Click here for a slideshow of Beaches Boscobel

A few years ago I enjoyed a 3 night stay at Beaches Boscobel, on the northeast coast of Jamaica. During the drive to the resort, I kept wondering where is the town of Boscobel?! Well, apparently I wasn’t the only one!! The decision was made to rename Beaches Boscobel. The new name best describes the location of the resort: Beaches Ocho Rios Resort and Golf Club. Same resort, new name!!

Back in 2005, when I stayed at the resort, it was ok, it didn’t knock my socks off! In December of 2011, I had the pleasure of visiting Beaches Ocho Rios again! What a difference a few years (and many $$$) make!!

Rooms have been completely refurbished and updated! Many of the rooms accommodate 5 people, which is a huge plus for those families with 3 children! All rooms are outfitted with top of the line plasma televisions and in-room refrigerator stocked (and re-stocked daily) with juices, water and soda. Concierge level rooms include wine, beer and liquor as well.

Kids (and adults) love the X Box Game Garage with all the video games……..and no quarters needed! It’s included!

One of the best additions to Beaches Ocho Rios is the Pirates Island Water Park! There are actually 11 water slides available for all ages, six of them for small children. For the older kids (and adults) there is a tube slide, a body slide and a speed slide! The littlest guests will love the kid’s zone and zero entry kiddie pools with a misting crab a squirting sea turtle and a splashing seahorse!

Another great addition is Liquid at Beaches, a cool place for tweens and teens to visit when the sun goes down! And the best part—no parents allowed between 10pm and 11pm!

Kids’ Kamp, for kids from 0-17 years old, is manned from 9am-9pm daily to ensure that every child who visits Beaches has a fun-filled and memorable vacation. And, since the kids are happy, mom and dad are happy too!! Children are divided into age specific groups so that they can participate in age appropriate activities. I almost forgot to mention Elmo and friends in the Sesame Street Caribbean Adventure…..lots of fun and games.

Of course, watersports are a big part of Beaches Ocho Rios. It’s all included! Kayaks, sailing, snorkeling, windsurfing, banana boats, paddle boats, aqua-trikes and a glass bottom boat are available to everyone. If you don’t know how to sail or kayak or windsurf, don’t worry. The Watersports Staff is more than happy to help you master any of the equipment.

Scuba diving is also included for those that are certified. All of your equipment is included. If you are not certified but want to learn, PADI Discover SCUBA course if offered at a minimal fee.

Land sports are also available: Basketball, shuffle board, pool, table tennis, and tennis are all included. And Golf! Sandals Golf and Country Club is a challenging 18 hole, par 71 course. A free one hour golf clinic is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Transportation to and from the golf course, and green fees are included.

Activities are presented by the Playmakers at Beaches. They will keep everyone busy and provide entertainment in the evening. The Playmakers love to involve everyone in the fun, so be prepared to have a great time!!

There are plenty of off-resort activities, too. These do have an additional fee but if you are dying to swim with dolphins, or ride horseback through the surf, or maybe zip line, Island Routes at Beaches Ocho Rios can fix you right up!!

If Beaches Boscobel Resort and Golf Club or one of the other Beaches Resorts sound like the ideal family vacation, BFF get-a-way, family reunion, please contact one of our Certified Beaches Agents or book online.

Click for slide show

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!

Click for slideshow

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.

Click here for more photos of my recent St. Lucia trip!

The island of St. Lucia is not only one of the most romantic and exotic islands in the Caribbean, but the island is full of sites and activities to see and do. Many clients I work with want some beach time, but worry about becoming restless and want things to do “off resort”. St. Lucia is a great destination for those who want it all – beach AND interesting excursions.

The most popular attraction on St. Lucia is the famous Pitons which just cannot be ignored even if you try. These volcanic plugs rise up above the rest of landscape in dramatic fashion. The Pitons are located on the southeast end of the island where upscale resorts like Ladera, Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet are located. There is even a local beer named after them. You can actually hike up the Pitons, but you must arrange this with a reputable tour or excursion company as guides are required. Gros Piton is the easier of the two to climb and most people take approx. 2 ½ hours to make it to the top.

Other activities available for adventurous folks are, zip lines, ATV’s, scenic trail hikes through the island’s rainforest and horseback riding. Another popular excursion on the island that I really liked, was one that included some snorkeling, a visit to the Drive In Volcano, sulphur springs, waterfalls and finished off with a nice authentic creole lunch served up in the hillside above the capital of Soufriere. You can book most of these tours through Island Routes.

On the Northern end of the island where a large majority of the resorts are located such as the three Sandals “Couples Only” Resorts,  you have town of Castries. The Gros Islet Street Party on Friday nights can be a lot of fun with music, lots of food like kebabs and fresh fish and of course vendors with local wares. Another interesting site to see is Fort Rodney. If you are staying at Sandals Grande St. Lucian, the park is right next door. It’s only $5 USD to enter the park and the short hike up to the point features historic cannons, as well as AMAZING VIEWS.

We have three St. Lucia Specialists in our office and we are happy to help you with accommodations and activities. Just give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 or you can email me at patty@totemtravel.com.

Click for slide show

Having stayed at more than 30 adult only all inclusive resorts including Secrets, Couples, Sandals, Iberostar Grande, El Dorado and more, I am frequently asked which is the best all inclusive resort.  All of these resort groups are quality brand name chains.  All have multiple locations in the Caribbean and Mexico with newer and older resorts, bigger and smaller hotels, simpler and more luxurious settings.  All have special features that may be on your wish list and all offer a range of room categories and price points with varying amenities and services.

So what if your destination is flexible and money is no object?   Which is the best adult only all inclusive resort?  I still don’t have a quick answer because it’s like naming a favorite restaurant.  My favorites are Italian, Mexican and Thai but you may be a steak or sushi person and choosing the best is difficult because they are totally different. That said, there are some broad generalizations I am willing to make about adult only all inclusive resorts  –

• El Dorado, Secrets and Iberostar Grande are best for single adults, adults traveling with friends,  multi-generational families with adult children and couples that find PDA’s a bit much.
• Sandals Resorts are best for a romantic getaway, honeymoon or destination wedding with a couples only format and large selection of islands, resort locations, room styles and prices.
• Sandals Resorts include the widest range of motorized and non motorized watersports, land sports, resort activities and evening entertainment.
• Couples Resorts include more off resort tours.
• Iberostar Grand has more organized group activities and a higher rate of participation.
• Iberostar Grand has the most opulent lobbies and grounds and their pools compete with Sandals’ fantasy pools for best in class.
• All of these resorts are beachfront but not all beaches are created equal, so again, it’s important to be specific.  Each of the chains has resorts with great and not so great beaches.
• All of the resorts have specialty international restaurants and a high standard of food quality and presentation and all but Secrets offer dining options with and without reservations.
• In bars and lounges all of these resorts include alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages with top shelf brands available.  All include house wines and beer with bottles of wine available for purchase.
• Iberostar Grand has the most luxurious entry level rooms with shared butler service, jetted soaking tubs and more.
• Rooms at Secrets are contemporary in styling and we love the “Secret box” for do not disturb room service delivery.
• Rooms and suites at Sandals Resorts are  more traditional in decor and range from standard hotel rooms to beachfront villas and “to die for” millionaire suites with private pool and butler
• Rooms at Couples Resorts can be minimalistic although we love the plantation suites at Couples Swept Away and every room has what you need to be comfortable.
• Room service and in room bars vary widely within chains and even room categories. Only Sandals includes full size bottles of liquor, wine and champagne plus beer, soft drinks, mixers, fruit juice and water in concierge rooms and butler suites. Standard rooms include soft drinks, water and juice. Couples allows you to personalize a minibar with a selection of liquor, wine and beer but quantities are restricted and champagne is not an option. Secrets includes beer, soft drinks and water in every room and Preferred Club rooms add alcohol but no wine or champagne. Iberostar Grand offers a selection of wine and liquor in airplane sized bottles plus beer, soft drinks and water.

Hopefully this gives you a starting point to find the best all inclusive resort for your tropical honeymoon or adult only vacation. For more detail, please read our individual resort reviews of Secrets, Couples, El Dorado and Sandals Resorts. Then call or email if you’d like help choosing the best resort for you and we’ll talk about your wish list and priorities.  I’ve been to all the popular destinations and stayed at almost all the resorts and can help you find the perfect spot!