Minimalist Chic... La Amada Hotel

Welcome to a new hotel... La Amada... located on Playa Mujeres... just north of Cancun.. I love new hotels... everything is all shiny and fresh and without the ever present weather beaten patina that all seaside hotels eventually wear.... not that the patina bothers me, it actually has the opposite effect.... it makes me feel like coming home. But a new hotel, lacking any signs of the salt and humidity... ohhhh... that is a rarity and so to be enjoyed.

This could be your room... a neutral palate with plenty of space for you to daydream...

This could be your shady terrace... a romantic nook for two...

And this your private plunge pool... a refreshing respite from the heat of the day...

Follow me now to the spa... the highlight of this little hotel...
We'll lounge and eat fruit...

This spa is focused on water therapies... ahhhhhh....

Then we'll take in the sunset... sleep peacefully... awaken... repeat.

GeeJam = Style

About 3.5 hours drive from Kingston, Jamaica... is a little known paradise...

...called Port Antonio. It hasn't always been such a secret. Why this is where many famous novels were penned and celestials of the Hollywood set used to come and play... back when the banana boats first let passengers stow away... in style, of course... (this is where we spend every Easter...)
In this lovely little place you will find GeeJam... a boutique hotel to rival any other...
The accommodations are the type that fill pages of magazines... And the backdrops of fashion shoots...
With bathrooms that leave guests aiming to recreate once they arrive home...The food... island style sushi... of course...
If all this style is too much for you... a quick drive down the hill and you will find all the funky beach vibes Jamaica is famous for...

mmmm.... paradise....

If you are of the musical sort... there is a first class studio... with ocean views... and used by some of the a-listers of the tune world.... I've been sworn to secrecy...
But this I can tell... see the painting on the villa wall? It's a Banksy. He's real cool. And well, he visited and left his mark - in the form of little rats painted in a few non-conspicuous places. And then, the maids, being thorough beyond expectation, painted over a few of these little rats. *sigh* Priceless.

Sound like your kind of place? Let me hear...

Today I wish I was...

HERE

Check it out! NEW Testimonials!

A big reason I started this blog is to drum up business for my little Caribbean Travel Company. And it has worked. I get many clients who wander on over to my "real" site from this place. If some of you still aren't sure you could use the help of a Caribbean Travel Specialist, check out these testimonials from current clients...

Just Back - Riu Palace Aruba

Our trip was wonderful! The upgraded room was unbelievable! I think it was the best room in the place. We were on the 10th floor of Building A(the main building) -right in the middle facing the pool and the ocean! The view was spectacular! I don't know how you got us the upgrade but thank you! The only problem is now that we've experienced it, we wouldn't want to go back without getting the same room! The bed was hard but we knew that before going due to reading reviews of the place. On the first day we requested and received a mattress topper which helped soften it up a little. The food was excellent at the buffets. Our only complaint was that the pool bar closes at 6:00pm and there is not enough entertainment at the pool bar. This was a common complaint made by many to the management who took surveys.... Christina & Ken

This testimony is from a client that hasn't even travelled! But his words about my service made me so proud:

Let me say again how pleased I am to have done business with you. You are the kind of business that should be in existence, not the “others”, who seem to be out to get as much money from you as possible. There is an old proverb that says: “If you want to own a shop, learn how to smile”. I could see your smile in your voice. I wish you and your business all the success in the world, and whenever I go to the Caribbean, I will contact you for arrangements. I have already, and will continue to, recommend you to everyone that I know who is heading to the Caribbean. You’re worth it.... Peter & Lilian headed to Coyaba Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

READ MORE HERE!

Jamaica Villas ON SALE!

Meet Bougainvillea Villa...

Just like most every hotel in the Caribbean, many of my favorite villas in Jamaica are lowering rates! From 15% off to 2 free nights... have a look at some of these Jamaican Villa Specials and let us know if we can check availability for you!

Divi Resorts Super Sale!

Check out these low, low rates from Divi Resorts! All of their resorts on are sale... and all rates are valid for travel through December 23, 2009! (holidays & blackout dates do apply)

Aruba ~

Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort ~ Starting at $179 nightly

Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort ~ Starting at $124 nightly!

Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort ~ Starting at $139 nightly!

Barbados ~

Divi Heritage Beach Resort ~ Starting at $99 nightly!

Divi Southwinds Beach Resort ~ Starting at $153 nightly!

Bonaire ~

Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino ~ Starting at $127 nightly!

St. Maarten ~

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort ~ Starting at $148 nightly!

St. Croix ~

Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino ~ Starting at $187 nightly!

Contact me for a custom quote!

Anguilla - Panarea Villa Summer Special

Night time in the Caribbean... my favorite!

Panarea Villa's Spring & Summer discount: 6 for 4 !

Stay 6 nights, pay for 4.

7 night stay would be:
$2,755 one bedroom
$2,990 two bedrooms
$3,245 three bedrooms

Even better - all prices include 10% govt tax and 10% service!

Interview with a Pro from TheHoneymoon.com

I have long been a fan of TheHoneymoon.com and my clients have really enjoyed the ease and offerings of their honeymoon registry website. So, I decided to have a chat with the founder, Scott Ellingboe in hopes of learning what inspires him and what's new!

LAURA: Was there a personal experience in your life that gave birth to the idea of a honeymoon registry?

Scott: Yes. I was on the phone in 1998 with an acquaintance who was a supplier to our business and he was getting remarried in his mid-forties. His fiancée was getting married for the first time and she was registering for all kinds of things they just didn't need. As he was telling me this he said, "I wish we could just register for our honeymoon to Italy because I don't need another blender." It was an "ah ha" moment.

LAURA: What would you consider the most exciting feature of TheHoneymoon.com right now?

Scott: The most exciting feature right now on our site is our digital magazine. It's a fully interactive magazine that will come out quarterly and features great honeymoon destinations and other interesting articles for couples interested in honeymoons and/or destination wedding information. It also has interesting articles on traveling "green" as well as some interesting facts about rum, which is used in many of the most famous tropical drinks. We also profile real couples to give readers a peak into someone else's honeymoon experience.

LAURA: From my own experience, I know most clients aren't willing to sacrifice their honeymoon but I assume more and more couples are seeking help in paying for the trip and adventures. Have you seen an increase in usage on your site as the economy weakens?

Scott: Yes. We have seen an increase in the number of transactions versus the same period last year. However, the average dollar amount spent per gift purchase has dropped from $117 to $102. Wedding gifts fall under discretionary spending, which is usually the first to be affected by the economy. The fact that individual gift purchases are up is proof that more people are choosing this type of registry and that wedding guests are responding.

LAURA: Have any really outrageous registries come across your site and have they been filled?

Scott: I'm not sure what qualifies as outrageous, we've had some outrageously bad registries from people who just didn't get that a honeymoon registry has to be fun, filled with gift items that will give the couple a more memorable experience. Getting to a destination is a small part of the overall experience -- it's what you do when you get there that defines the memories you will cherish forever. There is one registry from about seven years ago that was pretty outrageous at the time -- the couple registered for Viagra, "for those last few honeymoon nights!" That got a laugh out of everyone who saw it.

That's all folks! Check back for more fun interviews!

Kid's Stay & Eat Free at the Half Moon~

Beat the summer heat with the family on a tropical island where the cool Caribbean breeze caresses the trees, the wave ebbs and flows as you relax on the shore. Bring them to the Half Moon Resort & Spa where "Kids Stay and Play for Free."!!

Summer Break Package:

Stay a minimum of 4 nights and receive $150 resort credit per room, up to 30% savings.Offer also includes:

Breakfast daily for full paying adults
Round-trip airport transfers

Children under 16 stay free when sharing with two adults

Rates start at US$125.00**/night per person on a 4-night minimum stay

May 1 - December 15, 2009

Promo Code: SBREAK - contact me

Good Life Package:
Package includes:

Luxurious accommodations

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and premium beverage

Swedish massage, plus kids stay and eat for free

$244.50*/night per person

April 16 - December 14, 2009

Promo Code: KIDSFREE - contact me

*3-nights minimum stay required and children under 12 years stay and eat free.**Free nights for shorter stays between May 1 - October 31, 2009 and children under 16 years stay free when sharing with two adults in a suite on the Sizzling Summer special. All rates quoted are per night per person based on double occupancy and do not include tax and service charge.

Best of Barbados Continues!

BEST OF BARBADOS CONTINUES!

Hurry - this promotion ends on April 1, 2009!


TRAVEL: 5/1 - 7/15/09
INCLUDES Up to a $300 air credit per person, One FREE night, $100 Debit Card per
room, Barbados on-island and gourmet discount card, Daily Breakfast for 2 at EP properties.


TRAVEL: 9/1 - 9/30/09
INCLUDES Up to a $300 air credit per person, Two FREE nights, $100 Debit Card per
room, Barbados on-island and gourmet discount card, Daily Breakfast for 2 at EP properties.


TRAVEL: 10/1 - 12/17/09
INCLUDES Up to a $300 air credit per person, One FREE night, $100 Debit Card per
room, Barbados on-island and gourmet discount card, Daily Breakfast for 2 at EP properties.

PARTICIPATING HOTELS: Allamanda Beach Hotel, Almond Beach
Club & Spa, Almond Beach Village, Almond Casuarina, Amaryllis
Beach Resort, Blue Horizon, Bougainvillea Beach Resort, Colony Club,
Crystal Cove, Divi Southwinds Beach Resort, Little Arches, Mango
Bay Barbados, Silver Point Hotel, Tamarind Cove Hotel, The House,
The Savannah Hotel, Time out at the Gap Hotel, Turtle Beach Resort
Offers must be booked with round-trip airfare.

Air credits are per person, max 2 per room and actually amount varies by hotel. Offers valid for travel 5/1-7/15/09 and 9/1-12/18/09
and vary by travel period.

5-night minimum stay required for AI programs. (all-inclusive)

7-night minimum stay required for EP programs. (no meals)

Valid on new bookings only.

Two free nights for travel 9/1-9/30/09 does not apply to Little Arches or Bougainvillea Beach Resort.

Book NOW & Save Big in Mexico!

EXCLUSIVE – EXCLUSIVE – EXCLUSIVE – EXCLUSIVE – EXCLUSIVE

$500 A I R C R E D I T

Book any PALACE RESORT in MEXICO
by 3/16 for travel 3/8-12/23/09.

PLUS $200 Golf & Spa Credit,
Kids 12 & under stay and eat free
and unlimited select tours!

How to book? Contact ME - laura at CaribbeanJourney.com

Stay at Sunset & Visit Margaritaville

Sunset Beach Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica completed a $7 million renovation in 2008 with a special focus on the resort’s restaurants, lounges, public areas and landscaping. In January 2009, the resort introduced a new entertainment pavilion. Sunset Resorts welcomes singles, couples and families for an all-inclusive Jamaican vacation. The new Spring Madness Sale is available at Sunset Resorts, the newly renovated Sunset Beach Resort & Spa, Montego Bay and the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa, Ocho Rios with rates starting at $124 per person, per night for bookings now through March 31. Sunset Resorts has also partnered with the world-famous Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville for guests to enjoy free admission. Guests at Sunset Beach Resort will get free admission to Margaritaville MoBay on Monday, Tuesday and Friday nights, plus complimentary transfers. Sunset Jamaica Grande guests enjoy free admission to Margaritaville Ocho Rios on Mondays and Saturdays, plus admission to the pool party (all you can eat and drink) on Wednesdays for $10 per person with complimentary transfers.