Two weeks ago I spent a weekend at Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic. I thought the resort was terrific. My room was large and beautiful, the bathroom spacious with two sinks, separate commode, separate tub, separate shower, and large walk-in closet. Each room also has a golf cart included to get you around the resort. (more…)

It is well worth your while to upgrade to the Royal Service at the Occidental Grand Punta Cana. The Royal Service area is a little oasis within a huge resort. The lovely rooms surround a small swimming pool with fusion music piped in at a low decibel. It is not a pool for laps, but for a refreshing dip when you want to get off the lounge chair. There is a special section (more…)

Riu Palace Riviera Maya is your typical Riu hotel with the dark Spanish accents and traditional Spanish décor. It is a little nicer than the Riu Palace Mexico, since it is newer and a little more updated. The rooms are the typical junior suites with nice bathrooms with double sinks and nicely tiled baths with a shower in the bathtub. They do have rooms that can be locked off at the entrance for families (more…)

We recently had the pleasure of staying at the Riu Montego Bay, opened in August 2008, a quick two mile transfer from the vastly improved Sangster International Airport and just three miles from Jamaica’s “hip strip” downtown nightlife. (more…)

If you love beautiful white beaches this place has the best! While staying at the Hilton Barbados, I had the opportunity to see a nest of turtles hatching and marching in single file to the Caribbean Sea! The staff, rooms and food are great at the Hilton Barbados and you won’t be disappointed! (more…)

The entire Barceló complex located south of town but north of Tulum, is a very large complex that is made up of several Barceló properties. I guess the nice part is there is a lot of variety available. The Barceló Maya Palace Deluxe gives you many a la carte choices to choose from without a limit. The beach at the Barceló Maya Palace (more…)

If you love to golf or just want a serene getaway, the JW Marriot Desert Ridge Resort & Spa is a wonderful place to go! There are so many things to do in Arizona to keep you busy while on vacation or if you just wish to relax in the large lazy river pool by day and dine at one of the many restaurants on site the (more…)

The beach at the Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa is really, really nice. It has a super kids club, very similar to that of the Dream Puerto Vallarta and the Dreams Cancun. Plus it has the same format with no reservation required at any of their restaurants. The hotel is divided into the Dreams section, (more…)

The Occidental Grand Punta Cana Resort is a well maintained and very nice family friendly resort. This is a very clean resort with well kept grounds. The staff is friendly and always willing to help. A friendly “Hola” greeting is offered from the gardener to the manager every time you meet someone. (more…)

I just returned from an amazing, long weekend at the Atlantis. Four days is not enough to do everything and relax. This is an incredible hotel with rooms to fit any budget and taste. Think of this property as 6 resorts in one: Beach Tower, Coral Towers, Royal Towers, The Reef, The Cove, and the Harborside Resort at Atlantis. No matter which section you choose everyone has (more…)

I recently stayed at Circus Circus in Las Vegas for 6 nights in May 2010. Circus Circus is still the budget level hotel although they have made some upgrades. The bedding in the rooms is newer and they have a small refrigerator available in the room at a cost of $15 per day, but we were never charged. (more…)

We stayed at the Comfort Suites Paradise Island in the Bahamas for 3 nights and it could not have been better. The room was lovely, and the property is conveniently located near Atlantis if you wish to go there for the day. Breakfast was good and plentiful. (more…)

The Iberostar Paraiso Lindo in Riviera Maya is a moderate plus choice for families. The rooms at the resort are adequate. There is a refrigerator stocked with water bottles, cokes and beer in the room as well as a coffee maker with a gallon of bottled water to use in it. (more…)

I recently took a trip to Cozumel to do some diving and vacationing. Our group, mixed couples and singles, stayed at the all inclusive Cozumel Palace and had a wonderful time. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted at the front door with a cool beverage; our experience at the resort was close to flawless! The food, service and (more…)

The Riu Palace Riviera Maya is like staying at a Spanish palace on a gorgeous beach! Most of the rooms have a beautiful view of the stunning landscaped grounds, with Spanish style fountains! The rooms closest to the beach offer ocean views. (more…)

The Mandarin Oriental in Riviera Maya is uber-deluxe in every way. The property is built with the clean lines of a Mandarin Hotel and was made to blend in with the surroundings really well. It is a serene and lovely property. (more…)

If you are looking for a stress free vacation, stay at the Riu Ocho Rios in Jamaica. Everything is no problem, mon. The rooms offer fabulous ocean views. Their in-room mini bar is a really great touch. The beach on Mammee Bay is perfect and the sand is white and soft. The water is beautiful shades of turquoise. (more…)

The Fairmont Mayakoba in the Riviera Maya is a large sprawling complex that meanders through the jungle of Mayakoba. The rooms are very lovely; done in earth tones with great bedding and very modern fixtures, like flat screen TV’s, large baths with separate showers, and 2 sinks. There is a nice health club, a lovely spa and kids club. (more…)

WOW!!! Was my first impression when I was greeted in the open air lobby of the Grand Wailea Resort in Maui, with a beautiful fresh orchid lei. The stunning open air lobby, filled with colorful flowers and amazing sculptures overlooking the deep blue Pacific was an awesome sight. An ice cold glass of passion fruit juice quenched our thirst as we were swiftly checked in. (more…)

I traveled with my husband and my 5 yr. old son to Turks & Caicos. The Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa has it all. If you can’t have fun here, you can’t have fun anywhere. We had room 603 in the Caribbean Village, ground floor, perfect if you have a stroller. This resort caters to (more…)

Having just returned from a week-long cruise, where Puerto Vallarta was an important port, due to the fact that we didn’t have to be back to the ship until 9:30 p.m., seven of us spent the whole day and part of the evening at Villa La Estancia Beach Resort & Spa in Riviera Nayarit. It was (more…)

I just returned from a trip to Beaches Negril Resort & Spa in Jamaica. If you have children, then this is the place to go. The resort is about an 1 hr & 20 minutes from the airport, which is really not that bad. When checking in we received cool towels & a drink, which is always nice. If you have a concierge room, you’ll have a (more…)

I recently have had the pleasure of escorting a “Girlfriend’s Getaway” to the Riu Palace Tropical Bay in Negril, Jamaica. This was our 7th “girlfriends getaway” and each year we choose a new destination. The (more…)

Dreams Riviera Cancun in Riviera Maya is a brand new all-inclusive resort for families. It is a large resort that it is spread out so that you do not feel crowded. The decor is more South Pacific than Mexican, but it is done in a very upscale manner. (more…)

The JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa is a stunningly beautiful resort located a fast 20 minute drive from the airport in Tucson, Arizona. Sip your Starbucks on the expansive patio or enjoy the complimentary Tequila Toast at (more…)

We stayed at the Aston at Papakea Resort in Maui from November 25 to December 2nd. The resort is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! The views were amazing from our condo. While staying in Maui we stayed in a 2 bedroom condo with a loft. The beds at the Aston at Papakea Resort (more…)

My husband and I stayed at the RIU Palace Tropical Bay in Jamaica on January 12-16th, 2010 for our 10 year anniversary. We absolutely loved the property and the people. The RIU Palace Tropical Bay property is the one place I have no problems sending anyone to. (more…)

I just returned from escorting a group to the Riu Cancun which is centrally located along the hotel strip in Cancun. The hotel is also conveniently located across the street from a major shopping mall, Plaza Caracol. This group has been traveling to this resort for the last 6 years.  The staff as the Riu Cancun resort is (more…)

When you first arrive at the Majestic Elegance Punta Cana, you are greeted with a glass of champagne and escorted to a very impressive lobby. There are stairs and 2 elevators to take you to the lower level of the lobby where there is a beautiful bar, surrounded by several of the a la carte restaurants. This area is the hub of the resort during the evening hours. (more…)

I stayed at the Barcelo Maya Tropical & Colonial Beach in January 2010 for 7 nights. This resort is approximately 1 hour on a non stop transfer from the airport. I found the resort to be quite large, with 3 basic sections comprising of the Barcelo Maya Beach and Caribe section, Barcelo Maya Tropical & Colonial Beach section and the Barcelo Maya Palace section. (more…)

I just returned from a sailing on Star Clipper and wanted to stay in Barbados for a couple of days before boarding. I had a group of 5 with me, and found hotel prices for the accommodations we needed to be very expensive. We ended by staying at the Bougainvillea Beach Resort, on Maxwell Coast Road in Christ Church. (more…)

My Husband and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary at the Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rosehall in Jamaica. This property was well maintained and the staff was wonderful. They treated us as if we were on our honeymoon! Our 1 bedroom oceanfront suite was fantastic. The suite had two full bathrooms, two flat screen TV’s and a huge balcony that over looked the Caribbean Sea. (more…)

From the moment we walked onto the property, we knew the service levels at the Azul Sensatori Hotel in Riviera Maya was going to be outstanding. The warm welcome, followed by champagne was well received by my small group. The Azul Sensatori Hotel is very easy to find your way around and the grounds are lovely. There are several pool areas and we never had a problem getting chairs, both in the sun and in the shade. (more…)

While visiting the Dominican Republic I stayed at the Paradisus Punta Cana. The Paradisus Punta Cana has two different sides to this resort, the less expensive, slightly older side which is closer to the beach and more restaurants. And then there is the Reserve side which is where I stay while vacationing in Punta Cana. The Reserve contains their brand new luxury suites that just (more…)

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa has three separate villages that you can stay at, all connecting to each other. The new Italian Village is by far the best as it is the newest, (I believe it just opened in January 2009). This is the part of the resort where we stayed. However we were able to get a look at the other two villages as well (rooms and all). (more…)

This past November I spent three wonderful days at the Iberostar Rose Hall Suites in Jamaica. This hotel is set on a long stretch of beach in Montego Bay surrounded by the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach hotel on one side and the Iberostar Grand Hotel Rose Hall on the other side. The Iberostar Grand truly is what its name implies. (more…)

The Riu Palace Aruba is a wonderful all-inclusive (water sports are not included) resort in Aruba. After your flight you will be greeted by a GOGO Tours rep and friendly hotel staff with refreshing drinks and your luggage will be taken care of efficiently while you check-in. (more…)

I just came back from the Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa in St. Lucia. This resort is a nice all-inclusive family resort. The best feature is the close proximity to the airport. Your children will not get the chance to say are we there yet. This Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa is on the southern Atlantic side of the island (more…)

Earlier this month, we visited Kauai, Hawaii and it has quickly become one of our favorite islands. Kauai is one of the most stunning places on Earth. Its astounding beauty creates a perfect backdrop for the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club. We visited this property on one of our site inspections and came to appreciate it much more than I anticipated. (more…)

I just returned from the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. I found the hotel to be a good value for the money you pay. The hotel is a little older, but most of the rooms have been updated. The bathrooms were on the small side, but they were clean and stocked with shampoo and lotion. There is a balcony or terrace for each room. I was in the middle category- (more…)

The ride to the Gran Melia Puerto Rico was about 30 minutes. The property is located in the Coco Beach area, east of the airport. The entire Coco Beach area is beautiful and still under development. Next door is the Trump Resort and golf course and soon to be built is a Marriott. The complex that is the Gran Melia covers many acres. The main buildings are to the west and consist of large ballrooms, reception areas, 3 restaurants, (more…)

My Lady (as they say in Jamaica). I just got back from staying at the Rose Hall Resort & Spa, A Hilton Resort with 36 lady golfers. The hotel which is located just 15 minutes outside of Montego Bay, just recently went through renovations which were very nice. The staff and service at the Rose Hall Resort & Spa was excellent as well. (more…)

As a travel professional, I am typically more critical of resorts than the average guest. There was little to be critical of at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. After staying at this property for 6 days in November 2009, I now know why my clients all love this resort in Kauai. (more…)

As a Vacation, Cruise and Honeymoon Specialist, I am always more critical of hotels and resorts than your average traveler. I am always on the look out for properties that will fit the needs of my clients and to know which property to recommend to which client. I also make a point of not reading reviews of the resorts I am visiting so I can give an honest opinion of the property. (more…)

The Iberostar Tucan & Quetzal Hotel in Riviera Maya is a great resort for destination weddings. The resort is in a great location and the beach is one of the best on the Playacar strip. The wedding department at this hotel is very easy to work with once you have the wedding date established. For those who are planning to invite families with children, the Iberostar Tucan & Quetzal hotel is (more…)

I recently visited Dream Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa. This Puerto Vallarta property is located very close to town, but far enough away to still have a secluded feeling. The resort sits up against the mountains which gives you a great, spectacular view of the ocean and part of the town. All of the rooms are oceanfront and offer great views of the surrounding area. (more…)

I recently spent 5 nights at the Beaches Negril Resort & Spa in Jamaica. The resort is a large complex with beautiful pools including many swim-up bars. There is a large tubular slide and Lazy River swim with life jacket required. The water sports are great and the employees are very nice to every person. (more…)

Fairmont Kea Lani-all-suite luxury accommodations in Wailea, Maui. This Resort is a world-class, 5 star resort that sits on a beautiful, white sand Polo Beach in the upscale Wailea area of Maui, which is a little more secluded than the busier West Maui resort area. Its neighbors are two other high-end resorts and a trendy array of shops at the Shops at Wailea which are connected by a lovely oceanside walk. (more…)

My husband and I took our two boys, ages 11 & 9, for a 4 night getaway to Iberostar Paraiso Lindo in Riviera Maya. We wished we could have stayed longer! The resort was beyond our expectations! Everything is granite, travertine or tile and impeccably clean… even the public restrooms! The room was of standard size, we were lucky to get an oversized balcony too. Each day we came back to another new ” (more…)

Although it is technically across Kalakaua Avenue from Waikiki Beach, the main drag in Waikiki, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa sports an unobstructed view of Waikiki Beach. No hotels, no high-rises between you and the famous blue waters of Waikiki. For those unfamiliar with the island of Oahu, the stretch known as Waikiki is really only about 10 blocks long, with the Hyatt (more…)

When clients consult with me on suitable accommodations for their stay on the Big Island of Hawaii, the Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii is one of a handful of favorite resorts that I can recommend. Despite its luxury status as a 5-star high-end resort, the Fairmont Orchid is unpretentious and surprisingly affordable with its numerous aggressively-priced promotions. The quality of the service (more…)

They don’t call it the Last of the True Exotics for nothing! I was lucky enough to be one of the invited guests for the grand opening of the new Italian Village at Beaches Turks & Caicos and it’s absolutely incredible! The new addition of the Italian Village flows very well with the two existing villages - the French & the Caribbean. The addition of the new (more…)

I just returned from a trip to Montego Bay, Jamaica. I spent some time at Sunset Beach Resort & Spa in Montego Bay. While there I spent some time at the beach, where many people ventured onto Sunset Beach for a tan and used the swim up bar and pool for their swimming pleasures. Every Thursday and Saturday native vendors come onto the property to sell their wares. (more…)

Set on the pristine shores of North Lake Tahoe, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort is not just a ski retreat. It’s an all-season oasis for anyone who loves the natural splendor of the Sierra Nevada juxtaposed against the largest alpine lake in North America. The pine-scented air is nourishing in the warmer months, and invigorating in the cooler months. (more…)

I recently returned from Barbados on September 21st. I visited 9 hotels while there. I would say my favorite was The Crane Resort with its beautiful landscaped grounds, a variety of shops, hot tub and Jacuzzi with an amazing view and its beautiful pink beach. The staff at The Crane was so friendly and very (more…)

Grand Lobby, luxurious room with fully stocked bar, in-room Jacuzzi and a great view are only the start of your vacation at the Moon Palace Casino, Golf & Spa Resort.  It keeps getting better as you take the tram to the white sand beach (the property is huge and spread out - a plus for some people could be negative for other people.) I loved the spa. As soon as you enter the spa, you get a key to the locker and an attendant is assigned to you. The attendant takes you to the (more…)

The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa is not to be outdone by its sister resort on Maui. This vision of loveliness sits on the ‘sunny south shore’ of Kauai, next to famed Poipu Beach, recently ranked the #1 beach in the country. After an extensive, multimillion dollar renovation within the last couple of years-which saw a doubled expansion of its sumptuous Spa Anara and complete (more…)

With a few airlines flying nonstop every day, you can be in Punta Cana and on the beach by 2 pm. We arrived in Punta Cana and were on our way by taxi within an hour. We arrived at The Majestic Colonial and checked in at the front lobby. The lobby was as large as I have seen for any hotel. Our room (one of 658 rooms on property) was not ready as we were early… (more…)

I recently returned from visiting Amelia Island and must say neither the web nor brochures seem to fully capture the beauty of this resort. The lush vegetation and green space is a major selling point along with an amazing spa. There is a magnificent (more…)

The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa will fulfill your vision of an authentic Hawaiian resort. One frequent request from clients as they consult with me about where they’d like to stay while in Hawaii, is that they stay in a resort (more…)