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Yesterday β€” 19 May 2025Main stream

I stayed at a luxurious resort in Barbados with my young daughter. From the private pool to the stunning beach, our stay was nearly perfect.

19 May 2025 at 08:46
A composite image of the courtyard of a resort with palm trees and a statue, and a beach with large rock formations.
My daughter and I stayed at The Crane resort in Barbados.

Tiffany Leigh

  • My daughter and I spent four nights at The Crane, a luxurious resort in Barbados.
  • Our two-bedroom deluxe suite was huge and had a private garden with a pool.
  • The resort is family friendly and I was impressed by the on-site day-care center.

I love connecting with my 3-year-old daughter through travel. We've been exploring together since she was six months old and have been everywhere from Orlando to Morocco.

We enjoy staying at resorts, so when I found a deal for 40% off a stay at The Crane Resort in Barbados, I knew I had to book a trip.

The resort, which was founded in 1887 and is the oldest continuously operating hotel in the Caribbean, was charming, serene, and unexpectedly child-friendly. Here's what our $2200 four-day stay was like.

We stayed in a two-bedroom deluxe suite.
A seating area with white couches, mahogany furniture, and a TV that leads into a dining area.
The living room area in our suite was very spacious.

Tiffany Leigh

As soon as I entered our deluxe two-bedroom suite, I thought, "Wow." The space was massive, and I felt we got so much value for what we paid.

The elegant space was outfitted with mahogany furniture, a raised four-post king bed, wide wooden shutters, and coral stone walls.

The primary room had a king bed and the secondary had two twin beds and a crib for my daughter. There was also a fully equipped kitchen, a bathroom, and spacious dining and living room areas.

The best part of our room was the private outdoor garden with a pool.
A private area with a pool and a covered dining area with tables and chairs that's surrounded by greenery and trees.
I loved our private pool.

Tiffany Leigh

Our favorite part of our room was the private tropical garden with a patio deck, gazebo, and pool. Because we were surrounded by greenery, it felt like our own private little getaway.

There was so much to do on the property that we didn't use this as often as I'd have liked, but we did spend some time relaxing out here.

We enjoyed many of the resort's restaurants.
Two different specialty sushi rolls on a large dish.
The sushi rolls at Zen tasted fresh.

Tiffany Leigh

On our first night at the resort, we tried Zen, a restaurant that serves Japanese and Thai cuisine.

Although the restaurant didn't offer a kid-friendly menu, my daughter absolutely loved the chicken katsu dish, which included fried cutlets with white rice. My sushi rolls also tasted incredibly fresh and delicious.

My daughter really enjoyed eating at D'Onofrio's, a restaurant serving Southern Italian fare. The staff immediately noticed I had my little one with me and quickly asked to take her order, which I appreciated.

We didn't love the breakfast buffet, so we spent a lot of time at the cafΓ© instead.
A display case of cakes and pastries.
The cafΓ© had everything from breakfast to desserts.

Tiffany Leigh

One thing I was disappointed by was the resort's breakfast buffet. Although the views of the beach were spectacular, I found the food to be inconsistent and thought the service was slow.

Eventually, we decided to go to the cafΓ© for breakfast, which had quick service and everything we needed to start our day on a good note β€” fresh fruit and granola for my daughter and a croissant and an oat milk latte for me.

The resort's beach was gorgeous.
Ocean waves crash against rocks on a beach.
Our time on the beach was very relaxing.

Tiffany Leigh

My daughter and I both enjoyed spending time on the resort's beach. Watching the waves crash against the shore was the perfect way to unwind.

I only wish the resort offered some loaner beach toys for my daughter to play with. I usually don't like to pack these items because they take up too much space in our luggage.

However, I ended up buying a shovel set for her at the gift shop.

I thought the day-care services were top-notch.
A colorful room with children's toys, a play mat, and colorful tables and chairs.
My daughter had a great time at the day-care center.

Tiffany Leigh

As a single parent, the complimentary on-site day care was a lifesaver. Whenever I needed some me time, I could leave her with the team to play games, make crafts, and have storytime.

Although the service is usually reserved for kids ages 4 to 12, they made an exception for my daughter since she's been in day care for years.

One night, I also took advantage of the resort's $ 15-an-hour private babysitting service. The same people from the day care worked as babysitters, so it was nice for my little one to be greeted by friendly and familiar faces.

We loved our stay at The Crane.
A hotel pool surrounded by lounge chairs.
I'd definitely stay at The Crane again.

Tiffany Leigh

Overall, I cherished the time my daughter and I spent together at The Crane.

The resort had genuine and patient staff members who made my daughter feel welcome, a spacious and affordable suite that gave us our own space, and lots of activities for us to do.

I'd definitely return to The Crane in the future and take advantage of any sales they may offer.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Before yesterdayMain stream

I tried cheeseburgers from Shake Shack, McDonald's, and Burger King. There was only one I'd order again.

12 May 2025 at 08:17
Three cheeseburgers next to bags from McDonald's, Burger King, and Shake Shack.
I tried cheeseburgers from McDonald's, Burger King, and Shake Shack.

Tiffany Leigh

  • I tried cheeseburgers from Shake Shack, McDonald's, and Burger King.
  • This was my first time having Shake Shack, and I thought the burger was great.
  • I wasn't as impressed by the options from Burger King and McDonald's.

As a food writer, I'm no stranger to cheeseburgers. But I know that no matter how standard this classic meal is, not all burgers are created equally.

So, to find out which fast-food chain serves the best cheeseburger, I tried options from McDonald's, Burger King, and Shake Shack.

Here's what I thought of each one.

Prices may vary by location.

First, I went to Shake Shack.
The counter of a Shake Shack restaurant with digital menus.
This was my first time visiting Shake Shack.

Tiffany Leigh

This was my first time trying Shake Shack, which didn't have a Canadian location until the summer of last year.

When the restaurant first opened, the lines were very long, so I was excited to see whether the food lived up to the hype.

I ordered a ShackBurger, which cost 9.50 Canadian dollars, or about $6.80. It came with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and ShackSauce, but I also added pickles.

I really enjoyed the ShackBurger.
Two halves of a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, and pickles stacked on top of each other.
I liked how tender the burger patty was.

Tiffany Leigh

When I took a bite of the ShackBurger, I immediately noticed the crispy edges and nice char. The Angus beef was also tender and tasty.

The toppings gave the patty some additional moisture, and the soft potato bun held everything together nicely. I liked that the bun was sturdy and had a delicate sweetness to it.

I would definitely order this burger again.

Next, I went to Burger King.
Tiffany holds a Burger King bag in front of the counter.
I hadn't been to Burger King in about 15 years.

Tiffany Leigh

I didn't grow up eating Burger King, so my experience with this fast-food chain was pretty limited.

I ordered a standard cheeseburger for CA$4.10, or about $2.95, which came with American cheese, pickles, yellow mustard, and ketchup on a toasted sesame seed bun. I also added lettuce and tomato to keep it consistent with the burger I tried at Shake Shack.

The Burger King cheeseburger was just OK.
Two halves of a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a sesame seed bun stacked on top of each other.
I thought this burger had too much ketchup and mustard.

Tiffany Leigh

The first thing I noticed about this burger was how messy it was. There was a ton of ketchup and mustard on it, which overwhelmed the other flavors.

The sesame bun was light and fluffy, but I found it to be pretty bland.

Thankfully, I could definitely taste the flame-broiled char on the burger patty. The overall flavor reminded me of what I'd find at a backyard barbecue.

However, I probably wouldn't order this burger again.

Finally, I took a trip to McDonald's.
The interior of a McDonald's restaurant with three ordering Kiosks.
I used to eat at McDonald's often.

Tiffany Leigh

Unlike the other two chains I visited, I'm very familiar with McDonald's. Growing up, there was a McDonald's around the corner from my house, and I could always smell the food cooking.

I used to eat there a lot, and in high school, I was a fan of the Quarter Pounder with cheese.

This time, I ordered a standard cheeseburger for CA$5, or about $3.60, which came with cheese, onions, and pickles. I also added lettuce and tomato.

The McDonald's cheeseburger was my least favorite of the three I tried.
Two halves of a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo stacked on top of each other.
I thought this cheeseburger had a strong, unpleasant aftertaste.

Tiffany Leigh

When I took a bite, the first thing I noticed was that the bread's texture wasn't fluffy and soft like I'd hoped. The bread was too sweet for me, and I thought it tasted a bit stale.

I didn't enjoy the patty itself, either, which I felt had a slightly unpleasant aftertaste. The burger was also the messiest to eat, and toppings slid out as I picked it up.

I wouldn't order this burger again, which was disappointing because I remember enjoying the Quarter Pounder with cheese so much in my school days. Maybe this simple cheeseburger just wasn't the right McDonald's order for me.

Overall, the burger from Shake Shack was my favorite.
Three cheeseburgers cut in half next to bags from McDonald's, Burger King, and Shake Shack.
The Shake Shack burger had a good balance of meat, toppings, and sauces.

Tiffany Leigh

At the end of the day, the burger from Shake Shack was my favorite by a landslide. The burger had a good balance of meat, toppings, and sauces, and had delicious, fresh-tasting ingredients.

Though it was the most expensive of the three cheeseburgers I tried, it definitely felt worth the price.

Read the original article on Business Insider

We got dinner at STK Steakhouse. The restaurant's vibe wasn't perfect, but our $636 meal was spectacular.

24 April 2025 at 07:57
Six different meals and side dishes on a table at a restaurant.
My party of 2 got a $636 meal at an STK Steakhouse.

Tiffany Leigh

  • A friend and I dined at a Los Angeles location of the chain restaurant STK Steakhouse.
  • We ordered lots of appetizers, entrΓ©es, and desserts to share.
  • Some of my favorite dishes included the scallops, lobster mac and cheese, and chocolate cake.

I recently visited an STK Steakhouse location inside the W Los Angeles Hotel in West Beverly Hills while catching up with a childhood friend.

The upscale steakhouse chain has 30 locations around the world and is known for having live DJs who play upbeat music.

I had previously visited locations in Toronto and Denver, and the ambiance in the former made me feel like I was in a nightclub instead of a restaurant.

However, I had a good experience at the Denver location and decided to give the chain another chance in LA.

Here's what the experience was like.

The restaurant's design was sleek but felt a bit dated.
The interior of a restaurant with white walls, blue lighting, and curved booths.
The restaurant seemed reminiscent of the early 2000s.

Tiffany Leigh

When we walked into the restaurant, I felt like I was walking into a time capsule. The white plaster walls, blue lighting, and curved white banquettes all seemed reminiscent of the early 2000s.

We enjoyed several drinks throughout the night.
A red cocktail in a small glass that's garnished with blackberries.
My friend ordered a cocktail called Fade to Blueberry.

Tiffany Leigh

Bubbles seemed like an appropriate way to kick off our reunion meal, so I ordered a glass of Veuve ($36) to start.

My friend chose a cocktail called Fade to Blueberry ($23), which contained Jack Daniel's No.7 Whiskey, mint, blackberries, and fresh lime juice. She said it was refreshing and tasted like summer in a glass.

We also ordered a bottle of Saratoga water ($9) and a glass of Caymus cabernet sauvignon ($57) to share during our meal.

We started with a few appetizers to share.
An iceberg salad with yellow and red cherry tomatoes, bacon, and crumbled blue cheese.
The iceberg salad was topped with bacon, blue cheese, and cherry tomatoes.

Tiffany Leigh

We ordered several appetizers to share, the first of which was an iceberg salad ($32).

The pungent Point Reyes blue cheese and cubes of applewood-smoked bacon were balanced by the refreshing cherry tomatoes.

We also ordered the grilled octopus, which was an appetizer special.
Grilled octopus tentacles on a plate with lettuce, potatoes, and an orange sauce.
The grilled octopus was served with fingerling potatoes, salsa verde, olives, and smoked paprika aioli.

Tiffany Leigh

We enjoyed the grilled octopus ($34), which was on special the night we dined at STK.

In addition to the octopus, this dish included fingerling potatoes, salsa verde, olives, and smoked paprika aioli.

Honestly, the seafood was so perfectly charred, tender in texture, and delicately sweet that I didn't think it needed the sides or sauce.

Our final appetizer was the burger sliders.
Two burger sliders served on a wooden cutting board.
The burger sliders were made with premium wagyu beef.

Tiffany Leigh

The Lil' Brgs sliders ($36) seemed like an homage to a McDonald's burger with a high-end twist.

These were made with premium wagyu beef, STK's house sauce, and homemade sesame seed buns. The meat was ultra juicy, and the sauce provided a nice tanginess.

We ordered a few entrΓ©es to share.
Scallops over a potato puree with lettuce and a balsamic reduction.
The Hokkaido scallops were my favorite dish of the evening.

Tiffany Leigh

The first entrΓ©e we ordered was the the Hokkaido scallops ($67). This dish was a special and came with celeriac purΓ©e, brown butter, capers, and a pomegranate reduction.

The scallops were naturally sweet, rich, buttery, and tender. It was my favorite dish of the evening.

The duck confit gnocchi was loaded with vegetables.
A gnocchi dish with duck and vegetables in a cream sauce.
The duck confit gnocchi with parmesan crema was a heavy meal.

Tiffany Leigh

The duck confit gnocchi with Parmesan crema ($59) was rich and heavy β€” but I think that was the point. Thankfully, the butternut squash, oyster mushrooms, and brussel sprouts balanced the dish nicely.

Since we were at a steakhouse, we also had to try the filet mignon.
A food torch aimed at cut-up steak on a plate with a small ramekin of sauce.
Our server torched the wagyu-umami butter tableside.

Tiffany Leigh

The 6-ounce filet mignon ($64) is something I'd never traditionally order because I don't like leaner cuts of meat. However, our server assured us we'd love it, so I decided to give it a try.

The filet was cooked medium-rare, fanned out, and topped with wagyu-umami butter ($13), which was torched tableside and drizzled over the meat.

"Wow" was the only word that came out of my mouth when I tried it. The meat was tender and complimented the salty notes from the butter nicely.

We ordered three sides to share.
Six different meals and side dishes on a table at a restaurant.
We shared lobster mac and cheese, Brussels sprouts, and truffle fries.

Tiffany Leigh

We ordered three sides: lobster mac and cheese ($43), Brussels sprouts ($21), and truffle fries ($21).

The lobster mac and cheese seemed over-the-top, but even with all of the cream, butter, and cheese used, it didn't overwhelm the delicate lobster meat.

I was excited to try the Brussels sprouts, which were deep fried, tossed with bacon pieces, and finished with a cider glaze. However, I wasn't a fan of the glaze and thought it made the dish too saucy.

Finally, the Parmesan truffle fries were decadent and had a crispy exterior and fluffy interior.

The mac and cheese was my favorite of all the sides we tried. If I wasn't ordering anything else, I'd happily enjoy it as an entrΓ©e.

For dessert, we decided on a few different sweets.
A white plate with a piece of chocolate cake topped with powdered sugar in the form of the STK logo, berries, cream, a bag of sugar-coated doughnuts, and three dipping sauces.
We had a piece of chocolate cake and some doughnuts for dessert.

Tiffany Leigh

We ordered the chocolate cake ($22), which was decadent but balanced thanks to the airy layers of cake that offset the rich chocolate ganache.

The doughnuts ($22) reminded me of the ones you'd find at a fair. The fluffy fritters were tossed with cinnamon sugar and had the perfect amount of sweetness.

However, the real star was the cotton candy cloud.
A server pours liquid into cotton candy and torches it.
There was a cake inside the cotton candy cloud.

Tiffany Leigh

The most unique dessert was "The Cloud" ($22), a mass of cotton candy set on fire tableside with Belvedere Vodka.

The sweet, sugary threads dissolved slightly, revealing a cake surrounded by berries and marinated in ginger syrup.

It was flashy and fun, but I thought the dish was far too boozy and sweet.

STK was the perfect setting for a girls' night.
Tiffany smiles while holding a glass of red wine.
I'd definitely visit STK's Los Angeles location again.

Tiffany Leigh

After tax and before tip, our meal came out to just over $636. We spent about three to four hours at STK chatting, feasting, and catching up, but we never felt rushed.

Most of all, I appreciated that the music wasn't turned up throughout the evening so we could hear one another.

I was so pleased with how I felt when leaving this location that if I was back in Los Angeles, I'd definitely visit again.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I paid $160 to fly economy with Porter Airlines. In some ways, the flight was so good it felt like business class.

3 April 2025 at 09:53
A composite image of Tiffany taking a selfie on a plane and a tray with crackers, dried fruit, cheese, and grapes.
Parts of my $160 economy flight felt like business class.

Tiffany Leigh

  • I took a four-hour economy flight with Porter Airlines from Toronto to Los Angeles.
  • There were no middle seats on the plane, which was a major perk.
  • I also got to enjoy free WiFi, snacks, and alcoholic beverages during my flight.

I'm a frequent flyer who usually enjoys business-class flights because of the service, comfort, and upscale food and drinks that come with the experience.

These days, though, I've been more vigilant about where I spend my hard-earned dollars, especially when some business-class perks are nothing to write home about.

So, when I stumbled upon a reasonable economy flight on Porter Airlines from Toronto to Los Angeles in December, I knew I had to take advantage of the deal. The roundtrip flight cost about $460 CAD, which breaks down to about $160 USD each way.

In some ways, my economy experience with the Canadian airline was just as good as the business-class trips I've been on.

The seats weren't perfect, but I had plenty of space to get comfortable

One of the major perks of this flight was that the plane I was on had no middle seats. So, I could choose between a window or an aisle seat (I picked the latter).

As a result, the plane felt more spacious, and it wasn't a hassle to get in and out of my seat to access the bathroom. I only wish the leather seat had more cushion to it to make the four-hour trip more comfortable.

I was shocked that I had access to free WiFi

Most airlines charge for WiFi access, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that, as a member of the free VIPorter rewards program, internet access was complimentary for the entirety of my flight.

However, even those without a rewards account could access free WiFi by watching an ad every 30 minutes.

The internet connectivity made the time pass quickly since I could get some work done or watch Netflix on my phone.

Having access to streaming platforms was a huge plus, especially because I was underwhelmed by the movies and shows available to watch through the airline.

I enjoyed free snacks, drinks, and alcoholic beverages

A paper coffee cup, glass of wine, and nuts on an airplane tray with a napkin.
I got to choose from snacks like shortbread cookies, cheddar fava beans, and roasted almonds.

Tiffany Leigh

Porter Airlines provides all passengers with complimentary snacks, drinks, and alcoholic beverages.

On my flight, I could choose from snacks like shortbread cookies, cheddar fava beans, and roasted almonds. I also appreciated that the airline spotlighted local Canadian alcohol brands like Jackson-Triggs wine and Steam Whistle or Beau's beers.

The beverage pours also felt very generous.

However, the meal I purchased wasn't worth it

A tray with crackers, dried oranges, dried fruit, cheese, and grapes.
The cheese was good, but the crackers took up most of the plate.

Tiffany Leigh

After having a snack, I was still a little hungry, so I decided to buy one of the ready-made meals on the menu.

I chose the cheese plate, which cost $12 CAD (about $8.40 USD). The description said a local cheesemonger had curated the varieties.

Although the cheese was delicious and flavorful, I couldn't find any information about what types I was eating. Ultimately, I didn't think the small portion size was worth the price, especially when the crackers took up the majority of the tray.

I enjoyed my flight with Porter Airlines

Because of the smaller size of the plane (and the number of respective passengers on board), entering and exiting the plane was also quick and easy.

Overall, I really appreciated the quality of the complimentary food and drinks and the ease of access to free WiFi.

The flight's only major drawback was that the seat wasn't super comfortable β€” but next time, I'll bring a neck pillow to sit on for a long flight.

Otherwise, I'll definitely book with Porter again if I'm traveling to destinations within two hours of Toronto.

I had a pleasant flight and would recommend it to friends and family if they're seeking a cost-effective alternative to fly with.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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