What do you think of when you hear ‘All-Inclusive Resort’?

We are fans of Sandals resorts for so many reasons.  Luxury included is just one of them.  Recently the Chairman and Founder of Sandals Resorts International, Gordon “Butch” Stewart sadly passed away but leaves a legacy of excellence for all to enjoy.  Butch once said that they look for their properties by selecting the most beautiful beach and locations in the Caribbean.  And this is certainly true!  

St. Lucia will soon open its fourth Sandals property which will make it even more difficult to decide which one to visit.  Well, maybe you will just have to visit all four!  One of our clients’ favorite St. Lucia Sandals is Regency La Toc.  Click here to find out more about this quaint Sandals property.

One of our Travel Advisors recently returned from an educational trip to St. Lucia, where she was able to tour and experience two of the Sandals Resorts – Grande St. Lucian and Regency La Toc.

Although both are Sandals resorts, they each have a very different feel, making them unique.

They say pictures are worth a thousand words. Let’s take a look at some of the drool-worthy pictures she shared from her visit.

Enjoy!

Sandals Grande St. Lucian

Sandals Regency La Toc

Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts offer each guest the highest level of luxury with the Endless Privileges experience in unique boutique havens. Providing the utmost attention to detail, each resort boasts unmatched lavish accommodations filled with unique design elements and exquisite views, and an array of personalized services.

This is not just Endless Privileges, this is Endless Luxury!

Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts are characterized by unequaled holistic and wellness experiences combined with socially responsible practices, expressive architecture, and exceptional service in harmonious, natural environments.

There are 4 Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, located in 3 Caribbean destinations:

Mexico

• Zoëtry Paraiso de la Bonita Riviera Maya
• Zoëtry Villa Rolandi Isla Mujeres Cancun

Dominican Republic

• Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana 

Jamaica

• Zoëtry Montego Bay Jamaica

If you are looking to unwind and recharge completely, Zoëtry Resorts and Spas are a perfect choice!

AMResorts is a collection of luxury resort destinations located throughout the Caribbean and Mexico, each with its own unique personality. Every AMResort features sun-soaked beaches, elegant accommodations, a world-class spa, gourmet dining, unlimited premium drinks, and many other pampering amenities.

With so many different Resorts to choose from, it can seem overwhelming. Luckily, each AMResort falls into one of the following categories.

Contact your Must Love Travel Planner today to book your next vacation! 

Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts

Adult-Oriented

Unplug from daily life and envelop yourself in the tranquility of Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts. Unrivaled luxury and holistic wellness combine with the limitless means of Endless Privileges to offer an experience of attentive bliss known as The Art of Life. Delight in the touches of infinite bliss with daily in-suite sparkling wine, 24-hour gourmet dining, complimentary worldwide calling, laundry services, specialty experiences, and so much more, all included with your stay. Check-in or out at any time, and tune into your inner self.

Secrets Resorts & Spa

Adult Only

Dive deep into a romantic retreat at Secrets Resorts & Spas, where adults escape the everyday amid the natural allure of the Mediterranean and Caribbean. World class amenities and unsurpassed personal service are yours as often as you desire. Embark on your secluded getaway in some of the most coveted locations in the world, and discover the unique sophistication found only at a Secrets Resort.

Breathless Resorts & Spas

Adult Only

If you’re ready to escape to an exciting adults-only destination, where seductive beauty and chic style combine with Unlimited-Luxury, you’re ready for Breathless Resorts & Spas. Each Breathless Resort & Spa was designed to offer an authentic experience unique to its destination. While we infuse our resorts with originality (no cookie-cutter hotels here!), you can still expect to find the ideal blend of relaxation and entertainment at all four of our beachfront, all-adult properties throughout the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico.

Dreams Resorts & Spas

Family Friendly

Dreams Resorts & Spas offer families, couples and singles a luxurious tropical escape. Beautiful beachfront locations and exciting array of activities for every age and interest ensure that everyone has their dream vacation. Spacious rooms and suites, graciously appointed and luxuriously equipped provide a picture-perfect vacation experience with welcoming service and romantic inclusions. Beautiful and exciting destinations provide a lovely setting for a wedding, honeymoon, romantic getaway or family vacation.

Now Resorts & Spas

Family Friendly

Now Resorts & Spas offer vibrant beachfront settings for multigenerational travel, families with teens and tweens as well as couples and friends. Enjoy a family-friendly, modern vacation experience, where play and party are just steps away from peace and quiet. Active and lively settings provide entertainment for all ages and are perfect setting for a family reunion, a wedding or a social group getaway.

Reflect Resorts & Spas

Family Friendly

Enjoy these great beachfront vacations offering a variety of locally inspired cuisine, inviting amenities, friendly service and an array of culturally infused experiences all created for memory making moments.

Sunscape Resorts & Spas

Family Friendly

Sunscape Resorts & Spas offer families, friends, singles and couples high-energy, fun-filled vacations and getaways on pristine beaches. Indulge, day and night, in countless activities at our seaside resorts.

You may notice that here at Must Love Travel, we are often recommending all-inclusive resorts from specific resort brands. There are a few reasons we do this.

First and most importantly, it is because we find these resort brands are consistently providing amazing vacation experiences for our clients. The feedback is very positive, and many of our clients become so in love with a certain brand, they end up being loyal and only wanting to book that brand.

That leads to another reason we love certain resort brands — they all offer multiple resorts located throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, and even into Central America and Europe. This gives you the option to visit many places, trusting that your resort experience will be consistent, wherever you go.

Our Travel Advisors inspecting AMResorts in Punta Cana

The reason we are able to confidently recommend these brands is that we have researched, trained, toured, and personally stayed at all of these resorts. As Travel Advisors, we go on what we call “FAM trips”. FAM stands for “Familiarization”, meaning we are familiarizing ourselves with a specific resort brand in a certain destination. Our days are spent touring and inspecting resorts! That’s right, we will get on the bus at 7am, and may inspect as many as 8 or 9 resorts per day. At each resort, we inspect several different room categories, public spaces, spas, pools, children’s areas, and beaches.
I will share brief descriptions of our top resort brands below, and will also include the last time our Must Love Travel Advisors attended in-person site inspections. 

The last reason that we recommend these resort brands is because we have a personal relationship with each one of them. We have Business Development Managers who send us updated information, provide webinars and training, organize our FAM trips, offer our agency special promotions and deals, all while providing amazing customer service. We also have relationships with local representatives of each brand.

Let’s take a closer look at some of our favorite resort brands. And when you are ready to plan your next vacation, trust that your Must Love Travel Advisor will confidently recommend a resort that is perfect for your family.

AMResorts is a collection of ​all-inclusive ​luxury resort​ brands​ that offers sun-soaked beaches, elegant accommodations, a world-class spa, gourmet dining, unlimited premium drinks, and many other pampering amenities.​ ​AMResorts are located throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and even Europe. AM Resorts has nine different resort brands with a combination of Adult-Only and Family-Friendly options.
Must Love Travel Advisors most recent in-person site inspection – April 2019 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Karisma Resorts is a collection of all-inclusive luxury resort brands known for their unique Gourmet Inclusive experience, located throughout the Caribbean and Mexico. Karisma Resorts has nine different resort brands with a combination of Adult-Only and Family Friendly options.
Must Love Travel Advisors most recent in-person site inspection – December 2019 in Riviera Maya, Mexico

Sandals Resorts are all-inclusive luxury resorts located throughout the Caribbean, and they specialize in romance. Sandals Resorts are best for couples looking to spend time together and reconnect. Sandals Resorts were also some of the first to offer professionally trained personal butlers for their guests.
Must Love Travel Advisors most recent in-person site inspection – November 2019 in the Bahamas

Must Love Travel Director Laura touring Beaches Turks & Caicos

Beaches Resorts are all-inclusive luxury resorts located on two islands in the Caribbean, and they focus on multi-generational family vacations. They have two resorts in Jamaica, and their most popular resort is located in Turks and Caicos. Beaches Resorts offer children’s activities and programming for every age group, including babies, and partner with the Sesame Street characters.
Must Love Travel Advisors most recent in-person site inspection – December 2019 in Turks and Caicos

Must Love Travel Advisors touring Moon Palace Jamaica

Palace Resorts are all-inclusive resorts located throughout the Caribbean and Mexico. There is a combination of family-friendly resorts, and resorts for Adults-Only. The focus is on FUN at Palace Resorts!
Must Love Travel Advisors most recent in-person site inspection – January 2020 in Jamaica

All of our 2020 FAM trips scheduled after January 2020 were cancelled due to Covid. We are in the processing of rescheduling, so you can rest assured that as soon as we can, we will be back out there researching for you!

We often look at individual Resorts to give you an idea of what each resort offers. Today I want to take a more overall look at the Dreams Resorts & Spas. Each resort is unique in some way, but overall as a Resort brand, the Dreams Resorts are known and loved in the travel industry as being a consistent and positive vacation experience.

Dreams Resorts & Spas ​are a collection of 18 family-friendly Resorts, each offering​ a high level of luxury in ideal beachfront settings throughout Mexico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, and Curacao.

​Every Dreams Resort includes Unlimited-Luxury​,​ where everything is included:

• Limitless access to gourmet à la carte dining options without reservations required
• Unlimited international and domestic top-shelf spirits
• Unlimited natural fruit juices and soft drinks
• 24-hour room and concierge services
• Pool and beach wait service
• Daily refreshed mini-bar with soft drinks, juice, bottled water, and beer
• Daily maid service
• Endless daytime activities and live nightly entertainment
• Theme parties, oceanfront bars, and entertainment venues
• No wristbands required
• All taxes and​ gratuities
• Free Wi-Fi

Spacious rooms and suites, graciously appointed and luxuriously equipped provide a picture-perfect vacation experience with welcoming service and romantic inclusions. ​Choose from oceanfront suites, suites with swim-up access to the pool, or even private pools.

The kids will enjoy ​The Explorer’s Club​, and the Teens will enjoy the Core Zone Teens Club, both providing supervised day and evening activities. You’ll enjoy the peace of mind that the staff is Red Cross certified. Activities range from climbing walls, water sports, waterslides, and indoor and outdoor activities. There is even a supervised beach campfire at select Dreams Resorts.

All of the Dream Resorts are beautiful​ and​ provide a lovely setting for a wedding, honeymoon, romantic getaway, or family vacation.​ ​So to sum up — Dreams Resorts are perfect for everyone!

The Travel Industry is slowly starting to reopen. Many Caribbean islands are welcoming back travelers, airlines are starting to offer more flights, and domestic travel is at an all-time high!

Now is a great time to book future travel, as many cruise lines, all-inclusive resorts, and tour operators are offering amazing deals for travel in 2021, all with very flexible change and cancellation policies.

Take a look at how some of our favorite suppliers are protecting your future travel plans to offer complete peace of mind when booking your next vacation. Contact your Must Love Travel Planner for complete booking details.

Cruising

All of the major cruise lines (Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line, Carnival, Viking, AmaWaterways, and more…) have announced Flexible Booking and Cancellation Policies. This allows you to book your future cruise now, with the ability to move your sail date, sometimes as close as 15 days prior to sailing.

All-Inclusive Resorts

Many of our favorite All-Inclusive Resort brands have announced flexible “Peace of Mind” policies, along with detailed Cleaning Standards for current and future vacation dates.​ ​Some of our favorite brands are Karisma Resorts, who will allow you to change travel dates or cancel up to 48 hours before arrival (*new bookings). and AMResorts, who have implemented an impressive CleanComplete Verification 360-Degree Safety & Hygiene Protocols, elevating their standards of quality and cleanliness. 

Walt Disney World

The Walt Disney World Resort has offered incredibly flexible change and cancellation policies to existing reservations. For existing and new bookings, you have until 7 days prior to arrival to change your dates without penalty.

When the Theme Parks and Resorts reopened in July, Disney implemented a thorough checklist of new policies and procedures to keep guests safe. As the Resorts and Theme Parks have now been open for a few months, it’s clear Disney has been doing a great job of keeping their guests safe and happy, and with plenty of Disney Magic.

Perfectly situated in the exclusive gated community of Cap Cana you will find Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa, located on Juanillo Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic.

As Travel Planners, we have the pleasure of constantly touring beautiful All-Inclusive Resorts all over the Caribbean. We do this to learn more about each Resort, the area, the island…as much information as we can to help provide our clients with the best recommendations for their vacations.

I had the pleasure of personally touring Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa, and I was completely blown away by the level of luxury and class that Secrets Cap Cana offers. But what really blew me away was the BEACH. We actually went down and walked on the beach because it was so large and so stunning, which is not very common on resort tours, as we usually only look at the beach from a distance.

Whether you are a couple looking for romance or a group of friends looking to have fun together, and you want an amazing Adult-Only, All-Inclusive resort experience on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic, Secrets Cap Cana is a perfect choice.

Let’s take a closer look at Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa. And if this inspires you to book your own tropical vacation, contact your Must Love Travel Planner! We are always happy to help plan your dream vacation.

RESORT OVERVIEW

Perfectly situated in the exclusive gated community of Cap Cana, Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa brings the highest level of luxury to the crystal blue waters and magnificent sugar-sand Juanillo Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic. Luxe and superior, Secrets Cap Cana is the epitome of luxury with 457 suites adorned with sophisticated Caribbean furnishings, gourmet dining, top-shelf spirits, 24-hour room service, daily refreshed mini-bar, and close proximity to the unique pleasures of Cap Cana – a protected harbor marina, a renowned fishery, thrilling excursions, and Punta Espada golf course, designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Preferred Club Bungalow Oceanview

When staying at Secrets Cap Cana, you will be treated to Unlimited-Luxury at one of the 457 nonsmoking suites offering such amenities as 24-hour room service and a daily refreshed mini-bar. Enjoy the view with suites overlooking either tropical views, pool views, or a gorgeous white sand beach.

Upgrade your experience by booking a Preferred Club suite! The Preferred Club suites are surprisingly affordable and offer upgraded amenities including:

• Personalized check-in and check-out with concierge service
• Preferred status and amenities
• Preferred Club Lounge
• One private, Preferred Club pool
• Upgraded bath amenities
• Pillow menu
• Upgraded mini-bar and room service menu
• Daily continental breakfast service and lunch at the Rosewater Restaurant
• Pool concierge & bar service
• Afternoon hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, exquisite desserts and fine liquors in the lounge
• Complimentary newspaper in room every day by request
• Oceana restaurant open for a la carte breakfast for Preferred Club guests only. (Based on occupancy levels)
• Preferred Club private beach area

Preferred Club Oceanview

DINING

Portofino – Italian Cuisine

Secrets Cap Cana offers ten gourmet dining options – seven à la carte restaurants (two of which are located on the beach), one buffet, one grill, and a café, where reservations are never required. Secrets Cap Cana provides a culinary adventure serving regional favorites from around the world in a fresh interpretation. You will also find 6 bars and lounges, serving top-shelf spirits and premium brand domestic and international beverages, ranging from swim-up to a music lounge.

As part of the privileges of Unlimited-Luxury, guests of Secrets Cap Cana will have the chance to ​”​Sip, Savor & See​”​ at all Secrets, Breathless, Dreams, Now, and Sunscape Resorts & Spas in the region. Enjoy dinner and live entertainment at participating sister properties including sipping complimentary cocktails, savoring delicious cuisine at the restaurant of your choice, and the opportunity to see that evening’s entertainment.

ACTIVITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT

Secrets Cap Cana offers a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities, water sports, and entertainment, including:

Beach volleyball • Pool tables • Aerobics • Dance classes • Spanish classes • Big screen movies on the beach • Golf nearby • Water aerobics • Non-motorized water sports • Introductory scuba lesson in the pool • Sailing • Windsurfing • Kayaks • Fishing • Snorkeling • Hobie cats • Indoor theatre featuring live shows and nightly entertainment • Nightly outdoor entertainment • Theme nights • Weekly cocktail reception with executive team • Theme nights weekly by the theater (pool and beach if weather permitting)

SECRETS SPA BY PEVONIA

Couples Massage

The world-class Secrets Spa by Pevonia will offer innovative treatments that combine both indigenous and modern techniques for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience. Offering a variety of body treatments, massages, and facials to invigorate the senses, stimulate the body, and refresh the mind. Spa ​services include:

• Massage room for couples offering relaxing hydrotherapy tub
• Single rooms for massage therapies with a private washroom and hydro massage shower
• Salon offering hair wash stations and haircut and styling services
• Outdoor Common Area
• Hydrotherapy areas with a dynamic pool & iced plunge pool
• Whirlpool
• Sauna
• Steam room

Sandals Montego Bay was the very first Sandals Resort and has recently been reimagined to be the most modern, open-concept, 5-Star beach resort in Jamaica, nestled along the unending shoreline of the most exclusive, private white-sand beach in Jamaica. Here you will discover a chic and casual oasis, mere steps from the water, evoking a carefree spirit of romance and luxury. The spectacular open-air lobby with magnificent sea vistas captures the island ambiance. There’s a new Over-the-Water Bar, and new Over-the-Water Chapel for an over-the-top experience.  At Sandals Montego Bay, the fun never stops and the beach never ends. 

Located three miles east of Montego Bay, Sandals Montego Bay is only 5 minutes away from the Sangster International Airport and 10 minutes away from the town center.

Elevate your experience by booking a Club Sandals room, or enjoy the ultimate pampering of an Elite Butler catering to your every need.

Club Sandals

• Club Sandals Lounge is accessible 24/7 with the Club Sandals Concierge available between the hours of 8am – 10pm to assist with reservations for spas, excursions, restaurants and just about anything you need
• Preferred Club Sandals Lounge check-in with chilled towel and champagne
• Weekly hosted activities like a Cocktail party, a Martini Evening, Wine tasting, Snorkeling and exclusive Island Routes Tours
• In Room/Suite and Lounge bars with scotch, vodka, rum, whisky, wine, beer, juices, sodas and water
• Relax in the Club Sandals Lounge, while enjoying mouthwatering culinary treats, an assortment of teas and world renowned Blue Mountain coffee
• Room Service available from 7:00am to 10:00pm daily

Elite Butler
“Your wish is our command”

With the uncompromising attention of a personal butler, trained to the highest standards by the elite Guild of Professional English Butlers, you will be pampered throughout your stay in extraordinary ways. From attending to your wardrobe or serving a glorious repast on your terrace (just to name a few) a Sandals Suite, complete with your own personal butler, is the ultimate indulgence.

El Dorado Casitas Royale is one of the most beautiful, romantic All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico. Let’s take a closer look at why this Resort stands out and what makes it so special.

El Dorado Casitas Royale is luxuriously romantic, stretching along a secluded beach located in the heart of the Riviera Maya. Indulge in gourmet cuisine, beautiful accommodations, a lavish spa, and upgraded concierge services. Perfect for couples, El Dorado Casitas Royale is the perfect escape in romantic luxury.

What makes El Dorado Casitas Royale so unique is the delightful “boutique” environment. With only 205 suites, this would already be considered small. But these 205 suites are separated into 8 sections, making each section feel like it’s own secluded paradise. 

The Casitas Suites are exquisite! Indulge in the intimacy of a Casita Suite with private pools and ocean views, or a swim-out Casita Suite with access to a pool bar. Or the ultimate accommodation – a swim-out Casitas Suite that also includes a private pool. Every Casita Suite includes “Aguas del Amor” – an exclusive outdoor shower right within your suite and is just a few steps away from the beautiful Mexican Caribbean ocean.

El Dorado Casitas Royale has everything you would need for a romantic vacation with your special someone, with plenty of restaurants available, a spa, and personal concierge just steps from your door. But one of the unique features of El Dorado Casitas Royale is that it is located adjacent to El Dorado Royale, which offers even more dining and recreation options. Many couples enjoy lounging quietly in the Casitas section all day, then walking over to Royale in the evening for nightly entertainment. Guests at Casitas have access to Royale, but guests of Royale do not have access to Casitas.

If you are looking for a boutique, romantic, luxurious vacation, El Dorado Casitas Royale is as close to perfection as you can get.

Let’s take a closer look at the Palafitos, Mexico’s first over-the-water bungalows located on one of the best beaches in the Riviera Maya.

Palafitos-Overwater Bungalows are a cluster of 30 exclusive, private bungalows sitting right over the turquoise waters of Maroma Beach. Every single facet of these exclusive suites is designed to highlight the surrounding beauty.

Your private bungalow will give you direct ladder access to the ocean, and glass floors are just the beginning of overwater living. Watch the sun rise and set right from your private deck. Take a dip within your private infinity pool, offering picture-perfect views of the sparkling sea. Rinse off within your private outdoor shower. And let your personal Majordomo take care of the rest, as you relax in absolute bliss.

Each bungalow features:

• Glass bottom floors
• Private infinity pool
• Direct ladder access to the ocean
• Romantic outdoor shower
• Indoor whirlpool tub for two
• Oversized deck with wooden lounge chairs

Enjoy exclusive access to Overwater Grill & Wine Bar. Featuring two glass-floor dining rooms with spectacular views of the surrounding sea, and succulent, ocean-inspired dishes this restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Exclusive for Palafitos-Overwater Bungalows guests, this dining experience will leave you in awe.

Did you know there is an All-Inclusive Family Resort in the Caribbean where you can play in a water park, float along a lazy river, and meet all of your favorite Nickelodeon characters?

Let me introduce you to the Nickelodeon Hotel in Punta Cana!

Experience a new kind of paradise at the Family-Friendly Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun!

I always compare the El Dorado Resorts, located in Mexico, to the Sandals Resorts located throughout the Caribbean. And I only make that comparison because everyone knows what Sandals Resorts are, as they advertise all over the place. But El Dorado is more of an industry secret or a hidden gem.

El Dorado Resorts are owned by Karisma, one of my favorite Resort brands in Mexico. Here is how I would break down the El Dorado Resorts…

JoJo’s at El Dorado Royale

El Dorado Royale

Karisma’s flagship Adult Only property. Royale is great for groups, couples, friends, singles. You really can’t go wrong! Meet up for a drink at JoJo’s on the beach before dinner, and you’ve found one of my personal Happy Places. Every evening you’ll find entertainment available, and many of the bars are open late.

El Dorado Casitas Royale

Located adjacent to El Dorado Royale, Casitas is your more upscale, boutique-style Resort. All of the Casitas Suites feel like individual units, and many offer private pools, or you can choose a swim-out category if you want easy access to the pool bar (my favorite!). Casitas is a great choice for couples looking for a more quiet, intimate experience during the day, but still allowing access to some additional entertainment at Royale in the evenings.

Swim Up Suite – El Dorado Casitas Royale

El Dorado Seaside Suites

Seaside is much smaller and more intimate than the other El Dorado Resorts. This would be my top pick for a couple looking for a relaxing, romantic getaway. You’ll find more couples at this Resort than some of the others. And the amazing thing about Seaside is that almost every room has an ocean view!

El Dorado Maroma

Maroma is the home of the amazing Over-Water Bungalows, which are currently the ONLY over-water bungalows in Mexico! Maroma has a very asian flair to it, which I just love. Maroma has a very peaceful, relaxing atmosphere, with amazing food, beautiful pools…and did I mention the over-water bungalows??

Would you like more information about El Dorado Resorts? Contact your Must Love Travel Planner today!

Over-Water Bungalows – El Dorado Maroma