you’ll swing by and read the other posts linked there.

I make no secret of my unabashed love for Kimpton Hotels – they are, without a question my favorite upscale family-friendly chain. If you like this post, you might also enjoy seeing some of the other Kimpton adventures I’ve enjoyed with my family:

  • Visit the Hotel Monaco Baltimore
  • Philadelphia family travel: Luxury and fun at the Hotel Monaco
  • Pazzo Ristorante: Another great Kimpton restaurant
  • A weekend in the heart of Portland, Oregon with kids
  • Fabulous family dining at Firefly Restaurant

Our Family Fun Night package and meals were paid for by Kimpton Hotels on this trip. You can always count on me to disclose when I’ve received something for free and to share my honest opinion.

 

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Filed Under: Friday postcards, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, We've been here

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Comments

  1. Hilarye says

    March 7, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    Love this Mara! I often dream of owning a cozy cabin in the mountains and just playing board games with my family. There is definitely time for downtime during family travel!

    Reply
  2. Michele {Malaysian Meanders} says

    March 10, 2014 at 3:00 am

    My kids would really enjoy the combination of great snacks and family games. Sometimes, we’ll be at a hotel with such good games that they don’t want to leave to go sightseeing.

    Reply
  3. Keryn from Walking On Travels says

    March 13, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    Oh how I love the Kimptons. SO many great family amenities. Maybe we need to plan a Moms with Boys trip this summer to visit the new one near museum row 😉

    Reply
  4. Pete says

    March 16, 2014 at 9:41 pm

    I’d have to agree about games! I think playing cards are one of the absolute essentials of hitting the road. Small, light and universally fun, they make meeting new friends way easier too.

    Reply

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I'm a family travel expert & award-winning writer who loves to eat. Explore this site and you'll find lots of stories about my adventures, and family travel tips. More about Mara

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