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

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

Why Mexico for your Destination Wedding?

December 22, 2014 By Susan Robson

D Affordable Luxury
E Easy to get to Mexico
S LuxuriouS Accommodations
T All-Inclusive ResorTs
I ProfesstIonal Wedding Staff & Planners
N FuN, Fun, Fun
A SpectAcular beach & ocean setting
T Warm, welcoming HospiTality
I FIrst Class personalized service
ON Your Wedding – Your Style

There are so many reasons why Mexico is the perfect choice for a Destination Wedding and Honeymoon. What is most important to you?

1. Affordability factor – Mexico has more All-Inclusive Luxury Resort options than any other destination. This creates a competition that is good for travelers by creating a price range for weddings and guest stays that fits all budgets. Couples are able to get a lot of luxury for a very affordable price in Mexico. The wedding experience, or package, varies according to the number of guests attending. For 10 or fewer guests, most resorts (Secrets, Dreams, Now, RIU, Palace, Hard Rock, etc) offer a complimentary wedding package. If the number of guests is more than 10, the resorts offer packages ranging in price from around $2000 – $8000. This is a very affordable wedding compared to the price of a “home town” wedding at nearly quadruple that cost ($30,000). How much were you expecting to spend on an upcoming wedding?

2. Easy to get to Mexico – Mexico is not only easy to get to from STL, with flights nearly every day in the summer (flight schedule changes in the fall, winter & spring), but it is also one of the most easily accessible countries from most major cities in the USA. Several airlines have daily flights from the US gateway cities: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, St. Louis, and more. The top Wedding Destination cities in Mexico, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Hualtuco, all have International Airports.

3 & 4. Luxurious All-Inclusive Resorts – When clients complete my “Perfect Honeymoon and Destination Wedding” analysis, I am able to create a profile for them. This enables me, as an agent, to determine the best resorts to fit a couple’s priorities, as well as keep them within their budget. Luxury, at All-Inclusive Resorts, ranges from larger rooms & suites with more desirable view & locations, to private dinners on the beach, butler service, and to romantic spa experiences. The Unlimited Luxury at All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico is generally so indulgent that the guests don’t have to/want to leave the premises for any service or desire. The key to finding the perfect match for Couples is knowing the variety of destinations, properties and fun activities that will enhance the intimate experience. It is much easier to match a couple’s personality with a resort when an agent has been there and seen it first hand. Site inspections and resort stays are so critical for agents to be able to share this with their clients. Staying current and visiting the resorts frequently is part of my repritoire, to make sure that I am familiar with the resorts that my clients are requesting.

5. ProfessIonal Wedding Staff & Planners – Each resort has it’s own team of on-site Professional Wedding Planners. The couple, along with their Travel Agent, work closely with them to ensure a smooth, picture & detail perfect Destination Wedding. The Wedding Planners can arrange anything special that a couple requests, including special dinners, flowers, colors, music, and unique weddings. Agents can customize and individualize everything with musicians, photographers, and other unique additions for a truly memorable Wedding Celebration. Recently, a bride client of mine, didn’t want to ship her party favors to Mexico. So instead, the resort wedding planner went shopping for a requested list of items and created a price list for the bride. After the bride chose the items she wanted for the wedding, the planner purchased the items for her on a 2nd shopping trip. I find wedding planners to be very accommodating and helpful – they want to please and help out any way that they can.

6. Fun, Fun, Fun – so much to see and do – Click on the link below for Apple Vacations Top 13 Reasons Why You Should Travel to Mexico! http://www.buzzfeed.com/applevacations/13-reasons-the-only-place-to-go-on-vacation-is-mexico?sub=3018520_2473315 More than ever, the appeal of Mexico, draws Honeymoon couples and Destination Wedding groups to it’s alluring beaches, festive cultural heritage, and enticing archeological ruins. Mexico is a country full of Adventure. The is the perfect match for Romance Travel, and that is one of the reasons why US travel to Mexico has surged by 30%, as reported by the US Department of Commerce forecast (October 22, 2014). My TOP 20 LIST of things to see and do in Mexico (around your beach time, of course).

Chichen Itza
Tulum
Coba ruins
Cenote swim
Tres Rios Ecopark
Xcaret
Xel Ha
Ferry to Cozumel or Isla Las Mujeres
Deep Sea Fishing
Catamaran Sailing
Sailing & boating
Snorkeling
Zip lining
Scuba diving
Horseback riding
Parasailing
Jet skiing
Paddle boats & kayaks
Cancun shopping
Playa del Carmen/5th Avenue shopping

7. Spectacular Beach & Ocean setting –

The Tropical, warm beach settings are the strongest appeal in Mexico. Most couple are interested in “fun in the sun” activities like Scuba diving, Snorkeling, a Catamaran ride, swimming with Dolphins, and exploring caves and jungles. Some couples just want to relax on the beach, while others want a good mixture of activities and relaxation. To translate all of this into an incredible Mexico experience, it is important to know details about what a couple sees as their ideal Honeymoon/vacation. Recently, I was on vacation in Mexico, where I met a Honeymoon couple lounging by the pool. They were very disappointed with the property because there was no nightlife. Their Travel Agent didn’t ask them if nightlife was important – she had only asked about their budget. Sometimes that does drive the decision, but a careful and thorough interview should include information about what a couple would like to do on their Honeymoon. By completing my “Perfect Honeymoon -Destination Wedding analysis”, I can help a couple find their perfect Destination Resort in Mexico, with the activities and options most important to them.

8. Warm, Welcoming Hospitality – The people of Mexico have incredible hearts! They love to see their guests happy and will do almost anything to ensure that your Wedding and Honeymoon stay is truly enjoyable. Most of the employees feel that you are with them in their “Home”, and work to make sure that you feel comfortable, welcome and pampered. If you return to their resort for a 2nd stay, many of them will say to you, “welcome home”. Recently, after the devastation by Hurricane Odile in Cabo San Lucas, the Mexican people of a little town near San Diego, supplied a 30 hr stranded bus load of people with food, water, coffee, tacos and hot dogs! The Townspeople barely had anything of their own, and yet they gave it to the people on the bus. I tell you this story, not to talk about Hurricane Odile, but to demonstrate the kindness and hospitality of the people of Mexico.

9. First Class Service – Have you experienced 1st Class Luxury services at All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico? First Class All-Inclusive Resorts, offer world class hospitality, rooms and suites with ultimate views and the best beach locations, pool & beach waiter services, sparkling infinity pools, luxurious room amenities, swim-up bars, state of the art fitness centers with trainers and full class schedules, recreational activities, kid’s and teen’s clubs, high-tech communication centers (even tho the WiFi doesn’t work too well), and numerous specialty restaurants with Chefs from around the world. Some other examples of personalized First Class Services…Couples can bond over an authentic Mexican cooking lesson, followed by a romantic candlelit dinner on the beach…For wine lovers, wine tastings can be arranged for couples or groups…and Room service sets up a beautiful spread of flowers, candles, and wine in a Honeymoon suite, with Butlers available to accommodate and meet all of a couple’s needs.

10. Your Wedding – Your Style – Most importantly, not only are traditional young couples finding romance and the Destination Wedding of their Dreams in Mexico, but more Mature Couples find Mexico perfect for Anniversaries, Non-traditional Couple Marriages, Vow-Renewal Celebrations, and 2nd Weddings. Again, I’m going to say, Couples are looking for a lot of Luxury at an affordable price, and they will get a lot of Bang for their Buck! Wedding packages at each different Resort offer many choices that can create certain feelings or evoke emotions that Brides & Grooms are looking for. In addition to the basic offerings in the packages, each Resort has unlimited ideas, resources and choices to make a Destination Wedding even more “1 of a Kind” and Exclusive!

A Destination Wedding for Family & Friends is often hosted at a “Family” All-Inclusive Resort to accommodate children in attendance. The Newlywed Couple may want to “move” to an Adults only Resort following their Wedding for the Honeymoon, to give them some privacy, and to put some distance between them and the rest of the party. If the Couple decides to stay at the original Resort, they may want to enhance their experience by upgrading the room/suite for their Honeymoon.

Brides and Grooms searching for a Luxurious Exclusivity for their Destination Wedding can find so many options available to them in Mexico. My experience and knowledge with Destination Weddings and Resorts are your advantage. If you are ready to start planning a Destination Wedding or Honeymoon, please take a few minutes to fill out my “Perfect Honeymoon & Destination Wedding” analysis. I’ll get back to you quickly with your analysis and information that will get you started on planning your Dream Honeymoon and Destination Wedding!

Susan Robson

Hot New Caribbean All-Inclusive Resorts!

November 3, 2014 By Susan Robson

Whether you are planning a Destination Wedding, Honeymoon, or family vacation, be sure to check out the new Caribbean All-Inclusive Resorts for 2015. How about an All-Inclusive on St. Martin, St. Thomas, or the Bahamas? Do any of these intrigue you? If you love Jamaica and Cancun, there are two new brand choices for you there, too!

Dreams Sugar Bay St. Thomas

Dreams Sugar Bay, St. Thomas

Brand new to the Caribbean All-Inclusive Resort market on St. Thomas, is a brand with which many travelers are already familiar. Dreams Sugar Bay St. Thomas is just opening this month, November 2014. Dreams, if you aren’t familiar, is an Unlimited-Luxury Inclusive for couples and families. This resort offers 294, luxuriously appointed rooms and suites that offer waterfront views of the bay or ocean and authentic island decor. St. Thomas’s beauty can’t be missed on the secluded beach, or in any of it’s three interconnecting pools with caves and waterfalls. Savor the island flavors at any of Dream’s seven gourmet specialty restaurants, bars, and grill/snack areas.

Dreams Sugar Bay All-Inclusive in St. Thomas

Dreams Sugar Bay, St Thomas

Beach walking/running, mini-golf, tennis, snorkeling, kayaking, volleyball, and so much more is always pulling at guests to keep them busy. To ensure your vacation is full of fun, games, and laughter both day and night, the Entertainment Team is on the job…and they are relentless! Entertainment doesn’t stop with the “older” kids, either, the supervised Explorer’s Club keeps younger explorers busy. Following your Dreams is easy on St. Thomas…Dreams Sugar Bay, St. Thomas, is located convenient to dining, nightlife, and shopping in Charlotte Amalie, I’ve only heard, is of the best! Be sure to leave enough time to ferry to neighboring islands such as St. John and the British Virgin Islands (passport required). Have you experienced Unlimited Luxury at a Dreams property in another destination?

RIU Palace St. Martin

Guests at the Riu Palace St. Martin, will find that they are enjoying the best accommodations and services that the island has to offer. People find that this resort, like the best of the RIU brand, is known for it’s consistency of service, food, and accommodations. The three restaurants on the property, offer a rich variety of flavors from colorful Caribbean, Asian, and French cuisine’s. Riu Palace St. Martin is the most comprehensive vacation spot on the island, nestled between one of St. Martin’s most beautiful beaches and the National Nature Reserve at Anse Marcel cove. All types of travelers, both the adventurous and relaxed alike, will find that they don’t want to leave this blissful island paradise, during their luxurious stay at Riu Palace St. Martin.

RIU Palace St. Martin

Snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, and kayaking are all very popular in the azul blue waters of St. Martin. For guests looking for more relaxation, an infinity pool and over a mile of pure beach space is available to lounge and splash in and out of the soft waves.

Travelers should not miss out on exploring and all that there is to see and do on the island. Sint Maarten offers 14 world-class Vegas-style casinos. Maho Beach is awesome for watching incoming jets flying in for a landing just a few feet over your head. Orient Beach, on the Riviera of French St. Martin is the most popular beach on the island due to it’s natural beauty.

RIU Palace Antillas, Aruba

RIU Palace Antillas is now adults only, All-Inclusive

RIU Palace Antillas, Aruba

Another new Caribbean All-Inclusive Resort, formerly a Westin, is the new Adults-only (18+) RIU Palace Antillas. It is found on the shores of Palm Beach in Aruba and has the calm clear waters and white sand that make every Palm Beach an ideal location for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. This exciting and elegant resort, balances fun and luxury to make the Riu Palace Antillas an ideal location for making the most of your Caribbean vacation.

Now a 24-hour all-inclusive experience means round-the-clock access to 4 fabulous restaurants, including room service at all hours of the day and night. A range of restaurants are available, including a buffet with live cooking stations and themed buffet nights, as well as three specialty restaurants (reservations required). Krystal offers Fusion cuisines, Rimini features Italian specialties, and Malmok shows off as a steak house.
After dinner, RIU Palace presents evening shows, live music, a casino and disco, to dance the night away. In Mexico, the Michael Jackson shows are among RIU Palace’s best. What shows might be popular in Aruba?

Baha Mar Resort, Bahamas

5 stunning resorts all under the Baha Mar, Bahamas

Baha Mar Resort opening December 2014

This is an opening that I’m really intrigued by–The Baha Mar Resort, opening in December in the Bahamas, with no less than FIVE different hotel brands inside. Talk about BIG!

Melia Baha Mar Resort, Bahamas

The complex, nicknamed the “Bahamian Riviera”, has these credentials: will have a total of 2,900 hotel rooms and residences, a 100,000 square foot casino, a Vegas-style water show, an 18-hole, 72-par Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, an ESPA spa and more than a dozen pools. Plus, a 200,000 square feet convention center. I know, HUGELY!The 5 resorts that are going to debut:

Baha Mar Casino & Hotel: The centerpiece resort of Baha Mar, this casino-hotel is promising a “Vegas-like experience in the Bahamas.

Rosewood Baha Mar: Managed by Rosewood, this will be a 200-room and residences property. The villas will be the main attraction for it’s luxury items, services, and accomodations.

Mondrian Baha Mar: The Mondrian at Baha Mar will have 300 “distinctively styled room.”

Grand Hyatt Baha Mar: The Grand Hyatt will have 700 “incomparable rooms blending authenticity and luxury.”

Melia’ Baha Mar: The Nassau Beach Resort will be taken over and incorporated into the Baha Mar Complex by the Melia’ brand on December 1st. This will be the only Caribbean All-Inclusive Resort in the complex, with 5 restaurants & 3 bars, including a swim-up bar. The guests have access to Baha Mar’s amenities and activities.

This just looks like there is going to be something for everyone. Do you think Atlantis…has met some competition?

More coming in my next blog…Hyatt Ziva & Hyatt Zilara in Jamaica…Azul Sensatori in Jamaica…

Susan