One of the joys of the El Dorado Royale in Riviera Maya is the proximity of the accommodations to the ocean line. Outstandingly close and beautiful with fantastic views of the blue Caribbean ocean. Fun nightly towel arrangements that would make any guest “fly” to their room to see their well anticipated surprise. (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…)

While on vacation in Aruba in November, I did a site inspection of some hotels with a member of the Aruba Tourism Board. One of the hotels, I visited was the Bucuti Beach Resort, primarily an adults-only resort, although it does have limited accommodations for children. (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 recent trip to Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun resort was for a short 2 night stay while working in the Riviera Maya area just south of Cancun. I upgraded to the private black car transfer and would highly recommend this to all clients. This new luxury hotel (7 buildings/3 stories high) is practically in a secluded area, located on a nice quiet beach, about 20 minutes from both the Cancun Airport and Playa del Carmen. (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…)

The El Dorado Royale continues to be my favorite adults-only, gourmet, all-inclusive properties in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. Suffice it to say the ‘gourmet’ concept permeates beyond the cuisine to every aspect of the vacation experience from check-in to check-out and everything in between. (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…)

I recently spent a wonderful week at the Galley Bay Resort & Spa in Antigua. The resort was very well kept with the gardens being cared for each and every day. The resort had a beautiful white sand beach and was located right in a secluded bay which was peaceful and quiet. The rooms at the Galley Bay Resort & Spa were a nice size and were (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…)

Back in July I stayed at the Secret Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun and it was a pleasant surprise. The Resort is large and has all of the pluses. Secrets Maroma Beach has several restaurants to choose from, all with very good food and excellent service. There are also several bars located on the property and many evening entertainment choices to choose from. (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 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…)

The renowned Napa/Sonoma wine region in California evokes Tuscany: hills of lush vineyards and award-winning wines, tiled rooftops, culinary flair, luxurious resorts and villas in which to relax and savor the unique ambience of the landscape and its people. Sonoma is the quieter, less touristy half of the Napa/Sonoma duo, still in the midst of wine country and still proximate to anything you might want to explore in this region. And for those visiting the San Francisco area, the Napa/Sonoma area is a scant one-and-a-half hour car ride away. (more…)

I stayed at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas back on October 25-27th. After landing in Las Vegas, I checked in at the registration desk at the airport at 8:30am, booked the round-trip airport shuttle from them and was on my way. Upon arrival at the hotel I went straight up to my room. There was no need for me to stand in that line in the lobby since I already checked in at the airport. (more…)

Love Love Loved It!!!!!! My husband and I have visited Jamaica many times, and were so very excited to stay at the Sandals Montego Bay. An easy breeze through immigration and customs, and then on to the Sandals welcome center just outside of customs. We were refreshed with a cold Red Stripe while checking in and awaiting our bus. While waiting for the bus, we met a gentleman who asked us to follow him. We were brought out to the (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…)

When you think of all-inclusive resorts, what is your first impression? Cafeteria food and watered down drinks? Expensive spa treatments? El Dorado Royale in the Riviera Maya certainly breaks away from those impressions of an all-inclusive resort. (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…)

The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa is probably the only resort I would recommend for an authentic Surf City, USA experience. This oceanfront resort gives you miles of sandy beach whether surfing, sunning, or swimming is your pleasure. Breezy, casually elegant, and quirkily fun (I love the vibrant colors of Pete’s Grill), this resort exemplifies the famous California lifestyle of dreams and songs. (more…)

It was a sad day when we had to leave the adults only resort, Excellence Punta Cana. Upon arrival we were greeted with a glass of champagne and escorted to the Excellence Club private lounge with a brief tour of the resort along the way. After a quick check-in, we were taken upstairs for food and drink. Then we were escorted to our Excellence Club Junior Suite. A wonderful aroma greeted us as we stepped into our suite. The king canopy bed had (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 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…)

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…)

We were greeted with a cold towel and a flute of champagne upon our arrival in the beautiful lobby of the Excellence Punta Cana. Because our reservations were in the Excellence Club we were escorted to the Club where we completed our private registration quickly. Following the registration procedure we were escorted upstairs where a buffet and bar service were available. (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…)

Anytime a resort is already great, and someone decides to change it, I am always leery of the outcome. Not so with Couples Tower Isle. I had the opportunity to tour the brand new Couples Tower Isle, and I must say I was (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…)

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…)

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…)

I like to stay at the Dreams Cancun Resort & Spa. I have previously stayed here before when it was known as the Camino Real. This property has one of the best beach spots in Cancun. The water is much (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 spent a couple of days in May in Riviera Maya at the Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun and the Royal Hideaway. Here is a brief description of my experience: (more…)

Recently, I attended the ACE Aruba Certified Expert convention in Aruba and stayed at the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino. What a beautiful property! The grounds were lovely & well maintained. The staff was always (more…)

 Not all resorts are created equally! I just returned from a wonderful 4 night stay at Excellence Riviera Cancun Resort and Spa. This elegant, luxury all adult, all inclusive resort, just minutes from the Cancun Airport is a little slice of heaven. (more…)

The Fairmont Kea Lani ..A stay here feels like paradise. . .

The grounds are immaculate and landscaped beautifully - - tropical foliage everywhere.
There is even a torch lighting ceremony every evening at dusk. A local in typical Hawaiian dress, with (more…)

Distance from airport was a quick 50 minute ride with a lot of scenery to view along the way. Upon arrival to Playacar you proceed past several homes, hotels, shops and a golf course before arriving to (more…)

I recently attended the grand opening of the new Italian Village at Turks and Caicos. What an amazing family resort. The rooms are spectacular and the activities for infants to teens are amazing. The resort (more…)

A recent visit to family-owned five star nature resort, Thala Beach Lodge, situated about 45 minutes north of the city of Cairns and just south of the village of Port Douglas, Australia, was a memorable (more…)

Looking for the perfect setting of luxury, tranquility, and elegance? Look no further than the Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso in Riviera Maya - this hotel is stunning! (more…)

Sandals Whitehouse, an adults-only resort, is a beautiful location on Jamaica. There are mountains on one side and a beach on the other! (more…)

At the bodyholiday @ LeSport in St. Lucia, you can expect the most relaxing spa treatment every day. Treatments include full-body massages, lime and ginger salt scrubs, ocean wraps, facials, and more - all included! (more…)

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua is one of Hawaii’s finest luxury resorts located on Maui’s beautiful northwest corner, known for swaying coconut palms and lush green hills. (more…)

This past weekend I had the chance to spend five day at Loew’s Royal Pacific Resort at Universal in Orlando. I must say this resort does capture the essence of being in the South Pacific! (more…)

If you’re looking for a beautiful white sand beach, gourmet food, luxurious rooms and one of the best spas in the entire Caribbean, then CuisinArt on the island of Anguilla is the ideal spot for your next tropical getaway. (more…)

I love Fairmont Resorts because they excel at being luxurious, yet kid-friendly, a balancing act that not all resorts do well. (more…)

The InterContinental Moorea Resort & Spa is a four star resort, set on 27 acres of tropical gardens between the mountains and the lagoon. (more…)

The vacation my husband and I had at Sandals Whitehouse was one of our best. (more…)

Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa is located on a separate island - Motu Toopua. You arrive at the resort by yacht - the lobby and front desk sit on a dock over the water. (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…)

My husband and I stayed at the Hyatt Regency Maui for 6 nights. As a travel agent I try to see resorts from my clients’ perspective - evaluating the service, value for the money, food, rooms, etc. After staying at the Hyatt, I have often recommended the resort to my clients and will continue to do so. (more…)