A Free Wedding in Paradise is Possible...Find Out How
Everyone knows that Sandals Resorts are the top pick for Honeymoons and Destination Weddings throughout the Caribbean - here's another reason why.... FREE WEDDINGS!!
A Destination Wedding is certainly not for everyone, but it is definitely a great choice for a growing number of people, and why not? Think of it like this-
Toes in the sand
Gorgeous scenery
Casual
Easy
Affordable
So how is it possible that all this is free? - Good question...and good DEAL!
It really is a bonus... when you book 6 nights in any room category at any Sandals resort you are entitled to not only the free Beautiful Beginnings wedding package but also an additional $500 in credits to enhance the experience
Use credits (some restrictions apply) for things such as
Room upgrade
Honeymoon Highlights video
Beach cabana
Catamaran cruise
& more
If you are going to have a Honeymoon in the Caribbean consider combining it into a Destination Wedding with friends and family - see more about all of the possibilities at this link
**Sandals Resorts are reserved exclusively for adultc ouples - but if your wedding will include children or singles then the family-friendly Beaches Resorts are another great option...location possibilities include-
Jamaica
Bahamas
St Lucia
Turks & Caicos
Grenada
Antigua
Barbados
Whichever option is the best fit for you, rest assured that "your friends....in the travel business" at EZTravelPad are here to help make your occasion as excellent as possible and save you some money along the way
Multi-generational travel
is one of the most popular trends in the travel industry today.
With so many families being spread out all across the country living from coast
to coast and even beyond, it is tougher than ever for families to get together
to spend time, bond and reacquaint with each other.
That is why vacationing
together has become such a popular trend these days.
One of the hottest trends is taking an all-inclusive trip to a family friendly resort
in the Caribbean or Mexico.
Resort brands such as Beaches,
Azul or Club Med focus primarily on quality family experiences and offer
excellent activities and entertainment for family members of all ages.
At Beaches resorts the quality and breadth of inclusions is unmatched. Beaches
Resorts are located in Jamaica or Turks and Caicos. Resorts feature multiple
fine dining options yet still offer casual options for those who are so
inclined. Water Parks and plenty of water sport activities such as snorkeling,
scuba, windsurfing, sailing, paddleboarding, and more are all included in the
price. On land there are even more activities ranging from lawn chess to golf and
virtually everything in between – all included!
Sesame Street characters
participate in activities throughout the day and into the evening. There is
even an opportunity for the little ones to be tucked in and read a bedtime
story by Elmo himself.
Club Med resorts are located globally in continents as diverse as North America,
Asia, Africa, South America and Europe. Club Med offers the only all-inclusive
resort in the United States. The Sandpiper Bay resort in Florida features
tennis lessons, golf lessons, baby gym, arts studio, talent shows, hockey, zumba
and even circus lessons - all for the very young.
Club Med even offers All-inclusive ski vacations in the Alps -
Azul
resorts along the Riviera Maya area of Mexico are yet another all-inclusive
option for families to experience excellent gourmet dining choices. Azul Hotels redefine
family vacations featuring family-oriented suites, kid’s clubs, infant
equipment, child toys, and free family reunion coordination.
Nightly
entertainment, mojito tastings, a la carte dining and innovative 12-course
meals top off the Gourmet Inclusive® philosophy. Rooftop barbecues, s’mores
parties on the beach, and 24-hour room service expand on restaurant dining.
The wonderful aspect of all-inclusive resorts is that they offer something for
everyone and everything is included at one set price and often tipping is forbidden.
I cannot think of a
better way for a geographically diverse busy family to reconnect and enjoy each
other’s company in a beautiful and safe environment where preparing one's own
meals and cleaning up the dishes afterward is a distant memory.
At most resorts there are options for multi-room suites where a large family
can share a suite with 3 or 4 bedrooms and a common living area.
The easiest and most affordable way to accomplish a multi-generational family
vacation is to work with your local travel consultant who is well prepared to
help put everything together in a manner that will please everyone from the
youngest to the oldest.
Ricky Martin Concert Dec 28, 2013 at Palace Resorts
They're at it again- book now and receive 2 free tickets to see Ricky Martin at Moon Palace December 28
PALACE RESORTS ANNOUNCES GRAMMY AWARD WINNER RICKY MARTIN
TO PERFORM AT MOON PALACE GOLF & SPA RESORT ON DECEMBER 28
Cancun’s premier entertainment destination to close out 2013 in style
MIAMI, Fla. – (July 2013) -- Palace Resorts - the
company that sets the standard in five-star, all-inclusive resort
accommodations – proudly announces Grammy-Award winning singer and
entertainer, Ricky Martin to appear in concert at the Moon Palace Golf
& Spa Resort on Saturday, December 28, 2013. The leader in
“awe-inclusive” vacation experiences and world-class entertainment,
Palace Resorts will welcome international superstar Ricky Martin for his
first concert in either the U.S or Mexico in two years. Palace Resorts
is offering guests who book a stay of five nights or more two
complimentary tickets to the performance as part of the all-inclusive
concept
Resorts participating are limited - and transportation from those resorts is even included
Ready to do something special for your spouse? Is it time to plan a very special anniversary celebration? Thinking about relighting the fire in your relationship?
Vow Renewal ceremonies are a very popular trend at Caribbean destinations. Perhaps you really wanted that beach wedding several years ago, but family pressures or logistics prevented it from happening....so why not do it now? You can get away with just your spouse - or you can include yourselves and a few close friends - or the whole family & all of your friends can join in the celebration.
Many resorts throughout the Caribbean and Mexico are getting in on the trend and offering some excellent packages with everything already thought through and professionally prepared - and often the complete ceremony is even FREE!
Beautiful Beachfront Location
Officiant
Flowers
Music
Cake
Reception
and much more...
Sandals Resorts offers a complete package much like a Destination Wedding ceremony - see complete details at this link
For more info, ideas and complete details on how to celebrate your marriage in style...no matter how long since your last ceremony....contact EZTravelPad Today!
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?
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
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
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
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.
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!!
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.
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"
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