Monday, January 30, 2012

Radisson Blu Resort, Marina & Spa, St. Martin Reopens after $10 Million Renovation

Radisson Blu, an upscale resort on the French side of St. Martin reopened in Dec. 2011 after undergoing renovations in excess of USD 10 million. The Radisson Blu Resort, Marina & Spa, St. Martin is proud to announce it was awarded TripAdvisor's 2012 Travelers' Choice® as one of the Top 25 Relaxation/Spa Hotels in the Caribbean. The 2012 Travelers' Choice® awards are celebrating its tenth year and recognize the world's premier hotels across eight different categories. Winners are based upon the reviews and opinions of millions of TripAdvisor users.

 
Radisson Blu features eight room choices from superior to Anse Marcel Suite along with two restaurants, a lobby bar and a relaxing spa.




Take advantage of Radisson Blu's current travel specials:
Caribbean Winter Escape:
  • 20% off rack rates
  • Daily complimentary breakfast for two
  • Kids Stay and Eat Free*
  • Guest activities
Travel Dates: January 1st through April 15th, 2012
 
2012 Spring-Summer Sale
  • 30% OFF Superior, Deluxe Rooms or Marina Suites
  • DAILY Breakfast Buffet for two
  • "Kids Stay & Eat Free"*
  • Guest Activities: Learn French, Dive-in Movies, Guided Nature Walks
Must book by April 15th, 2012. This offer is valid for travel between April 16 and August 31, 2012

Monday, January 23, 2012

A Boat, Iguanas and Dinner Under the Stars

We boarded a catamaran bright and early Saturday morning for a scenic tour of Grace Bay Beach. Along the way, we stopped to snorkel along the barrier reef and then to explore Iguana Island, a private iguana sanctuary.

Back at the resort, we enjoyed the powdery white sand of the beach until time to ready for dinner at Seven, the resort's signature restaurant, which serves Caribbean-inspired cuisine.

The lobster bisque and snapper were amazing!

If we haven't said it enough - Seven Stars is a must-see destination. Any Caribbean bride should consider it for her wedding.

Friday, January 20, 2012

3 Buildings Each With 7 Floors & 7 Rooms Per Floor

Seven Stars Resort is as beautiful in person as the photos from their website. Our amazing two-bedroom suite features a full kitchen, large living/dining area, a washer/dryer (how great to return home with clean clothes instead of a mountain of laundry?!) and a spacious balcony overlooking the ocean.





Today included a tour of a penthouse suite that can be used for weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners and other special events. The view is spectacular. And the room can be set up in a variety of ways.



Next, a visit to the spa for a refreshing Soin Velours (body scrub) before a delicious private dinner served in suite.

Everything about Seven Stars has exceeded our expectations. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Monday, January 16, 2012

A Trip to Seven Stars Resort, Turks & Caicos

We're getting excited to visit Seven Stars Resort on Turks & Caicos this week. Winner of About.com's 2011 Reader's Choice Award for Most Romantic Resort, Seven Stars is a breathtaking property featuring plush accommodations, amazing cuisine and a host of unparalleled amenities. We look forward to trying them all! Here's a sample of what we have to look forward to:




Friday, January 13, 2012

Registry Tips for the Newly Engaged

"When it comes to registering, relax, take your time and have fun," recommends Audrey Stavish, a Wedding & Gift Registry expert at Bed Bath & Beyond. "There aren't any rules that you must follow. Choose items that are right for you and your soon-to-be. Go through the registry process together and enjoy it!"

Here are some additional tips from the experts at Bed Bath & Beyond:

Plan Ahead: Where you register is important. Ask friends, family and co-workers about their registry experiences. Start a wedding registry as soon as you say "yes." That way, guests will have lots of options for engagement gifts and showers. Remember to periodically update your registry by adding more products if you need to, even after the wedding. A store like Bed Bath & Beyond makes it easy for your guests, and for you, before and after your wedding.

Ask the Experts for Help: It's easy to get overwhelmed with planning a wedding. That's why couples often rely on the advice of professionals - from a stylist for the dress, to wedding planners and florists. Don't forget the registry expert! From the time a couple starts the registry process, until they've walked down the aisle, Bed Bath & Beyond's dedicated registry consultants can help make the process as fun and stress-free as possible.

Visit a Store: It's in your best interest to visit a store and talk with an expert consultant who can help you with your gift selections and share great tips like what cookware you will need to prepare your favorite dish, what knife to use when, and much more. When making your selections, it's important to touch the towels, hold the flatware, and see everything in person! Most couples go into the stores many times and also update their registries online.

Dream Big & Register, Register, Register! Stavish advises registering for 2-3 items times the number of guests at the wedding. Friends and family will rely on the registry for special events leading up to the wedding - including engagement parties, showers and holidays! And guests will appreciate having lots of choices in a wide range of prices and categories when they shop for the right gift. Be sure to refresh your list regularly as gifts get purchased.

Register for it Now, Because You Won't Buy it Later: You may think you will.but you probably won't. Now is the time to let others give you all the stuff you wish you had in your new home, but may never buy yourself. Years after the big day, many couples say they wish they had registered for formal tableware. Bed Bath & Beyond has an extensive assortment of high quality dinnerware including Wedgwood, Lenox, Mikasa, kate spade and more. China is also a great idea if your friends and family get together to purchase a higher priced "group gift."

Convenience is Key: Couples should keep their guests in mind and select a store with locations nationwide, a website and great customer service. With more than 990 stores in Canada and the US, bedbathandbeyond.ca, and unparalleled service, Bed Bath & Beyond is a great option for guests who prefer to shop in person and those who prefer to buy your gifts online.




Once you've set up your registry, take advantage the complimentary wedding planning tools available at bedbathandbeyond.ca, including your own Personal Wedding Website, Budgeter, Task Manager, Guest List Manager, Gift Tracker and even a Seating Arranger. This way, all of your information can be stored in one convenient place.



Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Marriott & Renaissance Caribbean & Mexico Resorts Offer January Savings Event

Guests booking a stay at any of the nine resorts within the Collection from January 1 through January 31, 2011 can take advantage of the All Frills, No Chills Event when staying March 1 through May 31, 2012 by visiting, www.paradisebymarriott.com/all-frills-no-chills. The event offers guests up to 25% off leisure rates along with a special bonus $50 resort credit per day.

Participating resort properties include:
· Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
· CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort
· CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
· CuraƧao Marriott Beach Resort & Emerald Casino
· Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort
· Grand Cayman Marriott Beach Resort
· Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino
· JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa
· St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino

Some Restrictions Apply:
Participating travelers must book January 1 through January 31, for stays March 1 through May 31, 2012. Percentage discount varies by resort. Minimum length of stay is required and varies by resort. Resort credit is per room, per night and has no cash value; it cannot be used toward room and tax charges and there are no refunds for the unused credit. Limited number of rooms are available for this promotion. Tax is additional. Offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. Rates are per room, per night and based on availability at the time of reservations. Promotional rate quoted includes the property specific percent discount off of the regular room rate. Blackout dates may apply and other restrictions apply.

Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino

Monday, January 9, 2012

Ready to Get Engaged? Check out the Sylvie Collection by Sylvie Levine

If you crave an engagement ring like Britney Spears' but at a fraction of the cost, two styles in the current Sylvie Collection by Sylvie Levine might be exactly what you're looking for. Both designs showcase brilliant cut center stones surrounded by diamonds on the band in 18K gold for less than $8,000 retail with center stones-or just $1600 without the center stone.
0.75ct Center stone = $7,450
0.75ct Center Stone = $6,200 or $1,600 for semi-mount only


View the entire Sylvie Collection for more ring options.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Carnival in Aruba

The One happy island of Aruba is buzzing with excitement as it gears up for the 58th Annual Carnival Celebration. Beginning January 7 and continuing through February, Aruba’s Carnival includes colorful street festivals, competitions and festive parades representing the island’s biggest party each year.

From the beat of steel drums and calypso tunes to the sound of brass bands and road marches, the streets of Aruba are filled with music throughout the Carnival celebration. Thousands of carnivalistas adorned in spectacular feathered costumes and headpieces create a dazzling display for spectators of all ages and backgrounds.

Highlights of Aruba’s annual Carnival celebration include the Carnival Queen Election Day on February 3, where Aruba will select one of its most important Carnival representatives. Aruba’s Lighting Parade, which takes place on February 11, is a twinkling nighttime event in which thousands of tiny lights are incorporated into costumes, road pieces and floats, creating a dramatic contrast against the backdrop of the night sky. Set your alarm clocks for 4:00 a.m. on February 18 for Aruba’s annual “pajama party,” Jouvert Morning in San Nicolas. An early morning open invitation to the island’s largest “jump up” is attended by carnival enthusiasts from all throughout the island who follow the various live music caravans down the city streets until sunrise. Following Jouvert Morning, celebrants continue the party at San Nicolas’ Grand Carnival Parade, which begins at 1pm in San Nicolas.

The culmination of the Carnival celebration, the Grand Carnival Parade, is an all-day event taking place on February 19 that is filled with music, celebratory floats and stunning costumes while the parade route winds it way down city avenues to the delight of thousands of spectators. The parade starts at 12:00 noon in Oranjestad and continues into the evening hours.

Carnival season concludes on February 21 with the ceremonial midnight Burning of King Momo, a life-size effigy of the spirit of Carnival, on the eve of Ash Wednesday.

For more information on Aruba, please visit online at www.ARUBA.com or call 1-800-TO-ARUBA.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a New Year filled with beautiful weddings and honeymoons in the Caribbean.