RIU Palace Macao Punta Cana All Inclusive Resort

RIU Palace Macao is an adults all inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It's part of a 5 resort RIU complex. Guests at RIU Palace have access to the Splash World water slides, RIU Bambu family resort, and RIU Naiboa. 

RIU Palace Macao has a good price point. The beach is the main draw. RIU Palace Macao has a quiet vibe.




If you'd like to find out if RIU Palace Macao could be right for your next vacation, schedule a time for me to give you a call.

What's the difference between Majestic Colonial, Majestic Mirage and Majestic Elegance?

Majestic Elegance is a family all inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Three Majestic resorts sit side by side: Majestic Colonial, Majestic Mirage and Majestic Elegance.

They do not share privileges. You cannot visit the other resorts. They do share a kids' club including a small splash park.

Majestic Colonial has the most family rooms and is the most family friendly of the three resorts.

Majestic Elegance has the most club rooms. Club Rooms at Colonial and Elegance are adults only. This means Elegance tends to be more geared toward adults.

Majestic Mirage is an all club level resort. The rooms are twice as large This is the only resort of the three where you can reserve a club level family room. This resort is quieter. It's a resort that allows kids, not a resort geared toward kids.

Some of the key features of these resorts:

Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro Resort Tour

Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro is an adults only all inclusive resort on Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

This resort is part of a larger complex with other Iberostar resorts. The resort has luxurious feel. All the rooms are suites. One key feature is a large pirate ship with a disco in the hull.

Previous clients have raved about the service and the accommodations.

Take a peek:






If you'd like to find out if Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro could be right for your next vacation, schedule a time for me to give you a call.

Spotlight on: Chic Punta Cana

Chic Punta Cana is an adults only all inclusive resort. This resort has a fun, sexy vibe. The evening entertainment includes mermaid shows and pole dancing lessons are available.The resort also has an oxygen bar where you can pay $1 per minute in case you had too much fun.

The resort is on a small footprint so it's easy to get around.

I recommend reserving one of the poolside cabanas for $129 or trying the Culinary Experience for $99 per person including wine pairings if you are looking for an extra special experience.

Take a look around:





If you'd like to find out if Chic Punta could be right for your next vacation, schedule a time for me to give you a call.

Spotlight on: Nickelodeon Punta Cana

Nickelodeon Punta Cana is a family all inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Here's what sets this resort apart:

• Family resort for adults who don't like kids' resorts. 
• Upscale dining 
• Great Aqua Park and Sports Area - across the street from the rooms, pools, and beach 
• Large Suites 
• All first floor suites are swim up suites 
• Character dining for an additional fee 

Join me on a full resort tour: 

If you'd like to find out if Nickelodeon Punta Cana could be right for your next vacation, schedule a time for me to give you a call.

Excellence Resorts: Excellence El Carmen Punta Cana All Inclusive Resort

Excellence El Carmen is an adults only all inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. 

The features that make this resort stand out are: 

Wow Suites 
As you'll see in the video below, the Swim Up Suite and the 2 story Rooftop Terrace Suite with private pool are both amazing. 

New, Modern 
The Excellence El Carmen is one of the newer resort in Punta Cana. It has a modern look. 

Great Dining 
The no reservations dining policy gives you the chance to explore all the different restaurants. I recommend upgrading to the Excellence Club so you have access to a la carte breakfast and lunch. 

One thing to know is that the beach has strong waves which may limit the water sports available. 

Take a look: 




If you'd like to find out if Excellence El Carmen could be right for your next vacation, schedule a time for me to give you a call.

Mexico All Inclusive: Dreams Sands Resort Tour

Dreams Sands is a family resort in the hotel zone of Cancun. 

Dreams Sands is a compact high rise resort on a small, great stretch of beach. The water at Dreams Sands is shallow for 100 yards. The volleyball net is actually in the water.  Dreams Sands is a perfect property for family with young kids. The compact footprint, the shallow beach, and the rooms without balconies are great amenities. 

Dreams Sands is also a great resort for a girlfriend getaway for ladies who just want to hang out in the water or by the pool. The resort has family suites with 2 bathrooms, one king bed, two double beds, and can add a rollaway bed. 

This resort comes in at a great price point. 

Take a look. 

If you have any questions, please email me.  I am Master Agent for these resorts. If you'd like to take advantage of my free vacation planning services, set up a time to chat.  

Spotlight on: Now Sapphire

Now Sapphire is a family all inclusive resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico. 

One unique feature of this resort is that buildings with the rooms are separate from the pools and dining. The 12 buildings each with 12 rooms are steps from the beach. The Oceanfront Preferred Club rooms are truly beachfront.  The adults only pool is behind this buildings and very quiet. Bali beds here are included, but require a reservation. 

This resort is a great choice for adults and families who value quiet when they are in their room because none of the rooms overlook the busy pool and dining areas. 

Take a look around: 

If you have any questions, please email me.  I am Master Agent for these resorts. If you'd like to take advantage of my free vacation planning services, set up a time to chat.  

Spotlight on Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita

Zoetry de la Bonita is a small all inclusive resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico. The 90 suites are well-appointed and have names based on where the owners have traveled. Each room has one detail that was purchased in the city the suite is named after.

It's been a 5 Diamond resort for 14  years - a recognition of exceptional service. It has a focus on wellness and is very quiet. This is a resort for travelers who like pools ore than beaches. The beach is narrow and has a bit of sea grass. The suites are gorgeous! 

Take a look around:

If you have any questions, please email me.  I am Master Agent for these resorts. If you'd like to take advantage of my free vacation planning services, set up a time to chat.  

Spotlight on: Secrets the Vine Cancun

Secrets the Vine Cancun is an adults only all inclusive resort in the Hotel Zone of Cancun.

The first thing that struck me about this resort is that it felt like I was in an upscale Vegas hotel - great lobby bar, shiny decorations, sports bar. It is so different from other all inclusive resorts. The beach is great. It's worth upgrading to Preferred Club to get access to the infinity pool on the 22nd floor.

A couple things to know about the resort: no swim up bar and the balconies are not super private. Because the resort is a high rise, the dividers between the balconies are open to allow air through.

I recommend this resort for a long weekend since it's close to the airport and has a fun vibe. This is not an overly romantic resort so it's a good fit for friends traveling together. For those looking for romance, the honeymoon suite is fantastic. Take a look: 

If you have any questions, please email me.  I am Master Agent for these resorts. If you'd like to take advantage of my free vacation planning services, set up a time to chat.  

Spotlight on: Secrets Maroma

Secrets Maroma is an adults only all inclusive resort on Maroma Beach - one of the best beaches in Mexico. 

This resort stands out to me because:

• It sits on a gorgeous beach. 
• The resort has a luxurious feel and is very quiet. 
• The resort has lots of spaces to get away and read a book or grab a nap.

If you have any questions, please email me.  I am Master Agent for these resorts. If you'd like to take advantage of my free vacation planning services, set up a time to chat.  

Spotlight on Secrets Capri Riviera Maya

Secrets Capri is an adults only all inclusive resort south of the Cancun airport. It's a smaller resort - 291 rooms. All the rooms are Club level. This resort has a relaxing vibe. It's easy to get around. The beach is eroded, but the sand is soft. It does get seaweed depending on the currents. If you'd like to read a client's review, click here. 

Take a look around: 

If you have any questions, please email me.  I am Master Agent for these resorts. If you'd like to take advantage of my free vacation planning services, set up a time to chat.  

Mexico All Inclusive: Dreams Tulum Resort Tour

Dreams Tulum is a family all-inclusive resort in southern Riviera Maya, Mexico.

The amenities at Dreams Tulum that really stand out to me are:

• Mexican Colonial vibe
• Amazing Spa cabins
• Teen Activities
• Great coffee shop with Preferred Hacienda suites above
• Connecting Suites
• Waiter service at the Preferred Club Swim Up Suites
• No other resorts close by

Mexico All Inclusive: Secrets Akumal Resort Tour

Secrets Akumal is an adults only all-inclusive resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Secrets Akumal is a modern resorts on a nice beach with off shore snorkeling with TURTLES!! That's right, you can grab a mask, wade out into the ocean, and hang out with turtles.

It has a modern luxury feel. The pool scene is a little quiet since many people prefer the beach. It's a great choice as long as you don't mind the hour and a half ride from the airport. 

Join me on a tour:




If you have any questions, please email me.  I am Master Agent for these resorts. If you'd like to take advantage of my free vacation planning services, set up a time to chat.  

Walt Disney World Coming Attractions

Disney announced lots of upcoming changes to Walt Disney World:

Hollywood Studios

No scheduled date: Mickey’s and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will take the place of The Great Movie Ride. This will be the first ride themed after Mickey and Minnie.

2018: Toy Story land is schedule to open in Summer 2018. Slinky Dog Dash will be a family coaster attraction where you’ll zip, dodge and dash around many turns and drops that Andy has created to really make Slinky and his coils stretch to his limits.

Alien Swirling Saucers will also be a new attraction at Toy Story Land. It’s designed as a toy play set that Andy got from Pizza Planet, inspired by the first “Toy Story” film. Aliens are flying around in their toy flying saucers and trying to capture your rocket toy vehicle with “The Claw.”

Model of Start Wars Galaxy Edge

Secrets Playa Mujeres and Dreams Playa Mujeres

Playa Mujeres is an area about thirty minutes north of the Cancun airport. It's becoming very popular because the beaches tend to have less seaweed. Isla Mujeres - an island just off the coast - blocks some of the current. 

Secrets is an adults only all-inclusive resort and next door is Dreams Playa Mujeres - a family all-inclusive resort.

Secrets Playa Mujeres
The resort kept the natural mangroves. The lobby and most of the restaurants are together, then the mangroves and then the beach. This means you have to take a golf cart between the rooms and the restaurants. I like how the restaurants are centered together with bars outside. It creates a great nightlife. The piano bar and disco can be lively depending on the crowd at the resort. The pool has a live band near the pool.

Dreams Playa Mujeres
This is a large family all-inclusive resort. The pools are lively. Kids enjoy the water slides and splash park. I recommend getting Preferred Club to have access to the lazy river. It also have villas that can sleep 6 people located around the lazy river. It's a great choice for all ages - including teenagers. 

If you are an adult, you have access to both properties.

Join me on a quick resort tour:



Questions? Email me.

Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort Tour

Dreams Riviera Cancun is an all-inclusive family resort south of Cancun, Mexico in Riviera Maya.

What stood out to me at this resort was:

• Friendly staff 
• Great entry level rooms 
• Feels small even though there's 486 rooms 
• Swim  up bar in an infinity pool 
• Option for guaranteed connecting rooms 

This resort is a good choice for families, groups of friends or couples. It has six restaurants plus a buffet. Four of the restaurants are inside - a plus for the steamy, rainy summer.

One challenge when traveling with kids or a group is getting a guaranteed connecting room. This resort offers to  guarantee connecting rooms for a fee.

Preferred Club gives you access to the best room locations, a day pass to the Spa, and a private beach area.

Join me on a tour:




If you have any questions, email me. 

Breathless Montego Bay Resort Tour

Breathless Montego Bay is an adults only resort with a party vibe - think daily foam parties.

Breathless Montego Bay is a small high rise resort with a great pool area. The beach club is across the street and you have full access to the Secrets Wild Orchid and Secrets St James resorts next door.

Breathless Montego Bay Preferred Club is worth it because you get access to a rooftop pool and bar. You also get access to the rooftop restaurant for lunch.

Join me on a resort tour:

Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall Montego Bay Resort Tour

Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall is a family friendly resort near Montego Bay, Jamaica. It's next door to a sister adults only property - Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall.

The resort has a huge pool, kids' programming, a large plaza for evening entertainment and two small cove beaches. One of my favorite spaces is the Moroccan rooftop bar.

I was also impressed to see the bar waiters delivering jerk chicken and pizza poolside.

Join me on a resort tour:




If you have any questions, email me.

Montego Bay Resorts: Zoetry Montego Bay

I have to be honest - I fell in love with this little resort. Zoetry Montego Bay is not going to be for everyone. It's small - 49 suites. The beach isn't great - it's small and rocky. So what makes me love it so?

The Staff: Everyone I encountered at Zoetry Montego Bay said hello. They seemed genuinely happy I was there. They were friendly. One small thing was that I stayed one night and then came back a couple days later for a group event. Seeing the staff's faces light up with recognition made me feel very VIP. 

In addition the staff, the food was great. I appreciate that Zoetry Montego Bay has three restaurants available for dinner. Depending on occupancy, all the restaurants may not be open every night, but it's nice to have some variety. I like that the small size means that the guests get to know each other. 

The other pro for  Zoetry Montego Bay is what's included. Besides the normal inclusions of your food and drinks, Zoetry offers a 25 minute foot massage to each guest, a motorized snorkeling trip (once per trip), and, if you stay57 nights or longer, VIP arrival and departure service. Plus if you stay in a swim out or master suite, you get to take a boat ride to the Secrets resort for dinner and then a car back. 

The vibe is incredibly relaxing. Zoetry Montego Bay is open to all ages. It tends to be most adults because there's no kids' program. Out of all 49 suites, only 4 have double beds. 

Zoetry Montego Bay is a great choice for a relaxing getaway. It would also be a great choice for an incentive trip. I plan incentive trips for leaders in direct selling businesses like Rodan and Fields. The small size means you could take over restaurants for just your group or even the whole resort. 

Join me as I show you around: 




If you want to explore if Zoetry Montego Bay is right for you, email me or schedule a time for me to call you.

What's the difference between Sunscape Splash and Sunscape Cove?

Sunscape Splash and Sunscape Cove are two family all-inclusive resorts in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Sunscape Splash is a 10 floor high rise. Sunscape Cove is the preferred section made up of two story buildings. 

These resorts deliver a very good value for their price point: 
- Unlimited a la carte dinner with no reservations required at Sunscape Splash 
- A la carte Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Sunscape Cove 
- Walk out beachfront room at Sunscape Cove 
- Kids' club for ages 3 - 12 
- Core Zone hang out area for 12 and up 
- Lazy River with water slide 
- Adults Only pool 


A few things to know: 
- Splash does not have room service. Cove has room service from 7 am - 11 pm. 
- No pool at Cove 

Overall, I think this resort would be great for groups or a destination wedding with limited budgets. The Cove walk out rooms are great. The lazy river and kids' club will keep the kids happy. 

Take a look: 

 


 

Secrets Wild Orchid and Secrets St James Review and Tour

Secrets Wild Orchid and Secrets St James are two adults only all-inclusive resorts right next to each other in Montego Bay, Jamaica 

Below is a comprehensive tour of the two resorts. Secrets St James is closer to the spa. Secrets Wild Orchid is closer to the restaurants. All guests have full access between the two resorts. 

What I love about these resorts: 

• Active nightlife - Secrets Wild Orchid has a great plaza area with outdoor seating for the restaurants and an outdoor stage. It makes the evenings very lively. Secrets Wild Orchid also has an air conditioned disco for those who enjoy dancing to the wee hours. A jerk chicken cart begins making the rounds each day between 11 pm - 2 am for the late night crowd. It starts on the Secrets St James side and then heads to Secrets Wild Orchid. 
• Great Preferred Club - The Preferred Club at both Secrets Wild Orchid and Secrets St James is worth it. You'll get access to a Preferred Club pool and beach area. The buffet can get very busy so I like eating a light breakfast in the Preferred Club lounge. 
• Comfortable junior suites - These junior suites have the best Jacuzzi tub. It's so relaxing. 
• Active pools with swim up bars - If you want quiet - you head to the Preferred Club pools. If you want active, head to the main pools. Both Secrets St James and  Secrets Wild Orchid have a main pool with swim up bar that hosts activities during the day. I also like there's a front pool with an infinity edge that's not connected to the swim up bar pool. 
• Close to the airport - The resorts are about 25 minutes from the airport. 

The Trade-offs

• Minimal Beach - This coast of Jamaica has a big problem with erosion so the beach is small. It can be a little rocky. You also have to watch out for jelly fish during certain times of the year. 
• Adequate dining - The dining is decent. It may not be the best meal you ever ate, but you will enjoy most of what you try.