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Puerto Vallarta’s all-inclusive, adult’s only resorts are intimate and romantic!



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During my recent visit to Puerto Vallarta, I had the opportunity to visit many resorts.  Among those were the Casa Velas and the Villa Premiere.  Both resorts are adults only, all-inclusive. Villa Premiere also has an EP (no meals or beverages included) option, as well.  Both are small resorts with 80 rooms or so.  This contributes to the intimate ambiance!  No kids contribute to the romantic feel of the resort!!

Casa Velas, although not on the beach, has a wonderful Beach Club just a short distance away.  Transportation is provided to the beach club which has its own pool, lovely beach, terrace & indoor lounging area. If you are planning a small wedding in Puerto Vallarta, Casa Velas Beach Club is the ideal venue. Very small, very private!  Catering can be arranged through the hotel, as well, for a lovely sunset reception!

All of the rooms at Casa Velas are suites, with 24 hour room service and a fully stocked (and re-stocked daily) mini-bar.  Some of the suites do offer a plunge pool or a Jacuzzi.  One of the suites, a 4 bedroom suite, actually has its own swimming pool, along with sleeping accommodations for 8 people!  Great for that extended family vacation.  Each of the bedrooms has a private bath, along with a powder room off the living room.

There are 2 ala carte restaurants available, which do require dinner reservations.  No worries, though, the resort is small, so you should have no trouble securing a table!

For those who just can’t leave the office at home, the Casa Velas offers a business center and WIFI throughout the property.  However, if relaxing is more your way of vacationing, the pool is beautiful with lots of lounge chairs, a great spa is available for that couples massage, and discounts for the nearby golf course are available.  To keep in shape, lighted tennis courts and a gym are waiting!

Villa Premiere is a lovely small, beach resort, not far from the town of Puerto Vallarta.  For that reason, some guests prefer to do the EP and skip the inclusive meals and beverages.  They feel there are just too many great restaurants in Puerto Vallarta to be missed.  Others love the all-inclusive program and not having to worry about the cost of meals and drinks.  It’s totally a personal choice.   The all-inclusive program does offer 24 hour rooms service and a fully stocked mini bar.  The mini bar is still available to EP guests, but a charge applies for each item consumed.  The same with room service, it is available for EP but with a charge.

Again the Villa Premiere is a small, adults’ only resort, with a great beach.  Each room, except for the entry level, has a Jacuzzi tub!  In the Spa Rooms, which are near the Spa (obviously), you will receive a free pedicure or a complimentary massage.  How great is that?  The Master Suite has the most amazing wrap around terrace!  The view is spectacular and great for a small dinner party or family gathering.

Three ala carte restaurants are available for your dining pleasure.  And pleasure it is!  They have the most amazing dinner rolls….with cream cheese centers!  The food and service at Villa Premiere is fantastic.

Think Puerto Vallarta for your wedding, honeymoon, or romantic get-a-way!  You will not be sorry.  Please call or email me when you are ready to start the planning process!  sandi@totemtravel.com or 425 821-4100.

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A trip review & pictures from Sandals Emerald Bay



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Having just returned from Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas, I wanted to share my trip review and pictures of Sandals newest luxury all inclusive resort.  I’ll start with my summary -

In my opinion Emerald Bay will soon be acknowledged as Sandals best resort.  But while the quality of this diamond is undeniable, it requires polishing to complete the transformation from shuttered Four Seasons Resort to Sandals best.  I have no doubt this will happen quickly, however early arrivals will see the resort as a work in progress.

So what will guests find today and what is coming soon?

Today, arriving guests will find Sandals best beach, best pool and best golf course, the most beautiful wedding gazebo I’ve seen anywhere in the world and stunning oceanviews of an amazing, turquoise sea.

They’ll find the most private beachfront villas offered at any Sandals resort, 100% suites with butler service, fully stocked in room bars, sunken tubs, walk in showers, the softest linens, fluffiest towels and most comfortable beds. Early guests will also find excellent food prepared at four themed restaurants (Sandals claims 5 including a selection of pizzas), top shelf liquor served in every bar, a full service spa, expansive grounds and, for a limited time, rates at a fraction of the normal cost.

Golf enthusiasts will play a Greg Norman designed championship course soon to be featured on a ten part golf channel series and I’m told the images will immediately put the Sandals Emerald Bay course on a must play list for fans.  Scuba divers and snorkelers will be treated to virtually untouched sites teeming with starfish, rays, conch in every stage of its life cycle, and brighly colored fish.

As of last week, a few standard Sandals features were still missing including bathrobes, pagers for butlers and scuba equipment but supplies are arriving every day.  Staff members are also arriving daily, so early arrivals would be wise to expect moments of service excellence interspersed with lapses until new employees are fully trained and on board.  This shouldn’t take long as the personable General Manager has assembled a top quality team which is transforming and redefining the resort experience literally hour by hour.

Planned enhancements include beach beds to line the mile long stretch of powder white sand, neutral fabrics for poolside cabanas, private dining locations scattered throughout the gorgeous grounds and firepits for romantic evenings under the stars.  Improved air service with non stops from Atlanta, Ft Lauderdale and Miami is also anticipated as are updated furnishings for guest rooms.

For more details or assistance selecting a room category at Sandals Emerald Bay, please call or email linda@totemtravel.com.  I’ve been to every one of the Sandals and Beaches Resorts and would love to help you choose the best spot for your all inclusive vacation or honeymoon.  You can also book online.

New Wedding Collections at Sandals Bring That Martha Stewart Touch to Your Destination Wedding



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Your destination wedding at Sandals can now have that Martha Stewart touch with the introduction of the Sandals Wedding by Martha Stewart.  Sandals has always been one of the top places to have a destination wedding and combined with Martha Stewart’s fabulous collection of weddings to choose from, your dream wedding will be everything you have imagined and more.

While at Sandals’ Beaches Resort on Turks & Caicos, I got to preview the Martha Stewart Wedding Collection which starts with the ”Beautiful Beginnings“ collection. This collection is done in a stunning purple and is free with a 6 night or more stay in concierge or higher level room.

You may choose the ”Flutter of Romance“ collection which is whimsical, romantic and playful.  I thought this collection would be perfect for that Valentine’s Day wedding or any bride who loves pink!  Another wedding collection that Martha Stewart has so elegantly created is her “Vision in White“  collection.  This was one of my favorites for its classic and timeless beauty.

My two favorite wedding collections by Martha Stewart were the ”Seaside Serenade“ and the “Chic & Natural” collections.  Both of these collections celebrate the natural beauty of the Caribbean and would make your Sandals wedding the Caribbean wedding of your dreams. The “Seaside Serenade” uses seashells to create a beachside feel while the ”Chic &Natural“ collection is done in earthy tones of browns and greens which blend nicely with the natural foliage and sands of the Caribbean.

As if you didn’t have enough options, the final collection by Martha Stewart for Sandals Resorts is an eye-catching tropical collection called ”Island Paradise“ . This top of the line collection showcases the vivid colors of the tropics and luxurious elegance of the islands.  A wedding using this collection would be breathtaking!

For more information on what is included with any of these wedding packages and to book your Sandals wedding, give us a call at 1 (800) 321-7907 or send me an email at patty@totemtravel.com.  We are Sandals and Beaches Preferred Specialists and we will make choosing, planning and making your dream wedding a breeze!

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