Changing Locations

We're changing locations today and going south. Instead of driving all the way, which takes about 1-1/2 hours, our brilliant leader is providing transport most of the way via catamaran. So we'll cruise down the coast from Gros Islet to Soufriere past St. Lucia's famous Pitons. How cool is that? Then we'll drive the rest of the way. I am excited.

My Mum, Grandmother, and Grandfather lived in St. Lucia for many years. My two older sisters and brother were born here. I have many good memories of listening to those stories Mummy and Granny told about St. Lucia. I haven't been here in years, and I'm glad to have the opportunity to experience this beautiful island and share it with you.

St. Lucia Rendezvous - Tuesday, September 30, 2014

These trips are not all fun and games, as you might think. We still have to work. Sometimes our itineraries are so jam packed, we don't have time to even dip our feet in the beautiful ocean or jump in the pool. We packed a lot into my last trip, and I certainly did learn a lot. This one is a little more paced, and a few of our spent time yesterday in Calabash Cove's beautiful infinity pool, while waiting for lunch at the pool bar.

Today we take some time to experience one of the island's attractions - Aerial Tram Adventure. I'm excited. There is one more thing to check off my bucket list, plus I'll be able to tell you all about it when I return. Perhaps you'll check this adventure off your bucket list on your next trip to St. Lucia with Bridgetown Travel Agency.

So while I wait for this huge tub to fill beyond the jets to ease some of the achy bones from going up and down and around this beautiful resort yesterday (no getting old jokes, please), and before I order breakfast to my room, I'll do some work and send vouchers to my day pass clients and schedules of day pass arrivals to my hotel partners (www.CaribbeanDayPass.com). Work can't done, as Granny would say.

Mag

Insensitivity

I am dealing with a client who won't pay her final payment. She's got her roommate on hold. If she gets cancelled, the roommate will have to pay a higher rate for a single room. It's amazing that one person can be so insensitive and show no remorse at all. Not cool, not cool!

I Need Personal Blog

I really need a personal blog because I just have too much to say that I can't put on this travel blog. LOL.

Wait, I do have another blog that's just sitting there. Hhhmmm... I have to find a name for it.

Couples Barbados. It's a Done Deal!

Bridgetown Travel Agency congratulates Couples Resorts on the new Couples Barbados. Welcome to Barbados!


COUPLES RESORTS AND CASUARINA BEACH CLUB CONCLUDE NEGOTIATIONS FOR ALMOND CASUARINA BEACH RESORT, BARBADOS 


Montego Bay, January 14, 2013 - Glenn Lawrence, CEO Couples Resorts announced today that Couples Resorts and Casuarina Beach Club Limited have concluded negotiations for the lease of the 280 room Almond Casuarina Beach Resort, in Barbados, effective February 10, 2013.

Under Couples Resorts management, the resort will operate as Casuarina Beach Resort through May 31, 2013, offering the same facilities and amenities currently being provided. During the period of February 10 – May 31, Couples Resorts will embark on a US$ 3 million facilities and property upgrade program designed to bring the resort up to the Couples Resorts standards. 


The upgrades will include: 

• New décor and amenities in public areas and guest rooms, 
• New pool and Jacuzzi,
• New Spa and Salon, 
• New Gym with state-of-the-art equipment and designated Yoga gazebo, 
• New piano bar/lounge. 

Effective June 1, 2013 the resort will be rebranded as Couples Barbados® and will become the island’s first and only all-inclusive resort exclusively for adult couples.

“We are thrilled to launch our first-ever venture in Barbados and believe this property located on the vibrant South Coast to be the perfect addition to the Couples Resorts family of boutique-style hotels,” states Couples Resorts  CEO, Glenn Lawrence. “We look forward to introducing this resort to a new Couples audience and we are proud to provide our loyal Couples guests with another destination for them to call ‘home’”.

“Couples Barbados staff will surpass guest expectations for a Caribbean all-inclusive vacation by delivering the romance experience and quality inclusions synonymous with the Couples Resorts brand”, says Randy Russell, Couples’ Senior Vice President and Chief Romance Officer®. 

“Our Barbados guests will enjoy:

• Complimentary internet café and WIFI, 
• Unlimited premium brand drinks, 
• Gourmet dining options, 
• In-room dining, 
• 24 hour food service, 
• Personalized mini-bars, 
• Ipod/MP3 docking stations, 
• Piano/sports bar/lounge, 
• Tennis with instruction, 
• All taxes and gratuities 

All set in a stunning beachfront location with lush gardens certain to reignite the spark that first brought the couple together.” 

Couples Barbados will redefine the meaning of all-inclusive on the island by introducing an array of exclusive value-added inclusions, specifically: 

• Free Roundtrip transfers from Grantley Adams International Airport 
• Free weddings and renewal of vows 
• Free golf (transfers and greens fees) at The Barbados Golf Club 
• Free Glass Bottom Boat Ride, including swimming with Sea Turtles 
• Free Sunset Catamaran Cruise 
• Free Scuba Dive 
• Free Body Boarding, Wind Surfing, and Hobie Cat Sailing and Kayaking with instruction
• Free Shuttle to Oistin’s Fish Fry – a Barbados MUST-DO
• Guided Barbadian Green Monkey trail walk 

About Couples Resorts:

Couples Resorts, headquartered in Montego Bay, Jamaica, owns and operates four properties in Jamaica – Couples Tower Isle, Couples Sans Souci, Couples Swept Away and Couples Negril – and now one in Barbados – Couples Barbados  Pioneered by the legendary Abe Issa, “the father of Jamaican tourism,” each Couples Resort is an unsurpassed model of the all-inclusive resorts concept, boldly designed with local inspiration to create a harmonic sense of nature and authentic Caribbean spirit. For over 35 years, Couples has delighted guests and refined the Caribbean all-inclusive resort experience by providing unparalleled service, exceptional dining experiences and exclusive added value inclusions. For further information please visit Couples Barbados.

About Almond Casuarina Beach Resort:

The hotel known as Almond Casuarina Beach Resort, which was for several years managed by Almond Resorts Inc, is the property of Casuarina Beach Club Ltd which is owned by Goddard Enterprises Limited, The Barbados Shipping & Trading Co. Limited and Almond Resorts Inc. (“Owners”). This announcement follows on from the decision of the Owners to divest their investment in Casuarina Beach Club.

Source: Couples Resorts

Visit: http://www.BridgetownTravel.com/Couples-Resorts

Almond Casuarina to Become Couples Resorts' New Couples Barbados

News from Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation that Almond Casuarina Beach Resort, an Almond Resorts property, is now going to be owned by Couples Resorts out of Jamaica. Couples owns very upscale resorts in Jamaica, and having one in Barbados will be great for tourism.

Look out for a fabulous vacation from Bridgetown Travel to "Couples Barbados".

Thursday, 03 January 2013 18:56

The stage is being set for a Jamaican hotel operation to take over one of the Almond’s properties in Barbados.

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Casuarina Beach Club Limited and the Jamaican based Couples Resorts are now locked in negotiations concerning the 280 room property in Barbados.

According to Chairman of the Casuarina Beach Club Limited Anthony King the negotiations are expected to conclude by January 31st.

In a press statement, it was pointed out that during the negotiations the operations of Almond Casuarina Beach Resort will continue normally.

All forward bookings under the Almond Casuarina Beach brand will be honoured up to May 31st 2013.

After that date the resort will be re-branded at which time it will be operated under the Couples Resorts brand.

Source: CBC

Good things do come in threes - at least today

As I was telling you, I'm working on a fitness vacation called Soca Fitness Vacations. This one I'm creating on my own from start to finish.

Ok, so there is this saying that good things happen in threes. Who believes that mess anyway. I never really did. But today, I had three awesomely good things happen. So maybe I'm starting to believe this stuff.

1. I hired a "Communications Manager" that writes the most awesome press releases. The woman is brilliant. She delivered a draft to me today that blew me away. I usually write these press releases myself (like I do with everything else), but I have been wanting to hire her for a very, very long time. I finally jumped the gun so that I can work on other things while the professional handled the job. Pleased is the word that comes to mine. I can't wait to get the word out and get this ball rolling.
2. I received a reservation for Soca Fitness Vacations from...drum roll...LONDON! What a wonder. After inviting a yoga instructor who teaches at one of the most exclusive hotels in the Caribbbean to my fitness event, he asked to teach at mine. What!? I really, really never expected that. It was quite an honour, I must say. Hopefully we can work somethng out to mesh London and Barbados instructors. But, next thing I know, I'm getting reservations from London. I'm still shaking my head!
3. Tonight I spoke to my marketing and PR person. Yes, I hired another professional to help me reach my goal of making Soca Fitness Vacations into something bigger than just another one-time trip. From the first few sentences, I knew my girl and I would work well together. I knew I hired the right person. She's smart, intelligent, and she knows marketing and PR. I expect good things from this one.

So those are my three great happenings for the day. Next time something good happens, I'm expecting two others to follow it. ;) Time will tell.

Mag