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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.

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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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A few weeks ago I was treated to an incredibly luxurious vacation at Royal Davui private island resort in Fiji.  I’ve been spoiled before (c’mon it’s my job!), and expected 5 star amenities, but all my expectations were met and this idyllic resort simply blew me away.

First let me explain myself.  I am a beach bum, a scuba diver and happiest outdoors in tropical weather.  So it’s unusual for me to get overly excited about a fancy room or honeymoon suite… but the vales at Royal Davui were incredible!  In fact, short of an outdoor shower, Royal Davui offers everything most honeymoon and luxury travelers have on their wish list.

Let’s start with privacy!  To reach Royal Davui one must fly about 10 hours from Los Angeles to Nadi followed by a helicopter or land and boat transfer to a tiny little island in the midst of Beqa Lagoon.  Upon arrival, you’ll get your first glimpse of the island’s white sand beaches, turquoise water and what will soon be your adult only vacation home in paradise, one of only 16 beachfront vales.

Each vale (think bungalow, bure or villa) is built above the sparkling South Pacific Ocean and set far enough apart to afford total privacy.  Access to your vale is along a winding path bordered by lush vegetation , tropical flowers and peek-a-boo views of the sea.

Entering your vale, the peek-a-boo views disappear and you’re greeted with stunning 180 degree ocean views from every room!  Each vale has a light and airy living room with wet bar, fridge and coffee maker, generous deck with table and chairs for private outdoor dining and a private pool (some jetted and heated) suspended above the sea and beach below.  The separate master bedroom suite has a king bed with pillow menu, lavish bathroom with double sinks, an oversized Jacuzzi tub and large walk in shower.

There’s a second furnished deck with comfy lounge chairs off the bedroom and one of my absolute favorite features are the hinged window walls which can be opened wide to balmy breezes and sounds of the surf or closed for air conditioned comfort.  Paradise!

The restaurant and bar offer more amazing views and all meals are included in the room rate.  The food is excellent and most guests dine al fresco in the main dining pavilion, at a torch lit table for two hidden from other guests, or enjoy room service on the deck of their vale.  There is no extra charge for private dining.  For those more social, the open air bar is a popular gathering place and local entertainers provide music and the occasional kava ceremony in the evening.

Daytime activities center on the beach, ocean, pool and spa. Numerous dive sights are nearby and the snorkeling is excellent right off the beach.  Kayaks and sailboats are complimentary, bocce ball and volleyball are popular afternoon activities and there’s a full range of spa services available to keep the mind and body relaxed.

There are optional cost excursions including scuba, golf, deep sea fishing, zip lining, white water rafting, jet skis, shopping and more.  But by far the most popular optional activity is the sandbar picnic where guests are “marooned”  with a gourmet picnic for two, champagne and nothing but a white sand beach, clear tropical waters and time completely alone.  Ahhhhh…….

Royal Davui is about privacy, pampering and time away with your special someone.  You can stay as little as a few days but I recommend you plop yourself down and discover the truly indulgent pleasure of disconnecting and being away from it all!

When you’re ready to plan your vacation or honeymoon in Fiji click for current specials, give us a call at (425) 821-4100 or email linda@totemtravel.com for assistance. Totem Travel guarantees the lowest price for all air inclusive packages to Fiji.  So get personalized help from a travel expert at no extra cost!

Do you like surprises? Who doesn’t? Especially good ones, right?  Right now, there are some great price-breaks for the El Dorado Hotels.  What’s the catch?  The resort will be the surprise.

You could be staying at the beautiful El Dorado Royale with its 11 gourmet restaurants and bars.  El Dorado Royale has the most beautiful grounds with lovely flowers & stone bridges everywhere.

Or maybe the El Dorado Seasides,  with the beautiful beach with all the beach beds, and the unique bars and restaurants.  El Dorado Seasides is only 10 minutes from the eco-park Xel-Ha and 20 minutes from the Mayan ruins of Tulum.

Perhaps you would be staying at the smallest and most intimate El Dorado Maroma. Maroma has the distinction of having cool sand; that’s right cool sand, which for some reason stays cool even in the direct sunlight.  Your toes will love that!  Maroma’s beach is serviced by beach butlers who will bring you drinks, magazines or even a light snack, so you never have to leave!!

Pricing will, of course, depend upon your dates and availability, but I have priced a 7 day vacation from Seattle, which would include airfare.  The “surprise”  price is $2879 for 2 people.  For comparison, if you were fortunate enough to get a room at the Maroma, you would save over $1200; at the Seasides you would save $1000, and at the Royale $300.  So surprises can certainly save you money and be fun, as well.  Taking a chance is really not a big gamble since all the rooms at any of the El Dorado Resorts include 24 hour room service and lovely furnishings.

If a surprise vacation is in your travel plans, please email me at sandi@totemtravel.com or give me a call at (425) 821-4100.  I look forward to helping you plan the perfect get-a-way, honeymoon, or couples vacation!

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The newest Sandals Resort, Emerald Bay will be opening in late January.  This is exciting news as Sandals Emerald Bay will be the first all butler service resort for honeymooners and vacationers dreaming of a private dinner on the beach, being pampered while resting poolside or simply wanting every need taken care of while they take in the beautiful sites of the Bahamas.

The former Four Seasons Resort has been magically transformed into a top of the line Sandals Resort with three distinctive villages, five outstanding restaurants, English trained butlers at the beck and call of all resort guests, a 72 hole Greg Norman designed golf course and Red Lane Spa all oceanfront along a beautiful mile long crescent shaped beach.  As with all Sandals resorts, everything from meals, premium drinks to water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving is included in the cost of your stay.  With Sandals Emerald Bay you even get a butler who is always on call via “butler cell phone”!  Sandals Emerald Bay is the perfect dream destination wedding or honeymoon spot!

Another Totem Travel favorite, Sandals Whitehouse European Village & Spa in Jamaica, recently reopened following four months or upgrades and renovations.  One of our honeymoon clients just returned and had rave reviews.  Check out their detailed report on the resort and Totem Travel service at Trip Advisor.

Many changes and upgrades were made including renovations to all resort restaurants, the main lobby area and treatment rooms at the Red Lane Spa.  Some of the room categories have also been completely re-furbished, adding updated furniture, upgraded soft goods and new plasma TV’s offering an enhanced setting for resort guests.

In addition, Sandals Whitehouse will be debut a new dining experience to Sandals called Neptune’s which will be a flavorful Mediterranean-themed dining concept.

For a limited time take advantage of a Companion Fly Free offer at Sandals Emerald Bay or up to 65% off at Sandals Whitehouse.  Call a Sandals Specialist today at 1-800-321-7907 or book online and take advantage of the great savings at two spectacular Sandals resorts.