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RIU Palace Pacifico

I just returned from a weeks stay at the beautiful RIU Palace Pacifico in Puerto Vallarta.

I have to say I was very impressed with the resort, it's location, service, the staff was wonderful and accommodating, and dining was great.

This, in my opinion is a 4 star resort set on a beautiful beach in the Nuevo Vallarta area of Puerto vallarta. The public areas are spectacular and the landscaping is beautiful, and the beach goes on for ever in both directions.

The standard rooms are very spacious, each one is a Jr. Suite with sleeping area, and a separate sitting area with a couch, two chairs and a coffee table. The resort also has a family room category with 2 bedrooms and a patio living room. Their highest level is the Jacuzzi Suite situated closest to the ocean with a huge balcony and a hot tub on the balcony. Every room comes with a jacuzzi tub in the bathroom.

Dining offers 4 specialty restaurants and a never ending buffet. There are numerous bars including a swim-up bar and also beach and pool waiter service. We had no problems getting dinner reservations at the restaurants.

This is a fantastic resort in a beautiful area. I would definitely stay here again. My only complaint is that the beds are a little harder than I like.

Posted by Geoff on May 21, 2010 | Permalink | Post a Comment

Zoetry wins 5 Diamond award

Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya, the first resort under Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts brand, received the highly coveted AAA Five Diamond award from the travel industry authority for the sixth consecutive time for providing travelers with the highest levels of service and accommodations.

“This recognition validates Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts’ updated approach to luxury travel and the rapid growth of the brand,”

Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya, the brand’s marquee property, offers guests a new type of luxury experience that combines elements of wellness, serenity and social and environmental responsibility treating every guest to an indulgent experience without the guilt. The 90-oceanfront suite boutique resort offers the ultimate vacation experience with an array of Endless Privileges™. Accommodations and amenities include personalized in-suite services with such features as free worldwide calling, evening catamaran sails, complimentary daily laundry services and Wi-Fi throughout the resort, plus an exquisite award-winning culinary experience available at four on-site gourmet restaurants and a transforming spa experience at the first Thalasso Center & Spa in North America.

Five Diamond establishments do more than provide luxurious surroundings; they consistently deliver a high level of personal attention to every guest. To achieve this level of hospitality is a rare accomplishment. AAA is pleased to honor Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya with the AAA Five Diamond Award.

With two resorts operating under Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts (Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita in Puerto Morelos, Mexico and Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic) the brand is slated to open two additional properties by the end of 2009. New resorts include Golden Bear Lodge & Spa Cap Cana: The Zoëtry Collection in the Dominican Republic and Zoëtry Casa del Mar Los Cabos in Mexico.

Posted by Geoff on November 16, 2009 | Permalink | Post a Comment

Travel Agents Yea or Nay?

Last year, a good friend took an international trip with a two-stop flight itinerary. Afterwards, he reflected on how beat up he felt when it was over: "Adding that third airport into the mix seemed to add a ton of extra travel this year; it was rough."

I asked how he booked the flights. He said that he'd looked on a number of the big travel booking sites, and that the itinerary he finally purchased was the best combination of duration, flight times and price he could find, and it took him six hours to accomplish it. My response: "Next time, call me first. You'll feel a lot better when it's all over."

The following year, he did just that, and I came up with options that he could never have found himself using a single booking site -- specifically, a short and affordable Southwest flight that put him in an airport with countless options for direct flights to his final destination. What would have been another expensive, six-flight endurance test was replaced by a far less demanding trip and he spent no time to accomplish it.

Travel agent on about 50 - 60 percent of all trips, especially International trips or vacations, so when CNN marvels that travel agents may be making a comeback, I have to agree.

Most travel agents do not charge a fee, they get paid by the resort or tour company.

The Return of the Travel Agent

Why now? Clients found that the likelihood of using a travel agent increases in direct proportion to the abundance and complexity of travel options you can find on the Internet. Many travelers are discovering the following:

In offering more options and amenities, online travel sites have actually made it more confusing to figure out what they are selling, not less so. Sales abound but, what are the restrictions? Is it really a sale or are they just advertising the regular price and calling it a sale price? yes, this does happen quite a bit. A good example of this is with one client who found a great sale on one of the online booking engines, The booking engine advertised that it was an unheard of sale. I found the same thing with one of our tour companies for $300 less than the fantastic online sale. DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ.

The explosion of restrictions and fees -- many of which are not obvious to the casual travel buyer -- further muddies understanding of the bottom line on any itinerary. Many online booking companies do not add in their fees and the taxes until the very last step in the booking process.

The absence of a number of popular airlines from major booking engines -- the juggernaut Southwest being the most glaring -- eliminates what could well turn out to be a specific traveler's absolute best itinerary.

The big online travel sites got too smart for their own good; by tidying up and repackaging all the data each according to their own assumptions about travel purchasing, they show us what they think we want to see, but not always what we really want to see. That is, by becoming "online travel agents," rather than mere booking sites, they end up in competition with real travel agents, who can usually do the work better than computers can and can search for the best deals so you do not have to.

Despite being "smarter" and more comprehensive than ever, the typical travel booking experience has way too many dead ends. Whether it be the inability to get seats together, or disappearing fare sales, or the inability to lock in a fare for a short time, booking online is like being trapped inside a bad video game with countless trapdoors and false exits.

And my number one reason to use a travel agent: the reduction in flight capacity by the airlines has resulted in significantly more full flights on the routes I fly. At the same time, the booking sites have gotten only marginally better at offering seat choices and at seating companions together. Just try to book your family on a multi-flight trip and you'll see what I mean. Travel agents can hack their way through all this stuff and look in multiple locations for the best prices, saving you work.

It has gotten to the point that many travelers truly dread the moment they have to sit down at the computer to research travel. Seems like a good time to call in a pro, no?

If this describes you, or even just your next trip, here are some tips and guidelines for choosing, communicating with and evaluating a travel agent.

Does the travel agent specialize in they type of travel you are looking for? Do they charge a fee? How many years have they been in the travel industry? Do they take the time to listen to you and really understand what you are looking for? Do you feel comfortable working with them? Are they approved by the Better Business Bureau?

Let's hear from you, Travel Agents Yea or Nay?

Posted by Geoff on September 30, 2009 | Permalink | Post a Comment

Is it really a great travel deal?

I want to comment on a lot of the travel deals people are seeing out there. After you read the fine print and find out when the deal is good for and what the restrictions are, is it still a good deal?

I read one the other day that after reading the fine print and finding out when I could use it, it turned out I could use it 1 day in my life if I flew at midnight on the night of a full moon with 3 airplane changes and the sale price was per person not including taxes or surcharges. What is a surcharge by the way?

Be careful when looking at deals, they can be very confusing and somewhat misleading, and some are not actually deals at all, they are just regular pricing that someone has attached the term "deal" to. When you think about it, how do you know what is a deal or not a deal? Is it just because someone says it is a deal?

An example is, I saw a deal and went in and priced a regular package with the same components and the price came out less than the so called deal.

You see anyone can attach the word "deal" to any price.

Can you tell the difference between a real deal and an advertised deal?

Let me know your thoughts.

Posted by Geoff on July 16, 2009 | Permalink | Post a Comment

Ocho Rios Jamaica

It is a bit of a mystery, but the name "Ocho Rios" has two possible sources: it may be a simple translation from the Spanish "eight rivers" or a corruption of "las chorreras" (the spouts), after the large number of beautiful waterfalls that surround the area. Whichever is correct, the locals refer to it with no small measure of fondness as "Ochee." Located about 60 miles from Annotto on a half-moon shaped sliver of a cove on Jamaica's northern coastline, Ocho Rios was once a sleepy fishing village. Its beauty and proximity to some of Jamaica's most enticing natural wonders have made it a favorite destination for visitors. Situated between the jungle mountains and its amazing beach, Ochee is also one of the key cruise ship ports in Jamaica.

One of the best ways to enjoy the area is to hire a taxi for the day. Rates are very reasonable and most drivers are very capable guides. You can arrange a driver through your hotel, or taxis can be found in town by the market on Newlin Street. Look for the ones with the red public passenger plates. Taxis are not metered, so agree on your fare in advance. Most drivers will either wait for you or will return to pick you up later in the day.

In addition to Fern Gully, which is a local "must see", ask the driver to take the coastal road east to Noel Coward's cliff-side home Firefly. During the heyday of his reign in Jamaica, Coward entertained such the rich and famous here. Nearby Rio Nuevo, Port Maria and Discovery Bay all offer a glimpse into the history of the area, as do the working plantations that still exist at Brimmer Hall and Prospect Estates, open to the public. Runaway slaves once used the nearby Green Grotto Caves as a hideout. The Bob Marley museum, as well as his burial place, at Nine Miles is nearby as well.

Nearby Dunn's River Falls cascades over terraced rock running from the mountains to the beach. Guides lead travelers up and down the falls although it is allowed to walk the distance unaccompanied. Water shoes or sandals are a must to prevent slipping on the rocks. There are several points along the way to stop and enjoy the scenery and cool water pools. The climb can take over an hour if you don't rush, and there is no need to do so! Along the way, photographers will take your picture and offer you a momento of your visit. Crafts are available for sale, including some of the beautiful wood carving for which Jamaica is so rightly famous. When you are finished at the falls, return to stroll slowly along Main Street the clock tower and enjoy a meal of Jamaican jerk pork at the Jerk Centre near the market.

There are many activities in Ocho Rios in which you may indulge. Horseback riding, golf, tennis, scuba, deep-sea fishing are all available and easily accessible, not to mention shopping and just laying on the white sand beaches for which the area is best known.Children can swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cove. If you like to bike, there are good guided rides through the Blue Mountain tropical rain forests that typically offer lunch as a part of the program. The rainforest at Fern Gully provides deep, green forest glades through which visitors may drive or walk. Horseback riding along the beach, and even into the water, is available for those who want to experience the joy and freedom of a beach excursion on horseback. Many of the same equistrian centers also offer mountain bike tours, Jeep safaris and canopy trips through the region. Throughout the day and into the evening, party cruises leave and return with hordes of young guests, many taking advantage of the opportunity to over-indulge in the local Red Stripe beer. Offshore, there are a number of good coral reefs, including Devil's Reef, for snorkelers and divers to enjoy.

Posted by Geoff on July 3, 2009 | Permalink | Post a Comment