Archive for the ‘All Inclusives’ Category

Press Release from AMResorts

PHILADELPHIA, PA – June 21, 2012 – AMResorts, provider of sales, marketing and brand management services for Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, and Secrets, Dreams, Now and Sunscape Resorts & Spas, will introduce its second Secrets resort in Los Cabos with the opening of adults-only Secrets Puerto Los Cabos in November 2013. The new build resort will join three other AMResorts properties in the destination.

Located in the exclusive Puerto Los Cabos area, where the Sierra de la Laguna Mountains meet the ocean, and only 15 minutes from San Jose del Cabo, Secrets Puerto Los Cabos will have 500 spacious suites, all with stunning views and a Jacuzzi for two on their private balconies or terraces. Added amenities will be available in the 150 Preferred Club level designated suites, including a private lounge, complimentary in-room internet access, pillow menu, upgraded mini bar service, and more.

Guests of Secrets Puerto Los Cabos will enjoy the benefits of Secrets Resorts & Spas’ signature Unlimited-Luxury® vacation concept which offers limitless access to gourmet a la carte dining and premium beverage brands, 24-hour room and concierge services, countless daytime activities, live evening entertainment, and more. The resort features two main swimming pools, five á la carte gourmet restaurants, a buffet venue, a café, a grill, and six bars offering a variety of experiences.

The resort’s 12,000 square-foot signature Secrets Spa by Pevonia will offer 22 treatment rooms, a selection of specialty treatments and hydrotherapy circuit, and the perfect atmosphere for those seeking relaxation. A fitness center facility and full service beauty salon also are available.

Additionally, Secrets Puerto Los Cabos will have more than 16,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space for memorable group functions, from creative theme parties and team building activities to casually elegant gala dinners. The resort also caters to the destination wedding and honeymoon market with signature beachside ceremony and reception locations, dedicated group event planners offering personalized attention, and romantic environments throughout the property. A host of honeymoon and anniversary packages also are available.

via AMResorts Notification.

While away at a travel conference hosted by one of my preferred suppliers, GOGO Worldwide Vacations, a minor issue arose with a traveling client.  Fortunately I had booked them through GOGO.  I left the seminar that I was in and talked with a GOGO rep on site who immediately sent an email to another rep.  He then came to find me (approximately 20 minutes later) before the next seminar started to assure me the issue was resolved.  My next seminar was about how GOGO is always there to assist your clients if you’re not available and to assist us in any situation.  Well, they couldn’t have been more right, I literally had them in the palm of my hand that morning.

Tradeshow time!!  I email and chat by phone with so many travel suppliers around the world, some on a regular basis and to finally get to meet them face to face is so rewarding, even if we haven’t been in touch for a long period of time.  It just makes the relationship much more personable.  I had the pleasure of meeting with the sales manager from a luxury resort in  Turks and Caicos and mentioned that I had suggested their resort to a new client recently.  He was happy to hear that, we talked for a short period, exchanged cards and he offered to personally assist me in any exclusive amenities for future clients.

I was so thrilled when I left the conference yesterday after gaining more knowledge, building better and more supplier relationships, it makes me love my job even more.  Not a single OTA (online travel agency) is going to have those types of connections or be able to provide that extra special service.  I can’t wait to plan a future Turks and Caicos trip for someone!

—Jodi

It’s very common for couples to live together before marriage these days & accumulate all of the basic necessities of domestic life.  Kitchen appliances, bath sets, dishes, glassware, the list goes on.  We’re also getting married later in age now where a lot of those things we’ve already gotten as gifts (and lets face it, we’ve all gotten one of those items that didn’t quite suit our taste at one time or another) or bought for ourselves.  A honeymoon registry is an excellent alternative the to the typical bridal registry. 

Instead of registering for the usual pots & pans, couples register activities/excursions, room upgrades, private dinners on the beach & anything they possibly could dream of to enhance their honeymoon.  Do you want to swim with the dolphins?  Friends or family can give that to you as a GIFT…a memorable gift.  Does the butler suite not fit in your budget, do you want a couples massage ocean-side?  Register it.

In the end, it comes to you in cash but you do receive a card from the person who bought it for you.  Everyone has a little bit of difficulty finding the perfect gift & if that someone wants to contribute in making your new lives together extraordinarily special, this is the way to do it.

Access Starfish Travel’s honeymoon registry HERE.  Need honeymoon planning?  Contact us.

If you haven’t booked your summer vacation yet, now is the time to do it.  A lot of resorts are adding some great activities; Shakira is performing at Moon Palace in Cancun, Atlantis in the Bahamas has creative culinary classes for kids, mega cruise ships have more than you can see or do in just one cruise.

Don’t wait for the ‘last minute deals’.  With soaring fuel costs, there’s no guarantee that air fares, cruise fares and the pump prices will still be within your travel budget when you decide to make plans and book.

When it comes to the hotels and resorts, the lesser expensive rooms always book first so if you are on a tight budget, it’s best to secure those as early as possible.  Most of the time, at a non-refundable rate, hotels and resorts  have ‘early booking bonuses’ which will give you extra amenities.  It’s best to take advantage of that opportunity.

There isn’t any way to avoid the possibility of fuel surcharges with the cruise lines.  They all have a disclaimer that they can reinstate it at any time with rising fuel costs.  Aside from that, booking early is highly advised for the same reason as with hotels and resorts…the lower cost cabins sell out quickly as well as the cabins located mid-ship where most experienced cruisers prefer to be.

Planning a trip to Disney?  If you’re utilizing their dining plans, you’ll want to make your dining reservations as early as possible, especially if it’s for one of the character meals such as Chef Mickey’s Buffet or Cinderella’s Royal Table.

The best deals aren’t always the last minute ones, whether it’s a cruise, honeymoon, weekend jaunt or week-long family vacation.  If you’re thinking about traveling anywhere, book it now.

Cozumel is one of four islands that surround Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula.  Cruise ships fill the port with travelers who are eager to have their pictures with the Mayan ruins in the background, shop duty free & snorkel among the coral reefs.

Known famously for Jacques Cousteau’s discovery of Palancar Reef, divers flock to Cozumel to submerge themselves in the depths of the Caribbean Sea to explore the untouched beauty of the underwater world.  You can reserve a spot on a dive boat with a private company or have the concierge at your hotel/resort book the excursion for you.  (Your travel agent is also capable of doing this for you.)

You can visit Cozumel three ways; via air by your preferred carrier, cruise ship from several ports, or by ferry (just $12 per person round trip) in Playa del Carmen which is just 30 minutes south of the Cancun Int’l airport.  Marinas are available for those who are fortunate enough to sail the seas on chartered or privately owned vessels.

If you prefer that your bed be on land rather than floating, there are several resorts to accommodate whatever kind of vacation you seek; all inclusive, boutique hotels, private villas, & vacation rentals.  Do your research or contact your travel professional, some of the beaches at the resorts can be very rocky but all will have a fabulous view & a lounge chair waiting for you.

I absolutely love this Caribbean island!  Located outside of the hurricane belt and 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela, it is a beautiful destination to be seen.  You can’t see the Venezuelan coast on the horizon but looking out into the azul waters trying sure is relaxing. 

Aruba has pre-clearance services through U.S. Customs which allows return flights back to the U.S. to be considered domestic flights.  This means you clear Customs when departing Aruba with only one stop during the inspection process and ensuring you don’t miss your connection (if you have one) in the U.S.

The island has two types of accommodations, high-rise and low-rise hotels/resorts.  Most of these resorts offer two types of meal plans, all inclusive (AI) and European Plan (EP).  Some offer one or the other.  I’m not going into the meal plans right now, it’ll have to be a separate blog entirely because I do have a lot to say about dining around Aruba…and yes, it’s GOOD!

High-rise hotels are located in the Palm Beach area of Aruba, close to the northern end of the island.  The low-rise hotels can be found not far before them.  Beaches are wide along all of them with calm crystal clear waters to swim or snorkel in.  Which do I recommend?  Well that depends on what you’re looking for.  High rises obviously house more people meaning a more crowded beach but also with more activities available.  The low rises are more intimate, less crowded with a quaint feel, perfect for romantic getaways or spa retreats.

One resort, the Renaissance, is located in the town of Oranjestad with it’s own private island that can only be accessed by their ferry shuttle in an ‘underground tunnel’.  It’s an open air tunnel, you can see it from the street.  I don’t mean to single this resort out in any way but it does stand alone with uniqueness.  Unpacking your bags here will give you easy access to shopping, casinos and nightlife in addition to their secluded beach.

Each hotel has an individual personality to accommodate every type of traveler; luxury, boutiques, eco-conscious, condos, and quaint traditional Dutch.  Check back for Part 2, the true Dutch experience, dining around.

You don’t want to miss the Grand Opening of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana‚ the first and only all-inclusive Hard Rock resort. And since this is a Hard Rock‚ you know this isn’t going to be just any ordinary old hotel opening. You will be treated to:

•Featured Performance by the Gipsy Kings on January 29‚ 2011
• Grand Opening Entertainment
• Killer Parties
• Outrageous Special Events
• Opportunities to Rub Elbows with Celebrities

GRAND OPENING WEEK: JANUARY 26-30‚ 2011.

And to make things rock even harder‚ book by 12/31/10‚ and you can receive $700 in credit* toward airfare PLUS $1‚500 in Resort Credit‚** good for extras like spa treatments‚ greens fees‚ casino gaming‚ tours‚ room upgrades and more.

The all inclusive plan features top-shelf liquors‚ premium beers and wine lists that that have been acclaimed by connoisseurs and critics.  You’ll also enjoy FREE wi-fi, elegantly appointed rooms & suites, and fine dining.

Call us to book your rock ‘n roll vacation in the Caribbean.  Special offers end Dec. 31, 2010.