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,

Yoga Retreat & Wellness Travel to Little Dix Bay, Virgin Gorda

Little dix bay on the splendid isle of virgin gorda in the british virgin islands if offering two wellness retreats this summer & fall.

WELLNESS RETREAT: REVITALIZE, REFRESH, RENEW YOGA FOUR-NIGHT PACKAGE

Offered: June 2-6 & 6-10, 2012
Experience the ancient discipline of yoga while practicing postures in the beautiful environment of Rosewood Little Dix Bay. Johnny Anzalone, a certified instructor of Hatha, Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga, Meditation, Pilates and dance, will lead students through daily classes consisting of Multi-Level Yoga, Meditation, Core Strength and Stretch and the Choreography of Asana and Alignment. The core work practice will be held throughout the tranquil resort and on secluded beaches and will offer the knowledge needed to enhance your body, mind and spirit.

Package Includes: 2 yoga classes per day, rejuvenating breakfast & dinner menus daily, roundtrip transfers from Tortola airport, one 60-min. Seaside Sedation massage per person per stay, welcome amenity, use of yoga & fitness props/equipment, take-home healthy recipes & fitness tips, tax and resort fee.

WELLNESS RETREAT: FITNESS IMMERSION FOUR-NIGHT PACKAGE

Offered: Nov. 3-7 & 7-11, 2012
Move well, feel well, be well® is the philosophy of New York City fitness professional, Frank Baptiste. His experience working with a variety of clients of all ages and abilities from new mothers to professional athletes will help students during two classes each day learn the skills they need to achieve fitness goals and keep you moving well both during this program and after they return home. The beachside and poolside workshops including Move Well Morning Workout, Jump Rope Techniques, 21st Century Core Training, and Kettlebell Sessions will have the calories melting and the muscle building. 

{Contact Caribbean Journey to start planning your healthy vacation today!}

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. 

The Luxurious Little Dix Bay

Little Dix Bay on Virgin Gorda is one of the prettiest beaches in the Caribbean... wouldn't you agree? 

The hotel that share its name is no less impressive... with authentic Caribbean Ocean View Rooms...

Newly built Jr. Suites...

Complete with deluxe bathrooms...

And refreshing outdoor showers...

An amazing spa... a place where one could easily spend the entire day just taking in the view...

Caribbean Cuisine at its finest, served by candlelight in an old Sugar Mill...

Plenty to do for the children too...

And if you should tire of the beach.... {or not} a few steps away, the pool is waiting...

Ready to start packing? 

Here are a few of the current promotions we've found for Little Dix Bay:

5th Night FREE - book and travel by 11/14/11.

50% off SECOND ROOM for Children - book and travel by 12/19/11.

Honeymoon Upgrade + $100 Spa Credit - book and travel by 12/18/11.

{as with all promotions, restrictions apply}

Please contact our agents to start planning your escape to Little Dix Bay today!

Enjoy,

Paradisus Playa Conchal is now the Westin Playa Conchal

The popular Paradisus Playa Conchal, in Costa Rica, has been rebranded as the Westin Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal. This marks Starwoods first EVER all-inclusive property! We are super excited for the brand to enter into the all-inclusive market. 

This all-inclusive, eco-friendly retreat is just 45 minutes from the Liberia International Airport (LIR). Conchal Beach is located near intriguing national parks and ecological reserves for exploration. A perfect balance between unrivaled luxury and local culture, the  resort offers you an unforgettable vacation experience.

Included are all meals, drinks and use of our fitness center and kids club, as well as entertainment options such as non-motorized water sports, daily activities and nightly events. The resort also features an adults-only, exclusive experience at the Royal Beach Club, where guests have access to a private pool with butler service.

All accommodations have private outside areas or balconies with beautiful garden views.

The Westin Playa Conchal is offering low introductory rates. Contact us for a customized quote on a Costa Rica Vacation Package.

Hotel Carl Gustaf Summer 2011 Promotions

The Summer Season is a great time to explore the exclusive Island of St Barth and take advantage of amazing discounted rates at Hotel Carl Gustaf. Rates are discounted between the May 1st to August 31st:

Receive 30% off a stay of 1 to 3 nights.

Receive 50% off a stay of 4 or more nights.

The hotel's first class spa is also offering a summer promotion:

Lunch at Carl Gustaf LoungeAppetizer & Entrée or Entrée & Dessert
Relaxing Massage or Facial Treatment, by Decléor (1h)
Access to the Hydro Zone “Blue Spa”
Outside Jacuzzi with Private Deck, Pebbles Path, Essential Oils Shower and Steam room

All of this for only 95 EUROS (roughly $135USD as of today.)

Interested? We are here to help you start planning... drop us a line.

Cheers,

Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana's New Spa!!

Secrets Resorts & Spas, the award-winning resort brand offering Unlimited-Luxury vacations for adults only, recently announced the opening of the new Secrets Spa by Pevonia at Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana. The 20,000-square-feet facility will treat guests to a complete spa experience with nine treatments rooms, a thermal hydrotherapy circuit, fitness center, yoga and pilates studio, full-service salon, beauty boutique, juice bar, outdoor relaxation garden and locker rooms.

The new facility, accented by natural stone and wood, was custom designed. Hand-made blown glass chandeliers also were chosen to enhance the ambiance of the space. The nine treatment rooms, inclusive of 13 massage tables and two treatment tubs, are divided between the main spa building (three) and exterior private spa suites (six). The spa’s thermal hydrotherapy circuit consists of a sauna and steam bath, cold rain showers, whirlpool bath, cold plunge bath, swimming pool with cascading waterfalls and a tubular air lounger. There is also an outdoor relaxation garden.

Sanctuary Cap Cana is a luxury spa hotel. Prices are somewhat higher than other Secrets Resorts but we can combine with discount flights for decent package rates. American Airlines and most other major airlines, service the Punta Cana Airport. For full details, please contact us.

Cheers,

Hurry! 7 Days left to save 50% at Zoetry Resorts!

Have you heard of Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts? They are super refined, elegant, boutique hotels with an incredible level of attention to detail. We've been sending happy clients here since they opened and for many, this is the only resort chain they will return to. 

If you book by December 23, 2010, you'll receive up to 50% off + $200 in resort credit for your winter getaway! Blackout dates apply, but this winter promo is valid for travel January 1 to April 29, 2011.

Zoetry has three resorts... Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita in the Riviera Maya and  Zoetry Casa del Mar Los Cabos in Mexico and Zoetry Agua Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.

Ready to start packing? Go here.

Cheers,

My Visit to Excellence Playa Mujeres

The Excellence Resorts have one of the highest repeat guest ratings in the category of adults only all-inclusive resorts. They have 3 properties - the Excellence Riviera Cancun, the Excellence Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, and my favorite, the Excellence Playa Mujeres. Playa Mujeres is north of Cancun proper. From the amazing beach, you can see Isla Mujeres. I love it that while this hotel is chic and modern, it doesn't stray entirely from classic Mexican decor:

All hotel rooms and bathrooms on property are created in the same design, with the same soft furnishings - the only difference between room categories is location and your travel agent will be able to help you decide on the best location for your stay:

The Excellence Spas are noteworthy for any spa connoisseur. They are clean & minimalist without feeling stark or cold. See the curtains below? They create a giant circle, or "the cloud" and inside you'll find aromatherapy candles, soft music, and cozy chaise lounges. This is where you will relax and wait for your service:

The open air design of the communal spa space houses a state-of-the-art water circuit to rival any spa worldwide:

These are the spa cabanas which are conveniently located in front of the spa and the lazy river:

There are so many pools on property that at any given time you will surely find one practically empty so you may enjoy a quiet and peaceful swim:

The pristine beach is a highlight. It is wide enough to house all guests comfortably and long enough to allow for lazy sunset strolls, cocktail in hand:

 The Excellence Playa Mujeres is a great choice for a honeymoon or a group of friends wanting a sophisticated beach getaway. The hotel is also one of our bride's top choices for a Destination Wedding. We've booked 11 weddings here in the past few years, including this one that I was lucky enough to attend.


For more photos from my visit click here to view our Flickr gallery!

We'd love to help your plan your Excellence vacation! Contact us!

Enjoy!

Azul Sensatori Hotel

Welcome to the Azul Sensatori Hotel. This is check-in:

Complete with easy access for the little ones to check in too... all located in a super chic lobby:

The hotel was completely full during my visit... and it was October - LOW season! This alone speaks volumes about the hotel but also meant I wasn't able to see any rooms. Having seen the rooms at the other two Azul Hotels, I'm confident the Azul Sensatori rooms will not disappoint. 

We did have some time to relax on the super chic roof-top lounge:

This is the view - beautiful pools, clear ocean, and a cruise ship in the distance:

The grounds were lush and green yet still very open and spacious.

We ended our night with a lovely dinner on the beach. Jump over here and see the photos...