A Different Kind of Vegas Wedding

October 4, 2009
By Herb Rubinstein
Travel Writer

Considering a Vegas wedding because of the fabulous entertainment, nightlife and easy trasportation from all over the country? But turned off by the crowds, glitz and intensity?

Just 900 feet above and 30 minutes drive East from the las Vegas strip, there exists another world. A world where quiet, lush palm lined streets wind around meticulously maintained golf courses. Where flowing streams are home to an amazing variety of bird life. Where elegant mansions evoke a European theme and are guarded by bubbling waterfalls. Where lush greens roll down to the shores of a desert lake. You come across a quaint village that looks as though it was plucked from the south of France. This is Lake Las Vegas.

The Monte Lago Village is a replica of a French fishing village complete with lovely outside restaurants and shops, cobblestone streets lead down to the harbor. It is the site of numerous Music Festivals that take place year round.

For full information about The Monte Lago Village Click Here

Unique Wedding Options

There are so many settings to choose from in such a small area. There are 2 major hotels on the lake. Loews and The Ritz Carlton. The Ritz is situated adjoining the Monte Lago Village, in a Venetian style, built out over the lake. They have a large waterfall that many use as the backdrop for their wedding ceremony.

Loews is a few pars down the lake and commands the best unobstructed panoramic views of the lake and the hills above Lake Mead. The decor is Moroccan with sweeping views from all angles. Their Andalucian gardens offer a wonderful wedding setting. There is a bridge that the bride and groom can cross to make their grand entrance. Another option is to have the groom enter in a gondola followed by the bride in her gondola where they are delivered to the alter. They can handle quite large weddings in the newly refurbished and expanded gardens.

Here is the Loews site, they have great pics! Click Here

They also have a website devoted to weddings! Click Here

Because this is still Las Vegas you can easily contract with top-notch entertainment. Chatting with Raquel Sanchez of Loews, I asked her about some the unique arrangements that Loews has made. “We had a wedding that hired artists from the famed Cirque du Solei to perform during the reception”.

Light Up the Night

Fireworks? We are not talking about tiny little sparklers or 3 foot fountains…we are talking light up the night, make the ground tremble, proclaim to the world your vows, professional fireworks. Firework permits are available and can be arranged by the hotel.

LLV is really about outdoor recreation. If your wedding party consists of many families with young children, this location is ideal. Kayaking and sailing on the lake, golfing, biking the many bike trails. There is no shortage of things to do in a highly secure, private area.

After a day on the lake the kids are going to crash early. Time to slip down the hill and enjoy some of the best nightlife and entertainment in the World!

We took in the Cirque du Soleil, Love show at the Mirage. The songs of the Beatles are interpreted by the acrobatic performances of the artists. This is a must see show and the most impressive stage production this author has ever seen. Here is a link the their website. Click Here

So, if you want a quieter more laid back kind of Vegas Wedding, consider Lake Las Vegas and you won’t be dissapointed.

Yucatan Flu Boo – Why It’s Good for You

By Herb Rubinstein
Travel Writer

The Yucatan Peninsula is used to disaster but more accustomed to it arriving by sea.  The Swine Flu broke like a cheap piñata raining down economic misery that is just now starting to ease.

On April 25^th the WHO (World Health Organization) proclaimed that Mexico was an unsafe travel destination because of the H1N1 Virus.  Needless to say this put a screeching halt to the tourism industry.  The following Monday saw hotel bookings plummet. The Mexican Minister of Health did not help the situation with the many confusing and contradicting statements coming from his office. Then the United States Center for Disease Control advised it’s citizens to avoid travel to Mexico, well, the rest is history.

The irony is that the Yucatan Peninsula had only 6 cases and NO TOURISTS ever came down with the flu, but it was as if the bubonic plague had arrived here.

Leaving lax on Mexicana airlines you get your first hint that all is not well in paradise.  Normally the planes flying south are packed but today the plane was less than half full.  I made record time getting thru customs and was frolicking on the beach at the luxurious Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita resort on the Riviera Maya.

Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita resort in the Riviera Maya

An all inclusive that has no buffets! Famous for the wellness and anti-aging Thalhasso treatments under the direction of Charles Wills. This boutique hotel has  90 Luxurious Ocean Front Suites, the décor is ecclectic.  Tip – don’t miss the salt water pools!

I asked the the General Manger, how they were fairing “We had several weeks of very bad bookings but now things have picked up and we hope to be back to normal by the end of Summer.”

To lure travelers back AM Resorts (parent company)  is offering: Up to a 37% discount at its Wellness and Spa resorts and up to 40% off at the Dreams Resorts and Spas.  More info can be found here.

While in the Cancun area, I had a chance to visit with Rodrigo de la Pena, the President of the Cancun Hotel Association, a young a charismatic man infused with energy.  “On april 25 we were all in Tianguis (the huge Mexican Travel Industry show) discussing the effects of the media attention on the drug wars on the northern border, then that day there was an earthquake in Acapulco and the very next day the Swine Flu outbreak occurred.” Creating the perfect trifecta of economic misery  for Mexico’s tourist industry. “We are now in an intense media campaign to get our tourists back, we recently launched our National campaigns and will begin our international campaigns within a few weeks.  We hope to be back to normal by November.”

Rodrigo de la Pena, President of the Cancun Hotel Association

Next I traveled down to the Tulum area and stayed at Dreams Tulum.  This is an upscale all inclusive with great restaurants, lively entertainment and very friendly staff.  It is modeled after a colonial city with plazas and cobblestone streets.  It is very close to the Tulum Ruins which is a must see in that area. Tip: They have a Temazcal Ceremony, which is an Aztez form of a Sweatlodge.  Very spiritual and relaxing, try it.

Dreams Tulum resort

My final destination on this trip of discovery is Playa del Carmen.  This is the little miracle town of the Yucatan.  With sustained growth of about 12 % a year, American style shopping centers with WalMart, Sams Club….just to name a few have sprung up.  It is the Ferry Port for Cozumel Island. I spoke with taxi cab driver Antonio Gonzalez “This is really bad, my earnings are off 70%.” But he sees signs of recovery, “The last week has been much better, so we are hoping.”  As you drive down the streets near the ocean you can see where the effects have really hit, which is in the lower class beach hotels. Many are closed and there just isn’t much activity on the usually bustling streets. The shopkeepers told me the same 70% drop is what they are experiencing.

RIU Palace, Riviera Maya

Within walking distance of Playa de la Carmen, my last few nights will be spent at the RIU Palace, Riviera Maya. This is a fairly new hotel that resembles an Italian castle.  The furnishings and tile work will wow you and the chandeliers in the lobby are other worldly. They offer some very unique rooms with terraces connected by spiral staircases giving access to the hot tub. They put on a full show every night and have true 24 hour room service.

The next morning I spoke to General Sales Manager Thomas Muller. I asked him for any good news. “One thing that has not slowed is our Wedding Bookings, a few changed dates, but we haven’t lost any to the recent scare. Overall we are down 40% but this is changing daily.  We hope to be back to normal by the end of Summer.  We are fortunate in that we have several hotels in the area and were able to consolidate our bookings, allowing us to close a few.  All will be back open within a few weeks.”  More information on this resort can be found here.

Near Playa de la Carmen is the famous Eco Par Xcaret.  I met with Aura Maristany who is the special events manager.  She gave me a tour of the incredible selection of Wedding sites that they have to offer.  Not that many know that Xcaret is available for weddings.  This has got to be one of the most exotic locals for a wedding one can find.

At night when the park is closing, they will let your party enter, your path will be lit by candles and torches as you enter thru passages carved from living rocks alongside flowing rivers, drums and flutes greet you.  Mayan ruins surround you and you may choose an open air church that overlooks the jungles, or a huge underground cave where the alter is above a pool of clear turquoise water or choose a private cove with the surf pounding in the background. They can handle intimate weddings of 60 or up to 800.  You can find great pics and more info here: http://www.xcaretweddings.com/

Xcaret is also a great wedding venue!

I asked Ms. Maristany how the park was doing, “we are at about 50% of normal but our Wedding Bookings have remained the same, for this we are very happy.”  So this theme is repeated at another local.

Packing my bags to head home and I am selfishly thinking, this flu thing was kinda good for me.  How?  Nothing is crowded now, every hotel is offering some kind of deal, and nothing has changed. You can still enjoy those gorgeous white sand beaches and turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.  I arrive at the airport and have lots of places where I can sit.

Why not let the Flu Boo be good for you?

The author, Herb Rubinstein with great big fat lizard-like creature.

The Dolphin Master of Half Moon Bay

Its early morning and the sky, still streaked with pink, is reflected in the crystal clear waters of Half Moon Bay Resort.  This famous resort, favorite of royalty and presidents, sits on 400 acres of the most beautiful beachfront in Jamaica, perhaps the Caribbean. Luxury villas line the beach, each with its own private bay.  Here you can ride horses right out into the ocean and swim with them, you can play golf on their championship course and you can interact with Dolphins.  That is what I am off to do this beautiful morning.

Oneil with the dolphins

As I arrive at the lagoon where the Dolphins live, I can hear them clicking.  They have swum up to the beach and are clicking for food. What a cool sound, Dolphins make over 200 distinct sounds, all out of their blow holes.

I am enthusiastically greeted by Oneil.  He is an enthusiastic young man who openly shares his story with me.  He tells me that when he was a little boy, he lived in a middle class neighborhood of Montego Bay.  His aunt, on his 4^th birthday gave him a stuffed animal, later in life Oneil would look back at that moment as a turning point in his life.

Oneil studied hard and took his classes seriously but he excelled at soccer.  He was on his high schools’ winning team and later went on to play professional soccer with a major Jamaican club.

However 25 is a little old in the soccer world and Oneil was looking for something else that would perhaps have a more promising future.  He heard about a company that was looking for people to learn to train Dolphins.  He couldn’t believe his good fortune, he had read everything he could find and had studied these noble creatures for years. He applied and was immediately hired.

He started his studies at the Educational Center for the Marine and Terrestrial  Wild Life Animals in Kingston and then went on to work at Dolphin Cove at Ocho Rios and then eventually here at Half Moon Bay Resort. Jamaica law is very strict concerning the keeping of Dolphins.  They have adopted the USA laws concerning their care and handling.

He is the one who now greets me and begins the orientation.  The two Dolphins are Bruno, 8 years old  and Miguel 7 years old.  Both came from Cuba and Oneil makes the highly questionable statement that they only understand Spanish, right. Other interesting Dolphin facts are: they can go 3 days out of water (of course they need to be regularly hosed down, this is how they transport them), they can live up to 3 times longer in captivity 50 – 60 years! They nurse their young for 18 months and they can glide thru the turquoise waters of the Caribbean at 22 miles per hour.

Not only do tourists and nature lovers enjoy these Dolphins, Bruno and Miguel have played host to children from the Make A Wish Foundation who come to frolic with the boys. They have also interacted with Autistic children and children with special needs who all seem to create a special bond with these majestic creatures. The trainers tell me that the Dolphins seem to sense when there is a child with special needs and they seem to make an extra effort to communicate.

Then we gather our group of 10 (never more) and float out into the lagoon. We swim out and line up and the dolphins shoot by and jump up, what power, how graceful they are…and these guys weigh in at around 500 pounds.  Now they do their tricks.  Miguel swims up and lays his cute Dolphin head against my cheek; he lets me run my hand down him…so smooth.  Then  I am positioned in the middle of the lagoon and  Bruno and Miguel swim up on either side of me and I am instructed to hold on to their fins…wow what a ride, they pull me for about 50 feet and really fast.. I felt like Poseidon being pulled by his band of sea horses.

Well the boys were getting tired and so was I.  We headed in to shore and out of the hot sun that was reminding me I was in the tropics.  I had one more chance to thank Oneil and all the guys.  Oneil, “I asked”, “so what was the toy your aunt gave you back then”? “Oh yeah, mon, it was a Dolphin. Now I am the Dolphin Master of Half Moon Bay”. Somehow I knew that was coming but it still gave me a chill.

His aunt had given him a gift that opened up his world.  Now Oneil gives that gift to others as he has given it to me.  Tonight I will sleep peacefully in my bed while I dream of Dolphins.

by Herb Rubinstein
Travel Writer

I say Jeeves, perhaps a spot of tea? – Butler service comes to Sandals Ocho Rios

This fabulous and famous resort known as a top wedding spot now has a new feature: a unique Butler Service that is being offered in their Concierge Suites.

I recently had an opportunity to experience first hand this new service.  Arriving at Sandals, Ocho Rios one is immediately taken by the lush vegetation and the manicured grounds…this fine property goes from white sand ocean front to hills overlooking the coastline, a rise of over 600’.

Upon checking in, my butler, Franklyn, met me at reception, streamlined the checking in process, and had my bags delivered to my rooms.  Upon my arrival I discovered that all my clothes had been expertly put away.  Franklyn then sat down with me and explained the many options I had for my stay. Then I was handed a cell phone with a direct connection to him, so I could call whenever he was needed “I will make your dinner reservations for you and escort you to dinner to make sure all is in order, I will take your drink or wine order and get you settled in, if you ever need me, just call on the cell”.

This Butler program has been in effect for a year now and it is very successful.  Each candidate is trained by The Guild of Professional English Butlers of London, England.  David Roper, General Manager, told me “The success of our program is proven by how many butlers get hired away by guests, it shows how well we train them”. So successful that Sandals is now implementing this service in other properties.

Since weddings are one of the main attractions at Sandals Ocho Rios, the butler service has become very much in demand.  Anyone who has been thru planning a wedding knows that there are a multitude of last minute things to do and decide.  Having someone right by your side that knows everything and everyone at the resort can greatly help all go smoothly.

I came in before sunset from sailing only to discover that the slacks that I had planned on wearing for dinner were wrinkled, now where is that cell phone?  Called Franklyn, he came up, took my pants and shirt away and returned 15 minutes later with them pressed to perfection.

Having someone to arrange all your activities, making sure you get to them on time, press your clothes, serve you coffee or meals in your room and then the absolute best, having Franklyn pack my bags.  I am the world’s worst packer, so I just let Franklyn do it all and guess what?  I had space left over in the same suitcase that I brought in stuffed.  Have to learn to fold like that.

Franklyn was also very familiar with Ocho Rios and was able to supply me with tourist tips and little known facts.  During my stay, the service, the assistance and the insider information that Franklyn provided transformed my vacation experience.

I felt as if I had been transported to a magical realm of luxury and opulence, where kind and courteous service had been developed into an art.

Ahhhhh, thank you, Franklyn, for providing for me a taste of the good life.

Sandals Ocho Rios has always been famous for its’ service but this new butler service takes it to GREATER heights.

by Herb Rubinstein
Travel Writer

Zip Line Adventure in Costa Rica

By Herb Rubinstein
Travel Writer

So there I was in Quepos Costa Rica, a busy little town near the famous Manuel Antonio National Park, when I chanced upon a local guide telling a group about the Canopy Tour that was available nearby. It seems that some hardy souls have climbed to the top of the sturdiest trees and secured, with ropes and cables, platforms. From which they string lengths of sturdy steel cables connecting one to the other. Each having a carefully calculated droop in the middle. This configuration of cable is known as a Zip Line.

Manuel Antonio National Park

The Famous Palm Nut

Then, another brave soul attaches a mechanism we shall call a zip line riding device, with little train wheels that ride on the cable and allow one to attach a harness and safety cable to it. He then locks the harness he is wearing into it…and…off he goes, at great speed but, apparently, little risk, to the next platform. This is all done in the incredibly steep and dense jungles of the Costa Rican Rain Forest.

I decided on the spot to take it upon myself to further investigate this activity.

The Canopy Tour people picked me up at my hotel early the next day. We started our 40 minute drive by turning off into a large palm oil plantation, we could see the workers gathering the bundles of palm nuts to be turned into palm oil, our guide pointed out that each tree produces a huge crop of palm nuts an amazing 6 times a year!

We came out into a valley so lush and verdant; I thought I had seen all the shades of green, but in this enchanted tropical valley there were shades of green that I had never even dreamed of. Brahma cattle grazed in the deep grass, fence posts made from living trees lined the road; they just cut the branches of a certain type of tree and use them as posts, they continue to grow into nice shade trees for the cattle serving double duty.

Finally we passed thru the valley and were at the base of the Rainforest. Some very competent looking gentlemen wearing mountain climbing gear greeted us. They seemed quite comfortable in their outfits, which was a confidence builder.

Our Intrepid Group

We were dressed out with harness and several different types of climbing hardware, zip line riding device, thick gloves, something made out of steel that resembled a figure 8. We were cinched up, tightened up, fitted out with helmets, our equipment checked and double checked. We then took time out for the customary Photograph.

After a vigorous climb ( it’s unfortunate that in this day and age one still must go up in order to come down but that’s still the situation) we arrived at a platform cleverly situated on a cliff overlooking a tremendous gorge where, off in the distance, one could see another platform tied to a huge jungley looking tree. Connecting the two was the aforementioned sturdy (I sure hope so) cable.
When your are on one of these platforms, you are attached to a safety cable at all times, there is no railing and you really don’t want to look down, although it is hard to resist. Knowing that you are hooked into the safety line sure helps if you are a little nervous of heights, which I will admit to.

The Platform

My turn came and my loyal guide unhooked my safety rope and attached it to the cable riding device and instructed me that there was no need to brake that there was a couple of fellow mountain men waiting to “catch” me at the other end. He assured me that even though I would get going very quickly going down, I would lose the equal amount of speed going back up the zip line.

I fully understood the logic of this as I let go…and…was flying thru the jungle, high above the rushing creek and lush terrain, flying in the soft, warm tropical air, I spread my arms wide and just took it all in giving myself over totally to the moment. Reality came rushing back as I fast approached the looming platform “lift your legs, lift your legs” the mountain men yelled, I did, and came rushing in but much slower than I had anticipated, they easily situated me on the tree top platform, locking my safety cable in.

The Author flies through the air!

After my heart slowed back down and my vision cleared I was totally enthralled with the experience, like no other I have experienced, soaring across a tropical chasm and seeing the jungle from a totally different perspective. The Rainforest is so dense and impenetrable, what a great way to experience it, from tree top level.

We went on to ride an additional 7 zip lines, some over deep gorges with the sound of rushing water accompanied the music of the zip line. We did a tarzan swing over another gorge and then a repel.

Here is where the little figure 8 looking device came in handy. This was really the scariest part of the tour, there was about an 80 foot drop and there was a hole in the platform where a rope was dangling all the way down to the ground, where yet another loyal guide was waiting. You hook yourself up to this figure 8 thing and hold one hand behind yourself and another on the rope above your head. As you loosen the pressure on the lower hand you descend. A little tricky at first, but if you get going too quickly the guide can stop you instantly. I managed to get down ok, but my gloves sure got hot….a sure sign of a beginner I am told.

The Author repelling.

We headed back to the lodge and eagerly sucked up the fresh fruit and fruit juices waiting for us.

An incredible experiance I am not soon to forget. I would highly reccomend this to anyone, young or old!

Jamaica – Not Just a Beach…Meetings Too!

By Herb Rubinstein
Travel Writer
Meeting planners are discovering the convenience and easy planning offered by all-inclusive resorts. You don’t have to negotiate each and every olive or drink….hey, it’s all included!

Jamaica has some of the best all-inclusive resorts around and with the new direct flight from Los Angeles, they are definitely open for Meetings and Conventions.

Kingston

There are 3 major business class hotels and they are right next to each other, all in close vicinity to the Kingston Convention Center which boasts a vast amount of meeting and convention space. All located in the very safe Financial District.
The Pegasus Has over 10,000 square feet of hi tech meeting space, which includes 9 conference and meeting venues for up to 1300 persons. They also have a modern Business Centre boasting high-speed internet access, email services, high-volume multi-feature photocopy machine and secretarial services.
The Hilton Versatility is built into the more than 16,000 square feet of meeting space, including the 10,000 square foot Independence Ballroom. Sitting on 7.5 acres of lush landscaping right in the heart of the Financial and Diplomatic section of Kingston.
The Courtleigh The newest of the Kingston Hotels, accommodates up to 270 in 2,200 square feet, The Courtleigh offers four medium size rooms as well as attractive outdoor locations for cocktail receptions. They also have a 24 hour business centre. The Courtleigh Auditorium seats 400 in 8,900 square feet.
Ocho Rios
Sandals Grande Ocho Rios this property can handle your meeting in fine style. The elegantly appointed grand ballroom can seat 400 theatre style and 250 banquet style in over 12,000 square feet. Several smaller break-out rooms are also available. They have a butler service available and many different classes of rooms. Finely manicured grounds offer a great relaxed setting for your meeting. They are in the process of installing a fiber optic cable for fast internet access.
Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa recently underwent a major renovation. It has Jamaica’s largest meeting space among its 32,000 square feet of space, including an exhibit hall for receptions of up to 2,500 attendees. They recently hosted the JAPEX convention. A Business Centre is available and Internet Access via wireless and land line is also available.
Runaway Bay (located between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay)
Breezes Runaway Bay has just completed a 20 million dollar renovation, adding 30 new rooms and 40 plunge pools. They have meeting space for up to 400 attendees and several break out rooms. Internet both wireless and hard-line is available.
Grand Lido Braco This 4 diamond resort has replicated a small town square with the meeting and convention facilities for 160 located in what would be the courthouse, a very nice and unique setting. For larger groups, there are areas where air conditioned tents can be set up to supplement their meeting facilities. Recently they were the host to a major private party featuring the group Kiss. They have wireless internet access and a business centre.
Montego Bay Area
Half Moon Resort has a whopping 30,890 square feet of meeting facilities in 14 meeting rooms. They can handle up to 2,784 attendees. This is a huge property, over 400 acres with some of the best beaches in Jamaica. They also have a Dolphin encounter on the property. Under construction and soon to be completed is the 68,000-square-foot Fern Tree Spa and six beachfront spa suites. The project follows renovation of the Robert Trent Jones Sr. designed golf course, two restaurants, and more, all part of a five-year plan.
Rose Hall and Country Club is currently undergoing a total renovation of their meeting facilities as well as their entire property. They will be adding to the 12,800 square feet of meeting space that they presently offer. According to hotel manager, Dermot Connolly, “we are going with a Berlin Modern look”. No more Caribbean motifs, the new look is clean and modern. Each room features an Ipod docking system and a flat screen TV that doubles as a computer monitor with every conceivable connection and hi speed wireless connectivity. All renovations will be completed by November 2007. This resort features one of the few golf courses in Jamaica that goes right down to the beach.
Ritz Carlton Golf Resort & Spa the only 5 diamond hotel on the island has just finished renovating the 14,786 square feet of meeting space. This property was opened just 6 years ago. The Ritz is on a 6 year rotating renovation schedule, which keeps this luxury property, looking sharp. With it’s famous butler service and 18-hole Von Hagge-designed White Witch Golf Course, this property will satisfy the pickiest planners.
Negril
Grand Lido Negril a little off the beaten path. Negril is the king of Laid-Back. Featuring 3,600 square feet of meeting space, which can accommodate up to 680 guests in theatre style, this 4-diamond property sits on the very nicest section of the Negril beach. The entire property can be booked for special events. This is the only property in the Negril area that has large meeting facilities. They also have a clothing optional section that is quite popular.

So, if you come to Jamaica for meetings, everything will be alright.