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…)

The entrance at the Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso is grand in everyway and includes an indoor garden that reminds me of the Bellagio in Las Vegas. All the marble and carpeted hallways leading to the rooms are located inside…something that is unique to most if not all the Riviera Maya resorts. All the rooms are Junior Suites and are very nicely done with good quality furnishings and the bathrooms have a separate toilet room, shower and upgraded amenities. (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…)

Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott property in Phoenix, Arizona was named after Camelback Mountain which stares you in the face from any one of the Casita accommodations! I have stayed at this resort many times and if you love to golf or just want a serene getaway this is the place for you!

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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…)

The Rosewood Mayakoba in Riviera Maya was one of my favorites. Every room is a suite with a living room, huge bathroom with large round tiled tub for 2, and a glass walled shower with a back door leading to an outdoor shower. There is also a patio with a private plunge pool, in every room category. Some of the suites, called lagoon suites, are located directly (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…)

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…)

I visited the Rose Hall Resort & Spa in April 2009 and was impressed with its family friendly atmosphere which was at 97% occupancy. The Rose Hall Resort is located in Montego Bay, which is a good location. Montego Bay isn’t a long bus ride from the airport and there are a lot of activities and sightseeing close by. (more…)

The Honorable Gordon “Butch” Stewart, Chairman of Sandals & Beaches all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, does it again! His transformation of the Four Seasons Resort in Great Exuma, Bahamas into the new Sandals Emerald Bay is nothing short of spectacular! After investing 17.5 million into this Caribbean gem, it truly deserves the Sandals name. (more…)

I vacationed at Breezes Runaway Bay back in 1998 and then recently revisited the resort again in April 2009, which is now the Breezes Resort, Spa & Golf Club Runaway Bay. This resort offers activities for people of all ages (14 and older). The resort located in a great location called Runaway Bay which is halfway between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios in Jamaica. (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…)

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…)

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…)

I have just returned from the luxurious beachfront Royal Plantation resort in Jamaica. Lush tropical garden pathways and Almond trees surround this fabulous resort. This boutique hotel is made up of all suites. All rooms come with oceanviews, divine furnishings, pillow menu, walk-in closets and spacious bathrooms. (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…)

As a Master Specialist I had the pleasure of staying 4 nights at Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun resort in Riviera Maya. This resort has 433 suites that include queen or king-size beds, Jacuzzi bath tubs, bathrobes and slippers, lots of cabinet/closet space, TV, mini-bars with sodas, bottled water and beer that are replenished daily. In the room is a sofa and chairs the sliding glass-door leads to a terrace with a Jacuzzi, lounge bed, table and chairs. My room had an (more…)

The Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios, Jamaica is a special resort full of history. It’s tranquil, service oriented, friendly with great food. All the rooms have ocean views or at least a sliver of an ocean view. I would encourage taking out the meal plan which can be done once you arrive. One of the good things about the meal plan at the Royal Plantation is that you do not need to take out a meal plan for your entire stay at the resort. (more…)

We just got back from the Sandals Dunn’s River Villaggio Golf Resort & Spa in Jamaica. At Sandals we were upgraded to butler category which was wonderful!!!! It’s nice to be spoiled and not have to think while on vacation. Service in the whole place was outstanding!!! Sandals Dunn’s River is just the right size. The rooms and views of the pool and beach were gorgeous. The pools were outstanding and the beach was nice; not small but not crowded. (more…)

The Excellence Playa Mujeres resort in Cancun is a beautiful property. Well thought out and designed, it’s not too large that it takes a half an hour to walk to the beach, but not too small that it doesn’t have enough choices in dining and activities. The property is laid out with many clusters of gathering opportunities. You can choose from secluded palapas, hammocks hanging over the pool, pool side terrace lounges or beach chairs. There is the meandering “river” pool which flows under two of the beach side restaurants and is complete with a pool bar. There is also a spa pool which is not to be missed. (more…)

I just recently returned from a 4-night stay at one of my favorite hotels, The Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda.  The Fairmont Southampton is a bit of old Bermuda with all the up-to-date amenities.  I loved what they have done with regards to up-dating their rooms…the harbor-view rooms with balcony is fabulous (above the fourth floor).  The Concierge Gold category rooms are worth every (more…)

I had the pleasure of staying at the Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso in Riviera Maya for four nights. Staying at the Iberostar Grand made it possible for me to say that I have stayed now in all of the Iberostar properties in the Riviera Maya. We were staying at the Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar when the IBerostar Grand was going up. The concierge arranged for my husband and I to do a walk thru before it was completed. So when the opportunity to stay here came up, I jumped on it. (more…)

Upon arrival at the Sandals Dunn’s River Villaggio, we were greeted by our own private butler (Israel) who catered to us 24/7 for our entire 8-day stay in Jamaica, which included a personal cell phone for “on-demand” service. Some of the services that the butler provides are unpacking of luggage; beach chairs, towels and cooler reserved on the beach daily; dinner reservations every evening with no wait, flowers and candles were always on the dinner table. Following each day’s adventure, (more…)

I recently had an opportunity to visit the Royal Plantation Resort in Ocho Rios. Upon entering this intimate all suite property, we were greeted with cold towels and champagne. We were seated in comfy sofas and chairs to complete the 3 minute check-in process and then we were whisked away to our beautiful Jr suite - all rooms overlook the ocean. (more…)

We own and manage two travel agencies and we would like to encourage you to do what we did, visit Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort. The taxi transfer from Hewanorra to Sandals Grande St. Lucian, north of Castries took another hour and a half. For a much faster, spectacular arrival, you might consider using the St. Lucia Helicopter service (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…)

I stayed for 7 days in a Grand Luxe Ocean View room, on the bluff, close to the millionaire suites. The Sandals Regency La Toc Golf Resort & Spa property is nice and is located on a ½ mile sand beach in St. Lucia. The property has 19 room categories and is built on the beach level and hill side. (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…)

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…)

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…)

My first visit to Scottsdale was an unexpected delight. My inaccurate preconceptions of this trendy, upscale destination banished as I relaxed into the warmth of the people and climate and the diversity of the landscape. Red-orange mountains rise dramatically from the desert floor and contrast neatly to green sagebrush and cacti. The Native American culture (more…)

I loved EVERYTHING about the Sandals Dunn’s River Villaggio Golf Resort & Spa, it has a very Italian romance feel in the Caribbean. I have stayed there three times, and I am ready to go back. When you turn off the main road, it’s pure paradise. The palm trees are bordering the driveway and then come the water fountains. You will be greeted by the hotel managers (more…)

I highly recommend visiting St. Lucia where they have some wonderful resorts such as Sandals Regency La Toc Golf Resort, Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa and Sandals Halcyon Beach. These resorts are all wonderful and have their own special qualities (more…)

We just returned from our vacation of “Fun & Sun” at the Sunset Beach Resort in Montego Bay. We arrived around 1pm and Natasha greeted us with a warm welcome, a cold Caribbean Punch was offered and advised our room was ready. (more…)

I recently had the chance to stay a week at El Cozumeleno Beach Resort in Cozumel. This is a moderate all inclusive resort located on a white sand beach. Just 5 minutes from downtown and the (more…)

I used to turn my nose up at Starfish Trelawny. Boy was I wrong - this resort is VERY cute! (more…)

I have personally stayed at Paradise Village twice and think it’s a great hotel for families, especially large ones. Today it’s so hard to find a resort which will guarantee adjoining rooms or accommodate more than four guests; here is the perfect solution! (more…)

I was recently at Dreams Los Cabos Resort and Spa and found it to be a wonderful property.
I highly recommend it for a deluxe all inclusive option. (more…)

We recently stayed at the elegant Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas on the northern coast of Kauai.

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I had the opportunity to stay at the Grotto Bay Beach Resort in Bermuda for 3 nights. At first, I was a bit disappointed to hear we were staying at Grotto Bay since I never considered it one of the top hotels in Bermuda but after we stayed there, I can honestly say I would return without hesitation to Grotto Bay and I would send the right clients there in a minute. (more…)