Honeymoon


by Dream Vacations on August 7, 2012

I just returned from Riu hotels new Palace in Cancun, The Riu Palace Peninsula.  The hotel towers over the other hotels in this part of Cancun.  It is a stunning structure and you see it the minute your transfer hits the hotel zone.  Once you enter the Lobby you realize this is not like the other Riu Palace’s.  The Lobby is amazing with new color schemes and a real open floor plan with plenty of areas to relax while you are checking in or out.

Our rooms were very nice with a jetted tub and a rain head walk in shower.  I thought the beds were very comfortable and the room had flat screen TV’s.  I am sure they worked but I never turned the TV on.  The Riu trademark liquor dispensers were full as was our fully stocked min bar.  The view was very nice and I especially enjoy the morning view.  The view is of Isla Mujeres so you get to see the fishing charters, ferry boats and many of the other marine related activities head out for the day.  We stayed in the Junior Suites in the main part of the hotel.  The Villa Section looked extra special.  This is the room category for adults who want a little privacy and some specialized services.

The main pools were great and we never had any issues finding a chair.  They had a gradual edge entry so it was very safe for the younger kids and at the far end some real nice built in lounge chairs.  The main activity pool was lively and I enjoyed some water aerobics, a scuba clinic and a little volleyball.  The view from the infinity pool was just gorgeous and this was my preferred place to be while in the pool.  The swim up bar was huge and set in a separate area between the other main pools with plenty of seating in and around it.

The Riu has a nice sandy pocket of  beach  but the main shore line does have some rocks.   I actually prefer this type of beach.  Sand where you need it, under your feet but a lot more to look at along the shoreline.  The snorkeling was very good and we actually seen an eel in some of the rocks.  One of the hotel employees ran him off with a stick so we went on to body surfing.  The hotel offered a lot of activities during the day but the evening shows were the highlight.  Each night the hotel had a new show and they were excellent productions.  The Theatre is open air so grab a seat outside and you will stay cool while you enjoy some wonderful entertainment.

I really enjoyed the Steakhouse.  We all had the surf and turf and it was the only time I can remember my wife giving me her extra Lobster tail!  We especially enjoyed our waiter Victor.  Victor is simply wonderful and we went to his area to eat lunch and dinner every day of our trip.  I also enjoyed the Italian restaurant it does not require reservations and is conveniently located in the Lobby of the hotel.  I know a lot of people do not like buffets but the Riu buffet’s are not like most.  I thought everything I tried from the Breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets was wonderful.  My family preferred it over all the dining options.   The Riu is truly 24 hour all inclusive.  They have a very cool sports bar that is open 24/7.  They only offer burgers, hot dogs and nachos but isn’t that what you really want at 2 am.  The hotel also offers 24 hour room service.

I had such a great trip to the Riu Palace Peninsula that I am going back at the end of August.  This hotel is very similar to the new Riu Palace Bavaro in Punta Cana.  so if your thinking of traveling to the Dominican you can still experience a new Riu Palace.  If your considering Cancun or the Rivera Maya you must take a close look at Riu’s newest and I think their best Palace hotel, The Riu Palace Peninsula.

by Dream Vacations on August 2, 2012

Aruba is home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world.  Powdery white sand and beautiful turquoise seas combined with a warm tropical breeze makes Aruba one of the top destinations in all of the Caribbean.  The weather is perfect year-round with temperatures averaging about 82 degrees.  Aruba attracts more than 800,000 international travelers annually and has the highest return rate in the Caribbean. More than 90% of the travelers hail from the United States. The southern coast of the Island is home to over 20 dive sites and 11 diver friendly wrecks.  Shoppers can find a huge selection of name brand products and prices that are 10-35% lower than in the United States.

Aruba has no language barrier and no currency exchange so it is very U.S. traveler friendly. The island is very small with flat cab fares so it easy to explore and affordable to get around.  The food is amazing with restaurants ranging from typical franchise food to Gourmet dining.  Aruba also features world class nightclubs and wonderful Casinos.  Most of the hotel casinos will close around 2 am but the Casino’s downtown are open 24 hours a day.  Aruba has a wonderful combination of great beaches.

Aruba has two main hotel areas.  The high rise hotels and the low rise hotels.  The High Rise hotels like the Riu Palace Aruba and the Occidental Grand are located on beautiful Palm Beach. The low rise hotels like the Divi and Tamarijn are located on Eagle Beach.  Both areas are excellent but the top rated hotels will be in the High Rise section or on Palm Beach.  Aruba also has many hotels that are not all inclusive so if you prefer a more familiar brand you can stay at The Hyatt, Renaissance, Marriott or The Westin.  The all inclusive hotels tend to be a better value but Aruba gives you the option for either style of hotel accommodations.

It is time to experience something different then the typical Mexico or Caribbean vacation.  Call today and let us send you to Aruba, “One Happy Island.”

by Emily Kupersmith on July 16, 2012

Opening Aug 2012 the brand new Secrets The Vine will give the AM resort brand their first adults only luxury all inclusive in the Cancun hotel zone! Newly built the property features 495 luxurious guest rooms, all with ocean views, private balconies, Italian porcelain floors, and teak wood furnishings.

All guests will enjoy the Secrets brand of all inclusive, which offers unlimited access to gourmet a la carte dining and premium beverage brands, 24-hour room and concierge services, countless daytime activities, live evening entertainment, and more.

Featuring seven restaurants and three bars with additional amenities such as movies on the beach, dance classes, and more this is a new resort not to be missed!

      

by Dream Vacations on June 21, 2012

Cabo San Lucas is located at the tip of the Baja Peninsula on the west coast of Mexico.  Cabo is known for it’s exciting nightlife and it’s world class deep sea fishing but Cabo also is home to some of the best Sunsets in the world.  Lands End and Los Arcos provide amazing backdrops to some gorgeous sunsets.  These will rival any you see in Hawaii.  The location offers many varieties of Sunset cruises.  You can book a party cruise, dinner cruise, private cruise and even a pirate cruise.  Each offering a little different experience as you take in a spectacular sunset.

These can be booked in your hotel lobby or prior to your travel.  They will start at around $35 per adult for a basic sunset catamaran cruise or around $225 for a private sunset cruise.  If you are with that special someone this will be more therapeutic than any massage in your hotel spa!  Schedule a private cruise to “Lovers beach” and then take in an amazing Cabo Sunset at Lands End.  This is something everyone deserves to experience.

So after battling marlins or before you head downtown to Cabo Wabo take some time to slow it down a bit and take in one of Cabo San Lucas’s greatest gifts.  Their wonderful sunsets.

by Dream Vacations on June 19, 2012

One of the best value all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean is the Iberostar Tucan & Quetzal Resort, located an hour south of Cancun in the Playacar resort area of Riviera Maya, Mexico. This was the second all-inclusive resort that I ever went to and it is still one of my all time favorites. I often refer to it as Robinson Crusoe’s Mexican hideaway since there are monkeys swinging in the trees, tropical birds throughout, ponds with flamingos, native mangroves left untouched, pathways through what feels like an ancient Mayan jungle, and much, much more. You can walk from the resort into downtown Playa del Carmen which has a lot to do both day and night. Although Playa has boomed over the past decade or so since the Iberostar was built, they both have managed to retain the original charm of the area when it was just a remote Mexican fishing village.

The Iberostar is made up of two separate but equal wings, the Iberostar Tucan and the Iberostar Quetzal, which are adjacent and share all of the facilities. They both offer either the standard Gardenview rooms or the Oceanfront Jr. Suites which are almost 50% larger and sit just off of a beautiful powdery white-sand beach with a full view of the ocean. This resort consistently offers a great time to it’s guests of all ages and is an overall great value choice for families, couples, honeymooners, or anyone else looking for a laid-back and fun beach resort with a lush, tropical atmosphere.

by Dream Vacations on June 12, 2012

With the Fourth of July just around the corner, it’s not too late to plan a getaway to the beaches of Mexico or the Caribbean. The following hotels still have room for a stay July 1-6 at the stated per adult price (based on double occupancy, including roundtrip transfers & taxes but no airfare) with their all-inclusive plans included, but you better hurry as availability is filling up and at these prices, they won’t last long!

Jamaica
Riu Palace Tropical Bay
free Upgrade to Oceanview Jr. Suite
$799
Grand Palladium Jamaica $549
 
Cancun
Iberostar Cancun $685
Dreams Cancun $855
 
Riviera Maya
Secrets Silversands
Adults Only
$770
Iberostar Paraiso Lindo $740
 
Punta Cana
Iberostar Bavaro $625
Bahia Principe Ambar
Adults Only
$515
 
Puerto Vallarta
Dreams Villamagna $635
Riu Palace Pacifico
free upgrade to Partial Oceanview Jr. Suite
$540

*prices show as of June 12th 2012