The last time I stayed at a Loews Hotel, I was in my twenties: carefree, child-free, and living for the moment in Miami with my girls. Fast forward to now: I’m a wife, a mom of two, and my definition of luxury has evolved just as much as I have. So when Loews Hotels invited me to experience what they’re offering across their brand today, I wondered: Does this luxury still hit the same?
Spoiler: it hits different, and somehow, even better.
An Evening of Elevated Experiences
On a Thursday evening in late October, I found myself at The Regency Bar & Grill at the Loews Regency New York Hotel—one of NYC’s most storied hotels—for an intimate showcase of what Loews Hotels brings to the table… literally. This wasn’t just a typical hotel event. It was a culinary journey that brought together executive chefs from Loews properties across the country, from San Diego and Tucson to Chicago, Miami, and beyond.
The evening was designed to give us a taste of their destinations without leaving Manhattan, and honestly? Mission accomplished. As someone whose life has shifted from spontaneous girls’ trips to carefully planned family getaways (with the occasional solo or couples escape squeezed in), I was curious to see how Loews Hotels has evolved. And whether they could meet me where I am now.
Because here’s the thing: I still love luxury travel. I still crave those elevated experiences. However, I now need hotels that can accommodate date nights with my husband, weekend trips with my girls, and family vacations with my two daughters. That’s a tall order, and not every luxury brand gets it right.
A Culinary Journey Worth Taking
The moment I walked in, I knew this was going to be special. Different food stations were set up throughout the space, each one featuring signature dishes from Loews properties across the country. Every station was helmed by an executive chef who clearly takes pride in their craft.
Let me tell you about the food.
Chef Miguel Toro from Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel, served up a Bluefin Tuna Crudo that was so fresh, so perfectly balanced, I had to go back for seconds… maybe thirds. Can you blame me? Light, bright, and high-end restaurant-quality.
But the dish that really stopped me in my tracks? Chef Ricardo Jarquin’s Pan-Seared Sea Scallops from Loews Coral Gables Hotel. Perfectly caramelized, buttery, with just the right amount of richness. They originally came with Iberico ham (delicious, I’m sure), but Chef Ricardo kindly prepared some without for me, and they were still absolutely incredible. That’s the kind of attention to detail that matters.
Chef Trevor Hoyte from Loews Chicago Hotel brought a vegan-friendly Koji Nut Squash dish that had me asking for the recipe. Seriously, I need it. It was creative, flavorful, and proof that plant-based doesn’t mean boring.
Then there was Chef Manjit Manohar from Loews Regency New York Hotel, who prepared Guava Braised Short Ribs. Which, according to my husband, were tender, savory-sweet, and the kind of dish that makes you slow down and savor every bite.
And dessert? Executive Pastry Chef Krista Owens from Live! by Loews Arlington and Loews Arlington Hotel presented a chocolate cake with salted caramel, which was pure indulgence, along with a Honey Panna Cotta that was light, silky, and the perfect ending to the evening.
The cocktails were equally impressive. I sipped on a Shirley’s Cousin (grenadine, vodka, and ginger ale) and a St. Germain Spritz (St. Germain, Champagne, club soda). For those who prefer non-alcoholic options, the Grapefruit Fusion and Cucumber Fizz were refreshing and thoughtfully crafted.
This was my introduction to Fizz by Loews Hotels, their new soda-inspired program that brings customizable, house-made sodas and seasonal spritzes to every stay. It’s all about celebrating flavor, wellness, and creativity, one bubble at a time. I love that Loews is thinking about everyone’s preferences, whether you’re drinking or not.
The culinary excellence I experienced is part of Flavor by Loews Hotels, a program introduced in 2017 that celebrates the most delicious specialties each destination has to offer. They partner with local food and beverage artisans, allowing guests to experience the best of the local culture without ever leaving the hotel. And as someone who often arrives at a hotel too exhausted to venture out after a long day of exploring (or a long flight in), this matters.
Good food isn’t just a nice-to-have when you travel; it’s central to the experience. It brings joy. It creates lasting memories. And Loews clearly gets that.
When Luxury Evolves With You
Sitting there, tasting dishes from cities I’ve visited and cities I’m dreaming of exploring, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much has changed since those Miami trips in my twenties.
Back then, luxury had a different meaning. It was about the aesthetics: the sleek lobby, the trendy rooftop bar, the photographic moments (we didn’t have Instagram back then). And don’t get me wrong, I still appreciate all of that. But now? Luxury is about space. Space to be a woman who loves beautiful things and a mom who needs kid-friendly amenities. Space to enjoy a romantic dinner with my husband and know that our daughters are comfortable and entertained—space to take a solo momcation and feel pampered without guilt.
Thread count still matters. Turndown service still matters. But what matters even more is having a hotel brand that doesn’t make me choose between being myself and being a mom. My love for travel, for experiencing new cities, cultures, and food, doesn’t stop because I am married and have kids. Now I have more options for who to experience it with, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Loews Hotels seems to understand this balance in a way that feels rare. They’ve mastered the art of sophistication without sacrificing functionality. Whether you’re planning a romantic escape, a girls’ trip, or a multi-generational family vacation, there’s space for you here. And for Black women who travel—women who are often overlooked by luxury brands—that representation and intentionality matter.
The Details That Make the Difference
One of the highlights of the evening was hearing from Alex Tisch, CEO of Loews Hotels. It’s not every day that you get to meet the leadership behind a brand, and it was clear that this company is invested in the guest experience from the top down.
I also had the pleasure of meeting Barbara Bowden, who oversees the operation of Universal Orlando’s premier and preferred hotels, including Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort. First, let’s talk about her gorgeous green suede dress. Stunning. But beyond style, Barbara’s passion for what she does was infectious. We bonded over our favorite dishes of the evening. She admitted with a smile that she might be biased, as she oversees the Loews hotels that are home to some of those standout dishes, including the incredible Bluefin Tuna Crudo, which was also my top pick.
What really struck me was her genuine enthusiasm when she extended an invitation for my family and me to experience one of the Universal Orlando hotels. It wasn’t just a polite gesture; you could tell she truly believed in what they were creating there. That kind of authentic hospitality from leadership? It matters. It sets the tone for the entire guest experience.
We also got a first look at Loews’ new partnership with Cozy Earth. It’s a collaboration that brought us home with embroidered robes and blankets. It’s a small detail, but it speaks to something bigger: Loews is thinking about how to extend the luxury beyond your stay. They want you to take that feeling of comfort and indulgence home with you.
These kinds of partnerships show intentionality. It’s not just about filling a room with furniture and calling it luxury. It’s about creating an *entire* experience—one that feels cohesive, thoughtful, and designed with the guest in mind.
Why Loews Deserves a Spot on Your Travel List
If you’ve been sleeping on Loews Hotels, let me give you a few reasons to wake up.
- The locations are prime. With properties in Atlanta, Chicago, Coral Gables, New York City, San Diego, Tucson, Nashville, and more, Loews has a presence in cities that are actually worth exploring. These aren’t just convenient stopovers—they’re destinations in their own right.
- The versatility is unmatched. Whether you’re booking a date night staycation in the city, planning a girls’ weekend, or organizing a multi-generational family trip, Loews has the amenities and atmosphere to make it work. That kind of flexibility is hard to find in the luxury space.
- The food is destination-worthy. As someone who plans trips around culinary experiences, I can’t overstate the importance of this. You’re not settling for mediocre hotel dining here. You’re getting thoughtfully crafted dishes from chefs who know their craft.
- Representation matters. As a Black woman who travels, I’m always paying attention to which brands see me, understand me, and create spaces where I feel genuinely welcomed. Loews gets it. And that makes all the difference.
The Beauty in the Bump
Somewhere between my twenties and now, I learned that luxury isn’t about escaping your life; it’s about creating space within it to breathe, indulge, and remember who you are beyond all the roles you play.
That night at Loews reminded me that the best travel experiences don’t ask you to choose between being a mom and being yourself. They let you be both. They give you room to show up fully, as a woman who loves a perfectly seared scallop, as a wife who still wants romance, as a mom who refuses to sacrifice style for function.
And honestly? That’s the kind of luxury worth investing in. The kind that grows with you. The type that meets you exactly where you are, whether that’s solo, with your partner, with your kids, or with your best friends. The kind that doesn’t make you compromise who you are for convenience.
This is the bump I’m here for. The journey. The evolution. The realization that luxury can still feel indulgent and accessible. You can have both the embroidered robe and the family-friendly amenities without having to make a choice.
Ready to Experience It for Yourself?
I’m genuinely excited to book a stay at a Loews property and experience it all firsthand. Whether that’s a solo escape, a romantic weekend with my husband, or a full-on family adventure. The beauty of Loews is that all of those options feel equally appealing, equally luxurious, and equally me.
Now I want to hear from you: Have you stayed at a Loews property? Which location is on your travel wishlist? Drop a comment and let me know. I’d love to hear about your experiences (or help you plan your next one).
And if you’re looking for more real-time travel moments, luxury hotel reviews, and honest insights from an NYC-based mom who refuses to let motherhood dim her wanderlust, follow along on Instagram (@beautyandthebumpnyc) and TikTok (BeautyandtheBump) because the journey is always better when we take it together.
Have questions about traveling with kids, finding luxury hotels that actually work for families, or balancing motherhood with your love for exploration? Let’s talk in the comments.