Our Tropical Travel Blog

  • Sandals Emerald Bay -Review & Destination wedding Information

    Sandals Emerald Bay

     
    Definitely has the WOW factor! The resort, stately but inviting as you drive up the entrance to the lobby you’ll see why this was once the exclusive playground of the rich and famous. Not a glitzy property but understated, rich woods and utilization of the calming palette of the sea.
     
    As we disembarked from our transfer the white gloved serviced started immediately. We were enthusiastically greeted, shown a seat in the elegant lobby while being served champagne. Within minutes, our butler whisked us away to our Bay House Honeymoon one bedroom ocean view luxury honeymoon suite to complete our check in paperwork.
     
    As he graciously showed us our accommodations I kept thinking to myself -what a beautiful room. The large living area, complete with love seat, bistro table & chair plus a television looked over the large balcony that offered an ocean and pool view. From there you entered the bedroom, again spacious and well appointed. Be sure to wake one morning to catch the sunrise- it’s beautiful from this room! The walk in closet was ample enough for our belongings-including all of my husband’s dive gear ( it was nice not to have to trip over it!) and the bathroom was just perfect, double vanity sinks with a large soaking tub and separate glassed in shower. It certainly made getting ready for the day, or for dinner comfortable-especially as there was a second restroom with shower in the foyer to the suite . My husband on the other hand was impressed with the stocked mini bar and had popped open the complimentary bottle of champagne- he figured I‘d clue him in on the rest!
     
    After we hastily unpacked, we had a late lunch at Bahama Bay and while service was slow and inexperienced (typical for a resort that was only open for three weeks!) our server was sweet and wanted to please. The food was delicious and while some may say the portions are small, they were just right and true portion size (if still hungry one could always request more or go back to the tapas bar).
     
    After our late lunch we walked the property and spent some time on the beach stretching our legs, hearing the waves and taking in the warm night air. It was wonderful not to have to worry about anyone bothering you ( including our kids!). To kick off our shoes and wiggle our toes in the amazing soft and cool sand was so relaxing. A bit later we went to dinner at Il Cielo. Again, the service while slow, was eager to please, and the food was fresh and well presented. Dessert at Il Cielo is interesting- you proceed to the dessert bar where you watch it being prepared right in front of you and where your after dinner drink or coffee is delivered. If you are a chocoholic please try the chocolate cake dessert, it was sinful. While we were finishing our desserts we had the pleasure to speak with the head pastry chef Mr. Purmessur.
    He was so excited about what Sandals Emerald Bay  was offering and planned to offer in the future in terms of food & beverage- from the already being served bread made from scratch and the pizza dough made at the resort from a secret recipe (both very yummy) to the freshly created desserts. Nothing was pre packaged and it makes a tremendous difference in the dining experience. While I have always enjoyed the food at Sandals the dining experience at Sandals Emerald Bay  was tops!
     
    We skipped breakfast the next day in order to sleep in. Met with a sales staff do our site visit and room inspection. She was so much fun and so proud of the resort ! We were able to see several room categories and visit with the wedding coordinator - who, by the way, is a complete sweetheart!
     
    Weddings at Sandals Emerald Bay will be amazing, there are several options including, at either end of the beach ( currently they are working on building boardwalks to get to the beach for the brides to make their dramatic entrance), a Martha Stewart garden wedding gazebo ( unique to Sandals Emerald Bay  ) with a beautiful reflecting pool on one side and a view of the ocean on the other. In case of inclement weather there are several meeting rooms that are lovely, or the spacious ballroom. The resorts lends itself to amazing wedding photo’s - from the beach and the lush gardens, to the golf course and marina, the choices are endless! For the bride that wants an upscale but private wedding, Sandals Emerald Bay  is the perfect location!
     
    A few other wedding features that are must know!
    ** Sandals Emerald Bay  has a private reception option at Il Cielo where you can have dinner at no extra charge. This is perfect for the midsize group. Available only when the restaurant is open- the details are still being worked out on how to reserve, but will likely depend on the group size and first come, first booked.
     
    **Smaller groups of 10-12 it will be easier to accommodate dinner together as the restaurant has many table of 6 that can easily be joined with tables of 4. As Il Cielos‘s requires reservations it should be easy for smaller weddings parties to enjoy dinner together! Also there are a few large tables of 6 at Bahama Bay as a second option.
     
    **I discussed with the spa manager utilizing a private area at the spa for our wedding parties to gather and relax while getting services for the wedding. We will likely also be able to arrange for light appetizers and beverages to be served, it’ll be a fantastic option for the ladies to relax prior to the wedding! Not just limited to weddings we can also arrange this for other groups that are traveling together such as a girlfriend getaway or a golf group!
     
    **Stay tuned for two new wedding packages to be rolled out exclusive for Sandals Emerald Bay !
     
    **Be sure to order your wedding flowers early as they only receive shipments three times a week from Jamaica.
     
     
    My husband went to meet with the dive master and sign up for diving the next day. At this time the dive operation is still getting off the ground- Sandals Emerald Bay  is waiting for delivery of the custom made Newton 47’ dive boat and hopefully that will be in the next week or so. For the moment they are using another boat and while not ideal, it gets the job done. The exciting part is that this area is quite virgin and the reefs look great. Lots of life, large corals and crystal clear water makes for a great experience. Keep in mind that the water will be chilly in January & February so be sure to bring a wetsuit or plan on renting one. No diving on Sundays.
     
    By the time my husband returned from the marina, he was given a full tour and watched them unpack the brand new dive gear, it was a bit late to do much before it’d be time to get ready for dinner so we spent some time with Jaime, the swim up pool bartender. He kept us entertained and on our way to being inebriated. We met some wonderful people from all over including guests that would be the first couple to get married at Sandals Emerald bay, prior Four Season regulars to past Sandals guests. Everyone was having a great time and that was in part to Jaime’s antics and the great drinks.
     
    When we returned to our room we found the Jack Daniels and Sambuca that my husband had requested from our butler was there. It was nice to be spoiled and not having to trudge the 30 steps to a nearby bar to get our favorite drinks. My husband enjoyed a drink on the balcony listening to the band while I got ready for dinner. We then sat together on the balcony watching the stars and enjoying the evening breeze. This evening we decided to try the Drunken Duck as the steaks and pork chops looked good. We arrived late when they were switching from dinner to late night menu- I had wanted a steak but the kitchen was closed- our server, Violet saw how disappointed I was and made a few phone calls and voila-we had steak for dinner. It was service above and beyond! Another great meal and Violet’s service was fantastic during our entire meal and she continued to check on us the rest of the evening!
     
    Sunday was a beautiful day although a little overcast towards the afternoon. We enjoyed spending time walking along the beach, watching the varying shades of blue (have I mentioned how soft the sand is and how stunning the water looks?), then sharing one of the hammocks that are scattered throughout the gardens.
     
    We went to Dino’s pizzaria for lunch- Be sure to stop in to the pizzaria ! This is by far the BEST pizza in the Caribbean or perhaps the world! The dough is made daily onsite with a secret recipe that the talented pastry chef gleaned from top chef’s in France! It doesn’t stop there as it is topped with fresh ingredients and quality mozzarella. Be sure to say Hi to the shy but wonderful young man who will make your pizza ( he also makes the dough fresh each day!) he’s such a sweetie and takes great pride in his work!  .
     
    While enjoying our personal pizza’s we overheard a couple who were former Four seasons guests (well the tables were really, really close and you couldn’t help it!) they were talking about how great a concept Sandals was and how the food overall was better than when the resort was a Four Seasons. That‘s quite a compliment!
     
    Meant to use the hobie cats after lunch but the weather started to turn and it was just a bit too chilly for me. Dave went swimming and I enjoyed basking in the sun. The beach is so large that you have a tremendous amount of elbow room and can stake out your own patch of sand. It was fun watching the guests enjoying themselves while the butlers brought them everything from sunblock, to stocked coolers of beer, water and pop to snacks to munch on! Then we explored the marina ( my husband loves boats of all shapes and sizes and there were quite a few to look over) and a bit of the golf course- I don‘t know how anyone could concentrate on their game- the views are breathtaking! Overall just lazing the day away together. With our hectic schedule and three daughters we don’t get to do much of so this was a real treat! The relaxed pace lends itself to re-connecting with your spouse or partner.
     
    We planned on having dinner at Barefoot by the Sea that evening but it was closed due to the poor weather- wind and light rain. So off to Bahama Bay we went- the tapas bar was great-including the chilled snow crab legs! Service was definitely better than the night we arrived!
     
    On Monday I went solo to Il Cielo for a late breakfast as my hubby was off diving. I enjoyed a perfect eggs benedict ( yup- I gained weight on this trip!). Then back to the room to catch up on emails ( I know-it’s terrible to be working while I am suppose to be on vacation and relaxing, but duty calls!) . Email service at times was really great- at other times you couldn’t log on. You could pay 13.95 a day or 38.99 for the week. I had planned on taking more photo’s of the property and spending some time playing on the beach – hoping to do some snorkeling and hobie cats but unfortunately the day ended up being a bit brisk and dreary with showers off and on. We had lunch at Barefoot by the Sea and Dave scarfed down the freshly made nacho chips, salsa and guacamole- hog. Enjoyed a fresh seafood salad and sweet potato soup while Dave had the blackened grouper sandwich- all was great! Took a brief tour of part of the island with some of our new friends and then we spent some more time at the pool bar ( it was THE place to be even with chilly weather and the location is great- right between the beach and pool- great crowd and everyone was having fun!) and then warmed up in the hot tub while the sun set.
     
    An early night for us as our flight in the am left at 7. Check out was traumatic- I didn’t want to leave.
     
     
     Normally I wait 6 month before I can recommend a newly opened property, as there is always a learning curve when a property is new- Sandals Emerald Bay  will accomplish in 6 weeks what other properties take 6 months to do. I found it quite interesting that the resort was in the high eighties % for occupancy in the first 3 weeks - that in itself was amazing- but for the staff to function as well as they did was a high testament to Sandals !
     
    In a nutshell -What makes Sandals Emerald Bay  so special ?
     
    Butler in every room- ahhhhh, the butlers are the secret to amazing pampering. They’ll arrange your pool or beach chairs, deliver food or drink and arrange for your every desire to be met! Definitely utilize this service and you will not regret it!
     
    Grounds- lush and spacious, the park like grounds invited you for a stroll whether it was day or night.
     
    Food & beverage - fantastic. Every meal is created from fresh ingrediants and it makes a world of difference. From the freshly made bread to the delicious but beautifully prepared entrees to the scrumptious ( and not for the calorie counter) desserts this one really shines !
     
    Elbow room-the resort was in the high 80’s occupancy, yet we felt like we had the resort to ourselves. Plenty of loungers on both the beach and by the active and quiet pool.
     
    The crowning glory ? The Beach and water. The above all make it an amazing property but the Beach-neither pictures nor words can do justice to this beach! Just shy of a mile long, the crescent shaped beach was made for lovers. The softest sand that I have ever enjoyed, this quiet getaway has no beach vendors to interrupt your tranquility. The bay changes colors throughout the day reflecting all the shades of blue and emerald that you can dream of.
     
    A couple of notes-
     
    -Pack lightly! Most flights into the island are on the smaller jets, therefore there is limited room for luggage and many pieces get left behind till the next flight comes in!
     
    -This is a small Caribbean island, not for those who seek nightlife and lots of excursions! Be prepared to take in beautiful views of the ocean while relaxing, it’s a slower pace all around!
     
    -At this time not all events proceed as scheduled on the daily entertainment sheet, nor are the restaurant & bar hours quite as stated- again typical of a resort that is just opening and I have no doubt that will improve.
     
    -The golf course is not for the faint of heart. Greg Norman designed the 7001 yard, par 72 Championship Golf course with 6 signature Oceanside holes. I overhead it described as challenging and that Greg Norman made it for just for one person to play - himself!  However everyone that tried it fully enjoyed and said the views were impressive.  
     
    -Let your butler know if you are going fishing as the chef can prepare your catch for that evening’s meal!
     
    -There are six Har-Tru tennis courts that were in use during our stay-there was also a tennis pro available!
     
    - The spa looks fantastic, not enough time to enjoy a treatment during our brief stay but it was large and had 17 treatment rooms. Dermologic skin care treatments are available, also several couples rooms, a yoga room and a fitness center with Cyberex equipment and a few free weights.
     
    Sandals Emerald Bay  has become that special place for me - you know the one where, when you need to think happy thoughts and find a little peace in a hectic day, that you daydream about. Even though there were a few grand opening glitches-particularly with wait staff and it was obvious that the resort was understaffed, I found that the overall experience was amazing and the potential for the resort, breathtaking. Each day you can visibly see the staff improving and by our last day service was nearly perfect- I can only imagine what another month under their belt will accomplish!
     
    Sandals Emerald Bay is the perfect resort for those seeking a remote adult only retreat, the ease of all inclusive, and the most beautiful white sand beach framed by the Caribbean sea one can imagine.

    To book your Sandals Emerald Bay vacation, honeymoon or Destination wedding contact Jennifer@Sandnsunvacations.com

    To view our sandals Emerald Bay photo's click here- www.sandnsun.smugmug.com

     

  •  

    Sandals Caribbean Honeymoon Seminar -

    Join us for a  Honeymoon Seminar presented by Sandals Resorts and Sand & Sun Vacations at the

    38th Annual Grand Rapids Bridal Show!

    DeVos Place, Grand Rapids MI

    Friday, January 4th, 2008 at 5pm
    Saturday, January 5th, 2008 at 11am

    Limited space, must RSVP!

    Call Certified Sandals Specialist Jennifer at Sand & Sun Vacation at     269.686.0595
    or Email     Jennifer@sandnsunvacations.com with choice of date.

    Special discounts available only to show attendees!     Door prizes!

  • All Inclusive FAQ's

    All-Inclusive Resort Vacations- What’s to Know ?

     

    Jennifer Prymula 

    A Romantic Voyage by Sand, Sun & Savings 

    The buzz word these days is All-Inclusive vacations. This is a wonderful option for honeymoons and destination weddings for a myriad of reasons. An All-Inclusive resort package has several advantages over a typical vacation package.  But exactly what does All-Inclusive mean? Simply put, All-Inclusive is a term used to describe vacation packages where for one price upfront, virtually everything on your trip is paid. This includes airfare, accommodations, food, beverages-including alcohol, entertainment and activities. One of the best features of an All-Inclusive vacation is the ability to know exactly how much your honeymoon will cost before you arrive!

    But what are the pitfalls to booking an All- Inclusive vacation? Misinformation tops the list! Whether it’s from well meaning friends and relatives or from websites that don’t tell the whole story, a couple can arrive at their all inclusive resort to find that many of the items that they assumed would be included- aren’t! The "All" part of the All-Inclusive can vary widely from one resort and supplier to another. Each resort and supplier determines the features included in its packages. Many websites will advertise that a package is All- Inclusive when in actuality the vacation package only includes flights, transfers and accommodations.

    So what can you expect from a typical All-Inclusive package? 

    Accommodations-The location of the room- garden, ocean view or beachfront, size and any special features such as a hot tub, plunge pool or butler service may affect the price. Things to be careful of with booking your room include whether the resort utilizes a towel card system (lost towels can incur hefty charges), a fee for use of the in room safe, resort fee’s and if there is a complimentary mini bar, how often it is stocked and with what beverages for the All- Inclusive price. Some resorts may charge extra for special requests.

    Dining & Entertainment- Most All- Inclusive resorts include meals. Some will have a buffet for all meals and others have several different a la carte restaurants and/or snack bars. The venues usually include Asian, Mexican, Gourmet and Italian. Generally the larger the resort the more options are available for dinning. One other feature to look for is whether your chosen resort allows a la carte dinning at any of their restaurants or if they limit visits according to how many days you are staying or what room category you are booked into. Some All-Inclusive resorts will include room service. Check if it is 24 hours or only during set hours!

    The food quality is usually what will make or break a vacation – if a couple prefers American comfort food and all that is available is fine dining, they may come away from the honeymoon extremely disappointed. Food offerings can vary greatly depending on what nationality the majority of the guests are. If a couple is expecting gourmet or local flavors and the food choices are buffet only or cater to European tastes, disappointment can ensue. Other resorts may only offer gourmet food at a surcharge.

    Bar Service-  All beverages, from soft drinks to adult beverages are usually available free of charge. Some resorts will serve a limited selection of domestic beverages; others may offer premium brands with the package or for an additional cost. Check to see if they offer your favorite beverage or if the resort offers premium or house/local liquors.

    Sports Activities- Most All-Inclusive beach resorts offer non motorized water sports such as windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, water trykes and sailing for their guests. Quite often the non motorized watersports offered depends upon the resorts beachfront. If a resort is located in an area that typically has rough water there may be no water sports or often it is red flagged, which means that they will not allow guests to use the equipment. Some resorts require an orientation before they allow you to use the equipment, others have a time  limit. Some even require a cash refundable deposit. Tennis, volleyball and fitness centers are almost always offered and included. Often motorized sports are available for a fee.

    Entertainment – Many All-Inclusive resorts include entertainment. This can range from high energy staff members that organize games during the day and then perform in shows during the evening. Or a more laid back approach such as a solo saxophonist, harpist or guitar player during dinner. Many of the all-inclusive resorts have an onsite disco- admission is usually free and most include drinks. Depending on the destination there are All-Inclusives that have a casino onsite- drinks may or may not be included.

    Weddings— As part of an All-Inclusive package a wedding may be free and include a coordinator, a few photos, flowers, champagne, music and a wedding cake. These packages usually require that you pay the government /administrative fees. Of course you can always upgrade the package to make it more personalized!

    What else should you look for ? The resorts ambience can also make or break a honeymoon or destination wedding. Does the resort cater to families, spring breakers or people within your age group? Is the resort for adults only? Other items that may or may not be included : transportation to or from the resort, local sightseeing or excursions outside of the resorts, internet service or wireless internet, gratuities, use of spa facilities for free or with a surcharge. Spa treatments are usually available for an additional fee. Some will include transportation to their sister properties and use of all facilities including food and beverage. A few resorts may offer excursions outside the resort or greens fees at local golf courses in their package!  

    So with all of these choices what is a honeymooner to do?  Sit down with your fiancee and discuss what each of you envision for your honeymoon, the features that are important to each of you and what isn’t important. Be very thorough with your research of each property you are considering and remember the old adage “You Get What You Pay For”.

    Consider a travel agent that specializes in honeymoons or destination weddings. Generally, using a travel agent will not cost you any more than booking on the internet (and quite often can offer a better value), however you will gain the expertise and knowledge of someone whose profession is to be able to sort the information, avoid common pitfalls and know who the best supplier is for a particular destination. A good travel agent will know the strengths and weaknesses of each All-Inclusive resort either from personal experience or from the training they receive. They will know the amenities available, food quality, what the resorts ambience is and who your fellow guests will be. The travel agent should engage you in a dialogue of your expectations, what amenities and features you & your fiancee want, your budget and then assist in booking your dream honeymoon! Another bonus to using a travel agent is, if something should go wrong, you have a consumer advocate on your side who has a great deal of negotiating power.

    When booking your All-Inclusive honeymoon/destination wedding remember to double check the details of exactly what is included. Do your homework before placing your deposit so you have the vacation of your dreams. 

  • Club Med Special - 7 Days for the Price of 3!!

    Experience 7 fun-filled days and nights for the price of 3!

    Travel in May or June and you get a complimentary *$100 resort credit

    Ixtapa-Mexico from $675

    Sandpiper-Florida from $735

    Punta Cana-Dominican Republic from $750

    Bora Bora-French Polynesia from $810

    Turkoise-Turks & Caicos from $870

    Columbus Isle-Bahamas from $900

    Buccaneer's Creek-Martinique from $980
    Prices do not include airfare and are valid for new individual bookings only for select travel dates from 4/22/06 to 6/16/06 & 9/2/06 to 11/3/06. Prices available for a limited time only, subject to capacity control and may increase at any time. Holiday blackouts may apply. Prices are per person, double occupancy minimum category room and are based on 3-night peak rates.
    7-day weekend rates are combinable with no other offers or promotions except $100 per adult in resort credit. Reservations must be paid in full at time of booking confirmation and are completely non-refundable once confirmed.
    7-night minimum stay required. Adult prices apply to all guests 16 and over.
    For Turkoise all guests must be 18 or over. Club Med Membership fees of $60 per adult and $30 per child are additional. Other restrictions apply including brochure terms and cancellation/change fees. Not responsible for errors or omissions.

    * $100 per adult in resort credit redeemable towards payment of select in resort purchases for travel only from 4/22/06 to 6/16/06 & 9/2/06 to 11/3/06. Available exclusively in North American zone villages including Bora Bora. Must book by 3/17/06. 7-night minimum stay required. Any unused portion will be forfeited and is non-refundable. Not redeemable for cash. Other restrictions apply.

     

Categories

Archives