The Good, The Bad and The Excellence!

I just returned from an anniversary trip to Cancun. Since I have always focused on cruises and island getaways, this was an opportunity to get to know a new destination. We have been to Mexico a few times on cruise stops, but a little stomach trouble in Merida a few years ago has kept me from returning to experience the great all-inclusive resorts here. We were both quite nervous about getting sick and brought every over the counter medication known in the US with us. What a waste! We ate like pigs and never needed any of them. After a day or so, we stopped being so meticulous about bottled water and ice etc. and just ate and drank everything in sight. In hindsight, I did eat at a restaurant in Merida way off the beaten path in an area not frequented by American tourists knowing I have a sensitive stomach so I should have known better.
We both wish we had come here a long time ago and will definitely be back! I have decided to take some continuing ed courses to learn even more about the accomodations and activites offered in Cancun. There is something in Cancun and the Riviera Maya area for everyone. The long-standing reputation as party central for spring breakers and Girls Gone Wild is an image the area is actively seeking to shed. There are so many hotel options for families, singles and those seeking quiet retreats that the trouble won’t be finding a great resort, but choosing which one to start with! The airport is modern with so many direct flights from popular gateways it’s an easy weekend getaway. Airtran just introduced direct flights from Atlanta, joining Delta and Spirit.
We started with a resort in the hotel zone expecting to take full advantage of our first childless vacation in 3 years and party in the clubs till dawn. Guess what, we didn’t make it to one! We just used the public bus to sightsee, go to the flea market and shopping areas in the daytime. The bus runs all night is only 6.5 pesos. So, if you do make to the dozens of clubs there is easy reliable transportation back to your hotel. Cancun reminds me of a clean Miami. There are plenty of timeshare hawkers and people hustling you at every turn in the main club area, but I never felt unsafe. Just make sure you head straight out the doors of the airport when you land to ground transportation if you don’t intend to attend a timeshare presentation. They have desks there that pretend to be shuttles to get you to listen to the spiel. Some people enjoy going to those things, I do not.

We then went to the Excellence Playa Mujeres to end the trip with some R&R. When I tell you this place blew our minds, it doesn’t even come close to describing how great this experience was. From the moment you arrive at the resort gates you are pampered. The food was excellent at each of the restaurants we tried, every bartender was top-notch and the rooms were immaculate each day. This is one of the few properties that I have seen where the brochures accurately reflect the resort with no ‘creative photography’.
My husband was very skeptical about trying an all-inclusive resort. We went back and forth for a while about this, but I have had such a great experience at Sandals previously that I thought he would love the experience as well. I was prepared for everything to be compared to the cruise, however. Well, let me tell you that once we arrived here he never mentioned the word cruise again! One distinct advantage of Excellence above some other all-inclusives is the consistency of luxury and service across all room categories. All suites have an enormous furnished balcony with a great view, spacious sitting area and an indoor/outdoor Jacuzzi.
Even with, spotless suites, delicious food and a great beach; a resort is still only as good as it’s staff. Excellence did not disappoint here either. I am not exaggerating when I say these were some of the friendliest people I have ever met. Now, that is one area I can be very picky about. I don’t care if I’m at Motel 6 if the front desk is nice and the room is clean. I would rather stay at Days Inn that a Ritz-Carlton if the staff is snooty and unresponsive. (The other resort we went to in Cancun is supposedly a 4 Diamond leading hotel, but I would not even send my mother-in-law there if it was free.)
There is just enough activity here to keep you as busy as you want. The shows were enjoyable each night. My husband does not drink and still talks about how much variety there was at the bars. There is a fresh smoothie and juice bar, a coffee bar and each bartender knew quite a few things to keep him busy other than the ubiquitous pina colada. I of course can attest to the quality of everything else at the bar =) Overall if you’re looking for a relaxing, romantic resort that is not too far away from Cancun this is the perfect place. Excellence also has resorts in the Dominican Republic and another just south of Cancun and is also building a resort in Jamaica. I don’t know what I’ll do when I have to choose between Sandals and Excellence.

5 Reasons Not to Use a Travel Agent

This started with an article in Conde Nast last year, but I ran across it again on another blog (thanks Travel Horizons) and thought it sums up the airline ticket issue quite nicely...

KS

A travel consultant is not your best bet if you want...
1. The cheapest options
If your goal is to put together the least expensive trip possible, don't call a travel consultant. While budget travel is the best way for many people to fulfill their dreams of seeing the world, I have no expertise in recommending one 100€ Paris hotel over another. Online forums such as fodors and tripadvisor are ideal venues for feedback from other travelers.

2. Airline tickets only
Because airlines do not generally pay commission anymore, many travel consultants do not even book air. As travel agencies are actually charged a fee to ticket a flight, that expense — along with compensation for the time involved — has to be passed onto the consumer in the form of a service fee. The least expensive way to book air is, first, to use a comparison booking engine such as ITA Software. Research your best options, then book directly yourself on the airline's own website to avoid service fees. I will gladly provide air if you want a hotel + air package to Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, the South Pacific, etc., but for airline tickets alone... I don't do air ™.

3. Single components of a trip (e.g., a one-day tour, a restaurant reservation)If you've already booked your own hotel rooms for your upcoming trip, don't call a travel consultant asking for a single restaurant reservation or a suggestion for a one-day tour. There would be a charge for this service. Your best bet: email the concierges of the hotel(s) in which you will be staying.

4. B&Bs or run-of-the-mill hotels (such as those of a mid-priced chain)It's largely economics. B&Bs generally do not pay commissions at all, and you can research and book them yourself online. The commission on a one-night stay at a budget or moderate hotel room does not pay for the time a travel consultant spends researching the possibilities, discussing them with a client, making the booking, invoicing the booking, and then chasing the commission when it doesn't get paid. But most significantly, mid-priced hotel chain rooms are commodity items. There is no added-value that a travel consultant can provide.

5. Redeeming frequent-flier miles or guest points
This is time-intensive work with no commission from the airline or hotel. Do you want to pay a travel consultant's hourly fee to wait on hold?

Air Jamaica Cuts Service to Atlanta

Air Jamaica announced they are discontinuing service to Atlanta, Miami and other cities next month. My first thought when I heard about this was, that's why you should always buy 3rd party insurance! Sometimes companies aren't so nice and do not give warning when they cease operations and the traveler is left high and dry. If, for example you use the cruise line's protection package you could be left scrambling for your vacation and insurance claim if the company bails. In today's economy it is a very real possibility. Just food for thought...

Next Procrastinator's Special V-Day!

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and there is of course an exciting special at Sandals. (If you can't tell already I just love them. They are one of few that could break my cruise addiction and turn around my opinion of Jamaica.)

If you book before January 31 and stay 3 nights or more from February 1 - March 15 2009 you will receive a "Sandals with a Kiss" Package to celebrate Valentine's Day. It includes a bottle of sparkling wine,chocolate covered tropical fruits, special turn down service and keepsake photo of the two of you. (Remember Sandals is 'for couples in love', but I've heard some interesting stories of love rekindled here for couples that didn't arrive even in 'like'. =)

For the first two couples booking in a concierge category and above for 6 nights or longer you will receive an extra special bonus. Contact me at info@greatscottgetaways.com for details. The specials are valid for any resort in Antigua, Jamaica, Bahamas or St. Lucia. Sandals is not your typical cookie cutter hotel chain where each property or room is exactly the same. Let me help you find the best fit for you.

African Travel, Inc.

As things slowed down a bit I took the time to get some training on destinations I am not very familiar with. I received the most inviting brochure from African Travel Inc. about their 2009 itineraries throughout Africa. Since this tour company specializes only in African destinations they offer the most complete and customizable itineraries I have seen. They are a small business with people that really have a passion for what they do. Their tours offer everything from South Africa to Egypt, Botswana and Kenya of course. They even have extensions available in Dubai, which seems to be the new hotspot. The tours are more affordable than you would think. Currently a 12 day Kenya Classic Safari starts at $1695 per person for the land package for departures in April and May. For nature and wildlife lovers this sounds like a dream. I am not one of those, but my husband really wants to go. He thinks I can handle starting out in a city in South Africa, but who wants to fly all that way and not see animals and natural wonders? When it's time I want to see as much as possible.
During their training last year the speaker was nostalgically recounting waking up to see a cheetah just outside of their lodge. I held my breath for a second, but other people oohed and ahhed. Ok, so it's not my cup of tea, but one day I promise I'll work up the courage. I am afraid of large domesticated dogs, so I have a long way to go there! My little one on the other hand is thrilled by all the beautiful pictures in their brochure and has taken to roaring like a lion at people. Maybe I should just send the two of them and let my dh know what it feels like to fly alone with a small child. He's wilder than the animals.

Do you know your travel style?

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season.

I try not to solicit friends and family, so sometimes they forget that I am a travel agent until they see my office. Since we really tried to focus on spending time with those dear to us this year instead of in the mall looking for things to buy them I got into lots of conversations about travel expectations and disappointments when people flipped through brochures or looked at pictures. The common thread?...lack of information and unmanaged expectations . I thought this would make a great blog topic to start off 2009.

One of the first considerations besides budget when making travel plans should be an honest assessment of your expectations and travel style. Even within the same budget there is a range of accommodations. There is no perfect fit for everyone. What is an ultimate relaxing retreat for one will be a snooze fest for the next person. Many people think if you 'only' have XYZ to spend there are few choices. There is always the 'so-and-so said that ship is full of old people (or partyers), type of person who refuses to try anything other than one certain cruise line. People also tend to think luxury means stuffy, or spending a certain amount ensures a certain standard. Trust me, luxury is very subjective term. What fits you for one vacation may change on the next one.
Of course working with a travel agent will help find the right fit for you and hopefully avoid that let down. When deciding what is important to you ask yourself the following questions:

• What do I want to do while on vacation? (nothing, golf, spa, beach, shop, sight see, tours, hike, etc.)
• What is a must have in my room? (will you go crazy if you're stuck in a room with no balcony? room service, robes, air conditioning in some areas)
• Do I want an Americanized experience at a large resort or prefer to experience local culture in a small boutique hotel?
• Do I like to dress up on vacation, stay casual or want the choice of both?
• Do we need child care options ? for what ages?

These questions are a good starting point to help us start to determine what destination is best for you.

Procrasinators, Give the Gift of Travel!

Are you still looking for an unbeatable holiday gift idea for your tired, stressed out and oh so deserving wife or mom? (Yes I did say procrastinators in the title, so that's why I'm talking directly to the guys...but ladies of course you can treat yourself). Send her to Jamaica for the Beaches BFF Weekend January 22-26, 2009.

In addition to the usual all-inclusive Beaches experience, she will receive a $200 spa gift certificate, a sunset sail away catamaran cruise and other goodies designed to make the most of that special bonding time with the girls. For $1,149 per person it is a great deal. That includes just about everything but airfare...and with those prices hovering at the lowest I've seen this year she can be off on this getaway for less than $1,500 pp.
http://www.travimp.com/promo/si8112_pls_btc.html

What better way to show how much you appreciate her hard work this season and all year, than by giving her 4 days in island paradise, with her best girlfriends. Yes this is supposed to be an ultimate fun relaxing getaway, so it's girls only. Wow, no kids, computers, stoves, schedules, I wanna go too!
I visited this property pretty recently and loved it. There are wheelchair accessible rooms and spa treatments. The two-story spa is so tranquil with treatment rooms surrounding a glass courtyard and a wonderful selection of unique island inspired treatments like ortanique body scrubs. If you would like a few of my candid pictures shoot me an e-mail and I'll be glad to send them to you. (I always wonder too if resorts are really going to look like the pictures) In fact the little thumbnail to the right here is a pic I took looking toward the ocean from the lobby of this resort.