CaribbeanJourney.com joins ASTA's Green Program

The first reason I like ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) is because of their extreme support for the travel agent community. They have an informative consumer website - Travel Sense - where you can find all sorts of destination info and learn about what individual travel specialists have to offer. 

ASTA also does a good job of explaining to the consumer why it is important to use a travel agent.

We recently joined one of ASTA's newest programs as a GREEN MEMBER. This new program requires that our office practices "greener" internal operations - and we are. We've gone paperless on almost every transaction, replaced our old computers with more energy friendly products from Apple, and last year's office renovation included only non-toxic paint... just to name a few. You can read more about other Caribbean companies we support for their green efforts right here on our Green Travel page.

ASTA keeps their GREEN MEMBERS up to date on environmentally minded efforts by the travel industry as a whole through updated versions of their Green Report as well as monthly newsletters.

Best,

CuisinArt Resort & Spa, Anguilla

CuisinArt Resort & Spa is one of my top 3 resorts on Anguilla. The Resort offers fresh creative cuisine, a huge spa centered on health and wellness, luxury accommodations, all set on one of Anguilla's famous sugar sand white beaches. 

The grounds are so lush that I don't think they'd be able to fit in another plant:

The main building has a regal look and feel:

The Venus Spa at CuisinArt is huge - one of the largest in the Caribbean... in fact, I think only Sandy Lane in Barbados is larger. The spa's personality is just as big with quickly cherubs and outdoor showers:

All of this 'fabulousness' is made perfect by the resorts supreme location on one of the best beaches in the Caribbean: 

The hotel has 93 luxury rooms ranging from over sized guest rooms to Penthouse suites. All rooms are designed with touches of CuisinArt's trademark orange and blue:

New this year are six 1 to 5 bedroom high-style private villas located on the Easternmost edge of the property:

Well appointed and expansive is the perfect way to describe the private villas:

The beachfront villas have private pools all with ocean view:

Stay tuned... I'm working on an entire post all about the cuisine of CuisinArt. 

Go here for more photos from my trip to CuisinArt.

Go here to book CuisinArt Resort & Spa in Anguilla!

Enjoy,

Hotel Guanahani St. Barths

Hotel Guanahani is nestled on 16 lush tropical acres at the end of Grand Cul de Sac Bay overlooking Marigot Bay. The hotel has recently undergone some wonderful renovations including a beautiful pond added to their gardens and low stone walls and wooden deck walkways have added more minimalist definition.

Ready to go? Book a St. Barths Vacation at Hotel Guanahani today. Everyone wants to go to St. Barths. At least that's what I gather from selling the Caribbean for the past 12 years. 

 Get in touch and we'll put together a perfect little package just for you...

PS. If you watch Bethenny Getting Married, you'd recognize Hotel Guanahani from the honeymoon episode! 

Cheers,

Early Booking Promo at Colony Club in Barbados!

The Colony Club is one of Barbados's most prestigious addresses. The Colony Club is a AAA Four Diamond Award Recipient.  The 4 lagooon style swimming pools enusre that there is plenty of room for all guests to swim amidsts the palm trees. The hotel includes such luxurious amenities & services as twice daily maid service and nightly turn down service.

Book your Barbados Vacation to the Colony Club by December 1, 2010 for travel 1/1/11 to 9/30/11 and receive the 7th night FREE + discounted room rates. 

Enjoy,

Sandals Resorts Military Discounts

{photos is from Sandals Antigua)

Sandals Resorts would like to honor U.S. and Canada military for your services, and extend a great offer to take a well deserved all inclusive vacation to the exotic islands of the Caribbean. As a member of the U.S. and Canada military, you will get an additional 10%* discount off Sandals amazing current promotions, when you and your special someone experience a Luxury Included® vacationpackage on the world's most breathtaking, romantic beaches.

The military discount is taken off of ANY trip booked ANY time of year! Call us - let's get started planning your trip. 866-236-1924

*Offer is valid for all U.S. and Canada Military personnel to include active and/or spouse, retired, Reserves, National Guard (U.S.), Veterans (U.S.), Department of Defense (U.S.) and Department of National Defense (Canada). Proof of Military identification (U.S. and Canada) or DD214 (U.S.) required upon check-in at the resort. Some restrictions apply.

Jamaica Small Group Travel Discount @ Sunset Resorts!

Do you have a small group wanting to vacation in Jamaica and looking for a deal? The Sunset Resorts collection is offering a SMALL GROUP DISCOUNT. Instead of requiring the normal 10 rooms to receive group person, Sunset Resorts requires that only 5 rooms book to receive a FREE room! So the 6th room is FREE! Like any good promo, there is a time restriction - you must travel during September or October 2010. 

Brought to you by CaribbeanJourney.com - contact us today!

Enjoy,

Do you enjoy this blog?

If you've enjoyed reading Caribbean Travel News over the years, please show your support and follow along in Google! See the "Followers" section in the right hand menu? I'd love it if you joined the group! 

While my stats show me just how many wonderful folks land on these pages, by "following" along, you help me know that you enjoy the blog! As long as I've got the support, I'll keep on blogging about the islands we all love...  THANKS!

Big hugs,

Accommodations for Large Families in Cancun

{new rooms at Cancun Palace... swoon worthy!}

It is always a challenge for families of 5 or more to find the perfect accommodation options. Most standard hotel rooms have a max occupancy of 4 people, including children. While many hotels do offer suite accommodations for larger families, they are often offered at a premium price making booking 2 standard rooms the more economical choice. However, there is no way to actually book connecting rooms at most hotels. This request is usually not guaranteed and families have to wait until check-in to see if the request was offered. Not so at Palace Resorts! The following 4 Cancun area Palace Resorts offer Guaranteed Connecting Rooms! Woohoo!

Beach Palace Wyndham Grand Resort
Cancun Palace
Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort
Adventura Cove Palace

These sort of announcement is very exciting for me! I can't wait to solve the large family dilemma for my clients and book them with connecting rooms at a Palace Resort. Being located in Cancun, Palace Resorts can be combined with cheap flights on United Airlines and many other airlines from every major international gateway! 

Resort Tour - Grand Pineapple in Antigua

Of all the hotels I've visited and toured, I must say that the Grand Pineapple Resort in Antigua surprised me in the most positive way. I ADORE this hotel! It has a super low price point... and resident turtles - what's not to love? 

Really now, the hotel is fabulous! Sure it doesn't have all the bells & whistles its larger competitors have,  certainly no frills here... but it is elegant and charming, something many of the larger hotels left out of their building plan.

This is the lobby that will welcome you with traditional West Indian touches:

The lush gardens are an amazing respite from the hot tropical days:

The room blocks are only two stories, no high rises here:

And the beach... a highlight! Being in a secluded cove, the Grand Pineapple Beach is quiet, peaceful... just as a Caribbean beach should be:

The soft furnishings in the rooms vary at the different price points:

The pool winds through an open courtyard:

There are 3 restaurants and a few bars:

These colorful cottages are not part of the hotel, but sure do add to atmosphere:

A stay at Grand Pineapple Antigua would not be complete without a visit to Mary's Outhouse on property. Climb the hill and enjoy the view at every turn:

I saved the best news for last! Grand Pineapple in Antigua is offering 65% stays NOW until December 22, 2010. Hurry up - book today! 

Video of Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa

Remember my recent trip to Antigua? Here is a short video I took from my room at Sandals Grande Antigua at sunset... Enjoy! 

Hotel New Boutique Hotel - Baoase, Curacao

Hot New Caribbean Boutique Hotel Alert! Meet the sleek & stylish Baoase in Curacao... already, I'm in love with the luxurious & eclectic decor:

Nestled amidst tropical gardens and caressed by the azure water of the Caribbean Sea, the Baoase Luxury Resort is an idyllic retreat tucked away on the stunning island of Curacao. Featuring Nestled amidst tropical gardens and caressed by the azure water of the Caribbean Sea, the Baoase Luxury Resort is an idyllic retreat tucked away on the stunning island of Curacao. Featuring luxury villas and suites, Baoase exudes a relaxing and inviting ambience of Asian style with every modern amenity. villas and suites, Baoase exudes a relaxing and inviting ambience of Asian style with every modern amenity.

The Baoase Hotel is already on the awards radar being listed as one of Conde Nast Traveler's Top 10 Hot List Hotels for the Caribbean! 

Curacao is considered a very international destination with visitors from all over the world, thanks to all of the cheap flight options available! (Note - always check American Airlines because they are a top airline to the Caribbean.)

Enjoy,