Located in Montego Bay, RockResort’s gorgeous Half Moon resort stretches out for two miles on an expansive, secluded stretch of white sand beaches. Started by a small group of American, British and Bermuda families as an exclusive Jamaican getaway cottage community in the 1950s, it has gradually been expanded to include over 400 acres, and has hosted innumerable illustrious guests from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, to John and Jackie Kennedy for a month between the presidential election and inauguration.
The charming and sizeable original cottages that reminded me much of Cape Cod still stand clustered around the main Half Moon beach. With luxurious Plantation-style mahogany furnishings, Old World Jamaican charm, and modern amenities in large marble updated bathrooms, the rooms with their generous patios and pristine beach views welcome deep relaxation from the moment your bags get dropped off. I stayed in an ocean front room close to the main hotel area – one of nearly 200 such rooms, along with one and two bedroom suites.
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This fall, I experienced a glorious four days, courtesy of the Jamaican Tourist Board, exploring two of the top vacation spots in Jamaica – Negril and Montego Bay. Even though I’ve traveled fairly extensively in the Caribbean, I’d never visited Jamaica. So I eagerly anticipated the island’s combination of low-key vibe and upscale amenities. And did I ever find it! I discovered an island with an appeal for everyone – families and singles as well as those seeking simplicity and those with an eye for activity. I’ve included an overview here of my favorite memories:
PART I, NEGRIL, JAMAICA
Beaches Negril
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Read Amazing Azul Beach Hotel in Maya Riviera – Part 1 here.
The Azul Beach Hotel has a catamaran, motorboats and guides to take you out to explore the coral reef, kayaks – all available at modest additional fees. The hotel can arrange transportation to a marina a few miles away replete with options running from sailboat rentals to jet skis. A dedicated team of tour specialists on the property stands by to arrange tours - from exploring Mayan ruins to water adventures.
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Think relaxed beachside elegance, impeccable concierge service, and simply outstanding gourmet food, and you’ve arrived at the luxurious all-inclusive Azul Beach Hotel from Karisma in the Mayan Riviera. I just returned from a four-day press trip along with my husband Ron, and literally the minute we got home in a post-vacation letdown, we started brainstorming how soon we could return and went online to check for availability. We’re hoping to bring our kids back with us the week before Christmas. It was just that good.
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Anonymous
Remember the claymation spokesperson for Hotels.com with a goatee and a laid back attitude? He’s moving up in the world, as the company will soon reveal the more professional, clean-shaven SMART. The new digital character will offer reliable expertise and guidance to users looking for the perfect hotel experience on their website.
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Even if you don’t have Irish ancestry, March 17th provides the chance for family and friends to have fun together. Each city has its own way of celebrating the holiday including parades, music festivals, and pub-crawls. If you want to avoid crowds of rowdy adults, here are a few family-friendly events. Get dressed in your favorite green outfit and enjoy celebrating St. Patty’s Day in your city!
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As soon as I tell people I went to jcpenney’s Oscar Fan Experience at the Academy Awards, everyone asks the same questions. Let’s get those answered first: Yes, I saw Angelina and Brad and the famous LEG pose. Yes, I saw George Clooney and yes, he is fantastic, personable, and wonderful. Yes, it was amazing and I’ll be talking about it for the rest of my life –it’s crossed of my “Life List”! And finally, yes, I could see EVERYTHING. Our seats were incredible!
Now here are some details:
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Last week, I got the exciting opportunity to flee chilly Boston and head to sunny Phoenix, Arizona to enjoy a Ride and Drive event held by Nitto Tires. I traded in my flats for sneakers and my Pathfinder for a Jaguar, and talked cars, tires & more with the leaders in the tire industry—all while soaking up the desert sun.
Scottsdale Plaza Resort
An airport shuttle awaited my arrival and whisked me off to Scottsdale Plaza Resort, an upscale resort with a laid-back attitude nestled in the beautiful Scottsdale desert. After a few hours, I met up with the group for a delicious 5-course meal and even better conversation. Journalists from automotive trade magazine and bloggers mixed and mingled, making for a unique fusion of personalities and backgrounds. Conversation and food lit up the night, preparing us for our big ride and drive event the next day.
Nitto Tires Classroom Session: Tires 101
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 image courtesy of JetBlue
Seated outside Terminal C at Boston’s Logan Airport we bided our time for a long-awaited trip to St. Thomas and SugarBay – excited at the prospect of experiencing JetBlue’s new non-stop flight from Boston to the sun-filled beaches of St. Thomas. Unfortunately, the check-in desk featured precious-little activity – never a good sign when it takes place 15 minutes before the scheduled boarding time.
But what happened next represented what sets JetBlue apart from so many other airlines. The pilot – yes, the pilot – stepped to the desk, picked up the microphone, and let us all know that the crew had identified an issue with the plane’s rear door. The plan? The hangar crew would either fix it, or if it couldn’t happen within a reasonable time frame, we’d get a new plane. He then let us know that he’d be happy to answer any questions we had. He and the co-pilot remained in the gate area, and a little bit later, the crew let us know we would, indeed, get another plane.
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