Thanks to Coeur d’Alene Resort for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions in the post are my own.

🎵 It’s the most wonderful time of the year

There’ll be much mistltoeing, and hearts will be glowing, when loved ones are near

It’s the most wonderful time. It’s the hap-happiest season of all 🎵

‘Tis the season to shower your loved ones with gifts, 

but what is the best of the best gifts of all times? 

It’s giving the gift of experiences and creating memories to last a lifetime!!!

‘Tis the season to truly enjoy every magical experience that is out there 

and hence you have been seeing a whole lot of #HolidayBucketList items on the blog lately (hope you are taking notes, read more here and here).

P.S: #Sorrynotsorry about overloading this post with dozens and dozens of pictures. I had to choose from 2K+ pictures #nokidding and yet these don’t do the resort and the holiday light show any justice.

P.P.S: Now, I could have just posted the 10 best pictures and called it a night, but then that wouldn’t do anyone any justice… 

This above pic is courtesy of the resort 🙂

It was getting dark and cold but we were excited to head over to watch the holiday light show

  

A few weekends ago our family kicked off the holiday season in style and felt the magic of the holidays every minute of the day at one of the top-rated holiday destinations in the US, the Coeur d’Alene Resort in Idaho, a #PacificNorthWestWonderland, and it’s ever so popular and award-winning Holiday Light Show, #HolidayBucketList item right here, check out their holiday packages and treat yourself and your family, NOW! 

Lots and lots of lasting magical holiday memories and traditions were made as we stepped foot inside the Coeur d’Alene Resort, a real-life magical wonderland. Starting with waking up in the morning to a spectacular sunrise with the views of the mountains, the lake, and the boats to embarking on the cruise journey to the North Pole to walking along the longest snow-kissed floating boardwalk to listening to the festive carolers to gobbling up all of the cookies and milk delivered by Santa’s elves to gazing in awe at the 250 holiday displays featuring over 1.5 million lights to hearing Santa greet my baby boy and call his name out loud from the nice list to being awestruck by one of the world’s largest floating Christmas tree animated to holiday music to watching the huge fireworks finale. It was truly the.most.enchanting.experience ever!

One pic where he actually kinda-sorta-stayed-put for a picture (notice him wiggling around to be let go)

Bringing my entire family including my mom and dad to the Coeur d’Alene Resort was just one of those incredible and priceless gifts that I was able to give to my family a few weekends ago. After spending just a few hours at the resort my parents said that in all these years that they have visited the US, and among all the places that we have taken them to, this was hands down the best place and experience ever (then you can only imagine how epic the rest of our 3 days at the resort were)! Goes to show just why the Coeur d’Alene Resort and its light show is so raved about by one and all. 

On a side note, hearing my parents say so made me immensely proud of what I do. We come from a middle-class family and my parents are extremely simple and hardworking people. When I was little, their only goal was to give my brother and me the best education possible (and they accomplished that). They never spent money on themselves to lead a luxurious life or to travel, none of that was ever important to them back then. And not in their wildest dreams did they think that my brother and I would study in a foreign country and one day make a living here, but today that is a reality… Sure, our parents have visited us several times in the past, sure, we have taken them all over the country, and sure we can now afford to spend money on traveling, but all that might not have seemed like such a big deal if I was still part of the corporate world on Wall Street (sure, I used to be proud then too but just not as much). When you choose an unconventional profession such as what I do, if I am able to give them the gift of such unforgettable experiences then all my sleepless nights and hard work is every bit worth it! Told you, the most valuable gift is the #giftofexperiences. Sorry, I digress, but I just had to share this… 

That one time he kept his beanie on for a hot sec 😉

He just doesn’t want to be held, but be on the ground running around 😮

Dada and son book reading time, they do it in style 😉

Yes, that’s how you hold the book, upside down, in case you have been doing it all wrong all your life 😉

The Coeur d’Alene resort is nestled among the majestic Idaho mountains and overlooks the shimmering Lake Coeur d’Alene in northwest Idaho. It is located right in the heart of the downtown area and is only a few minutes walk from several restaurants, cafes, and shops, all along the main street of the town. The resort is near the Washington state border and is only 5 hours by road from Seattle (or just a short drive from the Spokane International Airport) and is central to major Interstate roadways. 

That one time he walked for a few seconds before he started sprinting (as always) and chasing the ‘birddddieee’

yep, this is right next to the resort

This four-star resort offers its guests the best luxurious accommodations in all of North Idaho. They have more than 300 rooms which are spacious and tastefully decorated. Our room came with elevated beds, a fireplace, and a private balcony, all making the spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains even more beautiful #ViewsForDays. 

Waking up to this view #lifeisgood 🙂

But waking up right next to this view, his life is even better 😀

hmm, this is new, where’s my room and where’s my googo (google home)?

Ok, I think I like this #skeptical

awwwww, my loves!

And that stunning sunset from our private balcony

Meeting Santa’s elves for the first time, he is all chatter chatter with them

See, told you, he is all smiles with every stranger

Hmmm, this tastes strange, mom has never given me a cookie 😮

Their lobby area is huge and is decked up for the holidays with many Christmas trees and lightings. With nine in-house restaurants, bars and lounges which serve everything from colorful cocktails to seasonal drinks to Italian classics, there is a variety of dining options to choose from, some even offering beautiful views of the lake. Plus, the room service also has a wide range of choices on the menu throughout the day. 

The Coeur d’Alene resort is also famous for its world-renowned golf course and has the world’s only Floating Green. It has more than 32,000 square feet of meeting and events space. There is also a full fitness center, indoor heated pool, an outdoor infinity pool by the lake (open during the summer months), a hot tub and a shopping arcade. Plus, there are several on-site and off-site activities to choose from depending on the time of the year – whitewater rafting, mountain biking, hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, parasailing, and jet skiing. 

He loves being in the water

The resort is also home to an award-winning spa. It is spacious and the setting is extremely relaxing and rejuvenating with a fireplace overlooking the lake. I’d even say that this was the best indoor spa we have ever been pampered and spoiled at (and believe me, we have tried several. Vinay and I try to sneak in a couples massage whenever we can, especially during our travels). You can choose from treatments such as massages, facials, body therapies, and salon services. All treatments use natural elements such as stones, lavender, spruce, and cedar. 

And now to elaborate a bit more about the highly anticipated and most raved about the experience at The Coeur d’Alene Resort, The Holiday Light Show… “What began as a few lights decorating the front entrance of The Coeur d’Alene Resort in 1986 has grown to an international holiday destination with more than 250 displays and was voted the fourth best Holiday Light Display in 2014 by USA Today. The show has continued to earn accolades year after year, and the reason is simple: it’s the best way to experience everything you love about the holidays in one location. Whether it’s from the eyes of a child, or just a child at heart, nothing captures the spirit of the holidays like the Holiday Light Show at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.” 

The 2018 Coeur d’Alene Resort Holiday Light Show runs from Nov. 23 through New Year’s Day. Preview week begins Nov. 17 and runs through Nov. 22. The Journey to the North Pole cruise departs nightly across the lake. The cruise might only be 40 mins but a whole lot happens in that short span of time, once the cruise departs you are instantly transported to a magical wonderland with all the dancing light displays in view in front of the resort, and as you arrive at the North Pole, Santa greets you and then calls out the names of every.single.child on the cruise who has made it to the nice list 😉 And as soon as Santa is done his village lights up, his reindeer takes off into the night sky, a huge Christmas tree is lit, there are fireworks in the sky, all of which is intensified by the reflecting lake. Overall, an amazing treat not just for the eyes but for all senses of your body #goosebumps. 

“Get a glimpse of the most wonderful time of the year at The Coeur d’Alene Resort here.”

Not sure who is more excited to visit the North Pole :p

Off we go to the North Pole to meet Santa and his elves

He did pull at Rudolph’s red nose 😉

With luxurious accommodations, breathtaking holiday displays, rejuvenating spa treatments, and the sun shining down on us bright and beautiful (something we had terribly missed in Seattle) this four-star resort has left a heartfelt and lasting impression on us. Needless to say, it wasn’t easy for us to leave. Our family can’t wait to go back to this marvelous destination during the warmer months and enjoy all that this charming lakeside Coeur d’Alene Resort has to offer then. 

Heartwarming

What I live for 🙂

Curious little fella, didn’t want to change out of his PJs, he’s trying to have a conversation with the little one downstairs

Alright, vacay over now time to go back home, mister… No, not yet mama.

The Coeur d’Alene Resort is a perfect vacation destination for couples, families or just a group of friends, and during all seasons of the year. Now if this resort and its renowned Holiday Light Show is not on your #HolidayBucketList then I don’t know what is 😮