Best of 2011 - Trip Advisor Traveler's Choice!

Trip Avidsor.com has released its list of Best of 2011!  I usually enjoy these types of lists because they are based on reviews/ratings by real travelers and those are the opinions that really matter, no?

Here are the winners in the Best All Inclusive category -

                                  1 -   Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso  - Playa Paraiso, Mexico

2 - Garonga Safari Camp - Makalali Private Game Reserve,South Africa

3  Le Blanc Spa Resort - Cancun, Mexico

Punta Cana - Catalonia Royal Bavaro Adults Only

Hello travelers!


I just wanted to share some great feedback I have been getting on the Catalonia Royal Bavaro Adults Only from the last 6 months.  Back in April, I gave some travel research assistance to a couple that I know personally and found that the best fit for them would be this resort in Punta Cana.  On paper, it had everything they wanted - great beach, tons of restaurant options and a great price!

Well, they returned with the hotel exceeding their expectations!! They actually called me from there to tell me what an amazing time they were having.  In their experience, the hotel staff was extremely friendly and willing to assist with any request they had.  The beach was amazing and very clean.  They loved the fact that the resort has the family-friendly property right next door that they could access for more restaurant, nightlife and show options.  At the same time they were able to retreat back to the Adults only side for a more peaceful and romantic setting. 

In August, I had another couple that was searching for a vacation with similar criteria so I priced the Catalonia Royal and it turned out to be an amazing fit for them as well!   One thing I thought was great is that their perception of the resort seemed almost identical - very attentive staff, great beach and great food. 

So, in conclusion of this mini feedback/review, Catalonia Royal Bavaro Adults-Only seems like a great place to check out for your next vacation in the Caribbean. Do it!! 

Mexico - All-Inclusive Adults Only Options

Lots of choices in this area of Mexico (CUN- Cancun Int'l Airport) 
Here is what I have so far. I will post if I find others. Let me know if I missed any....  Enjoy!!


Cancun -

• Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla All Inclusive - NEW!
• Excellence Playa Mujeres Adults Only All Inclusive
• The Royal in Cancun All Inclusive Spa & Resort
• ME Cancun - Complete ME All Inclusive – (Adults only options)
• Sun Palace Couples Only All Inclusive
• Isla Mujeres Palace All Inclusive Resort
• Temptation Resort Spa Cancun Adults Only All Inclusive
• Le Blanc Spa Resort All Inclusive
• Live Aqua All Inclusive Adults Only 

Riviera Maya -

• Excellence Riviera Cancun Luxury Adults Only All Inclusive
• Catalonia Royal Tulum Adults Only All Inclusive
• Desire Resort & Spa Couples Only All Inclusive
• Secrets Capri Riviera Cancun All Inclusive
• Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun All Inclusive
• Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun All Inclusive

Conzumel -

• Sabor Cozumel Resort and Spa - Adults Only - All Inclusive

If you are looking for All-Inclusive Adults Only options in the Caribbean.......

I did some research and compiled a quick list...... I will do Mexico next!

Dominican Republic -

Punta Cana –

·       Excellence Punta Cana Luxury Adults Only All Inclusive

·         Punta Cana Princess All Suites Adults-Only All Inclusive

·         Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana - Unlimited Luxury - Adults Only

·         Catalonia Royal Bavaro Adults Only - All Inclusive

·         Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

·         Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro – All Inclusive

·         Majestic Elegance Punta Cana – All Inclusive ( Majestic Elegance Club - Adults only section with private Beach)

Puerto Plata –

·         BlueBay Villas Doradas – All Inclusive Adults Only

·         Celuisma Caberete – Adults Only (some All Inclusive rooms)

Jamaica –

·         N-Resort All inclusive for Adults – (nude beach)

·         Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay – Luxury Adults Only All Inclusive

·         Secrets St. James Montego Bay – Luxury Adults Only All Inclusive

·         Sandals Montego Bay

·         Sandals Whitehouse

·         Sandals Royal Carribean

·         Sandals Negril

·         Sandals Grande Riviera

·         Sandals Royal Plantation

·         Sandals Carllyle

·         Club Ambiance All Inclusive Adults Only

Las Vegas!! the return.....

We just returned from a week in Las Vegas!! I had previously mentioned that we decided to go back there and once again stay at the Bellagio and we did not regret it.  

 I was very much looking forward to seeing what they  had done with the CityCenter that was under construction when I was there in 2009.  Well, now it's all finished and its amazing!! Its an entire city block located between the Bellagio and the MonteCarlo hotels.  The largest hotel of four found in city center is the ARIA. Everything there, from the building architecture to the last piece of furniture is contemporary and has such a modern feel!  The other three hotels are the Cosmopolitan, the Mandarin hotel and the Vdara.  We only walked through the Cosmopolitan and it also had a really great vibe.  Here are a few pictures of the trip - 

Red Rock Canyon

  

Old Vegas - a tad bit sketchy

Aria Hotel @ City Center - 

We also did a few different things this time around just to spice it up.  We booked the most amazing tour of the Red Rock Canyon.  I wanted to go see the desert but didn't want it to be an all day event.  While I'm not taking anything away from the Grand Canyon (I'm sure its incredible), I just did not want to spend 12-14 hours exploring it.  Anyhow, we booked with Pink Jeep Tours through Vegas.com and had an excellent experience!! The unique thing about the Pink Jeep Tours is that their vehicles are specially customized for off-roading!! So, it's only of the only tour companies that can take you where no one else is going for some of the most incredible pictures!!! The tour guide was so friendly an knowledgeable and the whole thing only took 4 hours hotel to hotel.  


Another new activity we booked for this time around is the Vegas Strip Limo Tour.  This was was also fun and we were looking forward to it as a way to actually see the whole strip and to make a quick stop in old Vegas.  The only thing I can say against the tour company, BellTrans, is that we had to drink our champagne in plastic cups.... Not that big of a deal really, but the champagne itself was almost warm so I felt like the plastic cups made it taste even worse.  Overall, we had a great time in the tour.  The guide was funny and friendly and everything seemed to go off without a hitch.  By the way, not impressed with Old Vegas. We also did make a stop at the Volcano show at Mirage and that was big thumbs down for me.


Las Vegas is always a great place to visit! There is so much to do there for everyone.  Once again we had a great experience, went to eat at some amazing restaurants and just had plain old fun! Some stand outs for us as far as restaurants are the Prime Steakhouse at Bellagio, Julian Serrano at ARIA and FIAMMA'S at MGM.  Oh and we didn't too bad at the BlackJack tables either... ;)

Looong time... new ideas..

It has been way too long since my last post.  I've been sort of a busy bee you could say.  I am working on getting my idea of a  vacation research business to take off.  I want to do something different than your average travel agent.  I want to help people actually decide where they want to go by customizing a unique search of features based on their criteria.  I have already worked with a few people and so far so good!  Anyway, I am really excited about this and hopefully it all works out for the best... I will keep the blog updated with any information and who knows? Maybe I will help you!! ;)