I needed to get away from my children. There, I said it! Over the last few months, the fights, the whining… it all started to get to me. I was going Mrs. Bear on my kids on a regular basis. I love my family, but I needed a break alone with my husband.
As I’ve mentioned in my earlier post, we had a getaway planned in Fort Myers which is 90 minutes from our home. Unfortunately, due to my husband’s busy schedule, I had to cancel it and instead book a one-night stay at Holiday Inn Express in Lake Placid, Fl. It’s an easy 40 minute drive from where we live.
Well, that getaway almost didn’t happen. Right before we got ready to leave, my husband received a phone call about a major IT disaster at the bank. He had to stay and work on it remotely, but there was no progress after several hours. I seriously thought about just checking in over the phone and calling it a day. It was too late to cancel without penalty, plus, I was working on IHG promotion.
My husband insisted that we go and he would work from hotel room if needed. Since this property is close to our town, he could drive back if absolutely necessary. Plus, there were other guys handling the situation. Needless to say, this getaway didn’t start out as planned. Come to think of it, they never do.
This hotel is actually very nice and looks like it was recently built. At a cost of 10,000 IHG points per night, it’s quite a bargain too. I think it would make a good stopping point on your way to Key West if you are driving through Florida. Unfortunately, rooms bookable on points will only fit 2, but we were upgraded to a suite (fits 4) due to IHG Platinum status that comes with co-branded credit card.
I was told that suites don’t overlook the lake, so I asked the check-in guy to downgrade us to a regular room. He cheerfully complied.
Here it is: boring, perfectly comfortable and very clean.
An obligatory photo of a toilet.
You could only see the lake from a distance, but it was a pleasant view nonetheless.
In spite of rocky start, this getaway was absolutely perfect. We got to watch some movies, relax in a hot tub (more like warm tub) and just talk. I didn’t realize how little we talk at home, something those of you with kids probably can relate to. The drama at work has resolved itself before we even got to hotel, so I was glad I didn’t cancel.
In the morning we helped ourselves to mediocre HIE breakfast. I know, I know, I sound totally spoiled. I’m picky when it comes to hotel breakfast food. But it was very nice not to have to drive anywhere, plus, they had a bench right outside the dining area. We sat there drinking our coffee and enjoyed foggy view of the lake. There were some bunnies playing in the grass. It almost felt like being in a cosy bed-and-breakfast.
After checking out from hotel, we drove up to the lake and sat at a picnic table watching the boats. Maldives? We don’t need no stinking Maldives!
Afterwards, we went to Olive Garden for lunch. No need for pictures. You can go to their website, dishes look identical in every restaurant. I told you this trip was super boring.
I’m sure you’ve heard about newly released IHG PointBreaks list where all properties cost only 5,000 points per night. It’s the best promotion in the hobby, and I would like to encourage you to put together a boring getaway with your spouse. Even if nothing on the list is within driving distance, I’m sure there is a property near you that costs 10,000 to 15,000 IHG points per night.
So what if it’s a Holiday Inn Express or Candlewood Suites? We had a nice relaxing time and enjoyed peace and quiet, which was the whole point of the trip. If you don’t already have it, I strongly recommend you look into Chase IHG credit card.
Sure, most of their properties are boring. But at times, boring can be perfect.
Click here to view various credit cards and available sign-up bonuses
Author: Leana
Leana is the founder of Miles For Family. She enjoys beach vacations and visiting her family in Europe. Originally from Belarus, Leana resides in central Florida with her husband and two children.
The points breaks program confuses me – can I only get 2 nights at the price in one hotel? What if I wanted a week?
@Hilary You are actually allowed two reservations per account, but they can be for as long as you like. You can do an IHG stay for a month if you wish as long as there is PointBreaks rate availability.
I am becoming a believer in IHG. We just got back from a surprise trip to thr Cayman Islands for my wife. We snagged a cheap night at the holiday inn not too far from Seven Mile beach for one of our nights on Grand Cayman. Updated to a suite. Nice accommodations. Wouldn’t mind getting back there. Too bad Chase is sippin on that Haterade.
@Cheapblackdad You are alive! I’m glad you treated your wife to a trip to Grand Cayman. That sounds like fun! They sure have some nice beaches down there. Hope you got to swim with stingrays.
I really love IHG. Hate it too! It is an aggravating program in many respects. Still, for normal families value can’t be beat when you factor in lucrative promotions, huge footprint and all the perks from IHG card. And of course, let’s not forget PointBreaks program. We once stayed at a beachfront Crowne Plaza for 5,000 points per night. Those were the days! I honestly can’t see how anyone can go wrong by getting IHG card. If Chase gives it, of course.
Sounds like a great getaway!
@Nancy It was very relaxing. I actually wouldn’t mind staying in that place again. It’s very close to home and cheap on points. Plus, there is nothing to do, and my husband loves doing nothing during trips. I hope you can put something similar with your hubby!
No gator lurking in the reeds of Lake Placid??? 🙂 El Yunque is definitely worth checking out – it’s the only protected tropical rainforest in the US. We went there with a toddler several years ago and had a good time walking some trails and seeing waterfalls, birds, etc. It is also fun to spend a day exploring old San Juan, but don’t forget to make time for the beach. BTW, check with your hotel on the expected traffic situation around your flight departure time, since PR can have some bad traffic jams.
@Erik LOL I was thinking the same thing about gator! That would make for one heck of a photo if one was trying to drag me into the lake while my husband was taking a picture. 🙂
We also enjoyed Puerto Rico when my daughter was only 18 months old. I was quite impressed with El Yunque park, very scenic. We did hike to a waterfall, but it was grueling with a toddler.
P.S. I took video ads out! Thanks for mentioning it.
Thanks for the tips Erik!
I kind of laughed at first when I saw you went to Lake Placid. But then after I read your post, I thought sometimes it’s nice to go to a boring place and just relax. You don’t feel like you’re missing anything by just staying in the room and chilling. Once we did a volunteer construction project in a dumpy little town in Arkansas and decided to stayed an extra night at our hotel suite with a hot tub. We ordered Chinese take-out, watched TV, sat in the hot tub, drank wine. It was great.
That said, I’m wondering how much relaxing I’m going to do on our 3-night PR trip this next week. Not a whole lot of time to see the island and I’m sure I will want to fit a lot in. I know… first-word problems.
Jennifer, yup! Not exactly blog-worthy and yet, I still managed to squeeze a trip report out of it. 🙂 Honestly, it was wonderful. Originally, we planned to drive to Fort Myers, go to Sanibel as a day trip etc. Basically, a busy day.
But this trip to Lake Placid was my husband’s cup of tea. As it turned out, he had to work 20 hours non-stop starting Sunday afternoon. So, this was the break he badly needed.
As far as Puerto Rico goes, I think 3 nights is plenty. Your hotel is fairly close to the airport and right next to El Yunque park. I’m so jealous because I would love to stay at that property! Enjoy.