Resort review: Iberostar Rose Hall Beach – Jamaica

It was rather motivating to begin 2013 warmed by the sun, sipping piña coladas and resting my feet in white sand overlooking the Caribbean Sea while on  the beautiful island of Jamaica.

The weather was no less than perfect during our stay at Iberostar Rose Hall Beach.  The all inclusive resort is situated in Montego Bay about 20 minutes drive from Sangster airport. From the moment we entered the resort the service was first-class, and being greeted with a an icy welcome cocktail was the cherry on top. The property is well maintained, up-to-date and is quite large. It is really what you would expect at any 4-5 star Caribbean resort -white sand beach, endless cocktails, crystal clear water etc BUT one aspect that cannot be contested is the service, hospitality and friendliness of the staff! Everyone was amazing and would go out of their way to make sure we never lost the happy grin on our faces.

I’ll share my favourite tips and highlights since most all-inclusives are more or less the same in terms of what to expect. We stayed for 4 nights which was just perfect – not everyone can handle 7 days of beach and buffets confined relaxing in a compound.

1. Venture off the resort
For us – and many like us, this was important for our sanity! We took an afternoon tour to the historical Rose Hall Great House and a drive into the near by Trelawny area to view the new Falmouth Pier where cruise ships have recently begun to dock. You cannot know the REAL Jamaica unless you venture away from your hotel. The hotel tour desk can help you decide on day tours. And please don’t book swimming with the dolphins!

Go see the REAL Jamaica!

2. A la carte restaurant reservations
Although 3 buffet meals are included in your package, there are 3 a la carte restaurants on the resort where you can dine for dinner – you just need to make reservations in advance. Do this RIGHT after you check in or early the next morning as the reservations desk opens. Our last night we hired a sitter and enjoyed Samurai Japanese Restaurant. This was fun…more than eating but some entertainment. If you don’t like Japanese there is a cajun and steak restaurant.

3. Take advantage of the Spa

On my last day, I left the baby with dad and went off for a relaxing massage at the spa which is actually located at Iberostar GRAND – just a 1 minute golf cart ride away from Rose Hall Beach. Both are in the same compound but the Grand is for adults only. You can even have a couples massage and leave your child with their wonderful nanny services or Star Kids program. Prices are reasonable and the massage therapists are excellent. Receipts signed by RMT’s are available in case you would like to submit to your insurance benefits!

Overall, the atmosphere was great – we really did feel like ‘Stars’ during our winter escapade at Iberostar Rose Hall Beach.

beautiful courtyard and early morning sunshine

Happy Travels!

Tarzan and Jane 4-day Mini Break

As an unconventional couple, it was quite normal for us when we booked a “premoon” in the months leading up to our wedding. We chose Costa Rica. You could call it booking on impulse but it was well worth it, taking us away from the pressures of work at the time and most importantly the dreaded Canadian winter.

If you know us well, you will know we love a deal, so all we did was follow-up on a last minute tip sent through Travel Zoo Canada. I’m a subscriber to their Top 20 Deals and I look forward to their list sent every Wednesday!

To prepare, we went to our nearest travel clinic and were given anti-malaria and diarrhea medicine to take prior and during our travel. Next was some bug repellent (take lots) and of course some sunscreen.

We landed in San José just before the start of the rainy season which begins in mid-April.  From there we traveled a 2.5 hour scenic car ride (by taxi) to San Carlos, a village in the northern part of Costa Rica in the province Alajuela.  No need to worry about how you will hail a cab, especially if “no hablo espanol”.  Upon exiting the arrival doors, dozens of cabbies will flock to you asking “which hotel, which hotel?” Don’t worry – they are gentle!  For us, we knew exactly who we were looking for – Frank of ‘Frank Tours’, a local driver/tour guide who we prebooked when we arranged our stay with El Tucano Resort & Thermal Spa. Frank greeted us with our names on a sign and we were on our way!

San José is a bustling city and as you move farther away from the city centre and move upward into the mountains, the homes you see along the way are as you would expect in Central America, modest and colourfully painted. There are of course large, gaudy homes surrounding San Jose which are mainly inhabited by North Americans as their vacation homes.

Winding our way up toward San Carlos was a bit nerve racking at times. The roads are narrow, single lanes and Costa Rican drivers like to weave in and around each other to boot!

When you can take your mind off the steep, rocky drive, you begin to appreciate the beautiful scenery, aroma of sweet pineapples in the air and calming calls of exotic birds. Heading into the lush rainforest and mountain springs is a treat that you must experience at least once in your lifetime.

Our non beach resort vacation in the mountains of northern Costa Rica was an amazing adventure. There is something for everyone from city trekking to bird watching to museum hopping and of course National Geographic-esque wildlife tours.

MUST SEES:

1. Hot Springs – we chose accommodations that were situated in 7 acres of private rain forest and had thermal mineral springs flowing right through the property! These healing waters flow and are heated from Arenal Volcano.
2. Arenal Volcano – gather alongside other spectators at dusk to see lava flow and spurt from active volcano Arenal. This is the main attraction in Alajuela and one of the 10 most active volcanoes in the world! We got to the popular area for viewing early so we could have a good seat and view! Lucky for us it was a clear night and we were able to see the lava.
3. Visit Zarcera – for a cultural pit stop, take an afternoon drive to neighbouring city Zarcera’s city centre for a tour of San Rafael Church and creative gardens. You may have the pleasure of walking in on a wedding…like we did!
4. San Jose – Costa Rica’s capital city is almost like any other capital – much history, many attractions, shopping, restaurants and a diverse population.  Visit Mercado Central, an outdoor market, National Theatre, National Museum to name a few…
5. Eco Tours – most likely staff at your accommodations will point you in the right direction for a credible eco tour guide. We were able to see sloths, monkeys, lizards, an array of tropical birds and more! Be sure to take binoculars with you on your trip. If you love adventure there are plenty canopy, aerial and ziplining tour options at your disposal.

CLICK WORTHY:

http://www.govisitcostarica.com

Dream Anguilla

It’s been a few years since I have visited the tiny, visually stunning island of Anguilla. Out of the 28 island nations that comprise the Caribbean, Anguilla has to be the dreamiest.

Anguilla is a pristine island known to be frequented by Oprah, Denzel Washington, Jay-Z and Jennifer Aniston – just to purposefully name drop a few.  It’s the paparazzi-free environment that draws them there to relax, unwind and leave behind the complications of celebrity life. For folks like you and I who look to escape the monotony of everyday life (and maybe even the North American winters), it’s the white sand beaches, friendly locals and unique eateries that will entice you to visit and count the days until you can return again!

Let’s be clear that flying to Anguilla is not the shortest travel day you will experience, but it is well worth it. Depending on the day, you will be sure to make a stop in the US, re-board a flight to Puerto Rico, wait a few hours and then finally you will arrive in Anguilla’s capital, The Valley. A popular route these days is to fly direct into St. Maarten and ferry across to Anguilla – it’s only a 20 minute ride!

I had the good fortune to stay with a close friend both times I visited and I wouldn’t trade her hospitality to stay at a hotel but if I had to stay on a resort the top accommodations are CuisinArt Golf Resort and Spa, Viceroy Anguilla and Cap Juluca – all are rated as luxury hotels.

We celebrated a friend’s birthday at CuisinArt one year with dinner, champagne and of course a cake! It was fine dining at it’s best with impeccable service.  For a more personalized dinner, make reservations for the latest sitting possible. Since my visit, CuisinArt had added two new restaurants to their brand, Tokyo Bay for Japanese Cuisine and Italia for a classic Italian menu.

If you feel like dressing up for dessert and a night cap, visit hidden gem Blanchards Restaurant on Meads Bay. My best memory with the girls on a night at Blanchards is having a seat at the front bar and having a unique drink created for each of us by amazing staff member Lowell. You will be lucky if served by either Miguel or Lowell, warm staff and always entertaining!

For those of you who enjoy leaving the resort one in a while and mingling with locals for a real experience of the island, let your first night out be well spent at Pumphouse. This is the place to be and be seen on the weekend. Live bands are featured each week and it is definitely not a tap-your-toes, easy listening atmosphere. Be ready to get on your feet and join the jam session. See Anguilla’s most popular soca-calypso band The Musical Brothers on a Thursday night – a prelude to the weekend hype.

Another great thing about visiting Anguilla is its close proximity to the island of St. Maarten. Midweek through your vacation if you would like to do some shopping you may want to board the ferry at Blowing Point Terminal and take a 20 minute ride across to the French side of St. Maarten. The pace of life on both islands is polar opposites so it is worth your time to take the day and see for yourself.

Top breakfast spots have to be Mary’s Bakery (in The Quarter) for her Johnny Cakes and Le Bon Pain (Island Harbour) run by Bernard. Authentic French patisserie is enjoyed here surrounded by lush gardens and unique art work. Sunday morning after a late night out, head to Johno’s for late brunch/lunch. Enjoy eating and listening to live music all outdoors under a gorgeous sun and beside the water. If you are bold enough, have your turn at the mic and sing along with the band.

Finally, what can I NOT say about Anguilla’s main event – the beaches. There are over 30 public, white sand beaches to explore. My favourites (slightly biased as these were the only ones I visited J) were Shoal Bay, Sandy Ground and Meads Bay.

Anguilla really is a gem. The island is not commercialized like many other Caribbean islands with massive chain resorts along the beaches and it’s small enough to venture out and discover its many treasures while mingling with the locals. It would only take you about 30-45 minutes to drive across the entire island!

The next time you long for white sand between your toes, salt water in the air, warmth and sunshine for days on end…close your eyes and dream Anguilla.

Sunny Isles: The Perfect Baby Moon Getaway

Sunny Isles, Florida was the stage for my “Babymoon” last December. At 4 months pregnant, I was finally over the morn—uh night sickness in my case, nausea and exhaustion and was ready for a mini break away.  Once you realize that after the baby comes your vacations may be halted for awhile (read: good bye adult only resorts and hello kid-friendly packages), this last opportunity for a quick getaway with just your beau becomes more of a must than a maybe.

We decided to head to south Florida two weeks before Christmas and spend 4 nights in Sunny Isles, a ritzy, glitzy beach town in between Fort Lauderdale and South Beach.

After finding an amazing deal online we checked into the beautiful Marenas Beach Resort & Spa. The view of the ocean from our room was amazing and more so when I was actually in a lounge chair on the beach enjoying the breeze and warm sun. Marenas is situated on a beautiful stretch of beach – white sand, clear water and beautiful waves.

The resort  a very modern, boutique style hotel and has a very relaxed atmosphere. If you rent a car and drive, be prepared to pay (and tip) for valet only parking.

Early December was a great time to get away. There was minimal crowd due to it being the holiday season. We spent the mornings on the beach and the afternoons driving about Collins Avenue. The strip mainly boasts restaurants and nearby shopping at average Aventura Mall or if you are in the mood for some big spending or simply want to browse and feel “rich” for a few hours, mingle around Bal Harbour Shops – they call it “The Shopping Hall of Fame” for a reason.

The pricey breakfast buffet at the hotel was expected but well worth it because we ate on the back patio overlooking the ocean each morning.  This option was most convenient and healthy for me and my bump. Plus who doesn’t love a breakfast buffet while on vacation! The options for breakfast along Collins are not the healthiest unless you’re ok to just have a coffee/tea and a bagel.

For lunch head 20 minutes south to Lincoln Avenue, South Beach. There are a slew of restaurants and cafés for your choosing; most if not all boast a patio where you can people watch while waiting for your meal. There are unique shops along the Ave. and a few ice-cream shops for when you are ready for a cool down. If you are up for a busier beach and can bear the crowd to find a spot to relax then South Beach is for you – it’s right at the end of Lincoln.

I did muster up enough strength (haha) to participate in my favourite event – outlet shopping! I picked up a few items for the baby at nearby Sawgrass Mills Mall, the second largest mall in Florida. If you have the time, you can find the mall 20-30 minutes north of Sunny Isles in Fort Lauderdale.

Enjoying a waffle cone and ice-cream on Lincoln Avenue, South Beach. Can you see the bump? Must have been 17-19 weeks at that point.

TIPS FOR TRAVELING WHILE PREGNANT

• Bring flats! – Your feet will definitely swell on your flight and if you are traveling to a destination that is warmer than home. Try to have more than one pair and some flip-flops.
• Be prepared if any emergencies – You should always get the ok from your OBGYN prior to booking travel. If you are all clear for flying, be sure to know where the closest hospital is to your hotel just in case you need to see a doctor right away.
• Snacks keep the nauseous feeling at bay! – Be sure to bring granola bars or crackers with you to always have in your purse. This can help tide you over in case you are not able to have a meal right away during your travels.Listen to your body – I remember having Braxton Hicks contractions after a busy day and a half of sightseeing. It was time to rest! Be sure to rest often, put your feet up and really relax.
• Avoid saunas or hot tubs. Overheating is not safe for your growing baby.
• Keep hydrated! Have water with you at all times.