Sandals Butlers

The Butler Did It…A day in the life of a Sandals butler

January 25, 2019 No Comments

A day in the life of a Sandals butler

Nothing short of absolute perfection will do. Butler Elite service, only at Sandals’ highest level of suites,  promises a supreme standard of service and luxury. At Sandals Royal Barbados, a personal butler, trained in accordance to the exacting standards of the Guild of Professional English Butlers, is with you every
step of your vacation to cater to your every whim and anticipate your every need.

11:02 AM When guests arrive at the resort after a long flight, I greet them with a refreshing glass of
champagne and a warm lemongrass-scented hand towel.

11:20 AM After escorting guests to their suite for a comfortable and quick in-suite check-in, I supply them with a cell phone, so they can reach me at any point during their stay. I offer to unpack their luggage or have any clothing items pressed, taking pride in making guests feel at home.

  

12:35 PM Lunchtime, and my guests have opted to dine at their private beachside cabana. After serving lunch, I restock the  private cooler with their favourite cold drinks and bring fresh towels, so they can relax and enjoy the sun and sand all afternoon.

2:00 PM It’s my job to review preferences of returning clients, so I can anticipate a guest’s every desire. Special delivery! I surprise them with their favourite signature cocktail, delivered right to their beach lounger before they even ask.

2:48 PM Earlier in the day, I made a spa appointment for my guests, and now it’s time to escort them to the Red Lane Spa for a relaxing couples massage. Whether it’s dinner reservations, tour bookings, or property activities, I facilitate all of my guests’ appointments and requests.

6:45 PM I’ve arranged a romantic sunset dinner on the beach for two.

8:10 PM Just before my guests finish dinner, I prepare their suite for turndown. A couple of finishing touches – a rose petal bubble bath, plus champagne and strawberries – and the suite is ready when they are. Ask for Butler Elite the next time you book your Sandals vacation (sandals.com) and prepare to be  wowed.

By Ashley Rochefort

Beaches By The Numbers

September 10, 2018

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Village & Spa sets the standard for luxury all-included family vacations. It’s the perfect spot for every member of every family, ages 1 to 100. Here are a few reasons to make Beaches Turks & Caicos your next family vacation…

752 ROOMS from condo-style cottages to two-bedroom beachfront villas to oceanview suites with bunk beds and balconies; there’s a home away from home for every family.

92 ACRES of lush tropical gardens and outdoor activities like croquet, tennis, and beach volleyball

21 RESTAURANTS to choose from! Build-your-own tacos at Arizona’s Tex Mex; savour French-inspired fine dining at Le Petit Chateau; pull up a picnic table at The Jerk Shack; or enjoy ocean views from Schooner’s Seafood Grill.

12 MILES of world-famous, perfectly pristine Grace Bay Beach, where white sands, calm waves, and turquoise waters set the scene.

11 SESAME STREET CHARACTERS like Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Julia, entertain the whole family with daily musicals, shows, and meet & greets; host birthday parties and classes; and even tuck little ones in at night.

8 WATERSLIDES at the thrilling Pirate Island Waterpark, complete with lazy river, splash pad, surf simulator, Mr. Mac and Curls ‘n Swirls food trucks, Bobby Dee’s Retro Diner, and, of course a pirate ship.

5 VILLAGES to suit your family’s vacation style – there’s the party-central Italian Village, picturesque French Village, quiet and tranquil Key West Village, and tropically charming Caribbean & Seaside Villages.

1 VOTED FAVOURITE all-inclusive family resort 19 years running by Canadian travel agents!

Story by ASHLEY ROCHEFORT

Rooms With A View

September 7, 2018

Rooms With A View

Combining comfort with adventure, these unique accommodations offer spectacular views of Mother Nature at her finest and otherworldly experiences that are certain to leave a lasting impression.

Hotel On Skis
FINLAND


Deep in the Arctic tundra of Northern Finland, guests of Off The Map hunt for the Northern Lights from the comfort of a glass-roofed cabin on skis. If the sky is clear, visitors have a 70 % chance of seeing the aurora borealis. In the daytime, go snowshoeing or just enjoy the peace of the Arctic wilderness. Local snacks, hot drinks, and breakfast provided. Cabins include comfortable bed, toilet, table, heater, and stove. Four-day itineraries start at £1,599. www.offthemap.travel

Valley Views
PERU


Guests of Skylodge Adventure Suites in the Sacred Valley near Cuzco ascend a via ferrata about 400 metres above the valley floor to enter a guest room unlike any other. Three transparent “capsules” are secured to a cliff-side, offering vistas of the scenic valley below. Each suite is appointed with four beds, dining area, and bathroom. Rates start at US$415 per night and include guides, equipment, gourmet dinner, wine, and breakfast, all overlooking the Sacred Valley. www.naturavive.com

The Human Nest
CALIFORNIA

At the Treebones Resort in Big Sur, California, guests seeking an elevated camping experience can settle into a treetop, hand-woven, wooden nest for the night. Yes, it’s rustic – guests bring their own sleeping bag and pillows and there is no protection from the elements – but a stay at the Human Nest
earns points for its braggability factor. Rates start at US$175 per night. www.treebonesresort.com

Story by TED DAVIS

Over-the-water Opulence

September 6, 2018

This romantic retreat is closer to home than you think.

The sun shimmers across the turquoise water as The Royal Duffy – the boat connecting guests from the shores of Sandals Royal Caribbean in Jamaica to its private island – approaches a heartshaped dock, home to The Caribbean’s first all-inclusive over-the-water villas. With palapa-style architecture, see-through glass floors, a plunge pool or Sandals’ signature Tranquility Soaking Tub for two, outdoor shower, and massive hammocks, this luxurious oasis feels miles away from the ordinary. But these over-the-water villas are closer to home than you may think, located just a short drive from the Montego Bay airport or a direct flight away from several major Canadian cities. Once here, travellers can snorkel, dive and swim directly from their private refuge, that is, if they can tear themselves away from their spacious suite.

DID YOU KNOW? The villas were inspired by Adam Stewart’s (the Deputy Chairman of Sandals Resorts) honeymoon in The Maldives.

WHERE ARE THEY? The first over-the-water villas and bungalows were built at Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort & Private Island in Montego Bay, but over-the-water bungalows are now also at Sandals South Coast in Jamaica and Sandals Grande St. Lucian in Saint Lucia.

LUXURY SERVICE Trained in accordance to the standards of the Guild of Professional Butlers – who provide butlers to the likes of nobility and celebrities – each over-the-water suite features butler services such as unpacking or packing suitcases, getting clothes laundered, drawing bubble baths, serving breakfast in bed, or setting up private dinners.

THE INNOVATION GAME Since 1981, Sandals Resorts has continued to redefine the all-inclusive concept. It was the first Caribbean vacation provider to offer many now-mainstream features and amenities, such as Jacuzzis and swim-up pool bars.

GET INSPIRED Search #SandalsSuiteLife, and you’ll get a sense of the Instagram-worthy escapes that await.

Story by ANN RUPPENSTEIN

Outpost, the last connection to civilization

July 16, 2018

Experience Chile’s first off-the-grid, pop-up camp found within the vast remoteness of Patagonia’s wilderness. Upscape launches Outpost with private and group excursions in Aysén, a sparsely populated area with vast glaciers, fjords and snow-capped mountains, and Maule Valley, one of the oldest wine-producing regions in Chile. The inaugural Outpost debuts along Patagonia’s Río Jeinimeni in February 2019 and the Maule region in October 2018 with more to come.

Despite the vast remoteness, Outpost guests are surrounded by comfort and accompanied by specialty guides intimately familiar with the land. Each camp accommodates up to 16 people in private, furnished tents and offers a relaxing base for trekking, fly fishing, horseback riding, paddling, and photography classes.

Travellers can book Patagonia and Maule locations as private Outposts or join small-group excursions. Trips include specialty guides, a private cook (daily food and drink) and lodging. For more information about off-the-grid Outpost adventures with Upscape, visit upscapetravel.com/outpost