Fabulous Resort Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya

Categories: Mexico, Riviera Maya

Aug 13th

Fabulous Vacation!

Our family of four stayed for 7 days at the Grand Sirenis Rivera Maya. My children are 7 and 11 years old. It does take about 1.5 hours to get from Cancun to the resort. Check in at 8:00pm went very nicely, there are no lines at that hour. Front desk staff very helpful. The bell hop loaded the luggage and took us to our room promptly on a limo golf cart. The lobby is gorgeous! The bar in the lobby is very nice; a lot of the name brand liquors are served there.

a2-4.jpg picture by pios_01

Our room was wonderful, a lot of space. We had a chilled bottle of champagne and a fruit basket waiting for us in our room the evening of our arrival. The evening prior to departure we received a bottle of tequila and two shot glasses. What a nice surprise. The beds are small, and very firm. The couch room is actually a pull out bed, just need to ask for an extra set of sheets. Housekeeping and maintenance were very good, they responded to requests quickly. The rooms are air conditioned, but they remain humid. Read the instructions on the thermostat it helps if you have the right setting. The temp only goes down to 66 degrees Fahrenheit, but it does not feel that cool. Your papers will be moist, and damp clothes do not dry inside. The balcony off the room had a beautiful view of the ocean and the garden below. There is a clothesline on the balcony to dry clothes. The daily housekeeper, made animals out of the towels, and folded the children’s pajamas! There is a safe in the room, it worked great no problems. Bathroom -large separate shower, separate room for the toilet. Jacuzzi in the room fabulous. We stayed in the Muuyal building #18. It was a great location, because it is close to a pool, bubble tub and quick walk to the beach and kids area.

a3-1.jpg picture by pios_01

The buffets were very nice. There is a cook in the morning making omelets to order that are very good. There is a wide variety of food at each meal. The hamburgers and hot dogs have a different flavor than American ones. There is a pasta cook at lunch and dinner at the buffet. My children liked that very much! The ala cart restaurants that we went to were the Cajun, (main course not very good, appetizers good), Brazilian (black bean soup, great, salad bar very good, a variety of meats sliced at the table, very good!), the temperature in the restaurant is very hot! Wear a cool outfit! Italian restaurant, food was delicious, waiter was excellent, the white wine is very good, watch out though they continually fill it up! Dessert was fabulous, tiramisu! The best ala cart is the Japanese! The children enjoyed the “show”. The beef was the best choice, but all choices were good, we each ordered different and shared. Portion sizes are huge, eat light during the day. The fried ice cream was delicious! Make your reservations as soon as you get to the resort, the concierge is on the first floor of each building until 11:00pm, very helpful! The bars are great. Try a mojito, lemon dacari, and bloody Mary. The kids liked the health bar, they could order fruit smoothies. The ice cream shop was very nice, lot of variety. There was also an ice cream machine that was in one of the snack bars you could make your own cone; it was broken on some days.

Snorkeling was outstanding! Lots to see off the beach, my son and husband even saw a nurse shark one day! The coral is beautiful; the fish are colorful and all different sizes. Save some bread from a meal and feed it to the fish between the rocks on the beach, hundreds of fish will come! Surf shoes a must! There are lots of coral pieces, rocks and shells that hurt to step on. The beach is beautiful, lots of chairs with natural umbrellas with tables. Bring sunscreen 45+! There are ruins on the property that you can climb on the rocks to see, beautiful view from this spot. There is one catamaran, we took it out once, sailing is a bit scary with the rocks around. There are kayaks we took out several times, very fun. We did archery, and air rifle shooting, we enjoyed the competition. The staff is very motivating. The water aerobics were fun too. We did the scuba lesson too, the staff was very encouraging. We went to a beach party one evening, very windy that night but fun. The games at the pool are fun, trivia; my husband won a tee shirt! The resort advertises that there are cenotes on the property that you can see, it is not a free activity, it is $65.00 per person to do this (a bit misleading). The shows at night were very entertaining. They did a nice job. They have Mexican vendors set up one evening for shopping in the theater. Hair braiding, my daughter did this, it is $3.00 per braid with flowers and beads! They do it very fast. There is also pottery to paint about $10.00 per piece. The pools are very clean, plenty of chairs. Towel service great, plenty of towels. The lazy river very nice, bring tubes from home in the package, you will not have to wait in line. Give the tubes away to someone else at the end of your trip, you will make someone smile! At night go to the beach, bring a flashlight, there are hundreds of hermit crabs to see, all different sizes and shapes!! My kids loved this free activity. There are lots of iguanas all over they are fun to watch, the kids try to catch them but they run fast. The botanical garden on the property is pretty, there is a cool fountain made of rocks in the center, great picture place. They have a photographer daily with an animal to take pictures with, the kids loved this! $8.00 per picture, no negotiating. Wonderful trip! Highly recommend this resort in Riviera Maya!

0 Comments

Create Moments You Dream Of… And Memories You Will Have Forever

Categories: Caribbean, Cancun, Riviera Maya

Aug 13th

Excellence Riviera Cancun is where you belong if you have a taste for luxury, romance and relaxation. This adults-only hotel is perfect for honeymooners, special occasion, or just a relaxing getaway for two. Relax in the most luxurious surroundings while taking in the most captivating views of the Caribbean. Designed for the perfect trip, the resort features 440 luxury and spacious all-suites accommodations with a classic Mediterranean style of stucco, tile and marble. An amazing Spa offering outdoor and indoor treatments, a fitness center, three outdoor pool-intergraded Jacuzzis, six meandering pools, and seven a la carte theme restaurants. The Excellence Riviera Cancun was recently recognized with six Trip Advisor 2008 Travelers Choice Awards in addition to being named the top luxury as well as romance resort in the world.

a1-4.jpg picture by pios_01 

Excellence Playa Mujeres is nestled on two miles of powdery white sand beach situated on an untouched 20-mile peninsula. This all inclusive luxury resort surrounds you in a setting of lush Caribbean beauty. This jewel of Cancun offers spacious rooms and suites furnished in elegant contemporary decor and outfitted with the latest amenities. Excellence Playa Mujeres is an adults-only romantic resort which offers a world class spa, a spectacular Greg Norman signature gold course right on the Caribbean, and luxurious rooftop terraces. 

a2-3.jpg picture by pios_01 

Excellence Punta Cana is a romantic getaway for couples that want a different kind of vacation. Located in a forest of seven thousand palm trees on a remote stretch of Punta Canas Caribbean shoreline.  Choose from moonlit horseback rides on the beach, live stage shows, and a casino. With two giant pools including swim-up bars, a world-class spa and fitness center, and seven different restaurants with cuisines from around the world.  Trip Advisor awarded Travelers Choice Award for #1 resort in the Caribbean, best pool, and most romantic in 2008.        

   

0 Comments

A Vacation for All Ages at Half Moon in Jamaica

Categories: Caribbean, Jamaica

Jul 29th

For more than 50 years, Half Moon has set the standard for Caribbean vacations. Half Moon is located on a 400-acre resort and said to be one of the most highly regarded Caribbean getaways due to its old-world charm, luxurious accommodations, warm Jamaican hospitality and stunning setting in Montego Bay’s Rose Hall enclave. The resort offers all kinds of services and activities that will entertain guests of all ages, such as; the new 68,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor spa oasis which has a blend of modern spa techniques with Jamaica’s ancient healing remedies. For a private, yet relaxing, guest can take advantage of an in-room spa treatment in their own studio, or escape to the comfortable spa gardens.

a3.jpg picture by pios_01

The resort offers elegant guest rooms, suites and extravagant villas, or one of the resort’s five, six and seven bedroom Royal Villas, perfect for families and groups. It’s like taking a little bit of home and adding the personalized service of an exclusive resort. Each villa includes a cook, housekeeper and butler. The guests have access to all resort facilities and each villa has its own private swimming pool where the guests can relax and enjoy.

Half Moon also includes 13 tennis and four squash courts, 51 swimming pools, a Dolphin Lagoon, a croquet lawn, a putting green, and jogging and cycling trails, as well as basketball and volleyball courts. The property offers golf at the Robert Trent Jones, riding at the world-class equestrian center, gourmet dinning and duty-free shopping.

a2-2.jpg picture by pios_01

Half Moon gives children ages 3-12 the opportunity to learn about Jamaica in a safe, fun and exciting environment. Activities include treasure hunts, Jamaican craft-making, cultural dance lessons, puppet shows, snorkeling and all kinds of sports.

0 Comments

The Aqua Cancun: A Unique Sanctuary

Categories: Mexico, Cancun

Jul 22nd

The Aqua Cancun Mexico is a unique sanctuary for rest and relaxation. Each of the Aqua Cancun hotels 371 rooms offers an innovative and playful space. Each room has a private balcony, flat screen LCD television, Bose home theater, high speed internet access, DVD/CD/MP3 players, cordless phone with voicemail, mini bar, Molton Brown amenities, aromatherapy kit, and a jetted tub. The Aqua Spa Cancun philosophy: “Your gate to the sublime, the surreal, the sensuous. Discover the spirit and stretch your imagination as your Soul encounters timelessness, dreamlike consciousness and infinite tranquility. Indulge in our sensory ceremonies and rituals which combine a synergy of therapies to revitalize your Soul.” An ideal setting that provides an escape from every day life. World re nowned chef Martha Ortiz combines flavors, colors, and scents of the real MB restaurant. Azul restaurant serves Mediterranean dishes with Asian accents that delight the senses. The Aqua Cancun experience is all about sensuality. With an exclusive atmosphere of bold colors and industrial design Aqua Cancun creates an unforgettable sensory experience.

0 Comments

No Passport Required For U.S. Virgin Island

Categories: Caribbean, St. Thomas

Jul 22nd

The State Department is making travel easier for U.S. citizens since more rigid travel requirements have come into effect with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.  The State Department has begun to produce new passport cards, keep in mind, travelers do not need passports of any kind to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands.   The new passport cards are an alternative to the traditional passport books.  U.S. citizens do not need a passport when visiting St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas from Puerto Rico and the mainland U.S.


 

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative passed by U.S. Congress requires that travelers, including U.S. citizens who travel via air to and from the Americas, the Caribbean and Bermuda must travel with a passport in order to enter or re-enter the United States.  

0 Comments

Sandos Playacar Beach Resort & Spa

Categories: Mexico, Riviera Maya

Jul 18th

Sandos Hotel & Resorts has expanded on the Riviera Maya, Mexico located on a wide sandy beach.  Sandos Playacar Riviera Hotel & Spa, which is connected to Sandos Playacar Beach Resort & Spa, consists of 400 junior and master luxury suites overlooking the 18-hole Playacar Golf Course.  Sandos Playacar Riviera and Playacar Beach Resort & Spa share a new Sandos Spa where guest can simply unwind and relax. 

a2.jpg

For guests who looking for family savings, Sandos Hotels & Resorts is the place for large families and kid-friendly tropical vacation; designed to comfortably accommodate two adults and three children.  Sandos Hotels & Resorts is known to be ‘family-friendly’ and providing increased savings for those traveling with children.  One child under the age of 12 stays, eats and plays free and a second and third child (under the age of 12) receives and 50 percent discount.

a1-1.jpg

 Couples who book a vacation at Sandos Playacar Riviera Hotel & Spa can indulge in a free Romantic Package offered in all room categories.  Available year-round, the package includes bathrobes and slippers; welcome fruit baskets and wine; in-room romantic roast each evening; nightly turndown service with rose pedals; romantic dinner for two; aromatherapy gift set; 15 percent spa discount; 10 percent discount on motorized sports; and framed photo. These are subject to availability. 

 

 

 

 

 

0 Comments

Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort

Categories: Caribbean, St. Lucia

Jun 16th

 The Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is a vacation village located on 55 acres of tropical paradise, above the sands of St. Lucia’s Labrelotte Bay.  And their landscaped gardens and brick pathways lay on their private, crescent-shaped bay.

 The Windjammer Landing features a lot of variety within their 210 guest rooms.  Their Villas come fully equipped with a kitchen, television and VCR, some have private plunge pools and sun terraces, and most have beautiful ocean views.  This resort is also very popular with newlyweds, due to their honeymoon accommodations located separately from family areas.

 For land activities you will find both adult and children’s pools, tiled sun terraces for sunbathing, a grocery market, internet café, boutiques, health and beauty spa (featuring waxing, massage, body treatments, and hair and nail care), a gym (which includes a universal workout center, stair master equipment and personal training sessions available per appointment), Caribbean dance lessons, aerobics, two lit tennis courts, and pool volleyball.  On the beach you have paddle boats, sunfish sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking complimentary, and knee-boarding, waterskiing, scuba diving, underwater photography lessons and dive equipment for minimal extra cost.  Their Jacquot Fun club features activities for ages 4 to 12.  and the resort offers baby sitting and nanny service, and frequent shuttle bus service for transport to and from the resort’s facilities, for your convenience.

 And on the premises you will find four restaurants (Papa Dons serving Greek and Italian dishes, the Dragon Flu serving Caribbean fusion cuisine with ocean views, and more) and three lounges (Jammers Beach bar serves snacks, sandwiches and salads all day, and the Internet café is great for sandwiches and ice cream).

0 Comments

Occidental El Embajador

Categories: Caribbean, Santo Domingo

Jun 16th

 The five-star Occidental El Embajador, located in the capital of the Dominican Republic (Santo Domingo), is a true tropical oasis offering upscale, luxurious service.  They offer 286 modern rooms within a tropical setting.

 All rooms have views of the garden, city and Caribbean Sea, and all come equipped with beautiful interiors, a stocked mini bar, personal safe, air conditioning, central heating, satellite television, internet connection, a large bathroom and more.  If you upgrade to their Royal Club, you will receive personalized VIP service, and  exclusive access to many extras both in your room, and on the two exclusive Royal Club floors. 

 Other amenities on the grounds are: a swimming pool, fitness center, full-service spa, salon, casino, shopping center, business center, convention facilities three meeting halls, and more.  Meals are served daily at their three restaurants (international lunch and dinner at El Jardin del Embajador, casual dining at Los Porches, and gourmet at the Embassy Club), along with drinks at one of their two bars (Bohio, in the hotel’s gardens, and Colonial, located in the hotel lobby).  Also available is a large selection of games, an international library, and more. 

 For those more business-oriented, joining the Royal Club will be to their advantage.  Through the club they will offer convenient amenities, such as secretarial services (including messaging service and sending and receiving faxes), private meeting rooms, personal telephone calls, laundry service, and daily newspaper and periodicals. 

0 Comments

Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa

Categories: Mexico, Puerto Vallarta

Jun 6th

 The Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offers unlimited luxury and accommodations just steps away from sands of the Bahia de Bandera.  Here you can experience an all-inclusive pampered vacation with excellent perks.

 All of their 337 rooms and suites feature contemporary Mexican décor, marble floors, private balconies, 24-hour room service, bathrobes and slippers, 27 inch satellite TV, electric safes and a daily refreshed mini bar.  You can upgrade to the Preferred Club, which offers VIP amenities, privileges, larger suites, expansive penthouses, solarium terrace and private pool.

 Throughout the resort’s ground you will find their state-of-the-art fitness center, their spa, many land and water activities, and a wide array of dining choices.  Among activities on land are:  rock climbing, hiking through the jungle, and their Explorer’s Kids Club (where children can take part in both educational and entertainment programs such as arts and crafts, sand castle competitions, ocean trampolines and movies on the beach).  Among water activities, there are:  kayaking, surfing, snorkeling, jet skiing, and more.

 When it comes to dining, you can take your pick out of their five restaurants and four bars.  Among their restaurants are: the buffet-style World Café, the a la carte Seaside Grill, causal dining at El Patio, fresh seafood with great bay views at Oceana, or have a romantic culinary experience for two on the beach.  Among their bars, there is: Barracuda bar, Manatees Swim-up Bar, Desires sports bar.

 And, as Dreams Puerto Vallarta is located only minutes away from downtown Puerto Vallarta, you are given the chance to take part in activities outside of the resort.  Some of the more popular are eco-adventure tours, zip-lining through the jungle canopy, scuba diving, swimming with dolphins, whale watching, secluded beaches nearby, golf (which can be arranged for you by the Dreams concierge, and shopping at boutiques downtown.

0 Comments

The Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort

Categories: Mexico, Puerto Vallarta

Jun 6th

 The Grand Velas all Suites & Spa Resort in Nuevo Vallarta sits on the Bandera Bay, along the Pacific’s beautiful waters.  As one of the new premier destinations in Mexico, this oceanfront property offers private and exquisite luxury within 267 spacious suites.

 Their suites come in either one or two bedroom styles, along with more advanced and cavernous styles.  The rooms are decorated with tropical accents and Balinese teak wood furnishings, and every suite offers wide terraces and grand ocean views, along with wireless internet access, DVD/CD/MP3 players, bathrobes and slippers, daily turndown, a pillow menu comprised of eight services and goose-down comforters.  The Imperial SPA Suite has three bedrooms, four bathrooms, an oversized living room, formal dining room, a grand terrace, an exclusive private spa (with steam room, table massage area, outdoor Jacuzzi for 12) and more in the suite’s 3,300 square feet.  You will have no need to leave this suite, the expert therapists come right to your private spa room.

 With the activities included in the resort, you won’t ever get bored.  Here they offer tennis, paddle tennis courts, non-motorized watersports, scuba diving demonstrations, infinity pool and Jacuzzi area, and free use of the world-class golf course.  At the resort’s spa offers their signature “Grand Velas Ritual,” Pilates, Capoeira, Tai Chi, meditation classes and more.  They also feature a world-class convention center featuring state-of-the-art technology, expert technical services and a knowledgeable banquet and catering team.

 And not only are all the activities included, but so are the meals.  Among their restaurants are Azul (with oceanfront dining on innovative international dishes), Frida (which combines innovative Mexican cuisine with art), Lucca Gourmet (serving Italian-Mediterranean tastes in their rich meats, fresh pastas and delicate seafood), and Piaf (serving classic French gourmet).  And all of Grand Velas dining venues have a house sommelier on hand to guide you through their impressive wine list.

0 Comments