Category

Jamaica

Oct 29
0

The Ultimate Friendcation: Why Sandals South Coast is a Total Game-Changer

By | All-Inclusive Resorts, Blog, Caribbean, Honeymoons and Weddings, Jamaica, Luxury, Romance, Uncategorized | No Comments

Sandals South Coast now offering 2 Queens!

For years, planning a luxurious, all-inclusive getaway with a friend or a travel partner usually came with one major headache: the sleeping arrangements. Because traditional luxury couples’ resorts default exclusively to single King-size beds, friends traveling together were left facing that inevitably awkward conversation about sharing the bed or who gets stuck on a couch.
Not anymore. Sandals South Coast has officially rewritten the rulebook for luxury friendcations by introducing a highly anticipated, brand-new room category featuring two Queen beds instead of a single King.
This layout is an absolute game-changer. It means you can experience pristine beaches, gourmet dining, and top-tier amenities with your favorite resort brand—all while maintaining your own individual comfort and space.

Game on: 12 Brand-New Pickleball Courts

If you and your friends are among the millions obsessed with the fastest-growing sport in the world, this resort just became your ultimate paradise. Sandals South Coast features 12 premier, brand-new pickleball courts perfect for casual afternoon matches or highly competitive friendcation tournaments.
Now that sharing a King bed is no longer mandatory, it is the perfect setup for groups of friends or pickleball enthusiasts who want to travel together, spend their days playing on world-class courts, and retreat to a spacious suite with a private bed for everyone.
The King of Choices: Legendary Couples’ Suites

While the new two-queen configuration is making waves for friends, Sandals South Coast remains legendary for its diverse, romantic, and breathtaking King-bed options. If you are traveling as a couple or simply prefer the classic setup, the variety of tiered luxury across the resort is unmatched:
    • Over-the-Water Bungalows: These iconic suites offer an immersive ocean experience. You can gaze directly into the turquoise sea through glass floor panels or step straight into the water from your private deck.
    • South Coast Rondoval Suites: Tucked away in a beautifully quiet section of the resort, these signature circular villas are the ultimate private sanctuaries. Each one features its own completely private plunge pool and swim-up access to the gorgeous pool meandering among the Rondoval villas.
    • Swim-Up Suites: Step out of your bedroom and glide right into a pool at the step of your private patio  with a wide range of room options

Across these incredible layouts, you can choose the exact service level that fits your travel style:
    • Butler Elite Level: The pinnacle of luxury, where a dedicated, professionally trained personal butler takes care of everything from unpacking your bags to reserving your poolside cabana, to making certain you have the best seat at dinner every night.
    • Club Level: A seamless upgrade that includes VIP check-in, private Club Lounge access featuring premium spirits, all-day snacks, and dedicated concierge services.
    • Luxury Level: Entry-level perfection featuring magnificent ocean views and full access to everything the resort has to offer.

Can’t wait to see it for yourself? Check out these newest images
Diving into World-Class Inclusions

No matter which room category you pick, your stay includes full access to a massive array of land and water sports. Dive into adventure with premium inclusions like:
    • Professional SCUBA Diving: Complete equipment and guided boat trips for certified divers or certification for non-divers.
    • Snorkeling Adventures: Daily excursions right out into the crystal-clear waters.
    • Water Sports Fleet: Unlimited access to the highest quality kayaks, paddleboards, and hobie cats for exploring the stunning coastline.
    • Unlimited Land Sports: Access to state-of-the-art fitness centers and night-lit courts.
    • Day & Night Entertainment: Live shows, themed beach parties, and multiple bars serving premium liquors.

Double the Sales: Massive Stacking Savings

If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to book, this is officially it. Right now, a perfect storm of promotional offers makes locking in your stay incredibly lucrative.
The 7-7-7 Sale ⏰
The new two-queen room category is currently featured on Sandals’ highly popular, weekly 7-7-7 Sale! This means you can snag an extra 7% off the price for select travel dates.
But you have to act fast: The 7-7-7 promotional price is only live for a few days and runs strictly until next Tuesday. After the deadline passes, pricing on this specific category will go up significantly.
The Great Jamaica Comeback Sale ✈️
In addition to the 7-7-7 savings, The Great Jamaica Comeback Sale is fully ongoing! This massive island-wide promotion adds incredible value to your booking, including:
    • Up to $500 in Air Credits to help offset your flight costs.
    • A FREE Island Routes Adventure off the resort for two—allowing you to explore local treasures like YS Falls or enjoy bamboo river rafting on the Martha Brae.

Whether you are gathering your favorite pickleball partners for an epic friendcation in the new double-queen suites, or whisking your partner away to a private Rondoval villa, there has never been a better time to experience South Coast.
Get with EZTravelPad today
Oct 16
0

Don’t Let Economic Noise Ruin Your Honeymoon Dreams

By | All-Inclusive Resorts, Caribbean, Cruise, Honeymoons and Weddings, Jamaica, Luxury, Romance, Uncategorized | No Comments

 

With headlines constantly buzzing about economic uncertainty, a rocky stock market, and rising costs, it is easy for couples planning a wedding to panic. When budgets get tight, the honeymoon is often the very first thing chopped from the list.

But here is a secret from travel industry insiders: A luxury experience does not have to carry a jaw-dropping price tag if you know exactly where and when to look.

Giving up on your dream honeymoon over economic noise is a mistake. When you partner with an expert who knows how to navigate the market, high-end travel becomes incredibly accessible. Look at how far your money can actually go right now with two real-world examples:

Example 1:

Pure Caribbean Luxury for the Cost of a Fancy Coffee

Imagine jetting off to an all-inclusive, luxury Sandals Resort in Jamaica later this month. Through expert positioning, you can book a gorgeous room for just $478 per night.For a 4-night escape, your accommodations come out to $1,911 total. Look at everything packed into that rate:

  • Unlimited dining and premium drinks at 17 different gourmet restaurants
  • A massive range of water sports, including free SCUBA diving and snorkeling
  • Complimentary golf green fees

Throw in round-trip flights for a little over $500 per person, and your entire luxury honeymoon checks in under $3,000 total.

When you break that $3,000 total down over the course of a year, it amounts to roughly $8 a day. That is the cost of just one fancy coffee for a single person. Do you really want to sacrifice your once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon memories over the cost of a daily cup of coffee?

Pro Tip: Want to elevate it? For just $284 more total, we can upgrade you to a Club Level room with a beautiful semi-private pool right outside your door.

Want to see several more photos> Check out this link

Example 2:

The Ultimate Adult-Only Cruise & Beachfront Blends

If a cruise is more your style, you can sail with the world’s #1 rated cruise brand—an exclusively adults-only premium line perfect for an intimate, fun-filled honeymoon with Michelin-level dining.

We can build an itinerary where you sail from Miami to Key West and the Bahamas for 4 nights, bundle in your flights, and add 2 nights at a 4-star beachfront resort in Miami before you embark—all for under $2,000 total.

💡 PRO TIP: Beware of the AI Trap.
Many couples turn to AI models or automated search engines to find budget shortcuts. However, these digital models are heavily influenced by paid advertising and algorithmic bidding. They don’t always give you the best value. Instead, they often leave you chasing far-fetched deals that don’t actually match your specific goals, wants, needs, and desires. A computer algorithm cannot understand what makes your honeymoon deeply personal—but a dedicated travel advisor can.

Why Expert Advice Changes Everything

These deals aren’t found by randomly scrolling discount travel sites at midnight. They require relationships, internal rate access, and the logistical expertise to stitch flights, resorts, and transfers together seamlessly. Don’t compromise on your post-wedding celebration. Let EZTravelPad show you how to maximize your budget and get the luxury honeymoon you deserve without the financial stress.

– and NO EXTRA FEES!

Dec 04
0

Couples Sans Souci Resort in Jamaica – a Review

By | All-Inclusive Resorts, Caribbean, Honeymoons and Weddings, Jamaica, Romance | No Comments

Couples Sans Souci – A Great Jamaican All Adult Resort

Being a travel agency that specializes in Honeymoons, Destination Weddings and romantic escapes of all kinds, one of the most frequent questions we hear at EZTravelpad is “which resort is best?” – talk about an impossible question to answer…it’s like choosing the best flavor of ice cream- so many wonderful flavors I just want to try them all! But alas, we all know we can’t do that.

But I can tell you quickly that one of my favorites in Couples Sans Souci Resort in`Ocho Rios!

Sans Souci 1

Is Couples Sans Souci right for everyone? Heck no!

So how do you know if it’s right for you? Well, one method is to hit their website and read the reviews- look at the photos – view their amenities…

But the best thing is to talk with a travel pro that can help you sort out the best options for you based on your immediate needs and requirements. Things that will impact the decision are

  • Interests
  • Style
  • Budget
  • Time Frame

All the resorts look good on paper and the photos are always awesome, but which is going to be the best fit? Which offers the right mix of fun and romance? Who has the best beach? Best pool? Which is the most romantic? Who has the best spa? If you’ve narrowed it down to the Caribbean, which island might be the best best?

So often the choice gets narrowed down and the island of Jamaica rises to the top, but with so many resorts in Jamaica (I can easily think of well over a dozen all adult resorts, not to mention the dozens that cater to guests of all ages) which is best? Well, that’s where I can help.

If romance, seclusion, space and serenity are the order of the day, the Sans Souci is definitely a top pick.

Sans souci 2

Couples Sans Souci is the most intimate of the 4 Couples resorts in Jamaica with only 150 luxurious rooms and suites, and given that the resort is spread out along 35 lush acres fronting the gorgeous Caribbean you can imagine how many opportunities there are for romantic moments of seclusion.

If you are thinking of tying the knot in one of the most romantic spots in the Caribbean, then it’s hard to beat this location…. a gazebo perched over the Caribbean in the midst of gardens. Awesome.

Sans Souci 3

 

If you are looking for excellent yet basic accommodations with calming sea blue color schemes you may have found your spot

Sans souci 4

Whether you opt for a Deluxe Ocean Suite or a Penthouse Suite you are going to find a beautiful accommodation, but if you opt for the Hibiscus Cottage you are going to find a romantic cottage nestled behind a hedge of colorful bougainvillea and situated cliff-side overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The Hibiscus Cottage is the ultimate secluded hideaway. This unique accommodation features a private outdoor infinity-edge Jacuzzi, a spacious living room, large master bedroom and bathroom suite with walk-in shower and a Jacuzzi tub for two

If you would like to select a suite with a gorgeous bath of marble featuring a soaker tub with whirlpool jets then maybe this is the pick

sans souci 5

So sure, you are going to find a lovely suite, and the intimate nature of the resort certainly appeals to many couples interested in a romantic getaway, Honeymoon couples, or small groups in for a Destination Wedding – but if you are looking for a party spot this one is not for you-

At EZTravelpad we have the experience and the desire to help you select the best possible resorts to fit your style and make the most of your most important vacation – the NEXT one!

We like to think of ourselves are “Your friends….in the travel business” – get with us and see how we treat our friends – I think you’ll like it.

 

Aug 02
0

Reviewing Riu Montego Bay

By | All-Inclusive Resorts, Blog, Caribbean, Jamaica | No Comments

Riu Montego Bay – a Review

The Riu brand of all inclusive resorts is one of the more popular choices of the many Spanish owned resort chains operating throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, and Riu Montego Bay is one of the more popular choices in Jamaica. As a large hotel & resort brand operating across much of the globe, Riu offers a good value and is certainly a good option for many – but does that mean it’s the right choice for you?

 

riu mo bay 1

 

EZTravelPad will try to help you make that decision with some insight, photos, video and more….so read on

 

Recently spending a few nights at the resort gave me a good chance to get a pretty good feel for the pluses and minuses of the resort and traveling with several other travel agents also lent some additional perspective and insight

 

riu mo bay 2

 

Overall Design-

 

With nearly 700 rooms in a fairly small amount of acreage, the space to guest ratio is fair – comparable to direct competitors but far from spacious compared to some brands pricing just a bit higher so competition for beach and pool chairs starts early in the day….

 

For so many the all inclusive resort vacation is all about the party and if that is your main focus then this might be a good option for you – especially if you and your group are aged in your 20’s. The party at the main pool’s siwm up bar was definitely on full tilt from 10a-6p daily due in large part to the design of the pool & swim up bar. With in-pool “booths” and tables and jacuzzis and bar stools the architect created a fantastic space for enjoying the pool and the bar

 

riu mo bay 3

 

As many resort designs include several sections of room blocks located individually across the resort grounds Riu was no exception but falling a bit short when it came to tying everything together. Many competitors will have covered walkways which offer shelter from the frequent tropical rains that will pop up anytime day or night – your umbrella is the only option for staying dry when walking from room to restaurant – some covered walkways would be a good thing

Rooms are comfortable with decent space, modest furnishings and extra firm mattresses. Bathrooms are spacious yet a huge design flaw in my thinking was that the small bathtubs were very hard to maneuver in since the tubs are rounded as opposed to flat – tough to turn, even stand while taking a shower – good space but poor tubs = fail for me on that aspect

 

riu mo bay 4

 

Food–

 

It’s interesting how perceptions are so individual. For example I am generally fairly critical of food quality and selection wherever I travel. I appreciate good food quality and selection – and good service. Interstingly, I found the food selection and quality to be pretty good considering the cost of the resort overall – compared to some competitors I felt they did a good job in this area, but many others that I was traveling with felt the food was less than impressive – and so it goes for opinions….

 

The main restaurant buffet consistently offers a wide range of offerings prepared reasonably well – the a la carte options (both the Italian “Little Italy” and the Asian “Kalu”) that I experienced were more than adequate yet certainly not overly impressive from a culinary standpoint

 

Location-

 

One of the attractive features of this moderately priced resort is it’s close proximity to the airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Being located close to the airport definitely helps to maximize your resort time but it can be a mixed blessing though – being located directly in the flight path means that frequent low flying jets will bring a stop to the conversation for a few seconds several times per day

The beach at Riu Mo Bay is not bad. A bit of seaweed washes us, and sand that is less than powdery is a bit of a drag but overall the space is good and the view at sunset is very good. Few peddlers exist since this is a private beach for guests only, but the occasional salesperson will find their way onto the beach and attempt to sell some things.

 

riu mo bay 5

 

Intangibles–

Overall I found the service to be ok – certainly nothing close to the level of service at some of the higher priced options. Staff was generally polite but not really friendly with few exceptions. It seemed they were going through the motions and doing their jobs but not really loving it so we all found the overall level of service and training of staff to be fair – could definitely use some improvement

Some people only require cold beers and sodas to enjoy themselves – others have a more discriminating palate. I found the limited beverage selection to be disappointing and the wine selection was nearly undrinkable. That said, blended drinks and simple mixed cocktails are hard to ruin so there are options…

Due to the family friendly nature of the resort, if a Destination Wedding is something that you are considering and keeping the budget as low as possible is a top consideration then this is a good choice since people of all ages can enjoy the resort

Check out this video for more…

 

 

Overall I would say that for a certain set of clientele this is a good option – and for others not so much. It’s not so much about price, but finding the right fit and that is exactly what a good travel consultant should be doing for you – finding the best fit for you!

When it comes time for your next all inclusive trip find a travel advisor like EZTravelPad to help insure that you make the best choice possible – after all, wasting money is not fun but wasting life’s most precious commodity (yout TIME) is a shame!!