Click for slide show

I recently returned from Couples Negril and Couples Swept Away in the Negril Area of Jamaica and as a Preferred Sandals Specialist I’m used to being asked how to choose the best Sandals Resort. But lately I’ve also been asked about choosing the best Couples Resort, so here are my thoughts on choosing the best Couples Resort in Jamaica.

Both Couples Negril and Swept Away are very nice, clean, on good beaches and they both have excellent food quality especially for the price. If you are looking for a smaller more compact resort, then Couples Negril might be a better choice for you. While both resorts are very casual, Couples Negril is slightly more so and with only 234 rooms compared to 312 at Couples Swept Away, the overall feel to the resort is more cozy and compact. I stayed in the entry level room at Couples Negril and it was clean, very simple and the bathroom had been renovated so I would consider it a great deal if you are okay with a basic room. These rooms do tend to be noisier because they sit closest to the road, but again if your budget is tight or you want to stretch your budget and get more time in Jamaica, then this resort is a excellent choice. Lychee Restaurant was fabulous!

If you want to be on the 7 mile stretch of beach in Negril and want a more active atmosphere, then Couples Swept Away  might be a better choice. Couples Swept Away has more luxurious rooms like the Great House Beachfront Suites or Premium Beachfront Suites which are located throughout the maze of two and three story buildings throughout the property. Again, this resort is more spread out both in buildings that house the accommodations and the sports complex which is located across the street. If you are interested in fitness, tennis, squash etc., then for most people Couples Swept Away is a better choice, although Couples Negril has tennis courts as well and they are very nice.

Some key questions when considering either Couples Swept Away or Couples Negril are: what is your target budget (usually Couples Swept Away id more costly), what sort of atmosphere is most important, and what are expectations with regards to your accommodations? We can help find the best Couples Resort that fulfills your wish list. And we can also help with activities to do in the Negril Area.

If you are looking at Couples Resort thinking you want even more luxury in your accommodations, pools, restaurants etc, then perhaps a resort like Sandals Whitehouse  which sits on a beautiful white sand private beach would meet all your expectations and dreams.

We visit and stay up to date on all these resorts and we are happy to steer you in the right directions based on your individual desires and wish list, so please surf our site or give Patty, Linda or Sandi a call @ 1-800-321-7907. We all specialize in all inclusive resorts for adults and families as well as tropical island resorts in Fiji and Tahiti and are always happy to help!

Click for slide show

If you are looking for privacy, something unique and ultra romantic The Caves Resort in Jamaica may be for you. Located only minutes from Negril, The Caves Resort is small, totally private and exudes romance and one of a kind charm. The resort hasn’t been featured on The Bachelor or The Bachelorette Show…..YET!  And if you didn’t know you were in Jamaica, you might think you are on a Greek Island or remote island resort in Fiji.

I consider The Caves to be a hidden gem in the Caribbean although it has been featured on The Travel Channel and won all sorts of awards. The property is perched on two acres overlooking the stunning Caribbean Sea. Coral stairways wind down to sundecks, grottos and eventually the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Each room at this resort is different from each other and they all have charming names like Two Drop Cottage, Moon Shadow and Macka Tree. There are only 10 handcrafted cottages on property so you have to book this property early in order to find space. From time to time, they offer specials like stay 5/ pay 4.

The resort is all inclusive and your accommodations, meals, drinks and non-motorized water sports are included. In addition to the unique accommodations, The Caves is the only resort in the Caribbean where you can have a private candlelit dinner in a romantic cave setting. Again, something right out of The Bachelor!

The Caves is a great choice if you are looking to unwind and not be bothered by a crowd of guests all fighting for beach or pool chairs. You will find your own private sundeck or perch where you can relax in privacy while being pampered by the resort’s personalized service. You won’t want to leave!

If you want some social beach time as part of your trip, The Caves makes an excellent combination with either Sandals Negril  or Couples Swept Away which are both all inclusive “couples only” resorts in the area that include all your water activities like scuba and snorkeling. Many clients like to start out at either Sandals or Couples which are only 15 minutes away and then transfer over to The Caves for their remaining nights.

So if you are planning that special anniversary trip, honeymoon or long overdue vacation that you have put on the backburner for years, The Caves is a resort to consider. Of course we have other favorite resorts throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaiian islands and South Pacific. So give us a call, email or request a quote. We believe in personalized service at no extra cost and are always happy to help.

Happy travels! Linda, Sandi & Patty

Click for slideshow

Many of our honeymoon clients want to island hop between islands in the Caribbean which isn’t always as logistically and financially easy as it seems. One nice and easy combination is Anguilla and Antigua. Anguilla has unbelievable white sand beaches and has some very luxurious and romantic resorts like Cap Juluca. Cap Juluca is where I sent one couple looking to start their honeymoon off with that “picture postcard” idyllic beach destination. You can either fly into St. Maarten and ferry over to Anguilla or fly straight into AXA.

Then after staying a few nights on the gorgeous island of Anguilla, you can just grab a hopper flight on LIAT to Antigua from Anguilla and then return to the U.S. from Antigua. This particular couple wanted to spend the last nine nights of their honeymoon in a more social all inclusive couples only atmosphere so they picked Sandals Grande Antigua. On Antigua you have lots of “off resort” activities and sites to see like the historical Nelson’s Dockyard and English Harbour which you can see if you take our favorite tour on Antigua that takes you completely around the island by boat with stops for swimming with rays, snorkeling and more. It is a perfect way to cap off a special anniversary or tropical honeymoon vacation.

Here is a quick look at my client’s feedback on both Cap Juluca and Sandals Grande Antigua:

Thank you, our wedding day was absolutely perfect! And our honeymoon was truly amazing…thank you so very much for all of your help!!

We loved both resorts, but Cap Juluca was definitely our favorite. The beach there was just unreal. I have never seen such crystal clear and calm water and white sand for such a far stretch of beach. It was breathtaking. We were updated to a second-story luxury room (I’m sure thanks to you!) and it was truly amazing. I went to sleep to the sound of the ocean and woke up to bright blue water outside my window/private patio. We ended up renting a car while we were in Anguilla and enjoyed exploring the tiny, beautiful island it is. We are in love – Cap Juluca is now our “special place” – the island is almost like a secret…it’s so gorgeous and not crowded. The only downside was that we couldn’t really eat for under $100, so we felt like we couldn’t order as many drinks as we wanted, since it was expensive.

Sandals Grande Antigua was fun because while we got to rest and relax on quiet Anguilla, we got to have a little more fun on Antigua. We met more couples and had fun eating and drinking way too much since it was all included! While the beach was beautiful as well, it didn’t compare to Cap Juluca.

Thanks again for your advice, work, and help, Patty. Our honeymoon was perfect! Lisa & Ben

Another solid island combination for couples seeking both a romantic and quiet ambiance, combined with an active tropical experience are the islands of St. Lucia and Grenada. Both have “Couples Only” All Inclusive Resorts which include all your water activities and provide a romantic, yet social setting. The beautiful island of St Lucia offers three Sandals Resorts where you have lots of fun active activities like ziplines, ATV, hiking, waterfalls etc. and in December Sandals will be opening a new resort called La Source on the peaceful and tranquil island of Grenada. So if the idea of a quiet peaceful setting for a few days paired with a more active experience is the combination you are looking for, give us a call and we can work through a few island combinations that fit nicely together and meet your expectations.

We have three Caribbean Specialists in the office and all three of us are also Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club Agents. We visit the islands and the resorts every year to keep updated and do not charge any extra fees for our services. You can view some of our packages on our website www.totemtravel.com , but please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-321-7907. We are happy to help!

Click here for a slideshow of Couples Tower Isle in Jamaica

Couples Tower Isle is a popular choice for couples looking for an All Inclusive getaway at an affordable price. The resort is a Traveller’s Choice Award Winner for 2012 and is one of four Couples Resorts  in Jamaica.

If you are looking for a no frills “couples only” all inclusive with good food quality, more than two dining choices and are willing to give up the luxuries like a Jacuzzi tub in your room, butler service etc., then this resort might be for you. The main difference I noticed between the rooms at Couples Tower Isle and a resort like a Sandals Resort, is you have fewer room categories at Couples and each room is decorated in a more basic chic/modern way in terms of furnishings. The walls have less artwork and there is a minimal amount of furniture etc., so the rooms are just more simple versus the traditional dark wood furniture you find at Sandals Resorts. You won’t find any four posted king size beds at Couples, but this becomes a “taste” issue and it is nice to have this more modern style as an option because some people might find it more appealing.

The other nice thing about Couples Tower Isle is the resort’s location in the Ocho Rios area. Most couples who choose Jamaica for their honeymoon or vacation travel do so because they want both beach time and a destination with lots of activities to do off the resort. Couples Tower Isle’s beach is smaller, but still very nice and you are only 10-20 minutes from a good portion of the most popular activities in Jamaica. Couples Tower Isle even includes many of these fun things to do such as, Dunns River Falls Tour, glass bottom boat tour, shopping excursion to Ocho Rios etc. Activities are scheduled each day of the week. If you want a resort with a long and gorgeous beach, you are far better off picking Couples Swept Away or Couples Negril which are both in the Negril area where it is all about the beach.

As far as dining options at Couples Tower Isle, you have several nice choices and the food is excellent. While there are no a la carte dining choices for breakfast, you have several nice options for dining in the evening. Eight Rivers, Bayside, The Patio and The Verandah are all good. Eight Rivers is the most formal and requires reservations as well as Bayside.

Another unique feature that Couples Tower Isle has is their private island which is for Au Naturel sunbathing. No gawkers allowed, as everyone who steps foot on the island must be au naturel. So if you are looking for this type of experience, Tower Isle is a great choice and one of a kind.

We always get calls asking which is the best Couples Resort? Which is the best Sandals Resort? Or which is better Secrets, Couples or Sandals and the answer is always, “that depends on what you are looking for” as they each have their unique qualities and there is always one resort that suits each couple best. We can help you find the best resort fits you as a couple and your special trip. Just give us a call at 1-800-321-7907. We know the resorts well and are happy to helpJ