Dorset Manor Spa…Beyond Your Typical Hotel Spa

May 29, 2011 by

After a short taxi ride to Union Station in Toronto, I hopped aboard VIA rail, which is a great way to travel throughout Canada! It was about an hour and a half ride to Cobourg, which is just outside Port Hope, Ontario, the home of the Dorset Manor Spa.   VIA rail is very comfortable, whether you are riding in coach or business class.  In business class, you will be spoiled with wide seats, free drinks and a great meal.  The food was outstanding.  I had salmon cakes with basmati rice and vegetables and it was better than any airline food I’ve had!  There is also free wi-fi on board, which makes the trip fly by.

Upon arrival into Cobourg, a representative from the Dorset Manor Spa was there to greet me and take me to the spa.   As soon as I stepped into the old Victorian home overlooking Lake Ontario with beautiful lush views, I knew it would be easy to relax.  I began my day with a delicious lunch full of fresh vegetables from their gardens and a delicious potato and leek soup followed up by a fruit cup for dessert.  After lunch, I changed into my robe for what was going to be a day full of two treatments, the first called Caribbean Therapy in Which Rob, who is an awesome therapist, exfoliated my skin and then massaged seaweed all over!   After he wrapped me up, he proceeded to massage my neck and scalp, which got me into total relaxation mode.  After showering off the seaweed, he followed it up with a 20 minute massage which focused on releasing the muscles around my shoulders and pulling them back, which most people should get done since they sit at a computer all day or drive a lot.    After my session with Rob, my skin was as smooth as butter!  I definitely need to exfoliate more often!  I had an hour before my next session, so I had some of their homemade tea and an apple as I took in the sun on my room’s balcony.  It was then time for my 90 minute Swedish massage which was just as out of this world as the last treatment.  I told her the area on my body that was hurting and I wish I could tell you what she did throughout the session, but I fell into a deep sleep!

After dinner, which was also extremely good, especially the trout over warm apple appetizer and the sorbet for dessert, I relaxed in the outdoor whirlpool and sauna before settling into my Victorian style room full of antiques and soft classical music playing in the background.   Dorset Manor Spa is the sister spa to the widely popular St. Anne Spa, which has been voted Canada’s number one spa for five years in a row.  I am told this is just a smaller version of that spa.  It doesn’t have the wellness classes of St. Anne’s, but instead of being set on a large property, you have the quaint town of Port Hope to work to.  The therapists work at both, so you are going to get the same caliber of treatment no matter where you stay.  It’s really the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a quiet retreat.  It has just nine luxurious guestrooms, making for a very intimate setting. 

I slept like a baby and while I didn’t sleep long enough in what was such a comfortable bed, the nutritious breakfast woke me up.  The multigrain pancakes topped with apples were delicious!  Every breakfast also comes with a continental bar including fruit, yogurt, granola and pastries and your choices or juices or tea/coffee.   After checking out, I did a quick tour through Port Hope and Cobourg and was back on VIA train for my next stop in Ottawa.

Filed Under: Canada, Destinations, Passport Wellness, Spas and Wellness Tagged With: , , ,

Hop Onboard the Spa Train!

May 29, 2011 by

I have trouble relaxing and I’m always running around, so when I heard about the opportunity to jump aboard the spa train in Canada, I was very excited.  Not only did I want to explore parts of Canada I have not seen, but the idea of being pampered for a few days with no choice but to relax, was very inviting.  What a perfect escape for you to rejuvenate or escape on a romantic trip with your partner or grab some friends for the perfect girlfriend getaway. I flew into Toronto aboard Porter Airlines, a Canadian airline with great service and one of the few airlines that serves you a meal on board!  Many of the airports have lounges where all passengers can relax before the flight.  I flew out of Newark and was in Toronto in a quick hour and a half!  After arriving at the lovely Delta Chelsea hotel in the heart of downtown, I walked next door to the Elmwood Spa for what would be a day of complete relaxation.  After changing into my bathing suit, I enjoyed their water therapies for an hour, swimming and sitting in the steam room.  After that, it was time for the three course lunch which was made with all fresh, healthy ingredients, and even thought it was supposed to be “spa food,” the portions were enough to have me leaving there very full from the spinach and avocado salad, salmon with asparagus and the rhubarb pie with a side of mango sorbet.  (normally comes with ice cream, but I substituted!)

After lunch, I had the elmline facial, which was out of this world!  The esthetician evaluated my skin and decided to go with the hydration line.  The combination of the face massage while applying the products, and the hand and feet massage while I was getting steamed was enough to put me into a very deep sleep! I left there looking very refreshed for someone who was on three hours of sleep and the wrinkle lines between eyebrows were not visible!  I liked that fact that she told me every step of the way what she was doing and explained a lot to me about how to take care of my skin after leaving there. If you are looking for a peaceful oasis in the middle of a big city, this is the place to go as part of the spa train or as part of your Toronto visit.

I would highly recommend staying at the Delta Chelsea for any occasion if you are in Toronto.  The hotel has every amenity, including two pools, one in the adult fitness center, which also houses top of the line equipment, a whirlpool and sauna.  There is no shortage of restaurants and bars, including everything from a gourmet serve yourself restaurant to their elegant bistro.  It is the largest hotel in Toronto and if you are traveling with kids, this is definitely the place to stay!  With a kids and teen center, there is plenty for them to do, from playing with the in house rabbit to video games and billiards.  If parents would like some time to themselves to explore the city or to go see a show, they can pay a nominal fee for babysitting.

I finished my stay at the Delta Chelsea with their great breakfast buffet filled with fresh fruit, yogurt, and eggs benedict.  After a quick taxi ride, I was at Union Station and hopped on VIA rail for my trip to Port Hope and the Dorset Manor Spa.  Could it get any better than this?

Filed Under: Canada, Destinations, Passport Wellness, Spas and Wellness Tagged With: , , , , ,

Luxury Romance At It’s Best

May 5, 2011 by

Ever since my group exercise instructor showed me pictures from her honeymoon in St. Lucia over 10 years ago, the island has intrigued me from the beauty and romance her pictures captured.   When I had the opportunity to visit the resorts of Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet,  I did some brief research online but nothing could have prepared me for the breathtaking scenery I was about to experience and the sanctuary I would call home for three nights.   Archictect Owner Nick Troubetzkoy’s built Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet on Morne Chastanet, overlooking St. Lucia’s Piton World Heritage site and the Caribbean Sea.  Jade Mountain is a resort within the resort of Anse Chastanet.  His philosophy of building in harmony with Caribbean nature forces one to unwind and just be in the moment with your partner or in touch with yourself if you choose to come to the resorts to unwind and reflect.

Stepping into your sanctuary, which is what they call the rooms, took my breath away. The fourth wall is gone, so an open view of the incredible twin Pitons is seen from your bed, elevated bathroom, which features a hot tub for two, living room and your own private infinity pool in which you can control the colors inside the pool.  There is no formal separation between the rooms so everything flows into one another.

As a guest of Jade Mountain, it is easy to see why this five diamond resort has won numerous awards and recognitions over the years.  In addition to the amazing setting for this property, the service is unparalleled.  Upon check-in, you are given a mini cell phone that calls reception and your own personal Majordomo who is there to service your every need.  If you would like a complementary shuttle down to the beach or to one of the restaurants at either of the resorts, or if you’d like to take advantage of their outstanding room service, all you have to do is call them to let them know you’d like a meal or snack and then place the order form in a bag which you  hang from the outside of your door with the time you’d like it delivered.  I decided to have two breakfasts and one dinner in the room, tried the Indian restaurant one night and the restaurant at the top of Jade Mountain another, and all meals were delicious.  With a wide variety of local, Caribbean and international foods to choose from, as well as a vegetarian restaurant and options on each menu, your biggest concern will be choosing what to order.  However, if you elect the all-inclusive option for your meal plan, you can sample a bunch of different flavors.  Since I love trying new food, I chose to get some of the entrees in appetizer sizes so I could try a variety of options.

One could easily stay in their sanctuary all day and reconnect with nature and each other.  There are no televisions or radios in the room, which you’ll soon realize is not needed, but if you must keep in touch with the outside world, they do have an optional wireless internet hookup.  In the morning, the sounds of the many birds will wake you up naturally as the sunlight shines in and the amazing galaxy of stars will relax you as you unwind from the day.  However, if you’d like to add some activity to your day, they offer everything from scuba diving and kayaking to biking with Scuba St. Lucia, Kayak St. Lucia, and Bike St. Lucia.  I went scuba diving for two boat dives and a shore dive at the Anse Chastanet Reef.  Some of the famous dive sites include Pinnacles and Superman’s Flight at the base of the Piton Mountain, the setting for part of Superman II.  The dive operation is a five star Padi shop and  all of the dive masters are great at helping you out with your equipment if needed and pointing out some great finds during the dive.   You can also join many complementary tours into town  or to the rainforest or choose from an excursion like a visit to the botanical garden and volcano.  If you’re looking to  treat yourself to some more rest and relaxation, take advantage of their terrific therapists and get a solo or couples treatment in the spa, in your sanctuary or on the beach.  I had the traditional Swedish massage and the therapist was great.  I’ve had some back and neck issues in the past, have had massages to know what is good and what’s not, and after this fifty minute treatment, my aches were gone! 

Many couples are looking to go somewhere beautiful and romantic for their destination wedding or for a special anniversary, or maybe just to renew their relationship.  I can’t think of a better place than the magic and serenity of Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet.  They offer many wedding packages and will prepare everything for you…all you have to do is arrive two days prior to the wedding day, which is a perfect way to transition from your everyday busy life into a perfectly relaxed state for your big day.   With the beautiful backdrop of the Piton Mountains, there is no better place to spend your wedding or honeymoon than Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet in gorgeous St. Lucia.  Keep in mind the prices are not those of your average Caribbean resort, but this is far from your average resort.  If you’re looking to treat yourself to an experience to last a lifetime, treat yourself to Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet.

Filed Under: Caribbean, Destinations Tagged With: , ,
Previous Post:

I love the Danes!

April 2, 2011 by

After two packed days of touring, shopping and eating my way through Copenhagen, I am back on SAS for my direct flight back to Newark.  I absolutely love Copenhagen airport and SAS’s economy extra’s seats and airport procedures.   As an economy extra passenger, not only do you have the benefit of more legroom and wider seats, but a big bonus in the ability to check in with the business class and avoid the long lines.  There is also a fast track through security, which means I had extra time for last minute shopping at Copenhagen airport!  They have a huge selection of stores in addition to your souvenir shops.   They know how to do it right, also providing free carts throughout the airport so you can wheel you way to your gate and don’t have the standard back pain from lugging your suitcases! If you ever have the option to fly or stopover in Copenhagen airport, try to check out the airport!  The train into the city center and metro are also conveniently located, making it unnecessary to get a cab.

I fell in love with Copenhagen, its way of life and people.  It’s a beautiful city with many museums, romantic castles, canals, delicious restaurants, and an active nightlife.  From what I saw, people looked happy, and a big reason for this is probably because they are always getting fresh air and exercise, as they ride their bikes everywhere.  They commute to work by bike, go to dinner by bike, and even park them outside the nightclubs.  The city has really done a great job in carving out bike lanes, but be careful not to walk in them..it could be dangerous for you! 

One of the traditional foods in Copenhagen is the Smørrebrød, an open-faced sandwich with either meat or fish served on one piece of bread. For lunch the first day, we ate at Cap Horn along the canal in Nyhavn.  I ordered their their sampler which included mini sandwiches of  herring, salmon, and corned beef.  We had some phenominal dinners at some pretty hip restaurants including Kødbyens Fiskebar and Madklubben Bistro de-luxe.  Unlike in restaurants in NYC, one never feels rushed and you can spend hours enjoying your meal and company.  Delicious bread is also in ample supply.  Fiskebar prepares all of it’s meals from local fisherman and gardens and the freshness and quality of each dish is remarkable.  Located in the meatpacking district, this is a great hotspot for an evening out or for dinner and drinks before heading out to the bars.  They have an extensive wine and cocktail list and their raw bar is  incredible.  I tried the Danish oysters which were unike anything I’ve ever tasted!  They were huge!  At Madklubben, they make the menu very simple.  Appetizers are 50 DKK each, entrees 100 DKK, sides 25 DKK and dessert, 50 DKK.  On some dishes like the steak and fish, there is an extra charge, but it’s still really reasonable.  Again the food was full of flavor and really fresh.  I told them I was lactose intollerant and they made sure everything was made without cream/milk/butter.

I would recommend taking a canal tour on your first day in Copenhagen as a great way to acclimate yourself with the city and see all of the highlights from the water.  There are different neighborhoods, all with different character.  From the main shopping area, Strøget, with the high end shops to Nørrebro, which has more a middle eastern/west village feel to  the offbeat community of Christiana. In 1971, many young and homeless people moved in, without the city’s permission, proclaiming Christiania a “free city,” which means they are free from the rules and regulations of the rest of Copenhagen.  Unless you like to hang out with the druggies and homeless, you probably don’t want to spend a lot of time here.  And definitely don’t try to take any pictures!

There are a number of museums and castles to see.  Since I only had two days there, I went to the Museum of Danish Resistance and the Rosenborg Castle, which were both great experiences.  If you have the opportunity to visit Copenhagen in the spring or summer, definitely pay a visit to Tivoli Gardens.  There are so many places to visit in this world, but I would definitely go back to Denmark when the weather is really nice.  I hear it’s also really a great place to visit during Christmas time as there are many Christmas markets.  No matter when you go, the people, restaurants and neighborhoods will be the same, and that will be a great time!  Pictures coming soon!

Filed Under: Destinations, Scandinavia Tagged With: , , , ,

Ice Hotel is so Cool!!!

March 29, 2011 by

We arrived in Kiruna and took a quick 15 minute bus ride to Jukkasjarvi, home of the famous Ice Hotel in Sweden, the original and largest in the world.   When we arrived, they showed us our warm locker space to keep our luggage during our stay in the cold accommodations.   We are booked for one night in the  cold rooms made entirely of ice and one night in the warm rooms.   There is an area called the dressing room where you get changed for the night and can shower and warm up in the sauna and then when you are ready to go to bed, they give you warm sleeping bags which you lay on the reindeer skin on your bed.  There are briefings throughout the day and they explain how to sleep safely and warmly in the freezing rooms.  Ninety percent of the ice hotel is built from the water from the Torne River out back.  There are tours that explain the history and making of the ice hotel which is quite interesting.

During the day, the ice hotel is open to the public to come tour and take pictures of the various suites and rooms until 6pm and then it is exclusively for the hotel guests to enjoy.  You can go for dinner at one of their two restaurants, have a drink in the ice bar in an ice glass or partake in one of the many activities like snowmobiling or dog sledding to see the northern lights.  Tomorrow we’ll go meet some reindeer and go for a reindeer ride and have an opportunity to feed  them. One can spend all days just looking at the different art sculptures that make up the ice hotel.  Each suite and room is carved and decorated by an individual or group of artists.  Many couples get married in  the Ice Church right inside the hotel.  I met one couple from the states who was getting married today and while the bride was probably very cold taking pictures in her wedding dress, I’m sure it was well worth the beautiful shots they’ll get!

It’s almost time for bed, but first I’m going to head out and see if there is a sighting of the Northern Lights tonight.  Then it’s time to strip down to my sexy thermals and slip into the sleeping bag.  They say you can get one of your best night’s sleep here, so I’m looking forward to a peaceful slumber and a wakeup call with warm lingonberry juice.  As of tonight, the connection is a little tough so I’m having trouble uploading more fascinating pictures, but will do so soon!

Filed Under: Destinations, Scandinavia Tagged With: ,

Stockholm: A City for Everyone

March 29, 2011 by

We just spent three days in Stockholm and back at Arlanda airport, we are waiting for our SAS flight up to Kiruna to visit the Ice Hotel. Our three day stay in Stockholm was filled with a great mix of culture, nightlife, shopping and a relaxation. In the vibrant city of Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, there is plenty to do for people of various tastes and interests. With over 70 museums, you can easily spend your days learning about Swedish history and culture. One of the most popular museums is the Vasa, home of the world famous warship lost in 1628 and salvaged in 1961 and on display with tours offered throughout the day. It’s just a short ferry ride form the island of Skeppsholmen or a tram ride from the center of town. The National and Modern museum near and in Skeppsholmen are fun to check out as is the small, but interesting Nobel Museum in Old Town. Also, in Old Town, be sure to check out the Royal Palace and the unique boutiques as you stroll along the cobblestone streets.  Enjoy lunch at a quaint café and dinner by candlelight. We had lunch at the cozy Café Kaffekoppen and had a delicious coffee and hot chocolate, a perfect respite from the cold day and I had a salmon and spinach quiche. Dinner was at a Gyldene Freden in Old Town where the food and ambiance were perfect.

There are many sides of Stockholm, from the posh shopping district of Biblioteksgatan, the nightlife of Stureplan to the artsy section known as SoFo on the south island of Sodermalm. If you like independent boutiques and vintage, Swedish design, this is the place to check out and definitely a nice contrast from the other shopping district.  There are also plenty of supermarkets and health food stores. If you are in Sweden on a Saturday night, Sturecompagniet is a legendary and popular nightclub playing great dance music with multiple levels of dance floors and bars. There are many nightclubs and bars in the area, so you can hop from one to another, but lines can get long at some of the more popular clubs. Also in this area is the Spa at Sturebadet. If you’re looking for a little R and R or a good workout, you can get a day pass and enjoy the wonderful spa’s pool, gym, sauna, steam room, aroma therapy room and exercise classes. You can also relax with one of the many spa treatments offered and rent out the Turkish bath. For a nice view of the entire city, and a short subway ride from Sturelpan, head over to the Globe and take a ride up the largest spherical building in the world with Skyview. 

We did not have one bad meal while in Stockholm and one place definitely worth checking out for lunch is Lisa Elmquist in Ostermalms Saluhall. Saluhall is a bustling market consisting on many fish, meat and pasty stalls and the food at Lisa Elmquist was amazing!  It was a great introduction to Sweden’s traditional food including salmon, bleak roe, shrimp and crayfish. Their display of fresh fish was very enticing and if we were still hungry after their generous starter plate, we would have ordered more! A great place for dinner which offers a nice chef’s tasting menu of local Scandinavian food is Restaurang 1900, a modern Swedish restaurant owned by Niklas Ekstedt, a famous TV chef in Sweden. We had local  dishes of cod and oxcheek (which tasted sought of like steak!) and a starter consisting of an egg cooked at 63 degrees Celsius, which he says is the perfect temperature at which to cook at egg. I couldn’t argue with that after trying it!

While there are land tours offered throughout Stockholm, you should also take one by boat to see the archipelagos. The tour we took was the ‘Winter Tour of Stockholm” which gave us a good view of Stockholm from the water. However, if you visit over the summer, the tour is longer and you can really enjoy the archipelagos of Stockholm. Some people will even stay on one for a few days to totally disconnect and relax.

Stockholm’s character reminded me a lot of New York City with lots of public transportation, making it easy to explore different parts of the city with the subway, bus or train. Cabs are also always available but can be pricey, so be prepared to do a lot of walking as well. It’s a good way to burn off all the great bread you will eat before and during your meals!  Check out this video with Gabriela, certified tour guide for Stockholm.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoC0bYTOZGw

Filed Under: Destinations, Scandinavia Tagged With: , ,

Hotel Skeppsholmen: Contemporary and Comfortable!

March 28, 2011 by

We landed in Stockholm at 7:30am Saturday morning, took the Arlanda Express train (around $20) and then transferred to the number 65 bus ($5) en route to Hotel Skeppsholmen, a Swedish design hotel on the island of Skeppsholmen, one of the 14 islands that make up the city of Stockholm.  This would be our home for the next few days.  You never know what your hotel may look like in European or Scandinavian countries.  Some can be small and intimate, so I went in with very low expectations and was very pleasantly surprised!  The building is from 1699 but the interior is completely modern and decorated by Stockholm based architects Claesson Koivisto Rune with free wireless internet throughout.  The hotel has an upscale look and feel, but also one of comfort, easy to make home for as long as you are in Stockholm. It is not in the main square, but only about a 15 minute walk from some of the main attractions and very well worth it.   It is surrounded by the Museum of Modern Art and the Swedish Museum of Architecture.  They serve a delicious breakfast buffet each morning of various breads with fruits and seeds, lox, yogurts, your traditional eggs, bacon and a cinnamon french toast cut up in little pieces plus a variety of granola and  cereals.  With a variety of juices, teas and coffee, it’s the perfect way to start off your day.

I particularly love the beds and bathroom in our spacious contemporary room.  The beds are very soft and easy to fall and stay asleep in and the bathroom, very clean and modern.  The sink is one I’ve never seen before with a rock over the drain.  The water falls onto the rock and drains off the sides.  Very sheek!  The rooms are lit with a variety of colored lamps of various shapes and sets the tone for a relaxing and pleasant stay after a long day of sightseeing.

Hotel Skeppsholmen is a luxury urban oasis and I would highly recommend it for it’s contemporary look, feel, and design, very friendly and helpful staff, it’s clean rooms and terrific breakfasts and dinners.   For dinner last night, we had the amazing Swedish meatballs (how can you come to Sweden and not have them?! ) and a fish casserole filled with salmon, cod and root vegetables.  It definitely gets an A+ all around.

Filed Under: Destinations, Scandinavia Tagged With: , ,

Scandinavian Airlines: Comfort and Relaxation

March 28, 2011 by

We left from Newark Friday evening on a 7pm flight and landed in Stockholm 7.5 hours later after a very smooth flight on Scandinavian Airlines (SAS).   I knew it was going to be important to sleep on the flight since we were going to hit the ground running with a tour as soon as we landed in Stockholm, which was five hours ahead (6 hours ahead on Saturday with turning the clocks ahead), so I came all prepared with my fleece blanket and travel pillow, but I didn’t need to use either, as they supplied the pillows and blankets, which you may think is normal, but for many airlines, you now have to pay extra (what’s next?!)  I sat in economy extra, which was two steps down from first class (first class and business) but one step above economy, and it truly made a difference.  The seats were wider, reclined back with a footrest and had more legroom.  However, economy still looked comfortable as well with a selection of movies and entertainment.  We had movies on demand, so if you need to get up for a bit, you can pause and go back to it. The entertainment system also included many channels of music and games. I watched a great movie, ate dinner and then dozed off for a few hours before it was time for breakfast.  Dinner was a choice of tilapia and mashed potatoes or chicken and potatoes.  I chose the fish which was moist and delicious came with a yummy risotto and a lemon desert, wine and spirits.  Airline food can be hit or miss, but SAS gets a thumbs up for their food.  Breakfast was yogurt, some meats and OJ.

While some may think 7.5 hours is a long flight, it really flew by and was very comfortable.  The staff was very friendly and helpful and made sure one had everything they needed for a relaxing journey to Stockholm.  We will be using them for all the flights while here in Scandinavia.  On Tuesday, we fly from Stockholm, the capital of Sweden to Kiruna, north of Stockholm and home to the Ice Hotel.  Then it’s off to Copenhagen, Denmark for a few days.  I flew SAS to Norway last year and it’s always been a great experience.  They are known for their on time service and so far they haven’t let me down!

Filed Under: Destinations, Scandinavia Tagged With: , ,

Dive into Romance at the Marriott Grand Cayman

February 20, 2011 by

While many visit Grand Cayman for their diving, it is also a very romantic and beautiful island.  Take a drive around the island along the coast and you’ll have the opportunity to dine at many waterfront restaurants, many along seven mile beach, where the Marriott is located.  Whether it’s a romantic getaway or a destination wedding, the Marriott Grand Cayman is the perfect choice.  Grand Cayman is a great island on which to marry because all of the marriage paperwork only takes a few hours, so couples have been known to come in by cruise ship for the day and be married by the time they get back on board!  The wedding planners at the Marriott know exactly what to do to make your day a special one.  They prepare weddings for many different budgets and specialize in ethnic and military weddings.  When I met with Lucila Leiva, the wedding coordinator, she had just gotten off the phone with an Indian couple planning their three day traditional wedding.   Not only can you choose the budget and type of wedding you would like, but also the location within the Marriott because they have a tropical courtyard garden, a lush lagoon with turtles who take up residency, a large pool area, or of course you can use the ocean as your backdrop.

The rooms at the Marriott are spacious, clean and comfortable with a terrace overlooking the courtyard or ocean.  While there is plenty to do around the island, one could stay at the hotel for their entire stay and have plenty to do.  Red Sail Sports has a shop at the Marriott and they offer scuba diving and snorkeling trips, and kayak, sailboat, and water bike rentals.  There is a bar and restaurant on the beach so you can set up shop for the day and never have to go back inside.   Their buffet breakfast is phenomenal and includes many varieties of breads, muffins, lox, meats, oatmeal, yogurt, fresh and dried fruit, bacon, sausage, pancakes,  potatoes and an omelet station.  They also have themed dinners and entertainment most nights of the week.

While the food is excellent at the Marriott, you may also want to try a restaurant in West Bay or the East End.  I did not have one bad meal in Grand Cayman.  The food was always bursting with flavor and the seafood so fresh wherever we ate.  Some places I would recommend include Ristorante Luca in the Caribbean Club for its fine dining and ambiance, Over the Edge for it’s great food at a reasonable price, the Lighthouse for the an incredible romantic experience or a jerk chicken shack on the side of the road for some local and delicious cooking!  If you are flexible with your travel dates, I would say to wrap it around the annual “Taste of Cayman” weekend in which a huge selection of restaurants from the island set up shop in one location and for a small cost, you can sample food and drinks from many of the most popular restaurants.  This event is very popular with the locals and is filled with terrific food samples, wine, rum and martini bars,  and live entertainment from the area’s top bands.

So if you’re looking for an island getaway with great food, diving, people and ambiance, I would highly recommend heading to the Cayman Islands! However,  if you rent a car, you will be driving on the opposite side of the street!  I was really nervous since it was new to me and it took me awhile to stop hitting the windshield wipers instead of the blinkers, but the actual driving turned out to be fairly simple since it’s an easy island to navigate.  I guarantee you’ll love the island!

Filed Under: Caribbean, Destinations Tagged With: , ,

Dive from Dawn ’til Dusk at the Sunset House

February 6, 2011 by

The Cayman Islands have been on my list for awhile, and even more so since I became a certified diver.  Last year, I was on a cruise with NJ 101.5 and one of the ports was Grand Cayman but unfortunately the weather was not cooperating and they would not allow us to get off of the ship.  I was so disappointed so I made it a point to visit another time and for more than just the few hours the cruise ship would have allowed.

I flew in on Wednesday and stayed until Tuesday, which was a great length for the trip. However, I could’ve definitely stayed longer and seen more, but I’m not complaining. Originally I was supposed to leave Thursday, but we were expecting another one of our huge snow storms so I decided to leave the morning before and it was a good call because the original flight was cancelled. This trip was such a welcome respite from the freezing weather and snow we have been having all winter.

I decided to stay a few days at “The Sunset House” which is known as a diver’s hotel, run and owned by divers for divers and a couple of days at the Marriott, which is along the seven mile beach stretch and is more of your traditional, romantic hotel. Sunset House is your no frills, but comfortable, friendly and clean hotel, perfect if you’re looking for a trip focused on diving. It is also a great economical choice since many of the hotels along seven mile beach are a bit pricey. They have great shore diving right outside your back porch where you can see a famous mermaid as well as the many fish, eels and other creatures found in Grand Cayman. The shore diving allows you to go whenever you’d like as long as you have a buddy and even if you’re traveling solo, it’s always easy to find one since everyone there is interested in diving as much as possible. They also have five top of the line dive boats which go out each morning and some afternoons to Sting Ray City and to see the new U S S Kittiwake that was sunk just a few weeks ago. You’ll get a locker as soon as you arrive so you can leave your dive gear there for the length of your stay. Everyone at the dive shop of Sunset Divers is very helpful but will also give you your space to do your own thing if that’s what you prefer. When you go out on the boat dives, you have the option to follow a guided tour of the reef or explore on your own with your buddy. You are in charge of setting up your own equipment on the boat, but if you need a hand, they will assist and make sure everything is set up properly. If you are looking for a more VIP diving experience, you’ll want to dive with their sister company, Red Sail Sports. They run a real nice dive operation and they will set up your equipment on the boat, so all you have to do is show up. If you are looking to dive Sting Ray City or the U S S Kitiwake, and your schedule does not mesh with Sunset’s schedule for diving these sites, it’s nice to have other options. I ended up diving Sting Ray City and the U S S  Kittiwake and the Angelfish reef with them. Red Sail Sports has a few locations throughout the island, including Seven Mile Beach and Rum Point, where you can rent sailboats, kayaks, the huge water bikes, and jet skis so no matter what part of the island you are on, you have options.

When you stay at Sunset House, ask for an ocean view room. It is spectacular sitting out on your terrace and watching the sunset or you can watch the sunset at the bar and restaurant and enjoy some good food and drinks while comparing dive pictures. I met a great group of people from Montana, some from Oklahoma, Texas, and Montreal. Meeting people from different regions is one of the best parts of the traveling and the Sunset House’s environment makes this easy. It’s nice to know too that the owner of the property is on site during the day and takes pride in the hotel and making sure everything is running efficiently.  

So the next time you’re looking for a dive getaway relatively close to home (only 3.5 hrs direct), with the opportunity to see sting rays, huge moray eels, lobsters, beautiful french angel fish and so much more, think Grand Cayman and the Sunset House.

Filed Under: Caribbean, Destinations Tagged With: , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »