Patty - Totem Travel

Sandals Royal Caribbean: The perfect wedding or honeymoon destination in Jamaica

By Patty | Published September 10, 2010 | Posted in Sandals Resorts

Click for Slideshow of Sandals Royal Caribbean

If you are looking for the perfect spot to have a destination wedding, romantic honeymoon or celebrate a special occasion, Sandals Royal Caribbean All-Inclusive Couples Only Resort in Jamaica is an excellent choice.

Sandals Royal Caribbean has a wedding office located onsite and every bride is assigned their own wedding consultant to guide and help them make their dream wedding come true. At Sandals Royal Caribbean, there are many beautiful wedding venues to choose from both on the grounds and by the beach, as well as on their private offshore island for an extra charge . Sandals Royal Caribbean offers a fabulous room category for those couples who are tying the knot or on their honeymoon. The Grande Romeo & Juliet Honeymoon Swim-Up or Penthouse Oceanview One Bedroom Crystal Lagoon Suites are amazing featuring expansive living rooms complete with 42″ plasma TV, bedroom with 37″ TV, fine mahogany furnishings, tiled floors, whirlpool bath and walk-in shower and a doorbell!!

If you are looking for the perfect Sandals Resort your honeymoon, Sandals Royal Caribbean is a great choice with beautiful scalloped beaches offering both tranquility or action depending on your desires, pools, good food at all seven restaurants, water activities like snorkeling, kayaking, sailing during the day, nightly shows and entertainment in the evening and off resort activities within one hour of the resort for those adventurous couples.

A typical day at Sandals Royal Caribbean might consist of relaxing by the pool before heading down to the beach to take a short sail, lunch on the beach followed by a quick snorkeling trip on one of Sandals glass bottom boats, then perhaps dinner at the Thai Restaurant on the private 2 ½ acre offshore island with the island lit up with beautiful glimmering lights. And on another day, you may want to take the free shuttle which runs every ½ hour to either Sandals Montego Bay Resort where you can water ski and go tubing before grabbing lunch or shuttle to Sandals Carlyle and take a short ten minute walk to Montego’s hip strip and get some shopping in. Guests at any of these three Sandals Resorts have access to all of them via the free shuttle service. Stay at one and play at all three!

Having just returned from this amazing resort, I can’t wait to return and hope you enjoy my slideshow. If you would like to know more about Sandals Royal Caribbean or would like help planning your destination wedding or honeymoon, please give us a call at 1-800-321-7907. As a Preferred Sandals Agency, we have been to all of them and are happy to help!

Where to Honeymoon in the Winter Months of December, January and February.

By Patty | Published August 20, 2010 | Posted in Costa Rica & Belize

Click for Slideshow of Hamanasi Resort

If you are asking yourself where would be the perfect location to honeymoon or vacation in the winter months of December, January and February, take a look at Belize in Central America. In our coldest winter months, Belize offers warm sunny weather, white sand beaches, romantic accommodations and interesting cultural activities. So if you’re wanting to escape the winter weather and enjoy a romantic tropical honeymoon or active eco vacation, Belize has it all!

Belize’s climate is perfect in January and February with highs in the 80’s, loads of sunshine and minimal rainfall. You’ll find luxurious beachfront resorts ideal for a romantic couple, exotic jungle lodges and a huge variety of fun land and water activities. You can explore ancient archaeological sites of Mayan temples, the second largest barrier reef in the world, living coral gardens, tropical rain-forests alive with hundreds of species of birds, plants and animals, as well as beautiful sun-drenched beaches.

From the island of Ambergris Caye to the coastline in Southern Belize, there are many great resort choices for a December, January or February honeymoon. One of our favorite resorts in Belize is Hamanasi Resort where you have access to water activities like snorkeling, diving and river rafting as well as land activities such as caving, hiking in the rainforest or a visit to Mayan ruins.

Another fabulous resort for a tropical vacation or honeymoon would be Ramon’s Village on Ambergris Caye. This island is only 25 miles long and is home to the charming town of San Pedro. This is the destination for you if you want to be on the beach and want to spend your days snorkeling and diving.

If you are planning on honeymooning in December, January or February and would like tropical warm weather, white sand beaches and adventurous activities, Belize has got it all! Send us an email or give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 to help plan your Belize honeymoon this coming winter.

Five reasons why Beaches Resorts have the best kids clubs

By Patty | Published March 17, 2010 | Posted in Caribbean

Click here for Slideshow

The number one reason why Beaches Resorts are the best all-inclusive resorts for families is because their kids club offers the best comprehensive services for children of all ages. Most all-inclusive resorts start their kids club services at ages 3 or 4. Beaches Resorts are alone at the top because children of all ages, even infants have free access to the Kids Club from 9am-5pm. Beaches resorts even offer a diver’s special where Camp Sesame will open at 8am for parents with an early morning dive. Kids can play indoors, swim supervised in their own special wading pool, partake in the daily activities such as Crayola Art, letter of the day with Cookie Monster and other characters, dancing and so much more.

The number two reason why Beaches Resorts are the best all-inclusive resorts for families is the fun water park. While I was at the Beaches Turks & Caicos resort, the younger children were having a blast sliding down the Pirate’s ships slides, while the older children were either sliding down the main water slide or trying their hand at the awesome surf simulator. To top it off, there is a long winding lazy river which circles the water park which I found fun with and without the tube.

The third reason why Beaches Resorts are the best for kids is because of what is offered for the older children. Teenagers can hang out at the XBOX Game Room where they can play newly released XBOX games and get out of the sun for awhile or they can spin records at the DJ recording studio. In the evening they can meet other kids their age at the Disco.

The fourth reason why Beaches Resorts are the best is the nighttime entertainment they offer for families with children. You should have seen the smiles when the Sesame Parade came through. Elmo, Cookie Monster and Ernie were all there. The Junk Band came marching through and added to the fun and excitement of the evening.

The fifth reason is easy. When your kids get to spend time with you and enjoy other kids and fun activities, it is a true vacation for the whole family. If you would like more information on Beaches Resorts, Totem Travel would love to help you at 1-800-321-7907 or email me at patty@totemtravel.com.

New Wedding Collections at Sandals Bring That Martha Stewart Touch to Your Destination Wedding

By Patty | Published February 5, 2010 | Posted in Sandals Resorts

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Your destination wedding at Sandals can now have that Martha Stewart touch with the introduction of the Sandals Wedding by Martha Stewart. Sandals has always been one of the top places to have a destination wedding and combined with Martha Stewart’s fabulous collection of weddings to choose from, your dream wedding will be everything you have imagined and more.

While at Sandals’ Beaches Resort on Turks & Caicos, I got to preview the Martha Stewart Wedding Collection which starts with the “Beautiful Beginnings” collection. This collection is done in a stunning purple and is free with a 6 night or more stay in concierge or higher level room.

You may choose the “Flutter of Romance” collection which is whimsical, romantic and playful. I thought this collection would be perfect for that Valentine’s Day wedding or any bride who loves pink! Another wedding collection that Martha Stewart has so elegantly created is her “Vision in White” collection. This was one of my favorites for its classic and timeless beauty.

My two favorite wedding collections by Martha Stewart were the “Seaside Serenade” and the “Chic & Natural” collections. Both of these collections celebrate the natural beauty of the Caribbean and would make your Sandals wedding the Caribbean wedding of your dreams. The “Seaside Serenade” uses seashells to create a beachside feel while the “Chic &Natural” collection is done in earthy tones of browns and greens which blend nicely with the natural foliage and sands of the Caribbean.

As if you didn’t have enough options, the final collection by Martha Stewart for Sandals Resorts is an eye-catching tropical collection called “Island Paradise” . This top of the line collection showcases the vivid colors of the tropics and luxurious elegance of the islands. A wedding using this collection would be breathtaking!

For more information on what is included with any of these wedding packages and to book your Sandals wedding, give us a call at 1 (800) 321-7907 or send me an email at patty@totemtravel.com. We are Sandals and Beaches Preferred Specialists and we will make choosing, planning and making your dream wedding a breeze!

Sandals Emerald Bay Opening & Newly Renovated Sandals Whitehouse Reopens

By Patty | Published January 8, 2010 | Posted in Sandals Resorts

Click here for PowerPoint Slideshow

The newest Sandals Resort, Emerald Bay will be opening in late January. This is exciting news as Sandals Emerald Bay will be the first all butler service resort for honeymooners and vacationers dreaming of a private dinner on the beach, being pampered while resting poolside or simply wanting every need taken care of while they take in the beautiful sites of the Bahamas.

The former Four Seasons Resort has been magically transformed into a top of the line Sandals Resort with three distinctive villages, five outstanding restaurants, English trained butlers at the beck and call of all resort guests, a 72 hole Greg Norman designed golf course and Red Lane Spa all oceanfront along a beautiful mile long crescent shaped beach. As with all Sandals resorts, everything from meals, premium drinks to water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving is included in the cost of your stay. With Sandals Emerald Bay you even get a butler who is always on call via “butler cell phone”! Sandals Emerald Bay is the perfect dream destination wedding or honeymoon spot!

Another Totem Travel favorite, Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa in Jamaica, recently reopened following four months or upgrades and renovations. One of our honeymoon clients just returned and had rave reviews. Check out their detailed report on the resort and Totem Travel service at Trip Advisor.

Many changes and upgrades were made including renovations to all resort restaurants, the main lobby area and treatment rooms at the Red Lane Spa. Some of the room categories have also been completely re-furbished, adding updated furniture, upgraded soft goods and new plasma TV’s offering an enhanced setting for resort guests.

In addition, Sandals Whitehouse will be debut a new dining experience to Sandals called Neptune’s which will be a flavorful Mediterranean-themed dining concept.

For a limited time take advantage of a Companion Fly Free offer at Sandals Emerald Bay or up to 65% off at Sandals Whitehouse. Call a Sandals Specialist today at 1-800-321-7907 or book online and take advantage of the great savings at two spectacular Sandals resorts.

How to choose the best all inclusive family vacation

By Patty | Published December 25, 2009 | Posted in Caribbean

Click here for Slideshow (Beaches Turks & Caicos)

In my search for the best all inclusive resort for families I have stayed at some of the best in Mexico and the Caribbean, but having just returned from a fabulous trip to Beaches Resort on Turks & Caicos, I am convinced that I found the number one or “best of the best” all inclusive resort for families. You’ll never have to leave the resort because everything is included at this top of the line family Resort. You can dine in 16 different restaurants, snorkel, sail and even scuba dive right from the resort and still check out without owing another penny. Isn’t that what all inclusive is all about?

Most all inclusives offer limited menu restaurants opting for the buffet style of dining. Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort gave me 16 dining options so I indulged in wonderful Italian, elegant French, and good ole English Pub fish and chips among others. One of my favorites was the Barefoot by the Sea restaurant where the conch fritters are out of this world and parents enjoyed their dinners and lingered over a glass of wine or dessert while kids played in the sand near their table.

Besides being on one of the most beautiful white sand beaches which glistens over twelve miles long against pure turquoise waters, Beaches Turks & Caicos offers a variety of choices for young families. Compared to most all inclusive resorts which start their kids programs at age 3, 4 or 5, Beaches offers a complete kids club for infants through the teens.

While I was there the resort was full of babies and preschool age children who were having fun not only in the gentle sea, but watching Sesame character parades, sliding down slides in the waterpark and floating down the lazy river. The older kids found their fun trying their hand at the surf simulator, Xbox game room and DJ recording studio. Stayed tuned as I plan on telling you more about what is offered for children and describe the kids club in more detail in my next blog.

Another feature that makes Beaches Turks & Caicos stand out over other all inclusive resorts are the room accommodations available for families. I always had to book two rooms to accommodate my family of five, but at Beaches Turks & Caicos there are fabulous options like rooms with bunk beds and trundles plus a king size bed and day bed with trundle all in one suite. You can also link together some of the rooms to accommodate your family or even more than one family (up to twelve people).

If you are interested in going to Jamaica, there are three wonderful Beaches Resorts there and we have been to all of them. Beaches Resorts leave no stone unturned in making the dream of a perfect family vacation come true where kids can play and parents can play AND relax!!

Just give Totem Travel a call at (425) 821-4100, or send me an email at patty@totemtravel.com and you’ll get personalized help from a Beaches expert at no extra cost!

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