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The Staycationer 2020

Showing posts with label trending. Show all posts
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The Inn Thing: The Frontenac Club

The Inn Thing: The Frontenac Club

By Saturday, August 22, 2020

Here's your exclusive look at the newly renovated historic Frontenac Club!

📍: Kingston, Ontario 

Only steps away from Market Square and City Hall, this boutique hotel is officially redefining luxury in Kingston. As a limestone landmark, this building features a rich sense of history and recently underwent renovations that led to a major transformation from a traditional bed and breakfast to a luxury getaway in the nation's first capital.

The Frontenac Club in Kingston, Ontario

As a boutique hotel with a strong backstory, the building has been standing for close to 175 years aka since before Confederation. From a bank to a gentlemen's club, a strong emphasis was placed on preserving the storied history of the building and elements of times past found within the walls including stunning stonework, love letters, old coins, magazines, and more items that have been displayed throughout the site. The changes reflect a contemporary yet elegant style with influences of what makes Kingston special. Each space within the Club is a curated experience with a story - a window to the past and a chance to create new memories.

The Frontenac Club now offers a sense of grandeur that Kingston has not seen before, you'd think you were in Toronto or Montreal perhaps. No detail was left untouched as the renovations and restoration took place. A perfect blend between maintaining the historic look and feel and including modern amenities that guests come to expect. Kington is truly the perfect backdrop as it resonates with the mix of old and new.

The Frontenac Club in Kingston, Ontario - Boutique Hotel

PERKS OF YOUR STAY

From complimentary private parking onsite to gourmet breakfast to start your day, the Frontenac Club is also pet-friendly, so bring your furry friend with you on your next getaway or staycation!

The Frontenac Club in Kingston, Ontario - Boutique Hotel

THE BANK

Did you know the Frontenac Club was once the home of the Bank of Montreal Branch? Well, it only seemed fitting that the bar and lounge take on the name of its previous establishment.

This certainly makes this space quite unique as you sip on a handcrafted cocktail, whisky or glass of wine while enjoying locally sourced creative food dishes. So toast to the end of the day, a special occasion or just because, sit back and relax in the Bank.

Honestly, this space gave me all the Sex and the City vibes! Cheers!

The Frontenac Club in Kingston, Ontario - Boutique Hotel

The Frontenac Club in Kingston, Ontario - Boutique Hotel

THE VAULT

The most amazing part is that the bank vaults within the Frontenac Club were kept intact and now one of them plays host to a spectacular dining area that allows for private tastings or dinner parties.

An unforgettable dining experience awaits!

The Frontenac Club in Kingston, Ontario - Boutique Hotel

THE ROOMS

Each key unlocks a unique experience. This boutique hotel expanded from 16 rooms to 20 distinct rooms, that are anything but standard. Each room is uniquely designed with elegance, contemporary flair and sophistication. From limestone walls, private patio, deep soaker tubs to great views, every room immerses you in a different story of Kingston, our nation, and travel experiences of the owners.

The Frontenac Club in Kingston, Ontario - Boutique Hotel

MACKENZIE-KING ROOM

You will have plenty of room to unwind in this spacious junior suite. With a luxurious king-bed and a sitting room around your fireplace, you will be able to entertain friends and family before heading out to explore Kingston. This is a large bright space with room for up to 4 guests.
This room is inspired by none other than Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King and you may come across an Ouija board as King had a bit of a spiritualist side and enjoyed conducting séances.

The Frontenac Club in Kingston, Ontario - Boutique Hotel

BACKSTAGE ROOM

Dubbed the Backstage room, this room celebrates Kingston musical artists such as The Tragically Hip. It features high ceilings and large windows with a king bed, fireplace, a fabulous 4-piece bath and guests can also listen to a curated collection of Kingston music on vinyl.
 This spacious junior suite has high ceilings and large windows. Your king bed is framed by exposed brick and you can be the DJ spinning Tragically Hip records on the turntable by the fire. Your bathroom boasts a soaker tub and a large walk-in shower. We can guarantee there’ll be no knock on the door!
The Frontenac Club in Kingston, Ontario - Boutique Hotel

BUBBLE BATH

The large bathrooms are modern and sleek - everything about the room lends itself to a comfortable stay especially with a soaker tub that is begging for you to linger and enjoy.

Featured below is the Churchill Suite.

The Frontenac Club in Kingston, Ontario - Boutique Hotel

THE ROOFTOP

In case you thought I was done, nope. Welcome to the new private rooftop terrace reserved for guests aka Kingston's coolest rooftop with stunning waterfront views! This sure is a hidden gem of the Club.

Rooftop patio in Kingston, Ontario

Enjoy your stay at The Frontenac Club!

Where: 225 King Street E, Kingston, Ontario

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Rosalyn Gambhir
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It's Time to Be Uncomfortable, Use Your Voice & Take Action

It's Time to Be Uncomfortable, Use Your Voice & Take Action

By Monday, June 01, 2020
It’s been about almost ten weeks now of quarantine and honestly, it’s still an adjustment. I'm not going to lie and say it's rainbows and sunshine, because it's not. Some days have been good but others have been not so great. I guess you can say that I have been coasting and slowly adapting to our new normal. I've been more tired than the past few weeks and I can't really put my finger on it.

It's not just an off day but in this present moment, I feel exhausted. I'm exhausted with the stress and fear of COVID-19. But now I wake up with such a heavy heart with recent events of social and racial injustices, the murder of George Floyd and racism in our world. Yet this is not the first time.

I'm slowly finding my words to articulate my thoughts. I struggled to find the right ones for the unfairness that has occurred. I'm not one to usually be outspoken. I've been tuned into Twitter non-stop, keeping up with what's happening and processing everything but also my emotions are of anger, sadness and despair. I'd rather take the risk of speaking out than staying silent and saying nothing.

Straight up, I’m uncomfortable even speaking to this. I feel pressured and that if I don’t speak out (especially being a content creator/influencer), that there’s a target that we don’t care. Yes. It feels awkward. It’s uncomfortable. BUT, discomfort leads to bigger things. Our growth is where discomfort is. We need to spread our wings aka we need to unleash our potential to educate others and ourselves as part of the path of change for our community.  This goes far beyond me and you.

If we want change, we need to do our part. It's an ongoing process. We need to do better. We need to listen. We need to do our research. We need to start advocating for change in politics. We can't just plainly ignore what is happening. We need to have the willingness to learn. We need to open our hearts and our minds. If you have the capacity to speak out, respect boundaries and please do so. Have a conversation to "call-in" others rather than "calling out." We don’t need to knock down others. Have compassion for those navigating their thoughts. Give others like influencers, friends and family time to gather their thoughts as well, to speak, to voice their opinions and take action on their own. Encourage them and accept feedback.

 It's a matter of speaking up with words that are impactful. The impact will happen when individuals use their true voices to guide others in the right direction. From fighters, peacemakers to changemakers, everyone will have a part to create impact. People like myself will use the language of passion for community building to spread the message of unity in our city and encourage others to promote anti-racism. But refusing to have a conversation about race will not resolve the issues we are facing, it will only perpetuate them. Our community has flaws and it needs to be addressed.

 Education is necessary. Conversations along with awareness are key. But it has to go beyond this. Don't let your actions be limited to the next 24 hours. Honestly, seeing others including myself speak out now for the first time has been great but we need to do better. We need to be uncomfortable. We need to be unified. Simply posting on social media isn't enough.

 Your voice needs to go beyond just the now of current events or an Instagram post. Our voices are powerful. We are a strong community that can make a difference. Reflect on your own privilege. Your own bias. It starts in our households, your daily life, our friends and family, raising our children, supporting businesses owned by people of colour, signing petitions and donating to organizations but also writing to our local politicians, creating public forums or round table discussions and speaking up to our community leaders to activate real change.

This is a collective fight. The Black community needs our support.

I'll admit, I'm still learning and always open to conversations.

It's Time to Be Uncomfortable, Use Your Voice & Take Action - Rosalyn Gambhir - Black Lives Matter
I am a person of colour. I am a minority. I am South Asian and Indo-Canadian.
This is important to say because we're raised to be a "model minority". This was a term I wasn't actually aware of until this weekend. It's individuals like Deepica Mutyala of Live Tinted and as of recent Jenny Jay who allowed myself to be proud of my Indian heritage over the past few years. As a first-generation Canadian Indian, we have been raised to stay quiet and keep our heads down. To not disturb or speak out.

This is not fair to our peers or our black community.

 We need to move past this as it goes beyond just us. Let's recognize our privilege, use our voice and take action.

Here are some actionable things you can do to educate yourself further thanks to Komal Minhas:

Click Here to View Resource

Resources to support Black communities in Canada:

Click Here to View Resource

How to Take Action in Canada

⁣Kingston Vigil: Black Lives Matter

Click Here to View Event
Happening on Tuesday, June 2 at 4:30PM

⁣Kingston: Let's Talk Race 

Click Here to Attend Virtual Event
Happening on Friday, June 5th at 2PM

To end, I wanted to share these words thanks to @justaskjenny around privilege right now that she shared on Instagram:

....these conversations around understanding how to get to equality and navigating our privilege is a lot like the stages of grief.

First comes the denial. We don’t want to admit that there is work to be done because it’s painful to see, so we deny it. Eventually, we hear it enough times, one anecdote hits too close to home, and suddenly we’re ANGRY. WE SEE IT. And we’re FURIOUS and we want to do something about it.
⠀
And so we start to try, but without always knowing the place to start, it can end up being frustrating.

Eventually, between bargaining and sadness, we finally get to acceptance.

And so here we are.
⠀
If you’ve been navigating these feelings for the first time — I’m glad you've gotten here.
When it comes to seeing your privilege there is inevitably guilt and shame around never realizing it before. And that’s valid too — because it can feel like an entire part of society that just wasn’t apparent to you.
⠀
But in conversations around privilege, the important thing really isn’t for you to feel shitty as a person, or wrong for having the privileges you have.

Instead, it’s about finding the ways you can use that to empower those around you. It’s about learning how we can do our individual parts to make a difference. It’s about #passingthemic when you can, creating healthy spaces for conversation, listening, and about learning how we can collectively be better.

Privilege doesn’t mean you didn’t navigate hard things. It doesn’t mean parts of your life weren’t unfair.

It just means some things weren’t HARDER for you because of factors that often have to do with race, ability, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic class.

And I know it’s a lot sometimes.

But we’re here.

And so, I’d love to welcome you to what I call stage six of this process — Action: where the work begins, and continues. 

-  Jenny Jay

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Rosalyn Gambhir
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Dear Kingston, Let's Support Local

Dear Kingston, Let's Support Local

By Tuesday, May 19, 2020
⁣Kingston has come to a standstill. A silence like no other as we #stayhome. A once-bustling city with people out and about, laughter in the air, restaurants bumping... is no more. While there is a lot of uncertainty around the world, there is also a lot of hope. And as places open back up with precautions and attempt to return to 'normal', it'll take time. As a city with the most restaurants per capita in Canada and as a proud locavore and foodie, our local restaurant and food scene need our support. This is a time where we need to come together as a community to rebuild and slowly recover.

This is our home. This is our happy place that brings us joy. 

The culinary community has been adapting to this new reality by offering online stores, deliveries, curbside pick up and more, so let's support the people and places that make our hometown a wonderful place to live. Whether it’s doing takeout, supporting a local farm by signing up to a CSA or buying locally made products such as milk, eggs or cheese, it is our time to regain our strength as a community. Until the dust settles, we will get through this together!

Be a tourist in your own city and #SupportLocal!


So please do me a favour. If there’s a local spot you love, go show them some love.

My heart goes out to family, friends and other entrepreneurs that have had their worlds turned upside down during the past few weeks. Kingston is an amazing place and we know darn well the value and importance of community. So let's try our best to support our local businesses in any way we can. ❤️

Here are a few ways you can help a local business while social distancing:

Order meals for takeout or delivery.

Buy a gift card now to spend later.

Give them a shout out on social media.

Write a positive review via email, Facebook or Google Business.

Like, share or comment on their social channels.

Share your favourite stores in your social networks.

Talk about your love online or with your friends.

Send messages of support on social media.

Recommend friends to them if they are looking for a particular product.

Order your supplies from local businesses online.

Better yet, plan your next staycation in Kingston. While travel is not possible now, it doesn’t mean you can’t plan for adventures later when restrictions are lifted. Take this time to dream up your next local adventure.

Dear Kingston, Let's Support Local

But Why Support Local?

Plain and simple, it shows you care about the local community that you live in. You’ll be able to put dollars back into it and the other people who call it home, too. Every purchase made from these businesses helps the owner provide dollars for their workers, keep the lights on, and put food on the table for their families. Your support gives our local economy a chance to thrive and hopefully, fingers crossed, recover in time. But know that for many, this may not be a reality and they will be forced to close their doors.

Remember that our community of passionate people keep our city alive and gives it its unique flavour. So by supporting those businesses, you also ensure that uniqueness is preserved as a part of our community. Also, in some shape, way, or form, we are personally invested as our friends, family and neighbours are local business owners or are employed by those owners. We celebrate when our favourite local business succeeds and we mourn when they're forced to shut their doors. Sadly this was the case for The Alibi in downtown Kingston who did not survive. Give this article a read!

On a personal note, Kingston is why I am a locavore - a statement that rings true to my time living in the city. I didn't know it at first but with the proximity to local farms, farmers' markets and best of all restaurants, the city of Kingston is a haven for foodies craving true local cuisine.

And in true foodie fashion, I have to share a few of my Kingston favourites:

Mio Gelato
Pan Chancho
Woodeanheads
Sapporo Sushi
Sima Sushi
Bella Bistro
Aquaterra
Olivea
Miss Bao
Silly Yak
Baltic Deli
Pilot House
Red House
Bubba’s Poutine
Rustic Spud
Mesa Fresca
Amadeus Cafe
Tango Nuevo
The Everly
The Pasta Shelf
Sally's Roti Shop
Mamma Mia Pizza
Shawarma El Mina
Coffee Way Donuts
North Roast - Coffee
Kingston Coffee House
Smoke 'N' Barrel Kingston
Chinese Palace
Rose & Crown
Copper Penny Grill N' Home
Peter's Place Restaurant
CRAVE Coffee House & Bakery
Dianne’s Fish Shack & Smokehouse
NORTHSIDE espresso + kitchen
Kingston Brewing Company
Iron Duke on Wellington
Namaste - Indian Food
Cards Bakery
Bread & Butter Bakery
Brothers Quality Meats
Enright Cattle Company
Limestone Organic Creamery
Memorial Centre Farmers' Market

Next on my list to try:

Jade Garden
Pisanos: Old School

And obviously, even though this post was directed at foodie spots, I can't leave out a few of my favourite retailers as well:

Whit Kingston
Agent 99
Fancy That
Plant Shelf
LSP Designs
Potter's Nurseries
Cooke's Fine Food
Atkinson Home Hardware
Wonderland Escape Rooms and Board Game Lounge
and the list goes on!

Let's keep the heart of our city going!

And if you're reading this and you live in another city, the message is the same, please support your local economy during these times.
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Rosalyn Gambhir
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We Will Get Through This Together

We Will Get Through This Together

By Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Truth: It’s been a long and tiring week and a half staying up to date during these challenging times. My heart has been heavy and I've been overwhelmed. There's a sense of loss of normalcy and a loss of connection.

We are all feeling a number of things right now from being anxious or worried and that's okay because the world is changing.

This weekend I finally took a moment to let everything sink in and reflect. I've been avoiding talking about what's happening (publicly) as it adds to my anxiety and positive thinking lets me coast and avoids stress (I know I’m not alone). As things progress, the matter at hand has to be addressed in some way. Our reality moving forward will be different but life doesn't stop. This blog has always been a space of positive vibes and I plan to continue that. I look forward (with you all!) to share practical yet inspiring ways to uphold our Kingston spirit in the face of this global challenge.

And know that this is a time where we need to come together as a community more than ever to support one another. We are all in this together. Our daily lives and routines have changed to staying home and social distancing. We're going to crush that curve. There's no avoiding the facts and props to all you introverts out there, we're vibing! (Gotta add a bit of humour when you can during these times.)

We Will Get Through This Together - Kingston Community - COVID-19

I’ve transitioned to working from home for the next few weeks in light of our current environment and being in a social media and communications role, I'm fully aware of everything surrounding COVID-19. But please know, that it will get better in time. We need to remember that the health and safety of those around us and ourselves are a priority. So listen to your local authorities as they know best.

For now, let's take a few deep breathes and know that we will emerge from this stronger.

I'm wishing everyone good health and good vibes as we continue to navigate this future together. To all those who are working on the front lines during these times, THANK YOU immensely.

Scroll down to read my go-to tips on how we can get through it day by day.

Focus on Your Mental Health

Let's admit it, the situation is stressful for everyone and it is normal to be concerned, anxious or worried. Everyone responds differently and know you are not alone.

Making sure you are working on your mental health now will be beneficial in the long run, as there's a lot of uncertainty in our future and we’re facing a lot of new things as a society. Whether it's seeking therapy, starting to journal, getting into meditation, walking your dog, calling a friend, soaking in a tub or cuddling your kids, find what works best for you to stay happy and healthy.

We Will Get Through This Together - Kingston Community - COVID-19

Gratitude and Positive Thinking 

Think positive! Mindset is key to getting through this pandemic. I've practiced the method of positive thinking for a few years now and with these challenging times among us, it is more important than ever to not get buried in the rabbit hole of darkness. So if you see yourself focusing on something negative, think about a few things that have made you happy today or that you're grateful for. And despite the negativity around us in the news and social media, you have the ability to deal with the situation and move forward.

And! To keep the positive vibes going, don't forget to smile and laugh, play music while you're prepping dinner, have a little dance party with the kids or get a good night's rest.

Working From Home

There are a number of us who have had the opportunity to switch over to working from home and remotely due to social distancing. My biggest tips are to set a schedule and sticking to it, use video chat (Zoom is my favourite!), definitely take breaks (for water, snack, lunch) and get up and move around.

If you're a mum or dad trying to juggle working from home and supervising your kids, it can certainly have the potential to create stress and family conflict. So be sure to communicate with your spouse, set a daily schedule for your family and having some semblance of structure will be key. Things won't be perfect and do your best.

I've also linked one of my favourite Youtuber below Mogan Yates who has lots more great tips!

Take Breaks from the Media (Seriously!)

This one might be my go-to because there is SO MUCH on the news and social media right now that it has become an anxiety-fueled space. Every time I open either Facebook to Twitter, my heart starts to race a little because I'm always thinking about what will be posted today. Shutting off the noise of social media by taking a break can be the healthiest boundary you set for yourself. You'll thank me later.

Make Your Own Damn Delicious Avo Toast 

Inspired by a recent email by the amazing gals at the June Motel in the County. Since we are now confined to our homes, let's learn to finally make avocado toast on your own. 🥑🥑 Recipes below:

April’s must-have toppings
Sauteed spinach and fried eggs with extra everything but the bagel spice

Sarah’s trusted favourite
Low carb toast and loads of Siracha

Courtney’s gourmet twist
A drizzle of fig balsamic vinegar and a hearty scoop of hummus

We Will Get Through This Together - Kingston Community - COVID-19 - Avocado Toast
Avo Smash at Northside Espresso & Kitchen in Kingston, Ontario.

Netflix & Chill

Netflix is saving the sanity of people all around the world and coming to the rescue to all of us who are social distancing during this pandemic.

Here's a list of some of my favourites shows to watch:

 Love is Blind
Schitt’s Creek
Gossip Girl
Gilmore Girls
Outlander
Suits

Shop Local...Online & Takeout

My heart goes out to friends and other entrepreneurs that have had their worlds turned upside down right now. Kingston is an amazing place and we know darn well the value and importance of community. Let's try our best to support them in any way we can. As a foodie, I know some of my favourite Kingston restaurants are offering contactless delivery and take out services such as Red House, Olivea, Bella Bistro, the Silly Yak, Tango Neuvo and so many more.

Several of them are updating their Facebook and Instagram pages constantly daily with menus, so be sure to go visit their pages!

Get Outside

 There's nothing quite as healing for the mind as being outdoors and immersed in nature. But with social distancing on everyone's mind, wherever you may be, try your best to get some fresh air and appreciate Mother Nature during this downtime.

We will get through this together. ❤️
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Rosalyn Gambhir
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[name=Rosalyn Gambhir] [img=https://i.imgur.com/9rNiMGU.jpg] [description=Rosalyn Gambhir is the gal behind the blog The Staycationer. Whether it's exploring the local food scene with her foodie partner-in-crime or taking in the view from her favourite cafe, Rosalyn is always a tourist, looking for the next exciting adventure within Kingston, Ontario and beyond. The Staycationer allows you to rediscover hidden gems in your very own backyard.] (facebook=https://www.facebook.com/thestaycationer) (twitter=https://twitter.com/rosalyngambhir) (instagram=https://www.instagram.com/rosalyngambhir/)

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