When we were in Jamaica last week, the sea was unusually rough from what we had experienced in the past. (Hence, the mention of the rouge wave in this article.) I mentioned this to our friend, and avid sailor, and he showed me a great website called WetSand.com. Use it to predict the wind speeds and surf elevation for your next trip! Great resource!

The didn't make it to the Olympics this year, but we still love them!

The luxurious Round Hill is home to many designer villas. After all, Ralph Lauren owns a home here and played a part in the decor of the common areas so the property is synonymous with classic island style. Surely to impress, is this lovely villa decorated by Meg Braff, featured in Coastal Living, and first spotted by Moi, right here. {her smart little remarks fill you with a "be here now" moment or two}

Romance is alive every day of the year at the Half Moon Resort's Sugar Mill Restaurant in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Who doesn't love a great menu? The Valentine Feast they have created is creative, innovative and sure to be delish!

SUGAR MILL VALENTINE’S DINNER MENU

Feb. 14th 2010

“LOVE POTION”

Jerk Coconut Soup combined with Cream of Spinach &Scallion Garlic Pimento roasted Bread Fruit Croutons

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“ST. VALENTINE’S COCKTAIL”

Shrimp & Lobster Cocktail Orange, Rose & Hibiscus Salad, Spicy Chocolate Cocktail Sauce

“TOWER OF LOVE”

Mango, Tomato, Sorrel & Egg Plant Timbale with Scotch Bonnete Sour Cream Baby Greens and Ripe Plantain Vinaigrette

“CUPID’S ARROW” Conch Seviche in Pumpkin Vol-au-vent with Sambar

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“A LINGERING KISS”

Chrysanthemum, Ginger & Bird Pepper Sorbet

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“AN AFFAIR OF THE HERT”

Sugar Mill Surf & Turf

CAB Tenderloin, Char Grilled Lobster Tail with Jerk Coconut Sauce

“THE LOVE OF MY LIFE”

Coriander & Cumin Smoked Lamb Loin warm Rosemary & Red wine Jelly

“SWEETHEARTS”

Fresh Caught Duo of Snapper Coconut Crusted and Fried, Coconut & Cilantro Poached Snapper Siracha & Grape Fruit Jelly

“ROMANTIC KISS”

Chicken Leg Ballotine, Lemon Grass & Corn Meal filling

Jerk Tia Maria Sauce

“LOVE IS IN THE AIR”

Ackee, Bammy & Vegetable Gizzada Tomato Thyme Run-Down

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“SWEET VALENTINE”

Chocolate & Guava Mousse, Coconut & Passion Fruit Ice Cream, Chilled Rose Sherbet

Freshly Brewed Coffee, Herbal Teas & Petit Fours

$85 ++

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Need to escape for Valentine's Day? Rates to Jamaica are still reasonable for the long weekend and make hotels still have space. Jamaica is a great destination for cheap flights from London and other cities in Europe as well.

Radisson Aruba

Breezes Grand Resort & Spa, Negril, Jamaica

Coconut Bay Resort in St. Lucia

Almond Beach Village in Barbados

Radisson St. Martin + daily breakfast

The House in Barbados + daily breakfast

Comfort Suites in Nassau, Bahamas + daily breakfast & full use of Atlantis facilities

Paradisus Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Riu Ocho Rios + kids 12 and under stay and eat free

Body Holiday @ LeSport in St. Lucia + 1 complimentary spa treatment daily

CuisinArt in Anguilla + $100 resort credit

St. Kitts Marriott Resort + $50 resort credit & buffet breakfast daily

Sunset at the Palms in Negril, Jamaica

Excellence Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic

Somerset on Grace Bay + breakfast daily

Sandals and Sagicor Life Jamaica have decided to part ways. Sandals next July will cease managing the 256-room Sandals Dunn's River Hotel in Mammee Bay, St. Ann. The two companies issued a joint press release on the decision. Sagicor is actively seeking a hotelier to manage the property, whose official lease to Sandals ends on May 31. The announcement brings to nine the number of hotels being operated by Sandals in Jamaica under the Sandals and Beaches brands.

In local Jamaican press reports Sandals is denying that the move was made in response to the current economic situation by pointing out that the company recently acquired Emerald Bay in the Bahamas from Four Seasons. Sandals also cited other investments in existing properties, such as the new River Suites at Sandals Negril and Sandals Royal Caribbean. In addition, the company is constructing Sandals City in Kingston and renovating the Dragon Bay Resort in Portland. Located on Jamaica’s northern shores, the hotel has been in operation since 1959 and has undergone several name changes, modernizations and renovations subsequently. Sagicor purchased the hotel in 1989 and in 2006 invested $15 million in renovations.

“After 15 years of successful partnership and in an amicable arrangement, Sandals Resorts International has decided to terminate its lease with the owners of the Sandals Dunn’s River Villaggio Golf Resort & Spa property in Ocho Rios, Jamaica on May 31, 2010,” Sandals said. “Sandals Resorts International chooses an ownership strategy as a whole, and as such the Sandals Dunn’s River lease no longer fits our current business model. We continually strive to improve our products for consumers and therefore require the flexibility to implement changes without restrictions and to improve, upgrade and maintain our resort product on an ongoing basis. This was not possible under our current lease terms at Sandals Dunn’s River and was the guiding reason behind our decision.”

Guests scheduled to stay at Sandals Dunn’s River following July 31, 2010 will have the option to change their booking to any like accommodation at other Sandals Resorts in the Caribbean without penalty or change fees. Airline change fees may still apply if guests change to another destination or change travel dates. Call 866-498-3218 or visit Sandals Website.

On November 8, 2009, London played host to the 16th Annual World Travel Awards. 16 was the lucky number for Jamaica as they took home 16 awards including Leading Caribbean Tourist Board and Leading Destination. Air Jamaica won as the Caribbean's top airline. Read more for a complete list of winners.

Please contact me and I will see what great rate I am able to negotiate for your family!

Book 3 nights ~ your 4th night is free!
Book 5 nights ~ your 6th & 7th nights are free!
Book 7 nights ~ your 8th & 9th nights are free!
Book 14 nights ~ your 11th, 12th, 13th & 14th nights are free!

Think you will have to sacrifice a Traditional Thanksgiving Feast if you spend your Thanksgiving Holiday in Jamaica? Think again! Your Jamaican cook is well versed in home cooked greatness and will prepare the following traditional fare for your family or group. One benefit of having your own private cook, is that all meals can be customized to your palette:

TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING DINNER

Pumpkin Soup
Roast Turkey (be adventurous, try our family's favorite: Jerk Turkey!)
Stuffing
Cranberry Sauce
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Sweet Potatoes
Green Beans
Homemade Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream
Blue Mountain Coffee

A villa vacation IS affordable! Contact me and I will provide a customized quote that will surely surprise you. Enjoy the view from the photo above, captured at Fairwinds Villa at Tryall Resort in Montego Bay.

It's a fact. Most travel blogs out there today are simple tools for self-promotion of expiring rates and tourist traps. Sometimes my own blog falls into this category too... I'll admit. So imagine my surprise when I stumbled across a blog with a typical title but seriously quality content? Check out the Cheap-O Air Blog and this great post from Friday all about one of my favorite Jamaican dishes:

I just returned from a fantastic trip to Beaches Turks & Caicos. There are plenty of new upgrades at the resort, including a higher-end feel to many of the menus and cuisine quality. When I inquired as to why, I learned that Sandals & Beaches Resorts employs a famous Culinary Consultant.


Walter Staib is the Culinary Ambassador to Sandals & Beaches Resorts and founder of the Caribbean Culinary Federation. How cool is that? Being one that will do almost anything for a fine meal, I immediately researched Mr. Staib... a name I had heard, but could not place. Mr. Staib has had a long career in hospitality cuisine, consulting for many of the worlds finest hotels and restaurants. He is has contributed to many cook books and made appearances on the Food Network. Read more about him here and book your next culinary vacation to Sandals or Beaches Resorts!

Belle Abri ~ 7 Bedrooms ~ $22,500/week

Bougainvillea ~ 5 Bedrooms ~ $25,000/week

Nutmeg ~ 5 Bedrooms ~ $10,714/week

Pimento Hill ~ 6 Bedrooms ~ $17,900/week

Spyglass ~ 8 Bedrooms ~ $13,500/week

Summertime ~ 6 Bedrooms ~ $9000/week

Coral Oasis ~ 3 Bedrooms ~ $8000/week

Inn Love ~ 5 Bedrooms ~ $7000/week

Unicorn ~ 3 Bedrooms ~ $6500/week

Saphhire Breeze ~ 3 Bedrooms ~ $6500/week

Waterfall ~ 3 Bedrooms ~ $8000/week