Are you finally taking that bucket list trip and want to record it for the books? Take those once-in-a-lifetime photos with your own vacation photographer on demand.

This year I’ve worked hard to “enjoy the moment.” 

Seems a little ironic to work to enjoy anything, right? But after the longest year it seemed ever we finally got to go on THE VACATION. I didn’t plan much except the flight to get there and the hotel, but every day was a dream – as witnessed with what Mother Nature greeted us every day and wished us good night every evening. And of course the giggles, experiences and conversations our family was having.

I wanted to relive it every day for the rest of my days. 

But at some point I was going to have to get back to life (at least until I win the lottery.) 

While I would have photos I had snapped on my phone, I really wanted to be in them too, not to mention be beautiful enough that I could put on the shelf or mount on the wall in our home so we could be reminded of the experience every day while we walk by them. 

Unfortunately, we only were only in Cabo for one more day and it’s not like I could find a good photographer and they could be here in 24 hours to take family photos. While I contacted our concierge and she had some amazing recommendations, in one day and at a price that wasn’t going to be more than our vacation in total.

So on to Google I went — it was worth at least looking (where’s there is a will, there’s a way, right?) 

My way was – Flytographer. And viola! While sitting next to the pool, on my phone, I searched for Cabo and TOMORROW. I was able to view photographers and their portfolios to match the look I was going for to see if they were available. In just short moment, a concierge (Liss) matched me up and I had a photographer for less than 24 hours! An even better, there were a few packages available so I could not only select my photographer, but choose a package that was on budget. Then with my confirmation I had it paid for and literally the exact spot we would meet (with an address and a photo of the meeting point so there were questions!) 

Now all I had to do was get my kids up the next morning and smile. 

And that’s exactly what we did.

Considering the best photos on the beach happen at sunrise or sunset, it was an early morning for us but our Flytographer, Fernanda, knew what to do to make us happy. She had a great personality, was bubbly and sweet, and even brown a princess crown for the birthday girl. (She was thrilled of course.)

For the next 30 minutes she guided us on the beach for both a group of poised shots and candids so we had several different frames to remember our trip AND get that shot I wanted for the mantle. We played in the water, we hugged, we kissed, and we laughed. And best of all we were done before breakfast! 

In just a few days (three I believe), we already had our shots back too! I could choose which to download to have printed! It was the best photo experience and I know when we go on vacay again, we’ll definitely be booking a fFytographer, too! 

Get $25 off your first Flytographer experience with >>> THIS CODE <<<. 

Searching for refuge for a family vacation that is equally enjoyable for the parents as it is the kids? Say Hola to Chileno Bay Resort & Residences in Cabo Mexico. 

Thank you to Auberge Resorts Collection and Chileno Bay Resort & Residences for an amazing sponsored stay and experience. 

Somehow summer has almost come to an end and once again we hadn’t gone on a family vacation. 

Camp, work projects and and other family obligations had kept me from booking something we could do together AND to be honest, I just didn’t have it in me for a trip to a theme park, a road trip or anything that required me to be the director of fun for a full week.

Bottom line: we all needed to feel rested and refreshed when we got back. I needed a vacation, not a trip and I still needed to take my kids. 

And considering our kids were both in bilingual programs, I loved the idea of having a chance to put their knowledge to the test all while having a vacay in the process. Plus, we’re huge fans of Mexico as we were married in Puerto Vallarta and it’s just a short two plus hour ride away from Texas. But then again who doesn’t love beautiful white sandy beaches, azul waves rolling in the background and a few margaritas served poolside.

I found a super amazing deal for four for airfare (you can save $20 each way with each passenger from this airline), I was elated to confirm our stay for four at Chileno Bay Resort & Residences. Immediately by email I was introduced to a concierge named Dulce who would help make our stay everything we wanted both before and while we are at the resort. She sent me ideas for activities and restaurants to visit in nearby Los Cabos, requested our food tastes and allergies, and let me know about all the fun opportunities available for us while we were at the hotel. If we had a request for an activity all I had to do was tell her and it was confirmed. 

Chileno Bay & Resorts is nested on one of the only swimmable beaches in Los Cabos. Built in 2017, the resort is centered on the ideology of nature and holistic living from its architecture to its appetizers. With beautiful contemporary design aesthetic, exceptional service and premier location, this resort offers families an opportunity to experience Mexico together without anyone feeling a sacrifice of vacation (or in plain words – you don’t need a vacay after the family vacay.) 

Welcome

Upon arrival (only a 30 minute drive to the resort from the airport), we couldn’t have been met with more beauty and hospitality. Best of all, we were met with a tour of the hotel and then to our room where the signature “Chilenito” with mezcal, poblano pepper liqueur and pineapple was handshaken and served to the adults and a special strawberry lemonade for the kids. This was the first of many sweet surprises that would meet us during our stay. 

We spent the rest of the day doing exactly what you’d expect when getting to paradise: we spent it at the pool. But the pools at Chileno Bay is an adjoined three-tiered Infinity Edge pool with three areas designed for kids, families and adults. Lined with covered cabanas and service (yes, included), we ordered cocktails (#IgotmyChilenoColada) and a trio of tacos (pastor gringa, chicken and fried shrimp) to eat next to the pool delivered by some of the nicest, timely and attentive servers. Talk about perfection. So much so we’d repeat it every day (whether we were hungry or not) we were there (pool, tacos, sip, sleep and sun.) But that was just the start of the it. 

Kids Club 

While we loved the opportunity to swim with the kids and even play them in a game of chess, but when we needed a little break for mom and dad (and the kids a break from us), Pescaditos Kids Club and Teens Center was there! Operating daily with special activities including arts, crafts, and meals, they also hosted themed nights and PJ party events throughout the week for a small fee.

Cuisine

We dropped off our dynamic duo for movie night (in their 22 seat movie room) and we rolled over to Comal, the open-air onsite hotel restaurant that overlooked the ocean. If the scenery didn’t just make you want to sell your home and move, the cuisine would. Just because we were in Mexico, there was no Tex-Mex on this menu.

Totoaba Tiradito / Sesame / Radish Tostada

Mussels with Chorizo

The Comal would also serve as our breakfast spot each morning. With the waves crashing over the rocks and the sun rising over the water each day, I didn’t mind waking up early each day just to enjoy the beauty (and the quiet!) I couldn’t resist an Egg Sandwich with gluten free bread (I would’ve never thought it was GF!) and just the freshness of everything including freshly squeezed juice fusions and the avocados with my eggs! 

While I could’ve been happy with nothing but Comal and Tacos + Tequila (the name of the dayside taqueria), I can’t just be satisfied without trying out other offerings. Making it easy for us, we we took the hotel’s shuttle to its sister property, Esperanza, for dinner at Cocina del Mar. Recognized as Travel + Leisure’s 2018 World’s Best Top 100 resorts, we were in for a treat. Dinner overlooking the ocean, beautiful mariachi music in the background, and perfectly timed for my Taylor’s surprise tres leches cake with candle treated at the table from the staff, fireworks blasted out over the Pacific to make one little girl’s birthday one for the books. 

Being a dork about food and cocktails, I was so excited to have a private Mixology Class with the Chileno Bay Mixologist and our family. Wonder what kids would learn about making cocktails? Plenty. We learned about local ingredients and their history as well as the science of how they worked together. The kids bellied up to the bar to make lemonades and fusions while mom and dad learned to make the signature Chilenito we had sipped many of and my favorite, a beautiful deep purple colored cocktail called a Humo de Comal with mezcal, chicha (fermented fruit puree), citrus and a smoky brown sugar rim. 

Fitness Center

With all the tacos (oh, the tacos!) and Comal fare, there had to be some exercise. Thankfully, with so many options available, I really could do anything from the onsite fitness center to heading out on a paddle board. But what caught my eye was my favorite way to work it – spin. Water spin. (Yes, in the pool and working it for an hour was one heck of a workout with my own instructor.)

H20 Cave 

The kids had their own requests for experiences in Cabo including snorkeling, playing on the beach, surfing, fishing…well everything was on their list. Thankfully the H20 Cave at Chileno Bay Resort offers guests all the water craft and activities you can imagine and even better – assistance to learn how! I didn’t know much about snorkeling, especially with my kids, so we had help to suit them up, give a quick training, take us out and even record the experience! 

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Want to know the difference between Los Cabos and Cabo San Lucas?

They actually laid it out at the H20 Cave, the hotel’s aquatic center. 

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Spa Experience

After almost a week of enjoying the hotel, we couldn’t leave without a trip to the spa. But not for me. My son actually asked if he could get a massage. After reassuring me that my back rubs were always going to be his favorite, he wanted to see what a “real” massage was like. Thankfully, The Auberge Spa at Chileno Bay offers kids’ services including massages, facials, and more. So with a quick Facebook message to our concierge, we had an appointment. In addition to all the services available, the restorative spa offers “the ritual” to all guests that includes visiting several experiences from both a dry and wet sauna, salt inhalation room, hydrotherapy pool and natural refreshments designed to disconnect you from modern life and reconnect you to your more vibrant and vital self. 

And that’s exactly how I would describe our entire experience with the Chileno Bay Resort & Residences. After such an engaging, intimate and enjoyable experience, we will not just be returning, but also look at more of the destinations included in the Auberge portfolio. From Napa to Aspen (and many more in your bucket list destinations), you know why the brand has received so many awards. More importantly to us though, they created memories and smiles to last a lifetime.