Category Archives: Travel

The King and Prince resort

Enjoy St. Simons Island, GA in the Fall with a Stay at The King and Prince

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The King and Prince - St. Simons Island, GA

As summer ends, vacation destination options may become less obvious.  However, families shouldn’t stop vacationing when cooler weather begins!  Fall is the perfect time for your family to enjoy the historical attractions, gorgeous ocean, and lovely wooded landscapes of St. Simons Island, Georgia.  The fiery heat of the summer has started to die down, but it is still warm enough to enjoy the pristine natural beaches of St. Simons Island in early autumn. During the fall, there are many excellent things to do for both parents and children and enjoyable places to stay on St. Simons Island. The perfect weather makes fall the ideal time to tour the historic sites and monuments of St. Simons Island – since many of them are outdoors.

On the driving and trolley tours, guests can see the site of the Bloody Marsh Battle Site, where the British fought the Spanish in 1742, and St Simons Island Lighthouse, a beautiful lighthouse built in 1872. Other outdoor attractions the entire family will enjoy include the Fort Frederica National Monument, a fortress established in 1736 by James Oglethorpe, and Gascoigne Bluff, a Native American campground and historic southern plantation. The Ghost Tour by Lighthouse Trolleys gives visitors a tour of historical sites with ghostly tales, and it is an excellent way for families to celebrate Halloween.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”1″ gal_title=”King and Prince 2015 Fall Vacation”]

St. Simons Island’s only oceanfront resort, The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, provides luxurious accommodations where parents will appreciate fun adventures and activities to occupy children.  The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort has 5 swimming pools, including two kiddie pools, tennis courts, a fitness facility, and an Activities Coordinator who creates fun games for kids of all ages. The resort offers a variety of suites, bedrooms, beach villas, and private guest houses that are ideal for families.  Onsite dining includes ECHO, Pizzeria 201 and the seasonal The Sea Shack Bar + Bites, all of which offer kid friendly foods.

The King and Prince resort can help arrange activities such as horseback rides on wooded trails and kayaking trips through the marshes. St. Simons Island has a variety of fun fall activities including festivals, concerts, and tournaments that your whole family will enjoy. The St. Simons Food and Spirits Festival at Gascoigne Park will be a five day event at the end of September that features local restaurants, farmers, and artisans. Yesterday and Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience will come to the island in October to perform and celebrate the iconic British band. In November, the McGladrey Classic, a golf tournament on the PGA tour, will occur.

The St. Simons Island Calendar offers a full list of all of the interesting events that will be happening throughout the fall.

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
201 Arnold Road
St. Simons Island, Georgia, 31522

Connect with The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort Online

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Car prep summer road trip tips

Is Your Car Ready For Summer Road Trips? – Toyota Car Care To-Do Infographic

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It’s summer!  Since having kids, by February or March each year we’ve planned our entire summer.   A couple trips to the beach, a day trip or two to the lake, a vacation with family.  Those are just a few things we do during summer vacation and I’m sure your summer schedule is similar.   When planning for a road trip we often forget to give our vehicle a second thought.   Before you head out on your next summer road trip, tackle a few technical “to dos” to ensure your road trip is safe.

June is National Safety Month, and Toyota is heavily involved in helping drivers and parents keep their families safe out on the roads so they’ve provided us with this interactive infographic to remind you what’s really important before taking off to the beach this summer!

If you’re in the market for a new car check out our latest Toyota and Lexus one-week test drive reviews including our recent review of the 4Runner TRD Pro.

[pdf width=”700px” height=”1800px”]http://www.themommyinsider.com/?attachment_id=20039[/pdf]

Can’t see the infographic above?

Below are a few of the road trip car care tips. You can click here to open the pdf infographic in your browser.

No tired tires. Before taking those tires on the road, focus on: air, wear and spare.

  • Air
    A properly inflated tire can help you avoid a flat. Refer to the owner’s manual or a label inside the doorframe for the correct pressure and check tires when they’re cold (haven’t been driven on for three hours) for most accurate reading.
  • Wear
    Take five minutes to inspect for excessive or irregular wear. If tread is worn to 1/16 of an inch, it’s time to replace. Irregular wear patterns indicate tires might need rotation or realignment.
  • Spare
    Make sure the back-up has your back and run the spare through the same tests as your other tires.

Take care for rubber wear

  • Inspect belts, hoses and wiper blades for blisters, cracks or cuts. All are susceptible to summer heat, so replace if not in tip-top condition. And make sure hose connections are secure.

Get plenty of fluids

  • Be good to your trusted steed and follow up on fluids: oil, brake, automatic transmission, power steering, windshield washer and coolant. And if it’s time to have the oil changed or coolant system flushed, just do it.

Light it up

  • Check headlights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, interior and trailer lights.

Be cool

  • AC working? Hope so.

See these Summer Safety 101 tips and more here (pdf view).

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island, Georgia

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island, Georgia: Perfect Winter Vacation Destination

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As I turned onto Torras Causeway which connects the city of Brunswick, GA to St. Simons Island, GA, I felt a rush in my heart, then pure relaxation.  I didn’t have a heart attack, I was home.   Quite a reaction to home, right?  My actual ‘home-base’ is in the northern suburbs of Atlanta but my home-away-from-home is The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island, just a 5 hour drive from Atlanta.

The King and Prince Beach & Golf ResortGETTING THERE:
201 Arnold Road
St. Simons Island
Georgia, 31522

CONTACT
800-342-0212

CONNECT

Crossing the causeway I saw beautiful White Herons near the shoreline and in the marsh, stalking their soon-to-be lunch and possibly a Bald Eagle soaring above the trees which took my breath away.  If it wasn’t unsafe to stop in the middle of the causeway, I would have pulled over to stare at and document the incredibly beautiful animals gracing me with their presence.  Finishing my drive on the causeway I exited onto Kings Way, officially on St. Simons Island now, rolled the windows down and took in the sights, scents, and sounds of the island.   Driving on Kings Way is like driving through a tropical rain forest with residential communities filling in the spaces.  After about a mile I stopped at one of the few stoplights on the island, enjoyed a view of Pier Village, St. Simons Island’s place-to-be for residents and tourists alike.   Knowing I had to get to my destination and that I’d make my way back to the eclectic yet quaint shopping and dining district later,  I gently pressed the gas pedal when the light turned green and went on my way down Kings Way until it turned into Ocean Boulevard.  Then, I felt it in my soul; I was almost home.  Less than five minutes later, and no more than 7 minutes after crossing onto St. Simons Island from Torres Causeway, I stopped the car, opened my door, and took a deep breathe while looking up at the beautiful King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort that I and my family have become so fond of over the last four years.

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island, Georgia

Visiting The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort has become at least an annual occasion for my family so as I embarked on my most recent trip to the island, I wondered what I could possibly learn or experience at the resort and on the island that I haven’t already?  I was in for a surprise!  During this trip I received educational insight from local residents, historians, entrepreneurs, and artists including Curt Smith, Lighthouse Historian, Cap Fendig, life long resident of St. Simons and island host via way of trolley and boat, Cap’n Larry Credle, who runs educational shrimp boat excursions on the Lady Jane, a family MUST-DO!  I listened in awe as Mr. Smith shared details of when, in 1941, Germans sank five Allied merchant ships off Georgia shores, Georgia’s closest brush with actual combat operations in World War II.  The Naval Air Station Glynco in nearby Brunswick, GA was home to blimps that flew thousands of hours on coastal and maritime patrol.  A visit to the St. Simons Lighthouse and Maritime Center are a must for families with children who want or need to learn about the Georgia’s rich coastal history.  If your child, or yourself, is interested in history, a stop at the Lighthouse is a must-do!

King and Prince accomodations

The lavish accommodations make guests feel like royalty, even the young one’s receive a crown upon checking in.  Mom can sneak away for a relaxing massage in the Royal Cottage with treatments starting at just $50 for a 30-minute massage.   Dad can get away for a round of golf before setting out on a kayak tour of the marshes later in the day.  After being treated like a King or Queen, the family can relax by the pool and enjoy light snack by the pool served by The Sea Shack Bar and Bites.   ECHO, the resort’s restaurant, also offers patio seating near the pool area, weather permitting.  The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort is the only beachfront hotel on St. Simons Island giving guests an exceptional view from any angle.  Most rooms, villas, and rental homes on the property have at least an ocean view.  For large families, the available rental homes provide everything your family needs for a week-long, or longer, stay including a fully supplied kitchen, plenty of seating, ample closet and bathroom space, and easy access to all of the resort’s amenities.

King and Prince food and drink

St. Simons Island offers endless opportunities to dine in local hotspots that combine fresh seafood with traditional southern cuisine such as the Shrimp and Grits dish complete with Andoyille etouffee and Sapelo Farms greens served at The King and Prince or Homemade Empanadas served at Del Sur, a new restaurant on St. Simons Island.   The second morning of our visit, we enjoyed a delicious buffet breakfast at the Sandcastle Café, where owners, Tim and Melissa, have operated for 26 years. 

The King and Prince Resort, on St. Simon’s Island is the perfect secluded escape for busy parents in need of a relaxing vacation.  Bringing the kids is optional but never have I taken the kids to The King and Prince and regretted that my husband and I didn’t have enough relaxing time.   The beautiful view, resort ambiance, amenities, dining, and accommodations more than make up for the fact that the kids are with us the entire time.  The kids are happy because there is so much to do at the resort and you know that happy kids = happy parents!

The King and Prince hosts fun events during the year, including culinary classes, taste of Thanksgiving, holiday cookie parties, and a New Years Eve party.  You can follow along on their Facebook page for up to date event and activity information.

Do you see why The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort is my home-away-from-home?

More articles to come in this series:

  • 10 must-go places and things to do on St. Simons Island when you’re staying at The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
  • Enjoy great dining at The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
  • Holiday events and activities at The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
  • 3 Must-See Historical Sites on St. Simons Island, Georgia

Getting to The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

201 Arnold Road
St. Simons Island
Georgia, 31522
(800) 342-0212

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort is located on historic St. Simons Island in Georgia and is easily accessible by either car or air.  Island exits from I-95 are just 15 minutes from St. Simons. The Jacksonville International Airport is just 60 miles away and the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is less than 70 miles away. Brunswick Golden Isles Airport is a quick 20-minute drive, with three incoming Delta Connection flights daily.

Connect with The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort Online

More articles about The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

Note to readers: I was invited by The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on a media trip and was provided lodging and meals.  All opinions are my own.

Marriott Rewards Year of Surprises

Marriott Rewards® Final ‘Year of Surprises’ Nomination Period – Nominate Someone For a Surprise Party!

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Imagine this..It’s a Tuesday and it’s your 37th birthday.  No big deal, right?  You pick the kids up from school, run into the store to grab a couple of things, listen to your kids tell you about their day at school in the car.. at the same time, then you pull into the driveway and breathe a sigh of relief because you hope you’re in for a relaxing, hopefully treat-filled evening with your family, and BAM.. confetti hits your face and you hear screams of Happy Birthday! as you walk in the front door. surprise party  You can’t help but smile and your worries melt away when you see your friends and family there to celebrate your birthday with you.

Surprising people is fun, don’t you agree?   Despite that everyday life gets hold of our natural instinct to make people happy, it’s human nature to want to make people happy and surprise them.   A surprise doesn’t have to be BIG or expensive to be appreciated but Marriott Rewards® is going big and is giving you and I the opportunity to throw an amazing surprise party for someone special that will be BIG!   The last nomination period for Marriott Rewards’ Year of Surprises is happening now through August 31st!  There is still time to nominate a special person in your life to win a once in a lifetime surprise party just like four other people already have after having been nominated!  Surely, you can think of at least one person who deserves to be celebrated this year?

Marriott Rewards Year of Surprises

 

Did your child graduate college or high school this year?  Did a friend return from a tour of duty or beat the odds after a health scare?  These are all great reasons to celebrate!  Don’t downplay milestones like these and even birthdays.  Turning 40, 50, 60+ is a big deal and should be celebrated.   Time isn’t indefinite – celebrate life!

Marriott Rewards Surprise Parties

Marriott Rewards has already announced eight winners in the Year of Surprises contest from the first two nomination periods. Four of the winners have already experienced their unique surprise party! You can see all the parties at http://yearofsurprises.com/latest-parties.

While all of the people who have been chosen to have a surprise party hosted for them are amazing, two ‘Year of Surprises’ parties that resonated with me are Super Dad’s Rockin’ Bash and Courtney’s High School Graduation.

Amanda, a mom of two with a 2-year-old daughter who was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia at age 2, nominated her husband, aka “Super Dad”.  Bryan left his job to be by his daughter’s side at the hospital for 6 months.  Amanda nominated her husband for a party of a lifetime because he is truly a “Super Dad.”  For Bryan’s upcoming 30th birthday, Amanda gave her husband the surprise celebration of a lifetime at The Baron’s Theatre at Whiskey Row Lofts in Louisville, KY.  The night was filled with performances by Bryan’s favorite musicians, including Jalin Roze and the Violet Knives, face painting and dancing for the kids, and a surprise reunion performance by Bryan with his college band, Modern Silence.

Watch Amanda and Bryan’s story:

 

Dwayne Stevenson was the first lucky Year of Surprises winner and he chose to throw a surprise graduation party for his eldest son, Courtney at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. Courtney’s family moved from Texas during the middle of his sophomore year of high school, which was a very hard time to leave his friends. Dwayne wanted to throw his son a surprise graduation party to celebrate the important milestone before Courtney heads off to college in the fall. Courtney’s friends and family came from all over the country to celebrate with him.

Watch Courtney’s story:

Why become a Marriott Rewards member?

Marriott Rewards brings memorable experiences to life for its members.  Two of my favorite perks of being a Marriott Rewards member is the late check-out and free wi-fi.  Read about and watch a video of me explaining what I love about Marriott Rewards!  Marriott Rewards is free to join and has no blackout dates*. Members can earn and redeem points at 14 distinct hotel brands with more than 3,800 hotels in 70 countries and territories. Members can also redeem points for frequent flyer miles, cruises, car rentals, merchandise and more.

Voted “Program of the Year” 7 years in a row, Marriott Rewards has maintained excellence in rewarding members with points to redeem for hotel stays, flights, exclusive events and shopping. Through their membership, guests earn status to receive memorable experiences during their hotel stays with benefits such as priority check-in and complimentary room upgrades. For 30 years, the magic of Marriott Rewards has helped travelers create new memories all around the globe.

To enroll in Marriott Rewards and see all the benefits of membership, visit marriott.com/rewards. And don’t forget to visit yearofsurprises.com to nominate a loved one and get upcoming related updates on nomination periods, winner information and latest parties.

*Hotels may limit the number of standard rooms available for redemption on a limited number of days. All Marriott Rewards program terms and conditions apply.

How to nominate someone for a surprise party

Marriott Rewards is looking for the most memorable ideas you can come up with, so go to yearofsurprises.com and nominate your loved one today for a surprise party.  Nominations will be reviewed based on creativity/uniqueness of entry, overall appeal of nomination essay, and feasibility of the surprise party. Four winners will be notified in September and parties will be scheduled throughout the remainder of the year. This is the last nomination period for Year of Surprises so enter now!  Keep up with all the winners and their stories at yearofsurprises.com.  You could be next!

Limit one (1) entry per person/email address per nomination period.  Please see the “Nominate” section at yearofsurprises.com for the nomination entry form and requirements.  You do not need to be a Marriott Rewards member to submit a nomination, but if your nomination is chosen, you and the nominee will need to enroll at Marriott.com/rewards.  For more details on the contest, check out the Year of Surprises official rules at yearofsurprises.com/rules.

– Alicia

 

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The King and Prince Resort on St. Simons Island, Georgia

Remodeled King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

Georgia, Travel, , ,

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

Location:
201 Arnold Road
St. Simons Island, GA

About a 5.5 hour drive from Atlanta
About an hour drive from Jacksonville International Airport

Reservations: 877-724-3170
www.kingandprince.com

St. Simons Island, GA map

St. Simons Island, Georgia is home to an award-winning vacation destination called The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort.  If you live in Georgia, chances are you and/or your friends and family have been to The King and Prince and many families have memories of visiting the quaint seaside resort for decades.   The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort, opened in 1941, recently underwent a head-turning remodel.

My family stayed in one of the The King and Prince’s rental homes called the Familia Meadows House in July and experienced the beautiful renovations first-hand.  During our stay at The King and Prince last August, Bud St. Pierre – director of sales, explained the upcoming renovations and while I had reservations about the indoor heated pool being taken out and replaced with a seating area, I can’t imagine it any other way now.  The King and Prince’s lobby, bar and restaurant were completely remodeled and look better than ever.   It’s hard to believe that the work was completed in just three months.

The King and Prince Resort on St. Simons Island, Georgia

The newly remodeled lobby features a huge fireplace with a plush and relaxing seating area where the indoor pool used to be.  My kids were concerned that the indoor pool was ‘missing’ but quickly formed a bond with the seating area and view in the lobby, like kids do.  The mixture of hardwood, tile, modern and vintage fixtures in the lobby and dining areas grab visitors attention while at the same time the beautiful use of these elements relaxes the mind and body.  The gorgeous view of the ocean from the lobby and ECHO restaurant and bar, doesn’t hurt.

St. Simons Island is a barrier island off the southern coast of Georgia that offers visitors a wealth of scenic views, historical sights and tours such as Fort Frederica and St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum as well as wildlife viewing areas, great food, fishing, and boutique shopping.  St. Simons Island isn’t what I would call a touristy beach town but more of a town where year-round residents welcome visitors and share the beauty St. Simons Island has to offer with guests. 

St. Simons Island, Georgia beach

What my kids love most about The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort and St. Simons Island the beach.  The hard-sand beaches make for amazing sand castles, great bike riding, and easy walking.  Twice a day, as if by magic, large sandbars appear about 25-75 yards from shore and closer in some places.   Many visitors swim or kayak to the sandbar to look at shells.   During low tide my kids found dozens of empty knobbed whelk shells in the large rocks.  We learned from a St. Simons Island native who walks the beach every morning, that the snails living inside the knobbed whelk scurry (slowly I suppose) out of their shell to get to water once the shell gets stuck in the rocks at low tide.  

The King and Prince St. Simons Island sandbar

The King and Prince Guests See A Lot of Marine Life

You can’t get much better than St. Simons Island in regards to viewing marine life.  During our visit this month we saw small sand sharks playing near the sandbar early in the morning when the tide is very low as well as lots of hermit crabs, blue crabs, purple crabs, horseshoe crabs, and sea anemone.

Grab your family and watch the short video below to see what is so great about
The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island, GA

About 15 minutes from The King and Prince Beach & Golf resort is one of the greatest opportunities for your kids to learn about and see what is in the waters of the St. Simons Sound.  On board the Lady Jane shrimpin’ excursion is marine biologist, Mr. Phil – as the kids called him, who explained in detail the marine life that was pulled up in the net during the 2 hour ride through the Sound.  The kids loved seeing and learning about the stingrays and squid while I enjoyed learning about the delicate yet thriving ecosystem of the area.  I highly recommend that you take a trip on the Lady Jane shrimpin’ boat during your next visit to St. Simons Island.

St. Simons Island beach - kayak and bike rentals

Water Activities

Not one’s to miss out on adventure, my husband and 14-year-old son took to the ocean in kayaks.  Kayaks are available to rent right from the beach at The King and Prince and if kayaking isn’t your thing, hop on a bike rented from one of the local shops and ride the shores to take in the scenery and wildlife.  For the entire family, I recommend hopping on a trolley tour of St. Simons Island.  Standup paddleboarding is big now and we got to see plenty of paddle boarding action, including paddle boarding yoga, from the beach.  Paddleboards are also available to rent.  Visit the concierge desk at the resort to plan your itinerary during your stay on the island.

The King and Prince Resort Accommodations

Accommodations include 2-bedroom villas, oceanfront suites, oceanfront rooms, partial ocean view rooms, resort-view rooms, standard rooms, and private guest houses. Guests can enjoy access to the onsite pools and exercise facility.  Spa/massage services are available in the Royal Treatment Cottage.

During our stay in July, we stayed at the Familia Meadows House at The King and Prince.  The five level, 4 bedroom pet-friendly house has 4 decks/patios, a loft living room with large flat screen TV, stainless-steel appliances, beautiful hardwood floors, a huge walk-in closet in the master bedroom, and a fenced in yard.  The top deck looks out onto the resort property and has a fireplace, seating area, and a sink.  The kids spent most of the time we were in the house on this deck.

The King and Prince Resort - St. Simons Island Meadows House

The King and Prince Dining Options

ECHO is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and its menu, which changes seasonally, features ingredients provided by fisherman and farms in the local region such as fresh Georgia shrimp and peaches as well as local cheeses.   On days you want to relax by the pool all day, The Sea Shack Bar + Bites, will happily serve your family items such as all-beef hot dogs, chicken tenders, ceasar salad, and shrimp cocktail.

Connect with The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort
201 Arnold Road
St. Simons Island, GA

Reservations: 877-724-3170
www.kingandprince.com

More articles in The King and Prince Resort / St. Simons Island, GA series: