Why You Should Plan Your 2022 Spring Break Early!

“When is the perfect time to plan my spring break trip with the kids?”

This is a question that I get asked a LOT. My answer is always “as SOON as you know you will be taking a spring break and have the school calendar.”

Was your last Spring Break trip not exactly what you planned?

I’ve got a tip for you on how to make it better…... PLAN EARLY! Do not wait to plan your 2022 spring break trip. I know it feels like the kids JUST got out of school and you are finally finding your summer groove. TRUST ME, you do NOT want to wait until the kids get back into school to plan your spring break trip in 2022. 

There is so much pent up demand for travel

I’m seeing resorts fill up faster than ever before. If you want your pick of the best room and the best-priced options, planning early is key! The best way to save money on your spring break trip for 2022 is to get it planned early….like NOW.

Theme parks can make a great destination for spring break trips. There is something for everyone of every age at the Florida theme parks. Disney and Universal are packed full of rides. They also have GREAT amazing water parks to splash and play in. There is NOTHING wrong with hanging at the resort for a day or two. The resorts can often be a destination in themselves with their awesome pools, hourly activities, evening outdoor movies and even roasting smores around the campfire.

Are you ready to explore outside of the main Theme Parks in Orlando? Looking to connect with nature? Have you heard about Discovery Cove? This theme park is all about getting you closer to aquatic life. This all-inclusive park gives you opportunities to swim with dolphins, snorkel with fish and rays, hand-feed exotic birds and unwind on beautiful beaches. This experience is really all-inclusive as your breakfast, lunch, snacks, and beverages are included with your admission. They even provide your snorkel gear, towels, and wetsuits. It is a great way to have a more relaxed approach to a theme park and still feel like you are doing, seeing, and learning. 

There is always something new and exciting in Central Florida

Both Universal and Disney World have recently opened or have scheduled to open new attractions so there will be so much more to explore this spring. From the Velocicoaster at Islands of Adventure to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and all of the glittery 50th-anniversary decorations at Disney, you are sure to find new experiences around every corner of the parks in 2022. 

The beach makes a great spring break trip

Spring break can also be a great time to take the family on a beach vacation. There are so many resorts to choose from in Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic and all of the Caribbean Islands. I know we can find the right spot for you. Yes, I know it has been HOT around the US lately, but don’t forget, it WILL be cooler, gloomier, and darker in early 2022. Planning your getaway now will help you fight off the winter blues in 2022.  

all-inclusive resort myths

If when I say Spring Break your mind goes to the wild parties we used to watch on MTV and you think no WAY that would be family-friendly, think again! Yes, there are some resorts that offer a high-energy college spring break experience. BUT did you know that many resorts actually have policies about spring break parties? And many of them won’t allow groups of college kids at the resort during the prime Spring Break season?

There are also lots of resorts now that are VERY family-focused and would not appeal to the college spring break crowd. I would be so happy to talk with you more about the spring break experience at All-Inclusive Resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean. 

I really want you to know that if you are thinking about taking a spring break trip at all, DO NOT DELAY in getting your plans made. With my Travel Concierge Services, I’m here to help you have the easiest time planning your trip and will do my best to make sure your Spring Break trip meets or exceeds your expectations.

If you use my services or not, please heed my warning to plan early! I can guarantee you that prices will increase, resorts will fill up, and airlines will sell out of their seats. We are not going to see huge sales, discounts or specials on spring break trips this year. The demand is just too high that the resorts don’t have to offer discounts as their rooms are filling up already.

Plan early for a happy, fun-filled Spring Break experience

Best Adult Only All Inclusive Resorts in Mexico for International Bath Day

Happy International Bath Day!
Let’s find the best Adult Only All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico to celebrate!

2020 was a year like nothing we expected. The best way to wash away the “2020-ness” is by plunging in to a warm bubble bath. Sink into a cozy, bubbly, blissful jacuzzi and wash away all of your worries and stress

A rose with any other name would smell just as sweet… and there are lots of names that resorts call bathtubs!

• Bath Tub

• Jacuzzi

• Hydro Spa Tub

• Soaking Tub

Knowing which one you are getting you your room can make all the difference, especially if you want jets! Here is a great read on Tub terminology!

Benefits of a prepared bath

Looking for a little help with getting your bath prepared? Let’s make sure the resort you visit offers a Butler or Bath preparation services. Pamper yourself!

Upsides of having a prepared bath:

• no waiting around- big tubs take a long time to fil!

• Butlers know exactly how many bubbles to add, no worry about over or under filling or creating a bubbly mess

•  It’s ready right after dinner/nighttime stroll on the beach/whenever you request it 

You can find prepared baths at Unico 2087 and El Dorado Palifitos

Unico 2087 Balcony Soaking Tub

El Dorado Palifitos Bathtub

Baths Built for two

• Do you like a solo bath? Or do you want room for two?

• Some bathtubs are only large enough for one person others offer double sized options

Tubs for Two can be found at El Dorado Casitas Royale and Secrets Maroma Beach

El Dorado Casitas Royale

Secrets Maroma Beach

Best Bath Options

This is a HARD one to find as there are so many bath options in Mexico! I’ve got to give it up to Grand Velas Riveria Maya. They offer bubble baths inspired by your favorite cocktails…COMPLETE with a cocktail to sip and savor while you soak away your stress.

Choose from the following:

• Pink Grapefruit Margarita

• Apricot Freesia Martini,

• Cucumber mint Gin

• Pina Colada

• Cabernet Neroli

There are so many tub options when thinking of your next Mexican Adult Only All-Inclusive getaway! Use the above categories can really help you narrow down what you are looking for and make sure you get the best Bubble Bath of 2021 during your next trip!

Can’t remember them all?

Have a different Bath Request?

Just let us know.

We are here to help!

Dream Now Travel Later

So much has changed in the travel world (thanks COVID), that my travel dreams for 2021 look pretty different now. While the pandemic meant some plans had to be cancelled, there have been some positive changes, like the more organized boarding process that I hope stays in place long term. Also, temperature checks and extra cleaning measures that are now in place gives me assurance that everyone around has been declared healthy enough to travel. 

Back to my travel dreams for 2021. The midwest has its charms, but it’s a little hard to remember that right now. I look outside my window and see white snow. What I’m really dreaming of is the white sands of a Maui beach. To tell you the truth, I never really understood the draw of Hawaii until I went myself. Now that I have, I can honestly say that a piece of my heart permanently resides on Maui. 

My first trip to Hawaii was to Oahu with my mom. We made two key mistakes: only staying four nights and not renting a car ahead of time. It takes 15 hours to fly from the midwest to Hawaii. Now add to that the six-hour time change and by the time we were acclimated to the time difference, it was time to leave! Something I know is NOT on most people’s dream travel list is a too-short trip to Hawaii. Don’t worry, I travel and make all the mistakes on my own trip because I don’t want you to have any issues on yours.  

My travel dreams for 2021 don’t stop with Hawaii! Mexico holds a spot in my dreams as well. One of my favorite trips is the trip my husband and I took to Mexico with six other couples. It was truly special because I was able to connect with my friends on a whole new level. Such a large trip will have to stay a dream for now, but family trips are totally doable in 2021! Mexico has so much to offer families and couples. Adults-only resorts offer breathtaking views over the water with top-notch room service. If you’re looking to spend time with your kids, there are shows and waterparks and your kids can even learn to surf!

Just because traveling looks different in 2021 doesn’t mean it can’t happen. It’s totally possible and definitely worth dreaming about! I’d love to hear about your travel dreams and help you plan the perfect, stress-free and COVID-free vacation in 2021!

Best Adult Only All Inclusive Resorts in Mexico for National Bubble Bath Day

Happy National Bubble Bath Day!
Let’s find the best Adult Only All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico to celebrate!

2020 was a year like nothing we expected. The best way to wash away the “2020-ness” is by plunging in to a warm bubble bath. Sink into a cozy, bubbly, blissful jacuzzi and wash away all of your worries and stress

A rose with any other name would smell just as sweet… and there are lots of names that resorts call bathtubs!

• Bath Tub

• Jacuzzi

• Hydro Spa Tub

• Soaking Tub

Knowing which one you are getting you your room can make all the difference, especially if you want jets! Here is a great read on Tub terminology!

Benefits of a prepared bubble bath

Looking for a little help with getting a bubble bath prepared? Let’s make sure the resort you visit offers a Butler or Bath preparation services. Pamper yourself!

Upsides of having a prepared bath:

• no waiting around- big tubs take a long time to fil!

• Butlers know exactly how much bubbles to add, no worry about over or under filling

•  It’s ready right after dinner/nighttime stroll on the beach/whenever you request it 

You can find prepared baths at Unico 2087 and El Dorado Palifitos

Unico 2087 Balcony Soaking Tub

El Dorado Palifitos Bathtub

Bubble Baths Built for two

• Do you like a solo bubble bath? Or do you want room for two?

• Some bathtubs are only large enough for one person others offer double sized options

Tubs for Two can be found at El Dorado Casitas Royale and Secrets Maroma Beach

El Dorado Casitas Royale

Secrets Maroma Beach

Best Bubble Bath Options

This is a HARD one to find as there are so many bubble bath options in Mexico! I’ve got to give it up to Grand Velas Riveria Maya. They offer bubble baths inspired by your favorite cocktails…COMPLETE with a cocktail to sip and savor while you soak away your stress.

Choose from the following:

• Pink Grapefruit Margarita

• Apricot Freesia Martini,

• Cucumber mint Gin

• Pina Colada

• Cabernet Neroli

There are so many tub options when thinking of your next Mexican Adult Only All-Inclusive getaway! Use the above categories can really help you narrow down what you are looking for and make sure you get the best Bubble Bath of 2021 during your next trip!

Can’t remember them all?

Have a different Bubble Bath Request?

Just let us know.

We are here to help!

Friend Trip to Riviera Maya Mexico & Ocean Coral and Turquesa

Thank you Nikki! Our trip was absolutely amazing! From our departure in the easiest airport ever- Lansing- to our direct shuttle service in Mexico, to the adults only section of Ocean Coral to our departure time! Nikki was always there to answer our questions during pre travel! We honestly didn’t have a single worry the entire time!

We loved the security that everything was taken care of and if it wasn’t we knew we could call you!  Honestly we were a little bummed about our room location and that it didn’t have bathtub, but, we didn’t complain, because for real, the room was still really nice.

You’ve always prepped us so well for our trips! We also joined a Facebook group for the resort which as you know can be good and bad. We really got some valuable tips for this trip at the resort. Especially how far a $1 can go with tipping ( the pool waiter reserved our chairs every day)! The AMSTAR agents at the hotel speak such good English and are very honest about the excursions!  We had a great time at Xel-Ha one day during our trip.

We will keep recommending and using your travel concierge services over and over again! 

Thank you Nikki! Don’t let us wait 4 years again to book a vacation!

James & Ryan

Jamie & Amanda

Secrets Maroma Beach - A Romantic Getaway

My husband and I just returned from a 5 night trip to Mexico.  We simply love visiting Mexico each year as it holds a special place in our hearts since that’s where we said I do 7 years ago.  

It didn’t however start off as we had planned. We chose to go to Secrets Playa Mujeres since we had gotten married at Secrets Capri. Well let’s just say it was NOT what we had expected.  The initial wow factor was not present upon arrival, the staff was less than attentive, the room was not well taken care of and the food was at best adequate.

But never fear Nikki turned everything around for us.  We spoke with her the evening we arrived at 10:00pm and by the next morning at 11:00am we were packed up and headed to Secrets Maroma.  Nikki made this transition seamless and beyond easy. We just do not have enough words to say how thankful we are for her and all the behind the scenes things she did to salvage the rest of our trip.  When you only get one vacation a year without your kids every minute is precious.

Amazing doesn’t even begin to describe our time at Secrets Maroma Beach. The staff were so attentive both in the preferred club area as well as throughout the rest of the resort.  The pool area was large and spread out so you had a variety of options to chose from each day.  Every single set of two chairs around the pool had a table as well as umbrella which was awesome.  NO need to get up at 6:00am to rush down to get the best spot.  

The food was incredible and options at the buffet’s were plentiful too.  It didn’t matter if you went to the Barefoot Grill poolside, Pizza oven bar poolside or the French restaurant everything was cooked perfectly, flavorful and made to order.  

Each staff member made it a point to always smile and give you a friendly and sincere “Hola”! If you needed anything even if it wasn’t in their department they went above and beyond to help you with whatever it was.  

If you’re looking for a fabulous all-inclusive resort in Mexico you must visit Secrets Maroma Beach.  It’s the right balance of romantic mixed with fun to feel refreshed and recharged when your trip is over.

~ Kristin 

Cancun Couples Getaway

Thank you so much to Nikki for hleping us plan an amazing vacation. We apprectated your assistance in helping us find the right resort for this trip. It was so reassuring knowing that we could contact you through the travel app with any qeustions we had. We loved how you checked in with us a few times during our trip, it helped us know that we were not traveling alone and if needed backup was only a message away. 

My husband and I were looking to take a vacation and we simply love Mexico so again decided to go back. We got married 7 years ago in Riviera Maya so needless to say Mexico holds a special place in our hearts.  We traditionally stay at smaller boutique style all inclusive adults only resorts however this time we decided to do something a bit different! Let's just be clear we stuck with the ADULTS only part :-).  We decided to stay in Cancun this time around and thanks to Nikki we chose the Riu Palace Las Americanas.  I was a bit nervous to try a significantly larger resort but thought as long as their are drinks, pools and food we'd be good. 

We were picked up from the airport by a shared transfer and arrived at our resort at 1:00pm.  The lobby was truly amazing. It overlooked the infinity pool and just over that was the beautiful blue ocean! The woodwork and paintings in the lobby were spectacular as well.  We were greeted with champagne and a very friendly staff going above and beyond to help us and get us checked in.  Once checked in they brought our bags up to our room.  We stayed in an Jr. Suite partial ocean view. A fabulous room to us isn't that big of a deal. We have stayed in Villas, have had our own private pools and hot tubs etc.  A basic room is fine for us as well.  The room was clean, big and very welcoming!!!.  The bathroom was huge which was a nice plus!!!!!

This resort while bigger than where we've previously stayed kept things close together so it didn't feel so big.  There were 3 pools. 2 infinity one regular.  Two were quieter pools while the other had lots of music and action.  The service around the pool for drinks was awesome! It wasn't packed but busy for sure.  The swim up bar was covered so it was nice to get some shade as well!!!!.  There was also another bar in the big pool area to get drinks at as well, though you really never needed to get up because the service was incredible.  The activities team who did volleyball, games, dancing lessons, etc was friendly, funny and very professional as well.

Onto the best part the food!!!! Like I said before we have been to a lot of all inclusive places and this place by far has the best food ever! The selection was out of this world. I am a vegetarian so it's usually salad and past for me at places like this.  Not here. EVERY SINGLE DAY they had an entire vegetarian selection at the buffet hot and cold!  Fried chick pea balls, tofu done several ways! I was so impressed.  What I liked about this resort as well were the food options all day long.  There was a 24 hour food café, buffet style so if you were hungry in between meals you could run in there. They changed it breakfast and lunch.  The restaurants were NO reservations which was awesome as well.  They too were very accommodating to my vegetarian requests. ALL restaurants were also open every single night which you normally don't get with most places. That was another plus in our book! I hate to plan on vacation as one of the reasons we go on vacation is to break free from the normal planning and everyday life!

5 star rating from us for this resort! Great time, great escape, the beach had a pier on it so you could walk out as well!!!!  Oh Almost forgot. There were 2 other Riu resorts one you could walk to next door that you could also go to if you wanted. They had a sports bar next door if that's more your speed.  We didn't visit but heard people talking about it!

Hard Rock + Riviera Maya= An Amazing Vacation

My husband and I recently arrived back home from our amazing trip to Riviera Maya. When we originally talked about planning a trip and talking about where we wanted to go we weren't sure where to even start. While we were trying to figure out where to go I told Chris we should contact Nikki for help planning our vacation and oh my goodness are we so glad we did! She made our whole vacation planning process so much easier. After answering a few questions she was able to provide us with ideas for places we could go. After talking, we decided that Mexico would be the place to go. The fun part was choosing where and when. Of course, she gave us amazing and beautiful options all that would have been great for our first trip to Mexico. We ended up choosing The Hard Rock Rivieria Maya and never looked back. Nikki was able to book our room, flights, transportation and excursions...we didn't have to do any of the thinking and worrying which as we all know is the most stressful part of going on any vacation. 

When we got to The Hard Rock we were instantly welcomed and given a margarita...which I might add was one of THE BEST ones I have EVER had! The staff was amazing and definitely made sure we didn't lift a finger and had anything and everything we wanted. We eventually made it up to our room and the view alone was amazing! We stayed in the Sky Terrace suite that they offer and it was absolutely perfect! Anything you could ever want in a room while away from home was there. Our room faced the Ocean so it was wonderful to get to wake up to that view every day. Their beaches and pools were great. We never had to worry about not having a chair to lounge and relax on while soaking up the sun. The servers made sure you always had a drink...in my case one made sure I always had three Coronas not sure why, never ordered anything, but he brought them to me anyways and continued like clockwork the entire time we were lounging by the pool every day. Their food was great at the entire resort. We did not have a bad meal at all. They definitely pay attention to detail when it comes to plating and the servers take very good care of you. 

During our stay, we had decided to do a couple excursions. The first excursion we did was a Couple's Dream Swim with the dolphins. This was hands down the best part of the vacation (aside from soaking up the sun and just relaxing) and an experience that neither one of us will ever forget! They are such beautiful creatures and so smart! We highly recommend that if you are going to do the dolphin swim (which you should) paying to do the couple's swim. You get one on one time with the dolphin instead of having to share the time with a larger group. The other excursion we did was Chichen Itza. Being able to visit the ruins was a great experience and one we can cross off of our bucket list. It's amazing to get to see all that remains from such a long time ago and all that the Mayans were able to build. That alone is impeccable and unbelievable. The only downfall was that we were gone all day and we're pretty positive that our transfer drove 50 km below the speed limit for about an hour to make sure that our tour guide could say absolutely everything he wanted to. 

Overall, our experience was definitely one for the books and we can't wait to go back. Next time we'd chose a different resort just so that we can experience another all inclusive and see what they have to offer. But any trips that we do plan in the future we will definitely be going through Nikki and seeking her help because she helped make this trip as amazing as it was. We cannot thank her enough! So THANK YOU NIKKI!!!! 

~Anna and Chris

Spring Break in Riviera Maya

It was such a great experience working with Nikki on our first trip to Riviera Maya Mexico for Spring Break in 2017.  Our direct flight on Miami Air out of Lansing, Michigan to Cancun, Mexico was extremely convenient and 3 1/2 hours later we were in 80-degree weather for a week!  Filling out the customs forms on the plane made it easy to get through the lines and to our luggage.  

Knowing how easily we could find our van driver to the hotel (thank you, Nikki) allowed us to arrive at our hotel in less than an hour from the time we landed, went through customs, gathered our checked luggage, and were sitting in an air conditioned van.  The ride to the Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa from The Cancun Airport was about 15-20 minutes.  

Traveling as a family of five, with two teenagers and a tween, safety is of utmost importance.  I never once felt concerned about their safety, or mine.  There were two gates to go through to get the resort, nearly 1 .5-2 miles in from the main road. Once there, there was so much for the teens to do from activities nightly at the teen club, swimming, beach volleyball, pool games, Zumba, Aqua Kickboxing, non-motorized water sports, nightly shows, etc.  My 12-year old daughter was able to join her teenage brothers in the Teen Room (ages 13-17) by me making a copy of her passport and signing a permission form.  The kids (ages 12, 14, 16) were able to roam around the entire resort with ease and again, with a parental feeling of safety and security.

The rooms, grounds, pools, and beach were well maintained.  The view of the Caribbean Sea and multiple pools each day along with the 80+ degree tropical breeze was breathtaking and so welcomed after a long, Michigan winter.

One day we took an excursion, an hour and twenty-minute was drive by van, to Xel-Ha.  There, we all swam and snorkeled with dolphins, went tubing, cliff jumping, hiking, and zip lining into the water.  There were beautiful walkways with bars and a restaurant and other places to sit and rest by the beautiful blue-green water. Our kids loved this day!  It was a full 12 hour day (7 am to 7 pm) from the time we left our hotel to the time we returned, but it was well worth the extra excursion cost to go, at least with our ages of children.

My daughter and I had a beach massage one day.  If you show up to the spa early, you can sit in the steam room, sauna, and hot tub, which we did.  The most incredible massage ever was listening to the sounds of the waves crashing while the tropical breeze engulfed our cabana.  I would definitely recommend this for anyone that really wants to relax.

We loved hanging out by the various pools for all ages and moved to a different one each day.  The wait staff was great and very accommodating and we would recommend tipping $1.00 minimum for each visit they make with drinks.  Bring lots of $1s.  We had to get $1s at the front desk daily.

Overall, vacation far exceeded our expectations for this family of five!  We will be returning to Mexico in future years for our spring break adventures.

Thank you Nikki!

~The Flynn Family

Royalton Riviera Cancun

Nikki, thank you so much for helping us arrange our family vacation to the Royalton Riviera Cancun in Mexico! I think this was one of our favorite family vacations ever! We couldn't have found the perfect resort, and vacation package without you.

We had an AMAZING vacation. The weather was perfect and we loved the Royalton! Our girls loved the vacation as well!  

Best Day Travel were kind and helpful during our transfer to the resort, even if it was a little difficult to find their booth and communicate that we had arranged our transfer in advance.

The Royalton Resort far exceeded our expectations. The resort was beautiful. Our room wasn't ready at 3pm so they gave us an upgrade to a room with a rooftop jacuzzi. We did have some timeshare people hound us a bit when we were waiting to check in, but we followed your advice and once we said we weren't interested they left us alone. We figured out who the time share sellers were and avoided them the rest of the trip.

Our room was beautiful, very clean and the bed was so comfortable! The girls were on a pull out sofa that was small with very thin mattress. It worked fine for them, but anyone larger or older would likely not be comfortable on the pull out. We were on the 4th floor of building 9 and we had a view of ocean. It was a bit of a walk to other parts of the resort, but we didn't mind at all.

The food was fabulous!! The restaurants were all really good and the service was top notch! We figured out after the first night that it was best for us to eat at 6:00 when restaurants opened for dinner, because otherwise there would be long waits. The website says no reservation, but there were obviously "diamond" customers who had reservations. We are at the buffet for breakfast and it was HUGE and had so much food. I gained several pounds over these few days. The girls loved the Gelato machine in the coffee shop and ice cream in the buffet. 

The pools were all fabulous! Very well maintained. The had daily entertainment and music. The swim up bars were nice and kid friendly. They had a foam party that my girls absolutely loved. The wait staff around the pool was great and constantly bringing by bottled water and taking drink orders. We learned after first day that it was helpful to mark your spot at pool/beach early in the morning. The spots went quick. 

The beach was beautiful as well. It had wait staff, nice chairs and covered beds and pergolas that were nice. They dragged the beach with a tractor every morning to get rid of the seaweed that came up overnight. There was access to non motorized water sport activities. They did require $3/person fee for some marine fee- but they gave you a bracelet and it covered you for your entire stay. 

Lastly, the nightly entertainment was fabulous! The had a family friendly kid show at 8:00 and then another show (that was more grown up, but still family friendly) at 9:00. We saw great shows that were similar to shows we've seen from Cirque. We saw fire shows, Michael Jackson impersonation shows, drum shows. All were great! 

There was a kids club that we did not use. During the day they brought around unique people/animals that they would take your picture with (Aztec Indians, Parrots, huge birds). The girls loved holding the parrot and having him sit on their head. They had photographers around the resort that would take your pictures and then you could go to their store and purchase them.  

Thank you again for helping with this family vacation, the memories will be with us forever. 

London C.