Four Seasons Resort Hualalai | Five-Star Luxury on the Big Island

Review of a stay at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, a five-star luxury resort on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Hawaii, Hotels, TravelMarissaMarch 11, 2020resort, hotel, Hawaii, hawaii, big, virtuosoComment

Favorite Kids Valentine's Day Books

We love love. Love for friends, parent-child love, and even self-love. Sharing our favorite kids’ books about love!

#momlife, KidsMarissa GradFebruary 10, 2020personal, kids, books, loveComment

Tips for Visiting TeamLab Borderless at the Mori Digital Art Museum in Tokyo

Tips for visiting the teamLab Borderless digital art museum in Tokyo, including how to get tickets, how to get to the MORI Digital Art Museum, and what to bring with you.

Japan, TravelMarissaFebruary 5, 2020japan, Japan, japanese, art, museumComment

Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo: Luxury Accommodations and Five-Star Service in the Tallest Building in Tokyo

Review of our stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo with club level access and view current Marriott STARS and Virtuoso offerings at this five-star hotel.

Travel, Hotels, JapanMarissaJanuary 30, 2020marriott, stars, hotel, accommodations, review, japan, tokyo, travelComment

Why Do Japanese People Wear Surgical Masks?

Many Japanese people wear surgical masks out of politeness: if they’re sick, they don’t want to infect others with their germs and will wear a mask to keep others from getting sick. They also wear them because for fashion, to hide blemishes, and to keep from getting sick themselves.

Japan, TravelMarissaJanuary 28, 2020japan, japanese, Japan, travel, tipsComment

Crystal Serenity Luxury Ocean Cruise

Review of our 5-night cruise aboard the Crystal Serenity luxury cruise ship!
Crystal Cruises is one of the world’s premier luxury cruise lines and a natural choice for my first cruise ever. Here I review the ship, facilities, and programs on the Crystal Serenity.

TravelMarissaJanuary 7, 2020Virtuoso, cruise, travel, europeComment

Why French Pharmacies are a Beauty Gold Mine | travelhappier in Paris

5 beauty products to buy at French Pharmacies; plus where to find the best beauty selection in Paris.

France, Tips and Advice, Paris, TravelMarissa GradJanuary 1, 2020france, paris, beauty, tips, personal, shopping Comment

6 Reasons to Visit Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is less than an hour away from Paris by train and makes a great day trip for families.

France, Paris, Travel, Travels with a TotMarissaDecember 16, 2019france, disney, paris, family, vacation Comments

Intercontinental London at Park Lane (an IHG Property)

Review of a stay at the Intercontinental London Park Lane and a preview of the newly renovated Mayflower Collection rooms. The Intercontinental London Park Lane is a Virtuoso affiliate and you will get special VIP perks like free breakfast and Club access just for booking with travelhappy.

Hotels, TravelMarissaDecember 5, 2019intercontinental, london, hotel, virtuosoComment

4 Reasons to Hire a Me, a Travel Agent (Instead of Doing It Yourself on the Internet)

Hiring a Virtuoso advisor like Marissa means VIP treatment, stress-free planning, and hiring an expert to help guide you through the planning process! Plus, I can actually SAVE you money over booking direct, and you’ll be supporting a small business by booking through me.

Tips and Advice, TravelMarissaDecember 2, 2019accommodations, flight, momlife, travel, vacation, Virtuoso, marriott, stars, luminousComment

St. Regis New York: Old School Manhattan Glam

What do you get when you book a room at the St. Regis New York - the brand’s flagship hotel on Fifth Avenue? Butler service, an amazingly comfy bed, and daily credits for laundry and f&b.

Hotels, TravelMarissaOctober 7, 2019Virtuoso, accommodations, travel, hotel, new york, stars

Mini Guide to Portland: Shopping

The best shopping in Portland is on NW 23rd Street and in the Pearl District, where I found the cutest shops for Oregon-made goods, kid stuff, and “me” stuff.

Places, Travel, Mini City GuidesMarissaAugust 15, 2019shopping, portland, oregon