http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/ en Wed, 19 Jun 2013 06:49:31 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.luxurylink.com/community/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/ http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/riviera-maya-x2-1013/ Sun, 06 Dec 2009 20:03:14 GMT These properties are very close to each other, about a 10-minute cab ride. Enjoyed both places very much, and would not hesitate to recommend either... These properties are very close to each other, about a 10-minute cab ride. Enjoyed both places very much, and would not hesitate to recommend either one, or both!

There's an informative review of Hacienda Tres Rios from kyshel already, and I think a few things have changed in the past few months. Although the property has been open for a year, it's still new and partially under construction. Those familiar with the area will recall that this site had been an eco park. Apparently the plan to develop the site (in an eco-sensitive way) has been in the works for a number of years. The resort area is the first phase. This is a fractional ownership property, and one of their major goals is to attract buyers. We were offered a tour, which we declined, but new friends (who are members) showed us a couple of the condo-type units and a model of the grand plan. The units are lovely, similar to the hotel suites, but with kitchens, larger living spaces and multiple bedrooms. So, what's so "eco" about Hacienda Tres Rios? They bill the property as the only 5-star eco-resort in Mexico. Starting with the design and the plan for sustainable tourism, they are attempting to be sensitive to the natural surroundings. The materials in the room explain how they are going about this, from recapturing energy used for A/C to heat the pool, to recycling and growing some of their own food. They also plan to leave about half of the 360 or so acres undeveloped. The master plan calls for fractional ownership units (some of which are now complete), a marina, an equestrian center and private homes.

But back to our vacation.... The property is spread out, with some natural areas populated by herons, egrets and a few iguanas. Nature activities are included, so we opted for an activity including a walk around the nature paths, swimming in a cenote and kayaking down one of the rivers. We brought snorkel gear, but it wasn't really needed as the cenote was a bit murky with only a few fish. The beach beds really make it tempting to spend all day lounging there. There's a shelf behind the bed for your drinks and a waiter to replenish them. As kyshel mentioned, the Luna Maya special dinner was included with the package. We were given a choice of 3 locations, and chose a spot beyond the pool area - on the last bit of concrete before the beach. There was no one else around, aside from the 2 waiters who served us and then hung back. There was a breeze and a nearly-full moon. I opted for no guitarists, so it was quiet aside from the breeze and conversation. The food was excellent - it was really perfect. We also enjoyed the Mexican restaurant. We asked if there were any vegetarian choices (since none were on the regular menu), and were handed an entire vegetarian menu! The dishes were wonderful, the tamarind margaritas delicious, and I must mention an amazing chipolte creme brulee. There are now a number of bar areas, in addition to the bar in the lobby, there is one outside at the grill restaurant, and another temporary bar set-up near the pool and close to the beach. Overall, the feel was very laid-back, still not many guests for the size of the property. There were a few families with children and they did have a kids club with special activities. Service was very good, very enjoyable overall.

And now for something completely different: Secrets Capri. This property had been on my list for a while, since it consistently gets raving reviews. I felt as though I had landed at an upscale Club Med. This place was full, adults-only, mainly couples. There was a lot of activity, mainly centered around the pool areas. There was an abundance of venues for food and drink. The breakfast buffet was almost overwhelming: one station had waffles, pancakes, crepes and french toast, with 15 toppings. Lots of choices for everything. For lunch there are a couple of choices right in the beach/pool area, very handy. Overall, the food and service was all excellent.

It was hard not to compare the two properties. Although both are excellent, the beds on the beach at Tres Rios were really special. I liked that room a bit better also, not that there was anything wrong with the room at Secrets. Food and service at both was outstanding, although Secrets had more variety.

This was my third visit to this part of Mexico, and I'm sure I'll return. We walked the beach and spotted the new Grand Velas. It's a large property, looks brand new and is located in a prime spot on the beach. I also have my eye on Secrets Maroma. The whole area is exploding with tourism, which the locals seem to appreciate rather than resent. Playa del Carmen itself has seen some changes in the past few years, cleaned up and more upscale. My husband commented that fifth avenue was reminiscent of Lincoln Road in South Beach. Well, not quite, but there is a Starbucks and a Ben & Jerry's if you tire of the churros and tequila. ]]> disneygal http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/riviera-maya-x2-1013/ http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/resort-squaw-creek-excellent-base-sierra-nevada-994/ Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:25:44 GMT A couple of years ago we had been to south Lake Tahoe, staying at the base of the Heavenly ski area. We enjoyed Lake Tahoe very much, and said next... A couple of years ago we had been to south Lake Tahoe, staying at the base of the Heavenly ski area. We enjoyed Lake Tahoe very much, and said next time we would like stay on the north side. The Resort at Squaw Creek turned out to be the perfect location. I would recommend this resort and the Lake Tahoe area in general to any of you who enjoy outdoor activities. The scenery is magnificent, with the mountains and the lake offering all sorts of things to do, such as golf and hiking in the other seasons. And since it's California, you're sure to find good food!

Since our main goal was skiing, the ski-in, ski-out location (Squaw Valley USA) was ideal. The main base area for Squaw Valley is about a five-minute drive away. Another ski area, Alpine Meadows, is only about 10 minutes away. Northstar is about half an hour away. So we were able to ski at all 3 areas during our week-long vacation. If you're willing to drive a little further, there are many more areas around Lake Tahoe. The ski areas offered lots of varied terrain for skiers of all abilities. There were many groomed trails, as well as lots of open bowls and ungroomed terrain above tree-line. Something for everyone! We chose not to bring our own skis and rented from "Tahoe Dave's". We had a demo package, allowing us to switch to different skis and try as many as we liked. This worked out really well, especially since our luggage didn't arrive with us - but that's a different story!

At the resort, I opted for a fireplace suite, which was really a one-bedroom condo unit. The kitchen was well-equipped, with a microwave, two-burner cooktop and even a dishwasher drawer. This allowed us to have breakfast in the room most days, although we really enjoyed breakfast at the Sweet Potatoes deli on the property. Your Starbucks coffee is refillable all day - I was sold! It was also nice to have a separate living space. The gas fireplace was controlled by a switch on the wall, very handy. Although I planned to use the fitness facilities, never got there, and didn't try any of the spa treatments. We made use of the three outdoor hot tubs - very nice after a day on the slopes. There is also an outdoor heated pool and a small ice skating area. The resort is really geared to families and children, although this was not a negative - everyone was having a great time. We didn't try the main restaurants (aside from the breakfast deli) at the resort, as there were many other choices at the Squaw Valley base area and in Tahoe City (it's really a small village) about 10 minutes away.

The one negative, and it was minor, was the parking situation. They charge $25 a day to valet park. So we opted to self-park. This involved walking down some stairs and through the valet lot to reach the regular parking lot. It was a bit of a hike after a day of skiing. Of course you can drive up to the main door for a quick drop-off of your stuff and then go park. Also, the guest rooms are in a separate building from the shops, restaurants and public areas. I didn't find this to be a problem, but some might see it as a negative. You have to go outside for just about everything.

Overall, this was one of our best ski trips ever. I would not hesitate to return to this resort. If you're thinking about a trip, it's an easy drive, less than an hour, from the Reno, Nevada airport. Although there are some shuttles and public transportation, it's worth renting a vehicle (SUV in the winter) to explore the area. And I much prefer the California side of Lake Tahoe - no casinos and away from all that smoke! ]]> disneygal http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/resort-squaw-creek-excellent-base-sierra-nevada-994/ http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/guana-island-980/ Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:21:18 GMT The slogan on the BVI license plates says "Nature's Little Secrets" and Guana must be one of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean. Guana Island is an 850-acre privately owned island. At full capacity, they handle about 30 guests. This is a place to really get away and relax, literally off the grid. So, how do you transform from a hassled traveler (worried about a connecting flight or the ferry schedule), to a place of peace and serenity? It starts with the 10-minute boat ride from Tortola. Arriving at Guana Island, we were warmly greeted by Jason, the General Manager. We felt as though we were personal guests. Jason, April and the entire staff went out of their way to make sure our stay was perfect. From the website, I had a pretty good idea about what to expect, but here are some thoughts, and some things that surprised me.

It's like being on a private island with a group of friends. The first day we were greeted by the guests who had arrived before us. By the second day we knew everyone. Every time someone had to leave it was a sad event, accompanied by an exchange of email addresses. So, although you could find complete privacy, it was a social atmosphere.

Almost everyone had booked the trip through LuxuryLink! At times it was a like a little convention of LuxuryLink travelers - we compared notes on which packages we have purchased through LL, etc. It was a young crowd. We met three couples on their honeymoons. There was a variety of ages, but overall younger than I expected.

There are no organized activities, no phones, no TV. Once a week (usually Fridays) there's a BBQ down by the beach and a steel band. This was our last night there, and a great way to end a wonderful vacation. They also have "old movie" night about once a week (usually Thursdays), where a movie is shown outdoors in a lovely garden area. They're not trying to sell you excursions, but you could arrange to go out diving or on a trip to another island. The one activity that is popular is the "castaway picnic". A boat drops you at a remote beach on the island for a couple of hours, with a picnic lunch. This is an extra $75/couple, but certainly a unique experience. You have a prearranged time to be picked up, but they also give you a 2-way radio for emergencies.

The main building and cottages are up on a ridge. So everyone has a view of the sea, but not quite the same view. It's about a 10-minute walk down to the beach, and someone is always around to drive you back up. It's a bit steep, and after a day at the beach, we were grateful to accept the lift up the hill. The main beach is excellent, with soft sand and clear water. There are water toys, snorkel gear, kayaks, sunfish and a little catamaran. The massage hut is down by the beach also.

The main dining area consists of three tables for eight. There's another little deck with two tables for two. For dinner there's a seating chart. Your first night you're seated with just your party in this little private area. The other nights you're with others in the main area. But you can request a private table, and there are a couple of other secluded areas if you'd prefer dinner there. Breakfast and lunch are buffets. For breakfast there's also a "special" from the kitchen, such as pancakes or a special omelet. You can always order eggs or other items if you dont want the special. There's a option to have lunch brought to you on the beach. As with everything else, you just have to ask.

Dietary needs were accommodated. When booking the trip, they asked if we had special dietary considerations, and then asked again when we were checking in. With so few guests, there isn't the same variety of food choices that you would have at a large resort. But the quality is very high. Much of the produce is actually grown on the Island. Dr. Liao, the resident botanist, will give you a tour of the orchard. To meet Dr. Liao is an experience itself. He is one of the one most serene human beings I have ever met. One of the honeymoon couples that we met are vegans. They told me that the food exceeded their wildest expectations. For example, they had cream soups made with soy milk and rumor has it their poached pear was even better than the regular dessert.

850 acres is pretty big. If I thought we would hike every trail during our 5-day stay, that thought was quickly dispelled. Due to the heat, we only hiked before breakfast. If hiking is your thing, bring appropriate footwear. There are lots of ups and downs, rocky areas, etc. Sneakers worked for me.

The night sky was amazing. Jason told us the best place to look at the stars is from the deck behind the kitchen. You see nothing but the sky.

How to get there? The closest airport, Beef Island in Tortola, is only a ten-minute boat ride away. Guests from the U.S. seem to take American Eagle from Puerto Rico to Tortola. From Britain, the easiest way seemed to be on Liat from Antigua. Or, you can fly into St. Thomas and take a ferry, as we did. That way, you could also spend a night or two on St. John.

It's so hard to leave that there is a special ceremony for departing guests. They give you a hibiscus flower and take your photo. Then as the boat pulls away, you toss the flower into the water. If it floats back to shore, you'll visit Guana again. I certainly hope our flowers made it back, and that we will also. ]]> disneygal http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/guana-island-980/ http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/windsurf-cruise-rome-barcelona-965/ Mon, 14 May 2007 14:57:35 GMT This helped me narrow down the itineraries to ones that included Portofino as a stop. We began in Rome, with one night at the Albergo Ottocento... This helped me narrow down the itineraries to ones that included Portofino as a stop.

We began in Rome, with one night at the Albergo Ottocento hotel. That was a good choice, located between the Trevi fountain, the Spanish Steps. We walked just about everywhere. Of course you cannot see Rome in one day, but we made a good attempt. I had met someone on CruiseCritic.com who would be on the same cruise, and we had arranged to share a taxi to the port in Civitavecchia, about an hour away if one is driving at normal speeds. So we bonded with this other couple, while praying for our lives on the slick highway at 160 kph. Relieved to have made it safely to the ship, we were happy to board the WindSurf. Although our two previous cruises were on ships of 100 passengers, with 300 passengers, the WindSurf is considered small. And it felt like a small ship - there was no assigned seating, no lines, pleasant conversation among the guests.

Without covering every port, I will say that I did enjoy Portofino very much. We climbed up to the top of Castello Brown, for a wonderful panoramic view. In the 50's, before St. Tropez became the next hot spot, Portofino was a popular getaway spot for celebrities. A photo exhibit at the castle depicted this time in history. The stop at St. Tropez was also very enjoyable. We took an early morning walk around the village, and spent the afternoon at the beach. From Monte Carlo, we took a side trip to Nice and Eze, a medieval village build into the side of a cliff, turned into a current day tourist attraction. In the afternoon we took a tour of Monte Carlo on a little Disney-type train.

With a European itinerary, it's tempting to try to do too much. You really just get a taste of each location, but you can pick out some areas of interest for future exploration. Or, you can just enjoy the cruise, bring a few good books and spend more time on the boat. The emphasis was on the ports, rather than on activities on the ship. During the day, most people on board just relaxed, read and socialized. Unfortunately, there was not much wind, but they opened the sails once or twice just for show.

We enjoyed Windstar very much. It was upscale, but still casual. The food was very good. You had a choice of dining alone, or with others. Unlike a large cruise ship, there is one seating for dinner, and you don't have a set table or waiter. The fellow passengers were very friendly, mostly North American. The average age was about 50, so maybe a bit younger than other upscale cruise lines.

It will be interesting to see if the upcoming change in ownership has an effect on this cruise line. I hope that prices will not increase in general, and hope to see more Windstar offerings on LL in the future. Please let me know if you have questions.

Marla ]]> disneygal http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/windsurf-cruise-rome-barcelona-965/ http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/snake-river-lodge-teton-village-wyoming-950/ Thu, 15 Mar 2007 12:43:03 GMT Weve just returned from a 5-day stay at this property, having enjoyed a LL package that included breakfast every day, one dinner, and two spa... Weve just returned from a 5-day stay at this property, having enjoyed a LL package that included breakfast every day, one dinner, and two spa treatments person. This property is located at the base of the Jackson Hole ski resort, an area known as Teton Village. Its a 20-minute ride away from the town of Jackson. This makes for an odd disconnect, between the town and ski resort. The base area is expanding, so there are now a number of restaurants and shops. For more of the action, you can take a taxi into town, or ride the local bus for about $3.

For skiing, Snake River Lodge is situated very well. Its less than a 5-minute walk up to the lifts, and (snow-permitting) you can right ski back to the hotel door at the end of the day. We appreciated the ski valet, located most appropriately for the shortest walk to the base. The guys there were very helpful, retrieving your skis and placing them outside for you. It was nice not to thump through the hotel wearing ski boots, as these were also left with the ski valet.

This property had one restaurant, the Gamefish. Breakfast was a buffet with an omelet station. The selection was excellent. I was impressed by the huge bowl of fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. There was other fresh fruit, hot and cold cereals, even 3 varieties of smoked salmon. Breakfast muffins were worth the extra calories. There were also eggs, French toast, pancakes, potatoes, meats and cheeses. The wait staff was excellent.

Dinner was also very good. The menu is meat-centric, as is typical for this area, but there was one vegetarian dish and it was excellent. On another night we combined a number of appetizers for dinner. This was made easier by the option to order appetizers in two sizes, individual and for sharing. I enjoyed the combination of casual atmosphere (jeans acceptable) with such good food and service.

Ahthe spa. This was the highlight of the property. On the main level there was an indoor/outdoor pool, with both indoor and outdoor hot tubs. The outdoor hot tub was built into the surrounding rock area (we think it was concrete that looked like rock). So it was a bit private, with a water fall that could be switched on separately from the jets. The second floor housed a salon. The third floor housed treatment rooms and womens area. The womens area has a lounge, with a fireplace, comfy chairs and a selection of magazines. You can make a cup a tea, take a piece of fruit, or even order from a spa menu to have a meal delivered to you there. There was also another hot tub (with a view of the mountain), sauna, steam room, showers and dressing rooms. After skiing, my daily activity would include spending some time in this area. The fourth floor has the same facilities for the men. The fitness center is on the fifth floor. There are cardio and weight machines, and a variety of free weights. There is also a separate room where yoga classes were held. There was an afternoon yoga class every day, and a morning class three days/week. These classes were $15 each.

The staff was most helpful and friendly. We found the air to be very dry, and they fulfilled our request for a humidifier (which helped a bit). We also reported a noisy heater in the hall outside our room, and that issue was addressed. Overall, Snake River Lodge is an excellent property. If Jackson Hole is the destination, this would be a good choice. If any of you are considering a trip and have questions, please let me know and Ill do my best to answer. ]]> disneygal http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/snake-river-lodge-teton-village-wyoming-950/ http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/galapagos-947/ Sun, 11 Feb 2007 20:34:35 GMT When I saw that Celebrity cruises planned to sail there, I thought it was time to plan a trip. I have many travel ideas, but when I announced to my... When I saw that Celebrity cruises planned to sail there, I thought it was time to plan a trip. I have many travel ideas, but when I announced to my husband that I thought we should do this particular trip, he didnt ask any questions. He just said sign me up. We opted for a 10-day package, including two nights in Quito at the J. W. Marriott, round-trip flight to the Galapagos, a week on the Celebrity Xpedition, and one night back in Quito before heading home.

The J.W. Marriott in Quito was lovely. We had a few meals included, as well as a tour of the city. The high altitude gave me a bit of a headache, but after a few hours I was fine. I especially enjoyed a stop at the equator. There is a museum (really a tourist attraction), celebrating the different South American native cultures, and a few shops. We took the requisite photo, straddling the equator line, with one foot in each hemisphere.

The next day we were off to the Galapagos, where the fun really began! Sea lions, blue-footed boobies, tortoises this is what its all about, a chance to get up close to so many animals. Every day the boat made two different stops, sometimes on the same island, sometimes on different islands. There was a choice of three excursions at each stop, of varying intensities. We always opted for high intensity, although this became a bit of a joke as it was not very strenuous. Up to eight people went out in a dingy with a naturalist, so you were never with a large crowd. With a few exceptions, you must go onto the islands with a naturalist, and stay on a marked path.

One of the highlights of the trip is a visit to the Charles Darwin research station, dedicated to successful conservation of the Galapagos eco-system. http://www.darwinfoundation.org/

There we saw Lonesome George, a famous tortoise, who is the last of his breed. http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/george.html

And of course, seeing so many sea lions up close will always be special memory.

Its one of those trips that is difficult to describe you just have to experience it for yourself. There is a selection of boats from which to choose. The largest ships are about 100 passengers, with some being much smaller. The 10-day trip seemed to be the right length. In my opinion, you would want to spend a week on one of the boats, since every island is unique. ]]> disneygal http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/galapagos-947/ http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/royal-hideaway-riviera-maya-944/ Fri, 09 Feb 2007 14:02:48 GMT We stayed at the Royal Hideaway for a week in December 2006. I was looking for a stress-free vacation, a place to get away for a week and not do much...
We stayed at the Royal Hideaway for a week in December 2006. I was looking for a stress-free vacation, a place to get away for a week and not do much of anything. On other trips I had seeked out adventure, nature and sightseeing. But this time I really just wanted to sit on the beach with a good book and spend some time with my sweetie. We had been to the Riviera Maya before - it's a easy flight into Cancun. We definitely wanted an all-inclusive, and I had narrowed down the choices to Royal Hideaway and Secrets Capri. While I was deliberating, my sister went off to Secrets Capri and had a wonderful time. I'm sure that would have worked out well also, but everything I read about Royal Hideaway sounded just right. And it was!

Royal Hideaway is known for service, and it certainly lived up to the hype. What made it so special? I think the employees genuinely enjoy their jobs. My husband called it an energy. The atmosphere was not stuffy or elitist, just relaxed. The property is smaller than many in this area, so it had a boutique hotel feeling. The property is arranged around streams with little bridges and garden areas. There are a couple of quiet pools, in addition to the infinity pool and an older pool near the beach.

There are six restaurants, and you do have to make reservations for dinner. But this was not a problem, and we did change things around after a few days in order to go back to our favorite places again. The restaurants are intimate, and the food for the most part was excellent. The one exception was the night they have a dinner theater with a Mexican show. If you've been to Mexico, you've probably seen a similar show. That was OK, but the buffet dinner was not up to par. I don't understand the reason for this, since all other food was so good.

There has been a lot of talk about the beach in this area, since there is erosion from hurricanes and other storms. While we were there, we witnessed a few feet of beach being swallowed up during a storm. The employees (successfully) struggled to save a palm tree from being swept away. A couple of days later, the beach that had been under water was back. So the size of the beach varies, but it did not seem to be a big problem for this hotel. The Allegro hotel next door has a big problem though, with no beach at all, at least at the time were there.

The town of Playa del Carmen is a 5-minute taxi ride away. We had been there before and opted not to visit this time. There is also a shopping center within a few minutes walk of the hotel, serving the resorts in the area. I liked this shopping area better, since they had mainly the same wares, but they left you alone to browse. I found the vendors in Playa del Carmen to be rather aggressive, and this was uncomfortable for me. If you like to bargain, you may enjoy it.

There are numerous day-trips that can be done from this area, such as visiting ruins at Tulum, snorkeling, or taking the ferry to Cozumel among others. The hotel also has a small gym, which we did use a couple of times, and a few computers with free internet access. There were a number of "activities" such as yoga and dance classes. I dont think they were well-attended, but available.

Due to the restrictions on bringing liquids on board a plane, it's best to save purchases of liquor for the Cancun airport on your way home. You can make your purchase, and they hold it for you until you pass the final security check before boarding. If you have any bottles in your hand luggage, they will take them away. This goes for water also. We purchased some bottles of water in the Cancun airport, only to see that they search your bag right before boarding, So, don't buy anything that you can't drink right then.

All in all, it was a relaxing week, just the stress-free getaway that we were seeking. I would recommend the Royal Hideaway for this type of trip.


Message Edited by LL_Editor on 02-09-2007 09:11 AM ]]> disneygal http://www.luxurylink.com/community/blogs/disneygal/royal-hideaway-riviera-maya-944/