Tag Archive for: Jamaica

The most romantic all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean!

The ultimate romantic getaway means not having to think about a thing…except enjoying yourself with your sweetie. These all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean will sweep you off your feet with picturesque views, thoughtful service, and special touches to make your visit extra dreamy.

1. JADE MOUNTAIN – ST. LUCIA

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This high-end hillside resort is perfect for the couple wanting to be wowed. It’s easy to be intoxicated by the mesmerizing views of the Caribbean and of St. Lucia’s pitons, and even easier from your own private infinity pool. Tropical wood flooring and other organic architectural features accentuate the surrounding natural beauty.

2. COUPLES SANS SOUCI – JAMAICA

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Savor every blissful moment together at the secluded Sans Souci resort on Jamaica’s northern shore. The award-winning spa is a perfect way to unwind together after a day of snorkeling, kayaking or even scuba-diving – all of which are included!

3. SANDALS – GRENADA

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Pink Gin Beach is the home of the luxurious and exotic Sandals LaSource Resort & Spa. Foodies will find themselves will full of dinner-date options to choose from, and afterwards can enjoy a soak in their suite’s Skypool, a solar-heated plunge pool with an infinity edge.

4. COUPLES SWEPT AWAY – JAMAICA

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Every day is Valentine’s Day at this all-inclusive haven situated on western Jamaica’s Seven Mile Beach. Active couples will find it easy to kindle the romance at the resort’s massive fitness complex, an endless list of activities, and private verandas overlooking lush gardens.

5. SUGAR BEACH, A VICEROY RESORT – ST. LUCIA

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Views just don’t get any more breathtaking than at Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort, which is tucked in between the island’s two iconic pitons. Opt for the all-inclusive package so you can relish Sugar Beach’s gourmet cuisine, and for a suite with a private terrace for prime sunset watching.

6. SANDALS GRANDE ANTIGUA – ANTIGUA

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Sandals has romance down to a science, and Sandals Grande Antigua is no exception. Mediterranean style meets Caribbean luxury here on the silky white sand of Dickenson Bay, Antigua’s most famous beach. From the scenery alone, you can see why the resort has consistently been named among the most romantic in the world.

Contact me today to learn more about these romantic destinations.

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Three new Sandals resorts are coming to Jamaica

Sandals Resorts is converting two all-inclusive Jamaican properties, along with a land parcel in Ocho Rios, into three Sandals resort experiences under the Sandals and Beaches brands.

Sandals will convert the former Jewel Dunn’s River Beach Resort & Spa in Ocho Rios and the Jewel Runaway Bay Beach Resort & Waterpark, both acquired last year, plus beachfront land adjacent to the Ocho Rios resort, into three properties: Sandals Dunn’s River; an adjacent, 250-room Sandals Royal Dunn’s River oceanfront property and a new Beaches Runaway Bay resort.

Sandals Dunn’s River will undergo a “top to bottom” renovation. Sandals Dunn’s River will offer a total of 260 rooms including 48 signature SkyPool Suites, a first for Jamaica, which will feature a private cantilevered, solar-heated plunge pool with infinity edge. 12 Swim-up Rondoval™ Suites with many featuring a “Rooftop Terrace” will also grace the property – both signature Love Nest Butler Suites® for the ultimate in privacy and service; 10 restaurants including a specialty rum bar inside the brand’s newest Latin Fusion restaurant concept Azuka and 9 bars; 7 pools including 2 river pools and Red Lane® Spa.

The sister hotels will operate in much the same manner as the concept that Sandals developed between Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados, with exchange privileges between the two all-inclusive resorts. They will be offering “generous” exchange privileges between the two all-inclusive resorts, including multiple dining and amenity options.

The Runaway Bay resort, located between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, will also undergo “extensive redevelopment” becoming Beaches’ third Jamaican property. The redeveloped resort will feature 400 one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom suites, designed “with extended families in mind,” said officials. Guests of Beaches Runaway Bay will have access to Runaway Bay Golf Club and its par-72, 18-hole championship golf course.

The Dunn’s River property returns to the Sandals portfolio as Sandals Dunn’s River, the same name the property utilized when Sandals first purchased the resort in 1990. “Sandals Dunn’s River holds special meaning to our family because its history is the story of Jamaica’s evolution as a travel powerhouse,” said Adam Stewart, Sandals executive chairman.

“My father grew up on the beach in Ocho Rios and this hotel, the first of its kind when it was built in the 1950s, captured the era’s glamour and sparked his imagination,” he said. “When it became available, we jumped at the chance to bring the hotel back into the Sandals fold.”

Sandals has targeted completion of the new Sandals Dunn’s River for fourth quarter 2022. Phase II is the creation of sister-property Sandals Royal Dunn’s River, which will be adjacent and offer generous exchange privileges with a slated completion in 2023.

Stewart says the new Sandals Dunn’s River was the last project he and his late father collaborated on and is an homage to the natural beauty of their beloved Jamaica, with water pulled and circulated from natural reserves and the brand’s signature suites being a prominent feature.

For additional information about these three amazing new properties, contact me today!

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Resort Spotlight: Couples Tower Isle

Back in July, I had the pleasure of staying at Couples Tower Isle. This beautiful all-inclusive, adults-only, couples hotel is located in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. This property was built in 1949 and was the first resort built on Jamaica’s undeveloped north coast. In 1978, the founder, Abraham Issa introduced the “all-inclusive, couples-only” concept to Jamaica, and the Tower Isle was renamed, Couples Ocho Rios. The property was again renamed years later as Couples Tower Isle.

While this resort has been renovated, the art deco architecture remains.

The Pool Grill – Open for lunch and dinner as well as late night food service.

I found many things to love about this resort, but the food was definitely a highlight! There were many restaurants to choose from, however with COVID-19, not every restaurant was open every day, so we had to plan our meals out to make sure we hit as many restaurants as we could. Reservations are required for dinner at most restaurants and it was super easy to make them the app for our entire stay.

We ate most of our meals at The Patio which is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They offer both a buffet (currently modified with a server plating the items you select) and an á la carte menu. Our favorite meal was at 8 Rivers. This restaurant has a glamorous 1950s era feel, serving classic food while incorporating local Jamaican and Caribbean ingredients. Reservations are required and a dress code is enforced. Dinner at The Verandah was also a treat! The website describes it as, “For those nights when you crave continental cuisine at its finest.” While it was continental cuisine, the chefs elevated it in both the fusion of flavors and presentation.

One restaurant that we did not get to try was Bayside. I heard incredible things about the casual and candle-lit Asian restaurant situated on the sea.

This resort is very romantic and great for couples celebrating their honeymoon or anniversary. They do offer nightly entertainment with live music and dance shows including resident band and cabaret performances, but the resort gets pretty quiet at night.

While there are garden view rooms, most guest rooms face the Caribbean Sea, many with views of Tower Isle. Tower Isle is a small private island for au naturel sunbathing. The beach here is small but private so you will not encounter vendors trying to sell you anything. During our stay, the water and beach were full of seaweed and there were red flag warnings, so we didn’t spend much time there. Luckily there are two pools, one with a swim-up bar that we enjoyed.

Every room features air conditioning plus a ceiling fan, private balcony or patio furnished with wide cushion seating and an outdoor table, large bathroom with a shower or tub, IPOD/MP3 player, satellite flat-screen TV, coffee maker, iron and ironing board, in-room safe, complimentary minibar that is refreshed daily, and nightly turndown service (the turndown service is currently on hold due to COVID-19). The furniture in the rooms felt a bit dated, but the rooms were clean and comfortable. The bed was so comfortable, we slept like babies.

Being a travel agent, I do have the opportunity to stay at a variety of resorts. Couples Tower Isle is now one of my favorites. The hotel itself felt special with its art deco architecture. The views were incredible and the staff was lovely! This resort felt like home to me. I think it is a great choice for a couple looking for a quiet, relaxing getaway.

To see more of this resort and the other Couples Resorts I visited on this trip, visit my YouTube channel and if you are ready to plan your next vacation, contact me here.

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Traveling During a Pandemic

About a month ago, my husband and I visited Jamaica. While some of you may believe it is irresponsible to travel during this time, please remember that this is part of my job. I have many clients traveling over the next few months (quite a few to Jamaica) and part of my job to advise them. There is no better way to let them know what to expect than to experience it myself. That is why when Couples Resorts in Jamaica invited us down to spend five days learning all about their resorts, we jumped at the opportunity.

I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say that we had second thoughts after confirming that we would join them. It wasn’t being in Jamacia that worried me, but rather the plane ride. Flights were limited and we departed from Chicago O’Hare, connected in Charlotte, and continued on to Montego Bay, Jamaica. 

We had our masks and face shields and hoped for the best. O’Hare Airport was nearly empty, as was our plane to Charlotte. The connecting flight to Montego Bay was about 80% full but no one sat next to us, although we did have people in the rows in front of and behind us.

Overall the flights went really well. Most everyone stayed seated throughout the duration of the flights and practiced social distancing as best they could. There was no beverage service on any of the flights and instead, we were handed a bag upon entering the place with a bottle of water, biscoff cookies, and a hand wipe.

Jamaica has regulations to enter the country including an approved travel authorization, negative COVID-19 test depending on your state of residence, health screening upon arrival, and temperature checks. There are also restrictions on where you can go within the country. We were required to sign a statement agreeing that we would not leave the resort.

Traveling right now is not for everyone. There are lots of rules and if you do not yet feel comfortable doing it there is no rush. But if you are comfortable and willing to follow the strict guidelines you may find yourself in what seems like your very own paradise as crowd levels are very low. I had such a good experience that in a few weeks I’m off again, this time to Cancun!

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Sandals Resorts

Sandals Resorts are arguably the most luxurious resorts in the Caribbean. With 16 resorts located on Jamaica, The Bahamas, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua, and Saint Lucia. Their adults-only all-inclusive resorts are ideal for weddings, honeymoons, or just a dreamy romantic retreat.

Sandals 5-star resorts are a favorite among clients with their gorgeous white-sand beaches, savory dining experiences, opulent accommodations, unlimited refreshing beverages, exciting water sports and more.

If you would like to stay at one of these incredible resorts, contact me today!

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