Sunday, December 27, 2009
Canadians to Require Passports for Travel to Mexico
Caribbean Resort Caters to Little Ones
Welcome to Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos -- the family resort of the Sandals brand -- where the littlest vacation goers like Milo Greenspan rule. Milo may only be four but he drove his family's vacation decision -- straight from Chicago to this resort.
"He's been asking for the last two years to come to Elmo's Beach," explained his mom Catherine. "And if he's happy, I'm happy."
That's why the four all-inclusive Beaches resorts here and in Jamaica are operating at 80 percent or more capacity, despite an economy that continues to wreak havoc on the travel industry.
There are as many as 10 weddings a day, including many that involve blended families. (So many weddings that they are about to launch new Martha Stewart-themed nuptial packages.)
The resort also recently completed a $125 million expansion that includes Italian Village with some of the best-planned family rooms I've ever seen, with separate space for kids with bunk beds, video games, a sink to brush their teeth and a door that you can close!
In fact, this may be the only resort I've visited where none of the guests I've chatted with -- not one person -- had anything negative to say. "We've been here four days and we already booked for next year," said an enthusiastic John Balamenti. Visiting from New Jersey, Balamanti watched as his toddler, Gia, stared transfixed on "Sesame Street's" fairy in training, Abby Cadabby.
There are many resorts that offer amenities and activities for older children -- and this place has knockout facilities for tweens and teens too, including a Scratch DJ Academy and an Xbox 360 Game Garage, but what sets Beaches apart is that it's one of the few resorts to cater to the younger set with day care for infants and the "Sesame Street" program, which offers a chance to bake cookies with Cookie Monster, tell stories with Elmo or go on a scavanger hunt with Grover.
Even the new Pirates Island water park has a terrific area for little water lovers with mini slides, cannons and barrels spraying water, sprouting geysers and a lazy river.
And unlike cruise ships and other resorts, the smoothies the kids crave at those swim-up bars , the camp activities -- even for the babies -- and the alcohol for the grown-ups are all part of the package. Even the mini bars are free, stocked with an assortment of juices, soft drinks, beer, wine and more.
"You definitely get a lot for your money," says Leora Tiloccia back for her fifth visit from suburban New York with her 4-year-old daughter Leah. "There's always something to do, the food is good and there are always kids for Leah to play with."
Vacation packages taking as much as 65 percent off the rack rate certainly help too, as does the drop-dead location -- the resort is spread over 60 acres spank in the middle of a marine sanctuary with a white-sand beach that stretches for miles.
Did I mention the 16 restaurants, huge fitness centre and spa, seven pools -- five with swim-up bars -- and complimentary diving daily? And though this is a huge resort (633 rooms) it doesn't seem that big because there are three clusters or "villages" each with its own check-in, lobby, shops, pools and more.
The day I visited there were nearly 500 children at the resort, most of them under seven. (On busy vacation weeks, there might be 1,500 kids here.) Some were busy doing "camp" activities like playing in the kid-sized pool at Camp Sesame, doing art projects or doing "beach science" like making "volcanoes" from baking soda, vinegar and dish detergent.
Other families were happily building sand castles on the beach, lazing in the pools, getting a burger at the 50's-style diner Bobby D's, or helping themselves to pasta or fresh grilled chicken at another restaurant where high chairs and kid's menus are always at the ready.
But all of this doesn't come cheap -- a week even with discounts can cost a family of four upwards of $4,000, but families told me they felt it was well worth the tab.
"They make it so easy," said Pittsburgh mom Nicole Dallas who is lining up to take pictures with her two young sons and Cookie Monster while her husband is out diving. "We could have gone to Mexico for half the price but it wouldn't be the same."
No worries either if you have a child with special needs or food issues. The resort welcomes special needs children into its programs -- as many as 10 a month, says Camp Sesame Manager Federline Julien.
A "culinary concierge" is also on hand to arrange special meals whateve the issue -- peanut free, gluten free, sugar free -- at any of the resort restaurants. "We have kids who ate their first cookie here," says executive chef Colin Watson proudly. Watson is himself the father of two.
Matt Hawley, a registered nurse from Boston, meanwhile, busily took pictures of his two young daughters with the "Sesame Street" characters. His family could only afford the trip -- the family's first "big vacation" -- because he snared such a great deal.
"We're living our dream vacation," he said. "On a lot of cold days, we'll be looking back thinking of this."
Source: www.cnn.com/travel
Royal Plantation - In a Class All it's Own
The first thing you notice upon arrival is the beautiful, colonial style of the resort, with wide porches with large cushioned chairs where you can enjoy afternoon tea, or just pass by the hours looking at the waves. The resort is quite old (built in the 1950's) but it has been well kept, and it's age just adds to it's charm. When sitting on the porch over looking the ocean, you could be in 2009 or 1959.
Upon arrival at the resort (via private transfer) you are checked in privately by the concierge and served a Mangosa - champagne with mango juice - very refreshing! Once checked in you are free to explore the resort - the bell boy will take your bags to your room. The rooms are quite large with lovely, comfortable beds with immaculate white linens. The bathrooms offer double sinks (very convenient for couples) with complimentary toiletries, including: shampoo, conditioner, skin lotion, body wash and aloe. All rooms come with a flat screen tv with satellite and include a number of US channels. Since room service is included in the Royal Dining Plan, all rooms have a small table with chairs so the staff can set up your formal table setting.
One of the highlights of a stay at the Royal Plantation is the cuisine. Although there are only 3 restaurants, there is a wide variety of amazing culinary options to choose from. Even more decadent food items, such as steak, lobster, escargot, etc are all included with the Royal Plan at no extra cost. And if it happens that there is nothing on the menu that's to your liking, you can request special dishes from the chef. This makes the Royal Plantation a great option for choosy eaters or those with food allergies. Out of the three restaurants, I would most highly recommend Le Papillon (French Cuisine).
One of the main reasons people travel to the Caribbean is the beaches. The Royal Plantation is on a small, but wide patch of sandy beach. There is a large roped off swimming area with a floating dock for sunning. The resort offers many mohangany beach chairs to lounge on - in fact, when you arrive to the beach, the staff will prepare your area for you with padding for the chairs along with towels, a mohagany table and they will even position the chairs as per your preference (ie facing the sun). One of the highlights of a stay at the Royal Plantation is the beach butler service. Everyone is provided with a flag that you can raise when you would like something from the beach butler: drink, food, misting with lavender water, your chair re-positioned, etc. It is a great touch that truely makes your day relaxing and worry-free.
Royal Plantation is a unique resort, and recommend for those looking for amazing service, outstanding food and a quiet, relaxing atmosphere in a tropical paradise.
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