What’s Up Zika?

November 1, 2018 By Susan Robson

What’s Up Zika? Zika, a mosquito borne virus, first hit Caribbean destinations in 2015, and then exploded in 2017 & 2018. Since GO TRAVEL STL primarily works with Destination Wedding and Honeymoon couples, it was obvious that many couples wanted to avoid Caribbean destinations to avoid issues with family planning.

What’s Up Zika? Caribbean Sheds Active Zika Transmission Classification

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently removed Zika—the mosquito-borne virus that can cause severe birth defects during pregnancy—as a high-level threat for the Caribbean, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) announced.

What’s Up Zika? According to data released by CARPHA, Zika virus transmission in the region has been interrupted for more than a year, reaching undetectable levels and thus posing little risk to residents and visitors.

What’s Up Zika? The evidence was backed up by data from all over the world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States, which showed that no Zika had been detected for over 12 months in travelers returning from the Caribbean to their native countries.

What’s Up Zika? “The Caribbean is the most tourism-dependent region in the world. It is also one of the most popular Honeymoon Destinations worldwide and ongoing cancellations due to the classification of most Caribbean countries as Category 1 is hurting the industry unnecessarily,” Executive Director, CARPHA, Dr. C. James Hospedales said in a statement. “Therefore, CARPHA felt compelled to provide the evidence and to advocate for the removal of this WHO Zika classification system.”

What’s Up Zika? “Sandals Resorts is deeply rooted in the Caribbean and the removal of the Zika virus as a high-level threat means that residents and guests alike can experience the beauty of the region worry-free,” said Adam Stewart, Deputy Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, in a statement.”Tourism is integral to the Caribbean and we’re excited to continue welcoming brides and grooms, honeymooners and couples simply looking to get away at some of the most beautiful beaches in the world in some of the most luxurious and romantic suites.”

What’s Up Zika…what does this mean to travelers? It means Zika is down , so that everyone can begin travel to all of these dream destinations, again! So Fabulous! Contact Susan@GoTravelStl.com to find your perfect Dream Honeymoon or Destination Wedding! I can’t wait to hear from you! Susan

Dreaming of a Dream Destination Wedding?

October 2, 2015 By Susan Robson

Are you Dreaming of a Dream Destination Wedding? There might be a spark to intrigue here.

Just two weeks ago, 14 resorts in Riviera Maya & Cancun competed for the eye of travel agents. They wanted travel agents to “see” their very best wedding displays, dinner presentations, receptions, and entertainment. Which resort would stand out among the others for their unique and beautiful Destination Weddings? First, let me list the resorts that were going to be inviting travel agents to “see” their best.

Cancun – Secrets Playa Mujeres, Secrets the Vine, Dreams Sands

Isla Mujeres – Zoetry Villa Rolandi

Riviera Maya – Secrets Maroma, Secrets Capri, Secrets Silversands, Dreams Riviera Cancun, Dreams Puerto Aventuras, Dreams Tulum, Now Sapphire, Now Jade, Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita

And, “see” their best we did! Each resort had displays of wedding set ups, mock weddings, signature drinks, over-the-top entertainment, and lunch or dinner receptions. I’ll give you a sampling of the best from each resort, along with a photo. Secrets Playa Mujeres created a wedding theme around “Mr. & Mr., with decorations to fit a masculine appeal. Noticeable were the monogramed silver silk napkins with each guest’s name, the beautiful backdrop of the pool and wooden “arch”, and the signature drinks. Secrets the Vine has the beautiful backdrop of the true-blue Caribbean water seen through their almost entirely glass view. Their wedding sites were so impressive and beautiful. Then, the lunch served was a mind changer. First, they uncorked the champagne by sword. Wow! Incredible display. The beef fillet was so tender, it has changed my mind about eating beef in Mexico. All of that was accompanied by a very talented Ladies trio, singing & playing very contemporary, yet well known music. Dreams Sands was our next dinner reception on the beach. And understand why on the beach? As we had dinner into the darkness, guests still played in the calm and beautiful Caribbean water. Our delicious dinner was highlighted by a Men’s Trio, with piano and violin accompaniment. Zoetry Villa Rolandi, on Isla Mujeres, is easily accessible by sailing across the water in a catamaran, much like guests would travel to reach it. What a fabulous “boutique” resort! The setting is beautiful for only 35 rooms in the entire resort! If you would like a Destination Wedding in a resort filled with your family and friends…this is it! Secrets Maroma served a brunch in one of their beautiful ballrooms with a piano and cello music. Their wedding ceremony set-ups were dreamy for their dreamy Maroma setting. Secrets Capri changed up the scene with a western style BBQ lunch, with such personalization, it was amazing! The ribs, BBQ chicken, pork and all of the sides were amazing! After lunch, we were entertained by the entertainment teams western style of “kicking up their heels” and lively music. Secrets Silversands is able to have weddings in such beautiful settings – 2 beach and 1 archway. An option that was totally unique, was for the bride to be in the Governor’s suite, and make a Gand entrance down the stairs and to the wedding site. The Grandeur of the entrance could be amazing! Dreams Riviera Maya out-Bedazzled all of us! First, the wedding set ups were beautiful, flanked by various locations having

unique cocktails and unusual “acts”. The best cocktail was the “white chocolate martini”…Wow! Mick Jagger and Beyonce’ were married in front of our very own eyes! The dinner reception that followed was a 7 course dinner that included flare and choice entrees. Dreams Puerto Aventuras had an out of this world Wedding reception right on the beach! Lobster and stone crabs were both served in a buffet style dinner reception. The setting makes this resort a top choice. Dreams Tulum served their best on the patio overlooking the pool. It was a fabulous presentation and delicious entrees. Now Sapphire and Now Jade both had multiple sites for their weddings and so many options to choose from. The colors and optional wedding accessories were so unique – it would be hard to choose! And finally, Zoetry Paraiso del las Bonita presented a Mayan wedding ceremony in a very beautiful garden setting. The delicious hors deuvors and unique presentation would make this an unforgettable wedding.

If you would like more details about any of these resorts, just contact me through my “perfect honeymoon”finder, and I’ll get in touch with you about finding the perfect resort to match your preferences, for your Destination Wedding.

Susan

New Resort, Secrets Playa Mujeres, is a Glittering Gem in the Caribbean

April 4, 2015 By Susan Robson

Secrets Playa Mujeres

The brand new All Suite Unlimited Luxury Included, adults only Resort, set along the famous white sands of Playa Mujeres.

The brand new resort, Secrets Playa Mujeres, is a glittering gem in the Caribbean! I was fortunate to stay at Secrets Playa Mujeres for a week in February and found it to be amazing! The resort is set along the famous white sand beaches of Playa Mujeres, across from Isla Las Mujeres, and just about 30 minutes from the Cancun Airport. It’s location is prime, being adjacent to an 18 hole signature Greg Norman golf course, and in close proximity to downtown Cancun and shopping centers. This Adults-only, Unlimited-Luxury Resort, exceeded my expectations, and included every single amenity that I would want to find in such a world-class destination. Stunning ocean views are visible from every room category in this amazing resort, as it graces the front of the privileged gated community of Playa Mujeres. Unlimited-Luxury Inclusions are so many: Free WiFi and International calling with Unlimited Connectivity, Nine gourmet restaurants – five a la carte, a buffet, a cafe and 2 grills, seven chic bars & lounges – including one swim-up bar, 24 hour room and concierge services, turn-down service, complimentary mini-bar refreshed daily, unlimited premium drinks, pool and beach wait service, state of the art fitness center, tennis courts, sparkling pools, outdoor lounge area, outdoor jacuzzi, Secrets Spa by Pevonia (fee), complimentary green fees, non-motorized water sports, Preferred club privileges, and all taxes and gratuities.

The employees at Secrets Playa Mujeres were exceptional – everyone that one might encounter – front desk, drivers, bartenders, waiters, room service, bell desk, maid service, and the maintenance crew were always friendly and on top of their jobs. Especially enjoyable was to talk to the personnel and get to know a little about their lives. The smiles on their faces and excellent service showed how much they appreciated someone taking an interest. We never had to wait long for service at the bars, restaurants or at the pool. Employees appreciated tips, and they remembered our names, our favorite chair, drink, etc. The golf cart rides between the restaurants, lobby and rooms was always an enjoyable ride because of the conversation with the drivers. When we would be lucky to “get” one of our newfound friends a second time, it was always fun catching up on what we had been enjoying at the resort, or other information about the area.

The pool and beach had picturesque breathtaking views of the water surrounding the resort. We were able to find an excellent location at the pool each day and found that our most enjoyable time was in the morning, before most of the activity got going for the day. The pool concierge were very helpful in finding chair locations if it was a busier, full time. Pool and beach service was frequent for whatever our needs were. They did not want anyone to get dehydrated! Towels were always in abundance, and the beach was amazing! There was always a perfect breeze, but the ocean in February, was colder than what I had anticipated. The seaweed didn’t seem to be that bad, once you got past the bit at the water’s edge, it became clear. The beach did need to be cleared constantly, in order to keep up with the constantly growing piles.

Seaside Grill Restaurant

Oceana Restaurant

The restaurants were outstanding in both their service and quality of food. The French Restaurant, Bordeaux, was phenomenal for the lobster and escargot. The waiters always did so much above and beyond to try to please you…impeccable service! We also had dinner in the Japanese Restaurant and thoroughly enjoyed the Teppanyaki performance and taste of the meal. Oceana, Italian, Seaside Grill, and Portofino were all excellent, as well. I was fully impressed with how attentive the staff was upon a guest’s arrival at a restaurant. They always asked if you had any food allergies, and if you needed any special accommodations for allergy free. What a change for Mexico! Guests with gluten-free or lactose intolerant digestive systems could certainly be comfortable here! Always in the past, on other trips to Mexico, we enjoyed the breakfast buffet every single day, especially the wide variety of food options. At Secrets Playa Mujeres, we tried room service for breakfast one day, and then never went back to the breakfast buffet. Room service was amazing! The service was prompt, timely, temperature perfect, always everything we needed…including ketchup, salt, butter, cream, etc. I highly recommend it!

We were extremely pleased with our stay at Secrets Playa Mujeres and found it to be a glittering gem in the Caribbean. Will it be one for you?

Susan

Choosing a Destination Wedding Resort

February 6, 2015 By Susan Robson

Are you choosing a Destination Wedding Resort?

Destination wedding

Where does a Bride & Groom start?

The first step would be to find a Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Specialist (like me – hopefully) about 9 months – 12 months ahead of the wedding date. Then, with your DW Specialist/travel agent, look at the resorts in your destination that you will want to consider. It is a good idea to create a list of “can’t do without” options and other features for this process. Then, go through this list, keeping an active list of resorts that meet the criteria.

Resort pricing for the Bride & Groom and for the wedding guests
Adults-Only or Family-Inclusive
All-Inclusive options
Beach location (some are better than others)
Facilities, activities, entertainment – that everyone will enjoy
Special offers at resorts
Wedding package options available

Probably the most important first step. Can wedding guests afford to stay at the resort chosen? For Mexico (and I’ll use that example throughout because of the best pricing options), a 4 night stay, depending on the time of year, can range between $2000 – $3000 for 2 adults. Children under 2 can travel and stay for the tax only – approximately $17.50, as long as the child does not require a separate seat (and sits on a parent’s lap). Children ages 2 – 12 pay airfare and a reduced rate at resorts, and a 13 year old is considered an adult (for cost purposes).

Adults-Only or Family-Inclusive should be the next consideration. If the wedding guests do not include children, this is a no-brainer. Otherwise, a family-inclusive resort would be the only option. Family resorts are actually slightly less expensive, so this works in most Bride & Groom’s favor. The facilities, activities, and entertainment vary by resort, so don’t leave this out. For example, rock climbing walls, BB courts, volleyball, archery, and even a wave rider are unique & offered at some resorts. Who would be interested in these activities? Eight year olds to Teenagers? Paddle boarding, paddle boats, and beach activities are found at most resort locations. Additionally, movies and bonfires on the beach are uniquely offered at some locations.

All-Inclusive options can be very different but seem the same? Destination Weddings at All-Inclusive Resorts give wedding guests so much to choose from. It’s important to look at these options in detail. For example, yes liquor is included, but is premium alcohol offered and served? How many restaurants does the resort have? Are reservations required for dinner? Is there 24 hour room service? Do any guests have special dietary needs, i.e. gluten free, etc., and can the resort accommodate those guests?

How important is the Beach location to your Destination Wedding? Not all Beaches are created equal! If the type & look of the Beach is important, make this a part of the initial search while pricing. With the ease of working with the internet today, there are so many photos available just by doing a simple search “picture of beach at ____”. As a travel agent, I try to visit and complete site inspections of resorts on a regular basis. This enables me to give first hand information, details, and pictures of the resort properties for a better “picture” of your stay.

A really BIG consideration should be given to the special offerings that a resort makes to wedding groups. If a resort/brand offers book 5 rooms, get the 6th room free, wouldn’t that be important in making a decision? If a resort offers credits for guests to use for spa & excursions, wouldn’t that be important? As a travel agent, I can quickly pinpoint the resorts that make these offers and make sure that you get the most value for your’s, and your wedding guest’s dollars.

The Wedding packages that resorts offer vary greatly in what is offered and pricing. RIU Palace (shown) offers 4 options. Generally, there are 3 to 4 different packages, with the first complimentary one as the first (value $500 – $999) with the purchase of a certain room category or number of rooms booked for guests. This package is always limited to 10 attendees, but additional guests can be added for a set cost. It also has only a few inclusions, such as a Bridal bouquet, groom boutonniere, cake, and wedding toast. Other packages, increasing in price and value, offer the wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner reception, music, floral, and photo & videography. Each wedding can be uniquely created by adding more color, sound, menu choices, & locations. These wedding packages usually include 20 – 25 guests. The costs vary for adding additional guests, but typically one can expect $75 – $100 per guest.

Choosing a Destination Wedding Resort can be a very lengthy process. But with the guidance of a seasoned professional travel agent, Brides & Grooms can find this to be a fun, easy, and exciting!

Susan

Don’t keep this a Secret…Secrets Playa Mujeres!

October 12, 2014 By Susan Robson

The brand new All Suite Unlimited Luxury Included, adults only Resort, set along the famous white sands of Playa Mujeres.

Don’t keep this a Secret…Secrets Playa Mujeres!

Sharing my travel with you…

Just two weeks ago, I traveled to Cancun/Riviera Maya to do a “hard hat” site visit of the brand new adults only, Secrets Playa Mujeres. I knew this new resort was going to be incredible, but I didn’t realize just how totally captivating it would be. The natural splendor mingles with the architectural beauty to mesmerize every part of you. What are the priorities & features in a resort that you ask for when you begin to look for your next destination?

First though, I wanted to know more about Playa Mujeres…Where is it? What excursions can vacationers experience? What are the beaches like? What resorts are there besides Secrets Playa Mujeres?

Landscape rich in wildlife & greenery

On one side of Secrets Playa Mujeres is the Mexican Caribbean and on the other is a wetlands wildlife preserve. The area is totally removed from the Cancun commercialism. It’s an untouched landscape, rich with the beauty of wildlife and greenery. There are not many resorts located here, yet, but you will find Secrets Playa Mujeres, Excellence, The Beloved, and Villa del Palmar.
Secrets Playa Mujeres is only about a 30 minute ride North of the Airport.

Across the water is Isla Las Mujeres, Isle of Women, named after the statues that were found on the island by the Spanish. A short ferry ride from Playa Mujeres/Cancun will bring you to this island and small town where you will find excellent shopping, great restaurants and fantastic beaches. The most common mode of transportation is golf carts/mo-peds. It would not be difficult to find activities to fill an entire day here – enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, zip lining, turtle farming, swimming with dolphins, and investigating the Mayan ruins.

Scuba diving or Snorkeling

The excursions that will be available from Secrets Playa Mujeres, are all of the excursions that you would be able to access in Cancun.
*Explore sacred Mayan archeological sites – the ruins of Tulum, Coba, and Chichen Itza. On one of your trips to Cancun, plan to see what has been declared one of the “7 Modern Wonders of the World – Chichen Itza”.
*Swim with dolphins, sea lions and manatees.
*Zip line through the Yucatan jungle, or over the Caribbean sea.
*Swim in one of the famous cenotes, which are 5 million year old wells, formed from sinkholes.
*Snorkel or scuba dive at the Great Mayan Reef, the largest coral reef in the Northern Hemisphere.
*Pet a shark, snuba (snorkeling and scuba combo).
*Visit an actual Mayan jungle village, Pac-Chen, to experience ancient traditions.
*Ride a jet ski, parasail, or the newest water gizmo.
*Shop at flea markets, designer boutiques, outlet stores, or handmade artisan shops.
*Enjoy and evening performance by Michael Jackson, or a Mayan fire dance.
*What other excursions can you imagine doing?

The Secrets Playa Mujeres that I viewed was a work in progress. If you can imagine, stone work being cut and laid (and stone dust flying everywhere), walkways being poured, workers sweeping up to try to keep the layers of dirt to a minimum, wood inlays being cut & placed, pipes being installed, tests being run, and a very hot sun on a humid day.
I loved seeing the stone and marble work being done. I was told that the Egyptian Marble was shipped here from Egypt! It added a grandeur, mythical and mysterious feel to work in progress.
We, Claudia, my husband, and I roamed around and investigated the property for about 2 hours.

After we finished that tour, I’ve thought a lot about what was so captivating about this property.

Junior Suite Oceanview

1. First, every room category at this resort will have a view of the ocean…even the entry levels. The Preferred Junior suites sit within a stone’s throw of the beach and water.
2. Next, your first view of a suite, is the elegant and massive suite door. It’s statement to you, “you are welcome to enter!” The room finish is in a rich dark mahogany type wood furniture and appointed with ivory, tan, and brown. All beautiful against the Azul blue waters of the ocean just outside your balcony.
3. The beach (unfinished) looks like it is going to be a fabulous long ribbon where, someday, vacationers will walk it’s long stretches. It is protected somewhat, by the Isla Las Mujeres, just across the bay from it’s shores. The sand is soft beige tones and feels almost like powder between your toes.

4. This resort has 2 beautiful, captivating swimming pools…the alluring infinity pool, and the other is a free form, relaxing natural shape that appeals to and creates a feeling of calm and quiet.

Seaside Grill Restaurant

Oceana Restaurant

5. Secrets Playa Mujeres will boast 8 exceptional dining choices when complete. One for each night of your stay!

6. Rendezvous and Showtime will serve top-shelf spirits and present nightly entertainment and nightclub options.

And finally… 7. The personnel that I met and spoke to, seem to be very warm, interested, and involved individuals. One of them was the General Manager, Ricardo Bravo. Even tho he was extremely busy, he took the time to talk to me about his resort and the upcoming opening. He was interested in the questions that I had and took time to make sure that my tour was complete.

The resort wedding coordinator, Claudia , actually gave me the tour of the resort. She had a bubbly, happy and warm personality. Every time she talked about Secrets Playa Mujeres, she would just beam with pride. Both she and the General Manager worked together previously at a Dreams property, so they seemed to come together perfectly to make this resort have the cohesiveness that it needs from the personnel that will be hired. They assured me that most of the personnel will come from other Secrets and Dreams properties.

This new and upcoming area in Playa Mujeres, seems to be the likely expansion direction of Cancun – North. Being so close to the airport, offering beautiful beaches and a wide range of activities and excursions, should only lead to it being one more great choice in destinations for travelers. I’m going back to Secrets Playa Mujeres to stay for a full week in February, to see how it’s changed, and if it lives up to my expectations. I’ll be back with an update then!

Until then….Susan