Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Sandals Resorts Offers Free Renewal of Vows Ceremony



Sandals Resorts, known for providing the most romantic vacation experiences in the Caribbean, is sharing the love this new year and offering couples the chance to rekindle the romance by providing an intimate Renewal of Vows ceremony and reception for FREE this fall with a stay of six nights or longer in any room category. Designed to capture the beauty of the Caribbean and the Luxury Included® resort experience, each ceremony provides couples the opportunity to make new memories as they celebrate their marriage and reaffirm their commitment to one another.

"A Sandals Renewal of Vows ceremony is perfectly tailored to create the ideal romantic experience and moments that will be treasured for a lifetime," says Marsha-Ann Brown, Director of Romance, Sandals Resorts. "This fall, we are honored to offer guests complimentary vow renewal ceremonies, to show our commitment to keeping the love alive forever."

Married couples looking to profess their love this autumn will enjoy a complimentary Renewal of Vows ceremony and reception styled by Martha Stewart that incorporates elements of the Sandals Weddings by Martha Stewart 'Beautiful Beginnings' theme. Featuring simple, elegant touches such as a bright magenta or a white dendrobium bouquet and boutonniere; a reception table for the couple and up to six guests, set with crisp white linens and a lovely dendrobium orchid centerpiece; and a charming, white two-tiered celebratory cake, the Beautiful Beginnings décor is the perfect setting for such a romantic occasion.

From start to finish, every Renewal of Vows ceremony at Sandals Resorts includes all the touches a couple could want, from a Personal Vow Renewal Consultant, both during planning and while on resort, to a romantic "honeymoon" dinner the evening of their ceremony. All Renewal of Vows ceremonies also include all the elements couples can expect for their special day, such as recorded musical accompaniment, an elegant reception with chilled hors d'oeuvres and sparkling wine, as well as a Renewal of Vows Officiant and personalized commemorative certificate. Following the festivities, couples celebrating a vow renewal at Sandals Resorts also receive a full breakfast in bed on the morning of their choice, a romantic in-room turn down service, a 5x7 "second honeymoon" photograph and branded beach bag.

For guests wishing to celebrate their Renewal of Vows alongside the whole family, Sandals Resorts sister-brand, Beaches Resorts, is also offering the same FREE Renewal of Vows promotion with stays of six nights or longer.
*Information Courtesy of Sandals Resorts


If you have any questions regarding Sandals Resorts or Beaches Resorts my contact information is included below.  Thanks for taking the time to read. I hope you have a great day!

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Brandon Johnson, CTA
Gold Certified Sandals Specialist
Follow: @bjohnsonCTA
Email: bjohnson@elitetravelconsulting.com

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia Resort Review


Anse Chastanet is set on 600 acres of tropical beachfront property in the shadows of St. Lucia’s famed Piton Mountains. Known for its lush tropical surroundings, black sand beach, and unique nature inspired and inclusive suites, Anse Chastanet provides you the opportunity to get away from it all and slip into a truly romantic Caribbean experience.

Literally built into a mountainside and only steps away from amazing snorkeling and diving, as part of a protected marine reserve, Anse Chastanet is the brainchild of architect Nick Troubetzkoy. He has seamlessly crafted a property synonymous with the nature that surrounds it, most notably though suites literally built around trees and 3-walled suites that open right up to amazing views of the surrounding area but remain completely secluded. It’s the perfect romantic atmosphere.
The beaches at Anse Chastanet are unique in that they are black sand beaches. I had never seen a black sand beach until I visited the property and while it isn’t typical to what I am used to in the Caribbean I definitely thought it was cool. A word of advice though, if you think that white sand beaches can get hot in the afternoon I seriously suggest that you bring a pair of flip-flops for the black sand here.



For a small boutique style property Anse Chastanet actually offers a wide range of dining options including a fully vegetarian restaurant, Emeralds. From the beach grill to the fine dining in TreeHouse Restaurant all of the dining options are amazing. I had the privilege of trying more than my fair share from the menus and you won’t be disappointed.

Overall Anse Chastanet caters to romance and those that wish to get away from it all, but there are plenty of activities for you should you need a little adventure amidst your tropical escape. The resort offers yoga, tennis, sunset sailing, sea kayaking or jungle biking, hiking, bird-watching among the ruins of an 18th century colonial plantation, and some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the Caribbean.

I recommend Anse Chastanet to those looking for a truly romantic experience, true nature lovers, and for those really looking to escape it all for a few days. It's a great property and one of my favorites in St. Lucia.


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Brandon Johnson, CTA
Caribbean Specialist
Follow: @bjohnsonCTA

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Sandals Negril Resort & Spa, Negril Jamaica Resort Review



Sandals Negril Beach Resort & Spa is located on famed 7 Mile Beach in Negril Jamaica. A combination of its amazing stretch of beach, its collection of rooms and suites, great dining, its laid back atmosphere, and its amazing staff make it one of my favorites in Jamaica.

Sandals Negril is a Couples Only resort that literally sits on 7 Mile Beach in Jamaica. Its close proximity to the sand makes it so that you are always only a few steps away. Grab a drink on your way down to ultimate relaxation on one the best beach in Jamaica. If sun and sand are your style then Sandals Negril should be a perfect fit. The beach is definitely one of the biggest draws but it is the rooms that make the resort one of my favorites.

Boasting a collection of swim up suites, you can literally walk out of your balcony and into a private plunge area. It’s the perfect romantic setting as you have your own area to take a late night dip if you like. The resort also offers the Millionaire Plantation suites which feature their own private pool and Sunset Loft suites which give you 2 levels to enjoy amazing views of the Caribbean Sea. If those options are a little lush for you, Sandals Negril also offers a wide range of luxury garden and ocean view rooms. Honestly, every room at Sandals Negril is worth the trip and it really is only a small part of your overall experience.

Sandals Negril offers 6 gourmet dining options for its guest. From Caribbean to Oriental there are plenty of options to keep your palate busy on your trip. If All Inclusive conjures up images of long buffet lines you can rest assured that you will be in for a welcomed surprise here at Sandals Negril. There are also several bar options for you to enjoy some after dinner (or lunch… or breakfast) cocktails, including a swim up bar amid the excitement of the main pool.

If there is one thing that I can say really sets Sandals Negril apart from other resorts in the area, it’s the amazing staff. Within the first 2 days of your trip many will know you by name and you’ll be met with cheery greetings from everyone from grounds keepers to the butlers. Sandals Negril offers both Concierge and Butler service for travelers looking to really take complete advantage of the experience. I will warn you though… if you opt for Butler service at Sandals you will never want to go without it again. Sandals refers to their Butlers as Dream Insurance and they certainly live up to the expectations.

I recommend Sandals Negril to couples who are looking for a laid back, luxury experience, an amazing beach, and fun in the sun. It’s a perfect Honeymoon resort and I confidently recommend it as such on a regular basis.

From locations on the East Coast to Jamaica you can expect a 7-night stay at Sandals Negril to run in the $4000-$5000 range. If you are looking for one of the premier suites with Butler service it will probably be more in the $5000 - $8000 range and worth every penny.


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Brandon Johnson, CTA
Gold Certified Sandals Specialist
Follow: @bjohnsonCTA