EZTravelpad

El Dorado Royale Resort in Riviera Maya - a Review

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!

Costa Concordia Accident - Some Perspective

Costa Concordia Cruise Fallout

It has been only a few days now since the Costa Cruise Ship Concordia ran aground off the coast of Italy. There is still an ongoing search for possible survivors and speculation abounds regarding what could have caused this tragic and sensational accident. Carnival Corp - the parent company of Costa - is scrambling and all blame is pointing toward the captain, and I believe rightly so. It is hard to imagine, yet still not surprising that a lapse in judgment could cause such a terrible tragedy. No doubt that the investigation and inevitable trial will be in the news for months, if not years to come.

So what does that mean for the cruise industry? Will people still want a cruise vacation? From my perspective all signs point to yes - for now. This appears to not be a failure of a company, or an industry, or a product -  but the failure of a man. It appears, at this early stage, that this is just a tragic accident that was totally preventable. There are systems and rules and procedures that should be followed each and every time to prevent things like this from occurring. There is a little thing called training that should be implemented more consistently across all industries, especially those that serve the retail public.

Since I am sure that all travel consultants, advisers and agents are now dealing with answering the question - "is it safe to go on a cruise?" I thought I would just take a moment to share my response to that concern - my reply to the concern voiced from a client recently booked on an Alaska cruise for this coming spring. It seems some of the group is seriously rethinking whether to go now - here was my reply

"I can see why that would give someone pause, but like anything else, danger is all around.
By and large it is an exceedingly safe industry.
I could probably find some stats to rattle off, but why bother. To the unlucky person that does get struck by lightening on the golf course, there is little consolation that the odds are against it.
To me a small amount of risk in return for seeing and experiencing is worth it. That said, you won't find me jumping out of a perfectly good airplane even if I am jumping tandem with the world's best skydiver - no way baby!!
Cruise, pretty safe all in all."

What do I know? Not much I suppose, in the big scheme of things - but I do know that I will not let the stupidity and cowardice of one individual keep me from experiencing as much of the world as possible. I mean, I saw the Poseidon Adventure (the original) and Titanic (DiCaprio version) and did not let that dissuade me from a cruise vacation - I saw Jaws (skipped the remakes) and still get in the ocean - I saw Airport (what an excellent disaster movie) and still fly.....

Life is short and there is much to see - and a cruise ship is a great way to see a good part of the world, so here's to the next great adventure-

Lastly, we would like to express our sincere condolences to those who lost a loved one, and those that experienced this horrible event firsthand yet survived.

 

How a Travel Agent Can Decrease Your Jail Time

Owner of South Bend Chocolate Company Jailed 2 Nights

This is a story about why it would have been good to have a friend....in the travel business

I awoke this morning to a news story that I found curious.

The story.....a very successful entrepreneur, owner of the South Bend Chocolate Company, spent a couple of nights in jail as a result of trying to get a gun through security at a Chicago airport -  see more at this link

How did the high profile owner of a very successful small business spend 2 nights in jail? Apparently he grabbed the wrong bag (the one with the gun in it) while dashing off to the airport and then inadvertently attempted to get it through security but TSA caught it. It can happen....

Here's the thing- supposedly he repeatedly tried to call his business to find someone to bail him out. The employees repeatedly hung up when they heard the call was coming from the Cook County jail. There are many questions that come to mind, like didn't he have anyone else to call? Perhaps all of his family and friends were out of touch.

While I don't know for sure, I have a strong feeling that he did not use a travel agent because I bet the travel agent that he used would have answered the phone!

As a travel agency owner I cannot say that I can keep you out of jail, but I am pretty darn certain that had this business owner planned his trip with EZTravelPad he would have gotten out of jail much quicker!

 

Good Breakfast at Great Location in Cancun - Watching dolphins play

Breakfast at the Dolphin Aquarium in Cancun

 

 

 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...)

Santa, Elvis & Michael Jackson - what do they have in common?

It's Christmas Time - so where is Elvis and Michael?

This Christmas I see Santa impersonators everywhere. They are in stores, on TV, in the parade and more. There once was a time, not so long ago, that the most popular impersonator was the Santa. Then something wonderful happened - Elvis.

Hmmm.... Elves - Elvis a connection?

Elvis gave us so much, perhaps not as much as Santa, but hey- Santa never sang Blue Christmas now did he? Elvis was to be short-lived though - he died far too young and left us with only memories - and impersonators. All manner of Elvi (is that the plural of Elvis?) now roam the countryside in search of cheap gigs. Some are good, most are not - but given that Elvis works 24/7/365 and Santa really only works from Thanksgiving to Christmas, my unscientific analysis indicates that there are now more Elvis than Santa impersonators so Elvis is now number 1

But for how long? As Yoda once said - "there is another" - Yes Santa fans, I now predict that within the next decade or two, Santa will have fallen to number 3 behind Elvis and.....Michael Jackson.

If my recent trips to the Cancun and the Riviera Maya resort areas are any indication there will one day soon be more Michael Jackson impersonators than Santa - and perhaps even more than Elvis (although given the obesity epidemic it is far easier to go the Elvis route).

See the show at Fiesta Americana

  

Michael is Everywhere

There are today, as we speak, legions - well, maybe not legions, but groups - definitely groups - of Michael Jackson troupes practicing right now for the show tonight - and tomorrow night, and next month. They are rehearsing for the gig at the resort, at the arena, at the bar, and yes - for the Cirque du Soleil show. See this link - think that will be awesome or what?

Maybe the whole process will occur within the next year - perhaps this is what the Mayans foresaw - Michael Jackson performances throughout Mexican resorts and the end of the world....Hmmm.....

Newlywed Christmas Gift idea - A Presentation Competition - LOVE This !!

A Most Memorable Christmas Gift To Each Other -

 

 

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!

Small Business Saturday - Travel Agency & St Jude - What's the Connection?

EZTravelPad Supports St Jude Children's Research Hospital thru 2011

It's Small Business Saturday. No matter what else you do today, if you make a purchase of any kind - gift, food, clothes, travel, you name it - I strongly encourage you to support a small business.

EZTravelpad is a travel agency - a sole proprietorship - a Hoosier company - a small business that needs your support, and I am going to give you a fantastic reason here in a moment. EZTravelPad offers all types of solutions for your travel needs from complimentary services regarding travel planning (plus a best price guarantee), to links for top suppliers offering everything from do-it-yourself booking to travel insurance to luggage and beyond.

By shopping these links below.... You will be supporting a small business- not just today, but everyday. You will also be doing much more - you will be supporting St Jude Children's Research Hospital. Here's how - and this may be hard to believe, but believe it. EZTravelPad will donate to St Jude 50% of all revenue earned thru online sales beginning on Small Business Saturday and lasting through the end of 2011.

Book travel direct at www.eztravelpad.com

Vacations at this link

Travel Insurance at this link

Luggage from eBags at this link

Restaurant Discount Gift Certificates at this link

Hotels at this link

Flights at this link

Vegas shows and more at this link

 

Give During the Holidays -

St Jude has been doing fantastic work for decades and they are supported almost entirely through donations. Patients pay nothing. See more info on the good work done at St Jude at this link

So starting on Small Business Saturday November 25, 2011 and everyday through the end of 2011 shop online with EZTravelPad and help both a small business and a great organization.

Not in the market for travel related products at the moment? No problem - do your part by sharing this post with all of your friends - Pay it Forward....and have a wonderful and warm Holiday Season

 

What are the Most Popular Honeymoon Destinations Today?

Is the most popular choice the right choice for YOU?

With so many choices for Honeymoons these days, how do you know what is the right choice for you?

is it about the perfect sunset photo shoot on the perfect beach?

 

Caribbean? - Hawaii? - Mexico? - Florida? - South Pacific? - Europe?

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-

1. Tropical - Romantic - Beach
2. Cruise
3. Close to home - a romantic Bed & Breakfast 2-8 hour drive from home
4. 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 achived 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.

 

A Quick Trip to St Lucia - Paradise in the Caribbean at Sandals Resorts

St Lucia is a Gorgeous Tropical Paradise Perfect for a Honeymoon or Destination Wedding at Sandals

I recently had an opportunity to take a quick trip to St Lucia visiting the 3 Sandals resorts on the island. An early morning flight on a charter out of Chicago took us to the jewel of the Caribbean. A stunningly beautiful tropical paradise fitting the praise bestowed upon it by Oprah Winfrey a few years back.

When you see photos of St Lucia, 9 times out of 10 you will be seen the high vocanic peaks of The Pitons - A World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, since I was on the island for less than 24 hours (and all of that time was spent visiting Sandals resorts on the other end of the island) I did not have a chance to get a good look at The Pitons, but rest assured that even if you don't (and YOU SHOULD), the drive from the airport to the resorts on the Northwest side of the island is still absolutely gorgeous along the winding roads moving vertically up and down mountains all along the route - about an hour long trip.

The Bachelor

A couple of years ago The Bachelor (another in a long line of mediocre reality shows in the US) was filmed in St Lucia at Jade Mountain - a resort that features 3 walled suites with the missing 4th wall being an open air unobstructed view of the Pitons. This was instrumental in St Lucia solidifying it's standing as THE #1 destination for Honeymoons and Destination Weddings for US couples interested in a tropical paradise in the Western Hemisphere. Although there are numerous resort choices, the clear leader is Sandals - a Jamaican born resort company catering to Honeymoons, Destination Weddings, and all manner of romantic escapes. Sandals offers 3 resorts on the island (Sandals Grande St Lucian, Regency La Toc, and Halcyon Beach), and the ability to Stay at 1 Play at 3.

Halcyon Beach

Sandals Halcyon Beach is the smallest and most tropically intimate of the 3 Sandals resorts on St Lucia. Lushly tropical with a nice beach and a laid back atmosphere. Restaurant choices are somewhat limited, but with 2 other Sandals in the neighborhood, great restaurant choices abound with a total of 21 restaurants between the 3 resorts.

Check out a brief video

  

So if a quiet, romantic escape to a tropical paradise is for you then as you can see, Halcyon Beach is a great choice.

If a lively atmosphere or more luxurious accommodations are more to your liking then Sandals Grande St Lucian or Sandals Regency La Toc are excellent options, and EZTravelPad will be discussing them in greater detail in other posts so stay tuned - and as always, when you are planning for a leisure vacation trip turn to EZTravelPad for best advice and best pricing!

 

So How is a Vacation in Mexico These Days?

Mexico Offers Great Value in Resort Vacations + Safety

Friendly staff at Fairmont Mayakoba in Riviera Maya

I just returned from the Cancun and Rivera Maya area of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. I know what you are thinking, how can I be writing this blog post with my head cut off, right? Well I am living proof that not every tourist to the resort areas of Cancun and the Mayan Riviera gets killed or kidnapped. In fact, I was traveling with a rather large group of travel agents and none of us even got so much as Montezuma's Revenge - (although I think one lady had a bit of a hangover one morning).

Poolside at Grand Velas in Riviera Maya

Contrary to popular myth, the tourist areas have been largely spared from the violence revolving around the Mexican drug cartel wars - and in particular, the Yucatan Peninsula and tourist areas of Cancun and the Mayan Riviera (the 100+Km stretch of gorgeous beaches south from Cancun) are a world away from trouble - unless trouble means another shot of tequila, then you got plenty of trouble there!

Seriously, it is a completely wonderful area for tourists with scores of excellent resorts that offer all manner of vacation fun.

wine lover? Dreams Riviera Cancun might be for you

 

• Looking for a 4 Diamond or 5 Star resort experience? There are plenty of choices.
• Interested in a budget all-inclusive? They've certainly got that covered.
• Looking for a perfect Honeymoon or Destination Wedding location? Great Choice!
• Want to experience the real Mexican culture at a boutique hotel in a quaint Mexican town? ok
• Seeking Adventures like Zip-lining, cave tubing, water skiing, para sailing? You sure can
• Want to dive in a world class reef - even dive with Whale Sharks? You can do that too!!
• Hunting for a great place for a family vacation - kids stay free at many family friendly resorts 
• Time to hit the links with some of your golfing friends? Fantastic courses!!

Americans Are Absent - But Other Nationalities Are Loving the Value

I have spent 12 nights in the area recently, during 2 separate trips, mostly revolved around visiting a wide variety of resorts so that I can better serve my client base. During one conversation with the manager of one of the Fiesta Americana resorts I learned that a few years ago Americans made up the largest majority of vacationers at the resort. Today US tourists are 5th as a group behind Brits, Brazilians, Japanese & Chinese - in no particular order....5th!!

As I sat in the spa one day during a treatment (gotta love the $1500 resort credits at Palace Resorts!) I had a conversation with a very intelligent gentleman from England. He had been to the area many times, and was well traveled in general. I asked him if the bad press was negatively deterring British from enjoying Mexico as a vacation spot and he related- absolutely not. His opinion was that it was strictly a US prejudice that is primarily fueling the hype...that the significant influx of Hispanic migration to the US in search of jobs over the past couple of decades has contributed to the perception of Mexico being unsafe for tourism....he makes a good point and may be on to something.

I don't claim to have all the answers -and there certainly is significant gang-on-gang violence in the country - WAY too much. Keep in mind though that it is far removed from the tourist areas that millions enjoy every year. There are literally dozens and dozens and dozens or resorts to choose from (so many that the help of a travel pro is quite helpful - wink wink), and the trouble you hear about on the evening news is generally 1000 miles away - or more.

Danger is everywhere in this world, and I'm not going to quit swimming in the ocean because there are sharks in there - I'm not going to forgo a trip to California because of gang violence in Compton - nor will I move from the Midwest because a tornado could hit - be smart, choose wisely, but don't dismiss Mexico as a great destination for a fantastic destination!!

And when you are ready to thin kabout it - give EZTravelPad a shout - we're here to help...