“We don’t need a fancy room since we won’t be in it much anyway.”— I’ve heard (and read) this statement so many times. In some cases it’s true. On a short weekend getaway to New Orleans, you’re probably not spending much time in the room. It would be more worthwhile to spend your money on a standard room in a well-located hotel. However, when we’re talking about a more extended leisure vacation or honeymoon, don’t sell yourself (and your vacation experience) short by booking the cheapest room possible. The right room really makes the difference between a good vacation and a great vacation.
I recently had the opportunity to honeymoon in a Romeo and Juliet Sanctuary One-Bedroom Villa Suite at Sandals Grande Riviera in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. This resort is a sprawling paradise of beach, pools, and tropical flora. With so much available to eat, drink, and do on resort, I think it would be impossible not to have a good time. However, our room really stepped it up! This room had all the bells and whistles. The bedroom suite had an expansive, modern bathroom with separate walk-in shower and over-sized jetted bathtub. Outside, there’s a very private courtyard with a pool, whirlpool, outdoor shower, and lounge chairs leading over to a separate living room area complete with couches, a dining table, and a full bar. All of this also comes with the services of your own butlers that can bring food and drinks or arrange spa treatments and excursions with a simple phone call! Though I love the beach…we were perfectly content to spend the majority of our time in the suite enjoying our private sanctuary. It made for an ultra-lux, care-free, and very special honeymoon experience.
Sandals Resorts are my favorite all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean partly because of the amazing and unique accommodations that are offered at each of their resorts. They call these special suites their Love Nests..and it’s easy to see why. They’re all different, and there is a Love Nest that’s perfect for everyone. They all come with butler service and luxurious in-room amenities, but it’s the special traits that make them…. Here are some drool-worthy examples:
Let’s look at some other examples of amazing rooms and suites that are definitely worth the upgrade:
- An Overwater Bungalow in Tahiti, the Maldives, or Fiji: You’re making the commitment to travel to an iconic destination that is known for its special accommodations. You might save a little money by booking a basic garden view room, but you’ll be missing out on a portion of what makes this destination so special to begin with. This is often a once-in-a-lifetime destination so take advantage of the full experience. Watch the fish swimming on the reef beneath you through the glass section in the floor. Step off the deck of your bungalow and snorkel with the rays.
Overwater Bungalow at St. Regis Bora Bora with view of Mt. Otemanu - Any oceanview room on any Caribbean or Mexican beach vacation: You’re on a beach vacation and you’ve picked your destination specifically because of the crystal clear turquoise water and white sand beach. Upgrading your room to at least oceanview or oceanfront is absolutely worth it and, in my opinion, should be a no-brainer! Here’s why: You’ve come all that way to see the beach/ocean. Why not give yourself every opportunity to do so? Have your morning coffee on your balcony overlooking the calm, glassy waters that are common in the morning hours. Enjoy a glass of wine or champagne while getting ready for dinner.. Oh, and don’t forget getting ready for an early dinner without missing the sunset, since you can see it setting over the water from your room!
What other room upgrades have you had that really enhanced your overall experience?
Our room was a Luxury Suite in the Caribbean village with a view of gardens and the ocean. It was a spacious room with a mahogany 4-poster king and a twin day-bed with pull-out trundle. The room also had one of my favorite amenities… a fully-stocked bar! Later that day, we were offered a further upgrade and move to a concierge suite in the newer Italian village. This room had a second bedroom area with a set of bunk-beds with a trundle in addition to the king in the main area.
It also had a gorgeous bath with a whirlpool tub and a separate walk-in shower. This room would have been wonderful for a family with kids, but we felt that it was too segregated for our girlfriends’ getaway and decided to keep our original suite.
Two of us took advantage of the scuba diving (included for certified divers) and I got the chance to come within a few feet of a large sea turtle!!! Other diving highlights were Caribbean reef shark and barracuda sightings. The dive crew was patient and helpful, although some dives were cancelled due to bad weather and one of our dive trips was severely delayed without much explanation. While we were out diving, our other friend took advantage of the exercise class offerings, which included yoga, zumba, and a boot-camp style session.
The most sought-after island for romance is the beautiful Bora Bora. It really is a lover’s paradise where you can spend your days swimming with sharks and rays or feasting on freshly caught lobster and tropical fruits at a picnic on your own private motu (a small, flat island rising from the lagoon). Of course, a trip to Bora Bora would not be complete without spending your nights in a traditional overwater bungalow with views of the majestic Mount Otemanu.
Divers shouldn’t miss the opportunity to “shoot the pass” over on Rangiroa in the Tuamotu Archipelago. This circle of tiny motu rise out of the water like a delicate strand of pearls, encircling the peaceful lagoon. To “shoot the pass” means to be carried in the current flowing from the lagoon out between the atolls into the open ocean. Share the exhilarating ride surrounded by some amazing marine life including sharks, mantas, and barracuda!
