I'm back from my amazing, whirlwind 3-day, 2-night FAM (familiarization) through Funjet Vacations to 3 islands and 3 Sandals & Beaches Resorts! Yes, I did pay a fee to participate in this great opportunity, BUT it was at a greatly reduced rate. :) Coming soon--my photos & highlights from the family-friendly Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa, plus the couples-only Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island! Our first stop-the newest couples-only Sandals Resort, Sandals Emerald Bay Beach Resort & Spa in Great Exuma, Bahamas! Click here for my many photos from this property!  This could be your balcony-can you imagine waking up to this view every morning?!
Add Comment Happy Holidays, everyone! Have you noticed my website changes? More to come soon, as I am hard at work on both logo and website renovations--a very exciting (and crazy...) time! Hence the big blank I have several fun 'FAM' (familiarization) trips coming up in the next month, so stay tuned for my blogs & photos from: -the new all-butler Sandals Emerald Bay Beach Resort & Spa in Great Exuma, Bahamas -the family-friendly Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa -the brand-new Disney Dream ship inspection in early January, even before the inaugural sailing (VERY excited about that one in particular, since this is the Disney Cruise Line's first new ship in over 11 YEARS!) --Christine Happy Halloween, everyone! There's a bit of a chill in the Chicagoland air today--perfect time to talk about a warm, tropical, all-inclusive Sandals or Beaches Resort vacation in the Caribbean! :) As you may know, if you purchase any Sandals or Beaches Resort vacation of 5 nights or longer by January 31st, 2011, $100 or $250 benefits The Kelly Hutchings Memorial Fund for Cystic Fibrosis! This is a cause close to my heart, as Kelly was one of my best friends. But, there are 13 Sandals Resorts and 4 Beaches Resorts in the Caribbean. How the heck do you know which is the RIGHT ONE for YOUR vacation?! And what exactly IS included in 'all-inclusive' vacations at these resorts?! Not to worry, I can help! My wonderful contacts at the Sandals & Beaches Resorts have given us a little 'cheat sheet' for each and every one of their resorts, and I'd love to share some of the helpful hints with you! ALL Sandals & Beaches Resorts Include: -Premium brand alcohol -Gourmet dining -Scuba diving (if certified, if not you can take an $80 resort course) -Snorkeling & non-motorized water sports -Round-trip airport transfers -Gratuities -Golf green fees are included in St. Lucia & Jamaica (Ocho Rios) -Exchange privileges with all area Sandals & Beaches Resorts, sometimes transfers are even included! Now, let's talk about characteristics of the individual resorts and who they might be right for: JAMAICA Sandals Negril: located on the best, longest stretch of famed 7-mile beach. Most rooms are just steps from the beach! Excellent scuba diving and very 'day oriented', so the nightlife is a little quieter. Ideal for: a romantic, laid-back, beach-style vacation. Walk to Beaches Sandy Bay or transfer to Beaches Negril. 6 restaurants, 5 bars. Sandals Whitehouse: 3 European villages in the heart of Jamaica, set on the untouched south coast on 2 miles of pristine beach, with the largest pool in Jamaica! ALL rooms have an ocean view. Ideal for: unspoiled, old world Jamaica, a laid-back vacation, with excellent water sports and scuba diving. 7 restaurants, 6 bars. Sandals Royal Plantation: All butler service and golf is included! Nestled on a seaside bluff 25 feet above the Caribbean, and a member of the Leading Small Hotels of the World. Luxurious, but not pretentious, with a 5-star spa and 2 small beaches. Ideal for: a romantic and intimate getaway or golfers, with a quiet, relaxing setting. 5 restaurants, 2 bars. Sandals Royal Caribbean: Caribbean charm with British traditions, this resort features a private, off-shore island with an exotic Thai restaurant and swim-up pool bar. Full exchange privileges to 2 nearby Sandals. Beach is scalloped and not long & wide. Ideal for: an easy transfer from airport with an intimate British manor feel. Off-shore island also has a clothing optional side! 7 restaurants, 5 bars. Sandals Montego Bay: Close to the airport in Mobay, this is on Jamaica's largest private white sand beach. A very upbeat and active resort, with the highest percentage of return guests! Great for short stays, with exchange privileges at 2 nearby Sandals. Ideal for: high-energy, active travelers. There are 7 restaurants, ALL with views of the ocean, and 5 bars. Sandals Ochos Rios: There is a championship golf course nearby and it's included! Located on the Caribbean Riviera, the beach side of the road. There is a rock-climbing wall, 2 spas, over 92 pools (?!), and they just spent $21 million in renovations in 2010! Very intimate, built on a botanical garden, but large in scale. Ideal for: a golf vacation & groups (4 couples traveling together can request a villa with a shared pool). 11 restaurants, 10 bars. Sandals Carlyle (Inn): This is a true Jamaican bed & breakfast, which is small in size, but big in value! 24-hour room service for all guests and full exchange privileges with 2 nearby Sandals. There is a public beach across the street. Ideal for: a charming, intimate inn-style vacation, which is within walking distance to Montego Bay shops. Not for those who want quick access to a large, private beach! 3 restaurants, 2 bars. Beaches Negril: Set on the widest stretch of Negril's famed 7-mile beach, this resort features Pirate's Island Water Park, with a lazy river and kiddies' splash deck. There's the ultimate Play X-box 360 Games Garage too! Great selection of suites and adjoining rooms for families. Ideal for: a beach getaway for family and friends with tons to do for kids of all ages, family reunions, and destination weddings. 5 restaurants and 5 bars. Beaches Boscobel: Jamaica's ONLY all-inclusive with Golf for Kids! Picturesque hillside setting with amazing mountain and ocean views. Ideal for: family and friend vacations & golfers. 4 restaurants and 6 bars. Beaches Sandy Bay: The best value in Negril! A more intimate resort with ocean views from nearly every room. Full exchange privileges with Beaches Ngril, giving you 8 dining options, thanks to a complimentary shuttle! Ideal for: intimate beach-style vacation in Negril. 4 restaurants, 2 bars. ANTIGUA Sandals Grande Antigua: World's Most Romantic Resort 9 years in a row! Casino gambling within walking distance and many secluded hideaway spots and romantic suites, very popular with honeymooners! 9 restaurants, 8 bars. ST. LUCIA Sandals Grande St. Lucian: This is set on its own peninsula, surrounded by Caribbean views, has the best beach in St. Lucia! Most rooms have water views. Play at 3, stay at 1. Ideal for: beach lovers, high-energy, active travelers! They are building a new Greek Village with over-the-water bungalows, so stay tuned for that option! 8 restaurants, 6 bars. Sandals Regency La Toc: 250 acres of lush, tropical, hilly terrain with dramatic ocean bliss. One of the largest freshwater swimmig pools in the East Caribbean. 9-hole golf course on-site with complimentary green fees. Stay at 1, play at all 3 in St. Lucia for a total of 18 restaurants! Ideal for: golfers. A true garden paradise with 9 restaurants & 10 bars. Sandals Halcyon: Garden paradise by a tranquil sea-intimate, quaint, and romantic. The ultimate beach resort! It has the island's most impressive dining option: the pier restaurant out over the water. 4 restaurants, 7 bars. BAHAMAS Sandals Emerald Bay: 183 all butler, all oceanfront suites, plus beachfront villas on a 1 mile crescent beach. 3 pools, including one-acre freshwater pool. Red Lane Spa with 22 indoor treatment areas. 18-hole Greg Norman-designed championship golf course (extra charge). Ideal for: those who enjoy a true luxury resort and laid-back beach lovers, golf enthusiasts. Sandals Royal Bahamian: Exotic offshore island with a regal mainland resort! Considered one of the Caribbean's most elegant resorts, with casino gambling nearby. Very tranquil and secluded, with a large beach, plus new beaches on offshore island. 10 restaurants, 9 bars. TURKS & CAICOS Beaches Turks & Caicos: A 12-mile stretch of powder white sand with 4 distinct villages: Caribbean, Seaside, French, and Italian Villages (all suites here have bunk beds). Snorkeling and world-class scuba diving here, with the largest water park of all Beaches Resorts and so much to do for kids and teens. Family reunion packages available and only 15 minutes from the airport! 16 restaurants,  Sandals Grande St. Lucian Not only can the major cruise lines assist you with your non-profit organization's fundraising efforts, but now the Sandals family of all-inclusive beach resorts can too! And this offer is happening starting October 1st, 2010, so don't delay on this amazing opportunity! Here are the basics of the 'Sandals Gives Back' Fundraiser Program (which, as you'll see, I'm contributing too as well! :) ). -This can be done with a school, association, charity, animal rescue, or other non-profit organization! --For EACH 5-night (or more) booking for a Sandals, Beaches, or Grand Pineapple Resort vacation I receive between October 1st, 2010 and January 31st, 2011, your organization will receive $100.00. These can be land-only or land & airfare packages for any number of travelers! You and the travelers would have ONE point of contact for questions and reservations--me! :) --If you ALSO host a fundraiser event anytime over this 4 month period, such as an Info Night, Caribbean Night, bake sale, etc., Sandals Resorts will add an additional donation of $150 for every vacation package booked within 14 days of this event! So, this fundraising campaign can potentially raise up to $250 for EACH vacation package sold! --Travel doesn't have to be completed until January 31st, 2012, which gives everyone lots of time to plan out their vacation plans and not feel pressured. --I'll provide you with a monthly report of how many bookings have been sold and funds will be issued to you after the bookings have traveled. That's because the $100 per package comes out of my commission and that's when I get paid! --Sandals provides brochures, ad slicks, and marketing materials to help you get the word out and I'll help tailor where necessary for your target audience! These Caribbean all-inclusive resorts offer something for everyone: Sandals Resorts are adults-only and ideal for destination weddings, vow renewals, honeymoons, second honeymoons, and more! Beaches Resorts are perfect for families with kids of any age, family reunions, and destination weddings. Grand Pineapple Resorts are affordable all-inclusive resorts in Antigua and Negril. Ready for YOUR organization to start earning some serious money as people start planning their Summer 2011 travel? Give me a call and let's do it! Happy Holidays, everyone! Can't figure out what to give your significant other or yourself for the holidays? How about celebrating the Grand Opening of Sandals' newest all-inclusive luxury resort in the Bahamas, Emerald Bay! This is the world's first all butler, all oceanfront resort, so it really is the ultimate in luxury. You need to book THIS particular deal by 12/3 and travel between 1/22-12/28/2010! The New Sandals Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas Unfolding like a grand estate, Sandals Emerald Bay is a 500-acre resort set along a one-mile stretch of white sand beach on Emerald Bay, Great Exuma, Bahamas. This resort offers a selection of 183 "magnificently appointed" luxury accommodations with styles that range from beachfront villas to charming bay house settings. Unique to the Great Exuma property is a stunning 18-hole Greg Norman-designed championship golf course, reputed to be among the best in the Caribbean, as well as a 17-acre, stand-alone Emerald Bay Marina by Sandals, the first-ever marina for any Sandals Resort. Book your Luxury Included® vacation to this Exotic Private Escape and save up to 50%*. Plus, get up to 1 Night Free when you book 7 nights or more on select dates & room categories! | Christine PotthoffGroup Travel Specialist &  ArchivesDecember 2010 |
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