article_snippet: And with those encouraging words ringing in my ears, my husband, 18-month-old daughter and I were off for our first family holiday... to Costa Rica.
article_snippet: The journey was long, and not direct, and if I'm honest, a little bit painful at times but our miraculously managed to avoid full on meltdowns and a long weekend stopover in New York was lots of fun.
article_snippet: Nothing is too much trouble at Andaz
article_snippet: nothing is stressful, nothing is formal.
article_snippet: I returned home delighted to report to my friend that it was not hell at all.
article_snippet: Not even close - I want to do it all again.