Dream Vacations » David Temple

Huatulco (wah-TOOL-co), Mexico

David Temple — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:44 +0000

If you are stuck trying to plan your next vacation and find yourself, once again, saying “I have been to Cancun, Riviera Maya, Punta Cana, and Jamaica about a hundred times each” and are wondering, “isn’t there anywhere else that I can find a nice all-inclusive on the beach?” The good news is that Mexico and the Caribbean is full of tourist destinations that will suit any vacation taste you are looking for and today I will tell you about one you probably have never heard of…

Huatulco (pronounced wah-TOOL-co), Mexico – at the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountain range sits twenty-two miles of beautiful beachfront spread out along nine world famous bays, and the small city that is at the heart of Mexico’s southernmost tourist destination, beautiful Huatulco. Five hundred miles south of Acapulco and due west from Belize, Huatulco averages 330 days of sunshine a year and an average temperature of 82 degrees. In 2005, Green Globe International certified Huatulco as the first sustainable tourist area in the Americas, due to their widespread environmentally friendly practices and policies. Our most popular resort in the area, the Dreams Huatulco, offers luxurious all-inclusive accommodations for the whole family with their 24-hour Unlimited Luxury program.

Riu Vallarta – An Agent’s Take

David Temple — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:00:42 +0000

The Riu Vallarta is a fantastic choice for a family, couple, or group looking for a great value all-inclusive hotel on Mexico’s Pacific coast. The Riu Vallarta sits on Banderas Bay in Riviera Nayarit, the newer northern part of Puerto Vallarta, and is one of my most highly recommended based on the value it provides. For the west coast of Mexico, it has one of the nicest beachfront’s that I’ve ever seen with an expansive white sandy beach. The Riu Vallarta is one of two towers on the resort, the other being the Riu Jalisco, and is the more contemporarily styled as compared to the Riu Jalisco’s more traditional Mexican-hacienda style. Banderas Bay is beautiful at night with the mountains surrounding it and you can even see whales in the Bay from your room’s balcony at the Riu Vallarta mid-December through April. Throughout my visit, I found the rooms, pool, lobby, restaurants, etc. were all lovely and I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending the Riu Vallarta to anyone looking for a good time at a great price.

Families: Want an Unforgettable All-Inclusive Beach Vacation?

David Temple — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:00:24 +0000

“What are the best hotels for families” is a common question I get asked. We work a lot with Dreams, Palladium and Riu properties but my personal favorite and our most popular are the Iberostar Resorts. My three top choices for families are the Iberostar Paraiso Maya in Riviera Maya, Mexico, and the Iberostar Bavaro in Punta Cana, DR and the Iberostar Rose Hall Suites in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Each of these is what you might call the “crown jewel” of multi-resort complexes and with each of these you get full exchange privileges at all the other family-friendly properties that are adjacent. Each of these also offers unlimited a la carte dining, 24 hour room service and all suites for your accommodations and each sit on world class beaches. Iberostar Resorts and these three in particular, are my top recommendations for families wanting an unforgettable all-inclusive beach vacation.

New York to La Romana Nonstop Flight Service Starts January 2012

David Temple — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:00:43 +0000

Dream Vacations is very pleased to announce Apple Vacations’ new partnership with JetBlue airlines bringing nonstop flights from New York City to La Romana on the gorgeous Caribbean coast of the Dominican Republic. The program starts for departures beginning January 14, 2012, and departs from JFK on 3, 4, and 7 night rotations to La Romana (airport code is LRM. The program is slated to run through 2012 and there are some great President’s Day, spring break, and summer vacation options currently available. Our most popular resorts in La Romana are the Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus and the Dreams La Romana. La Romana is a great alternative to Punta Cana for travel to the Dominican Republic and is home to some world renowned white sand Caribbean beaches.

Riu Negril – Ya Mon’

David Temple — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:00:29 +0000

The Riu Negril is a fantastic choice for a family, couple, or group looking for a great value all-inclusive. The Riu Negril sits on Bloody Bay in Negril, Jamaica, and is one of my most highly recommended in Negril (or all of Jamaica, for that matter) based on the excellent value it provides. Bloody Bay has a gorgeous sugar-white powdery sand expanse of beach and is just a little east of the world-famous 7-mile beach in Negril. Compared to Montego Bay and Ocho Rios, especially, I prefer Negril as it is less commercialized and urban and the area has the most “Caribbean” feel, for me. It is an hour or more drive from the airport but I think it’s well worth it compared to staying in Montego Bay. Based on all they have to offer and how lovely the resort is, I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending the Riu Negril to anyone looking for a good time at a great price.

NEW: Hotel Riu Palace Bavaro in Punta Cana, DR

David Temple — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:00:26 +0000

A fabulous brand new hotel, the Riu Palace Bavaro, opened December 2nd in Punta Cana, DR and is the newest addition to the Riu Resorts’ complex that currently has the Riu Palace Punta Cana, Riu Palace Macao, Riu Bambu, and Riu Naiboa. This luxurious resort offers 610 Junior Suites and Suites including some with spectacular Oceanview and Oceanfront Suites as well as the Riu Resorts’ signature Jacuzzi Suites, with an exciting two person hot tub on the private balcony or terrace. All guests enjoy unlimited food & drinks throughout five restaurants and six bars, 24 hour in room dining service, four swimming pools, and exchange privileges to the adjacent Riu Resorts. Reservations are available for arrivals up to the middle of next year (2012), so call or email today to inquire about your next dream vacation.

Affordable All-Inclusive Luxury in Riviera Maya

David Temple — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:45:12 +0000

The Riu Palace Riviera Maya is one of the best value all-inclusive resorts in all of Mexico and the Caribbean and is one of our most highly recommend in all of Cancun and Riviera Maya. The resort is located within the Playacar resort community surrounding the city of Playa del Carmen and is the crown jewel of the half-dozen Riu Resorts in Riviera Maya. The resort is located within walking distance of the Riu Palace Mexico, Riu Playacar, Riu Yucatan, and the Riu Tequila, all of which guests of the Riu Palace Riviera Maya get exchange privileges at. The Playacar beachfront is legendary, with powdery sugar-white sandy beaches and crystal clear turquoise Caribbean water. The Riu Palace Riviera Maya provides affordable all-inclusive luxury featuring spacious Jr. Suites, unlimited a-la-carte dining, 24 hour room service, breathtaking grounds, architecture, and décor, and so much more.

High School Graduation Vacation Ideas

David Temple — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:00:16 +0000

Dream Vacations works with all sorts of groups, both business and leisure groups, including destination weddings, reunions, business conventions, etc. but one of our most popular types of group is for high school graduates, either just prior to (often Senior Spring Break) or the summer after graduation. This can be a great graduation present and secure some great memories for the family and friends on what oftentimes can be one of the last family vacations that young adults will take part in. It’s also great when several families are able to go together, allowing the graduates or graduates-to-be an opportunity to make lasting memories with friends who may be moving out of town and going off to different colleges, into the workforce, or just growing up.

While any of our destinations throughout Mexico and the Caribbean may be a great choice for a group like this, some of our most popular destinations are Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, and Jamaica. In recent years, I’ve personally set up several high school graduation groups to the Dreams Riviera Cancun and Iberostar Paraiso Lindo in Riviera Maya, the Riu Palace Pacifico and Dreams Villamagna in Puerto Vallarta, the Iberostar Bavaro and Ocean Blue in Punta Cana, and the Iberostar Rose Hall Suites and the Grand Palladium in Jamaica. If you’d like to create lasting memories with your graduate or graduate-to-be and especially if you have some other families who want to join in, check out these great resorts and call or email to start planning your graduation vacation today!

!WOW! – Now Amber Puerto Vallarta

David Temple — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:00:23 +0000

The Now Amber Puerto Vallarta is set to open in April 2012 and will be AMResorts’ third resort in Puerto Vallarta, the other two being Dreams Puerto Vallarta and Dreams Villamagna. The all suites Now Amber is conveniently located just five minutes away from downtown Puerto Vallarta. Each of it’s 326 luxurious suites (starting at 586 sq. ft.) offer views of Banderas Bay along the modernly decorated furnishings with a king or two double beds, Jacuzzi tub w/double vanities in the marble bathroom, as well as a fully stocked minibar, furnished balcony, and 24-hour in room dining. There are 8 restaurants including 5 a la carte, and AMResorts’ still allows it’s guests the freedom of “No Wristbands, No Reservations”, meaning you can eat where you want & when you want, without restriction. On site there is also a world-class spa, Explorer’s kids club (ages 3-12), auditorium for nightly shows, discotheque, business center, meeting space, and so much more. For more luxurious accommodations, check out the Swim Out Suites, Master Suites, or maybe even the magnificent 1,800 sq. ft. Presidential Suite featuring a private plunge pool and solarium. The Preferred Club offering offers guests some additional pampering including pillow menu, free in suite internet access, upgraded mini-bar menu, access to the Preferred Club lounge, concierge service, and more. For families, couples, singles, business groups, destination weddings, and more, be sure to consider the Now Amber Puerto Vallarta.

Puerto Vallarta and Surrounding

David Temple — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:00:29 +0000

When considering a trip to Puerto Vallarta, it’s important to consider the different sections that hotels may be located, which vary considerably in the age of hotels, level of development of surrounding area, beach, accessibility to town, etc.

Puerto Vallarta Airport is located in between what’s known as the Marina Vallarta Area and the Hotel Zone, which are the most developed and commercialized parts of Puerto Vallarta and where the old town is located. Many of the hotels in these regions are high rise hotels in urban settings and you can walk from the lobby of some into downtown Puerto Vallarta, where there’s some great shopping, dining, and night life. The South Zone of Puerto Vallarta, where Mismaloya Beach is located, is the least developed and for me has the most lush and tropical feel. The Dreams Puerto Vallarta, the first all-inclusive I stayed at in Puerto Vallarta, is located in the South Zone and is a great choice to consider especially for families or those who want a more laid-back, secluded, and tropical setting.

Riviera Nayarit is the newest development section of Puerto Vallarta, where the spectacular Dreams Villamagna, Riu Palace Pacifico, and, my personal favorite, the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, are located. All the hotels in Riviera Nayarit are within a reasonable cab ride to downtown Puerto Vallarta but most don’t have tourist friendly city life available within walking distance. This is where the best beaches in the region are located and the newest hotels have been built. Apple Vacationers rated Puerto Vallarta the #1 destination in 2010. So whatever your needs are in a tropical beach vacation, there’s something to please everyone in Mexico’s Pacific Coast paradise of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit.