Exciting new upgrades at Sandals Grande Riviera Beach & Villa Golf Resort

Cue the applause... these upgrades at Sandals Grande Riviera in Ocho Rios look AHHH-mazing! 

We can't wait to visit! For the best pricing on Sandals Resorts - jump over here! 

Cheers,

Upgrades Added to the Royal Service at Paradisus Palma Real

The Paradisus Palma Real Resort & Spa has added new inclusions to their Royal Service!

The New Royal Service Experience:

• 200 all new Royal Service suites with In-room Jacuzzi®
• Pre-arrival preference form to allow Butlers to tailor and customize each guest's experience
• Personalized VIP arrival and private escort to the new Royal Service Lounge
• Dramatic new two story Royal Service Lounge featuring; Library, magazines, international newspapers, DVD movie library, CD music library, cultural corner (information about the history of the Dominican Republic, area maps, resort's sustainable initiatives and more), WIFI and complimentary use of iPads
• Exclusive YHI Spa and wellness area
• Exclusive new waterside Italian Restaurant reserved for Royal Service only
• Natural Juice Bar located on the private Royal Service beach
• Pool Concierge Service at the exclusive Royal Service pool to include complimentary sunscreens, healthy snacks, poolside spa rituals, and more
• Personalized pillow menu
• Complimentary cell phone to call your butler with unlimited local minutes
• New in-suite inclusions for Royal Service; espresso machines,upgraded and customized mini bars, Thierry Mugler amenities, international power adaptors, new in-suite dining menus, premium welcome amenity
• Weekly Manager's cocktail party for Royal Service guests

The Paradisus Palma Real is located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and is often rated one of the top luxury all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean.

Spring for a little luxury by booking the Royal Service. Perhaps you can save on the air side of your trip and secure a cheap flights by booking your air as far out as possible. The Punta Cana airport is served by international flights on all major airlines.

A History of Romance - Rendezvous in St. Lucia

Rendezvous Hotel in St. Lucia is known as The Boutique Hotel for Couples. Yes, this is true. The hotel is small, intimate & charming, having only around 100 rooms. It is luxurious and all-inclusive too. But what I really like, is the romantic history of the hotel's origin... in a time when life was less complicated and vacations were never taken for granted. 

Imagine arriving in St. Lucia in the 1960s when the island was home to only a few hotels. You deplane but opt to make your first stop the lovely white sand beach to the north of the air strip. You walk down this amazing little gem of a beach, taking in the views and gazing in amazement at the tropical gardens lining the sugary sand. Soon a building with a large verandah comes into view. The Verandah is welcoming, with a bar at one end. There's even a butler serving drinks. He serves you a cool and refreshing cocktail of choice. Conversation flows with the rum but soon it is time to go. When you ask for the bill, you are told there is no bill, for this is a private home and the kind gentleman who kept you company at the bar is the homeowner. 

That's the story the hotel's owner Andrew Barnard proudly shared with our office last week about his grandfather's property. He had our full attention as he divulged an abbreviated version of how the Rendezvous in St. Lucia came about. How after realizing his property was desirable to those walking by, his grandfather built 12 private beach cottages and offered them for rent. The 12 cottages have grown into a 100 room resort, but the same friendly service remains.

Rendezvous is the boutique hotel for couples. Smaller than most all-inclusive resorts, yet large in its offerings. The hotel is offering a few not-to-be missed summer promos right now. Contact our Caribbean Travel Specialists for a complete quote!

Cheers,

Luxury Honeymoons at Secrets Wild Orchid or Secret St. James

Its no secret that Jamaica is a top honeymoon destination. The tropical island is home to some of the most scenic geography in the Caribbean. Beauty relaxes the mind and after months of stressful wedding planning, all brides deserve to relax. So what better place for a honeymoon?


Jamaica has many wonderful resorts - but the two new Secrets Resorts in Montego Bay are a smart and easy choice for anyone wanting a fully inclusive, luxury resort, catering to couples. Now is a great time to book either Secrets St. James or Wild Orchid for your honeymoon and take advantage of the following promotion:

Book a Hotel + Delta Air package for you, each traveler will earn 3000 bonus Delta Skymiles AND at least $50 off your vacation package. Contact us today to get started!

{As with all promotions, restrictions apply. Please inquire for full details.}

Cheers,

The Caribbean's Best Destination Health Spa... The Body Holiday, St. Lucia

I started my hospitality career in Phoenix as a spa coordinator at the Arizona Biltmore. Working in a spa was bliss and being linked in to the spa community afforded me many opportunities to test out other area spas. Arizona is known for its Destination Spas such as Canyon Ranch and Miraval. Most other Destination Spas strive to be as comprehensive as these two.

While many resorts in the Caribbean have full service spas, few can rightly call themselves a Destination Spa. To me, this term means the Spa is a location/destination one would travel to simply for the benefit of its services - all other resort amenities are considered secondary.

The Body Holiday LeSport in St. Lucia IS a Destination Spa. All of my colleagues agree we would most certainly make the trip to this resort simply to visit the spa. The Body Holiday is a fully inclusive resort where the spa treatments are already included in the nightly room rate - one 50 minute service per guest, per day. You may add to this... and once you've spent an hour in the Oasis Spa, allowing all 5 senses to relax, you will likely want to. 

The spa offers an la carte menu of additional services, or you can work with your travel consultant prior to arrival and pre-book one of their Personalized Wellness packages starting at $699 and featuring a focus in the areas of weight loss, stress management, detoxification, fitness and tone, and anti-aging.

With every meal, at every restaurant on property, The Body Holiday serves healthy and enticing spa cuisine to compliment the wellness goals of the guests. If you want to splurge and enjoy bacon, eggs, and a croissant, fear not for those items are plentiful as well. 

I'd love to help you plan the best possible wellness vacation to The Body Holiday in St. Lucia. Feel free to contact me anytime! laura @ caribbeanjourney.com 

Namaste,

Everyone Deserves a Little Romance...

{This AMAZING photo of Coconut Bay is one of my favorite Caribbean photo of all time. From this amazing artist.}

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa on glorious St. Lucia offers some great values on ROMANCE!!!

There are 3 packages worth noting... 

The Rendezvous Package for 7 nights includes:

Champagne Check-in

Romance Turn-down including champagne & chocolates

Couples Only Beachfront Dinner

Intro to Kite Surfing

$250 Resort Credit

and more! 

Deluxe Ocean View Room is $1129

Premium Ocean View Room is $1199

The One on One Package for 7 nights includes:

All of the Rendezvous perks plus...

Private Chauffeured Island Tour

Private Couples Beach Picnic

1/2 Hour Photo Shoot with Keepsake Photo 

Deluxe Ocean View Room is $1279

Premium Ocean View Room is $1349

The Fantasy Package for 7 nights includes:

One on One perks plus...

Private Catamaran Piton snorkeling cruise with lunch onboard

Deluxe Ocean View Room is $1579

Premium Ocean View Room is $1649

Contact us to book before May 31, 2012 for travel prior to June 15, 2012. We love Coconut Bay because of its dramatic landscape and easy access to the main international airport. Most flights to St. Lucia arrive at the Hewanorra Airport just 5 minutes away. Imagine... you'll be on the beach within a few short hours of your flight arriving!

Enjoy,

Free Catamaran Cruise at Royal Plantation

Hurry! Sandals Resort Specials never last long. Book by a vacation to Sandals Royal Plantation by March 8, 2012 for travel NOW until December 27, 2012 and receive a FREE Island Routes Catamaran Cruise. 

The Catamaran Party Cruise Includes:

A Sightseeing & Snorkeling Adventure

Made to Order Cocktails with Premium Brand Liquors

Caribbean-inspired hors d'oeuvres to tantalize your taste buds

Live Entertainment with you own on board DJ

READ MORE ABOUT THIS OFFER HERE!

Free Island Routes Adventure Tours Dunn's River Falls Catamaran Cruise offer is available for new bookings in a concierge room category or higher made now until March 8, 2012 for travel now through December 26, 2013. Blackout dates apply. Offer is combinable with all other consumer savings promotions. Offer includes one complimentary catamaran cruise per person, per room during the same stay. Offer is applicable to Dunn's River Cruise Tour only. 

Huge Savings to SANDALS Emerald Bay in Exuma, Bahamas

Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma is one of those rare resorts I wouldn't mind paying full price for. It is that good. If your best beach vacations are just as much location as they are service, this one's for you! Set on the pristine island of Exuma... where the beaches are quiet, the smiles loud, and the atmosphere forces you to relax... Sandals Emerald Bay is just about perfect. Throw in some extra savings and it can't be beat! 


Here's what you might save:

$400 Instant Savings

Save up to 65% Off

Up to 1 Free Night

Unlimited Free Golf

$175 Red Lane Spa Credit

$350 Airfare Credit

Of course, there's a catch.... HURRY! You must book your trip by January 6, 2012... Book your Sandal Resort Vacation to Sandals Emerald Bay Today! 

How do you get to Exuma? A few airlines service the local island airport - but most international flights come into Nassau and make the short flight over to Exuma.

HOT New Hotels! Two New Paradisus Resorts coming to Mexico!

That sand... that WATER!!! 

Soon, you can enjoy two new Paradisus Resorts in Mexico. The family friendly Paradisus La Esmeralda and the adults only Paradisus La Perla, located next to each other on one of the prettiest stretches of beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

The luxuriously comfortable decor, true to Paradisus style, can be found in the living spaces:

Sleeping rooms...

And bathrooms...

The Paradisus Playa del Carmen features a two-in-one resort concept with La Perla exclusively for adults and La Esmeralda perfectly family friendly and suitable for every traveler. The El Zocalo area between the resorts features restaurants, bars, and entertainment. Guests from both resorts have free access to El Zocalo freely, making this complex perfect for multi-generational travel & Destination Weddings where some guests might prefer the exclusivity of the adults only section and others don't want to leave the kids behind but both want to spend at least a few important hours together every day.

PARADISUS PLAYA DEL CARMEN LA PERLA OPENS ON NOV 15, 2011

PARADISUS PLAYA DEL CARMEN LA ESMERALDA OPENS ON NOV 30, 2011

Ready to start planning and take advantage of the super low introductory rates? Contact us today!

Being located in the Cancun area, you will be flying to one of the easiest destinations in the tropics. Cancun is serviced by all major airlines, including United Airlines & American Airlines. 

Only 4 Days Left to Receive $400 Instant Savings at Sandals!!

Yearning for a little jaunt to the Bahamas for Christmas? Hurry and book either Sandals Royal Bahamian or Sandals Emerald Bay by October 24, 2011 and receive $400 instant savings!

{This is Sandals Royal Bahamian}

Applicable travel dates are: December 22 to 29, 2011

To start planning your vacation to Sandals Resorts, contact the travel consultants at Caribbean Journey ~ 866-236-1924 or via email! 

{As with all promos, restrictions apply. Please inquire.}

Cheers,

Free Golf at Sandals Emerald Bay in Exuma

CALLING ALL GOLFERS!

Sandals Emerald Bay guests have an exclusive opportunity to take advantage of complimentary golf offers!

In addition to the unimaginable luxury and lavish amenities, we are offering all Sandals Emerald Bay guests who book any room category a free round of golf* to enjoy during their exotic vacation in paradise.

Another exclusive perk of being a member of the Sandals Select Rewards program is that you will now receive two free rounds of golf* when you book any room category at Sandals Emerald Bay.

All guests staying in our exquisite butler service suites will receive the unlimited golf package free* so you can play as many rounds of golf as you want at our Greg Norman-designed championship course.

{*As with all promos, restrictions apply. Please inquire.}

To start planning your vacation to Sandals Resorts, contact the travel consultants at Caribbean Journey ~ 866-236-1924 or via email! 

Enjoy!

Fly Free to Sandals & Beaches Resorts this Fall!

Stay 6 nights or longer at any BEACHES RESORT and your companion flies FREE! Beaches Resorts include: Beaches Turks & Caicos, Beaches Negril, Beaches Sandy Bay, and Beaches Boscobel in Jamaica. 

Stay 6 nights or longer at Sandals Grande Riviera in Ocho Rios Jamaica and your companion flies FREE!

Reservations must be made by October 20, 2011 for travel now until December 16, 2011. Ready to book? Give us a call - 866-236-1924 or drop us a line - info@caribbeanjourney.com

Valid on new bookings only. As with all promos, other restrictions apply.

Celebrate FALL with reduced rates & resort credit at El Dorado Resorts.

Last FALL, I was lucky enough to visit the El Dorado Resorts in the Riviera Maya section of Mexico. I was attracted to their Gourmet Inclusive Meal Plan and sustainable practices, in addition to their luxurious amenities. You can read about my visits to El Dorado Seaside & El Dorado Royale & Casitas.

ALL El Dorado Resorts, including El Dorado Maroma located on the BEST beach in Mexico, are on sale this fall. But hurry - you must book by October 13 to secure reduced rates & resort credit.


The Resort Credit includes:
Five $10.00 USD credits towards a bottle of wine
$100.00 USD credit towards a couple's sky massage. 
$50.00 USD credit towards a beachfront dinner.


Ready to start packing? Drop us a line and we'll combine the hotel special with discounted international flights to for a great deal on a luxury vacation package. Cancun is serviced by all major airlines, including United Airlines & American Airlines. 

Never been a better time to visit Sandals Emerald Bay!

There has never been a better time to visit

Sandals Grande Emerald Bay!!

Book by September 1st to ensure your Companion Flies Free! 

Additional promotions at this time range from: 65% off room rates, 1 night free, $175 spa credit, and a free round of golf.

Deep within the idyllic waters of the Exumas, the brand new Sandals Emerald Bay brings unprecedented luxury to the easy-going rhythms of the Bahamian Out Islands. Here, a privileged enclave is designed to ensure you will feel as if you are the only ones there, where service reigns supreme and Bahamian-style architecture of elegant villas and suites harmonize with nature. Secluded within 500 tropical acres along a pristine, mile-long beach, civilized pleasure coexist with exotic adventures, from three impressive pools - including a half-acre, zero-entry pool with dramatic fire pit in the middle. Play championship golf on a Greg Norman-designed course, voted one of the Caribbean's Best by Travel & Leisure Golf. Relax in the first-ever 29,000 sq. ft. Red Lane^® Dermalogica concept spa.

Ready to start packing? Contact Caribbean Journey today: Info@CaribbeanJourney.com

Save Up To $180 at Majestic Resorts in Punta Cana

We've had a busy summer sending clients to both the Majestic Colonial & Majestic Elegance in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. These two all-inclusive resorts come in at a great price point and offer a huge value in terms of their all-inclisive amenities. The Majestic Elegance is a big hit with multi-generational family vacations because of the adults only section. Grandparents and any family members who don't have kiddos yet, may choose to stay in the Elegance Club section and enjoy luxurious amenities and plenty of peace & quiet.

HURRY! Book by September 3 and earn up to $180 in savings on your package to either hotel. This promotion also includes 2 rounds of free golf. Contact us to get started planning today!

{As with all promos, restrictions apply.}

Punta Cana isn't always the easiest area to reach in the Caribbean but it is possible to find cheap tickets during most of the low season months. Traveling from most major US gateways, you can expect to find airline tickets. priced in the $400-$500 range if you are flexible!

Cheers,

2 Nights Free at Jade Mountain in St. Lucia!

Jade Mountain, St. Lucia's finest hotel, is offering TWO nights free this summer! Stay for 7 nights, and only pay for 5 in any of their Sky Jacuzzi Suites, or Star and Moon Infinity Pool Sanctuaries.

If you pre-book a meal plan, either Breakfast & Dinner or All-inclusive, the free nights will have the same meal plan status as well.

Book by July 15, 2011 for travel until October 31, 2011. For help booking this promotion, please contact us. 

If you haven't read about my love affair with this hotel, you must! Go here to see my full travel tale and here to see my full photo album of Jade Mtn.

In Celebration of Cinco de Mayo

There are a few Mexico Vacation Specials I'd like to highlight in honor of one of my favorite celebrations... CINCO de MAYO! But first... here's a little background info on Cinco de Mayo. 

Cinco de Mayo always makes me hungry. {If I wasn't expecting, these 3 simple words would make me crave an icy cold margarita with loads of fresh lime.}

{photo from Life's Ambrosia}

Bring a little bit of Cinco de Mayo into your kitchen with these great recipes from Life's Ambrosia.

If you're ready to taste Mexico for yourself, check out these travel deals to the Cancun area:

The Royal Hideaway Playacar is offering up to $500 in resort credits + 25% off their rates. The resort credit may be used towards green fees, spa treatments, and more! 

The Melia Cozumel is on sale with rates starting at only $68/per person, per night, ALL-INCLUSIVE! This hotel is great for golfers & divers - with a full service dive shop next door and a Nicklaus Designed Golf Course right across the street. 

{As with all promotions, restrictions apply.}

We look forward to helping you plan your own Mexican getaway! info@caribbeanjourney.com

866-236-1924

Salud!

Travel & Leisure World's Best Island Hotels

Not all of these hotels are located in the Caribbean, but Travel & Leisure Magazine did include a few of our personal favorites for their top 20 list of the best island hotels! 

Jade Mountain made the list and after my recent visit, I certainly know why. This hotel should be on every list of the worlds best:

3 of the 4 Couples Resorts in Jamaica also made the list and we are super excited about this because we agree wholeheartedly! If you are seeking an all-inclusive experience at a great price point that feels more like an eclectic boutique hotel, then Couples Resorts are for you:

We love the top choice on the list, Nisbet Plantation Inn on the island of Nevis. A true small luxury hotel, it is the only historic plantation set right on the beach:

Many more wonderful island based hotels are included, to see the full list, go here.

Enjoy,