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Qamea Resort in Fiji is all inclusive with upgraded bures & surfing!

By Linda | Published May 10, 2012 | Posted in Tahiti & Fiji


Click for slide show of Qamea Resort in Fiji

Qamea, one of my all time favorite resorts in Fiji, has enhanced an already outstanding experience with its new all inclusive format, resort renovations, upgraded bures and expanded activities.

Qamea has always included meals in the room rate but for those wishing an all inclusive vacation in Fiji Qamea now includes a lovely selection of wines, domestic beer and soft drinks by the glass between noon and 10 p.m. Non motorized watersports and many activities are also included in the room rate and for a limited time, airfare is on sale.  So if your travel dates fit and everything is available a complete package starts around $7.5K  total for two for a 7 night stay with airfare from Los Angeles.

Other recent enhancements at Qamea include

  • Upgraded bathrooms in all Beachfront Bures with rock wall and stone basins in addition to the lovely and popular outdoor showers.
  • A new jacuzzi at the main pool.
  • Full size jacuzzis in both Honeymoon Bures in place of jetted tubs.
  • A surf pro on site November through March with 3 breaks within 15 minutes of the resort which can  accommodate beginners as well as those more experienced with surfing.

Popular activities available year round include daily snorkel trips, an excellent scuba diving operation with 5 star PADI dive center, kayaking, sailing, beach volleyball and Fijian arts and crafts. And Qamea Island Resort and Spa offers the area’s easiest access to Taveuni Island’s most popular attractions – Buomo waterfall and national park and the pearl farm.

For information on Qamea vacation packages or assistance planning a honeymoon in Fiji, please contact Linda or Patty or Request a Quote from the Fiji vacation specialists at Totem Travel.

Beware of Fiji groupon deal and Tahiti online pricing

By Linda | Published April 27, 2012 | Posted in Tahiti & Fiji, Updates, specials & deals

Since returning from Fiji a few days ago I’ve been asked if I can beat a number of deals including Groupon, Expedia and Kayak and in each case Totem Travel’s normal package pricing was lower than the perceived deal. This was good news for my clients that were up front enough to ask, but I suspect many bargain hunters simply assume that Groupon deals and online travel agencies are offering deep discounts when in reality they are charging more.

The one that troubled me most was the Online Travel Agency that offered the St Regis Bora Bora for $850 night or $853 night “including tax”.  As a Tahiti honeymoon specialist I know the real tax rate is 14% and that’s before all the other “extras” collected at check out, long after the reservation is made and way too late to make a different purchase decision.  The bottom line for my particular customer was an undisclosed $1011 for a 7 night stay.  Yikes!  Another was the groupon deal that encouraged clients to buy a package at Toberua, a lovely little island resort in Fiji, for $2079.  That deal excluded the 20% VAT tax while my everday price for the same Toberua Resort package is $1810 including tax so almost $700 less.

So BUYER BEWARE and do yourself and your travel agent a favor and work together in good faith. A good travel agent guarantees the lowest price on their packages (we do) but  can only deliver on that promise if there is open, honest communication.  A professional travel agent is on your side with the goal of finding best possible vacation experience at the lowest possible price. So go team and thanks to all my wonderful clients that understand the value of collaboration!

Sandals Montego Bay Is A Great All Inclusive For Beach & Water Sport Lovers And Couples Looking For Fun and Romance!

By Patty | Published April 20, 2012 | Posted in Caribbean


Click here for more photos of Sandals Montego Bay

Sandals Montego Bay is a fun all inclusive “couples only” resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. If you are looking for a resort that is located on a great beach in the Caribbean yet don’t want to be bored by a quiet, stuffy resort that offers little to do, then Sandals Montego Bay is an excellent all inclusive choice.

At Sandals Montego Bay you can play all day in the sun and enjoy evening festivities as well. In addition to snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaks and other non motorized sports that are available and included in your stay, Sandals also has a Mastercraft ski boat at the property and waterskiing and tubing are included. If you haven’t gone tubing in the Caribbean, it’s a lot of fun! On a typical day at this resort, you have beach volleyball going on, several guests sailing offshore, the snorkel boat departs several times daily as does the dive boat and there are always those guests who just want to either hang out in the water or chill on a beach recliner with the drink of the day. The snack/beach bar allows you to eat and drink without leaving the beach, but if you prefer to get out of the sun for a bit, there are several nice dining choices for lunch or you can take in a spa treatment.

The fun continues in the evening and you can be entertained by sitting around the main stage in the lobby of the resort with the nightly entertainment provided or if you prefer a casual socially interactive time, you can hang out in the Cricketer’s Pint. There is also a piano bar where you can enjoy a martini and hang out with snacks like nuts and popcorn.

Many guests who vacation at Sandals resorts  rave about booking a butler category room and having a butler. There are fantastic butler room options at Sandals Montego Bay called the Bay Roc Villas and what I love about these rooms are their location. These rooms are located directly on the beach at the far end of the resort so you have a nice private quiet beach area in front of your room. You are still only a short distance from the Piano Bar and swim up bar/pool and the rest of the resort, but you feel like you have your own private spot. I also really liked staying in the Concierge level rooms in the Palms Building because they are also on the beach and have a nice oceanview. The bathrooms are very standard with the basic tub/shower combo, but the room itself is plenty big with a nice balcony or patio looking out at that beautiful blue Caribbean sea.

I am always asked which is my favorite Sandals All-Inclusive Resort.  It really depends on what type of experience and atmosphere you are looking for. If you want to have fun and be active in a more lively setting, then Sandals Montego Bay is an excellent choice for you. With the highest returning guest rate of all the resorts, you’ll feel right at home at Sandals Montego Bay. Give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 or email me at patty@totemtravel.com if you would like to escape to the Caribbean. We are Sandals and Caribbean Specialists and we would be happy to help you find the right all-inclusive resort for your budget and occasion.

Secrets vs Couples vs Sandals. Which is the best all inclusive for adults?

By Linda | Published April 13, 2012 | Posted in Caribbean

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Having stayed at more than 30 adult only all inclusive resorts including Secrets, Couples, Sandals, Iberostar Grande, El Dorado and more, I am frequently asked which is the best.  All of these resort groups are quality brand name chains.  All have multiple locations in the Caribbean and Mexico with newer and older resorts, bigger and smaller hotels, simpler and more luxurious settings.  All have special features that may be on your wish list and all offer a range of room categories and price points with varying amenities and services.

So what if your destination is flexible and money is no object?   Which is the best adult only all inclusive resort?  I still don’t have a quick answer because it’s like naming a favorite restaurant.  My favorites are Italian, Mexican and Thai but you may be a steak or sushi person and choosing the best is difficult because they are totally different. That said, there are some broad generalizations I am willing to make about adult only all inclusive resorts  -

  • El Dorado, Secrets and Iberostar Grande are best for single adults, adults traveling with friends,  multi-generational families with adult children and couples that find PDA’s a bit much.
  • Sandals Resorts are best for a romantic getaway, honeymoon or destination wedding with a couples only format and large selection of islands, resort locations, room styles and prices.
  • Sandals Resorts include the widest range of motorized and non motorized watersports, land sports, resort activities and evening entertainment.
  • Couples Resorts include more off resort tours.
  • Iberostar Grand has more organized group activities and a higher rate of participation.
  • Iberostar Grand has the most opulent lobbies and grounds and their pools compete with Sandals’ fantasy pools for best in class.
  • All of these resorts are beachfront but not all beaches are created equal, so again, it’s important to be specific.  Each of the chains has resorts with great and not so great beaches.
  • All of the resorts have specialty international restaurants and a high standard of food quality and presentation and all but Secrets offer dining options with and without reservations.
  • In bars and lounges all of these resorts include alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages with top shelf brands available.  All include house wines and beer with bottles of wine available for purchase.
  • Iberostar Grand has the most luxurious entry level rooms with shared butler service, jetted soaking tubs and more.
  • Rooms at Secrets are contemporary in styling and we love the “Secret box” for do not disturb room service delivery.
  • Rooms and suites at Sandals Resorts are  more traditional in decor and range from standard hotel rooms to beachfront villas and “to die for” millionaire suites with private pool and butler
  • Rooms at Couples Resorts can be minimalistic although we love the plantation suites at Couples Swept Away and every room has what you need to be comfortable.
  • Room service and in room bars vary widely within chains and even room categories. Only Sandals includes full size bottles of liquor, wine and champagne plus beer, soft drinks, mixers, fruit juice and water in concierge rooms and butler suites. Standard rooms include soft drinks, water and juice. Couples allows you to personalize a minibar with a selection of liquor, wine and beer but quantities are restricted and champagne is not an option. Secrets includes beer, soft drinks and water in every room and Preferred Club rooms add alcohol but no wine or champagne. Iberostar Grand offers a selection of wine and liquor in airplane sized bottles plus beer, soft drinks and water.

Hopefully this gives you a starting point to find the best all inclusive resort for your tropical honeymoon or adult only vacation. For more detail, please read our individual resort reviews of Secrets, Couples, El Dorado and Sandals Resorts. Then call or email if you’d like help choosing the best resort for you and we’ll talk about your wish list and priorities.  I’ve been to all the popular destinations and stayed at almost all the resorts and can help you find the perfect spot!

Which is the best Sandals Resort on St. Lucia?

By Patty | Published April 6, 2012 | Posted in Sandals Resorts


Click here for a slideshow of Sandals Resorts On St. Lucia

As a Preferred Sandals Agency and Royal Chairman’s Club Agent, I sell a lot of Sandals Resorts and I often get asked which Sandals Resort do I like best on St. Lucia? Of course the answer is usually, that depends! Each Sandals Resort on St. Lucia is different and has unique qualities. Sandals Grande St. Lucian might be the best choice for one couple and Sandals La Toc might be the best choice for another couple. There are a few big differences between the three Sandals All Inclusive Resorts on the island and then there are some more subtle differences. Usually there is a perfect fit for each couple at one of the three resorts and figuring this out can be difficult when you are looking online.

Sandals Grande St. Lucian is on the nicest beach of the three resorts and features a large grand lobby. The resort features beautiful views of Fort Rodney and Rodney Bay giving you a very exotic atmosphere. So if you like the feel of a larger, grander resort like you would find in a destination like Hawaii, then Sandals Grande St. Lucian might make the best choice for you.

Sandals La Toc is the most unique of the three in that while this is the largest Sandals of the three of the island, the layout of the resort makes it feel romantic and intimate. While a good portion of the rooms are located in and around the main beachfront section of the resort, some of the resort’s accommodations can be found sprinkled halfway up the bluff and once up on the bluff, there are more accommodations on the bluff with commanding views of the Caribbean. The sunsets are amazing from up here and one of the best days of my trip was enjoying a cocktail at the Sunset pool while the sun was setting.

Many clients still prefer Sandals Halycon because it is smaller with more of a seaside cottage type feel to the resort. Sandals recently renovated quite a few of the rooms at this resort and they look fantastic. The resort even offers a butler category room now and dining at The Pier Restaurant is still a popular dining choice amongst even Sandals Grande St. Lucian and Sandals La Toc guests.

There are also some key differences between room categories at each resort and depending on your budget, one of the Sandals offers the best entry level room categories, another offers better choices at the concierge level and at another, you have the most butler category rooms to choose from.

So if you are having a difficult time choosing which is the best Sandals Resort, you are not alone. We have three Chairman’s Royal Club Agents at Totem Travel, and we are happy to help you find the best Sandals Resort that fits the experience you are looking for based on our knowledge of the differences between the resorts. The choice is ultimately yours, but hopefully we can make it easier and clearer. Give us a call at 1-800-321-7907 and ask for either Patty, Sandi or Linda. Or you can ‘Get a Quote’ on our website www.totemtravel.com and we will get back to you by either email or phone.

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