Sandals Resorts ...You've seen the commercials :)

This last October I visited the Caribbean on a work trip (how sweet!). My first stop was Great Exuma, a small island of the Bahamas generally reached only by small plane or private jet. The airport looks like a house! It’s that small… We toured the Sandals Emerald Bay Resort, perfect for anyone looking for seclusion. Sandals Emerald Bay is a “Luxury Included” (AKA a luxurious all inclusive ), couples only resort with 5 gourmet restaurants, 18-hole golf course, spa, marina, and more. The resort is spread out across 500 acres. I visited standard rooms (lowest cost rooms, generally with no specific view) to the top of the line, Royal Estate 2 Story 1 Bedroom Suite with a private pool and all the rooms in between; there are rooms to fit everyone. Plus, no matter what view you have or square footage your room is, there is butler service in each and every one! I like to describe the resort as understated elegance.

My second stop was on the island of Turks & Caicos to the family resort, Beaches. Sandals and Beaches are run by the same company; only difference is there are 'family resorts' or 'couples only' resorts. I knew right away this place was for children when a large, acrobatic parade with Sesame Street characters paraded through the center of the resort. And even though I no longer watch Big Bird on TV, it was a fun show!

Beaches Turks and Caicos covers over 65 acres. There are 614 rooms, as much dining as the city of San Francisco (well 16 specialty dining to be exact), a pool for almost everyday of the week, a 7,000 square foot shopping area, and three distinct villages: Caribbean, French, and Italian. Accommodations vary from three bedroom family suites to honeymoon luxury suites, standard rooms are also available. Dining options range from pub food to French pastries, seafood, Italian, sushi, barbeque, and Kimono’s a Japanese Benihana type experience. Children from infants to teens have activities suited just for them: babysitting,

Sesame Street, Scratch DJ, XBOX Garage, Pirate’s Island water park, and Club Liquid, a nightclub just for teens!

During my free time today, the first thing I did was go snorkeling (my favorite!). You have two options at Beaches: to take a boat out to the reef or swim offshore where they have an artificial reef. Snorkeling gear and boat ride is free of charge (along with many other activities). This evening I dined at one of their specialty restaurants, Sapodilla’s were they offer white glove, a la carte service for adults only. After dinner I met up with some fellow travel agents at Club Liquid, the club for teenagers, however it seemed like there were more adults than teens and there was a full bar. If I had teenagers, I might have my 14 year old stay in for the night…

My final stop was to Nassau in the Bahamas, famously known for the Atlantis Resorts. I would personally pick Sandals any day over Atlantis! If you’d like to gamble on your vacation you can always run over and visit the famous resort for a day trip. Sandals offer you things Atlantis never could. The Royal Bahamian resort offers an oasis of ‘old world charm’ for adults only. There are 403 rooms on 19 acres, with nine specialty dining options. Sandals try to promote a laid back environment with the quiet pool, Red Lane Spa, and private cabanas, hammocks hidden throughout the property and Private Island. I boarded a ferry to Sandals Cay where I was welcomed by Bahamian dancers and musicians. We had a large lunch buffet on the beach with a show of singers, dancers, and the island’s best limbo player. The island offers this beach party twice per week for guests.

Are you itching for that Caribbean vacation now? … Here are some things to know before you go…

• Cash is not accepted at the resorts and guests are required to charge all incidentals to their room. The shops at the resorts take credit card only. Sandals also has a ‘no tipping’ policy (with one exception for butlers).

• Although many people think butler service at these properties may be too over priced just to have your luggage unpacked for you, that is not all that it is. When you arrive at Sandals you will be given a cell phone to contact your butler at anytime, they will unpack for you, iron, hang clothes, and pack again, they will make all of your reservations for you (on or offsite). Butlers will arrange a cabana for you one day (or everyday) with a cooler stocked with your favorite drinks and snacks and then deliver lunch for you. A great story I heard from a butler herself was when a couple came for their anniversary and wanted a candle lit dinner on the beach. This would have been an easy task for the butler, except it was raining. She decided to instead send the couple away for drinks and set up a candlelit dinner in their room, bring in foliage from outside and stick glow in the dark stars on their ceiling to give it an ‘outside’ vibe… she did his all on her own to surprise her guests.

• Each resort is very large and you could easily get lost. Anyone working at the properties (gardener, bartender, manager, etc.) however is more than happy to not just give you directions but walk you (across the resort if needed) to where you’d like to go.

Enjoy the pics!

The Royal Bohemiam Resort

Water Sports

How low can you go?!

Private Island

Drunken Duck Pub pool table

Beaches is so big, be happy they have signs!





Introduction

Hi! My name is Ashleigh and I am a Vacation Sales Specialist for AAA and a Certified Travel Associate by the Travel Institute. I am a Destination Specialist (AKA I know a lot about the following destinationsJ) Alaska, Hawaii, and North America. I've also taken many cruise and tour specific courses and educational trips with Princess Cruise Line, Caribbean, Sandals Resorts, and the Tourism Board of Mexico, just to name a few! Along with all of my professional training I am well traveled and have a bucket list longer than Santa’s Nice (or bad) List.

I decided there are not enough resources out there for the many travelers of the world so I thought I’d add another! I plan on writing a new blog every other week or so informing my readers of the destinations I’ve recently traveled. I’ll be filling you in on where to stay, what to see, and of course, what to avoid. I’ll also be writing about cruise ship inspections that, as a travel agent, I do a lot of. I’ll then be able to tell you what cruise lines and in particular which of their ships have recently been renovated or are in need of renovation, which ships have better and larger cabins (and balconies), who has the best onboard activities, and the best food! Lastly, because I can not travel everywhere (since I have a 9 to 5J ), I will be writing on behalf of my client’s experiences with tour companies, cruises, and destinations. With all of this information I’ll be letting you know WHO should travel where and with whom because none of this information is useful if I send a retired couple wanting a relaxing spa vacation on a party cruise or recent high school grads on a tour fit for travelers over 50. Of course, along with all of this reading I am providing for you, I’ll be sure to provide lots of pictures!

I hope you find my information useful and if I left out something let me know! I am very appreciative of your feedback and of course your questions! Also inquire about the exclusive benefits and discounts you’ll receive by booking through a AAA Travel Agency. You can contact me directly (phone, email or even where I write my blog) and I’ll be YOUR personal travel agent (no service fees attached).

My first "official" blog to follow soon: Sandals Resorts in the Caribbean...