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.

Curtain Bluff Makes a Difference

{Some of the 150 kids Curtain Bluff Resort in Antigua have helped send to tennis camp.}

We really enjoyed meeting Ron Sherman, the GM of Curtain Bluff last week. We were charmed by his larger than life personality and impressed upon learning about how much his hotel gives back. 

The resort’s founders, Howard and Chelle Hulford, started the Old Road Fund in 1974, naming it after the village that sits just outside the resort's gates. Initially its purpose was to supply basic necessities to the community’s neediest families, but it quickly out-grew these modest goals thanks to support from the resort and its guests. To date over $US 1 million has been spent on university scholarship assistance, additional college expenses, sending children to the U.S. for summer camp or to work as camp counselors, and providing medical and emergency relief to the local community.

In the last twenty years alone more than 150 children have gone to tennis camp in the U.S. and 45 have received a full university education. Eleven students are currently enrolled in college in the U.S. Over 20 have had major healthcare benefits. Through the fund, computers have been donated to the Old Road Primary School, and new uniforms and sporting equipment purchased for the village football (soccer) and cricket teams.

Book at stay at Curtain Bluff and know that you are helping them help others! 

Cheers,

My Visit to the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica

Welcome to the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

We stayed here for 4 nights at the beginning of our recent trip to Jamaica. We booked an Oceanfront Suite. This was the dreamy view... right outside our patios. {the oceanfront suites have TWO patios.}

The Suite had a mini-bar, which we quickly turned into a bottle prep station...

A PLUSH king bed in the bedroom. {I don't have photos of the sitting area where our 4 kids slept - the older two on the pull-out sofa and the twins sharing a crib.}

The bathroom was a highlight - the white marble and turquoise walls had a very clean feel which helped offset the somewhat dated color theme of the soft furnishings in the other areas... 

The hotel has three main restaurants - all with outdoor seating which is a plus when you are traveling with kids. For some reason, when a baby cries in an open air environment, it is not as disturbing as crying in a closed atmosphere. Agree? 

The beach is small - but even at full occupancy, there seemed to be enough room for all.

The water is BLUE.... give it any other adjective and it doesn't change the color...

But the truth is... the beach is pretty rocky and challenging to get in and out of. This was the biggest complaint we had.

The drinks were cold and creative and ALWAYS served with a smile. {The service has to be the BEST part of the Ritz Carlton... it is amazing. The entire staff makes an effort to learn your name from the second you arrive and it can be said that most staff you encounter will anticipate your every need.}

No cool & creative cocktails for this little lady! But she was still a pampered princess. The room service staff was happy to collect our bottles and wash them 3 times a day, giving them a proper sterilization. The restaurants were wonderful at making "baby food" for our little girls too, mashing carrots, sweet potatoes... whatever we asked for and our girls devoured every bite.

The pool is on the small side - but there was always plenty of room in the shade... even for SWEET ANGEL BABIES to take naps in the sea breeze...

Maybe I've saved the best for last... the grounds of the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall are absolutely amazing!!! These gardeners deserve huge applause because they keep the resort perfectly manicured and post card perfect. 

Overall, we had a wonderful time and would return to the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall for a future stay. It was the perfect size hotel for our first trip out of the country with the twins.

{Want to see a sample of how much prep went into this trip? Jump over here.}

The hotel is stroller friendly and very easy to navigate. If you visit with kids, book an oceanfront suite for so many reasons! The ocean path that runs the length of the resort in front of the ocean is right outside the door of the oceanfront suites - EASY! While the older kids would have appreciated a larger pool and slightly more kids entertainment, I hear there are plans to improve this aspect of the property in the very near future. The rocky beach? I'm not sure what can be done about that - but as long as you arrive prepared, it shouldn't put a damper on your stay.

I'd be happy to help you plan your own vacation to the Ritz Carlton Rose Hall - feel free to contact me at any time - laura @caribbeanjourney.com.

Enjoy,

Hot NEW Caribbean Hotel Inclusions!

Here is a roundup of hot new Caribbean hotel amenities being offered in 2012:

Hotel Chocolat in St. Lucia offers guests house-made chocolate truffles from cocoa grown right on property - yum:

The Four Seasons Nevis offers guests with small children complimentary items to childproof their room.


The Body Holiday Le Sport in St. Lucia has an Icicle Tricycle that cruises the beach providing guests with cool and refreshing snow cones daily in unique flavors such as cucumber mint.


{this is for my girls...} Tucker's Point Resort in Bermuda has the prettiest sunbrellas I've ever seen - hot pink with ruffles, found at their spa pool. Book a massage and curl up under one of these with a spa cocktail and a good book:

The St. Regis Bahia Beach in Puerto Rico provides a daily Iced Tea Ritual - where teas from around the world are served iced and accompanied by a tropical fruit skewer.


Excellence Playa Mujeres & Excellence Riviera Cancun offer top-shelf tequila tastings:

Secret Bay, the new eco-luxury resort in Dominica offers guests free exclusive use of a Kindle loaded with daily international newspapers.


At GeeJam in Port Antonio, Jamaica, you have the option of renting out their state-of-the art recording studio, following the drum beats of many famous artists.


Grotto Bay Beach Resort in Bermuda offers spa services in their underground serenity cave. Serene? Yes!

To book these hotels, or any other Caribbean or Mexican luxury resort complete with unique amenities, please contact our Caribbean Travel Specialists - info @ caribbeanjourney.com OR 866-236-1924.

Cheers,

Dive, Stay and Dine at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on Nevis

The top-rated Caribbean resort has partnered with Scuba Safaris, a PADI five-star dive center, to offer a week-long dive vacation full of underwater discoveries, gourmet cuisine and spacious accommodations under the attentive care of Nisbet Plantation’s dedicated staff.

Available through December 19, 2012, Nisbet Plantation’s Ultimate Luxury Dive Vacation includes:

·          A free night on a seven-night stay in spacious cottage-style accommodations for two

·          Daily full-service breakfast served poolside at Coconuts

·          Daily lunch either served on the beach at Sea Breeze or boxed up to enjoy on the dive boat

·          Nightly three-course gourmet dinner at the Great House, a AAA Four Diamond restaurant

·          Five two-tank dives in the crystal clear waters of St. Kitts and Nevis

·          Round-trip airport transportation from St. Kitts (SKB) or Nevis (NEV)

Package rates begin at $3,102 for two divers or $2,724 for one diver. Rates are subject to tax and service charge. The package is not combinable with other offers and subject to availability.

During the week-long vacation, divers will have the chance to explore some of the more than 40 dive sites surrounding St. Kitts and Nevis. From gently sloping coral reefs to caverns, ledges and wrecks, the dive sites are home to snapper, barracuda, southern stingrays, eagle rays, turtles and more.

Nevis and Nisbet Plantation offer plenty for land lovers as well. Guests can lounge on the white sand beach or oceanfront pool, get pampered at The Palms Spa, dance under the stars to live music at the weekly Beach Barbeque, cycle around the island or hike through a rainforest.

The 36-square-mile island of Nevis is just a short water taxi ride away from sister-island St. Kitts. Direct flights into St. Kitts (SKB) are available from many gateway cities in the US, Canada and UK. Connecting flights into Nevis (NEV) are available from San Juan (SJU), St. Maarten (SXM) and Antigua (ANU), all cities easily served by American Airlines.

{Contact the Caribbean Travel Specialists at Caribbean Journey if you are interested in booking a dive vacation to Nevis!}

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,

Military Travel Discounts to the Caribbean

Attention all servicemen and women! 

How about a discount on a luxury Caribbean family vacation? 

Beaches Resorts, the Caribbean's leading family friendly all-inclusive resort collection, is offering 10% off for all military personal all year long, with the months of September & October being 15% off. 

The discount is on top of any other current promotion offered by Beaches Resorts. Beaches Resort properties are located in Jamaica and the Turks & Caicos.

This is a great way to reconnect with your family and enjoy some serious relaxation. 

We are happy to provide you with a free quote. Please contact us today!

Paradisus Punta Cana Vacation Specials

Paradisus Punta Cana & Paradisus Palma Real in the Dominican Republic are offering $1000 in Resort Credits for new bookings made now until August 25, 2012.

Stay 4 Nights and use credit on:

Spa Services $100

Casino Match-play Coupons $100

Premium Wine List $50

Room Upgrade $200

GABi Restaurant $100

Stay 7 Nights and use credit on:

Spa Services $150

Casino Match-play Coupons $150

Premium Wine List $100

Room Upgrade $400

GABi Restaurant $200

Ready, set, get packing! Contact our Caribbean Travel Specialists to get started on your Punta Cana Vacation plans today.

Travel is valid May 1 to December 22, 2012. As with all promos, restrictions apply.

Combine this resort credit with cheap flights by booking your air as far out as possible. The Punta Cana airport is served by international flights on all major airlines.

{some links in this post sponsored by edreams.com}

Vacation Specials for Atlantis Resort

Now is a great time to book the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The resort is offering up 60% off their normal rates and $600 in FREE Atlantis Experiences such as the dolphin interaction, golf, spa credits, sushi & sake sampling at NOBU, and more. And for a limited time, kids stay and eat FREE! 

If you need more convincing that Atlantis is the perfect property for your next family vacation, check out this 60 second video:

Contact our Caribbean Specialists to get started planning your Atlantis Vacation. We will find you the best possible rate at Atlantis along with competitive flight pricing on your flight to the Bahamas. 


{As with every promotion, restrictions apply! Please inquire}


Cheers,

Blue Waters Antigua - Brand NEW Spa!

Introducing Blue Waters Spa and brand new Cove Restaurant at Blue Waters Resort

Antigua, West Indies (January 31, 2012) – Blue Waters, Antigua, a luxury privately owned resort is pleased to announce the opening of its new spa, The Spa at Blue Waters and new restaurant, The Cove. Located on the most northerly point of the resort, the two facilities have undergone an exciting $1.1 million development.

The Spa at Blue Waters
The Spa at Blue Waters can be found in the location of the former Cove restaurant, and in collaboration with leading luxury skin care brand Elemis the new spa comprises of four spacious treatment rooms.


All rooms, one of which being large enough to be used for double treatments, feature terrace doors overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Step outside, once you have indulged in your treatment and relax on the 1,500 sq. ft. spa chill out area, offering fantastic views of the azure sea and the North West Coast of Antigua. This area also benefits from an infinity edge pool, designed to feel as if it is suspended on the hillside overlooking the sea with stunning sunset views.

The Cove Restaurant 
Welcome to The Cove, the new fine dining experience located right on the water’s edge. A warm and natural environment greets you as you savour the exquisite traditional French cuisine while enjoying the sound of the waves which accompany your meal. Then the bamboo cocktail bar located in the new restaurant provides you with the perfect place for after-dinner drinks.


The finest views in the entire property await you in these two new facilities, both of which have been created so you can enjoy the incredible Antiguan surroundings. 

Free Nights in the Turks & Caicos at Seven Stars Resort

The Turks & Caicos have grown in popularity so much over the past few years that there is hardly a discount to be found. If you're considering this gem of a destination, count your lucky stars because the... 

Seven Stars Resort 

...is offering a FREE night to those who book 4 or more nights from now until April 14, 2012. {As with all promos, restrictions apply} Book your Turks & Caicos Vacation today!  

{a room with a view}

To reach the Seven Stars Resort, you need to fly into Providenciales Island - aka Provo. Flights can be more expensive than other islands, but if you try all airlines, you will likely find decent prices on your flights.

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.

Huge Savings in Bermuda at The Reefs

Bermuda might not be the warmest island during the months of January, February, & March, but it does offer some delightful discounts during the off-season. If you're looking for a quick & easy getaway to an island renowned for luxury and a hotel famous for its fine service, look no further than The Reefs. You will enjoy a taste of the good life in one of their luxury club condos. Rates normally start at $849/per night but the winter promo rates are discounted to only $299/per night, with their 2 and 3 bedroom condos going for $399 and $499, respectively.  Book your Bermuda Vacation today!

Bermuda is a hot spot for Americans & Europeans! Rates in March are not only deeply discounted at hotels, but on local tours & excursions as well as airfare. We've seen international flights as low as $200-$300/per person on even the big name airlines such as American.