Sandals Resorts In Key Caribbean Holiday Destinations Reap The Rewards Of Earthcheck Programme

The Sandals Resorts brand has built itself a sterling reputation over the years and has long been synonymous with luxurious Caribbean holidays. Management at Sandals have proven that they are not satisfied to rest on their laurels as they continue to raise the standards they have set for themselves. Most notably, over the course of the past 12 months Sandals have been hard at work building an equally stellar reputation in the field of eco-friendly tourism.

A year ago Sandals announced the launch of their environmental management programme across all their Caribbean hotels and resorts with the Sandals Earthguard powered by EarthCheck.

Since then, the Sandals chain of resorts have reportedly come a long way with their flagship hotel the Sandals Royal Bahamian recently receiving a silver rating by EarthCheck while the Sandals Negril, one of the most popular with travellers booking luxury Caribbean holidays, has proudly maintained its platinum status previously acquired in 2008 under the groups former certification body, Green Globe.

Under the EarthCheck programme, Sandals have identified six key pillars necessary to reduce their environmental impact and improve their green credentials:

Staff Awareness
Energy Management
Waste Management
Control of Hazardous Substances
Social and Cultural Development
Water Conservation

Sandals work in the area of water management and water conservation has been particularly impressive given the number of travellers who stay at the many Sandals resorts during their holidays in the Caribbean and the demands that such a high level of occupancy places on water supplies. Across all Sandals Resorts water from ice machines are recycled and used for irrigation, while the Sandals resorts in Ocho Rios, Jamaica has been harvesting well water to reduce its reliance on municipal supplies.

EarthCheck CEO Steward Moore stated the following of Sandals achievements, This achievement highlights the long term commitment that Sandals Resorts has shown to the communities and environment of the Caribbean. Theyre well ahead of most governments and industry players globally as a result of their efforts, and serve as a leader in the field of sustainable practices.”

Sandals Launches New Interactive App To Help Couples Plan Customised Caribbean Weddings

Sandals Resorts got busy promoting weddings and honeymoons in the Caribbean during the recent Caribbean Travel and Cultural Fair which took place at the Vanderbilt Hall of Grand Central Terminal in New York City earlier this month.

During the event, Sandals launched a new interactive online wedding designer application for couples planning tailor-made Caribbean weddings at Sandals Resorts.

The new user-friendly app named, Your Wedding, Your Style, allows loved-up couples to customise their destination weddings with the help of an online wedding portal where more than 7,000 photographs have been uploaded. Users can then choose their flowers,colour scheme, decor, place cards, the wedding cake and much more.

Speaking at the Caribbean event, Sandals CEO Adam Stewart, said: “The new bride is tech-savvy so we were forced to move away from packaged weddings. Brides have the option to have their destination wedding, reception and honeymoon planned online or over the phone.”

The event also held a contest where military couples from the United States were invited to submit an essay stating why they deserved a Caribbean wedding at a Sandals Resort. The finalists gathered in Vanderbilt Hall for an official bouquet toss for the chance to win a WeddingMoon of their choice. Maria and Jason Yates from New Jersey caught the bouquet and they chose a Jamaica wedding worth $8,000.

Mr Stewart announced a surprise to the disappointed couples just after the bouquet toss that they would all receive free Caribbean honeymoons at a Sandals Resort.

Sandals Resorts offers plenty of idyllic spots for romantic Caribbean weddings and the hotel group has luxury resorts in tropical destinations including St Lucia, Antigua, Jamaica and the Bahamas.

Couples getting married abroad at Sandals Resorts can choose from a several settings for their island nuptials including soft sandy beaches for intimate beach weddings at sunset, nuptials within lush tropical gardens, or ceremonies in grand ballrooms.

The new interactive app is just one of the programmes that is available from the Sandals Resorts official website and hopeful brides and grooms will also be able to plan their destination weddings with the help of wedding guru, Martha Stewart. Wedding packages include including Flutter of Romance, Seaside Serenade, Island Paradise, Vision in White and Chic & Natural.

“I think we have another big hit on our hands. Our Martha Stewart wedding packages helped to put Sandals weddings on the global market. With this new product, I’m certain brides will find a Sandals wedding an attractive option. Every day at Sandals we go to work to make it better for two people in love, that’s what Sandals is about,” added Mr Stewart.

Starwood Hotels To Open New Westin Resort For Punta Cana Holidays In 2013

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide is planning to build a new resort in the Dominican Republic after it signed an agreement with development partner Grupo Punta Cana. The Westin Puntacana Resort is expected to open to tourists taking Dominican Republic holidays in late 2013 in the Playa Blanca area of the Puntacana Resort and Club complex.

The new resort will have 204 luxurious rooms including 16 suites, and guests going on holidays to the Dominican Republic can enjoy facilities such as a large swimming pool, full service spa, fitness centre, 24-hour business centre, meeting and wedding rooms, children’s club, walking trails, lobby bar and a poolside grill.

Brian Povinelli, the Global Brand Leader for Westin Hotels and Resorts, commented: “The Westin Puntacana Resort is a highly anticipated addition to our growing resorts portfolio, offering travellers a refreshing, island retreat on one of the most popular islands in the Caribbean.

“The new resort will offer all of the Westin brand’s signature programs and amenities, designed to inspire wellbeing and send guests home feeling better than when they arrived.”

During holidays in the Dominican Republic, travellers staying at the new resort will also have access to first-class amenities at the Puntacana Resort and Club, such as championship golf course, nine gourmet restaurants, a Six Senses Spa, a 1,500-acre ecological reserve and three miles of pristine white sand beaches.

The resort is the first of two Dominican Republic hotels that Starwood Hotels and Resorts is planning to open over the year or so. The first property, Four Points by Sheraton Punta Cana Village, is due to open in October, 2012 and is also being developed by Grupo Punta Cana.

Punta Cana is situated on the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean and travellers from all over the world head to the region every year to experience tropical Punta Cana holidays amid stunning natural scenery that is made up of white sand beaches, turquoise ocean waters, lush green landscapes.

“We are delighted to expand our partnership with Starwood Hotels and Resorts to be able to share the Puntacana experience with even more travellers as they visit the Dominican Republic,” stated Alberto Abreu, the Executive Director of Hospitality at Puntacana Resort and Club.

He added: “The Westin Puntacana Resort will allow even more visitors from around the globe to experience the one-of-a-kind beaches, weather, and activities available in our country, and at our resort. We look forward to welcoming more guests into the Puntacana family as we move forward with this project.”

Dreaming at Dominican Republic Resorts

When you’re going to the Dominican Republic, you can travel in style.

The DR has many options for the traveler, permitting folk to get away and live like a major player during their trip. Those that love exclusive resorts will have a couple of to make a choice from when they land in the Dominican Republic. By staying in a luxury resort, holiday makers have many options they wouldn’t get at the standard hotel. l.

A high-end resort is a must for people that need to be spoiled while on holiday. From golf courses to personal beaches, top-end resorts look after their clients. They put the purchaser first, and it shows in the lodging and facilities offered by these kinds of resorts.

One of the very finest resorts in the area is the Refuge Cap Cana Golfing and Spa in Punta Cana. This resort has it all. You may have fun at the casino, enjoy chic eateries, and play on the Jack Nicklaus signature golfing course.

The golfing course is bound to challenge you, and anyone that enjoys hitting the links is inspired to try it out. It is among the best in the area. That’s not all of the resort offers. There’s also a non-public beach that folk can use as well as amazing sea life and yachting possibilities.

As one of the most exclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic, it manages to impress upon each level. Visitors are ready to fill up their days and nights with the fun the resort offers. While the Refuge Cap Cana Golfing Casino is among the grandest, it’s not the sole choice if you’d like to stay in luxuriousness while in the Dominican Republic. The Ria Palace Macao, also in Punta Cana, is famous for its delightful luxury. When you stay at this resort, you’ll have access to 16 miles of white sand beaches, with a casino and Jacuzzi apartments. Free-flowing in bliss and found on only the prettiest beaches of the Caribbean, Dreams Resorts & Spas welcomes travelers from all parts of to all-inclusive exhilaration. Providing a high level of luxury for couples and couples with kids alike, visitors will wonder at the spotless guestrooms that populate the soft white wonderful beaches and provide a long line of captivating activities.

You’ll experience prize winning cuisine which has led on to Dreams Resorts being nominated for Best comprehensive Dinning in 2006 by TravelAge West, all while be encircled by unparallel tropical weather. With its luxury comprehensive feel, guests can enjoy adventuresome water based sports, twenty four hour waiter service ( included in the package price ) and some of the finest nightlife anywhere in the Caribbean. Located on one of the most impressive palm studded beaches in the Dominican Republic, Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana is only a short twenty minutes from Punta Cana airfield, so your holiday can start virtually straight after leaving your plane. Your luxury rooms have everything to make your holiday, including king-size beds to mini-bars even hairdryers in order that you can keep yours at home and bring that additional sun-screen. A past guest commented, Superb for everyoneI must not say enough about the hotel, the setting, the service, the foodYou’d need to be funny not to like this place. As discussed above, Dreams Resort has been known for their fine dinning, and some of the restaurants here will make your mouth water just while reading the menus. There’s just one meal plan here, and that meal plan includes all meals, drinks and tips at 8 delectable restaurants . Cuisines from all parts of melt into one spot. Enjoy French gastronome at the Bordeux where only adults eat in a chic atmosphere or taste a small Asian flavour where the dress code is casual or grab the best standby food ; hot dogs and burgers!

Michy Reports write articles about the Dominican Republic :
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Almonds Resorts Offers Free Destination Weddings In Barbados

The Caribbean is an idyllic destination for tropical nuptials and Almond Resorts is now giving couples the chance to get married abroad for free at its collection of all inclusive resorts in Barbados.

Engaged couples will receive free Caribbean weddings when they book seven nights or more in a deluxe room or higher category at Almond Beach Club & Spa or Almond Casaurina Beach resort.

The Wedding for You Complimentary Package includes the choice of a wedding location at the hotel property, a professional wedding coordinator, a registrar, single tiered wedding cake, bouquet and boutonniere for the bride and groom, bottle of Champagne, a Best man or Maid of Honour if required, postcards of the property and island, and all taxes, government fees and charges.

Couples who book at least ten nights in a deluxe room category or higher and stay at any of Almonds Resorts’ properties to host their free Caribbean weddings will receive the Unforgettable Wedding For You package which includes all of the above-mentioned extras in the basic wedding package plus additional extras such as a decorated guest room, manicures for the bride and groom, a special celebration dinner for two with personalised menus, breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding, and two commemorative glasses.

The luxury resorts can cater for Barbados weddings of any size and couples can upgrade their wedding package to the Treasured Wedding For You package, the Opulent Wedding For You package or the Platinum Wedding For You package.

Married couples who are looking to renew their vows with a romantic Caribbean wedding ceremony will receive a free package if they stay for at least seven nights in a deluxe room.

The Vow Renewal package includes a wedding location of their choice at the property, clergy/magistrate, bottle of Champagne, single-tiered celebration cake, and a corsage for the bride and boutonniere for the groom.

Couples can choose from romantic beach weddings, ceremonies in lush tropical gardens or nuptials by the poolside at either of the luxury all inclusive resorts.

Barbados is a perfect location for romantic destination weddings and brides and groom can enjoy unique white pink sandy beaches; calm turquoise waters that are perfect for snorkelling and scuba diving activities; world-class golf courses; and thriving wildlife reserves.