A Frau in Frankfurt: The Next Chapter of the Life of an Ex-Pat: Kinderhotel Weekend

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Kinderhotel Weekend

We spent the long Auffahrt (Ascention) weekend at a Kinderhotel in northern Italy. This was going to be our last long weekend in Switzerland and our last vacation before moving to Germany so we wanted to do something really great! (I know, like we haven't been going to great places all along!) We tried to go to the beach somewhere, but flights were crazy expensive because nearly every European country had 4 days off. So we looked into train trips. Overnight trains to Amsterdam and Prague and Vienna were booked long ago, so then we decided to see what was in driving distance (and where we haven't been yet). No where within 5 hours drive excited us, so we decided to check out what friends of ours have been recommending: Kinderhotels.

I went to www.kinderhotels.com to see what I could find. Most seemed geared toward ski weeks and some with summer activities, but only a few were even open in spring. Those that were did not fall into the low-budget category. But, after doing some research on the packages, at least it seemed like you'd get a lot for the money. After a few days of hemming and hawing, we decided to treat ourselves, knowing we'd need the relaxation after a week of crazy househunting just a week before in Germany.

We decided on Cavallino Bianco in the Dolomite mountain region of Italy. The Dolomites run through northern Italy just below Austria. Basically, due north of Verona and Venice. It took us about 4.5 hours to drive, and we went through Austria, skipping the dreaded long-weekend traffic jam at the Gotthard Tunnel in southern Switzerland. Considering the trip was costing a pretty penny, we decided to make sure we arrived in time for lunch! All meals were all-inclusive (except alcohol) so we wanted to make sure we got our money's worth. And we were not disappointed! The lunch buffets were amazing! Fresh seafood, veggies galore, salad bar, roasts and potatoes, pasta and kid friendly food. We couldn't try everything we wanted. If we had, we'd explode!

As soon as we'd checked in and had lunch, the kids wanted to check out LînoLand. LinoLand was every kids dream come true. From 9am-10pm everyday the kids could climb on climbers, play in ball pits, do crafts, do baking, go on hiking excursions, go swimming, play indoor sports, etc , etc, etc! The kids could even eat lunch and dinner there! At night, they had "happy discos" and movies and plays put on by kids. Our kids LOVED it. They wanted to eat dinner with their new friends the first night, so we let them. Filet mignon was on the menu in the kids' club. Seriously. Jason and I enjoyed a quiet 5-course meal in the main dining room. I do not know how Italians can eat so much. They must not do it everyday. We were stuffed and couldn't attempt to eat all 5 courses!

The place was so family friendly! In all the dining rooms there were special kids' menus, and even baby food stations. They let people borrow strollers (and I'm not talking your run of the mill Gracos. The loaner strollers were of the $800-1500 range!), each room had built in baby monitors and all were suites. Even the bar was child friendly! As adults relaxed with glass of wine, kids were riding bikes all around, bikes that were provided by the bar! It was weird, but also pretty cool. Adults could enjoy a spa vacation with all the bells and whistles and not have to worry about their kids bothering others. EVERYONE there had kids, I'm pretty sure you aren't allowed to stay there without kids. Really.

It was a dream weekend. Jason and I had spa treatments and a mountain bike ride. Aidan went on a 2.5 hour hike, played soccer and basketball non-stop. Lainey colored, baked bread, and discoed herself silly. We all swam everyday and ate like kings and queens. We are already thinking of going back during ski season! It was the best way to spend a gray and otherwise dreary long weekend.