Luxe Recess: For Parents Who Like Really Nice Hotels

In an interview with Robin Hutson, founder of Luxe Recess, we learn that parenthood doesn’t mean the end of luxury travel. In fact, it’s an opportunity to teach kids that adventure away from home is a rewarding experience.

What is the inspiration behind Luxe Recess?

I think there is a large, underserved market of parents who do not travel in the way that mainstream family travel defines the experience. They are, instead, showing their families the great cities of the world, relaxing at resorts, and exposing them to the natural beauty of popular regions. We want to help those families find the best accommodations by providing onsite reviews with extensive photography so that they know exactly what to expect. I have a nine year old and three year old. Once children reach a certain age, most start traveling easily, so I try and focus on the more challenging years for parents of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Where does your love of travel come from?

My real passion is hotels, even more so than travel, and this love has been life-long. I’m sure I was probably, at one time, Travel & Leisure’s youngest subscriber, making collages and scrapbooks out of the ads and articles with a glue stick. I would see the brand directories in our hotel rooms on vacation and memorize them the way some boys memorize sports stats.

My real passion is hotels, even more so than travel, and this love has been life-long. I’m sure I was probably, at one time, Travel & Leisure’s youngest subscriber, making collages and scrapbooks out of the ads and articles with a glue stick.

Why do you believe the place you stay matters as much as where you go on vacation?

I think, for parents in particular, most of us are over-scheduled, spread thin, and in need of more self-care. When something feels like a special treat, parents are more likely to put their smartphones down and connect with their families. I strive to be the mom I am on vacation every day, even though I fail. But if I had twice daily housekeeping and room service, I know I could do a heck of a better job. I also think creating a relationship with a place can be profound. A benefit of a luxury hotel is continuity, since most are built to last over generations. I traveled as a girl with my parents and grandparents to the One & Only Ocean Club, and I stayed there on my wedding night and take my children now. After my mother died, being there was the most soothing experience in my early days of grief. I brought a few of her ashes and scattered them in their gardens. My own children can go there when they need to feel connected to me after I am gone.

I strive to be the mom I am on vacation every day, even though I fail. But if I had twice daily housekeeping and room service, I know I could do a heck of a better job.

What are your best tips for long-haul flights with kids?

Flying with young children is work. I think accepting that and having realistic expectations of how much time you must engage your kids makes it easier. I believe in Murphy’s Law with my flight bag. If I bring a magazine or book I am eager to read, I will never have one second to do so. If I am empty handed, my children will nap an entire flight, so I stopped buying magazines at the airport.

What are your travel essentials?

My Canon, a noise machine, Kahina Giving Beauty Argan Oil, and stevia for my morning coffee.

Where do you hope your next vacation getaway will be?

I’m dying to return to London and Paris to see the renovations of the Lanesborough and Ritz. And I really want to see the Middle East, Morocco, and South Africa.

Why do you believe it’s important to travel with children?

While my children are young, I simply want to model that adventure away from home is exciting, and that being open to the new always has rewards. I want them to understand where our own piece of the world fits in a greater context.

While my children are young, I simply want to model that adventure away from home is exciting, and that being open to the new always has rewards. I want them to understand where our own piece of the world fits in a greater context.

Before becoming a mom, I traveled to Italy with a friend and her two teenaged daughters to Naples. I speak Italian, and they witnessed me giving my best to a taxi driver, spontaneous hand gestures and all, who was trying to extort an inflated fare from us. They mentioned this long after the trip, me showing that it is OK to stand up for one’s self. We model critical skills for children when travel throws us into unexpected circumstances: resilience, flexibility, gratitude and kindness, of course, but not to dishonest Neopolitan taxi drivers.

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Robin Hutson, Founder of Luxe Recess

The Founder: Robin Hutson

Robin has been a magazine publisher and marketing consultant for 20 years. Luxe Recess is the first venture to merge her expertise as a publisher and consultant to the mommy market with her greatest passion: luxury hotels. She has demonstrated success leading niche publications in circulation, advertising, promotions, and event marketing. She is a graduate of both the Radcliffe and Stanford PublishingCourses and is a past instructor of the Columbia Publishing Course. She launched her first magazine at age 26 to a profit when most successful magazines hope to reach that milestone within five years.

Image Credit: Robin Hutson

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