Sunday 10th December – Saturday 9th December – Friday 8th December – Thursday 7th December
Wednesday 6th December – Tuesday 5th December – Monday 4th December – Sunday 3rd December
The team set off in the early hours of Sunday morning to London Gatwick. Flying with Virgin Atlantic/Delta Air Lines, they were departing at 11am.
Nine hours later and the team landed safely in the cloudy, yet warm island of St. Lucia. The team arrived at the beautiful Landings Resort and Spa, a five-star resort perfectly situated along the shores of Rodney Bay where they would stay for the next three nights.
On the Monday, the team visited three stunning Sandals resorts (Sandals Grande St. Lucian, Sandals Halcyon Beach & Sandals Regency La Toc).
After visiting Sandals, the team set off to visit the colourful and vibrant Bay Gardens Beach Resort, although the weather was below par for our TravelPlanners, the fun and sights certainly were not. Not a bad first day of the week in the office!
Tuesday 5th December
A new day a new adventure, early on the Tuesday morning the team set off to the Capella Marigot Bay Hotel, an ultra-luxury resort within an idyllic setting which is so beautiful that they've actually filmed movies there!
After exploring Capella Marigot Bay the team got transferred to their next destination via boat.
Getting off the boat the team found themselves at the stunning five-star Jade Mountain Resort, the only resort property with the iconic view of both the Piti and Gros Piton mountains floating upon the Caribbean Sea.
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Wham! even had a reunion in the shape of our two travelplanners Dan & Rob! The real question is who copied who? Decide for yourself:
Dinner within the beautiful landscape of St. Lucia, under the stars on a warm Caribbean night, a somewhat picturesque thought for all of us, but for our TravelPlanners they were unexpectedly hit with a tropical rain storm, a real shame (notice the sarcasm!). Committed to the cause though they battled the conditions, staying outdoors, umbrellas pitched up and did they get wet you ask? Well, these pictures say it all really:
The team had an early start on the Wednesday as they were flying to sunny Barbados, arriving at half past eight in the morning. Once landed the team got transferred to Turtle Beach by Elegant Hotels, a premium all-inclusive resort with a beautiful beachfront setting.
After unpacking, the team spent the day at the five-star Sandals Barbados which was voted Barbados' best resort spa. Sandals Barbados is located
on Dover Beach where endless sunshine and gentle ocean breezes provide an idyllic retreat that’s simply perfect for a relaxing getaway. The team had a day of sunshine and spent most of their time playing beach volleyball with other holidaymakers:
While the boys (and Chloe) were battling it out on the volleyball court, the ladies found time in their gruesome schedule to write TravelPlanners in the sand, take a bow girls!
After a well-fought battle on the volleyball court, the squad settled down for the rest of the day. Taking a dip in the swimming pool, helping themselves to a drink (or two) and soaking in the sunshine.
See TravelPlanners' very own Wham! snapped below and even finding the time to pose with a fan, who is most definitely not Chloe our travelplanner. Tis the season of giving to be fair!
After the early flight and a day jam-packed full of activity, the team settled down back at Turtle Beach for a couple of drinks before heading off to bed, not a bad way to end the day.
The team got up early in preparation for a busy day ahead, they were set to visit a total of SEVEN different Barbados villas & resorts.
Starting with Galena, a luxurious villa with panoramic ocean views located on Sandy Lane. Then onto Solandra, a beautiful three-bedroom villa with a large private pool and set within a beautifully landscaped garden. The last villa the team set their eyes upon was Alila, a stunning four-bedroom villa
with open plan living spaces and extensive use of beautiful hardwoods to give a natural, organic feel.Onto the resorts now, the team set foot in Tamarind by Elegant Hotels, an immaculate resort which sits on a gorgeous 750-foot expanse of the Platinum West Coast of Barbados welcoming families, couples and groups alike to its contemporary Caribbean oasis.
Next was the 34-suite adult only accommodation that is The House by Elegant Hotels. A resort perfect for couples, an ideal place to disconnect and relax; private plunge pools and ambassador service ensures that any time spent here is nothing but luxurious.
The third hotel the team got to witness was the beauty of Crystal Cove by Elegant Hotels. An all-inclusive accommodation that appeals to all, allowing guests to soak up the Caribbean charm; with glass bottom boat tours, a thrilling variety of water sports or simply lounge and enjoy the idyllic stretch of the West Coach beach.
Last but definitely not least, our travelplanners visited Waves Hotel & Spa by Elegant Hotels. A resort with a tranquil atmosphere and astounding personal service, this Barbados resort is the best place for those needing a bit of TLC!
See a few images that our team took over the course of their day below!
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Friday 8th December
On the teams penultimate day in the beautiful Caribbean they got up early, all set to visit EIGHT more Barbados resorts.
They soon got on their way, starting with Little Good Harbour House, a beautiful three-bedroom beachfront villa. A delightful collage located on the water's edge in the peaceful village of Shermans on the sought-after West Coast of Barbados. Below are a few images of the team and the property.
Next was the Sandy Lane Hotel. Sandy Lane has it all: a perfect location in Barbados for a luxury Caribbean holiday, overlooking the Caribbean Sea on a tranquil coral sand beach, shaded by mature mahogany trees, the timeless and classic elegance of the Palladian buildings mirrored in the spacious comfort of the 113 hotel rooms and suites, a stunning private villa, exceptional golf, gourmet dining, an outstanding spa, superb sports facilities and finally, an exceptional level of warm Barbadian hospitality.
Sandy Lane has some of the most prestigious awards:
- Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award Winner – #1 out of 13 Forbes rated global brands
- AAA/CAA Five Diamond Award Winner
- Condé Nast Readers' Travel Awards 2017 – 20 Best Hotels in The Americas and The Caribbean
- USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards 2017 – Best Caribbean Golf Course
- TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Awards 2017 – Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the Caribbean
- Elite Traveller Top 100 Hotels in the world 2017 – Top 100 Hotels in The Americas
You can truly understand why they claim the accolade of The Perfect Caribbean Resort.
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Next came two villas, the first being CocoVilla, recently refurbished to a luxury 'boutique' style, providing contemporary living in a tropical paradise and Sugar Cane Ridge, a newly built four-bedroom villa located on a private Barbados golf estate.
Colony Club by Elegant Hotels was the second last resort our travelplanners visited on what was an extremely busy day. Located on one of the most stunning beaches in Barbados the Colony Club by Elegant Hotels is a colonial style hotel set amongst lush tropical gardens where four freshwater lagoon style pools meander down towards the beach.
Last but most definitely not least, the team visited Bougainvillea Beach Resort. A home away from home beach resort located on the beautiful south coast of Barbados. Renowned for its gorgeous beaches, lively bars and delicious restaurants this resort is the ideal place for a family getaway.
The team made camp at the last hotel they would stay at, in the new surroundings of Sugar Bay Barbados, a resort which combines exceptional customer service with chic, contemporary accommodations and a host of tip top amenities for guests to enjoy.
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The team woke up on what would be their last full day in sunny Barbados. They were going to end their week-long trip in style, spending their day on a Seaduced Luxury Catamaran Cruise.
Jetting around the Caribbean Sea and taking in some truly stunning sights. The team had the opportunity to snorkel amongst ship wrecks and with turtles, a true spectacle. An interesting pose here from the girls with all their gear on!
Our travelplanner Chloe striked a couple of poses for the camera, the lads had to remind her that this wasn't actually a modelling shoot!
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After setting the bar high could the lads up their game and keep on par with Chloe? Maybe our very own Wham! could reach such a feat? How about the Wham! boys with another fan in between them…?
Clearly not… Nice try though lads!
The team were all packed up and ready to go home, their flight departing at 6:45pm, leaving Barbados for an almost unrecognisable England. Landing early on the Monday morning to sub-zero conditions and snow pretty much everywhere! Some of the girls were still in flip-flops when they landed, it's not like it was 0°C and pouring down with rain ladies!
In conclusion, the travelplanners team went on this trip to take in all the different resorts in the Caribbean islands of St. Lucia & Barbados, and of course all the stunning scenery along the way.
The guys visited a combined total of 26 different hotel resorts and villas, and were educated so they can be better for when they are back in the office and back on the phone to you, for all your Caribbean needs.
If you are considering going on a holiday to the Caribbean, whether it be a hotel holiday, a twin centre or a cruise & stay please get in contact with our amazing team on 020 3542 8888, our travelplanners are waiting to assist you!
Click here to have a look at the truly stunning offers that are available to the Caribbean
A huge thank you to everyone who made this trip possible:
Virgin Atlantic/Delta Air Lines, Elegant Hotels, West Indian International Tours & Escape Marketing
