BLUE BAY
STAFF FAVOURITES
If you have ever spoken to one of our team, you will know how much they love to rave about their favourite resorts! So much so that we've given them all the chance to share their favourites with you all on our new Staff Favourites page. Take a look at what they got up to and what they recommend.
Excellence Riviera Cancun, Mexico
Stuart, Managing Director
Date Visited:
16 times and counting!
Why it's your favourite:
Excellence has a magic of its own and the more times you visit the more you see why it appeals to so many travellers. It is without question my personal favourite, having been a regular visitor since experiencing the opening in October 2004. I love afternoons at leisure chilling out around the lazy river pool, the sounds of chill moods music & aromatherapy scents drifting out of the spa make for the most exquisite relaxing times. After enjoying your in-suite Jacuzzi there is no better way to start the evening than experiencing the Martini Bar. With a selection of restaurants allowing you to enjoy tastes of the world every night in authentic settings that complete a full dining experience. Excellence gives you the choice to share privacy with your partner or experience a vast choice of resort entertainment, Excellence Riviera Cancun creates the perfect atmosphere for adults and that's why it's my favourite.
The best thing you saw:
There are so many amazing moments to experience at Excellence Riviera Cancun, but for me there is nothing more special than seeing the sunset. Sharing a drink with a special person whilst enjoying one of those magic days when the resort appears to get a new life is truly a moment in time you will never forget. Sharing the moment when the sky changes to the most amazing pink colour and the sun sets behind the spa is an experience that you never want to end.
The best thing you ate:
Chateaubriand at Chez Isabelle never fails to hit the spot.
The best thing you did:
So many amazing moments, but celebrating our 4th anniversary in 2010 was a highlight. We enjoyed a special menu in the evening on the Pier with personal waiter service and a harpist who helped set the mood with beautiful music. A bottle of champagne as the sun set and then a bottle of our favourite Rioja. Amazing atmosphere, setting, views, meal, service, wine and to share this with your partner can only be described as Excellence.
Recommendations:
What are you waiting for? Excellence represents amazing value and if you want to enhance the experience there is a vast choice of affordable upgrades. Why not call one of our agents today who can talk you through the upgrades and arrange a holiday for you that will live in your memories forever.
Baros, Maldives
Angela, Director
Date Visited:
July 2009
Why it's your favourite:
Baros is a real 'paradise on earth'. The beaches are white & the sea a stunning turquoise. The resort is very laid back, a place you can truly forget the worries of everyday life & relax.
The best thing you saw:
The 'House Reef' is one of the best in the Maldives.
The best thing you ate (drank!):
A champagne cocktail whilst watching the sunset from the lighthouse bar & restaurant.
The best thing you did:
Snorkeling.
Recommendations:
Book a Beach Front Villa for your own slice of the beach & ocean.
Sandals Grande, Antigua
Kevin, Sales Manager (Caribbean Warehouse)
Date Visited:
December 2010
Why it's your favourite:
The people, the beaches, the activities. Find out more in my Antigua and Sandals blogs.
The best thing you saw:
Barbuda (Antigua's sister island). Read more about Barbuda in my blog.
The best thing you ate:
Traditional Fish & Chips in the authentic British Pub, "The Cricketer's" at Sandals Grand Antigua.
The best thing you did:
Visiting Shirley Heights. Read more about Shirley Heights in my blog.
Recommendations:
I recommend upgrading the accommodation to that located in the pristine Mediterranean Village part of the resort. Find more recommendations on what to do when visiting the island in my Antigua and Sandals blogs.
Sandals Montego Bay, Jamaica
Gemma, Operations Manager
Date Visited:
October 2010
Why it's your favourite:
It encapsulates Jamaica; the laid back and fun attitude of the resort coupled with the white sandy beach and pristine waters make it a serious contender as my number one resort.
The best thing you saw:
The Beach is amazing.
The best thing you ate:
It has to be jerk chicken, rice & peas, dumplings and gravy.
The best thing you did:
Climbed Dunns River Falls, went out on the Sandals Catamaran, watched a thunder storm out to sea from the Asian Restaurant.
Recommendations:
Go stressed and come home chilled out. As they say in Jamaica "once you go, you know" and everything is 'irie'.
Cap Maison, St Lucia
Leighton, Sales Manager (Tropical Warehouse)
Date Visited:
May 2011
Why it's your favourite:
Cap Maison is set atop a private stunning Oceanfront bluff. This luxury boutique hotel has been built in a Spanish hacienda style which is family owned and gives you that personal touch. It has exceptional facilities to make it the perfect honeymoon destination, boasting spacious suites many with roof top terraces overlooking the panoramic ocean views across to Martinique and Pigeon Island. Cap Maison is pure luxury with it’s exclusivity, superb facilities and impeccable but discreet service. The resort is also good for families and the dining at the Cliff at Cap where your table awaits you is arguably St Lucia’s most spectacular dining location. A big thank you to Maggie who looked after us; she was very nice and always had a smile on her face.
The best thing you saw:
View of Pigeon Island from the Roof Top Terrace whilst sitting in the Jacuzzi.
The best thing you ate:
Duck with creamed corn and morels was fantastic.
The best thing you did:
Wine tasting in the cellar.
Recommendations:
The in-room spa treatments, plus roof top terrace dining and you must do the elegant dining in the wine cellar as this is a must for wine lovers; it is the ideal location.
Excellence Riviera Cancun, Mexico
Diane, Wedding Co-ordinator
Date Visited:
Excellence: April 2010 and Antigua: December 2010 & March 2011.
Why it's your favourite:
Although Excellence Riviera is my favourite resort, Antigua is my favourite country. Excellence: It's an adults only classic resort. The staff are amazingly friendly and the rooms are beautiful. Antigua: The beaches are stunning; 365 of them. The locals just embrace you and are the friendliest I have met.
The best thing you saw:
The view from Shirley Heights in Antigua - just stunning.
The best thing you ate:
Chateaubriand at Excellence.
The best thing you did:
Sailing a racing yacht in Antigua. It had just won the Barbados to Antigua leg of the Caribbean race.
Recommendations:
Excellence: You must visit the chill out lounge at this hotel, it is stunning, over the beach where you can drink cocktails on large lounger beds under the stars. Antigua: Shirley Heights is a must, if you don't do anything else you have visit there. Also Nelson's Dockyard is a great place to visit in Antigua, it is the only Georgian working dockyard in the world.
Sandals Regency, St Lucia
Christina, Travel Advisor
Date Visited:
October 2009
Why it's your favourite:
The size of the resort, it has lots of different facilities in the hotel to keep you entertained for a 2 week stay. You can also visit the other two hotels at no extra cost and you can get a free transfers between them.
The best thing you saw:
The scenery is amazing, I love to snorkel and the marine life was great.
The best thing you ate:
I ate it all - it was all fab!
The best thing you did:
Typical tourist, I did a bit of everything… beach, golf, diving, shopping, night life; I just love the place.
Recommendations:
Helicopter transfers are a fab way of getting to your hotel instead of road transfers.
Sandals Halcyon, St Lucia
Chris, Senior Travel Advisor
Date Visited:
September 2010
Why it's your favourite:
Stunning accommodations with a relaxed atmosphere & friendly service.
The best thing you saw:
The Marina at Marigot Bay - absolutely breathtaking!
The best thing you ate:
Chicken Roti.
The best thing you did:
Jump-Up in Gros Islet on Friday night.
Recommendations:
Take some time out to research the island! You'll be in a great location to go exploring and will see much more than the tourist hotspots. The Lucian's are very friendly and welcoming and going B&B at The Calabash will give plenty of opportunity to experience local bars and restaurants. A truly 5* experience!
Excellence Punta Cana, Dom Rep
Nicola, Senior Travel Advisor
Date Visited:
June 2010
Why it's your favourite:
There is a true Caribbean charm to the resort, it has a very laid back atmosphere and is an ideal kick-your-shoes-off and relax holiday.
The best thing you saw:
Pink flamingos around the lake at the entrance to the resort.
The best thing you ate:
Thai fried rice in the Spice restaurant.
The best thing you did:
Sipped cocktails by the pool!
Recommendations:
I would highly recommend this resort to honeymooners, clients celebrating special occasions and anybody wishing for a luxury break. I can assure you that you will be spoilt!
The Royal Savoy Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
Dave, Travel Advisor
Date Visited:
January 2011
Why it's your favourite:
NO Jetlag, guaranteed sunshine, top quality dining, accommodation, facilities & location.
The best thing you saw:
Snorkeling & scuba diving are just awesome.
The best thing you ate:
Hot Rock Restaurant - food is just superb.
The best thing you did:
Night trip into the desert & day trip to Cairo (1 hour flight), accompanied by an English speaking Egyptologist who took us to the Cairo Museum and Pyramids; this made the trip a fantastic day out full of interesting sights and memories (unfortunately this trip is not to be recommended at present for obvious reasons).
Recommendations:
This resort is located 15 minutes from the airport so there is no long transfer, it is directly on the beach and adjoining an area known as Soho Sq which has 15 International Restaurants, a British Pub, Sky Sports "on Tap", Shops, Culturama, Ice Bar, Bowling Alley, Outdoor Theatre; customers of the Savoy also get a 30% discount at the restaurants in Soho Sq.
The Savoy has the major benefit of this very up market area being right on its doorstep, making it a very pleasant area to be able to stroll around during the day or night as opposed to being shut away in a resort that has nothing outside of its boundary, like so many do.
Now Jade, Mexico
Naomi, Operational Support Assistant
Date Visited:
September 2010
Why it's your favourite:
It was quiet and relaxing and the rooms, reception & restaurant were all beautifully decorated with really bright colours!
The best thing you saw:
Champagne and fruit in my room when I arrived.
The best thing you ate:
Eggs Benedict in the Preferred Club restaurant at breakfast.
The best thing you did:
Sat by the Preferred Club pool drinking Mudslides all day long.
Recommendations:
Stay in the Preferred Club area! The Preferred Club lounge is brilliant; there is an espresso machine, liquors/champagne/wine & hot and cold food in there throughout the day. The Preferred Club pool is brilliant, very quiet and relaxing with a swim up bar.
