Lee Friedman

Hi, I’m Lee! Mango Tree came to life because I truly believe that traveling with our kids is one of the best things we can do for them – and for ourselves. 

My goal is to embolden parents like you to choose travel experiences that satisfy the whole family (not just the kids) and to help you feel optimistic and excited about discovering the world together with your family.

There are a lot of reasons to feel stressed and overwhelmed as a parent — planning amazing travel experiences should not be one of them. 

How did I get here? I was lawyer in private practice for 15 years, including during the years that I had my two kids. With a chaotic schedule at home, I realized that I was the best version of myself and the best mom I could be when we were traveling.  By incorporating my love for travel into my approach to parenting, I found more time for family connection and personal breathing room. 

I also learned a few things along the way that inspired the way we plan travel at Mango Tree. 

• I love boutique hotels that have a sense of place; 
• I cringe at the notion that kids need waterparks and 15 pools to be entertained; 
• I am 100% team hotel with kids and not team AirBNB;  
• I believe choosing the right hotel is critical to having great travel experiences with kids that actually leave you feeling refreshed; 
• I know that planning exceptional trips with kids – with touches of luxury throughout your stay – is worth every penny. 

I’m a Caribbean expert – my love for the islands runs deep and I’ve now been to 21 islands and counting.  Ask me about the 6 weeks I spent in Grenada before getting married and I’ll talk your ear off. 

But in 2025, we’re expanding our zone of expertise to Central America, Portugal, France, and the rest of Europe, and I’m so excited to see what the year brings. 

I have a lot of opinions about family travel – but the biggest is that I think you should take the trip you truly want with your kids, and make it count. I can’t wait to help you make that happen.