10 November 2023

A question I hear asked all the time is what is the best Sandals resort? The simple answer is whichever one suits your requirements. I mean many of us can’t choose our favourite because they all offer something special and unique, and in this breakdown I am going to run through what I feel are the top things to ask yourself when choosing the best, or simply the next resort that you want to visit next. SANDALS OR BEACHES When choosing the best resort, the first question to ask yourself is do you want it to be Adults Only or do you want to take kids and family? Now I appreciate this may be obvious to some of us, but many of us may not realize the difference between the 2 options. So just for anyone that doesn’t already know this, Sandals resorts are Adults Only, and Beaches resorts allow kids. DO YOU PREFER A LARGE RESORT OR A SMALL RESORT? When choosing the best resort it’s good to know if you prefer to have a nice small resort where you don’t have to walk far to the nearest bar, restaurant, beach, pool, your room etc, or if you prefer to have a resort which feels more like a village which you move around and experience different areas, viewpoints, and even themes. This is very important when it comes to Sandals and Beaches resorts as they can all be very different in size. For example, if you have chosen you want to take your kids with you and want a large area to explore with multiple themes, then Turks & Caicos would be for you, as it feels like they have multiple resorts within a resort, walking into an Italian section, French, Caribbean, Keywest, Seaside village and of course the amazing water park, not to mention the beautiful long beach. Whereas Beaches Negril or Beaches Ohco Rios in Jamaica have a smaller resort and prefer to just hang around the same areas every day and like to have most things in touching distance. If you are choosing Adults Only and want a larger resort with multi levels and different ambiances then perhaps think of Sandals Ochi, in Jamaica, which is split into 3 levels. At the top of the resort you have the many suites in the Butler Village, mid level you have the Great House Village and down at the foot of the resort you have the Ochi beach club, the Riviera Beachfront Tower and Riviera Seaside Village. Or again, if you prefer a smaller property with fewer hills to walk up and down, then Sandals Halcyon in Saint Lucia could be your best choice, as it’s all on one level and one of the smaller Sandals properties, although still stunning in it’s own right, with luxurious swim out suites and a stunning white sand beach. Plus if you do get a little claustrophobic you can always decide to visit the other 2 resorts on the Island of Saint Lucia. The advantage of staying at 1 resort and being able to play at all 3! ARE YOU A BEACH OR A POOL PERSON Some people love the vibe of the pool and swim up bars and some people love the ambiance of the beach and the tranquil sound of the waves washing in, and of course, some like to mix it up and do both. So here is a small run down of what I believe to be the resorts which suit pool worshipers, beach bums or best of both. If you are traveling with the kids and want pool fun then they all the Beaches resorts have great water parks, so the small ones will not get bored (or the adults), but at Beaches Ocho Rios the main pool in the centre of the resort offers plenty of space to lounge around with a swim up bar in the centre to mingle with new friends over a Miami Vice cocktail or two. If you want a little more peace there is also a smaller pool to relax around. If it’s a beautiful beach you would prefer then Beaches Negril is set upon the famous 7-mile coastlines on the west coast of Jamaica and offers stunning white sand for as far as the eye can see, with very shallow waters offering you warm waters to bathe and cool off in. Beaches Turks & Caicos offers you the best of both with a huge option of large well-designed pools with plenty of sun loungers to chill out on and a glorious long beach to unwind on in a little more peace. If you are looking for Adult indulgence and pools are what you are after, then I think look no further than Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados. Having the luxury of 2 resorts in 1 you have an abundance of pools to choose from. I’m talking quiet relaxing pools, leisurely swim out suite pools, classy pools with cabanas, a glass fronted pool overlooking the ocean, and even a rooftop pool, and I could go on. If it’s the beach life that you require then I recommend Sandals Emerald Bay in the Bahamas. With its glorious wrap around coastline offering fine white sand and turquoise waters, you really can’t be disappointed. If you want to enjoy both incredible pools and spectacular beaches then I’m picking either Sandals Grande St Lucian in Saint Lucia or Sandals Grande Antigua. Both offer the Sandals signature style main pools which many of us love and adore, with Sandals Grande Antigua boasting the Caribbeans largest zero entry pool. Both resorts also offer beautiful beach areas with Sandals Grande St Lucian giving you breath taking views of Pigeon Island. FOOD AND DRINK Come on people! These are Sandals and Beaches resorts. Every resort has an insane amount of cuisines for your belly to get super excited about. But the larger resorts like Beaches Turks & Caicos, Sandals Barbados and Sandals Royal Barbados, and any of the Sandals in Saint Lucia as you get to dine at all 3 properties will give you the most variety due to the pure amount of restaurants and bars you will get to choose from. From fine dining, to teppanyaki show cooking, to buffet style, to food shacks, to piano bars, to pool bars or simply scoffing your faces in your rooms with room service, you aren’t going to go hungry for sure! There really aren’t any stand out resorts here as they are just all soooooo good! SUMMARY I don’t believe there is a BEST resort, as I feel that everyone wants something slightly different. But there may be a BEST resort for you, and it is up to you to find it. Hopefully this blog can help you to figure out which destination and resort is best suited for your next Caribbean 5 star luxury all-inclusive vacation in the Caribbean. Whichever one you choose, I have no doubt you won’t be disappointed. If you would like any information on Sandals/Beaches Resorts please do not hesitate to reach out to me. Happy traveling.

10 November 2023

When it comes to choosing what is the best Caribbean Island to vacation on for your next Sandals or Beaches vacation, there are many things to consider. Below is some information to help you choose which island may be the best choice for you. RESORT OPTIONS The obvious choice for many would be Jamaica, the birthplace of reggae. With Sandals boasting 7 properties and Beaches resorts offering 2, it’s no wonder it is such a popular choice for so many. I must say out of all the islands, Jamaica always gives me the feeling I’m looking for when I want to vacation in the Caribbean. The red, yellow, and green colours are everywhere, and the Caribbean reggae vibe just gives you the sense and awareness of where you are. To me it feels like the home of the Caribbean. You have great options when it comes to the Sandals & Beaches resorts on the island. Small, Large, resorts with private islands, multi-level resorts, huge stretches of shoreline, small quiet bays, they really have it all. It’s a great starting point to start your quest on what is the best Caribbean Island to vacation. Saint Lucia gives you the options of 3 resorts. Staying at 1 resort but being able to play in all 3 is great for those that want to explore more than 1 resort and really gives you the chance to get a better idea of what it is you truly like in a resort because these 3 resorts are all very different. Bahamas and Turks & Caicos will give you the choice of 3 spectacular resorts. I do feel that both islands are more Americanized than any of the others, but I guess that is to be expected with their proximity to Florida. If you are looking for more Caribbean flair there may be better options for you, but everyone is looking for something different, so this just may suit you. All the other islands offer you 1 resort option, except Barbados which has 2 resorts set next to each other making it feel like 1 giant property. THINGS TO DO ON THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS Here are some attractions/excursions, in no particular order, that you may want to do within the Caribbean and to help you decide what is the best Caribbean Island to vacation on. JAMAICA Martha Brae River rafting and river tubing experience Dunns River Falls and Park Bob Marley museum YS Falls Negril 7-mile beach Blue Hole Dolphin swims ATV adventures Catamaran tours BAHAMAS - NASSAU Atlantis Resort Shark snorkeling/scuba Deep sea fishing Duty free shopping Cable beach Island buggy tours Swimming with sharks & turtles Rum tasting tours BAHAMAS - EXUMAS Swim with pigs at Rose Island Play the Greg Norman designed championship golf course at Sandals Emerald Bay Powerboat excursions Island hopping Moriah Sea Park TURKS & CAICOS Iguana Island ATV adventures Princess Alexandra Nature Reserve Mangrove kayak tour Shipwreck Adventure Providenciales Catamaran tours from Grace Bay Snorkeling tours SAINT LUCIA Visit or Hike the Famous Pitons Pigeon Island National Park Sulphur Springs Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens Rodney Bay Catamaran and snorkel tours Buggy & Zipline adventures Rum & Chocolate experience ATV adventures Treetop Zip Lining Bird watching and Waterfall experience ANTIGUA Powerboat circumnavigation of Antigua Buggy tours Rainforest Ziplining and kayaking tours Swim with turtles Horseback beach rides Snorkeling tours Deep sea fishing Shirley Heights Blockhouse Ruins BARBADOS Mount Gay rum tasting experience & visitors centre Harrisons Cave Catamaran tours Snorkeling trips Huntes Garden Chattel Village Visit the Islands first settlement, Holetown Glass bottom kayak over the Carlisle Bay shipwreck Explore Bridgetown GRENADA River tubing Chocolate factory tour Seven Sisters Waterfall Grand Etang National Park & Lake Annandale Waterfall St Georges Harbour Jeep Island tours CURACAO Catamaran trip to Klein UTV/Buggy adventures Punda visit Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge Shete Boka National Park Cas Abao Beach Curacao Sea Aquarium Snorkeling at Playa Lagun Hato Caves SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES Coming soon......... SUMMARY I hope the above gives you an idea of what the Caribbean Islands have to offer which home a Sandals or a Beaches Resort. There are so many options for you that you won’t be disappointed in any of them, but I guess you will just have to vacation on all of them to find out what is the best Caribbean Island to vacation on. Have fun finding out. If you want to know more about Sandals & Beaches Resorts please do not hesitate to contact me. Happy traveling.

07 November 2023

Back in March 2020 I revisited the beautiful Kuramathi Island in the Maldives. I enjoyed it so much the first time I just had to go back. I was also renewing my vows for the second time. My partner at the time had always wanted the dream Paradise Island wedding, and we finally got it! So if you want to know more about this then please reach out to me. I’ll just throw this in there. If you are going to travel to the Maldives, you have to take the seaplane transfer to the Islands. It’s just magical looking down at all the Atolls from above. There are a few reasons why I chose Kuramathi Island. The resort offered a great All Inclusive package which many other Islands do not offer, and I am a huge foodie, so being able to experience the multiple Al La Carte restaurants available to me, not just the regular buffet restaurants, along with the alcoholic beverages when ever I felt like a beer or a cocktail was perfect for me. It is also one of the larger Islands in the Maldives so you feel like you have the Island to yourself much of the time. It also offers a mixture of modern contemporary and rustic Island living charm. The Island feels very much split into 2, with the more recent top half going through huge renovations, so you have plenty of options on where to hang out depending on what vibe you are feeling that day. The other main reason was that the House Reef has an abundance of Sealife just waiting for you. If you want to see sharks, rays, turtles and more, then it’s all there for you without having to take a boat journey. Many other Islands do not have this luxury. The first time I stayed in an over the water bungalow, and just didn’t want to leave my room as it was just stunning hanging out in my own hot tub, and then just jumping off the back decking into the crystal clear waters to snorkel. I was only moments away from being in the water with a shoal of dolphins, but I had just left the water a few moments earlier, but maybe that was a good thing, as I may had s**t myself had they all come swimming towards me LOL!! The second time I stayed in a beach villa, which was nestled nicely in between the trees, gardens and the beach. The lovely rainforest shower out the back of the villa was also a nice touch. There are 3 buffet restaurants on the Island, and you get assigned 1 depending on where your room/suite/villa is positioned. There are also multiple speciality restaurants serving up spectacular food, and providing you choose the correct all inclusive package you could eat at these Al La Carte restaurants as part of the package. I’m not a fan of buffet dining for evening meals, I like to sit and be served and make an evening of it and take my time, in a much nicer ambience, and the Al La Carte dining offered just that. The pool areas are all different. There are 3 options for you to choose from, placed strategically along the Island. The more recent and modern pool offers more of a beach club vibe, with a champagne lounge and bar area overlooking the pool area. You get some stunning sunset views from here at night. I can’t finish without mentioning the beautiful sandbank which just drifts off into the distance at the top of the island. The photos you get from here are simply magnificent and many line up to have a memorable sunset photo to remember the vacation by. If you would like to know more about this Island or travelling to the Maldives then please feel free to reach out to me. You can also visit my YouTube channel “PBTv Travel & Food” where I have a video with over 100,000 views on Kuramathi Island and arriving in the Maldives. It’s a must watch. Just search for “Your Ultimate Guide To Kuramathi Island Resort In The Maldives” once on the PBTv Travel & Food YouTube channel.

07 December 2023

I was lucky enough to venture to the other side of the world back in November 2019 and visit my bucket list destination Bora Bora! This was always a place I had dreamed of visiting. Seeing the beautiful pictures online of the idyllic Island resort made my travel tastebuds water. After flying through LAX on the West Coast of America I finally got to the promise land. A short boat journey from the airport to my home for 4 nights at the Le Meridien Bora Bora resort was breath-taking. Taking in the picturesque scenery of Otemanu. The iconic back drop of many Bora Bora photos. As you arrive at the dock of the resort and step off the boat immediately you are greeted by friendly Polynesian people playing the ukulele and handing out flower garlands around your neck, it’s just what you imagine as you turn up to paradise. The reception area is open and checking in feels relaxed and easy. The resort is made up of Beach Bungalows and Over the Water Villas. The Beach bungalows are situated around the resort’s own lagoon and the Over the Water Bungalows are over the turquoise waters. Some facing towards the resort and others face the famous Otemanu. I was staying in an Over Water Bungalow, facing the beautiful mountain. I did request this, so if you want this view, I recommend you ask for it. Or if booking with myself then I can request it for you. The villa has a large bed, wrap-around bathroom with walk-in shower and bathtub looking out to the ocean. The floor in the living area had a glass section so you could see the sea life below you. I remember being awake at 3 am hanging over the bed staring down below to stingrays hanging out. A memory I will never forget. Out the back, there is a large decked area with steps leading down into the ocean, for easy access to snorkelling or swimming. Just stunning. The resort's lagoon was filled with marine life, so if you didn’t want to get in the ocean then you could swim and snorkel in the lagoon if you preferred. Le Meridien also had a turtle sanctuary, where they were helping injured turtles recover from injuries before releasing them back into the wild. It was lovely to see these beautiful creatures, and the hard work the staff were doing to protect them from our destruction. The property had 2 main restaurants which served up delicious foods. One had a lovely decked area facing the lagoon and the other on the beach so you ate with your toes in the sand. There was also an area for daily snacks with beautiful scenic views. Of course, there were cocktails and drinks available as well. The resort pool was also great, again with stunning views everywhere you looked. I booked a day trip which involved jet skiing around Bora Bora Island, along with snorkelling with sharks, stingrays and more. With a stop off at the famous bloody Mary’s restaurant for lunch. I hope this gives you a great overview of what is on offer for you. If you want to see more then you can watch my resort walkthrough on my Youtube channel – PBTv Travel and Food and search for Bora Bora where you will see everything I have been talking about. I hope it brings you great inspiration to travel there yourself. If you want any more information or would like me to create this bucket list trip for you, then please do not hesitate to get in contact with me. pete.bentman@travelcounsellors.com 01273 317145

09 November 2023

Back in May 2019 I took my first trip over to Mauritius. I wanted to see some of the main tourist sites of the beautiful Country, along with having some luxury in my accommodation. I did my research and found the stunning Heritage Le Telfair Resort in Bel Ombre. This area gave me great options when it came to having days out touring as well as soaking up the beautiful beach and facilities of the hotel. It is also the home of the Mauritius open on the European PGA golf tour, so if you are a golfer like me then you will adore this hotel, as it is connected to it. I may as well start there. The championship course is spectacular. Of course you can play if you are staying at the hotel, but if you do not want to play the full course then you can just hire some clubs and play the fun Par 3 course, which was what I did as I didn’t take my clubs with me. I did get to lift the Mauritius Open trophy above my head after my Par 3 success. There are not many people that get to do that in their lifetime, and for golfing enthusiasts it’s a photo opportunity not to be missed. I had a day touring planned. We got picked up by our own tour guide in a SUV style vehicle and had our own person driver who was our guide for the 2 days. We visited sacred temples, viewpoints, Chamarel waterfalls, Chamarel Rum distillery, Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth, and some local businesses to help support the local communities which is always great. The whole day was filled with fun and so many picture opportunities and memories made. I have a Youtube video on this day trip on my Youtube channel “PBTv Travel & Food”, just search for Mauritius Top Attractions once on the channel. It will give you a great idea of what to expect and if it is something you feel you would like to do. The Heritage Le Telfair Resort in Bel Ombre was a beautifully elegant hotel, offering all sorts of luxurious suites. The food quality was top notch with a mixture of restaurants to choose from which formed part of our All Inclusive package. It wasn’t just the buffet option available. There were a few Al La Carte gourmet restaurants available to choose from, including “Le Chateau” which was a quant manor home up by the golf course, which played piano while you ate sumptuous and delightful food. A must eat while staying on property. The beach area was nice with shallow waters which had a lot of coral so you could snorkel and see some reef fish. The pool areas were clean with plenty of loungers and space as you would expect. There are a few to choose from so you never get bored sipping your cocktails around the edge soaking up the sun. The suites were light and airy with everything you would expect from a high end hotel. I was able to take a few room tours to check out some of the options. If you want to see around the hotel, restaurants, food, pools, beach and the suite tours then I have another video on my Youtube channel “PBTv Travel & Food”, just search for Heritage Le Telfair Bel Ombre once on my channel and join me on my resort walk through. It will give you a great overview of what to expect, including the golf course area! So if you are looking for sophisticated luxury, in peaceful surroundings with the option to play some golf, then this could be the property for you. I will let you decide. It did not disappoint. If you have any questions regarding this holiday please feel free to reach out to me.

05 November 2023

Back in August 2018 I decided to experience the very best in Luxury Hotels, so I packed my bags and booked up an Emirates flight to Dubai, where I checked in to the self-proclaimed 7 star hotel, The Burj Al Arab. I love Dubai as a destination because it is so easy to get to for a long weekend, the flight times from London, England make travel so simple and convenient. This particular trip was all about making the most of the Hotels facilities and seeing exactly what it is like to stay in this awe inspiring Hotel. After all, this is the most iconic hotel in Dubai, so why would I want to leave it! From the moment you arrive and walk into the stunning lobby area you are presented with the customary cool towel to freshen up, along with those luscious dates that we all love when staying in a UAE hotel. I was staying in a Panoramic Suite Room and as soon as the door was opened to the suite I was greeted by an impressive hall with grand steps leading to the upstairs area of the suite. Yes! An upstairs! This suite was simply stunning and you can see for yourself what it was like by visiting my personal Youtube channel - PBTv Travel & Food and searching for “Burj Al Arab Panoramic Suite Room Tour” It needs to be seen to be believed! The pool area at the back of the hotel felt private and a fantastic addition since the renovated it a while ago. It really was something that was missing from this hotel, so it is great they have created something special now which feels like you are floating over the warm ocean. The pool attendants would set you up with a day bag with water, flannels and face mist to keep you cool throughout the day, take you to your beds, lay out your towels and let you know they are around if anything was needed. During the day they would bring you fruit kebabs and ice cream motchi balls to keep refreshed. If you wanted a change of scenery then a golf buggy would drive you over to their Beach Club just a short drive away, offering you more pool options and the allow you to feel the sand between your toes and to slip into the warm blue sea. The restaurants and bars also do not disappoint and the Gold on 27 bar just blew my mind. Where else do you order your cocktails from a gold ipad? The Skybar also brings the WOW FACTOR as the glass walls give you panoramic views out into the distance giving you views of The Palm and all the way into the City seeing the Burj Khalifa in the distance. The food as you would expect is mouth-watering. If you want a gourmet buffet or a personal Al La Carte option, the Burj Al Arab has it all. The Talise Spa situated high up the hotel was an unexpected delight, with an indoor pool offering spectacular high up views over the local beach areas. When leaving time came it was like being royalty. Flowers were given to my partner at the time, along with leaving gifts. Walking back through Dubai airport with glorious fresh flowers and luxury gifts made me feel like I was a celebrity, and that was a feeling I will never forget! I have always been a believer of sharing experiences with people so they can make valued choices when going on holiday, and seeing or hearing one piece of information may be the difference between having a good travel experience, or having the dream travel experience. If you want to know and see more, there is a hotel walk through video on my PBTv Travel and Food Youtube channel if you want to see the restaurants, bars, spa, pool areas, beach club and more. So be sure to check it out. That one you will find by searching “Burj Al Arab Dubai”