Staff favourites

Nothing beats first-hand intel when it comes to choosing your next dream holiday, so we've given some of the team a little space on the soapbox. This selection of our favourite resorts offers you a catalogue of inspiration for your next dream holiday. Enjoy!

Excellence Riviera Cancun

Stuart Wilson

Group Executive Director

Why it's your favourite

I love afternoons at leisure chilling out around the lazy river pool, and the aromatherapy scents drifting out of the spa are exquisitely relaxing. After enjoying your in-suite Jacuzzi there is no better way to start the evening than experiencing the Martini Bar, and the selection of restaurants allows you to enjoy the tastes of the world every night. Excellence gives you the choice to enjoy privacy with your partner or experience a choice of entertainment, the perfect atmosphere for adults - and that's why it's my favourite.

Recommended tipple or dish

Mango Tango, a lush blend of Strawberry & Mango Daiquiri with rum!

The best thing you did

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. The atmosphere was amazing, as was the setting, views, meal, service, and wine.

Who this hotel is perfect for

Excellence Riviera Cancun is perfection for adults. I've tried most of the adults only resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico, and I always compare them to Excellence Riviera Cancun. I'm yet to find another to surpass my favourite.

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Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa

Abbie Heaton

Sales Manager – Personal Travel Consultants

Why it's your favourite

Centara Grand Island Resort was never going to disappoint. Situated on an island in the Southern Maldives, the resort's location makes it the picture-perfect setting for an idyllic paradise-island experience with endless ocean views for miles around. The island itself is large enough to find things to do, but small enough that you have the faraway Robinson Crusoe vibes. With great activities, food and staff to make it perfect, I love this place.

Recommended tipple or dish

Pomegranate Mimosa

The best thing you did

Snorkelling in the house reef is a completely unrivalled experience. Gliding around in the warm, crystalline waters you're surrounded by incredible sights. The sheer depth of colours in the marine life was utterly mesmeric.

Who this hotel is perfect for

Centara Grand Island Resort is one of those rarer Maldives retreats which caters brilliantly for families. Normally you find that Maldivian resorts are more aimed at couples, but that's not the case here. Don't get me wrong, you can still have a completely incredible, relaxing time as a couple or group here (because I did!). But this is a resort in the Indian Ocean that families will enjoy too.

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Excellence Punta Cana

Emily Waller

Sales Team Leader

Why it's your favourite

From the minute we arrived at Excellence Punta Cana the service we received was incredible. We were greeted by the concierge staff who provided us with a glass of fizz and sat us down in the VIP area whilst they checked us in. We upgraded to Excellence Club which ensured we had access to everywhere in the resort including extra pools, bars and restaurants as well as upgraded spirits in your room. The beach at Excellence Punta Cana was one of the very best I have ever seen or visited, the morning sunrise was beautiful from our Ocean View Room. Staring out over the powder white sand and azure Caribbean Sea was the perfect way to wake up every morning. You know it's going to be a good day when that's how you start it!

Recommended tipple

Coco Loco

The best thing you did

We didn’t do much, it was much more of a relaxing holiday. But with that stunning stretch of sand on your doorstep, even lounging on the beach was an event!

Who this hotel is perfect for

Excellence Punta Cana is perfect for couples, however I just went with a friend and we had still had a great time. There's lots of entertainment on in the evenings, but quieter areas are easy to find if you fancy a more peaceful evening.

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Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort

Nicky Streeter

Product Manager

Why it's your favourite

Magdalena Grand Beach Golf Resort offers something for everyone, golf, spa, fine dining restaurants, an English pub, and tennis courts, together with a great pool. In addition to all that, it also boasts a fabulous pool bar. But possibly the best, and most underrated, thing about Magdalena is it’s beautiful breeze which kisses you throughout the day to help keep the temp under control. Due to it's exposed coastal location, the breeze comes as a welcome inclusion on your booking.

Recommended tipple or dish

I had the most amazing steak in Kali’na, the fine dining restaurant.

The best thing you did

Oh there's so much to do here, but the highlight for me has to be the spa!

Who this hotel is perfect for

To be honest Magdalena Grand Beach Golf Resort has something for everyone. Couples, Families, those that want to be active and those that want to chill around the pool. You can find incredible activities or a perfect place for some prime sun-bathing, it depends what you like.

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Sandals Grande St. Lucian Spa & Beach Resort

Bethany Trueman

Sales Team Leader

Why it's your favourite

It’s just a beautiful resort, located in a stunning bay In St Lucia. The sunsets at Sandals Grande St Lucian Spa & Beach Resort are picture perfect, the people are so friendly and welcoming, and it’s left me wanting a return trip ever since!

Recommended tipple or dish

Pina Coladas for me every time. Sandals know how to make them good!

The best thing you did

We climbed to the top of Pigeon Island, which is just a short 5-minute stroll from the gates of the resort. The views are just incredible, you can even see the island of Martinique through binoculars! So it's definitely worth taking some with you when you go.

Who this hotel is perfect for

Sandals Grande St Lucian Spa & Beach Resort is perfect for couples as Sandals is an adults-only retreat. But you can be as relaxed or active as you like! Chill on a sun lounger on the beautiful beach or take advantage of the complimentary water sports and activities around the resort. It’s perfect for everyone!

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El Dorado Casitas Royale

Alice Whalley

Operational Support

Why it's your favourite

I love absolutely everything about El Dorado Casitas Royale; the food, the amenities, the people, the cocktails. It’s such a peaceful hotel, you can do as much or as little as you like.

Recommended tipple or dish

The Frozen Peach Bellinis are a must.

The best thing you did

I stayed in a Swim-Up Casita Suite so dropping straight into the pool from the balcony every day was epic. It was perfectly positioned by the swim-up bar too.

Who this hotel is perfect for

Honeymooners, couples and those looking to completely chill-out and relax in complete luxury.

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JA Ocean View Hotel

Sam Dowling

Product Manager

Why it's your favourite

JA Ocean View Hotel is located on the famous Jumeriah Beach Residence (JBR) area of Dubai. The property has its own sun soaked pool deck which enjoys fantastic views out over to the Dubai Eye & Jumeirah Palm. The JBR area benefits from an abundance of shops restaurants and bars. Excellently located within Dubai being a short walk from the Marina and Metro, the property is perfectly positioned for you to explore all that Dubai has to offer. The rooms are spacious and extremely comfortable with stylish soft furnishings and designer amenities. Superior Sea View rooms enjoy excellent vistas of the Persian Gulf to help keep you nice and relaxed.

Recommended tipple or dish

A cold beer in Offside sports bar after a day of exploring the big city

The best thing you did

Taking in the stunning sunset from up on the pool deck

Who this hotel is perfect for

JA Ocean View Hotel is perfect for friends, couples and active travellers who love a far flung adventure.

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Hard Rock Hotel Cancun

Abbie Heaton

Sales Manager – Personal Travel Consultants

Why it's your favourite

Hard Rock Hotel Cancun is super close to the hustle and bustle of Cancun and is situated on a beautiful stretch of sand beach with turquoise sea views. The hotel can be quite lively in the evenings, though there are quieter areas that you can escape to if you’d like. There is a really relaxed atmosphere with fun staff who offer fantastic service. The resort also boasts amazing children's facilities too, which I think makes it the perfect all-rounder.

Recommended tipple or dish

Purple Rain Cocktail!

The best thing you did

Every other day there's a beach or pool party, which got everyone up and having fun.

Who this hotel is perfect for

Couples, families and friends. Hard Rock Hotel Cancun honestly offers a place for everyone. Groups of friends and couples have the party atmosphere as well as those more chilled areas. While families can make the most of the kid's areas and facilities.

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