17 hours ago, hputenis said:

I’m dead. Your little girl is so beautiful. Glad you guys had a great time. Wife and I are going to DR for a wedding over July 4 next year.  Never been. 

Thanks! She’s a spoiled princess  she seriously had the best time though. She’s definitely a beach bum. Loves playing in the sand and swimming. It tired her out. Us too. Every night we were like let’s stay up and drink some wine and watch movies and every night we’d be out before 10 pm lol 

17 hours ago, Agent23 said:

Is the poolside bed cabana also included? One day I’ll use my Hilton points… maybe 50lbs from now  

It’s not - I think it was $100 or $200 and comes with a bottle of booze. But our butler was able to secure one for us complimentary one day. The butler came with Enclave which was a premium that we get with paco’s Hilton status. It came with its own section of the beach, a private pool and private lounge with its own breakfast and food throughout the day. Also exclusive access to breakfast at the Grill and top shelf liquors. It was nice because we didn’t have to eat at the buffet with the plebes. paco was able to get us upgraded to a suite too which made things much better for us because we were able to be up and about while Ellie was napping or sleeping at night. We had first floor too so he could go out the patio door to fetch me cocktails  we had that whole first floor patio. Long story short if you go to Hilton La Romana in DR definitely upgrade to the Enclave and get a butler. He would bring us a cooler with ice and water and champagne or wine every day wherever we were at the pool or beach, make reservations at restaurants, brought us plates of fresh fruit, etc. 

 

On 11/24/2024 at 6:58 AM, binkybink77 said:

Thanks! She’s a spoiled princess  she seriously had the best time though. She’s definitely a beach bum. Loves playing in the sand and swimming. It tired her out. Us too. Every night we were like let’s stay up and drink some wine and watch movies and every night we’d be out before 10 pm lol 

It’s not - I think it was $100 or $200 and comes with a bottle of booze. But our butler was able to secure one for us complimentary one day. The butler came with Enclave which was a premium that we get with paco’s Hilton status. It came with its own section of the beach, a private pool and private lounge with its own breakfast and food throughout the day. Also exclusive access to breakfast at the Grill and top shelf liquors. It was nice because we didn’t have to eat at the buffet with the plebes. paco was able to get us upgraded to a suite too which made things much better for us because we were able to be up and about while Ellie was napping or sleeping at night. We had first floor too so he could go out the patio door to fetch me cocktails  we had that whole first floor patio. Long story short if you go to Hilton La Romana in DR definitely upgrade to the Enclave and get a butler. He would bring us a cooler with ice and water and champagne or wine every day wherever we were at the pool or beach, make reservations at restaurants, brought us plates of fresh fruit, etc. 

 

he probably has some unlisted status. I had Diamond for 2 years because I lived in a hotel for 60+ days when I moved during COVID, and then they extended status for a 2nd year. But I only took a couple trips to Chicago where I got $40/night in food/drink credits as my status-perk. 

On 11/23/2024 at 9:51 PM, Agent23 said:

Is the poolside bed cabana also included? One day I’ll use my Hilton points… maybe 50lbs from now  

So we upgraded our stay to include a butler and he hooked us up with one complimentary one day.  Otherwise there is a charge.  

 

They had one of those beds right on the beach, no idea what that bad boy cost.

1 hour ago, Agent23 said:

he probably has some unlisted status. I had Diamond for 2 years because I lived in a hotel for 60+ days when I moved during COVID, and then they extended status for a 2nd year. But I only took a couple trips to Chicago where I got $40/night in food/drink credits as my status-perk. 

I'm lifetime Diamond with Hilton and lifetime Titanium with Marriott.  

10 hours ago, paco said:

I'm lifetime Diamond with Hilton and lifetime Titanium with Marriott.  

5 minutes ago, hputenis said:

You can tell people you know we’re internet friends. 

That's a nice place.  Glad you had a good and relaxing vacation @binkybink77 and @paco Your daughter is adorable!

Not sure how much travel I have left in me.  I do love the Hilton hotels.  I've been to quite a few and I usually seek them out first when planning a trip.

Just got to visit the one at Penn's Landing. We stayed over for a wedding. Our room was next to the bride's suite which was huge!

2 minutes ago, DiPros said:

That's a nice place.  Glad you had a good and relaxing vacation @binkybink77 and @paco Your daughter is adorable!

Not sure how much travel I have left in me.  I do love the Hilton hotels.  I've been to quite a few and I usually seek them out first when planning a trip.

Just got to visit the one at Penn's Landing. We stayed over for a wedding. Our room was next to the bride's suite which was huge!

We stayed there a few times ourselves.  Once they upgraded us to the penthouse suite on the top floor.  Is that the brides suite you were next to?  I remember it having a huge bathroom with a stand alone tub.

2 minutes ago, paco said:

We stayed there a few times ourselves.  Once they upgraded us to the penthouse suite on the top floor.  Is that the brides suite you were next to?  I remember it having a huge bathroom with a stand alone tub.

Probably it was on the top floor 22.  I didn't go into the bed and bathroom so missed the tub.  It was really nice.

1 minute ago, DiPros said:

Probably it was on the top floor 22.  I didn't go into the bed and bathroom so missed the tub.  It was really nice.

I also remember the living room area when you first walked in had access to an out door balcony

Just booked flights to Ireland - going March 12-23, so we'll be there over St. Patrick's Day.  Not sure if that's a great idea, or a horrible one, but we're pumped!  

1 hour ago, mikemack8 said:

Just booked flights to Ireland - going March 12-23, so we'll be there over St. Patrick's Day.  Not sure if that's a great idea, or a horrible one, but we're pumped!  

f yeah…best trip I’ve ever gone on was Ireland. you’ll have a blast.

16 hours ago, mr_hunt said:

f yeah…best trip I’ve ever gone on was Ireland. you’ll have a blast.

My wife has been there several times so we're just going to rent a car and plan our own itinerary to do it ourselves.

Just now, mikemack8 said:

My wife has been there several times so we're just going to rent a car and plan our own itinerary to do it ourselves.

yeah...that's the way we did it. driving a tiny car with the steering wheel on the wrong side was part of the fun.  

1 minute ago, mr_hunt said:

yeah...that's the way we did it. driving a tiny car with the steering wheel on the wrong side was part of the fun.  

Well there's going to be another couple with us, so with luggage we won't be able to get a "tiny" car - should make things more interesting

2 minutes ago, mikemack8 said:

Well there's going to be another couple with us, so with luggage we won't be able to get a "tiny" car - should make things more interesting

make sure you get the full insurance on the rental.   

18 hours ago, mikemack8 said:

Just booked flights to Ireland - going March 12-23, so we'll be there over St. Patrick's Day.  Not sure if that's a great idea, or a horrible one, but we're pumped!  

Is that what you call @olsilverhair mud flap? 

18 hours ago, mikemack8 said:

Just booked flights to Ireland - going March 12-23, so we'll be there over St. Patrick's Day.  Not sure if that's a great idea, or a horrible one, but we're pumped!  

My parents went over St. Patrick’s Day and loved it. And they aren’t even drinkers. They said it’s the best time to go. 

5 hours ago, mikemack8 said:

Well there's going to be another couple with us, so with luggage we won't be able to get a "tiny" car - should make things more interesting

If this is any help, we went at the end of February 2022 with a 6 month old, and I planned our entire itinerary based on 1 post by @mr_hunt, and it was the trip of a lifetime.  We flew into Galway, stayed there, drove to Blarney/Cork, Kilkenny, and ended in Dublin.  I almost killed us all in our giant van only 3 or 4 times.  Pro tip - If you do finish up in Dublin, make sure you drop off your rental vehicle before you get there.  That was the scariest city I've ever driven in, there is no parking, and we almost missed our flight home because I couldn't find my way around the 1-way streets at 4:30 am.  

13 minutes ago, hputenis said:

If this is any help, we went at the end of February 2022 with a 6 month old, and I planned our entire itinerary based on 1 post by @mr_hunt, and it was the trip of a lifetime.  We flew into Galway, stayed there, drove to Blarney/Cork, Kilkenny, and ended in Dublin.  I almost killed us all in our giant van only 3 or 4 times.  Pro tip - If you do finish up in Dublin, make sure you drop off your rental vehicle before you get there.  That was the scariest city I've ever driven in, there is no parking, and we almost missed our flight home because I couldn't find my way around the 1-way streets at 4:30 am.  

We're flying into and out of Dublin, and I'm guessing we're picking up and dropping off our rental at the airport.  Pretty sure as soon as we land we're headed up the coast to Belfast and we're gonna work our way around that way.  

16 minutes ago, hputenis said:

If this is any help, we went at the end of February 2022 with a 6 month old, and I planned our entire itinerary based on 1 post by @mr_hunt, and it was the trip of a lifetime.  We flew into Galway, stayed there, drove to Blarney/Cork, Kilkenny, and ended in Dublin.  I almost killed us all in our giant van only 3 or 4 times.  Pro tip - If you do finish up in Dublin, make sure you drop off your rental vehicle before you get there.  That was the scariest city I've ever driven in, there is no parking, and we almost missed our flight home because I couldn't find my way around the 1-way streets at 4:30 am.  

yeah...even my dumb a** knew enough to drop off the rental at the dublin airport & not attempt driving there.   idk how you managed driving a van. i had some pos hatchback & it was still tight on some roads...having to drive into the hedges if there's a car coming towards me. 

definitely watch some youtube vids on navigating traffic circles in ireland...there are sheet ton of them & it's weird as hell approaching them from the left. 

On 11/25/2024 at 8:52 AM, paco said:

I'm lifetime Diamond with Hilton and lifetime Titanium with Marriott.  

6 hours ago, mikemack8 said:

We're flying into and out of Dublin, and I'm guessing we're picking up and dropping off our rental at the airport.  Pretty sure as soon as we land we're headed up the coast to Belfast and we're gonna work our way around that way.  

This is what we did. I’m glad we saw Northern Ireland but I probably wouldn’t do that part again and focus more on the west coast - places like the Dingle Peninsula and focusing on the small little towns and pubs. Are you going to the Dark Hedges and Giant’s Causway?

Also the vegetable soup and side of brown bread and a Guinness is one of my favorite lunches there! I loved it so much I make it myself from scratch both the soup and bread. And if you get a chance in Dublin go to Darkey Kelly’s for the music and Guinness stew. If you like oysters and are in Connemara I highly recommend. They had the biggest freshest oysters I’ve ever had. 

Ireland is my on my bucket list.  Can't decide if it's a with kids or without.  Feel like they should experience it and they're old enough to truly enjoy the experience but the selfish Irish part of me wants to to be untethered in activities.

If you want to go to the UK (Britain, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland), you will need to purchase an ETA to enter, even on a connecting flight, beginning on January 8.

 

https://blog.ricksteves.com/insights/united-kingdom-eta/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1y2JsoB1zqafAUw8hbU1dBufM0usxPqEC8JfNT5HfgzsT3v22V9XrS9qc_aem_O2NWyIZuiVcZrVfnVf3a6A