Travel – Melo Says Hello

Travel March 13, 2019

Royal Sonesta Houston Review

How am I still a tourist in my own city? When you think of the Houston Galleria area you think of the shopping and completely forget about everything else the location has to offer. Fine dining, 5 star hotels, and new experiences right at your fingertips. Royal Sonesta is the perfect place to stay in the Galleria Area. The staff is incredible! We stayed during one of the busiest weekends. The Houston Rodeo was in full swing, a business summit was being held, and a huge wedding was happening in the ballroom. Somehow amidst all the chaos, we were treated like royalty. We arrived at our freshly cleaned room on the 23rd floor with chocolates on the pillows, robes ready to lounge in, and a view overlooking the city lights. The hotel amenities have everything you need so while traffic dies down you can 🍷 “wine down” and grab a cocktail at the Axis Lounge. This modern designed bar is located conveniently on the first floor offering a wide selection of cocktails and chic seating,making it a great pit stop before you start your night out. Need a quick bite but want to keep it light? Launch is a convenient “grab and go” meal area that’s stocked with fresh food, coffee, and toiletries for sale because let’s me honest…90% of the time you left the toothpaste on the cpunter at home. Chips and cookies before your bathing suit isn’t ideal pre-pool lounging so being able to grab a healthy snack before soaking up the sun at the hotel’s pool was super convenient.

Speaking of convenience can we talk about the jaw dropping Club Lounge on the 23rd floor? The area is exclusively available to patrons on the 23rd floor offering complimentary snacks,water,sodas,big screen TVs and continental breakfast. With mid floor to ceiling windows it’s hard to not take your phone out and snap a few photos of a rare view from up top. Talk about living the high life.

We decided to take advantage of room service and pre-order our breakfast in bed. Eggs Benedict, Raisin Brioche French Toast, and a large fruit plate? Yes,please! Probably not the breakfast of champions a physical trainer would approve of, but you’re on vacation! Enjoy yourself! Not only is the food from the Ara Restaurant delicious but the presentation was superb! You’re not going to NOT take a brunch photo for Instagram, am I right? Overall I’d say our stay was amazing and I’d highly recommend it to visitors of the city and fellow Houstonians. You won’t be disappointed. Royal Sonesta goes above and beyond to make your stay worthwhile.
Thanks for reading!
X,
Kristin Coronado

Travel January 16, 2019

Houston CityPlace Marriott at Springwoods Village

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of staycations. Something about packing a getaway bag and leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind for a night, is so refreshing. The Houston CityPlace Marriott Springwoods Village location is perfect if you’re looking for a blend of quaintness with an optional choice of livening things up. While the CityPlace retail and shopping center is still in development, the action to The Woodlands Waterway and shopping is just a few miles away. We felt so comfortable at the hotel we didn’t feel the need to leave. Instead we lounged around and got some work done by their heated pool then casually dressed up for dinner at their in house restaurant SwitcHouse.
(P.S the candied pork belly small plate is to die for!) The interior design of SwicHouse is complimentary to the 10 story hotel it resides in. Urban modern, masculine hues, leather chairs, luxury gold accents, warm lighting and wood elements. If it sounds impressive, just wait til you see it in person each space in the hotel is so well designed you can’t help but snap a few photos for your own home inspo. The Marriott hotels know what their doing when it comes to superb interior design and true relaxation. Who wants to leave bed to get breakfast on vacation? Leave a California king in the middle of binge watching a new show?Say no more. At the Houston CityPlace Marriott you can select your breakfast items on a door tag found in the hotels room service menu, place it on your door the night before and even select the time you wish your breakfasts arrival. Talk about a break fast.
If you’re well rested and feel up for breakfast you can stroll down to the M Club Lounge that’s fully stocked with delicious snacks, a snazzy coffee machine, sparkling water or wander to the hotels restaurant to grab breakfast. There’s so many elements of convenience at the Houston CityPlace Marriott it was hard to not love. It’s the perfect place to stay,work, and play. We can’t wait to go back!

Travel October 4, 2018

What to pack for New York City

Listen anywhere else in the world, your dream vintage handbag that costs three months rent will probably get overlooked . Here? The streets were paved for fashion appreciation. It’s the place where kindred spirits across the street will give you warm eyes as a way of saying “ Yesss girl! I see that vintage Chanel le boy bag that no ones been able to locate for 18 years.BRAVO!”. 😂👏🏼
Whatever special pieces you have , let them play in the land where our fashion splurges are appreciated,not frowned upon. Been saving those Manolos for a special occasion? Perfect! It doesn’t get more special than New York . Whatever you wear that makes you feel your best,pack it!
Most importantly dress weather appropriate. I’ve only been to New York in the fall/winter months so while it says 70 degrees it’s always a bit chillier. Think of how much cooler it is when you’re walking in downtown. You wish you had a jacket,right?😂 That’s NY times 10. You’re surrounded by buildings so that breezy 70 degrees feels like a blizzard is coming through. The wind shows no mercy and neither does the rain. It never fails, the day can be absolutely beautiful and then boom,a light rain shower will frizz your hair right up. Don’t let me paint the picture too dark. It may be cold but the energy and cardio that you get in New York will make your forget all about the uncontrollable elements.

Which brings me to my next point. Shoes! In true Sex in The City form I saw a few brave women in six inch heels strutting the streets (get it girl👏🏼). Personally, I’m not that coordinated and I get so excited in N.Y I just want to walk as fast as everyone else . I opt for comfy shoes during the day and save the heels for night time. Think of your favorite ankle boots or patent leather boots with a sturdy heel to prepare for those slick sidewalks. If you don’t have any comfortable boots you can always wear some dope sneakers. I can’t tell you the amount of street-wear I saw. Tons of girls with cropped windbreakers, biker shorts, and some god-awful designer sneakers. I love you Balenciaga, but I still can’t get on the “$900 dad -shoe” wave. Whatever the case is, be as comfortable as possible. There’s so much to see and do! You don’t want to make the mistake of heading back to your hotel mid-day because your feet are killing you.Trust me! I know beauty is pain but it this case, New York’s scenic beauty trumps the outfit choice.
Bring at least two jackets. Something that can go with a few of your outfits so you can switch it up at night. I swear, I buy the cutest tops specifically for New York,but once I get there I’m too uncomfortable without a jacket and all my pictures look the same 😩epic fail! Be better than me! Be prepared. You may not need your faux fur coat,but who are we kidding, it’s New York! Where are your faux fur’s going to get to shine other than here? On the more practical side; pack a cute leather jacket, a blazer, or even a cute coat you can drape over the shoulders. It’s New York people💁🏼‍♀️ we can be a little extra! Lastly I’d recommend active wear. Save it for your ultimate tourist day. Go stroll Central Park,walk right to Met, get the ultimate Instagram photo on the Brooklyn Bridge or spend the day getting lost in the city! The possibilities are endless 😊I’ll be sure to write a part two of what to do in NY.

X,
-K

Travel September 4, 2018

Where to Stay in Houston: Hotel Sorella

We’re back with another stay-cation review! Just because summer is almost over, doesn’t mean we should expect snowfall in Houston anytime soon 😂 so enjoy the heat while it lasts. Hotel Sorella is perfectly located in CITYCENTRE just minutes from downtown. A little less hustle and bustle and more time to walk around the shopping center, catch a movie or catch some sunrays at Hotel Sorella’s rooftop pool! The decor throughout the hotel is immaculate! It’s the perfect blend of classic design with modern touches. Dark accents, marble finishes, hardwood floors and skyline views. The balconies give the most breathtaking views of the city and allow you to glimpse at what’s going on downstairs at CITYCENTRE. Open the balcony doors a bit and you can hear the music playing downstairs, talk about chic living. The rooms give you a downtown-living feel with comfortable touches of home. The bathrooms were fully stocked with plush towels,extra linens, and spa scented shower gels. Did I mention the massive bathtub accompanied by the rainfall shower? It’s a whole other level #bathroom goals! We could’ve stayed in that room the entire trip,but decided to see what else the hotel had to offer. The pool plenty of lounge chairs and covered cabanas to relax and work on nothing but your tan.Feeling parched? The restaurant and bar inside will serve you your favorite glass of rosé to cool down. The service was great and the pool cabanas are hard to walk away from. After a few hours of lounging we got dressed up and headed down for dinner. There’s a cute restaurant located in the hotel for your convenience or if you’re like us you’ll take a stroll around CITYCENTRE and dine at one of the restaurants perfectly tucked in every corner. Need to work up an appetite first? Bowl and Barrel is a new trendy bowling alley downstairs from the hotel. It gets pretty packed so make sure you reserve your lane online to avoid the wait. There’s plenty of restaurants in CITYCENTRE. RA Sushi, Cyclone Anaya’s, Yard House,Season’s 52 and so many others are literally steps away from the hotel. You can even shop a bit after dinner. The shopping at CITYCENTRE has everything you need! After we finished dinner we headed to the Monnalisa. A trendy bar/ lounge located on the same floor as the pool. Brace yourself because Saturday night it gets pretty packed but is so much fun! Try one of their cocktails and step outside by the pool. At night it’s so beautiful and there’s more seating available as the night continues. Overall our stay at Hotel Sorella was great. Just the kind of quick getaway we needed. Between the hospitality and the luxury ambiance, saying “bye” to the good life was hard to do so we’ll definitely be back. I’d highly recommend anyone to stay there. It’s perfect for a date night or a quick stay-cation to restart your week. Let me know how much you guys love it 🤗 !

Huge thanks to Hotel Sorella and their staff for having us. All opinions are my own.

X,

-K

Travel August 6, 2018

Where to go in Puerto Rico

Whoever said there wasn’t a piece of heaven on earth, hasn’t been to Puerto Rico yet. While the hurricane had devastated this beautiful island not long ago, Puerto Rico is stronger and better than ever. I love going off the beaten path when it comes to traveling. Sure you can hit up all the places they advertise, but where do the locals go? Where’s the authentic food? I want to find a place they haven’t pinned on Instagram yet 😂. Lucky for me I was able to explore with friends and family so I got all the insight 👍🏼. Pack your dancing shoes and leave your worries behind my friends! I’m about to highlight some of my favorite places in Puerto Rico.

P.R is one of those all in one destinations. Want mountains? Done! Crystal clear water and exotic beaches? You got it! Want to take a drive on the countryside? They have that too! History? Good food? It’s like the buffet version of vacation locations, there’s so many choices 😂. If you’re check-in is later than when you arrive, or like us, are waiting for the rest of the squad to arrive, grab a bite at El Alambique, it’s minutes from the airport. You’re sitting right off the water with views of Isla Verde Beach and the Mofongo with alijillo sauce is legendary! Once you fill your stomach it’s time to get the party started. Ask for their famous Mango Sangria or my personal fav, a medalla light in a plastic cup and take a stroll on the beach. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well relax. You’re in paradise and it just gets better from here.

We explored Old San Juan that night. The architecture is absolutely breathtaking. Puerto Rico has the whole colorblock aesthetic down to a science. I loved it! We popped into La Factoria which was a cute two story bar that gave us views of the city, live music, salsa of course, and handcrafted mojitos made with real sugar cane (proceed with caution).

Next day we were off to the beach. Combate beach has the clearest water I’ve ever seen in my entire life. The entire time i was there I couldn’t get over it! Fun fact: the ocean terrifies me, so being able to physically see my little limbs was a huge plus for me and made my experience much more enjoyable. Not to mention the waves are nonexistent so you’re able to float away or gather around and soak up the sun-rays with your friends without being swept away 😂. You can pack your own beverages (glass or bottle), hang your clothes on the trees nearby, and make a day of it. Grab a snack at Annie’s Place. It’s a restaurant that sits right on the water and has some of the most amazing seafood. Don’t worry about being in your beach attire either, Annie’s is a casual restaurant and full of beach goers.

Mid day and want to keep the party going? Boquerón is a quick drive away and it’s an all day/all night fiesta! When you think of P.R you think music and dancing in the middle of cobblestone streets, right? Boquerón gives you that authentic feel you were yearning for. This little town is filled with amazing people and bars sitting right on the water. If you’re looking for somewhere favored by the locals Hollywood Cafe in Ponce has some of their best specials on Tuesdays. I’m talking a round of drinks for everyone and two dozen wings for $11. Not to mention the music is great and you’ll dance all night long.
Want something a little more chill? La Guancha has the cutest pier full of bars and restaurants right off the water. Day or night it’s so beautiful. We stumbled upon a bar called El Patio and it was perfect! Great music, open rooftop, lights all around and just enough room for dancing. You can sit and watch the boats pass under the moonlight, it’s so beautiful.

Welp! That was a lot longer than anticipated and I didn’t get to cover all the bases but hopefully this helps when planning your trip. 5 days in Puerto Rico wasn’t enough and I can’t wait to go back 😩. For such a small island it packed a lot of excitement! Thanks again for reading!

X,
-K

Travel July 30, 2018

Hotel Alessandra: the perfect stay-cation

Looking for a good stay-cation spot in Houston? Well look no further because Hotel Alessandra has quickly captured the hearts of endless amounts of Houstonians. This recently opened hotel is located in the heart of downtown right next to the Greenstreet shopping center, a hop and skip away from the Toyota Center, Discovery Green and all of the best Houston attractions. Hotel Alessandra is the perfect blend of modern luxury and southern comfort. The moment you valet it’s goodbye normalcy and hello to the good life. As you head to the second floor to check-in, take a moment to admire the hotels chic aesthetics. The ultra luxe staircase paved with gold detail, is absolutely breathtaking! I’d pay good money to retake my prom picture on that staircase 😂(half kidding). Every furniture piece is detailed with gold accents and pops of emerald green. If Z Gallerie and the Royal Palace did a collab,this is what their furniture would look like 😂.

The rooms are just as dreamy. Panoramic views of the city, a luxurious overhead shower,perfectly placed accent furniture to get your Carrie Bradshaw moment on 💁🏼‍♀️,plush pillows,and the worlds most comfortable bed. Honestly, what more could you ask for? A rooftop pool perhaps? Well you’re in luck because on the fifth floor your oasis awaits. Take a few hours out of your day and do absolutely nothing. Work on your tan, order some truffle fries and don’t forget their famous Pop-tails! You heard it folks, POP-TAILS! I tried the tequila sunrise. A popsicle infused with top shelf tequila, orange juice and grenadine. What better way to cool off in this Texas heat than frozen alcohol and truffle topped carbohydrates?

When you live in a city this big it’s easy to caught in the hustle and bustle. When’s the last time you explored downtown? Between the misleading parking signs, traffic and it being so ever-changing we forget to get our Dora the Explorer on. Well shine up your dancing shoes kid,because we’re going out for a night on the town. Hotel Alessandra has a complimentary valet service that you can call ahead of time right from your room. We stayed on a Friday night when the hotel was busy, but the valet service was more than accommodating. A short 10minutes later we hopped in our luxury car and were off to Frank’s Pizza for a quick bite. The driver hands your a card with their phone number and when you’re ready to head back to the hotel they’ll pick you up within ten minutes. It’s perfect and oh-so convenient! Once you’re all spiffed up for the night, stop in the hotels bar on the second floor. Bardot has a great selection and it’s open until 2am on Saturday.

Hotel Alessandra has so much to offer!Whether you’re looking for a spa day, a date night for you and bae,or a night on the town with your girls, they can happily accommodate you. The staff was superb! Anything we needed they were happy to assist with. From the moment we walked in it was all smiles and southern hospitality so it’s safe to say that you get the full luxury experience here.I will definitely be coming back. I’m a simple humble girl from Texas, just like you but the second I rested my head on that type of thread count I was hooked😂. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as we did! It definitely made it on my “favorites” list!

Huge thank you to Hotel Alessandra and their PR team for the collaboration and as always,all opinions are my own. I love you guys!Thanks for reading

X-
K

Travel July 13, 2018

Where to stay in Miami

“Party in the city where the heat is on, all night on the beach to the break of dawn”. Yes, I am that basic girl who plays that song on her Snapchat as soon as she lands in Miami. I don’t care, I don’t care, I don’t care! If you’ve followed me for a while you know Miami is one of my favorite places to getaway and there’s so many hidden gems! So many that I’m going to have to make this Part Two: where to stay. Miami is a little slice of paradise. The food, the culture, the beach, the people, it’s a mini vacation destination that definitely comes with a price. South Beach prices can get up there so I wanted to cover different places I stayed for every kind of budget. Whether you’re getting your girls together for a last minute getaway or you’ve been planning this trip for months I’m sharing a few hotels for every dollar amount.

Ballin’ on a budget? I feel you! There’s been times when I found a great deal on tickets and was just like “F it! Let’s go! I’ll figure where to stay when I get there”. In doing that I found a completely underrated boutique hotel, The Chesterfield. $45 a night and it’s right on Collin’s just stepped away from Ocean Drive. Literally! You’re right where you need to be.$45 dollars got us a huge room with two double beds. It was a mini deluxe suite. Two Huge beds, a full closet, two huge flat screens and not to mention a banging bathroom with a garden tub, standup shower and the most makeup friendly lighting EVER! The Safari Bar was holding happy hour from 4-8 which was perfect! We tipped $20 upfront and 2 drinks later my “hi’s” went to “heeeeeeey” 😂. So if you’re traveling last minute I’d definitely recommend.

Already traveled to South Beach and over the Ocean Drive scene?Head to the Mondrian South Beach Hotel. This waterfront hotel pool is sits on Biscayne Bay. It’s one of my favorite hotels in the entire world! You’re still a quick Uber away from Lincoln Mall, ocean drive, and Downtown but the Mondrian is a “put your phone down” type of hotel. You’ll never leave the Instagram worthy pool! There’s cocktail waitresses ready to serve you Miami’s best pinã coladas, the music gives you all the Ibiza vibes and the view of Biscayne Bay is jaw dropping! Watching the sunset at the Mondrian hotel is so memorable.When you’re not lounging at the pool you can indulge in a much needed spa day. Their South Beach GuyandGirl spa is located conveniently in the hotel and offers a full spa services. Not feeling a deep tissue massage? The Mondrian has the cutest bikes parked out front for free to ride around the city and work off some of last nights cocktails. Average is about $170ish a night but trust me, once you go it’ll be hard to not go back.

Feeling a little ballerific? Want some floor to ceiling windows in your life or just want to know how Rick Ross feels everyday? The Mandarin Oriental will have you tiptoeing on marble floors (Rick Ross pun intended). This luxury 5- star hotel is located in the heart of Brickwell and offers view of the skyline and Biscayne Bay.

Regardless of the place you choose Miami is always a good idea. What are your favorite places to stay in Miami?

X-

K

Travel July 13, 2018

Best bars in Miami

The first few times I went to Miami I never left Ocean Drive. Rookie mistake! There’s so much more to see and do instead of going to Sugar Factory and Ocean’s 10. Wynwood, Brickwell, Miami Fashion District, Bayside, Little Havana, the list goes on. Wynwood is hands down one of my favorite places to go out when I’m in Miami. The vibe is unlike any other. The music is dope, the drinks aren’t Ocean drive priced, and each bar has it’s own charm to it. El Patio is one of those bars that makes you look around like “holy shit! Now I’m on vacation!”. It’s indoor/outdoor ambiance will have you downing your coco water and rum and moving your hips like you’re right in Colombia. The DJ plays a mix of reggae, hip-hop, and all the Caribbean feels. My favorite! There’s a few lounge couches, high tables near the DJ booth and along the back of El Patio, but don’t worry the music is so good seating will be the least of your concerns.

Maybe you’re in a group and you can’t decide what you want to do for the night. There’s always that one friend who “doesn’t go out” but three vodka sodas later you lose her, only to find her dancing on the bar. Okay, maybe that’s me, but that’s neither here nor there. If you want a little something for everyone Basement is your spot. Located in the basement of the Miami Beach Edition hotel, brace yourself. As soon as you make your way past the swanky hotel lobby and into the basement your inner 90’s child will rejoice! There’s ice-skating, bowling, and a huge dance floor. The aesthetics of this place is definitely Instagram worthy. The neon lights make the 2,000 square ft skating rink turn into a mini club itself. Think of the movie ATL with a 90’s playlist, IT’S LIT! Who knows, maybe you could accidently fall and land right into your future husbands arms? Either way the Basement is definitely a spot worth checking out. How many clubs have a skating rink and a bowling alley? If you know you’re going to the basement and are definitely going to bowl and booze it up. I’d recommend reserving the lane online.

Now if you want the full nightclub experience, obviously LIV on Sunday is legendary. Story is always popping and 11 Miami is one of those places that REALLY is just as good as they say. Hope my little suggestions help.

Huge shoutout to all my Miami babes that have steered me in the right direction. Yelp was unhelpful when it came to club/bar suggestions. Yall are the real M.V.P’s so thank you @lunalegend , CamilaRosee, and Nikki!

Off to enjoy the rest of Swim Week!

X-

Kristin

Travel June 15, 2018

Where to eat and drink in NYC

The 20 somethings Boozy Guide to NYC

Going to New York and have no idea where to eat and drink? I didn’t either!There’s nothing that stresses me out more than being in a new city and Yelping where I should go. Not to mention being in a group walking in the city like “where do you want to do?” I don’t know, where do you want to go? “ I don’t know, let me look something up.” Next thing you know you’re glued to your phone for 20 minutes standing in the street and let me tell you, New York is the last place you want to cause sidewalk traffic 😂. Hopefully these suggestions can cut your google search of “best restaurants in New York City” in half . From boujee rooftop bars to dollar hot dogs your girl has got you covered 💁🏼‍♀️. Someone say prosecco popsicles?Yes,please! Loopy Doopy Rooftop bar is located in the Conrad Hotel on the 16th floor has the most Instagram worthy views I’ve ever seen. Not into frozé (frozen rosé) with a strawberry popsicle? Maybe a rose gold flamingo pitcher will do the trick. I wasn’t that brave being that I had more sight seeing to do,but it looked delicious and is meant for 6 people but I saw a group of 3 girls kill it. (No judgement 😂). Still want the Sex in the City vibe at night? Head to 230 Fifth Rooftop bar in the Flatiron District. Perfect views of the Empire State Building and the rooftop is heated. Not to mention, the cute little neon igloo seats. Yeah,I said it 😂! One of those places you’d just have to see in person,but will easily have you singing Frank Sinatra and downing cosmos like you’re meeting SJP, herself, for happy hour. Moving on to late night and less pretentious (aka my kind of vibe) Rudy’s Bar and Grill is easily one of my top favorite places to go in NYC. Located in Hell’s Kitchen with a huge Pig on the outside of the building, so you can’t miss it. Kind of reminds me of a Six Flags statue now that I think about it😂 anyways, it’s a local favorite. $4 beers and free hotdogs? That’s right y’all, FREE! It was late and after a full day of failed attempts to figure out the subway system a local dive bar is just what I needed. It’s open until 4a.m so if the city wore you out and you’re looking for a budget friendly bar, I’d definitely check it out. Onto my favorite pastime…BRUNCH! Sons of Essex is a on the lower Eastside, I’ll get to the bellinis in a second but the vibe? Fam, when I say this is my top places to go ever I mean it! Who wouldn’t appreciate 90s hip hop and r&b while they scarf down chicken and waffles with a side of truffled mac and cheese?(Don’t judge me). I’m doing the Kevin Hart” point and step out” dance as I sing along to Jagged Edge one minute then throwing up the Roc when they started mixing Jay-Z’s The Blueprint. When’s the last time you’ve had mimosas while listening to Jay-Z?I’ll wait….

😂You guys have to,have to, HAVE TO, stop in. Out of all the places I’ve suggested, Son’s of Essex is a definite when in New York.Sure you can do the cliché Bagatelle Brunch and have Tuna Taretare but you’re in New York! I don’t know about you guys, but I’d rather eat and drink somewhere where the vibe is good. There’s so many places to go and so many places to see in New York. Hopefully these little suggestions will lead you in the right direction. NY is one of those magical places that has some place for everyone, what’s your favorite place?

Love love love y’all xoxo- K