We
started posting our Jamaica travel history
several years before "Blog" was
invented so we just left the name the
same:
OUR TRAVEL
RESUME Over 25 Years
Of Specializing In
Jamaica!
As of
we have spent
144 Days In Jamaica and 206 Total
Days In The
Caribbean
Although we have been traveling
to Jamaica, the Caribbean, and Mexico for
over 25 years,
this resume only goes back to 1995. Trips are
listed with the most recent first.
2009 Trip #1 Jamaica / Sandals Dunns
River & Sandals Royal
Caribbean May 3-10
Sandals Dunns River May
3-7 Another amazing trip to
Jamaica and Sandals Resorts. As usual, we were
met by Mr. Lloyd
Lewis who took us straight away to Sandals
Dunns River. We made the trip from the
airport in about 70 minutes. (This same trip by
free transfer bus can take two hours.)
Our butler met us upon arrival and took us
to our oceanfront one bedroom suite, the same
room we occupied in October '07. All guests we
talked to were having somewhere
between the time of their life and the best
week of their life. The non-stop
entertainment was a blast for both participants
and spectators. Just as it has been for
years, the service was impeccable, and
food was great. Try as we may to find something
to complain about, this stay had no problems
whatsoever.
Our butlers, which are included with
our suite, provided their usual
surprises and extra special care. We highly
recommend butler level for anyone who wants
a vacation that is a cut above the
norm. Although it may seem a little
pricey, the best rooms and service are
definitely found at the butler level.
During our stay we traveled to Sandals Ocho
Rios for their Returning Guests
cocktail party and dinner at Reef Terrace.
WOW! Best part is we got to spend a few
minutes with the hotel managers, our
friends from way back when.
Sandals Royal Caribbean May
7-10
Our arrival at Sandals Royal Caribbean
provided the only glitch during our entire
week. Our butlers at Sandals
Royal Caribbean weren't prepared for our
arrival due to a miscommunication from
our butlers at Dunns. However, true to
the Sandals butler professionalism,
they recovered in just minutes once the
knew we were on property.
Because we arrived so early in the
day, as we expected, our room was not
ready. We planned this to see how they
handle early arrivals. We were taken to the
concierge center to check in, then our
butler took us to some pool chairs reserved
right outside our room. Our butler supplied
cold bottled water and offered to bring us
anything else we needed.
We spent a couple of
hour relaxing in the river pool and
enjoying some snacks from the beach grill
until we were taken to our Royal
Honeymoon Swim-Up 1 Bdr. River Suite.
Our suite offered zero-entry access to
the lazy river from a patio large enough
for a love seat and table and chairs.
We had an expansive living room complete
with 42" plasma TV, separate bedroom with
37" plasma TV, fine mahogany furnishings,
tiled floors, whirlpool bath and walk-in
shower.
This suite is a sure
cure for those who say they won't
spend much time in their room anyway. We
enjoyed room service every morning for
fruit, pastries, juice, and coffee. Our
butlers provided afternoon snacks and
champagne. Because of our short stay, we
were unable to secure a reservation at the
French restaurant (Le Jardinier). No
Problem! Our butler simply brought the
restaurant to our room! We enjoyed an
unbelievable dinner!
2008 Trip #3
Jamaica November 2-9
Beaches Negril
Grandparents
Travel!
Our 5th stay at Beaches Negril
was the first for our entire
family. As always, we took along our son
(31, who is developmentally disabled), our
daughter, son-in-law, our grand daughter (2)
and grand son (5 months). What a great trip! We
fit comfortably in a two bedroom suite, using
the living room as a nursery with a crib
(for 5 month old) and pull out queen bed
(for 2 year old).
Too many
highlights to list all, but the Sesame Street
Character Breakfast comes in first. This Sesame
Street event is a must for anyone with young
children. We dined, danced, and had photos with
Elmo, Bert & Ernie, Cookie Monster, Zoe,
Grover. Our grand daughter spent the entire
week socializing with the Sesame Street gang:
Dancing with Zoe, baking with Cookie Monster,
story time with Elmo, and
more.
And of course
our Butler for the 2nd time, Conrod,
took good care of us. The next
highlight was our daughter's 30th birthday
party put on by Conrod. Cake (with candles),
champagne, hot appetizers, music, gifts, and
party decorations was all provided as a
surprise. We kept the honored guest in the spa
for a few hours getting a pedicure and massage
treatments while the butlers prepared our
living room for the party.
Other butler
provided perks included reserved beach and pool
chairs complete with stocked cooler, laundry
service, scented baths, and room
service.
For anyone
worried about weather (particularly
hurricanes), we enjoyed the company of
Hurricane Paloma for our entire stay. Although
overcast most of the time, we got moments of
sun and hardly any rain. The main effect was
the sea was really rough one day, closing
the beach. Otherwise all activities went
on as normal, even the four or five weddings
that occurred each day.
Comparing this
stay to our one a year ago, everything at
Beaches Negril is much improved. The property
is in great shape, the food is the best it has
been in years, and the service is as
always, Jamaica friendly.
Finally, we
again took advantage of a private transfers
with our friend Lloyd Lewis. We recommend him
to anyone, but especially if you are a family
traveling with children.
2008 Trip
#2 September 15-18
Sandals Whitehouse, Jamaica Off
again to Whitehouse! This time strictly
business.
This trip really showed the advantage of
arranging a private transfer. Within five
minutes of exiting customs, I, (along with
a coupled I had booked to Sandals Dunns River)
were on our way. We dropped my clients off at
their hotel in Montego Bay (Lloyd would drive
them to Dunns River in the morning). Lloyd and
I then proceeded to The Pelican Restaurant for
dinner. (Great food and right on the way to
both Whitehouse and Negril). Lloyd then
drove me to Sandals Whitehouse. A few miles
from the hotel, we came behind a bus driving
like crazy. We followed this bus right into
Sandals Whitehouse. The guests on this bus had
all arrived on the same flight as me! And they
we just getting to the hotel the same time a
me. And boy, where they all in a bad
mood.
I highly
recommend you arrange a private transfer
and enjoy your vacation from the very
beginning! (I include it FREE when you book 7
nights or more).
As always
Whitehouse delivered the best in food, service,
and
ambiance.
2008 Trip #1 April 26- May 1
Sandals Whitehouse, Jamaica A great
time, but way too short!
Sandals Whitehouse continues
to prove it is "the Sandals" the other
properties aspire to be. As always,
service was awesome, room was perfect, food was
great, and the relaxation of the South Coast
cannot be equaled.
Once again we took advantage
of Sandal's "Butler Service". Although our
Butlers provided great service, we have been
forever spoiled by Conrod, our Butler at
Beaches Negril (Oct 07).
TRIPS
2007
2007 Trip #2,
Jamaica December 6- 12
Stayed at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios (Dec 6-9)
and Beaches Negril (Dec
9-12) Strictly business. Time was
spent doing site inspections at
Royal Plantation,
Sandals Dunns River, Sandals Ocho Rios, Beaches
Boscobel, Sandals Montego Bay, Sandal Royal
Caribbean, Beaches Sandy Bay, Beaches Negril,
Sandals Negril, and Sandals
Whitehouse. Highlights included
dining at Royal Plantation, Beach party at
Sandal Ocho Rios, Italian Theme Party at
Sandals Dunns River, Island Party at Sandals
Royal Caribbean.
Great transportation provided as usual by Lloyd
Lewis.
2007 Trip #1,
Jamaica October 13-15 Sandals
Dunns River, Jamaica We took
advantage if the Butler Service and we are now
permanently spoiled! Sandals Dunns River
could very well be the best of what Sandals has
to offer.
October 15-20 Beaches Negril,
Jamaica More Butler treatment,
almost too much! The rose petals, drawn baths,
champagne and chocolates, private dinner on the
beach, cooler with cold drinks under the
cabana, VIP dinner seating, the list of
pampering is never ending! Our Butler, Conrod,
has perhaps set the bar too high for any other
Butler to reach!
TRIPS 2006
2006 Trip #1
June 14-21
Sandals Whitehouse, Jamica
Our first extended stay on the South Coast since
1997 was simply awesome. We recommend Sandals
Whitehouse to anyone who is looking to get off the
beaten track, wants to experience a Jamaica with
few other tourists present, and wants easy access
to some of the best sightseeing attractions in
Jamaica. Our return to Bamboo Avenue, Middle
Quarters, Appleton Estate, YS Falls, and Bluefields
showed little has changed in the last 9 years.
Still laid back and non-commercial, the South Coast
remains one our favorite areas of Jamaica.
The resort design is the best yet for Sandals.
Every room faces the beach (which goes forever) and
ocean. You are never far from a pool, two with
swim-up bars. The restaurants (except Jasmines)
were excellent. We enjoyed the best Caribbean night
we can remember, whether at Sandals, SuperClubs,
Couples, or any other resort.
PLEASE NOTE: In 1999 we opened
Aspire Beyond, a charitable
organization that provides a day program for
developmentally disabled young adults. Although
our travel agency business itself was not
affected, our personal travel was greatly
curtailed by the responsibilities of this
endeavor between 2000 and 2006.
PAST TRIPS 2002
2002 Trip #1 July 19-23
Caribbean Cruise (RCCl) & Sandals Royal
Bahamian (Nassau). Non-business family
get together. Spent a wonderful day at Sandals
Royal Bahamian (Nassau).Total Tropical Days to
Date: 162, In Jamaica 101 days 2002 Tropical Days:
4 Jamaica Days: 0 Other: 4
PAST TRIPS 2001
2001 Trip #2
June 19-26
Hawaii Comparison Trip
So many people ask us to compare Jamaica and Hawaii
we figured we better go check it out! So we did! We
enjoyed a great trip with time spent on Oahu and
Maui. We can now give you first hand ideas about
how beaches, people, hotels, sights, and costs
compare.
Total Tropical Days to Date: 158, In Jamaica 101
days, 2001 Tropical Days: 15 Jamaica Days: 8 Other:
7
2001 Trip #1
May 29-June 6
Beaches Grande Sport, Jamaica
We spent the week in Ocho Rios at Beaches Grande
Sport (Ciboney). The hotel is coming along after
being taken over by Sandals. We took our 8th trip
up Dunns River Falls, returned to Wassi and Fern
Gully. We enjoyed two fantastic dinners, one at
Casanova at Grand Lido Sans Souci and the other at
Reef Terrace at Sandals Ocho Rios. We were able to
check out the improvements at Sangster, which are
really nice. A truly relaxing vacation. Full trip
report details are available to
subscribers.
PAST TRIPS 2000
2000 Trip #2
May 23-29, Beaches Negril, Jamaica
A great vacation in Negril at Beaches Negril. Took
in the sunset cruise on the M/Y Zein at Grand Lido
Negril (as good as ever).
2000 Trip #1
February 3-6Sandals St. Lucia (&
Sandals Antigua)
A great trip for the GRAND OPENING of the Sunset
Bluff area at Sandals St. Lucia. Enjoyed a golf
tournament with Sandals executives, a great party
at Sandals Halcyon, excellent food and great room.
Took a short trip on Sandals private jet to Antigua
for breakfast and to check out Sandals Antigua on
Feb 5. As usual, the trip was way too short!
Total Tropical Days to Date: 143, 2000 Tropical
Days: 9, Jamaica Days: 6,Other: 3
PAST TRIPS 1999
1999 Trip #4
August 10-15
Sandals Negril and Sandals Montego Bay,
Jamaica
A great vacation in Negril and Mobay. Stayed at
Sandals Negril and Sandals Montego Bay. The Spa a t
Sandals Negril is better than ever! (This has got
to be Sandals best!) Had a great day on the "Hip
Strip" (as usual) just hanging out, shopping,
dining, and talking to the locals.
1999 Trip #3
May 18-24Beaches Turks and Caicos
This has got to be the best place to simply unwind.
There is nothing to do but relax on a great beach.
Excellent facilities and management recently
arrived from Beaches Negril. (we have to put in a
good word for our friend Jeremy Jones, General
Manager)
1999 Trip #2
May 6-10, 1999Beaches Negril & Sandals
Inn
Just a quick "all business" trip to set up some new
programs at a few hotels. I did manage to make some
quick stops at Couples Negril, Grand Lido
Negril, Sandals Dunns River and several EP
properties. Highlights were an hour in the Spa
at Sandals Negril, Lunch at Sandals Ocho Rios with
Glen Huntington (Sandals Inn GM), and another nice
lunch at Sandals Royal Jamaican with Melaine Myrie
(Sales Manager) and dinner with some friends at
Tokyo Joe's (Sandals Montego Bay). I also had a
excellent dinner at Marguerites By the Sea
Restaurant (Montego Bay).
1999 Trip #1
January 20-24 Sandals Royal Bahamian
Three days of spa treatments, excellent food, and
that "royal" service. This place is a whole new
resort compared to when we were here for the Grand
Opening two years ago. New restaurants, 200 new
rooms (mostly suites), a great new pool all add up
to a great resort. The facility here could be
Sandals' best, however the Bahamas are just a tad
bit cold (temperature wise) for us.
Total Tropical Days to Date: 134, 1999 Tropical
Days: 19, Jamaica Days: 9, Other: 10
PAST TRIPS
1998
1998 Trip #7
December 3-6
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
A short trip down to Baja. Temperatures were
unseasonably cool. A rather pricey locale. You just
can't beat the Caribbean!
1998 Trip #6
November 19-23 Negril, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios
A whirlwind trip to check on our friends at Beaches
Negril, Hedonism II, all the Sandals, and Rio
Chico. Everything was looking good with lots of
renovated rooms and other improvements.
1998 Trip #5
November 7-14 Sandals Ocho Rios
We escorted a bunch of golfers from Red Rocks
Country Club to a Golf Tournament at Sandals Golf
& Country Club. A great time was had by all! As
always, our stay was too short. The management and
staff at Sandals Ocho Rios and Sandals Dunns River
went way beyond expectations in the attention and
service they gave us.
1998 Trip
#4 October 8-13 Sandals St. Lucia and Sandals Halcyon
Total relaxation, excellent food, great weather.
Trip was too short!
1998 Trip #3 September 23-26 Sandals Antigua
Canceled because of Hurricane Georges
1998 Trip #2 May 25 - June 3 Beaches Negril and Sandals Royal
Jamaican
Family Vacation at Beaches was awesome as usual! We
were also invited to Grand Lido for dinner and got
the VIP treatment. The two college girls with
proceeded to Hedonism II for the toga party,
arriving back at Beaches with the rising sun!
Sandals Royal Jamaican was as royal as ever.
Checked out the new Spas at Sandals Dunns River and
Sandals Negril. Highlight of the trip was a going
to the Cool Runnings Bottled Water Company in the
hills outside Montego Bay.
1998 Trip #1 February 23 -March 2
Grand Lido Braco - Simply Awesome! We
are looking forward to coming here
again
PAST TRIPS 1997
1997 Trip #4
November 9-16
Negril - South Coast-Kingston-Port Antonio
Stayed at Negril Gardens. (Negril); Treasure Beach
Hotel (South Coast); Four Seasons Hotel (Kingston);
Dragon Bay Villas (Port Antonio).
Checked out other hotels-Rock House, Sandals
Negril, Swept Away, Grand Lido, Beaches Negril,
(Negril); Jakes (South Coast); Trident Villas, Blue
Lagoon Villas (Port Antonio);
Ate, drank and partied at DeBuss, Alfred's Ocean
Palace (Negril); Treasure Beach Hotel, Jake's
(South Coast), Rooftop, Boston Bay, Blue Lagoon
(Port Antonio)
Took in attractions- Black River Safari, Appleton
Rum Estate, Bamboo Avenue, Lovers Leap (South
Coast); Devon House (Kingston); the Blue Mountains,
rafting on the Rio Grande (Port Antonio)
1997 Trip #3
July 20 -26
Negril & Ocho Rios
July 20-22 Stayed at Grand Lido.
(Negril); Breezes Runaway Bay (Runaway Bay); Grand
Lido Sans Souci (Ocho Rios)
Checked out and partied Hedonism II (Negril);
Breezes Montego Bay; Grand Lido Braco (Rio Bueno);
Sandals Ocho Rios, Sandals Dunns River (Ocho
Rios)
1997 Trip #2
June 4-9
Negril.
Stayed at Beaches Negril
Checked out Grand Lido, Swept Away, Hedonism II,
Poinciana
1997 Trip #1
May 3-10
Montego Bay - Negril - Ocho Rios
Stayed at Quality Inn, Holiday Inn (Montego
Bay);Beaches Negril (Negril) & Enchanted Garden
(Ocho Rios)
Checked out Swept Away, Sea Gem, Rondel Village,
Sandals Negril, Grand Lido, Sea Scape, Point
Village, Poinciana (Negril); Halfmoon (Montego
Bay); Braco Village (Rio Bueno); Jamaica Grande,
Sandals Ocho Rios, Sandals Dunn's River, Club
Jamaica, Village Hotel, Jamaica Inn, Plantation
Inn, Boscobel Beach, Sans Souci Lido, Couples
Resort, Ciboney (Ocho Rios)
Entertained on the West End and Hedonism II
(Negril); Mountain Valley Rafting (Montego Bay);
Jamaica Me Crazy (Ocho Rios)
PAST TRIPS 1996
1996 Trip #5
October 24-28, Negril, Jamaica
Stayed at Grand Lido
Visited Sandals Negril, Hedonism
II
1996 Trip # 4
Bahamas Sandals
October 3-6, 1996 Sandals Royal Bahamian Grand
Opening Gala
Stayed At Sandals Royal Bahamian
1996 Trip #3
September 1-6,
Runaway Bay - Montego Bay, Jamaica
September 1- 2 Stayed at Breezes Runaway Bay
(Runaway Bay) Holiday Inn Montego Bay
Visited Braco Village, FDR Resort, Coyaba Hotel
Sandals Royal Jamaican, Sandals Montego Bay,
Halfmoon, Sea Castles Sandals Negril, Hedonism II,
Grand Lido, Swept Away
1996 Trip #2
June 4-9, Negril, Jamaica Stayed at
Poinciana Beach Resort
Visited Grand Lido, Negril Inn, Sandals Negril
1996 Trip #1
March 7-10
Sandals Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Visited Sandals Dunns River
PAST TRIPS 1995
1995 Trip #3
November 11-16 Montego Bay - Negril
Stayed at Breezes Montego Bay; Negril Inn (
Negril)
Visited Sandals Inn, Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals
Royal Jamaican (Montego Bay); Grand Lido, Sandals
Negril, Negril Beach Club, Poinciana, Swept Away,
Home Sweet Home (Negril)
1995 Trip #2
August 21-27, Ocho Rios - Negril
August 21-24 Stayed at Ciboney (Ocho Rios); Swept
Away (Negril)
Visited Couples, Sans Souci Lido, Club Jamaica,
Sandals Ocho Rios, Sandals Dunns River, Jamaica
Grande, Boscobel Beach, Plantation Inn(Ocho Rios);
Breezes Runaway Bay, FDR Resort, Braco Village,
(Runaway Bay), Sandals Inn (Montego Bay); Negril
Gardens, Negril Tree House, Sandals Negril, Grand
Lido, Hedonism II, Whispering Bird
(Negril)