Pebbles Beach, Barbados

Travelers seeking the ultimate Caribbean getaway need look no further than the sun-drenched island of Barbados, now offering even more of a reason to flock to the destination this year — free spending money for island experiences!  This exciting offer is available for travel May 01-December 21, 2013 inclusive but trips must be booked during the period April 29- June 22, 2013 in order to experience the island known for mastering the art of fine living with daily lessons offered to those seeking to do the same!

With the Barbados Island Inclusive , guests receive “free spending money” based on their length of stay for use at participating attractions and restaurants while on-island. With a minimum stay of 5 nights guests will receive $150.00 per person and on stays 7 nights or longer guests will receive $200.00 per person based on a maximum of two (2) persons per room. Vouchers will be distributed to guests upon hotel check-in.  This added value promotion is the perfect reason to escape to this lush Caribbean island – offering travelers a destination rich in history, culture, food, music, and a passion for living life to its fullest.

With most island properties participating in this exciting campaign boasting over 30 attractions and restaurants, guests will have the opportunity to experience Barbados through dining and adventure! Go to VisitBarbados.org/islandinclusive or www.Bookbarbadosnow.com/island-inclusive for a list of preferred partners and participating attractions and restaurants. To book at any participating hotel partner use booking code: BII2013. Upon check-in, guests will receive the vouchers in denominations of $50.00in Barbadian increments and will be provided a list of all participating service providers.

About Barbados
The island of Barbados offers the most authentic Caribbean experience with its exceptionally rich culture and history rooted in remarkable landscapes.  Rated as one of the world’s sexiest beaches in 2008 by Concierge.com; Barbados’ Crane Beach in St. Philip stands as a premier destination for travelers. Barbados is also the first Zagat-rated Caribbean island with numerous internationally renowned chefs who masterfully put signature spins on local delicacies and traditions. Barbados is an ideal stage for world-class events and in collaboration with American Express Publishing Corporation, Barbados has hosted its first annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival in November 2010.  The country has also hosted numerous athletic championships, including the 2006 PGA World Golf Championships-Barbados World Cup, the ICC Cricket World Cup Finals in 2007, the Sentebale Charity Polo match with Prince Harry ofWales in 2010, and the ICC Twenty20 Cricket Finals for 2010. Accommodations range from picturesque plantation houses and villas, to quaint bed and breakfasts and award-winning, five-star resorts. Grantley Adams International Airport offers even more non-stop and direct service from a growing number of U.S. cities via Jet Blue and American Airlines, making Barbados the true gateway to the Eastern Caribbean. Barbados was voted eighth in the World by Trip Advisor’s ’2008 Travelers Choice Destination Awards’ in its Top 100 Destinations category.  For more information on travel to Barbados, visit www.visitbarbados.org, follow on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados, via Twitter @Barbados or contact the Barbados Tourism Authority at 1.800.221.9831.

SOURCE: Barbados Tourism Authority

To read traveler reviews and compare prices at Barbados hotels, visit this TripAdvisor page.

• Your stay includes unlimited buffet and à la carte meals and alcoholic drinks at five restaurants and bars. Savor upscale Dominican cuisine at El Fogón or grab a cocktail at the 24-hour sports bar.
• Each stylish guest room has either a balcony or a terrace. From your room, you’re just steps from the white-sand Caribbean beach, an idyllic spot to watch the sunset.
• Three onsite pools make nice spots for swimming, sunbathing in chaise longues, and playing pool volleyball. Walk a few steps to the beach for complimentary kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, and other activities.

More details.

For traveler reviews and to compare prices, visit this TripAdvisor page for Coral Costa Caribe, Dominican Republic.

Go here for more Groupon Beach Getaway deals.

This Groupon Beach Getaway saves you 40% on a 3-, 4-, or 5-night all-inclusive stay for two at the Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort in Mexico. Combine up to 10 nights. Starting at $592 Total, $296 per Person. Offer expires May 2. Opened in 2012 in Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone, this all-inclusive beachfront resort offers panoramic views of Bahía de Banderas and the Sierra Madres. Puerto Vallarta is perhaps Mexico’s most sophisticated vacation destination, with expansive beaches, trendy restaurants, and cobblestone streets leading to beautifully preserved 19th-century churches. More details.

For traveler reviews and to compare prices, visit this TripAdvisor page for Hilton Puerto Vallarta.

Go here for more Groupon Beach Getaway deals.

Photo of Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort, courtesy of TripAdvisor.

U.S. News & World Report has released its inaugural ranking of the Best Hotels in Mexico . Out of the 340 luxury hotels across Mexico evaluated for the 2013 rankings, 34 properties scored high enough to earn a place on the list of the Best Hotels in Mexico . The top five are:

1. Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort; Cabo San Lucas
2. Rosewood San Miguel De Allende; San Miguel de Allende
3. The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort; Punta de Pita
4. Capella Pedregal; Cabo San Lucas
5. Banyan Tree Cabo Marques; Acapulco

See full list: Best Hotels in Mexico

About the Rankings

Luxury hotels in Mexico were ranked based on an unbiased methodology that includes the collective opinion of travel experts and guests, expressed through awards, recommendations and ratings. The U.S. News approach reflects the core goal of all of our rankings, which is to help take the guesswork out of choosing the right hotel by providing travelers with an impartial analysis of luxury hotels.

“Hotels that consistently meet the high expectations of experts and travelers are recognized in our rankings,” said Chad Smolinski, Senior Vice President at U.S. News. “Applying an unbiased approach to identifying these hotels lets us give travelers to Mexico recommendations they can count on.”

Awards

• Best Hotels in Mexico : Top 10 percent of all ranked luxury hotels in Mexico
• Best Hotels in [Destination]: Top 30 percent of all ranked luxury hotels within a Mexican destination (e.g., Puerto Vallarta)

Photo courtesy of TripAdvisor.

Beaches Negril Resort & Spa is one of TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Hotels for Families in the World. What TripAdvisor travelers are saying: “After coming to beaches resort for a week I didn’t want to leave!” … “This was our third trip to Beaches Negril and this resort and especially the staff, continue to provide us with an outstanding week in the sun. This resort is perfect for families with a perfect mix of child oriented activities.” … “My family & I first visited this all-inclusive family-friendly resort April, 2012 and had a great time. We enjoyed it so much we decided to go again and were not disappointed. It was even better than the first time.” Read more and compare prices.

You can enter the sweepstakes at http://www.sandals.com/sweepstakes/. The deadline is June 30, 2013. For other ongoing Sandals deals, click on the image to the right.

The sweepstakes vacation package does not include airfare but does include:

• All Meals
• Premium Brand Liquor
• Luxurious Accommodations
• Gourmet Dining
• Scuba Diving
• Roundtrip Airport Transfers
• All Drinks
• All Tips and Gratuities
• All Hotel Taxes
• Watersports
• Exchange Privileges

Photo courtesy of TripAdvisor.

Club Med Ixtapa Pacific, Mexico: What TripAdvisor travelers are saying: “The best all-inclusive ever!” … “If you have kids, want to try new things (like flying on the trapeze), make friends, love nature and wildlife, like to eat and drink and most importantly HAVE FUN, Club Med Ixtapa is the place for you. I can’t think of a better place for a family to have a vacation, unless of course you are a ‘Four Seasons’ type of family. Club Med Ixtapa rocks!” Club Med Ixtapa Pacific ranked #2 – the top  beach hotel in the world – in the 2013 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Hotels for Families. Read more and compare prices.

TripAdvisor traveler photo.

The Iberostar Grand Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica: What travelers are saying: … “The people were very nice. The room was amazing. The food and drinks were top of the line! The hotel gave us a room upgrade because we were on our honeymoon. We had a private pool right out back of our room! The only thing that they couldn’t make perfect was the weather. I can’t wait to go back!” … “Our trip to Jamaica, staying at the Grand, has been one of my faviourites so far. We usually travel around the world, and don’t visit the same place twice — but if we were to break the rule once, it would be at the Grand.” Read more and compare prices

Kauai, Hawaii. TripAdvisor traveler photo.

TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel site, has announced the winners of its inaugural Travelers’ Choice Islands awards. Based on millions of valuable traveler reviews and opinions on the site, the awards recognize more than 100 islands across the globe, including dedicated lists for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, and the U.S.

“Whether you’re looking for idyllic palm-lined islands, or islands that offer a more cultural experience, you’ll find inspiration in these lists,” said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor.  “From the world famous to the hidden gems, what unifies every award winner is the fantastic feedback from travelers across the globe.”

Top 10 Islands in the U.S.:

1. San Juan Island, Washington
2. Kauai, Hawaii
3. Marco Island, Florida
4. Anna Maria Island, Florida
5. Maui, Hawaii
6. Sanibel Island, Florida
7. Chincoteague Island, Virginia
8. Island of Hawaii, Hawaii
9. Amelia Island, Florida
10. Key West, Florida

Top 10 Islands in the World:

1. Ambergris Caye, Belize
2. St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
3. Bora Bora, French Polynesia
4. San Juan Island, Washington
5. Santorini, Greece
6. Isla Mujeres, Mexico
7. Moorea, French Polynesia
8. Koh Tao, Thailand
9. Easter Island, Chile
10. Nosy Be, Madagascar

“We’re delighted that San Juan Island is honored as both the top island in the U.S. and as a top four world pick in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Islands awards,” said Deborah Hopkins, executive director for the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau. “We’d like to thank the travelers who have made this win possible, simply by sharing their love of the sparkling waters, abundant wildlife, outdoor recreation and vibrant arts scene that San Juan Island offers on TripAdvisor.”