Divine Destinations: May 2013

Friday, May 31, 2013

Review of Sandals Carlyle

As one of the smallest resorts in the chain, Sandals Carlyle has less than 100 rooms and sits convienently clost to the famous Hip Strip of downtown Montego Bay. It is here where you can play at Margaritaville and slide down the slide from the bar to the ocean and jump on the water trampolines. Prefer to stay dry hunting for the perfect deal? Go bargain shopping up and down the streets and you are sure to find your treasures for your loved ones back home.

Inside Carlyle you will be greeted by warm smiles and huge hearts who will offer you a refreshing drink and cool lemongrass infused towel to refresh you after a day of traveling. From here you will check into your room which will serve as home base for many. In Montego Bay they have three Sandals resorts so you can stay at one and play at all three. This makes it especially good for those who are movers and shakers and like variety; they can take it all in or do nothing at all and be pampered right here. They have a very upbeat entertainment staff who will get you learning a new dance move or simply smiling bigger with their activities and enthusiasm. This property has real charm and a Wall of Fame that features guests who have stayed for more than 35 nights! Here's a short video I took of one guest telling us why she returns to the Carlyle year after year. http://youtu.be/gjolhiqreRQ

As a Certified Sandals Specialist and Preferred Sandals Agency, be sure to book your next vacation through Divine Destinations! Not only will you be assured the perfect resort and room category, but you will also be insured extra special amenities not offered or even available to those who book online or elsewhere. So if you want service before, during and after the vacation, remember the internet is for looking and your Destination Diva at Divine Destinations is for booking! www.4divinedeals.com

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Sandals Montego Bay

You know that phrase, "you don't know what you've got until its gone"? That's how I feel about Sandals Montego Bay, or "MoBay" as the locals call it. Although I had stayed here for three nights earlier this fall, I had no idea what a gem of a property she truly was! I took for granted her abundance of rooms categories from gardens to ocean fronts to Butler Villas, restaurants, private white sand beach and a never ending entertainment venue! So when I returned for a quick 60 minute tour, I quickly recalled how much I had fallen in love with this resort and wished I had realized it sooner so I could've enjoyed it to its full potential! Thank goodness for second chances; I'm going back soon!

Why would I return AGAIN? Because it's 10 minutes from the airport, the vibe is upbeat yet laid back, the view is spectacular and quite honestly, the diversity of the people is simply too fun not to partake in. I'm a people watcher, so when I see people from Ireland interacting with folks from Minnesota with the only common denominator being a similar first name, it's fascinating to me. When I can recognize people at the airport a week later from behind because I watched them win a booty shaking contest for a bottle of Appleton Rum, you just have to smile and know you are lucky to have been a part of it all!

If you are the fun loving type who thrives on diversity, variety and great service that Sandals has come to be famous for, Sandals Montego Bay is for you! It is obvious to me why people return time after time to the island known for its ONE LOVE!

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Club MoBay; The Best Kept Secret

There is a little secret I'm about to share with you, are you ready? Did you know all of my client's vacation packages to Jamaica come with a little gift? It's called Club MoBay. The average traveler knows nothing about this secret world inside the walls of the Montego Bay airport, but clients of Divine Destinations do! Imagine being personally escorted in a private fast lane through customs, immigrations and security! THIS is ClubMoBay. Imagine riding an elevator up and walking through mysterious frosted glass double doors. This IS ClubMoBay. Imagine instead of hard plastic chairs and tables with left over crumbs from the last patrons, you get cozy high back chairs or couches with tables. This is CLUB MoBay. Imagine an open bar, unlimited snacks including the tasty beef patties, wifi and even showers...all for you. This is Club MOBAY! The only bad part about this Club is when your flight is called for boarding and you have to leave. But in Jamaica they don't say "goodbye", they say, "soon come back".

Sandals Royal Caribbean

With only a 10 minute transfer from the Montego Bay airport, Sandals Royal Caribbean is a perfect escape for those looking for a quaint, relaxing vacation. This resort is very English inspired from the name, to the Pub, Cricketers

to the fancy high tea at 4:00 pm daily and even the clientele it attracts. This week however, was not typical. This week included higher than usual occupancy thanks to all of the Destination Weddings going on and a much younger, vibrant crowd who could've cared less about high tea, just Long Island teas!

The beach volleyball court was literally three steps away from my room's patio, so I was entertained regularly. My room was quaint. With a signature four poster bed and a bathroom with generous countertops to spread out all of my 3oz bottles, it was very comfortable. What I loved most was the location; steps from everything, therefore making it very easy for me, the directionally challenged traveler.

Enough about facts. On to the good stuff. Did someone say food? Whether you prefer room service or that made to order omelet, there was no excuse to go hungry. At lunch you could dine in the comfort of a/c or you could grab some jerk chicken or patties from the beach grill. Nothing welcomes me back to Jamaica like a beef patty and an ice cold Red Stripe! Now for dinner we took full advantage of the Dine Around plan where we could dine at another Sandals resort or even on the private island. We went to the Royal Thai and this is where I first learned how to use chop sticks! Because I was completely unfamiliar with the menu, I asked the server to bring me what he recommended; it was fabulous! While on the island it was surprisingly insect free, über romantic and a great venue if one wanted to host a private wedding reception! The bright yellow dragon boat that shuttled us from the island to the resort was a short drive that allowed for spectacular sunset shots!

When it was time to leave only two short days later, it was quite clear why so many continue to go back to this exact resort time after time; everyone knew my name and treated me like a part of the family! If you are looking for that smaller resort with a big heart and excellent service, you would love the Sandals Royal Caribbean!