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I’ve been a huge fan of Iberostar Resorts for years and it’s one of my favorite all inclusive resort groups for families.  But the adult only brand definitely deserves its place in the sun (pun intended) so it’s time to review the gorgeous Iberostar Grand Bavaro Resort in Punta Cana!

Start with a spectacular entrance lobby and multi acre lagoon complete with fountains, waterfalls and pink flamingos.  Add miles of white sand beach and warm turquoise water.  Throw in a beautiful and expansive pool area with shaded beach beds, sunken chaise lounges and swim up bar.  Blend in luxurious guest rooms with butler service, comfy king or double beds, jetted soaking tubs, walk in rain showers, generous furnished balconies and stocked minibars.  Then top with great food, friendly service and tons of activities and you’ve got the recipe for an indulgent but active all inclusive vacation for adults.

There are 6 restaurants and 5 bars at the adult only Iberostar Grand Bavaro and guests also have the option of dining at family friendly restaurants at all adjoining Iberostar Resorts including Iberostar Bavaro and Iberostar Punta Cana.  At the adult only Grand Bavaro, restaurant choices range from French to  Asian, Italian, Surf and turf, Dominican and seafood with furnishings and decor to match.  The quality and presentation is excellent by all inclusive standards but you should plan to dine early, late or at the buffet your first night as reservations are required at all ala carte restaurants and cannot be made prior to arrival.   24 hour room service is also available and included.

The Iberostar Resorts are known for a wide selection of organized and independent activities so during the day you’ll find guests playing beach or water volleyball, shooting hoops in the pool, trying their hand at boce ball or ping pong, practicing yoga with an instructor, sailing, kayaking or taking a salsa class. Indoors you’ll find a huge state of the art air conditioned exercise facility, a billiards room, shops and theater where evening shows are staged nightly.

As they say a picture is worth a thousand words so enjoy the slide show (the beach is unbelievable!) and start planning your next all inclusive vacation.  The Dominican Republic offers tropical temperatures year round and many U.S. gateways offer affordable non stop flights.  So please call or email if I can help you experience this wonderful resort and the adult vacation or all inclusive honeymoon of your dreams!

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On a recent Jamaica vacation I stayed at several adult only all inclusive resorts and had a great time at Secrets Wild Orchid and St James Club.  Having come from a few days at the newly renovated Sandals Grande Riviera and Sandals Royal Plantation I was struck again by the differences in resort styles and inclusions. But overall I give Secrets Wild Orchid very high marks and gladly recommend it for a fun filled, high quality, all inclusive vacation.

Secrets is adult only, not couples only, so this resort is a winner for singles, small groups of friends, families with adult children and romantic honeymoon couples.  Tables for 2, 4 and 10 are easy to find at Secrets Wild Orchid and there are as many middle age guests as there are 20 somethings. The ambiance is equally diverse with a mellow beach scene, multiple pool areas, lively oceanfront promenade, casino, shopping area and more.

The beach has soft golden sand, easy access into relatively calm water and numerous chaise lounges and palapas for shade.  A wide variety of watersports are offered although most at an extra cost.

• Snorkel mask and fins are free but a trip to the reef is $35 for one hour
• Kayaks and hobicat sailboats are complimentary but Secrets recommends a guide or lesson for $20 because reefs “are tricky” and to reinforce the message, the resort charges $30 for a rescue plus damages.
• Waterskiing is $65 for 30 minutes
• Wakeboarding and tubing $150 an hour
• Parasailing $65 for 10 minutes
• Banana boat $25 for 15 minutes

Important tip – If you are a watersports buff, traveling as a couple and plan to be active on your vacation, you should seriously consider one of the Sandals Resorts where most of these activities including waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing, scuba diving, snorkel trips and more are complimentary.

Secrets Wild Orchid has 4 lovely large pool areas each with its own vibe and swim up bar but I was a bit disappointed to find all pools close at 6p… after all the sun was still shining and it was 80 degrees outside!  The pool area at St James is livelier and that section of the beach houses watersports and organized activities so is busier than at Wild Orchid.  Both beach areas are open to all guests although there is a private section reserved for Preferred Club members.

There are 8 restaurants plus a coffee shop and beach grill offering a wide variety of cuisines and quality ala carte dining experiences.  All but one restaurant is located in the Wild Orchid section and most are mingled with bars and entertainment areas along a pedestrian only boulevard.  This creates the feeling of a trendy upscale neighborhood at night just perfect for a pre-dinner drink and stroll.  No reservations are required or accepted so when you find a menu that appeals, simply ask for a table and enjoy!  A few restaurants had a short wait at peak dining times but nothing bothersome.  Long pants are required at some restaurants and a number of guests in shorts were turned away, so resort management is serious about enforcing standards.

Rooms at Secrets Wild Orchid are comfortable and spacious with a sitting area, furnished balcony, walk in shower and jetted tub. Every room has a minibar with soft drinks and beer while Preferred Club rooms add a selection of hard liquor.  Wine and champagne are not included in your room bar setup but can be ordered by the glass through room service.

The St James layout and decor made guestrooms appear smaller than at Wild Orchid but management assured me the square footage was identical. Secrets Wild Orchid Preferred Club rooms have the best sunset views and WIFI is free to Preferred Club guests only.

Secrets Wild Orchid and St James Club is close to Montego Bay so convenient to the airport, shopping, clubs and restaurants with only the view and none of the noise of arriving airplanes. Prepaid airport transfers are recommended and a good value with taxis running around $80 roundtrip.

Feel free to call or email if you wish help planning an adult only vacation and would like to consider this resort.  We have three honeymoon and all inclusive resort specialists on staff and can help you choose the perfect spot!

Click here for a slideshow of the Zoetry in Punta Cana

I’m always on the lookout for boutique resorts and all inclusives offering a romantic vacation or honeymoon. So when I discovered Zoetry Agua in Punta Cana I was excited about the combination of luxurious accommodations, outstanding service and gourmet dining. And with its powdery sand beach, beautiful pool and lush tropical gardens Zoetry offers an exotic getaway, reminiscent of the South Pacific islands, but only hours from home.

The Zoetry Agua experience is unusual, or should I say exceptional, from beginning to end. There are no set check in or check out times so your vacation starts when you arrive. It’s a small resort and buildings are only 1 or 2 stories high with thatched roofs you’d see in Tahiti and Bora Bora and vine covered elevated wooden walkways you’d find in Robinson Crusoe’s treehouse.

Everything at Zoetry is included and goes far beyond the typical all inclusive resort. You’ll find a basket of fruit in your room plus a bottle of champagne which will be replenished daily upon request, some excellent local rum, stocked minibar, free laundry service, room service, WIFI and other thoughtful amenities are all included at no extra cost.

Guest rooms are spacious and elegant with gleaming dark wood floors and Balinese inspired furnishings and décor. 2nd floor rooms have vaulted beamed ceilings and on the ground floor, you have a choice of garden, swim up or oceanfront rooms with private swimming pool. Beds are ultra comfy with high thread count sheets and the nightly turn down service includes a lightly scented pillow spray to set the mood for rest or romance.

Zoetry’s luxurious and frankly sexy bathrooms feature rock wrapped soaking tubs surrounded by scented candles, walk in rain showers, an array of Bvlgari bath products, fluffy towels and bathrobes, dual sinks with make up mirror and separate area for toilet and bidet. Every guest room also has an expansive furnished deck or patio with rock accented table suitable for private al fresco dining plus chaise lounge and chairs for reading or napping in the balmy breeze.

The swimming pool at Zoetry wanders like a river past swimup rooms, restaurants and gardens before spilling into a larger pool area with an infinity edge and lovely ocean view. Along it’s meandering path are numerous beach beds, baskets filled with towels and shaded living areas to enjoy a quiet conversation or book. The beach is a treat with its wide expanse of white sand, miles for walking or horseback riding (another special inclusion), palapas for shade and bar service that anticipated my “need” for a freshened drink before I’d finished my first.

Three restaurants offer casual meals and gourmet dining with an emphasis on healthy preparation and fresh ingredients. In addition there is a coffee shop with delicious pastries and desserts to tempt you from being too good. Again all included in the room rate.

Zoetry Agua is a quiet resort and most guests enjoy the opportunity to relax, unwind and recharge, but activities such as snorkeling, sailing, yoga and volleyball are available if the mood strikes. There is a spa pool with tranquil Zen garden, sauna, steam, bubble beds, Jacuzzi and waterfall treatments (all complimentary) and spa treatments such as massage and wraps at extra charge. Children are allowed but there is little reason for them to be there so the ambiance is perfect for an exotic tropical honeymoon or get away from it all adult vacation.

Throughout the year there are specials with free and reduced nights, so please call me at 425 821-3100, email linda@totemtravel.com or Request a Quote if you’re planning a Caribbean vacation.