But *gasp* it’s the Dominican Republic! It’s on the same island as Haiti! It’s the epicenter of worldwide malaria outbreaks! You can’t drink the water! It’s where pirates were based for Pete’s sake!

Oh my, if I had a nickel for every time someone said to us, as an agency, that they didn’t want to travel to the DR for one reason or another, I’d have quit the business long ago, bought a catamaran, and sailed off into the Caribbean sunset…along with several bagfuls of extra nickels.

I was there with my family (wife, two kids, and parents) for an entire week. And you know what? No one got sick…no one was mugged…no one contracted malaria, or dengue fever, or the plague, or whatever other rumors may be out there… It was just an excellent vacation week in one of the Caribbean’s hidden gems, Punta Cana. And this was my kids’ fifth trip to the Dominican, without even a runny nose.

But *gasp* you’re in the travel business, you know how to avoid the plague, the pirates, the earthquakes! Well, not entirely. I do know how to avoid the pirates, yes, but that’s another story.

No, we all drank the water, we all had showers and brushed our teeth with the water from the tap, we all had some type of frozen drink (using the ice, another terrible rumor…anyway, can you imagine a frozen margarita without ice? *Shudder*). We even, and I love this rumor, ate actual salad that had probably been washed in water!

Yes, it’s true that many people get sick on vacation – and you may be one of them, and it may have happened in Punta Cana. However to immediately chalk that up to unfounded scary rumors about the destination is unfair to the destination, the hotel companies, and maybe most importantly the people working in those destinations. And they are rumors, not facts. Don’t drink the water? Puh-leeze. If that were true, and drinking the water/eating the ice or salad made people sick on a consistent basis, the hotels, and the destination, would have gone under years ago. Seriously…if Montezuma’s revenge struck even 1% of people traveling to Cancun, they’d close up shop before you can say Chichen Itza…or Chicken Pizza.

Think about it…the hotel we stayed at has 600 rooms, and were over 90% full, averaging just over two people per room. That’s (brain ticking and smoking) somewhere around 1,200 people here…each week. At this hotel alone, which is one of over thirty 4-star and up resorts we feature on our site. So (brain still smoking) let’s call it 16,000 people per week (keeping in mind only at hotels we send guests to, so I’m shooting low) during peak time. Keep calculating…call off-peak 60% occupancy (and I’ll have to do the complex math for what weeks are peak…trust me), that’s somewhere in the neighborhood of 600,000 guests per year. Guess how many people contracted malaria (the ‘big’ media scare for the Dominican Republic) in the resort areas during the last so-called “outbreak year” of 2004? 5,000? 1,000? Maybe 600, or one-tenth of one percent? Nope, you’re still a little high. It was 17. Yep, 17. Which is less than one-third of the number of cases reported every year in Florida.

Do you know what causes most sicknesses while on vacation? I’ve actually asked several on-site nurses in different destinations over the years…I’m by no means a doctor, but I sometimes have to play one (along with weatherman) for our clients. Most guest illness is caused by overdrinking combined with oversunning. Yes, the five mojitos at the pool bar, combined with the six beers on the beach, added to the three glasses of wine at dinner, topped off with tequila shots in the lobby bar that night, all heaped on top of that funny burnt smell you’re giving off (SPF-4 will work, right honey? It’s what we use in Wisconsin!) is probably what made you sick. NOT the bad ice, the mosquitoes, the lettuce, not even brushing your teeth in the sink.

Could you get sick? Absolutely. The same way you can get sick at Disney World, or skiing at Aspen, or at the craps table in Atlantic City (don’t ask). We’re not saying you can’t get sick in a foreign country; what we’re saying is in most cases it’s not contaminated food or impure water.

Our advice? Go easy on the booze, heavy on the sunscreen, and even heavier on the water (most of the resorts we handle provide plenty of purified bottled water). Love those mojitos? Who doesn’t – but order one, plus one bottle of water. When you finish the mojito, order the second round while you drink the water. You’ll enjoy your week MUCH better.

Oh, and one last suggestion. Don’t think the burrito you’re getting at the Mexican restaurant is the same burrito you got at your local Taco Bell, and don’t think the jalapenos piled onto your nachos are the same ones you got out of a jar in your fridge. Take the food in moderation, your American stomach may not be accustomed to the ‘true’ local foods and spices.

Your thoughts always welcome!

The new facility, accented by rich materials like natural stone and wood, was custom designed to reflect the understated elegance of the resort. Hand-made blown glass chandeliers also were chosen to enhance the serene ambiance of the space which offers services and products from renowned spa brand, Pevonia.

The spa menu includes a selection of unique treatments that integrate the finest products, utilized for both their restorative and relaxation effects. Treatment highlights include, but are not limited to:

• Myoxy-Caviar High Performance Facial – Increasing oxygenation and suppleness while reducing the effects of aging, this luxurious treatment lavishes the skin with pure caviar pearl and a blend of phyto extracts, leaving guests’ skin rejuvenated and smooth.
• Tropical Oasis Body Wrap – Combining mango and passion fruit extracts, this treatment leaves the body refreshed with smoother, firmed and vividly brighter skin as a result of the wrap’s high concentration of malic, tartaric, citric acids, potassium, calcium and glucose.
• Sabai Mineral Therapy – Micronized minerals malachite and zincite are blended with the guest’s choice of neroli, lavender and rosemary essential oils for blissful serenity. The massage stimulates blood and lymphatic circulation, increases the skin’s cellular activity and promotes tissue regeneration.

The nine treatment rooms, inclusive of 13 massage tables and two treatment tubs, are divided between the main spa building (three) and exterior private spa suites (six). The spa’s thermal hydrotherapy circuit consists of a sauna and steam bath, cold rain showers, whirlpool bath, cold plunge bath, swimming pool with cascading waterfalls and a tubular air lounger. Integrated to reflect the landscape concepts of the Cap Cana destination and Secrets Sanctuary, the outdoor relaxation garden integrates harmoniously with the spa buildings.

In conjunction with the opening of the spa, Secrets Sanctuary is unveiling their Unlimited Spa Package aimed to pamper guests throughout their stay. With a minimum 5-night stay, this package offers guests the chance to enjoy up to four 25-minute specialty massages and hydrotherapy treatments a day with no limit to the amount of days able to redeem. With countless spa treatments to choose from guests will leave feeling refreshed, renewed and rejuvenated.

Located just minutes from Punta Cana International Airport, on a long stretch of natural pure white sand beach, Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana is the first Secrets Resort & Spa to enter Cap Cana, The World’s New Great Destination. Featuring Secrets’ signature Unlimited-Luxury® concept, Secrets Sanctuary offers guests 14 different suite categories, an array of dining options, premium international and domestic brand beverages, 24-hour room and concierge services, pool and beach wait service, activities and live evening entertainment. Its distinctive Spanish-Colonial design and breathtaking ocean views combined with the ground’s elaborate fountains and flourishing gardens create an ideal setting unlike any other.

Secrets Resorts & Spas currently has three resorts in Mexico’s Riviera Maya region, one in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic, and two in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The brand is slated to open its next property in Huatulco, Mexico in Summer 2011, followed by new resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and the Gems at Cap Cana complex in Cap Cana, Dominican Republic.

Suites:

Pools:

Well, the good reviews had to end somewhere, but this isn’t the fault of the resort (unless you can blame them for choosing to put their resort here). Very narrow stretch of beach, small swimmable area, and good amount of seagrass (depending on season as with any resort). Azul Sensatori has done a good job in using what they have – a full-service beach grill with covered seating, many beach beds and chairs, beach waiter service, and beach night shows a few times a week, including an amazing fire and water Caribbean show, but the beach is certainly not why you’d want to come to Azul Sensatori. Some resorts can be termed a beach resort or a pool resort – this is a pool resort by far.

Dining:
Breakfast in Spoon (the main restaurant) gave a choice of ordering from a menu a la carte (with a fairly limited number of choices), or the ‘food display’, as Azul Sensatori terms their buffets. The restaurant was packed on our first trip in, but plenty of waiters to handle it, and our coffee cups and water glasses never quite hit empty. The buffet is on the small side, not a wide selection (and we noticed it didn’t vary much during the week); those hoping for traditional Mexican dishes or sauces may not be 100% satisfied, but the omelets, fresh fruits, and sweet rolls may make up for it. Breakfast was a 7 out of 10. Lunch was basic (they could use more sandwiches), and dinner was above average (a nice basic alternative to the specialty restaurants).

Tapaz is a Spanish-style tapas restaurant, serving small unique bites throughout the dinner with no menu. Really unique architecture with the ‘natural’ stone walls and ceiling, family-style round tables with a rotating platform in the middle to pass food items around the table, and the kitchen being in full view to watch the chefs prepare the dinner. We had five courses: three of small appetizer-type foods (crazy-spicy chipotle chicken chips, lamb meatballs, veal turnovers, calamari skewers, among others), then a main course (ours consisted of pork ribs with a tomato sauce, filet with a mustard sauce, sweet and sour pork, and a beef brisket), followed by several dessert selections. Plan ahead – this dinner takes a while, not a short sit-down-and-eat-and-leave meal, and some picky eaters may walk out hungry because of the limited selection. Our waiter (Chris) was excellent and very attentive (he went to another restaurant to retrieve a pinot noir we asked for), and service throughout the restaurant seemed quite good. An 8 out of 10 (some delays and only above-average food bring down the rating a bit, but service bumps it back up).
Zavaz for lunch was perhaps a bit more than we expected – more of a dinner menu than a lunch menu, but our party was more than satisfied with the food quality. Some of the best dining we had was the lunch portions of salmon, grouper, chicken breast, even the scallops and shrimp at the salad bar. Again the Azul Sensatori staff provided excellent service (sensing a theme here?), beautiful location overlooking the pool and ocean. Very limited menu choices (only 6 to choose from), but they do offer that salad bar plus a food display of 3-4 entrees. Nice kids menu – you can tell Azul Sensatori really caters to the family market. Lunch at Zavaz was an 8 out of 10.
Le Chique is an incredible experience that absolutely every guest should take advantage of! Azul Sensatori’s adults-only restaurant is the only one on property that requires reservations, and they will not seat a party more than four to maintain the intimate and relaxed atmosphere. They also won’t seat much later than 8PM, as the best feature of this restaurant is the set menu. The standard dining experience consists of an 8 course gourmet dinner spread out over two hours, with such menu items as gazpacho with chili oil in a seaweed bubble, pate, smoked duck (in a smoky bowl), soups, and more. Incredibly interesting, and a very fun experience, especially with your choice of ten different house wines. For those looking to go all out, Le Chique offers a 14 course wine-pairing dinner ($95pp additional) which is closer to four hours, adds extra course and gourmet bites, and is paired with 5-6 different wines depending on the fare – not to mention several of the dishes are brought to the table by the head chef or sous chef. Easily a 10 out of 10.
Sienna is an authentic-looking Italian cellar, complete with brick walls and a massive candle display, serving excellent regional Italian dishes. We had top notch service and the menu offered many different choices, from chicken to beef to fish to pasta (of course), along with several soups and salads. Again, access to ten different house wines. Great experience, an 8 out of 10.
Zocalo, the Mexican restaurant, may have been our party’s favorite (if it wasn’t for the children in the party, Le Chique would have won hands-down!) as we dined there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Excellent Mexican dishes, a nice food display spread for all three meals, great views over the pool, nice cantina outside for drinks, and a special brick oven pizza kitchen for lunch and dinner. Highly recommended, another 10 out of 10!

For more information, client reviews, current specials, and pricing for Azul Sensatori, click here.

But maybe my favorite part of the trip? The incredible variety of restaurants and bars. Scallops, shrimp, lobster, swordfish, chateau briand, roast duck, the list goes on…not to mention top shelf drinks and wines (I know, it’s a tough job sometimes…)

It wasn’t until I got back and went out to dinner that I realized what I truly appreciated about my trip – the all-inclusive aspect! At an all-inclusive resort, I had my choice of any of the fantastic entrees on the menu, none of which had prices next to them. I could pick from four different house wines, or a handful of local beers, or even just a sparkling water…without worrying about them showing up on the bill later.

And it wasn’t just the cost – it’s the freedom of trying new things! I had no idea I hated mussels, but apparently I do – no worries, I’ll skip the rest of those and order a different appetizer of beef carpaccio! Never had a caipirinha, I’ll try one…oops, not for me…how about a mai tai? Nope, that didn’t work either…next?

The features of an all-inclusive, the ‘unlimited’ dining, snacks, and drinks are something you might take for granted…until it’s time to pay the bill at your local restaurant. Contrary to some perceptions, paying for an all-inclusive plan isn’t just for the alcoholic drinks; it’s also for incredible varieties of non-alcoholic mixed drinks, snacks day and night, and gourmet dining for breakfast, lunch, and dinner…the freedom to try new things.

So I ask…how in the world do people travel to the Caribbean/Mexico, and not go all-inclusive?

Tired of eating fabulous food at Secrets Silversands and need a change in taste? Don’t run to the local taco stand! Instead just run to your concierge and ask about AM Resorts’ new Dine Around program. This new program allows you to eat at other AM Resorts as if you were a guest. All you have to do is tell a concierge where you want to eat, and they’ll arrange everything. From there, just take a taxi to the other resort. Sit down and eat like you’re a guest!

The Night Out Dine Around Package allows you to travel between:

1. Dreams Puerto Vallarta and Dreams Villamagna

2. Secrets Capri, Secrets Maroma Beach, and Secrets Silversands

3. Now Jade and Now Sapphire

Terms & Conditions: The Dine Around program is only good for dinner. This is not a day pass. Guest must make arrangements through the resort concierge by 3pm. Guest may choose to dine at any of the restaurants that are serving dinner. This offer applies only for 4 guests per dining experience. Guests are responsible for cost of transportation to and from the resort.

AMResorts, provider of sales, marketing and brand management services for Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas and Now Resorts & Spas, celebrated the placing of the first cornerstone of a new 602-room resort complex in Puerto Vallarta. The USD $150 million project introduces the first Secrets and Now Resorts & Spas properties to the popular destination. Slated to open in summer 2012, the development represents Puerto Vallarta’s first new construction hotels in almost a decade, providing an infusion of jobs and reinvigorating a local economy which depends heavily on tourism.

The adults-only Secrets Puerto Vallarta will feature 271 guest rooms while Now Amber Puerto Vallarta, a new luxury resort, will offer 331 guest accommodations. Both properties will offer AMResorts’ award-winning Unlimited-Luxury® concept, where everything is included. The complex lies on an exclusive stretch of beachfront along Banderas Bay, 5 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta and Malecón boardwalk and 15 minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport.

Joined by Emilio González Márquez, Jalisco governor, and Salvador González Resándiz, Puerto Vallarta’s municipal president, and other key officials, AMResorts President Alex Zozaya shared the following, “AMResorts recognizes the tremendous opportunity we have by developing Puerto Vallarta’s first two new construction hotels in almost ten years. We are excited to continue the success that our Dreams Resorts & Spas brand has had in this destination, while also creating a stimulus to the local economy and offering new options to our discerning clients.”

Secrets Puerto Vallarta

Secrets Puerto Vallarta, which will be a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, will offer adults an extra measure of romance and sensuality in a beautiful beachfront setting. Guests will be welcomed by elegantly-appointed rooms and suites with 24-hour concierge and room services; multiple gourmet, a la carte restaurants and lounges serving premium beverages; endless day and evening activities, and full-service spa and fitness facilities.

Now Amber Puerto Vallarta

With 331 oversized guest rooms and suites with ocean views and private terraces, Now Amber Puerto Vallarta caters to couples, friends and families. The resort offer amenities such as wireless internet access, flat screen TVs with surround sound systems, daily refreshed mini bars, 24-hour room and concierge services, multiple gourmet dining offerings and full-service spa and fitness facilities. The resort will foster a sense of understated luxury and comfort, and has received the Amber gemstone designation as a reflection of the inviting rich sands along Banderas Bay.

Berwick Travel, a leading online travel agency specializing in all-inclusive packages to Mexico and the Caribbean, has announced a new social media program called “Berwick Connections” to enhance direct and timely communication between agency and travelers.

To launch the Berwick Connections campaign, a series of giveaways and incentives will be offered for online users on Berwick Travel’s core social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, and WordPress blog. The agency will also offer unique content on these social media sites to further consumer awareness for the brands. “Social media gives us an excellent avenue to connect with our loyal clients,” said Steve Umstead, Director of Marketing for Berwick Travel. “These tools allow us to communicate as much as to listen, enable us to push time-sensitive promotions and news to our clients even faster, and engage in a public dialogue in near real-time.”

Berwick Travel has partnered with Karisma Hotels, a leading hotelier with the luxury brands El Dorado Resorts & Azul Hotels in the Riviera Maya, Mexico. The launch will include a giveaway incentive of four free nights at Karisma’s flagship family resort, Azul Sensatori, valued at over $1,900, randomly given away to one follower of the social media platforms. The winner will also receive a 14 course wine-pairing dinner at Azul Sensatori’s exclusive Le Chique adults-only restaurant, a $190 value. Clients who join by July 31st can increase their chances by following multiple platforms, as well as uploading reviews, photos or videos of their stays to Berwick Travel’s Facebook page.

“We feel Karisma has one of the best grasps of the social media landscape in the industry, and is very active online with their followers,” says Umstead. “We’re happy to have them help us launch this new program, and support us as we go forward.”

“We value and respect the relationship and loyalty we have with Berwick Travel,” says Mandy Chomat, VP of Sales & Marketing for El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels and Azul Hotels by Karisma.  “As one of our top GI Vacation Consultants with amazing knowledge of our unique product, Berwick Travel has been able to sell many unforgettable vacations to our beautiful resorts.  We are very proud of Berwick Travel’s initiative to launch marketing efforts in the social media space. Consumers that follow Berwick Travel will now be able to get exclusive offers, firsthand knowledge of the product and up to the minute information on deals, new hotels and destination information.”

The Berwick Connections launch runs throughout the month of July, and can be seen at www.berwicktravel.com/connections. More information on Berwick Travel can be found at berwicktravel.com, and Karisma information at karismahotels.com.

The staff were some of the best people I’ve ever come in contact with. Whether it be the gentleman watering the lawn or the bartender, or the waiter, they were all wonderful. You couldn’t walk past them without an “hola” coming from them before you could even form the word. Our favorite staff members were Enrica, our bartender, he was truly awesome and a lot of fun. Our beach butlers, Marecio and Ignunsio, were hilarious and kept us in whatever we needed so we could just lay there on the beach and relax. Our beach waiter, Cindy, worked extremely hard, she was quiet but remembered what drink you enjoyed. Every single waiter and hostess was great but I think my favorite hostess was at La Fondue. She was lively and having fun.

The food was simply amazing. We ate to our hearts content and our bellies were about to explode with joy. My favorite for breakfast was Cocotal. I never knew there could  be so many choices for breakfast! You could truly hurt yourself eating there every morning! The only questionable meal I had involved shrimp and the waiter was more than happy to rectify the situation. All I can here is be ready to try different foods and love them!

The pool outside our room was great. We did have a little trouble one day when it became overrun with some folks from the Royale but that was taken care of and they didn’t come back. The pool was clean and the water was warm, it was great.

I loved the beach beds! My husband and I are somewhat fair skinned and burn easily but when we were tired of the sun but didn’t want to go in we just hit the beach bed. Next time I go I will take water shoes since it is a bit rocky.

I would most definitely recommend this resort and Berwick Travel to everyone I know. I would rather do El Dorado Casitas Royale than a cruise anytime.

Susan with Berwick Travel was wonderful at explaining everything to me and taking care of everything so that we felt comfortable. Thank you Susan!  This was most definitely a 10 on our vacation scale and we do plan on returning!

Thanks Wendy from NC, we appreciate the great comments!  -Steve