I just received an email from a new bride. I had helped with the Honeymoon to St lucia earlier this year so naturally she turned to me for another idea. This is just so cool – had not heard of doing this before, but I LOVE the idea. In her own words, here is part of what she wrote me…
“instead of Christmas presents this year we would each plan out a vacation idea to present to one another and then decide on which one to take. We have to do a whole presentation with every detail planned, including little things like how we get to airport and where we eat and what we do (of course we won’t have to follow the plan exactly when we actually take the vacation, its just to give the other a big picture idea of what we could do). So we each get to plan whatever kind of vacation we want for whatever date we want in 2012 and then whichever one we agree on on Christmas morning we will then book as our Christmas present”
How much fun is that? Great idea, huh?
Give the gift of a memory that will last – give the gift of an experience to share together – give the gift of an adventure – give the gift of travel….
If this sounds like a great idea to you too, and you would like a little help with the process – turn to “Your friends….in the travel business” – EZTravelPad is here to help!
There are many, many possibilities for destinations to choose from when you are thinking about your Honeymoon or Destination Wedding, and there are many factors to consider-
How much time can you afford?
What do you want to experience?
How does budget play into it?
Do you need a passport?
What about safety?
Resort – Tour or Cruise?
EZTravelPad can help you quickly narrow down your choices to the most suitable, and offer you expert advice as to what else you should be thinking about – after all, an expert knows more- right?
So what are the most popular choices for Honeymoons these days?
Well, in my experience the vast majority of couples that I talk to want to experience something unique- something that neither of them have experienced before so that they can make new memories together, and in general it is usually ranked something like this-
Tropical – Romantic – Beach
Cruise
Close to home – a romantic Bed & Breakfast 2-8 hour drive from home
Tour Europe
So let’s look today at #1 – Tropical resort This can mean Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, South Pacific, somewhere even more exotic…
By far – about 80% of EZTravelPad clients choose either Caribbean or Mexico. Many people make their selection based on preconceived ideas about safety – affordability – beauty – status.
Obviously safety is a paramount concern. Nothing is more important to EZTravelPad – and all of our travel partners – than your safety! Many people see negative press about Mexico or specific Caribbean islands and rule them out. I am not here to change anyone’s mind – I am here to help you make the best choice possible given your particular wants, needs and desires. I happen to love Mexico, and the value that it presents to the US traveler, so would urge you to consider it – or if not, then it’s a really big world with plenty of other choices!
Budget & Value-
Sometimes price and value are confused. At EZtravelPad we always strive to acheive the maximum value for our clients. One of the best ways to acheive MAX value is by selecting an all-inclusive resort. Most all-inclusive resorts are located in-
Cancun / Riviera Maya area of Mexico
Jamaica
Dominican Republic
At an all-inclusive resort (and there is a very wide variety ranging from budget to luxury) typically food and beverages plus entertainment and non-motorized water sports are included in the price.
Some resorts – such as Sandals Resorts also include motorized water sports such as water sking & scuba diving- even golf….unlimited! Sandals Resorts are very good and are located in Jamaica, Bahamas, St Lucia and Antigua
Palace Resorts are another great choice. Palace Resorts are located in Dominican Republic and throughout many areas of Mexico. Palace offers $1500 in resort credits that can be used for scuba, tours, spa, romantic dinners, golf & more. This is a great value and allows MAX flexibility & choice!
There are some other great choices as well…
BUT– all-inclusive resorts are not necessarily for everyone. If you are the type that wants to get out and experience the destination to it’s fullest – meet the people – eat the food – live the culture, then an all inclusive resort experience is probably not the best choice. If you are the type who likes fine dining offering tremendous choice and is not afraid to pay for it, then a more “Americanized’ resort may be your best option, and they exist EVERYWHERE.
You may be interested in a destination like Hawaii or South Pacific or Europe where all inclusive resorts simply do not exist – no worries, at EZTravelPad we are completely familiar with all types of EP resorts- from high-rise in Hawaii to private-island in French Polynesia. Consider this- will the OTA (online travel agency such as Expedia, Orbitz, etc) personally email the sales manager at the resort and let them know to expect you – and what to expect from you? Unlikely
Choice
So is your Honeymoon or Destination Wedding all about the beach?
the party?
the food?
the tranquility?
the adventure?
the spa?
the service?
the destination?
the room?
How you answer those questions plays a very important role in determining which will be your best choice, and it is very difficult (if not impossible) to make the right choice based on the price and photos you find on the internet.
Adults Only vs Family Friendly
Often times Honeymoon couples want their Honeymoon experience to take place at an adults only resort. There are great options here, and again, Sandals leaps to mind as they are exclusively for adult couples only. Honeymoon couples make up the majority of guests at a Sandals Resort. Sometimes, particularly if a Destination Wedding involves children, then the adults only aspect is not possible. in that case there are still many, many choices- but I want to suggest that a primary concern at that point should be service – you want your most important vacation to go flawlessly and a more service oriented (and often higher end) resort may be the best choice.
How Can You Make The Most Informed Decision?
Here is the best advice you will receive- work with a travel professional….especially a travel pro that specializes in Romance Travel. In most cases the cost will be the same as you would achieve doing things yourself on the internet or going directly to the resort/airline/cruiseline….plus you will most certainly experience a higher grade of service and impartial advice to help you make the best choice.
Experience
Experience can mean many things. Is someone who has worked behind a desk for 20+ years your best source for feedback? Is your cousin, who went to Jamaica on her Honeymoon the best source for info? My belief is that experience is best when it’s broad, and part of that broad base of experience is only achieved by getting out and seeing – getting out and experiencing destinations and resort brands first hand – on the ground.
I have personally spent 33 days out of country this year alone- in 5 different countries – 8 different islands – visiting well over 60 different resorts, all in an effort to help my clients make the best choice possible when it comes to THEIR most important vacation. It’s hard work, but it is so rewarding!
At EZTravelPad we work with select wholesale vacation packagers – and directly with resorts to insure that you achieve the best possible value AND service. Work with a travel pro that you trust, that knows the destinations, and that understands what it is that you are trying to experience. At EZTravelPad we like to think of ourselves as “Your friends….in the travel business” – so when it’s time to make your plans make the call or send the email – you’ll be glad that you did.
There are few brand names in the world that evoke images of quality, elegance and opulence the way that St Regis does. For over 100 years and since it was opened by one of America’s wealthiest men, John Jacob Astor IV, The St Regis Hotel in New York has been one of the most luxurious hotels in the world.
St Regis became a Sheraton in 1966, then Sheraton was acquired by Starwood in 1998 and it wasn’t long before Starwood began expanding the brand worldwide. One St Regis brand resort – the St Regis Bora Bora in French Polynesia, has an entrance and view that may be familiar – ever see the mediocre flick “Couples Retreat”?
Truly one of the most impressive views in the world as the sun sets over the Island of Bora Bora….
This was the view that Vince Vaughn & company took in as they first arrived at their resort renamed “Eden” in the film.
You may remember some of the other shots in this post since various locations were used in the filming, so if staying in a resort that was used as the backdrop is a bonus for you, this place may be for you.
This private “plunge” pool is a part of the villa where a little known couple recently Honeymooned- I think they said their names were Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman if I remember correctly – perhaps you’ve heard of them?
The private patio pictured above and below are also part of this luxury villa that is available if your pockets are very, very deep….
The St Regis in Bora Bora is one of over a dozen St Regis properties worldwide that stretch from New York to Aspen to Bora Bora to Abu Dhabi and beyond.
After visiting several luxury resorts throughout French Polynesia I have had time to reflect on my thoughts regarding St Regis Bora Bora. Actually my feelings are mixed.
I suppose I think that St Regis Bora Bora has one of the most impressive views in the world, but equally impressive are the Four Seasons and Le Meridien located in close proximity
I also think that the St Regis sported the largest and most luxurious overwater bungalows that I visited (pictured below)
I also am confident that the bathrooms in the overwater bungalows (pictured below) were the most luxurious and offered a view of Mt Otemanu from the tub and shower-
I know that the buffet offered on the night of their Polynesian Show was impressive
I may never again drink from a prettier coconut…
Overall is is difficult to poke holes in a tried and true luxury experience- From the Jean-Georges restaurant on site named Lagoon – to the view – to the grounds – to the bungalows, St Regis exudes luxury and status – yet, I was left a little cold.
Our small group of travel agents were treated like Kings at every other resort we visited throughout French Polynesia. We were wined and dined by the managers at nearly every resort we visited… world-class resorts, some with equally world-class reputations, but not at St Regis. Although we enjoyed the completely engaging company of a lovely associate, upper management was curiously absent. Although we enjoyed a wonderful Polynesian buffet, the Polynesian show was substandard compared to other shows we enjoyed elsewhere.
So is St Regis somewhere I would recommend to a client? Probably
Would St Regis Bora Bora be a good choice for a Destination Wedding? Of course, and they are kid friendly
Would St Regis Bora Bora be a good choice for a Honeymoon or Romantic celebration? Absolutely – the price will keep most families away and it is a completely lovely destination with world-class services and amenities
So my humble advice is this- If value is your motive there are better choices in French Polynesia.
If you want to stay away from the Riff-Raff (as if there were any riff-raff in French Polynesia) then this might be a good choice….until Octomom or The Kardashians decide they need a vacation…..then all bets are OFF
In any case just remember that EZTravelPad is here to help you sort it all out
It’s tough to beat a leisurely breakfast at a great restaurant – or a good restaurant in a great location. I’m not sure I have been anywhere quite this good before. Imagine sipping your morning coffee on a bright, warm but comfortable morning in paradise –
now imagine that you are spending your morning breakfast just a few meters away from the dolphin experience at Cancun’s Interactive Aquarium
See the video to get a look
The Juga de Limon is located at the La Isla Shopping Center along the “7” in the hotel zone of Cancun, Mexico. It’s hard to believe that a good breakfast (full breakfast) in such a great location is available for only $10.50..try it – you will not be disappointed.
When you are ready for more tips and insights into making your vacation the best that it can be, check with EZTravelpad – we are here to help (oh, and there’s also that best price guarantee thingy…)
El Dorado Royale- Reviewing an Adults-only All-Inclusive Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico
Recently I had occasion to spend a few days with my wife at El Dorado Royale, an adults only all inclusive resort south of Cancun, Mexico along the Mayan Riviera – or Riviera Maya. The verdict? Very good – read on for more of the review……..
El Dorado Royale is conveniently located only about 25 minutes from the international airport in Cancun and is comprised of 2 sections – El Dorado Royale and El Dorado Casitas. The 171 Casita suites are larger and feature private plunge pools and swim-up pools as well as mostly being located in closer proximity to the beach. Interested in experiencing a luxury suite with an outdoor shower? This may be right for you!
Casita Suite at El Dorado
El Dorado Royale features 476 suites that all include 2 person in room jacuzzi tubs. There is no separation between the two resorts in one, all guests are welcome to use the facilities, bars and restaurants in either section.
Jacuzzi Jr Suite at El Dorado
El Dorado is the adults-only brand of Karisma resorts, a resort chain that also includes the family friendly brand – Azul.
The adults only nature of this all inclusive resort makes it a perfect destination for Honeymoon couples and a great place for a Destination Wedding if there will be no children involved
Since I specialize in Honeymoons and Destination Weddings this was much more a business trip than a vacation (although I did celebrate a significant birthday while there). We spent alot of time checking out the wide variety of restaurants, bars and entertainment options. The highlight? Cuisine
Gourmet Inclusive
Karisma Resorts market themselves as “Gourmet Inclusive” meaning that they pay particular attention to the details of both food and beverages offered. With 10 restaurants and 13 bars (10 of them are swim-up bars) you certainly don’t need to go far to satisfy whatever appetite you have – and the quality of the offerings is quite good. In fact, many of the vegetables and herbs served are grown right on the property in a series of greenhouses that offer a plentiful wealth of organic food choices. Locally grown just doesn’t get any more local than this! BTW- I recommend checking out the tequila tastings – I never even knew that there was a tequila that was almost like Bailey’s Irish Cream!
Video
See more of El Dorado in this short video tour from our trip
Pools and Entertainment
With a wide variety of water sports, tennis courts, complimentary bicycles and 13 swimming pools you are certain to find plenty to do – and that doesn’t even mention the activities that are abundant – from water volleyball to water polo and plenty of other diversions, boredom is not an option- but relaxing sure is (had a couple of mid-afternoon naps and loved it).
In considering the service, quality, amenities and price I would have to rate this as one of my favorite resort stays. Sure, there were a few hiccups, there always are – but the attention to detail and willingness of the staff to go the extra mile was evident on a daily basis. A couple of the meals and dining experiences were only above average, others were very, very good.
So what does it mean to go the extra mile? Like I mentioned, I did celebrate a birthday while there, and that afternoon not only did I return to a drawn bubble bath with rose petals floating – but I also found this on the bed…
So is this the right resort for everyone? Of course not. So how do you know if it’s the right resort for you? Ask your travel professional. If you don’t have one then give EZTravelPad a call – we would love to hear from you and we would love to help!
Reviewing Le Blanc Spa Resort (a Palace Resort) in Cancun, Mexico
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Le Blanc Spa Resort is an adults only all-inclusive resort located in the hotel zone of Cancun, Mexico. It is located very close to the middle of the hotel zone actually, but exists a world away from what you would traditionally associate with Cancun all-inclusive resorts that often cater to the Spring Break crowd.
This resort is a far cry from typical and in high demand for Weddings and Honeymoons catering to the sophisticated crowd – urban chic, like something out of South Beach. You almost expect Rico Tubbs (Miami Vice) to walk around the corner at any minute…
The Beach is powdery white sand
The water is an blue as you dreamed it would be and The infinity pool says it all…
Guest Rooms
As you would expect, guest rooms are extremely well appointed and are as functional as they are luxurious featuring private balconies to enjoy the outdoors and 2 person in room jacuzzis to enjoy indoor.
Offering butler service in rooms, concierge service at the pools, Haute Cuisine in 5 a la carte restaurants and superior service at every turn, Le Blanc is very much a luxury oasis in Cancun. Nightly turndown service with petit fours, higher end bath products, pillow top beds that you will never want to leave all combine for a very nice package. See more at their website at this link
Beyond the typical amenities Le Blanc offers unlimited free phone calls back to the US, unlimited internet service, and best of all, $1500 resort credits on a 5-8 night stay (other levels exist for shorter and longer stays)Â that can be used for spa, room upgrades, wedding packages, swimming with dolphins, tours, golf at Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf & much more!
So can you tell that I liked it? Can you tell that I can’t wait to go back?
Le Blanc is not for everyone, but if you consider yourself a person of discriminating taste that would prefer to be located close to the action and shopping in Cancun’s Hotel Zone as opposed to further away down along the Riviera Maya then Le Blanc may just be for you when it’s time to celebrate your Anniversary, Honeymoon, Destination Wedding or even just a luxurious retreat
Reviewing & Touring Secrets Capri Resort – Riviera Maya near Playa del Carmen
The smallest of the Secrets brand resorts along the scenic stretch of beach south from Cancun, Mexico known as the Riviera Maya may just be the best. Unless you are looking for more, bigger, mas, grande then Capri really is a great option.
With a scant 290 suites (by comparison some other resorts in the neighborhood are 10x larger or more!) Secrets Capri offers a great balance of choice and convenience. It’s not over-the-top fancy like some resorts. There are not 20 choices of room categories. What there is though makes up for it. With 6 restaurants and 5 bars the small property offers much.
This is a good resort for a romantic getaway, an anniversary celebration, a Honeymoon or a Destination Wedding as well. At a resort like this with less than 600 guests even a small wedding party of a dozen or so will not feel lost – in fact the entire staff will likely know who is getting married and who the guests are! You can choose from a beach wedding in the sand, or something a little more stately like in this awesome gazebo
Check out this short video tour to get a better sense of rooms, beach and overall feel
Restaurant choices include a la carte such as
Himatsu – Asian
Oceana – Seafood
Portofino – Mediterranean
La Riviera – Mexican
Seaside Grill – as the name implies
Cactus Club – Taco & Ceviche Bar
Secrets (along with their new Breathless brand resorts) is an adults-only brand from AMResorts which also offers additional family friendly brands such as Dreams, Now and Sunscape as well as the Wellness & Spa boutique resorts named Zoetry
There are Secrets Resorts located all across Mexico as well as in Dominican Republic and Jamaica. You can see the Secrets Capri brochure at this link
So how do you know which resort is the best fit for you? What is the best way to research your next vacation?
Simple – OUTSOURCE it to your travel consultant (travel agent).
A travel agency should be able to insure that you receive the best value (value = price + service), but more importantly your travel consultant should work hard to make sure they understand what it is specifically that most interests you. Your travel consultant should act like your personal shopping concierge understanding what you want to achieve then presenting the best options to save you incredible amounts of time and frustration!
Don’t have a travel consultant that you work with? Then contact EZTravelPad and see why we consider ourselves “Your friends….in the travel business”
Secrets Maroma Beach – Adults Only Paradise in Mexico – a Review
Maroma Beach, located about half way between Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen, south from Cancun in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is consistently ranked as one of the world’s Top 10 Beaches and for good reason- Clear blue waters, powdery white sands & water sports galore conspire to create a beach lover’s paradise.
One of the highly rated adults-only all-inclusive resorts located along this fine stretch of sand is Secrets Maroma Beach. Secrets is the adults-only brand served up by AMResorts (affiliated with Apple Vacations & sister property to Dreams, Zoetry, Now & Sunscape Resorts).
Not every all-inclusive resort offers the same sort of affordable luxury found at Secrets Resorts.
Frequently at all inclusive resorts you find limited selections of restaurants – limited choice in all sorts of food & beverages – limited access to bars and scant choice in restaurants. Spending a week at an all-inclusive resort and feasting at the same boring buffet several days in a row can be a bummer, but with 8 restaurants (most of which are luxurious a la carte options) and 7 bars fully stocked with premium fare you will not feel that your choices are redundant.
It’s not all about food & beverages though – and one of the best features at Secrets Resorts are the suites which generally offer in room jacuzzis, after all – this is a romantic escape for 2, right?
Excellent Spa facilities
The spa facilities are great – as is the water sports area, common grounds, pool & more.
This is a fantastic place for a Honeymoon or Destination Wedding (assuming children will not be attending) also – a huge part of their business!
Check out this brief video tour
If there is one knock on the property it is this…. Time-share sales
I have personally encountered guests that were quite annoyed with the aggressiveness of the on-site salespeople, and so it is with some hesitancy that I suggest Secrets as a 1st choice, but if you don’t mind being pestered a bit the product is fantastic
For more info on this and many other resort options in Mexico and throughout the Caribbean get with EZTravelPad – you’ll be glad you did!
You may have heard about the Flowriders – surf simulators that exist on some of Royal Caribbean’s newer ships. They are very popular and based on most reports, alot of fun!
Now you can enjoy the same experience on land – at Moon Palace in Mexico!
Moon Palace is an amazing resort located south from Cancun along the Mayan Riviera – or Riviera Maya area – fantastic destination for an all-inclusive resort vacation!
For more info please contact “Your friends….in the travel business” –Â EZTravelPad
Atlantis is a Resort Without Compare – Truly Something Different
All of my life I have been fascinated with the legend of the Lost Continent of Atlantis
Did it ever really exist?
Where was it?
Who lived there?
What was their civilization like?
What happened?
So to go to an amazing resort like Atlantis on Paradise Island in the Bahamas was not quite as exciting as considering whether a highly advanced civilization once thrived then disappeared, but after experiencing the resort for a while i was truly amazed at what DOES exist in The Bahamas
In 1994 a gentleman named Sol Kerzner purchased a troubled resort from Merv Griffin and began a 4 year process to totally remake the resort into a vision of something that has never been…an expansive resort on Paradise Island in The Bahamas featuring some of the best attractions for families of all ages….a resort featuring a marine environment of over 11 million gallons of water, 50,000 different marine animals featuring over 200 different species….lagoons and water slides and beaches and pools (oh, and a really really big casino!)
Atlantis is spectacular in scale – over 3400 rooms with varying levels of amenities designed to appeal broadly to all sorts of people interested in all sorts of things
Swim with dolphins
Swim with seals
Swim with stingrays
Golf
Spa
Fitness
Shop
Relax…..or indulge in any of dozens of other diversions….
See more in the video
Accommodations are varied from moderately priced
to upscale
to something befitting previous guests such as Oprah Winfrey or Michael Jackson
Interested in some R&R – there are many, many choices like the pool near the Coral and Beach Towers
or this pool and beach area near The Cove
But so many more choices exist.
Atlantis is not something you can easily plan yourself unless you want to spend hours doing the research to determine your best fit – leave that part to a pro (a pro who will not charge any fees for their advice and expertise), like “Your friends….in the travel business” – EZTravelPad
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