All Inclusive Archives - Boomerang Escapes

5 Tips to Make Your Family Beach Vacation Unforgettable

April 25, 2021 Lisa Rossmeissl All Inclusive, Caribbean, Family, Travel Tips No comments

I am a mother of three now-adult children. I’ve had kids from all over the US, Europe, the Caribbean, and even the South Pacific. When you are a family of five and have a mix of girls and boys, it is crucial to make sure you take everyone in the family into consideration to make your trip enjoyable. I’ve put together a list of tips below for making the most of your next family beach vacation.

5 Tips to Make Your Family Beach Vacation Unforgettable

Involve the children in the planning process. Share and show them pictures of the possible destinations. Find out what activities are important to them. For example, I let each of our three children choose an excursion for our last family trip. This gave us 3 of our 7 days off the resort doing things we knew each child would enjoy.

Pick a resort with a good kid’s activity program. Make sure the program the resort offers has activities that your child would enjoy participating in. Be sure that the resort’s activities cater to the age of your children. Not all resorts have activities that entertain that “tween” and “teen” crowd. When your children are busy being entertained, you can steal some time for yourselves.
Pick a resort with a variety of dining options. We all know how picky kids can be when it comes to eating. Make sure the resort has a good buffet option. It is also helpful when they have an American option that you know the kids will go for, such as a Pizzeria. If your child has any food allergies, check before booking, see if the resort can accommodate the allergy. Often the chef will meet with you to arrange the necessary meal plan for your stay. Several resort chains have now begun to include gluten-free options for their guests, as well as handling, dairy, and peanut allergies.

Pick a resort that provides spacious room accommodations. When you are used to having your own bedroom and or bath each morning, it is important to consider the size and amenities of the room types at the resorts you consider for your family. Many resorts now offer bunk bed options for families of 5, separate rooms for kids, and family suites with 2 bedrooms.

Remember to relax. You are on vacation after all. Consider locking the electronics in the room safe. Do activities together and apart (Spa time for mom?). But most of all, have FUN!

PS: Don’t forget to use your favorite travel professional to help you find the perfect resort match for you!

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

She has been a professional travel consultant since 2008 and specializes in Australia and the South Pacific. Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Fiji, and Cook Islands are among the specialist certificates she holds. Her agency’s focus is on creating custom itineraries with their client’s wants, desires, and budgets in mind. She and her planners believe in getting to know the traveler to ensure they have a vacation to remember. With each planner specializing in a different market area, Boomerang Escapes can offer a wide variety of leisure vacation planning.

Why An All-Inclusive Resort Vacation May Be Right For You!

March 21, 2021 Lisa Rossmeissl All Inclusive, Caribbean, Romance, Travel Tips No comments

All-Inclusive. What is all-inclusive, and why may an all-inclusive vacation be right for you?

Well, according to the Travel Industry Dictionary, the term means one price covers all listed elements of a package or, as a noun, a resort at which a single price covers lodging, meals, and activities. All-inclusive resorts have transformed the Caribbean vacation experience.

The Caribbean is the backdrop for most of these resorts, having captured vacationers for generations. I mean, who isn’t drawn in by lush green mountains, brilliant sunshine, warm breezes, and beautiful blue waters? Travelers will find that the resorts in the Caribbean have something for everyone. They cater to both the young crowd looking for fun and couples and families looking for a quieter scene. Besides being ideal for just about any traveler style, there are many other benefits all-inclusive resort vacations provide.

You will have a more enjoyable getaway because you don’t have to keep thinking about the money you are spending. When you book an all-inclusive, you have already prepaid for all your food, drinks, and relaxation. Most all-inclusive resorts not only include all your food, drink, and property activities, but some go so far as actually to include excursions such as catamaran sailing. For many, that means that other than your souvenirs, your wallet never has to come out. This is a particularly great feature for those on a budget. Knowing ahead of time what you will be spending before you leave home and knowing you won’t have a large bill upon your return makes for a more relaxing experience while on vacation. One of the reasons we go on vacation is to escape our routines. And what better place than an all-inclusive one that lets you determine what you will do each day or not do? The resorts provide a daily activity newsletter to your room, letting you know when things are happening, and it is purely up to you as to whether you participate or choose to lay in a chair all day. Dining is just as grand. They offer a wide range of dining experiences from sit down, buffets, theme nights, room service, and private dining experiences. Today’s resorts keep offering more and more dining options, providing an around-the-world tasting pleasure.

Family travelers will love the amenities that keep their kids happy. The best resorts offer kids programs usually ranging from age 4 to 12, where parents can drop their kids off for various daily activities. Our favorite pick is Beaches Resorts because of the array of activities and inclusions provided. Beaches Resorts cater from infants through to your difficult tweens. They can accommodate special needs children as well.

Couples will love the romance extras that are included. Some of our favorite resorts, Sandals, Secrets, and Couples, provide honeymooners with special romantic amenities such as champagne and rose petals in the room or a drawn bath with lit candles. Plus, these resorts are what we refer to as adult-only, couples-only. And of course, a destination wedding at a resort can be a huge cost saver for couples compared to a traditional wedding at home, combining both their wedding and their honeymoon.

So, is an all-inclusive vacation right for you?

Travelers can find a nearly perfect escape in today’s all-inclusive resorts. With various amenities, facilities, and services to choose from at each property, a perfect fit is nearly guaranteed to be found. Beware, not all all-inclusive resorts are created equal. With the vast selection of Caribbean destinations and resorts to choose from, we recommend travelers contact a local travel agent to match them with the right resort.

We were honored that this article was originally featured in the December 2014 issue of Your True Colours magazine. Recently updated March 2021.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

Something New in Acapulco

September 15, 2019 Andrea Ward All Inclusive, Mexico No comments

Looking for a change of pace? Why not try one of Mexico’s original tourist destinations in a brand-new resort? Explore the natural beauty of Mexico at the newest Dreams Resort & Spa. Which is situated on the gorgeous Acapulco Bay along the Pacific Ocean, this property offers 605 comfortable rooms for couples or couples with children. Dreams Acapulco Resort & Spa is opening Nov 1, 2019. Acapulco is a city the remains to be a favorite destination for its spirited nightlife and inviting beaches.

With a warm and humid climate, sunny Acapulco remains a popular choice for travel. Along the boardwalk there are many Mexican hotels, dance clubs and restaurants. While the nightlife is often a big draw for visitors, the area also offers plenty of great things to do during the day as well, including lounging on the beach, enjoying the warm water, shopping and enjoying water sports. One of the top things to see while traveling to Acapulco is the seemingly fearless cliff divers who dive from platforms off the La Quebrada cliffs. This has been a long-standing tradition since the 1930s and the divers can be seen from a platform for visitors or at the nearby restaurant. The divers put on a daily and nightly show not to be missed.
With Dreams opening this fall you can’t go wrong the AMResort Dreams properties offer unlimited luxury. This particular property will offer eight different dinning selections, it will have something for everyone’s appetite. The restaurants you will find are:

Barefoot Grill – Grilled favorites by the pool
Coco Café – Premium coffees and treats
El Patio – Authentic à la carte Mexican cuisine
Oceana – Acapulco style seafood
Portofino – Mediterranean and Italian cuisine
Seaside Grill – Sizzling delights served à la carte
La Tratorria – Italian inspired ristorante
World Café – International buffet with theme stations

Along with the eight restaurants you will have four bars to choose from as well with top shelf spirts. Dreams also offers evening entertainment daily for both adult and children alike.

Why not try out an old destination in a new resort this fall. Currently they have special pre-opening rates for travel between November 1, 2019 and December 22, 2020. Contact me to me to reserve your next escape…

Andrea Ward is an independent travel consultant of Boomerang Escapes, who is based in Wisconsin.

She has been planning vacation escapes for the company since 2013 and specializes in Caribbean Destinations. Her primary focus is on the all-inclusive vacation experience for adult or family getaways for individuals and small groups. Sandals and AMResorts are among the specialist certificates she holds.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

Our Top 5 All-Inclusive Brands for Families

August 18, 2019 Lisa Rossmeissl All Inclusive, Caribbean, Mexico No comments

When you are thinking of planning a family vacation experience, one of the best options to help our budget is looking at an all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean or Mexico. All-inclusive resorts include your accommodations, meals, beverages, and most non-motorized water sports. In addition, those catering to families offer child programs, baby sitting and other daily activities which means the kids can be entertained while mom and dad play. It is great whether you are traveling with just your own family, considering a family reunion, or traveling with your favorite friends. To this day, our group of families trip to Beaches Negril in Jamaica was by far one of the best, if not they best vacations I’ve ever had. There was a little bit of everything for everyone.

To help you in planning, we’ve compiled a short list of our favorite brands for family all-inclusive resorts. Within each brand are different options. The brands have a variety of partners for their kid’s programs. Below is the list highlighting each brand and examples of what you will get, along with resort options.

Beaches Resorts-Located in Turks and Caicos and Jamaica this well known brand is tops in family vacation experiences. Resorts have a variety of room accommodations, water parks, and are partnered with Sesame Street. They cater from the very young through the teens even including a teen night club called Liquid as well as their partnership with Xbox. These resorts are also recognized as and certified Autism Centers. The largest of all the Beaches resorts is the Turks and Caicos and does require booking early for best pricing and accommodation availability.

Karisma Resorts-Karisma offers 3 brands of family friendly options, Azul, Nickelodeon, and Generations. The various brands are located in Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. These resorts as well offer a variety of room accommodations to suit larger families. The Azul resorts have Azulitos experience including beach, cooking, and cultural fun for all. Azul’s also have the My Gym experience for ages 4-12 and a Vassa spa kid’s service. The Generations resort offers the kids Eko program for 4-12 and a separate kid’s menu. And as the name would suggest the Nickelodeon resort is a partnership with Nickelodeon. They have a fun slim smoothie for kids, kid’s club and of course Nickelodeon character fun and entertainment. I am a fan of the Fives Azul Beach Resort due it’s neat layout and design.

Barcelo Resorts-Located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic this whole complex offers a variety of stays for couples through families. Their new Family Club section has great accommodation offerings including suites with 2 bedrooms. There is access to the water park as well as access to all the other property’s activities within the complex. Of course like the others there are baby sitting services and supervised activities with qualified leaders. Truly a resort you’ll want to visit again and again. I have many repeat client’s to this resort.

Iberostar Resorts-Located in Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic these resorts are similar to Barcelo in that they are a large complex with different resort levels catering from the family to the adult-only and share different facilities throughout based on which resort you are at. They have their children’s Star Camp, kid’s menu, baby sitting services and family rooms. The Iberostar Paraiso Maya and Paraiso Lindo are favorites with clients.

Melia Resorts-Located in Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Jamaica these resorts. Within Melia there is the Melia brand and also the Paradisus brand that are suited for families. The Melia has onsite Splash Island Park suited for the younger children, kid’s club, babysitting and again a variety of room accommodations to suite larger families. They are also partnered with the Flintsone’s Brand. The Paradisus has all day assistance from a Family Concierge, an activity packed Kid’s Club and a complimentary walkie-talkie or cell phone for instant communication. Programming includes kids from newborn to age 12, with separate facilities for teens. We’ve had great feedback from the Melia Caribe in Punta Cana.

No matter your budget, the size of your family, or the age of your kids, there is an all-inclusive brand to match your needs for your next family vacation. The best way to match your budget and family to a resort is to consult with a travel professional who can go over the different resort amenities, room categories, and children’s services with you to ensure you enjoy the most out of your vacation. Contact one of us today!

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

Sandals and Beaches Weddings

July 7, 2019 Andrea Ward All Inclusive, Caribbean, Romance No comments

When I think of summer, I think of weddings. Are you newly engaged or planning to be engaged in the near future? Have you ever considered a destination wedding? Did you know that Sandals and Beaches is a leader in destination weddings? They both have customizable weddings, that are inspired by love and created by you. With their talented wedding staff at any of the Beaches or Sandals location they will help you create the wedding of your dreams. They even offer a free Tropical Wedding with a minimum 3-night stay.

However, most of you I’m sure would love to add your own touches and enhancements to make it your very own. Sandal offers the most Over-the-Water Serenity Wedding Chapels in the world. There are three in Jamaica, one at Sandals Montego Bay, Sandals South Coast and Sandals Ochi. All three of these have been blessed for Catholic weddings as well. They also have one available at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian. What is so very exciting about Sandals and Beaches is that they offer a program called “Test Drive”. This is where the wedding couple or the Bride and a single guest can experience the resort of their choice for a reduced rate, which in turn is then credited back to the couple upon booking 5 or more rooms for their wedding. The options are truly limitless, and no one wedding will ever be the same. If you are already married no worries, they also have a Retie-the Knot for couples seeking to renew their vows. There are several different options for those as well. The best part is you have a designated team of wedding specialists to work directly with you to make your destination wedding the wedding of your dreams. There is nothing more romantic then the Caribbean and Sandals and Beaches have brought romance and wedding to a whole new level. Who’s ready to say I DO? I am a certified Sandals Specialist and can help you plan that dream destination wedding.

Andrea Ward is an independent travel consultant of Boomerang Escapes, who is based in Wisconsin.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

Personal Review-Pineapple Beach Club-Antigua

November 11, 2018 Lisa Rossmeissl All Inclusive, Caribbean No comments

Recently I had the advantage and opportunity to travel to Antigua with the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Board, but prior to meeting up with my business development manager I had the pleasure of using free nights ( a sometime perk of the industry) at Pineapple Beach Club located on Long Bay in St. Phillip Parish. For those not familiar with this property, you may remember it as Sandals Grand Pineapple, but they have since sold it back to Elite Island Resorts about 2 years ago. It is currently under some slight renovations (Nov 2018)

What’s great about this resort is the pristine white stretch of 1/4 mile beach with ever endless shades of blue water lapping upon it and the beautiful island greenery as it’s back drop.

The resort truly offers a true authentic “Caribbean Feel” to it, which was one of my favorite bits about laying back and falling into “island time” here. Like the rest of the island the temperatures here range year round from 75F-80F with amazing trade wind breezes and very little rain. Antigua herself seems to lie just out of the hurricane belt making this a year round destination.

The Pineapple Beach club is a value to moderate priced all-inclusive resort for adults only (age 16 and up). While it’s rooms might not boast the elegance of some of the newer larger resorts, it makes up for it in charm, feel, food and service. The resort had 4 primary areas for accommodations ranging from garden suites up to waterfront suites. The waterfront being the most spectacular of views on the water. I stayed in an Ocean View up on the hillside that had beautiful views of the gardens and beach below. It was a perfect place to sit on the balcony and watch the day come alive as the sun rose. The room itself was basic with king bed, armoire, table and chair. The balcony had 2 chairs and a table. The bath was situated with a separate vanity and sink area along with a tub/shower combo. One thing to note about the resort, is it does lie within a hillside setting, so there are quite a lot of stairs. Perfect if you are looking to keeping fit as the lovely fitness center was 70 stairs, not steps from my room. I did notice a woman with a walker that was accommodated in the garden suites near the shops, but I would not list the resort myself as handicap friendly. But for the active to beach chair sleeper this resort has a lot to offer.

There are 3 restaurants, plus the snack bar by the pool. The main restaurant open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner has an abundant selection and variety on the buffet. The two other restaurants do require an advance reservation, but are worth doing so. One is Italian fare while the other caters to the Caribbean flavors and seafood. The snack bar by the pool served your American favorites such as nachos, hamburgers, and sandwiches. Another great treat for lunch is to make your way up to the hilltop for The Outhouse for some authentic island barbecue. You won’t regret it!

The main bar serviced the bulk of the area and there is also a smaller bar near the main beach activity area. They do have beach service as well which is nice when you feel too relaxed to get up and freshen your drink. One of my favorite daily activities was to order the drink of the day. Mostly with rum, but not overly sweet as some other island resort drinks I’ve had. Mauvin the main bartender was great and would create us our very own special drink before we headed to dinner. The staff really did take a liking to the guests.There is a daily activity board, the option to go off resort to explore the island, and of course nightly entertainment. Often the evening entertainment was music in way of band or DJ. Note the entertainment ends by 11pm so this is not your all night party place. Non-motorized water sports are included. I highly recommend the Hobie cat with Keri as your captain. And to break up your tanning, give the Caribbean Dance lessons a try. Truly this place is a perfect Caribbean escape for those looking to disconnect (though free Wi-Fi in certain areas and a pay plan for rooms) and fell the island vibe. It is what the Caribbean is and always has been. And as they say numbers don’t lie, Pineapple Beach Club has a 75% repeat rate and the guests seemed more like family to the staff then visitors.

If you are looking for more information on Pineapple Beach Club or other resorts in the Elite Island Resort Family or just more on Antigua as a destination, please email info@boomerangescapes.com

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

AMResorts Make the Ideal Family Escape

April 8, 2018 Andrea Ward All Inclusive, Family No comments

Spring is typically the season when everyone heading south or to the Caribbean as spring breaks arrive for their kids. One of my favorite brands/chains of all-inclusive resorts is AMResorts. They have six signature resorts. Secrets, Zoetry and Breathless which are Adult only, but then they have Dreams, Now and Sunscape that are family friendly resorts. I would highly recommend planning a spring break with your family at any one of these family friendly resorts. They are located throughout Mexico and the Caribbean. And, did you know I am a certified AMResorts specialist?

There are Dreams located in Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun and Mayan Riviera areas of Mexico as well as locations in the Dominican Repbulic and Costa Rica. Dreams Resorts offer a high level of luxury for the entire family. They are known for their Unlimited-Luxury, everything is included. For your children they offer the Explorer’s Club, and special geared activities for the tweens/teens. They provide nightly entertainment for all ages. I have personally had the pleasure to stay at the Dreams Punta Cana. Tom and I had gone for his cousin wedding in 2010 and absolutely loved it with the intentions of returning. One property to highlight is The Dreams Puerto Aventras. It has the largest onsite Dolphinarium in Rivier Maya. I know swimming with the dolphins is often a bucket list item and I’m sure your kids would love to have a suite where they can a view of the dolphins from. I know I would.

The Now resorts can be found in Cancun and Puerto Vallarta Mexico and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. At Now resorts you will find sophisticated style met with relaxation and comfort. They offer spacious suites and also have the Unlimited-Luxury where everything is included. For the young kids they offer the Supervised Kids club and then again additional activity for the tweens and teens. If you have children that are into snorkeling or diving, the Now Jade Riviera Cancun and the Now Sapphire Riviera Cancun are located just minutes form the town of Puerto Morelos which host the 2nd largest Barrier reef. Ideal for interacting with the underwater world.

The Sunscape resorts are located in Ixtapa and Cozumel Mexico and also Curacao. Sunscape again offers you the Unlimited-Luxury with unlimited fun. Sunscape has spacious rooms or suites to accommodate larger families. An Explorer’s Club for Kids is offered as well as daily entertainment and action-packed activities with fun filled games for all ages. Another amazing resort for divers or snorkelers with young children is Sunscape Curacao. Curacao is known as one of the best diving destinations in the world. The resort offers one complimentary dive per day for PADI certified divers. The Sunscape Sabor Cozumel too has amazing diving and snorkeling and is located on the largest finest beachfront in Cozumel. It is credited with the largest spa in Cozumel. Just what the doctor ordered.

If your looking for a fun filled vacation with unlimited luxury and options for the entire family, I don’t think you can go wrong with any one of the AMResorts Dreams, Now or Sunscape. They offer something for everyone at a varying prices levels. But no matter which you brand you choose, they all offer a variety of multiple options for dining, activity, and room selection all of which is are included in the vacation package. So, make sure you plan your spring and summer family breaks while you have them. You know it is only 18 summers before they are grown and gone. (photos courtesy AMResorts)

Andrea Ward is an independent travel consultant of Boomerang Escapes, who is based in Wisconsin.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

When His Favorite Thing to Do is Fish

March 11, 2018 Andrea Ward All Inclusive, Caribbean No comments

Tom definitely is not the type of guy to lay around on the beach and work on his tan. He likes to keep busy, but mostly he enjoys fishing. So, when we have been able to escape, we try to go to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Despite loving to fish, he doesn’t want to do it from a boat. Tom enjoys fishing right off the beach. While in Punta Cana, Tom has been able to fish right off the beach. He will wade into the water about to his waist and cast right into the ocean. Obviously, he is not fishing in a spot where it is busy with a lot of people swimming and he typically goes first thing in the morning before the beach lovers are out. He travels with a small fishing rod that breaks down into three pieces that he can easily carry on the plane. Once in destination, he will use some local shrimp for bait. He is very good at making friends at the resultant s where he will purchase small amounts of raw shrimp each morning. Always get friendly with the locals.

You would be blown away to see all the different species of fish that he catches each time he goes out. We have stayed at the Dreams Punta Cana on a couple of occasions and he says the fishing is the best here. The water is calmer. We have also stayed at the Paradisus Punta Cana Resort where the fishing was decent, but he had a harder time as the current was stronger and the water rougher at that portion of the coastline. He has found the best time to fish is early morning. He would normally fish from about 6:00am to about 10:00am each morning. Afternoon fishing was not as plentiful. Tom’s tip is to bring extra line and an extra reel, nothing expensive because the salt water is very hard on the equipment. If you have a partner that enjoys fishing, you may want to try the Dominican Republic as your next destination to escape.

Andrea Ward is an independent travel consultant of Boomerang Escapes, who is based in Wisconsin.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

Destination Spotlight-Over-the-Water Bungalows of the Caribbean

December 17, 2017 Andrea Ward All Inclusive, Caribbean, Mexico, Romance No comments

There are some new and exciting things happening to help you escape and return to your happy place. The Caribbean and Mexico are bringing the South Pacific to you with the much-desired Over-The-Water Bungalow room concept at an affordable price.

These luxury accommodations are now available in Mexico at the El Dorado Maroma by Karisma Resorts in the Riviera Maya. In the Caribbean, Sandals is offering these spectacular Over-The-Water Bungalows at three of their resorts. Sandals South Coast and Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica along with Sandals Grande St. Lucia in St. Lucia.

At the El Dorado Maroma in the Riviera Maya, each of the over-the-water bungalows has the following luxury features:

-Glass bottom floor
-Private Infinity pool
-Direct ladder access to the ocean
-The romantic “Aguas del Amor” outdoor shower
-Indoor jacuzzi for two
-oversized deck with wooden lounge chairs
-24-hour butler service

At the Sandals resorts, each of their Over-The-Water Bungalow has the following luxury features:

-Glass bottom floor
-King size bed
-Spa Style bath
-over-the-water hammock
-Outdoor shower
-Suspended patio with a swim-up platform
-An expansive patio featuring Sandals signature Tranquility Soaking Tub for two
-24-hour butler service

These spectacular Bungalows have an unparalleled luxury and are amazing, truly a piece of paradise. Every Bungalow offers extraordinary views of spectacular sunrises and stunning sunsets. They are perfectly situated just off the sugary white sand beaches surrounded by the finest turquoise blue waters. All of this luxury and romance is available with a short flight to either of these destinations.

Andrea Ward is an independent travel consultant of Boomerang Escapes, who is based in Wisconsin.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

Karisma Resorts-The Perfect Choice for Your All-Inclusive Vacation

August 20, 2017 Andrea Ward All Inclusive, Caribbean, Mexico, Romance No comments

Lisa flew into Chicago from New Jersey and we met at the La Quinta Inn & Suites near the airport before our morning flight out. Thursday, we took off on United Airlines, arriving at the Cancun airport mid-day. Our home for the next 3 nights would be El Dorado Seaside Suites, by Karisma, located along the Riviera Maya about 1 hour and 20 minutes south from the airport. This was my first time to Mexico and I must say it was wonderful experience. Since this was a work trip for us as we had scheduled three different site inspections of other Karisma properties.

We took advantage of every minute of our time, getting up at 6 am every morning to catch the sunrise, do our morning business activities and then hit our resort by 3pm to experience the facilities. We spent all morning, Friday, visiting, The Fives Azul Beach Resort, The El Dorado Maroma and Generations properties with courtesy transportation from Lomas Travel. I forgot to mention one of the best things we would recommend for going to the southern Mayan Riviera is to use the private luxury transfers. We were treated to this by the company upon our arrival. Nice leather seated large SUV that whisks you straight to your resort with complimentary cerveza (beer) on board.

Returning to our inspections, we were shown different room categories and special areas of the resorts that make them unique from all the others. Each resort truly has its own personality whether the family properties of Azul or Generations to the Adult Only properties at the El Dorados. The Fives was a great place for families with this unique outdoor area in the center of the resort where you could some of Mexico’s wildlife. We toured the newest section, an adult only section that only opened a few weeks ago. Villa 19. The location is grand, so close to Playa del Carmen that you could walk to it along the beach. About 20-30 minute walk for you beach walkers. All the rooms at Azul have a kitchen area in them and can easily be stocked for any infant or child care needs. Just let us know on the front end.

The Generations, also a family property, had a lovely design where all the restaurants were situated in one building tower. Plus, it had the infinity pools on the balcony level rooms except for the very top. The Generations will have a new neighbor as the ground had been broken for Karisma’s Nickelodeon Brand. Finally, the El Dorado Maroma is a boutique like adult only property with some amazing presidential suites as well as the new over-water bungalows that opened in the fall. These are just a few of the highlights. The staff at all the resorts was super friendly and outgoing. The resorts themselves were spectacular each catering to specific clientele with some suiting several types of travelers. For example, all the resorts had settings for destination weddings.

Saturday, we had the opportunity to participate in a snorkeling tour provided by Lomas Travel. It was called the Reef Adventure at Maraoma Adventures. Maroma Adventures is located on Mexico’s most beautiful beach, Maroma beach and it right next door to the El Dorado Maroma. Very convenient for guests staying there as far as travel time to their day tours. The snorkel tour was just one of many excursions that Maroma Adventures offers. Guests could do such things as parasailing, swim with the dolphins, jet boating, and so much more. All items can be pre-booked when you make your resort reservation by us.

All this information is so helpful for us to bring back to you our clients. It helps us to match you with the best resort for your passions to create an escape like no other. It is our job to help you find your happy place. These short working trips, although they don’t appear as work and we do enjoy our time in destination are truly the keys to us being able to give you the most informative information about the different destinations and resorts possible.

Andrea Ward is an independent travel consultant of Boomerang Escapes, who is based in Wisconsin.

Lisa Rossmeissl is the owner of Boomerang Escapes, a home-based agency located in Old Bridge, New Jersey with agents in TN, MS, and WI.

5 Tips to Make Your Family Beach Vacation Unforgettable

All-Inclusive. What is all-inclusive, and why may an all-inclusive vacation be right for you?

So, is an all-inclusive vacation right for you?

There are some new and exciting things happening to help you escape and return to your happy place. The Caribbean and Mexico are bringing the South Pacific to you with the much-desired Over-The-Water Bungalow room concept at an affordable price.

At the El Dorado Maroma in the Riviera Maya, each of the over-the-water bungalows has the following luxury features:

At the Sandals resorts, each of their Over-The-Water Bungalow has the following luxury features:

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