beachfront Archives - Go Travel STL

Why should Sandals St. Lucia be your next stop?

April 11, 2019 By Susan Robson

Why should Sandals Grande St. Lucia be your next vacation stop? First, consider that guests enjoy the All-Inclusive Luxury Vacation in the most gorgeous tropical & beach settings! Does that get your attention? Add to that: Best Beaches, Unique Gourmet Dining, Premium Spirits, Premium wines, Padi-certified scuba diving included, entertainment, championship golf, unmatched service, and finally, stay at 1 and play at 3 (or more) resorts!

Sandals Grande St. Lucia

St. Lucia is a magical island offering panoramic bay views and the best beaches in the Caribbean. This gives one the feeling of complete island seclusion – you are in a world by yourself. Towering Piton mountains and fern-frilled jungles bring about a complete sense of relaxation. Sandals Grande St. Lucia builds upon that feeling and gives you the ultimate vacation experience. For this reason, it is probably my favorite Sandals Resort on St. Lucia. The beach here is long, the drinks steady, entertainment entertaining, and the soft breeze amazing! The swim-out rooms and romantic Rondoval Suites make it an ideal honeymoon hot spot. The main pool area is very lively and winds around through the room buildings, like a ribbon of water.

Why should Sandals Grande St Lucia be your next vacation spot? The resort offers an endless supply of restaurants with delicious food options, recreation and amenities along with some of the BEST diving available, anywhere in the Caribbean. The best hiking is a trek up to Fort Rodney, on the peak just beyond the resort (club concierge will act as your guide on the hike). And, with the free inter-Sandals shuttle service, there are up to 27 restaurants and numerous beach options available between the three Sandals resorts in St. Lucia. Dinner reservations are required at some restaurants, so be sure to plan ahead and contact the concierge or a butler for dining options soon after arrival.

One note… because of location, getting to this resort can be a bit bumpy and the transfer time is approximately ninety minutes+. If this a concern I recommend a helicopter tour to/from the George F.L Charles Airport. This flight to the north is one that you’ll remember for a lifetime!

Sandals Halcyon up next!

Susan

Love Mexico is all about it!

April 3, 2016 By Susan Robson

Love Mexico is all about it! It is a unique educational and networking event, held yearly, developed through a partnership with the Mexico Tourism Board. Love Mexico’s purpose is to showcase Mexico as a premier destination for weddings, honeymoons and romance. The event was packed with seminars, meetings with resorts, appointments with special suppliers, photographers, resort site visits and real experiences of Mexico. I’m proud of my new “Love Mexico Specialist” recognition and designation, that I earned by attending the events and seminars.

Several resorts were part of the Love Mexico experience for me: Royalton Riviera Maya, Royal Hideaway, Playacar Palace, Grand Velas, and Secrets Akumal. We spent a day doing site visits and learning about each property’s wedding offerings.

Playacar Palace, a family friendly property, is a part of the Palace family of resorts…and what an aawesome destination resort experience it offers! Location, location, location is an understatement here. Situated on a great stretch of beach with plenty of walking and swimming possibilities, makes it one of the best choices in Playa del Carmen. And, speaking of Play del Carmen, Playacar Palace is just steps away from the vibrant shopping experience travelers seek in Playa del Carmen – the renowned Playa del Carmen 5th Avenue and the Cozumel Ferry Dock. So, consider Playacar Palace a little”Palace” unto it’s own. “It is a trendy beachfront resort situated in the heart of Playa del Carmen, and it’s easy to see why we “Love Mexico”.

With 201 fabulous rooms, 3 restaurants, and 4 bars, this resort is considered the perfect spot to relax during the day and enjoy the nightlife and charms of “Playa” at night. It is perfect for families, couples, weddings, Honeymoons, and group Getaways. Add to all of this, guest can get up to $1500 in resort credits for excursions, spa, romantic dinners, and even the jewelry store. There is a max. that can be spent at any one time, like $300 in the jewelry store. Guests using resort credits must also pay a tax of 15% for any resort credits used, at check-out. Example: if $1000 is spent in resort credits, there would be a tax due of $150 – still a really good deal! Playacar Palace is due for a mega-renovation, to begin very soon. Once this is complete, the resort will be showing it’s best!

“Akumal”, or home of the tortugas (turtles) is located on Akumal Bay, an area between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, is yet another reason to Love Mexico. Secrets Akumal, the latest AMResorts resort opening, is located in an area of white sand beaches and in the calm, clear waters of Akumal. This stunning new resort offers Adults (only) a charming, picturesque and exceptional Unlimited-Luxury experience. The resort offers 434 luxurious guest suites, each featuring a king, or two double beds, private balcony or terrace, in suite jacuzzi for two, complimentary mini-bar & WiFi, unlimited connectivity, 24 hour room service (fabulous, by the way), and concierge services. Guests can choose from six gourmet, ala carte restaurants, a grill, 1 buffet, and a cafe – all of which do not require reservations. The resort offers so many fun activities, you’ll never have time for them all: 1. soak in the sun at one of the 3 amazing pools or beach 2. workout in a state of the art fitness center 3. kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, and windsurfing 4. live shows nightly 5. outdoor jacuzzi’s 6. ping pong 7. basketball & volleyball 8. beach & pool volleyball 9. Euro bungee 10. dance lessons 11. water aerobics 12. Hobie cats 13. paddle boards 14. water polo 15. water bicycles 16. golf, deep sea fishing, scuba and sportfishing *extra fee. This resort’s personality is social, active, fun-loving, and vibrant. There is a constant presence of snorkelers, kayakers and paddle boarders in the ocean (because it is just so good). Even tho there are also quiet pool areas, the main pool is busy with volleyball, basketball and drink matting (social drinking around a swim mat). The employees and staff at Secrets Akumal are very welcoming, helpful and friendly. They go out of their way to do their best and provide outstanding service to their guests!

If you would like more information or pricing about any of the resorts that I saw on this trip, or others, please contact me – Susan@GoTravelStl.com. Or, if you would like me to complete an analysis for your Dream Honeymoon, just go to my website, www.GoTravelStl.com to complete my well-known “Perfect Honeymoon finder”. It’s easy and fun!

Susan

What New Resorts are in Riviera Maya, Mexico?

March 15, 2015 By Susan Robson

What New Resorts are in Riviera Maya, Mexico (and updates, too)? What an amazing trip to Cancun! Just two weeks ago, I traveled to Riviera Maya, Mexico to complete site visits of New Resorts in Riviera Maya, and to get updates at other resorts. This post will cover part 1, or the first day of site visits.

Valentin Imperial Maya – Puerto Morelos – Resort Update – On a half-mile-long stretch of pearlescent beach named Playa Del Secreto (The Secret Beach), the adults-only, 540 suite, all-inclusive Valentin Imperial Maya has one of the largest swimming pools in Mexico. The location is centrally ideal, in Puerto Morelos, as travelers can easily reach Cancun and the world-famous Mayan archaeological sites of Tulum, Coba, and Chichen Itza, as well as the popular excursions of Xel-Ha and XCaret.

Wait service is offered to all guests at the 3 pools on the property, with a swim-up bar. Bali beds are available on a first come, first serve basis. The sports bar boasts pool tables, and big screen TVs. In the lobby, don’t miss the San Miquel piano bar, where tea time is held from 4:00 – 6:00 daily.At this resort, fine dining is part of the all-inclusive vacation, so why not treat your palate to a culinary adventure in the 7 a la carte restaurants & buffet? Modern and trendy atmosphere with dishes crafted by internationally renowned chefs allows guests to do this. The beachfront Mar & Tierra, presents a fabulous breakfast spread or you can also enjoy lunch in this same spot. For casual dining, the main buffet restaurant is available for breakfast and lunch.
The seven à la carte restaurants: Italian, French, Japanese, Indonesian, Mexican, Steak House, and Seafood Grill. There is an additional fee at “The Corner”, but reservations are never required! Lobster is available all year for an extra charge of $30 – $35. To further enhance guests’ experiences, top shelf liquor is served, free WiFi & availability to use computers, and 24 hour room service is included. Exciting and entertaining shows are debuted every night of the week, along with a DJ or band.

Luxurious guest suites overlook the majestic Caribbean Sea or beautiful pool and lagoon. This resort has a very tropical, Spanish/Mediterranean feel…similar to a Spanish Hacienda. Guests get a welcome cocktail at their personalized check-in, and feel like they are being treated like a star, where every wish is honored. The variety of room options is endless…Luxury, Silver, Golden, Emerald, Diamond, and Imperial. Add to those the Privilege services, which include: Lobster, extra premium amenities, reservations in restaurants, beach bag, basket of fruit & wine, a Bali bed every day, concierge service, and a mini-bar refreshed daily with 4 bottles of your choice of liquor. This resort has so much to offer

Now…to the Brand New Resort Opening! Royalton – Puerto Morelos – Experience an All-Inclusive Luxury vacation in Mexico’s Caribbean paradise of Riviera Cancun, with fabulous world-class cuisine, luxurious accommodations, and endless entertainment. The Royalton Riviera Cancun sits in a convenient location, close to great fashion, shopping, and nightlife of Cancun, and only 15 minutes from the airport.

There are 3 parts to this resort – something for everyone. The 1183 luxurious guest rooms and suites provide stylish decor and beautiful views of the gardens or the ocean. Relax in Dreambeds exclusively designed for Royalton Resorts, and enjoy 24-hour room service and complimentary WiFi. Rooms feature a private balcony or terrace, rain shower, and Jacuzzi. The 3 parts to Royalton are: Family section, Diamond Club section – with both Family and Adults only section, and the Hideaway – all Adults -only. The family section has 840 rooms, that can offer 2 adults & 3 children to a room. The Diamond Club offers: private check in, guaranteed early and late check in/out, premium liquor in the room, and upgraded rooms and pillow menus.
Activities abound each day, with twelve pools and a children’s splash park, in addition to non-motorized watersports. Stay in shape at the fitness center, or unwind at The Royal Spa with a hydrotherapy circuit and a full range of massages, facials, and beauty treatments. Kids club and Teens club are both offered for the exclusive group ages. The family section features 3 pools and a splash park for ages 4 – 12 years. The onsite Casino is the Real Thing, and drinks are included, at no additional cost.

Treat your palate to a variety of eclectic cuisines from ten restaurants with local and international menus served buffet-style or a la carte. Enjoy a mid-afternoon coffee and pastry at the cafe, and for dinner, choose from Japanese Teppanyaki and Sushi, authentic Italian, a steak house, and more. 16 themed bars are available where you can grab a signature cocktail and mingle with other guests. All restaurants feature no reservations, except for the Oriental Teppenyaki, which has 14 table for reservations. One of the best features offered by the resort, is that they offer Gluten Free and Lactose free, and special Vegetarian diet meals for guests. Special meals and foods can be requested for a guest’s stay, and the Chef will make sure that special foods can be made for the pleasure of these guests with special needs. The Royalton has it’s own special kitchen, allergy – gluten free,etc – so that no cross contamination can occur

The Royalton also has 4 resorts in Cuba, 2 in the Dominican – Royalton & Chic, 2 in Jamaica – Royalton White Sands & Grand Lido, and finally on St. John’s is Smuggler’s Cove.

So next time you contact your travel agent, Susan at Go Travel Stl, don’t leave these awesome resorts out of your request for a visit to Riviera Maya! My next post will feature: Iberostar Cancun & Paradisus Cancun. If you would like to find out the perfect resorts for your preferences, go to my “Perfect Honeymoon” or “Perfect Vacation” finder at www.GoTravelStl.com.

Susan