When Sandals first rolled out their butler service program as part of the new Luxury Included Vacation, I was very skeptical. In fact as a long time returning guest, I was fairly sure it wasn’t going to be the best move for the company. However, seeing the positive response over the last few years, and having a chance to experience it first hand has really changed my mind.
Did you know that Butler service is available at select Beaches Resorts as well.
One only has to read a few reviews on TripAdviser to see that guests who use the butler service absolutely love the program.
Your personal butler is trained in accordance to exacting standards by the Guild of Professional English Butlers, which provides butlers and valets to nobility and celebrities world wide.
A few years ago we got the chance to try out the Butler service at Sandals and all I can say is it’s Awesome!
Imagine returning from dinner and being surprised by rose petals scattered all over your candle lit room. Soft music is playing in the background, and a hot scented bubble bath awaits. Your four poster bed has been turned down, and a beautiful swan, made with towels adorns the covers. Your favorite chocolates and a chilled bottle of champagne are set beside the bed.
Talk about setting up the perfect romantic evening! The best thing was we never asked for it. The best thing about Sandals Butlers is they love to surprise and do everything possible to exceed your expectations.
Our biggest problem with the butlers was trying to figure out things for them to do. In fact we came up with a little game “Stump the Butler,” where we would try to find things that the butler couldn’t possibly do.
“It just so happened that Armondo’s restaurant on the bluff at Sandals Regency in St. Lucia, has amazing Italian food, and I really enjoyed a particular shrimp dish they served. So I asked our Butler if he could possible get me some of those shrimp. Not the whole dish, just the shrimp. Sure enough, we’d come back to the room each night to a new plate of shrimp.”
Some of the Sandals and Beaches resorts offer butler level guests extra inclusions not available to regular guests. Some of the extras may include private cabanas or restaurants like Gordon’s at Sandals Grande St. Lucian.
So the big question is whether Sandals Butler service is worth the extra expense?
Well I think the answer to that question depends on you. We try to encourage all our readers to make the most of their vacations especially if it happens to be a honeymoon. In today’s crazy world you never can be quite certain what hand you’ll be dealt tomorrow. The only sure thing is today. Karie and I always plan our vacations as if they will be our last. This way we have no regrets that we didn’t make the best of it.
Our personal preference is to sacrifice a bit on the room in order to book a longer trip. However this is not an option for most couples due to their schedule, job or family. I usually recommend that people follow a few simple rules when deciding how much to spend on vacation, and what to spend it on.
Stay within your budget.
Choose the best resort you can afford.
Choose the best room you can afford.
Don’t choose a lesser resort just to get a better price on the room. If you aren’t happy at the resort, there is nothing a butler will be able to do to make you happy. Better to choose a lesser priced room at a nicer resort.
Remember the services of your butler will extend well past the walls of your suite.
If budget is not a concern, I would highly recommend the Sandals or Beaches butler service. Additionally, if you are on a short vacation or honeymoon, and want to make the most of your time at the resort a butler will really help make your trip memorable. Butlers can take care of many of the mundane tasks like: check in, unpacking and packing, pressing clothes, and making reservations, which all take you away from enjoying your vacation.
So if you want to experience the ultimate in personal pampering, while on your next Caribbean vacation or Honeymoon, try a Sandals butler Suite. You won’t be disappointed!
Thanks for coming back to visit us again!
Be sure to check out our FaceBook Page for the Hottest Caribbean Deals!
You know you’ve got it bad when you start finding unusual ways to support your hobbies and addictions. I tend to joke a lot about Caribbean Fever. The simple truth is though while it may not be a bona fide disease it could easily qualify as an addiction. Karie and I have a love for the Caribbean that seems to stir our very souls. We would move there in a heart beat, if we had the time or resources. I do hope to someday make that dream a reality. For now, we just try to find ways to cope. You could say we are sort of home sick, whenever we are not there. We constantly miss the food, culture and the beauty of the Caribbean Islands.
We have several hobbies, which have developed out of our love for the Islands, and yes we can answer yes to most, if not all of those 20 questions. This page is for those of you, who suffer like we do, with a longing to be somewhere you can’t.
One of my big hobbies at home, is caring for our saltwater fish tanks and our small aquarium store, The Maine Reef. I have always loved tropical fish, and was especially fascinated with saltwater reefs, but it was not until about 10 years ago that it became a viable hobby. Now it is very possible to keep and grow a real saltwater reef, complete with coral, fish, and invertebrates, in your own home. Being a lover of the natural beauty of coral reefs, it was important for me to make sure that my hobby, wasn’t contributing to the destruction of the worlds reefs. Now, we actually farm these beautiful coral right in our own tank, for sale to other hobbyists. Today, we are working with other reef keepers to insure the protection of the worlds natural reefs for years to come.
Giving Back
Another hobby is collecting Caribbean arts and crafts. The majority of people in the Caribbean do not have the lifestyle of most American’s. So, we try to give back what we can to the places and people that bring us such joy. We usually try to bring back something nice to hang on the wall, from everywhere we visit. It helps the local economy and gives us a nice souvenir that we will always remember.
Our long New England winters really make us miss the tropical heat. My childhood love of snow has now been replaced with my new love of sand. I guess, if I had to shovel sand I might not like it either. Decorating a room in your home using tropical themes can give you a place to escape when the weather outside is less than perfect. Try warm tropical colors, a few palms and other plants, and some rich dark wood furniture for starters. Then add some nice pictures and Caribbean themed art.
Many people find they like Island music, but when they get home they are not sure what to buy or don’t know the artists or song titles. Take a look through our music section and you are bound to find something you recognize. A little Caribbean Music, especially Reggae really puts the mind at ease.
We would love to hear stories of inventive ways our readers have found to cope with their Caribbean Fever. Please leave us a comment below and share your story.
Caribbean Fever is a debilitating disease that affects many people.
Especially susceptible are newlywed couples, “Parrot Heads”, or anyone who has spent more a week or more in the Caribbean.
The symptoms of the disease are widespread and affect everyone slightly differently. The only things we know for sure are that the exposure times play a significant role, meaning the more time you spend there the worse it gets, and that there is no known cure.
Caribbean Fever generally comes in 3 stages:
Stage 1 – Confusion
Symptoms include: Severe headache, dizziness, possible vomiting and severe hunger.
Don’t worry about the first three, you’re still drunk from last nights bottle of coconut rum! The hunger is also a temporary condition that will naturally dissipate as you body readjusts to limited calorie intake.
Stage 2 – Denial
Unfortunately this is when Caribbean Fever is the most contagious. Here are some things to look for.
Symptoms:
You have more friends in the Caribbean then you do at home.
You listen to Reggae Music more than once a week.
Your family and friends always ask, “When are you going back?”
You are constantly looking for sales on airfare and vacation packages.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms don’t worry there is still hope. You are very lucky to have got here just in time. Try a self help procedure. Make some Jerk Chicken, put on some Reggae Music, and pour yourself a Pina Colada (or 2). Most importantly check back at SunSandandSeas.com often for any new developments.
Stage 3 – Depression
If you answered yes to 10 or more of the questions on the last page, your situation is hopeless! Best bet, Fly to the nearest Caribbean Island as soon as possible.You need rest, relaxation, romance, tropical sun, and lot’s of rum!
Sun, Sand and Seas.com offers counseling and support groups specially designed to help those afflicted by Caribbean Fever.
If you are unable to a plane in the next 24 hours you may be able to find some relief by clicking here. Don’t wait time is of the essence!
Sun, Sand and Seas wants to make a difference in the lives of those afflicted by Caribbean Fever. If you are currently experiencing symptoms not yet on the list, please share them by leaving a comment below.
Here is my wife, Karie’s favorite drink. Tastes just like purple Koolaid.
Purple Rain Recipe
In a blender mix:
1 oz. vodka
1/2 oz. Blue Curacao
1 oz. fruit (red, strawberry, etc. Grenadine will work) syrup
1/2 oz. lime juice
Blend with ice, and add additional Grenadine if needed to get the purple color.
Rumor has it, that a friend of ours from Sandals Montego Bay invented the drink. Apparently he won a big Caribbean bar tending competition with this drink recipe back in 2000 if my memory serves me right.
Here is Karie and our good friend, and favorite bartender Kenroy, at Sandals Montego Bay.
Everyone that has traveled a lot, probably has a few nightmare tales. Being stuck in a cramped, uncomfortable airport terminal is never any fun, especially if it’s overnight.
Being from New England, we prefer to travel during the winter, unfortunately the weather, more often then not, has some negative effects on our flight schedule. On several occasions we have gotten bumped or delayed overnight leaving Montego Bay. Some of you may be aware that the Montego Bay Airport just underwent a major rehab and expansion. Now it is a beautiful airport, but prior to that it left a lot to be desired.
This is the story of our first experience of being Stuck in Montego Bay. My hope is that if your flight is ever delayed, perhaps you will find some comfort knowing that a) It can always get be worse, and B) It is never as bad as it seems, cheer up there is light at the end of the runway.
April 14, 2001 after an amazing vacation at Sandals Montego Bay, in Jamaica, we found ourselves once again waiting patiently for our departure flight at Sangster International Airport. On this trip we had decided for the first time to book a charter, on the knowledgeable advice of a new travel agent. To her credit, everything up to this point was perfect.
Our scheduled departure flight was at 5pm, which meant that we had arrived at the airport at 2p. Three hours early, a hotel mandate, to make sure we didn’t miss our plane. As I recall, a short time after our scheduled boarding time, they announced a 2 hour delay, which soon turned into 3. Now bear in mind, that this might not have been so bad if, there were more than 30 chairs divided up between 3 gates, or they had installed or if air conditioning the day before. Unfortunately for us, we had to wipe sweat off our brows, while sitting on our carry on luggage, up against the wall.
Around 8pm we finally boarded the plane with a big sigh of relief as the doors were shut. Funny thing was 45 minutes later, we’re still at the gate, and yes the doors are still shut. Only difference being that the pilots have been revving up the engines up for a good 25 minutes. Now being the experienced air traveler I am, and knowing enough about planes to be dangerous, I find myself in a situation I have never been in before. If you have ever gotten one of those gut wrenching feelings that something bad is about to happen, then you might be able to relate. All I know is,something didn’t feel right, and I wanted off that plane. Bad!
Luckily for the crew, before I could summon the stewardess, the pilots voice came over the speakers.
“Ladies and gentleman, we do apologize for the delay, however we are experiencing a malfunction.”
No Kidding, problem is they need a part that has to come from the US and weren’t sure how long it would take. Needless to say, this was happy news to me, first that it happened on the ground and not in the air, but second, because it meant that we could get off the plane, which by now was considerably hotter than the stuffy terminal.
So here we are, back inside the terminal, this time with an actual seat mind you, and our carry on. No one was allowed to have their checked baggage, because at this point the airline (Panam) could not decide whether or not the plane was actually leaving. Around 10:30pm the kind attendants advised everyone, that we would all get to spend the night in a nice comfortable bed at a nearby all inclusive resort. Hallelujah! Unfortunately, no one knew when or if we would be leaving the next day.
By the time we arrived at the resort it was around 1:30am. Too tired to sleep, we went for a stroll around the resort. The Wyndham Rose Hall (now the Rose Hall Resort & Spa by Hilton) is a nice family all inclusive resort. They must have some arrangement with the airport, because that is where everyone goes when the airlines screw up. You can read our full review of the Rose Hall Resort and Spa by Hilton (Comming Soon).
In the morning, we ate breakfast, and headed to the lobby for our 9am briefing.
“Now, we are not sure when the plane will be departing so come back at 11am for your shuttle,” was all that we were told.
Well this gave us at least a few hours to drink heavily, and enjoy the resorts waterpark, just in time to wait in the lobby for 2 hours more. Then it was back to the airport with another big sigh of relief.
Wait!
Don’t get ahead of me now, it’s intermission time.
You get to listen to some great Jimmy Buffet while we wait another 3 hours at the airport.
Ok, now I said there was at least some light at the end of the runway right, well by this time, it was fading like a Negril Sunset. But speaking of Jimmy Buffet, for some reason, which I am calling a small miracle, he happened to be doing a live appearance at his new restaurant, “Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville” in the airport, which also happened to be right next to our gate. So just by sheer coincidence, I get to meet Jimmy Buffet, up close and personal, pretty cool for a big Buffet fan like me. Had we left on time the day before, we would have never known. His restaurants are great by the way, but more on that later.
Well our story is coming to an end, but not quite yet. Eventually we reboarded the plane, took our seats and crossed our fingers. Everything seemed to be right on schedule, and we were certain about finally getting out of Jamaica ……
Then comes the fire trucks!
Lights flashing, hoses whirling and water gushing all over the plane…..
But wait our fearless captain is here to save us once again.
It would seem that some careless Jamaican spilled a fair amount of jet fuel (everywhere) while topping off the plane. Only in Jamaica! As luck would have it we survived and actually made it to Boston, at midnight, where PanAm was kind enough to drive us home to Maine.
Looking back on the whole situation it is almost funny. We did learn some valuable lessons on this trip though, like how to pack a carry-on just in case you get stuck overnight without you luggage. TO BE CONTINUED……….
In part one of “Marooned in Montego Bay” we talked about our misfortune to be stranded in the Montego Bay Airport, waiting for our plane to be repaired. Part II takes place several years later in January 2009.
Leaving Jamaica after a week long wonderful vacation, meeting many new friends can be difficult, but knowing you will be returning to mountains of new snow, and what can only be described as arctic temperatures makes it even worse. So when we arrived at the ticket counter and were approached by the airline attendant who asked if we were willing to take a voluntary bump, it did not take long for my mind to think through the possibility of one more night in Jamaica.
It seemed our plane had been downsized. I’m not quite sure exactly what that means. Do they chop off part of the wings? I think they might have been trying to get on the extra value menu or something. If the plane was full why would you send a smaller plane.
A couple of quick phone calls later and we had made our decision. US Air was offering to put us up for the night, at an all inclusive hotel, the Hilton Rose Hall Resort, coincidentally the same as last time, book us on whatever flight we wanted the next day, and give us two free airline tickets. Needless to say they didn’t have to twist my arm, considering that is a thousand dollars worth of free air towards our next trip.
Within an hour they had rearranged for our flights, as well as a shuttle to the resort, and even arranged for him to pick us up the next day. So by 1pm in the afternoon we were back on the beach.
After a quick snack we were floating down the lazy river, sipping rum punch, and making fools of ourselves on the water slides. What more could you ask for, the airline was paying us very well to have a great time.
About 4 ish, when we had consumed enough free alcohol to carry us through the night, we were headed back to our room when we met two other couples, whom had been at Sandals with us the whole week. I figured since we never talked to them during the week, now would be a great time to introduce ourselves. They quickly invited us into their game of Yahtzee, which I haven’t played in years, but joined in anyway so as not want to appear rude, besides, from my slightly intoxicated viewpoint it looked rather fun.
While I was trying to determine if the tiny dice were rolling, or the table was spinning, they told us of their unfortunate story, that sounded a bit like our last one. The funny thing was, they had left Sandals Montego Bay three days before us. It seems their plane had been caught in the big blizzard we missed, and unfortunately they were not given much choice. However what I found most peculiar though was the fact that they had been here for three days, and the airline still could not give them an exact time or day when they might be able to leave. Apparently we’re not the only people to be Marooned in Montego Bay. They were essentially on standby for 3 days and counting. Lucky for us, by this time they knew the resort fairly well, and invited us to buffet dinner with them. It was a very kind gesture and we all had an enjoyable time swapping memories and other tales of our Caribbean adventures.
The next morning, we caught up to them at breakfast to say our goodbye’s, then it was off to the airport for us. To this day I still don’t know when or if they returned. Perhaps we’ll see them next time.
Our shuttle driver was right there waiting for us as planned, to my amazement. Things seem to never go exactly as planned in Jamaica, and timeliness is not something the people are known for, so it was a bit of a surprise.
As I mentioned earlier, the remodel and addition at Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, has finally been completed. All the facilities are beautiful now including the new departure gates. There are ample chairs, air conditioning, and some really nice duty free shops and restaurants, including a brand new Margaritaville. Margaritaville, has become a tradition for us, while waiting for our flights, the food is great, certainly not the usual airport diner food, and the atmosphere is refreshing.
All in all, it was worth the hassle of rearranging our schedules, and actually quite enjoyable. By the way, we will be using those free tickets on our trip to Negril, Jamaica in January 2010. Can’t wait! We’ll be staying at Beaches Sandy Bay, a really nice small property with excellent service, and visiting many of the other all inclusive resorts in Negril including, Sandals Negril, Beaches Negril, and Couples and Breezes. Our fingers will be crossed the whole time in hopes of another over booked flight!
One of my favorite things to do on vacation is to relax at the end of the day, in a great bar, surrounded by new friends, and recount the days adventures. The Cricketer’s Pub is the perfect place.
The Cricketer’s Pub mixes good times, a lively atmosphere, great entertainment with authentic pub fare. Oh and did I forget beer! Eleven Brands to be exact, including Corona, Miller, Bass, Guiness, and the infamous Turks Beer.
The Cricketer’s Pub features a well appointed snooker’s room with several billiards tables. The cozy library offers a comfortable intimate retreat, for quiet conversation with good friends.
Cricketer’s is open late (12am) and is a great place for a late night dinner or snack. Menu items include traditional pub fare like fish and chips and Sheppard’s pie.
Karaoke is offered several times a week and adds to the entertaining atmosphere. From open to close this place is alive and happening. Be sure to check out the Cricketer’s Pub on your next Beaches Turks and Caicos vacation.
By far the best experience we had during our stay at Beaches Turks and Caicos was the KittyKatt Cruise. These brand new, state of the art catamarans are quickly becoming a favorite at Beaches and select Sandals Resorts. Anyone who loves to sail will appreciate the sheer beauty of the fine boats. A full 65 feet of pure pleasure and relaxation await you on the Kitty Katt.
Available at all the Beaches Resorts, several different tours are also available including: Teen Only Cruises, Sunset Cruises and a Sesame Street Breakfast Cruise. We chose the popular Beaches Kitty Katt Cruise because it has the most to offer. This 3 hour tour takes you sailing along the beautiful coast line of Providenciales with a few stops along the way.
The first stop being a popular snorkeling spot in the Princess Alexandria National Marine Park. When we arrived the crew handed out our snorkeling equipment and made sure everyone knew the proper use of it. They also explained the rules of the Marine Park as well as safety protocols. Basically look but no touchy-touchy! Personal instruction was also available for any that wanted or needed it. The staff made everyone feel very comfortable, even for those with little to no experience.
The Marine Park here was extremely beautiful and rated as one of the top 10 dive locations in the world. Be sure to visit our dive section for more underwater pictures and information.
Once back on board the bars were open and it was away we went to our next destination, Iguana Island, otherwise known as Little Waters Cay. The Kitty Katt was built exclusively for Beaches and features a full bar, separate mens and ladies restrooms (heads as they are called in the boating world), a protected lower deck area, and an upper sun deck complete with cargo nets at the bow, a water slide and stairs for easy access while boarding.
Our next stop was at one of the Turks and Caicos Cays (a series of small, mostly undeveloped, islands connecting Provo with North Caicos).
Once at the Island the Kitty Katt was carefully glided up to the sandy beach and we were free to explore the unspoiled deserted Island to our hearts content. The Island was so amazing that words cannot describe it. A quick walk to the other side brought us to a shallow bay area where conch shells were scattered on the sand. Even the sand here is indescribable. A combination of the churning waves and wind makes the sand along the shore into a creamy consistency. Where your feet sink in several inches into the super soft sand. If you enjoy the beach, this island is simply divine and nothing short of heaven.
For those less adventurous your time at the Cay can be spent soaking up the sun, swimming or snorkeling in the crystal clear water or playing on the boats water slide. There is no pressure here expect to relax and enjoy a little slice of paradise.
After about an hour we are all back on board for snacks and hours-devours as we make our way back to Beaches. The sails are raised and the music cranked to island beats as people dance, and mingle on the deck. This is party time and the staff knows just what to do to get everyone in the mood. Activities, games, dancing but again no pressure. If dancing is not your thing just sit back and enjoy the show. The friendly staff is right there to ensure everyone has the time of their life.
My wife and I have been on a number of cruise tours and I have to say this was by far the best. We had an amazing time, so be sure to check it out on your next vacation at Beaches Turks and Caicos.
We could not leave Beaches Turks and Caicos without trying their new Sushi Bar, right next to Kimono’s Restaurant. You never quite know what to expect when dining at an oriental restaurant in the Caribbean, but much to my surprise the sushi was excellent. If you enjoy a bit of raw fish now and then, I highly recommend it. Even die hard sushi lovers will be happy here. The selection is good and features novelties like conch that you won’t find in the states.
