If you’re reading this you may be considering or have chosen Nashville for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you won’t regret it. Nashville has become one of the hottest bachelorette party locations in the U.S. The city’s bursting with delicious food, amazing music 24/7/365, Southern charm, friendly people and laid-back, fun-loving atmosphere. Plus tons of Instagrammable locations to capture the weekend’s memories. The party doesn’t stop in Music City!
As locals we took our tried-and-true activity, food & drink, and shopping recommendations and created this detailed guide to help you plan the perfect destination Nashville bachelorette party experience for your bride’s last bash in Nash! Boots optional.
Travel Guide | 10 Experiences for an Epic Bachelor Party in Nashville
Luckily you’ve chosen to spend that last hurrah weekend in Nashville. The party doesn’t stop in Music City USA. With live music is rockin’ 24/7/365, the city’s foodie scene in full swing, Southern hospitality, and laid-back vibe—Nashville’s one of the nation’s hottest party destinations.
Whether you’ve previously been to the city or not, we’ve pulled together 10 Nashville experiences that will help create an epic bachelor party for the groom!
Read MoreTravel Guide | Nashville Wall Guide Pt. 1 - Where to get that IG-Worthy Mural Shot
Locals and those just in Nashville for the weekend capture their experience with photos in front of one (if not several) of the city’s colorful walls and murals. They’re the perfect insta-opportunity!
Instead of driving around hoping you’ll find what you’re looking for, I’ve rounded up some of our favorite Instagram-worthy walls throughout downtown Nashville and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Read MoreTravel Itinerary | The Ultimate 72 Hours in Nashville for First-Timers
A long weekend is not near long enough to see all Nashville has to offer, but we're going help you make the most of your short visit to Music City USA with a 72-hour itinerary designed for first-timers! Enjoy delicious meals, learn about the music industry, and do some local shopping all while hitting the highlights with time for relaxing and enjoying live music!
Read MoreTravel Guide | 10 Things That May Surprise You About Visiting Nashville
Nashville is bursting with Southern hospitality, delicious food, eclectic bars and vibrant nightlife, live music, interesting history, plenty of sights, and a relaxed fun-loving atmosphere! Of course if you’re already planning a trip there, you probably already know. What you may not know is the little nuances that help make Nashville…well Nashville. Before you go take a few minutes to learn a little about Tennessee’s capital and most populated city with a few tips that may or may not surprise you.
Read MoreTravel Guide | DC's U Street Corridor
The U Street corridor’s cultural history remains intact in this vibrant Northwest DC neighborhood and the perfect place to spent an day exploring. In this travel guide you’ll find some of the best places to eat, things to see, what to see and do while exploring DC’s U Street neighborhood.
Read MoreTravel Guide | 10 Epic Must-Have Experiences In Australia (+ Bonuses!)
It would be impossible to experience all this country has to offer in a single trip. We lived in Australia for a year and still didn’t see everything. Australia will always have a place in our hearts and we can’t wait to make it back to some of our favorite places, but for now here’s a list of 10 of the coolest experiences to have while in Australia!
Read MoreTravel Itinerary | 3 Day Great Ocean Road(trip)!
No two visits will be the same. Some days the ocean is turquoise and calm, other days massive swells white out the shore. Some days a light breeze, other days it feels like your car is going to blow away. Different seasons, different colors, changing landscapes, and changing experiences.
Whatever your experience is, the Great Ocean Road is sure to be a highlight of your adventure down unda’! It certainly was for us. LeBraun still can’t stop talking about it. We’re sharing our experience and details for planning the perfect long weekend, 3 day Great Ocean Road (trip)!
Read MoreTravel Guide | Melbourne Laneway + Street Art To Inspire You
Creativity flows throughout Melbourne and its spirited street art scene is renowned worldwide. Walking down each laneway is like a free, ever-changing gallery. Around every corner, another mural. On the side of every building, a work of art. Look up, look down, look side to side.
Here are some of the most popular places in Melbourne to find and photo new and exciting street art, and a small collection of some of my favorite works around the city - however finite their existance.
Read MoreTravel Itinerary | A Week In Melbourne (7 Days)
This detailed itinerary helps you spend a week discovering the best of Melbourne—from museums and restaurants to neighborhoods and fashion meccas—with with plenty of time to get lost in the city's laneways exploring its hidden boutiques, bars, and coffee shops...and marveling at its not-so-hidden street art!
Read MoreTravel Guide | Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne has to offer more than any one post could contain, but especially for those visiting this amazing city for the first-time, here’s a list of the best things to see and do, where to eat, and what not to miss for an unforgettable trip to the city by the bay.
Read MoreTravel Guide | Australia: Tips for First-Timers
Did you pack enough thongs for your trip? Should you order a Fosters at a hotel? Are mollies something you would want to eat?
Australia is a big, beautiful country, and like anytime you travel somewhere new it’s important to understand some differences in general cultural practices to avoid surprises, embarrassment and/or confusion. LeBraun and I have pulled together some important tips and advice for those visiting Australia for the first time.
Read MoreTravel Itinerary | 14 Days in Sydney, Australia pt. 1
Part 1 of a comprehensive 2 week/14 day itinerary for Australia’s first and largest city, Sydney, including the city’s world famous beaches, architecture, and wildlife.
Read More19 Incredible Photos to Inspire You to Visit Australia
19 photos that will hopefully inspire you to book a plane ticket and spend time exploring the continent country of Australia!
Read MoreHoliday Guide | Nashville Gift Guide 2018
Every December Christmas rolls around and you want to show your friends how much they mean to you, but let’s be honest, shopping for the perfect gift can be stressful! So I’ve compiled some of my favorite places to shop and unique experience ideas to help you find the perfect present this holiday season.
Read MoreTravel Guide | Seasonal Festivities in Nashville This Winter
Get out of the house and into the holiday spirit! I say put on your boots, grab that wooly scarf, and take advantage of the seasonal festivals and celebrations happening around the city. Food, music, arts + family fun makes for the perfect day.
Read MoreTRAVEL GUIDE | Nashville Holiday Artisan Markets & Fairs 2018
If you want to get a jump on holiday shopping with a focus on quality, locally-made goods, check out these Nashville holiday artisan markets and fairs!
Read MoreTravel Guide | October Fun in Nashville 2018
October is a great time to be in Nashville. The weather has (finally) cooled off, the leaves are starting to change, and seasonal craft fairs and fall festivals are abundant! I’ve rounded up some of my favorite happenings this month around town.
Read MoreTravel Itinerary | 5 Days on Oahu
Whether you're interested in relaxing beach time, surfing, snorkeling, hiking, biking, sailing, museums, history...Oahu has it all! Hopefully this itinerary will help you make the most of your time on this enchanting island.
Read MoreWaikiki | The Laylow Autograph Collection
All photography by @studioist.
So in case you missed it—though I’m not sure how you could have as we have been singing from the rooftops since August 3—LeBraun + I got MAUI’D!
After the wedding we broke away from the group and heading to Oahu for what we dubbed “Our Hawaiian Mini-Moon!” It was our chance to actually relax on the vacation.
Don’t get me wrong, a destination wedding can be very relaxing and our’s was, but there is still coordinating people and activities, entertaining guests, and prepping involved. We did our best to plan ahead so we didn’t have a ton to do when we got to Maui, but there is always inevitably more to do.
We love everyone that flew across the country to celebrate with us, and no one was a needy guest (you know exactly the type of people I am talking about), but when we arrived on Oahu we realized we really needed some normal “us” time.
Our first evening we walked along the beach, had a fantastic dinner, took long showers, put on our robes, and watched a couple episodes of the new season of Orange is the New Black. And there was no better place to do nothing and really enjoy Waikiki than the Laylow Hotel.
THE AMBIANCE
LeBraun and I were luckily enough to spend seven blissful, relaxing nights at the Laylow Hotel in Waikiki. This trendy, boutique hotel is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection.
Every corner of this midcentury modern space is an Instagrammer’s dream!
The colorful, patterned walls, hanging egg chairs, sandy-bottom fire pit corners on the lanai, and shelves of Hawaiian tchotchkes add to the charm.
THE LOCATION
The hotel is tucked away just above Kūhiō Avenue and the hustle of Waikiki, yet the ambiance transports and makes you feel like you’ve found a hidden oasis in the heart of it all.
Ideal for city dwellers like us who want to enjoy everything Waikiki has the offer yet feel like you can escape it all whenever you like.
It’s right next door to the restaurants and shopping at International Marketplace, across the street from Marukame Udon (go there!!), a couple blocks from the beach, and within walking distance of countless eateries, stores, activities, and more.
Just as the name suggests it was the perfect place for us to hideout and lay low at the center of this thriving metropolis.
THE ROOMS
The rooms are streamlined and minimalistic yet still have amenities (like a mini fridge).
The shelves have a variety of books for pursuing, like a book on Hawaiian mythology, another filled with photos of retro surfers, and a book of letters and pictures from sailors on shore leave during the war.
The bed was comfortable, sheets were clean and crisp, and there were conventional three-prong and usb outlets built into the nightstand.
Our room had a small porch overlooking the pool area which was perfect for enjoying drinks in the evening. The curtains were great and kept the room dark enough for us to sleep in every morning. Compared to the plantation-style shutters our Maui rooms had, we were in heaven!
I was particularly obsessed with the vibrant, focal wall. Don’t be surprised if a morning photoshoot breaks out in your room!
THE POOL
We didn’t spend any time in the pool during our stay because access to the beach was only a couple blocks away, but we did spend part of every evening on the pool deck.
The relaxed, lounge chairs were “our place” in the evenings. When the sun disappeared and the weather was still pleasantly warm, we would bring down our computers and get a little work done, play a game, or have a private “outdoor screening” of a movie.
THE FOOD & DRINK
Hideout, the hotel’s sole restaurant, is a stylish, open-air lanai with fresh, Pacific fusion dishes.
With a variety of seating options from traditional tables, lounging clusters, and cushioned corners, Hideout is flexible. Just like some outfits the venue can go from day to night. Meet with colleagues at lunch, friends for happy hour (or pua hana), and besties for late night drinks.
The space hosts live musicians nightly and DJs on Friday and Saturday nights. Despite being only a few floors up, we couldn’t hear the music downstairs when we turned in early.
Plus the sun falls behind the neighboring building in the afternoon so the patio is pleasantly cooler, especially after being in the sun most of the day.
Their funky, retro coffee shop serves up all your morning favorites including Stumptown Coffee, pastries (LeBraun couldn’t function without his morning Cruffin) and acai bowls with granola, bananas, honey, and more.
The lunch and dinner menu are largely the same, though there are a few larger additions available on the later menu. Some may think that eating at your hotel is lazy, but having a bomb-a** restaurant a few steps from your room is just another benefit of staying at the Laylow.
We ordered a variety of dishes from the menu, for different meals and the dishes were always brought out quickly, consistently delicious, and served by a friendly staff member.
For breakfast, I didn’t vary much from my norm—acai bowl + LeBraun, even though, he’s not much of a breakfast person, enjoyed the Breakfast Fried Rice Skillet and a Cruffin. Also usually accompanied by an iced mocha.
For lunch or afternoon apps, the edamame in Korean chili and sweet soy is finger-lickin’ good, and chicken satay is savory and satisfying, and margherita flat bread…well it’s pizza and pizza is delicious!
For dinner, we enjoyed the local veggie rice bowls, Hawaiian BBQ chicken tacos, island greens salad, and catch of the day were all great, but the Huli Huli Chicken (Kiawe smoked, coconut rice, Chinese long bean, sweet soy) is the dish I would order over and over again! I’m going to have to try and recreate this recipe. If anyone has one, PLEASE send it to me!
Drink-wise: The signature cocktails were unique blends of traditional meet Hawaiian. My favorite was the Fancyman (Four Roses Whiskey, Lillet, Yellow Chartreuse, Rose Syrup, Orange Bitters) while LeBraun was partial to the “Purr”fect Timing (Basil-Infused Vodka, Yuzuri, Lilikoi, Lemon Juice).
THE AMENITIES
Besides the standard amenities like towels for the pool or beach, there is daily complimentary shave ice, drink samples, weekly ukulele lessons, and a welcome basket with locally made goodies like taro chips and shortbread cookies, a rubber ducky, and flip flops with the hotel’s tropical wallpaper pattern.
Laylow Hotel
@hideoutwaikiki | Address: 2299 Kūhiō Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
https://www.hideoutwaikiki.com