Jan 08 2010

Sandals Emerald Bay Opening & Newly Renovated Sandals Whitehouse Reopens

Published by Patty under Caribbean


Click here for PowerPoint Slideshow

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.

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Jan 01 2010

Seattle area wedding shows and honeymoon planning events

Published by Linda under Travel Events & News

The ball has dropped and Totem Travel is ready as the wedding and honeymoon planning season begins in earnest.  January will find us at three wedding shows plus we’ll be hosting a number of free honeymoon planning events.   So come meet us in Seattle, Lynnwood, Edmonds or Kirkland.  Our honeymoon specialists will be everywhere!

On January 9-10 we’ll be representing Sandals Luxury Included Resorts at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall and you can get one free admission to the show online.  We’ll have an enter to win prize at our booth plus special incentives for couples attending our Sandals Night January 27.  RSVP to linda@totemtravel.com.

On January 16-17 we’ll have a Fiji Honeymoon booth at the Seattle Convention Center. So come meet us, talk to Tourism Fiji’s top travel agent for 2009 and pick up a $50 gift card at the same time!  Show hours are 10a - 5:30 Saturday and 10:30a - 5p Sunday and coupons worth $2 off admission are available online.  We also have a limited supply of full color magazines showcasing many of the best wedding show vendors.  Just stop by Totem Travel at 12305 120th Ave NE in Kirkland between 9a - 6p Monday through Friday or Saturday 10a - 3p to pick up your free copy.

On January 30-31 we’ll again represent Sandals all inclusive resorts at the Lynnwood Convention Center.  Discounted admission can be found online and we’ll have another enter to win prize at the booth.

In February Totem Travel is partnering with WARM 106.9 for a very special month of romance.  We’ll conduct a travel seminar at Savvy Traveler in Edmonds on February 20 featuring Tahiti and Fiji, the exotic and beautiful South Pacific islands.  Plus we’ll have another complimentary Sandals Honeymoon Night on February 24 with special incentives for attendees.

So if you are planning a honeymoon or destination wedding you’ll have lots of opportunities to meet the Honeymoon Experts at Totem Travel.   Call, email, visit our site, stop by our store, read resort reviews and see what our customers have to say about the services we provide.

We love travel so you’ll get Personalized service from a travel expert at no extra cost!

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Dec 25 2009

How to choose the best all inclusive family vacation

Published by Patty under Caribbean


Click here for Slideshow (Beaches Turks & Caicos)

In my search for the best all inclusive resort for families I have stayed at some of the best in Mexico and the Caribbean, but having just returned from a fabulous trip to Beaches Resort on Turks & Caicos, I am convinced that I found the number one or “best of the best” all inclusive resort for families. You’ll never have to leave the resort because everything is included at this top of the line family Resort. You can dine in 16 different restaurants, snorkel, sail and even scuba dive right from the resort and still check out without owing another penny.  Isn’t that what all inclusive is all about?

Most all inclusives offer limited menu restaurants opting for the buffet style of dining. Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort gave me 16 dining options so I indulged in wonderful Italian, elegant French, and good ole English Pub fish and chips among others. One of my favorites was the Barefoot by the Sea restaurant where the conch fritters are out of this world and parents enjoyed their dinners and lingered over a glass of wine or dessert while kids played in the sand near their table.

Besides being on one of the most beautiful white sand beaches which glistens over twelve miles long against pure turquoise waters, Beaches Turks & Caicos offers a variety of choices for young families.  Compared to most all inclusive resorts which start their kids programs at age 3, 4 or 5, Beaches offers a complete kids club for infants through the teens. 

While I was there the resort was full of babies and preschool age children who were having fun not only in the gentle sea, but watching Sesame character parades, sliding down slides in the waterpark and floating down the lazy river. The older kids found their fun trying their hand at the surf simulator, Xbox game room and DJ recording studio. Stayed tuned as I plan on telling you more about what is offered for children and describe the kids club in more detail in my next blog.

Another feature that makes Beaches Turks & Caicos stand out over other all inclusive resorts are the room accommodations available for families.   I always had to book two rooms to accommodate my family of five, but at Beaches Turks & Caicos there are fabulous options like rooms with bunk beds and trundles plus a king size bed and day bed with trundle all in one suite.  You can also link together some of the rooms to accommodate your family or even more than one family (up to twelve people).

If you are interested in going to Jamaica, there are three wonderful Beaches Resorts there and we have been to all of them.  Beaches Resorts leave no stone unturned in making the dream of a perfect family vacation come true where kids can play and parents can play AND relax!!

Just give Totem Travel a call at (425) 821-4100, or send me an email at patty@totemtravel.com and you’ll get personalized help from a Beaches expert at no extra cost!

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Dec 21 2009

Finding the best Fiji resorts for your honeymoon or vacation

Published by Linda under Tahiti & Fiji

Since becoming a Fiji Specialist I’ve visited the Fiji islands regularly in search of the best honeymoon and all inclusive resorts.  So what have I found?  Here are some of my favorite Fiji resorts at several budget levels -

Namale is the most inclusive of all Fiji resorts and an outstanding choice for a honeymoon or destination wedding.  With only 19 bures, this adult only sanctuary offers the rare combination of luxury, total privacy and a long list of complimentary activities such as waterskiing, golf, scuba diving, hiking, horseback riding, tennis, bowling, a movie theater and more.

The food, spa and views are simply incredible and Namale attracts the rich and famous seeking time to themselves.  But don’t be concerned, the service is superb and you’ll be treated like Fijian royalty whether this is a once in a lifetime splurge or a luxury you indulge in more often.  Spa treatments are additional but meals, drinks (alcoholic and non), private dining and activities are included. View package details or click for slide show.

 
Viwa - While not an all inclusive resort, Viwa has a very affordable meal plan and includes lots of “extras” such as daily snorkel trips, line fishing, weekly Warriors Walk and village visits in the room rate.  The resort is brand new and set on a stunning stretch of white sand beach surrounded by clear turquoise water and coral reef.

Each beachfront bure have a living area, fridge, bathroom with open air garden plus a large furnished porch with oceanview.  In front of each bure is a beach palapa, chaise lounges and a hammock big enough for two.  Viwa also has an incredible introductory package that makes it one of the best vacation deals in Fiji.  Take a look at my slide show or check out package pricing then call or email!

 
Likuliku has Fiji’s only overwater bungalows and they are gorgeous!  So is the beach, lagoon, pool, pier’s edge bar, restaurant… you get the picture!  But if the $1000+ night rate inclusive of meals and non motorized activities is too steep, think about combining a couple of nights overwater with time on the main island or perhaps a more affordable outer island  resort with good interisland connections. Click for rates and slide show.

Qamea remains an all time favorite adult oriented Fiji resort with a wonderful beach, great snorkeling and diving, fabulous jungle spa and a selection of accommodations ranging from beachfront bures to lavish villas with private pool or jacuzzi.  All meals and non motorized water sports are included in the room rate as are daily excursions such as a snorkel trip or private island picnic, private dining in your bure or on the beach, and a weekly Fijian Meke.  Drinks are additional.  Click for video or check current specials.
 
Royal Davui is a private island resort in Beqa Lagoon, another well known snorkel and dive destination.  Each of the 16 luxurious villas is a place to escape with every creature comfort imaginable.   You’ll be pampered with a light and airy living room, wet bar, generous deck with table and chairs for outdoor dining, a private pool suspended above the sea and beach below, luxuriously appointed bedroom opening onto a second furnished deck with comfy lounge chairs, and a lavish bathroom with oversized Jacuzzi tub and walk in shower. Check vacation packages.

The views from every room are simply stunning and one of my favorite features are the hinged window walls which can be closed for air conditioned comfort or opened wide to capture the tropical breezes and enjoy the sounds of the surf.  Paradise! The restaurant and bar offer more amazing views and resort activities center around the pool, the beach, water and spa.  All meals and non motorized water sports are included in the room rate.  Click for slide show.

Hideaway is a great choice for an affordable all inclusive vacation in Fiji.  Hideaway is on Fiji’s Coral Coast with easy access to adventures like ziplining, white water rafting, waterfall hikes and day trips to an outer island.  The comfortable bures have more charm than an ordinary hotel room and include special Fijian touches like an outdoor shower and porch with hammock.  The all inclusive package is optional but a great value with meals and drinks from about $4K total for two including airfare.  (Sadly the $3K killer deal of last summer is a goner…)

And last but not least, Nukubati is another all inclusive Fiji resort with a special appeal to scuba divers and honeymooners seeking a private island experience.  Nukubati has only 7 bures and guests are pampered with personal service, fresh seafood, beautifully prepared and presented Fijian dishes, two bars and an extensive wine list.  And, just minutes off the beach, The Great Sea Reef is a divers’ paradise known for hard and soft corals, turtles, rays, dolphin, whales and hundreds of fish.  Scuba diving and game fishing are offered at additional cost but all meals, drinks (alcoholic and non) and non motorized activities are included in the room rate. 

I was recently named Tourism Fiji’s top travel agent for 2009 and have been to most of the resorts in Fiji.  So if you’re headed to the South Pacific, please call or email linda@totemtravel.com.  I am happy to share my personal knowledge, help you find the best resort for your vacation and guarantee the lowest rate available.

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Dec 14 2009

Totem Travel named Sandals Best of the Best!

Published by Linda under Caribbean

Totem Travel was once again named “Best of the Best” at Sandals Star Agency Awards for 2009.  Woohoo!  It’s fun being recognized as a top travel agency and the perks aren’t bad either!

This year’s gala event was held at Beaches Turks and Caicos in the Southern Bahamas.  Beaches Resorts are for everyone and the Turks and Caicos resort is the ultimate all inclusive getaway.   So when we weren’t hard at work (you know, marketing forums… networking functions…) there was time to enjoy 12 miles of pristine white sand beach, 80 degree turquoise water, the luxurious Italian Village and the water park with lazy river, surf simulator and waterslides. 

Look for a series of posts on the resort with details on the kids club, land and water sports and the myriad of restaurants and bars that makes Beaches Turks and Caicos the best and most inclusive family friendly resort anywhere! Then call the Sandals and Beaches Specialists at Totem Travel if you need help choosing a resort or room category for your next vacation or honeymoon. 

We’ve been to all the resorts and are recognized by Sandals Chairman and CEO as ”Best of the Best”.

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