Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St Thomas, USVI is good choice for All Inclusive Resort
A large part of my job as a travel consultant/advisor with EZTravelPad revolves around touring, experiencing and understanding a wide variety or resorts to better be able to help people with deciding what their best choices are on their next vacation
Often there is a great deal of similarity between resorts and even between destinations, but sometimes I find something that is unique, and I believe Bolongo Bay Beach Resort in St Thomas to be one of those - a family friendly resort that is not fancy, but delivers on their promise of being a laid-back spot, managed by the owners
and it’s definitely the kind of place WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR NAME!
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort is a family friendly
resort located on the island of St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. As
such, a passport is not required for US citizens to visit so this is a popular choice
for those people wanting to experience an authentically Caribbean island
feel without straying too far from the feel of the US. It is
significantly more affordable than the other US island destination of
Hawaii, which is also very popular for Honeymoons (but Hawaii does not offer
all-inclusive resorts)
Couples wanting to enjoy a tropical island without the need of a passport should consider the US Virgin Islands
On
the surface the Bolongo Bay Beach Resort is a bit primitive- not fancy
or luxurious in the least, but when you scratch the surface and look a
little deeper the friendly service and family feel of the resort more
than make up for the rather dated accommodations.
Upon entering the resort, honestly, I was a little disheartened with what felt like a motel that hasn't changed much in the last 40 years - as depicted in this photo of the front desk
The rooms were very basic, the restaurant and common areas were not grand, and the beach was not vast
BUT- I had a total change of opinion ofter spending only an hour or so with my resort host Colleen (who quite obviously DOES know everyone's name)
Sure, Colleen was welcoming and polite and nice, as all resort management always is when hosting a travel agency having a look around - but this went a little deeper. She was more engaged with her staff and more friendly with the guests....and more American (a California transplant to the island many years ago) than most - in short, she sold me on the fact that this place is different - it's like going to your home.... in the Caribbean!!
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort may not be fancy - it's not luxurious - but it is most definitely welcoming and friendly and clean and comfortable, which is not a bad thing!
For so many people comfort and clean and friendly are more inportant
than luxury and the "wow" factor, and if this describes you then this
might be an excellent choice for your next vacation to the Caribbean
Honeymoon couples staying 7 nights can enjoy inclusions such
as
a sunset catamaran cruise
a catamaran cruise to snorkel
with sea turtles
a la carte dining including lobster, steaks
and much more...
Competitive pricing vs. other resorts in the USVI make this resort with an all-inclusive option a strong contender for those vacationers (especially Honeymooners) who choose not to
acquire a passport and would prefer to saty on "U.S. soil"
Some fun things to do include
Paddleboarding
Windsurfing
Scuba lessons
Hobie cats
Water trikes
Oh - and napping under a palm tree - that's a fun thing too!!
There is much more to convey, so when you are ready to decide on your next vacation turn to EZTravelPad where we like to think of ourselves as - "Your friends....in the travel business"
The announcement has finally been made - Sandals La Source in Grenada will be accepting reservations for December 2013 beginning in 2 days - March 23, 2013
The anticipation has been high, and with good reason - based on these renderings (photos will be available soon I am certain) the newest Sandals resort - La Source in Grenada looks terrific. Check out some of what you can expect below-
The pool in the Tahitian Village section
Swim out suites in the more exclusive Italian Village
The Oceanview Sky Pool Suites....
Be among the first to enjoy this exciting new Sandals property located in Grenada and featuring-
o 231 rooms and suites
o 3 villages: Pink Gin Village, Tahiti Village, and Italian Village
o Just minutes from the airport
o 9 restaurants including a world class steakhouse restaurant – Butch’s Chophouse
o 3 pools plus 2 river pools
o State of the art fitness center and spa
o Meeting facilities
o 75 butler suites including millionaires suites, rondovals and skypool suites
o Romantic soaking tubs in all rooms and suites in the Tahiti and Italian villages
Continuing with the all inclusive format for adult couples only, Sandals La Source will be perfect for Honeymoons, Destination Weddings, and romantic escapes of all sorts.
The resort opens for reservations Mar 23 for arrivals beginning December 12
So you know what to do now - right? Contact "Your friends....in the travel business" at EZTravelPad
It's been a long time coming, but finally Sandals Resorts has rolled out complimentary Wifi in many of their room categories at Sandals Resorts in Jamaica
Here is the most recent release-
SANDALS RESORTS MAKES IT EASIER FOR GUESTS TO STAY CONNECTED
~ Guests of Concierge and Butler Rooms Receive Complimentary Internet Connection and Overseas Calls ~
Perfect for those that keep their smartphones and tablets as close as their sunscreen while on vacation, Sandals Resorts
will introduce free Wi-Fi and complimentary long-distance phone calls
for select room categories in 2013. These special perks are provided
specifically to guests staying in Concierge Rooms and Butler Rooms, at
any of the seven Sandals Resorts in Jamaica.
Beginning
March 15, 2013, free Wi-Fi will keep guests in concierge or higher
rooms connected whether accessing the latest news and gossip while
lounging poolside; uploading pictures of a romantic beachfront sunset
via social media; or checking emails while relaxing in their luxurious
suite. Additionally, guests in these select room categories at Sandals
Resorts in Jamaica will be permitted to make free long-distance calls to
the U.S., Canada and to UK landlines, as well as local calls to
Jamaican landlines, beginning June 20, 2013. These phone calls will be
offered exclusively through travelers’ personal smartphones by
downloading the Sandals Resort’s online app, which will be free and
available to guests through the Apple and Android App stores.
This is a welcome perks and sure not not only please many guests, but also increase the exposure of the brand as guests tweet and post about the fantastic time they are having in Jamaica
Ready to go but not sure which location will be best for you?
EZTravelPad is here to help make sure you get the very best deal available and that everything goes smoothly.
Recently the Sandals Grande Riviera resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica has reclassified many of the villa suites up on the hillside of the Manor section and now they all include butler service!
This is a huge deal - especially since it does not appear that prices have increased...yet
If you have experienced the Butler service at Sandals you know exactly what I'm talking about, and if you haven't yet experienced it now is a perfect time to see what the fuss is all about at a very affordable rate
To learn more about how a butler can enhance your vacation experience check out this link
Imagine, a villa on the hillside at Sandals Grande Riviera in Ocho Rios - with a semi-private pool and butler service at a price comparable to an entry level room at a competing resort....unbelievable!
The Sandals Grande Riviera resort is an excellent choices for either a Honeymoon or a Destination Wedding - and these semi-private poolside villas can be a perfect solution for guests in the wedding party - talk about a party to remember!
The Sandals Grande Riviera is a lively, fun and social resort that additionally offers the type of privacy shown above....plus great dining choices, many entertainment choices, gorgeous tropical gardens and a nice beach with beverage services all combine to make this a must visit resort - see more at the video here
For more info get with an expert who has been there and can guide you to your best choice - contact "Your friends....in the travel business" at EZTravelPad
It's not recipe month but while searching for a recipe for an appetizer to take to a friend's early Thanksgiving celebration my wife found this one. I know, I should probably find the source - search the internet exhaustively for the first source, but time is short and I felt the need to share it now
So how does this relate to travel exactly? well, it is something that you might find near the southern border of the US....
This was awesome - I made it according to her specifications, then she decorated it to ultimately look like this-
So how did I make it?
Ingredients:
8 ounces cream cheese, warmed to room temperature
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 2 ounces)
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Dash of cayenne
1 teaspoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 medium jalapeños- diced and divided
6 pieces cooked smoked bacon, crumbled and divided
1/4 cup chopped pecans, roasted
Townhouse crackers
6-10 whole pecans
2 slices red pepper
Combine the first 10 ingredients (less the divided halves of the bacon and jalapenos) in a large mixing bowl. Mix well, shape into a ball, then cool for about an hour in refrigerator
Combine the other half of the jalapenos, bacon and all of the chopped pecans in a shallow bowl or plate. Roll the cheese ball around on the mixture to coat thoroughly with the mixture
Decorate with the townhouse crackers, whole pecans and red pepper strips as pictured above
EZTravelPad Group Sailing April 6, 2013 - Come Play With Us
Do you have your Spring Break plans all set yet?
Are you like me and concerned that THIS winter we're not going to get off as easy as last year and you feel like you will be wanting to get away in early April?
Want to get away during the week of The Masters golf tournamet?
Have you been procrastinating that long awaited and well deserved vacation lomg enough?
Then join EZTravelPad on a Caribbean cruise this coming April as we experience the most anticipated cruise ship of the year - Celebrity Reflection. This Solstice Class ship will be cruising Eastern Caribbean and porting in the highly desirable ports of San Juan, St Thomas and St Maarten. Sound interesting but want to learn more?
Here is the most recent ship review (but keep in mind that this ship is so new it isn't even in service yet)...
Reviews are great, but wouldn't you rather have a look inside?
Check out this video tour
and here is another tour of one of the cabins very similar to what we have held
Holding Group Space is a great advantage, and we still have some cabins left but you don't want to wait until they are gone - pricing on new bookings is already up as much as $100 per person vs the EZTravelPad pricing currently available in these categories
C2 $984 (Concierge level verandah suite)
C3 $924 - sold out
2B $854 (Deluxe verandah suite)
2D $824 (Deluxe veerandah suite)
Plus not only is the price lower, but there are some additional perks that will be announced later
Lastly, we have arranged for some significant savings (like over 40%!!) in a great hotel pre-cruise
For quite a bit more info on the ship and itinerary check out our earlier blog post that goes into some details on that as well as on the resturants and more
So here is you invitation to join EZTravelPad and friends on this very exciting ship. Come along and find out for yourself why at EZTravelPad we like to think of ourselves as "Your friends....in the travel business"
A Review of Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort in Nassau, Bahamas
The storied history of the Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort is enough reason to put it on the radar of any vacation seeking couple looking for a couples only resort in the tropics
In its heyday, the Balmoral Club on Nassau in the
Bahamas, hosted luminaries, Hollywood stars, and entertainers. The Duke
and Duchess of Windsor, President Nixon, and the Beatles, are all said to have frequented
the popular hotspot. This chic, high society club that was
once part of the resort’s property, inspired the new Balmoral Tower at Sandals Royal Bahamian.
Having recently toured the Balmoral Tower shortly after it's Grand Re-Opening I can tell you that is is in fine shape - gorgeous and stately.
The Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort is an all inclusive resort that serves adult couples exclusively. It is for that reason that many Honeymoon and Anniversary celebrating couples are drawn to the classy resort just a few miles from downtown Nassau
Check out this video tour to get a good feel for the property-
The recent remodeling of the Balmoral Tower and other upgrades totaling $17 Million was prompted after a bit of storm damage occurred. The refurbishment though, was much more than just cosmetics - there were large balconies added to many of the rooms which now make this one of the most desired properties in the Bahamas
Another much smaller aspect of the remodel were the additions of some beachside firepits that add greatly to the romance of the evening
Newely added Firepits along the beach pictured below
But it's not all about the Balmoral Tower - this resort consists of several buildings and many private villas for a total of 402 rooms and suites spread across 15 acres of beautiful Bahamian landscape located only 10 minutes from the airport
With numerous buildings there are many, many different room category choices with views ranging from good to awesome and service ranging from luxury to concierge to butler level!
Sandals offers it's butler level guests a special perk, complimentary private transportation from the airport in one of their Mercedes or Rolls Royce Sedans
Butler level guests are also afforded some of the most amazing rooms and suites in the Bahamas-
Often I hear people say that "the room doesn't matter - we won't be spending that much time in it anyway", but as you can see from this photo....Location matters!!
I mean, can't you just picture yourself reclining until late into the night on your lounge - sipping a fine wine - listening to the surf just a few meteres away....
Beyond the history and the accommodations and the inclusions-
10 Restaurants including French, Italian, Asian and Seafood a la carte options are featured so you will never get bored with the selection of cuisine-
Looking for something to do?Try the Red Lane Spa or Nightly Themes Parties and Entertainment -
One of the nice aspects of this resort is the ability to
use the Sandals "Private Island" known as Sandals Cay. This island takes
getting away from it all to a wholes new level.
Out on the private island you will find
Restaurant
Pool
Swim up bar
Whirlpool
2 beaches
Snorkeling
Secluded spots
Beachside cabanas
Zen garden
So there is no getting bored no matter how long you decide to stay
Another piece of trivia - The Beatles filmed "Another Girl" from the movie "Help" on this same private island!
Even if you want nothing more than to get away from it all there are options- like this hammock...........
All in all Sandals Royal Bahamian is a fantastic option for an adults only couples getaway - be it a Honeymoon, Destination Wedding, Anniversary celebration, best friends getaway or just a much needed escape from bad weather...
For more info on this and many other resorts in the Caribbean and beyond get in touch with EZTravelPad.
Experience the EZTravelPad difference and see why we like to think of ourselves as "Your friends....in the travel business"
Actually for a very small agency I am confident that we get more than out fair share of testimonials from happy clients. To check out some of the many see this link
Getting a testimonial is always great, so rewarding, but when I receive one like this it really hits home - check it out....
First off we would like to thank you for all the help starting
with suggesting St. Lucia all the way to leaving a message in our room.
We would like to give you special thanks for being so prompt and
available the day of our departure. That day was a little stressful
with the airline not giving us information and you were able to give us
some
relief that we were gonna reach our destination that day. Many people
on the flight were calling there traveling agents and you were the only
one that had the information or cared enough to respond again THANK
YOU.
Is there a guarantee that should something go wrong we will always be able to help?
No...but you can rest assured that I care more and work harder than the average call center rep (if you can even get in touch with one) that you will encounter if you try doing things yourself
Just one more reason to use a travel pro on your next trip!
If you don't already have a travel consultant that you work with then give EZTravelPad a try - we're here to help - and there is a reason why we like to think of ourselves as "Your friends....in the travel business"
El Dorado Royale is a Great Selection for Prestigious Food and Wine Festival
The Cancun and Riviera Maya Wine and Food in 2013 will be hosted at El Dorado Royale
El Dorado Royale is a favorite of EZTravelPad clients who frequently select this resort specifically for their attention to detail in every aspect of the dining and resort experience. The "Gourmet Inclusive" concept reaches far beyond the several a la carte restaurant choices, but excellent dining is certainly at the forefront.
See the recent news release-
MIAMI (September 10, 2012) – El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul
Hotels by Karisma, Mexico’s premier, Gourmet Inclusive beachfront
resorts in the Riviera Maya, today announced that El Dorado Royale, A
Spa Resort, by Karisma has been selected as official host hotel of the
2013 Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine & Food Festival (CRMWFF). Recognized
by the CRMWFF for its superior culinary commitment, El Dorado Royale
will host celebrity chefs, notables and VIPs as well as the Celebrity
Chef Cooking Demonstrations and a series of wine tastings during the
event, taking place March 14-17, 2013.
“We are thrilled to name
El Dorado Royale host hotel of next year’s Cancun-Riviera Maya Wine
& Food Festival,” said David Amar, founder of the Cancun-Riviera
Maya Wine & Food Festival. “The resort, which affords guests the
best in food and service as a part of its Gourmet Inclusive vacations,
aligns perfectly with our commitment to provide an unforgettable
gastronomic experience. Not only does El Dorado Royale offer gourmet a
la carte meals, premium wine selections, sommeliers at every restaurant,
chef’s tables and 24 hour service, it is also home to the destination’s
largest Greenhouse, a 100,000 square-foot facility that impresses
locals, discerning gourmands, and world-class chefs alike.”
For more info on the Wine and Food Festival click here
That's right - sometimes you just need to catch a little fresh air in a different place to clear your head - rejuvenate - recharge
There are dozens of offers ranging from 2 for 1 - to Frre air - to shipboard credits - to - Free hotel nights - to pre-paid gratuities and much more...
But the main thing is to get the help you deserve - the help that EZTravelPad can offer - help that is all complimentary!
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