Sandals

Many people are put off by the Sandals brand, thinking it’s brash, colourful and American... but they couldn’t be further from the truth.

Yes, there are Americans at each resort, but the resorts themselves are far from brash and colourful!

I have been lucky enough to experience 5 Sandals properties, and like any hotel chain, all the resorts are different from the next, so my advice to you is to choice your resort wisely!

At Sandals there are 3 grades of room category you can choose from, each offering something different – Deluxe, Concierge and Butler Suite. The Deluxe grade is each resorts lead-in rooms. Please don’t be put off that they are lead-in and possibly basic, as they are really aren’t! The decor is pretty much the same throughout all categories; it is literally the location and the facilities within in each room that varies. The Concierge rooms have extras such as a daily re-stocking of your mini-bar (always a bonus!) and a concierge desk who will book excursions and dinner reservations for you. And as for the Butler Suites, these are simply incredible! Located in the most prestigious areas of the resorts they include 2 personal butlers who will tend to your every need to make your stay the best it can possible be. They will walk you to dinner every night, reserve you sun loungers on the beach or by the pool, bring your drinks throughout the day, run you baths.... the list goes on! No other All-Inclusive Resort in the world offers Butlers who are trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers.

Sandals Resorts are the only resort in the world that gives you more...

Anytime dining where each resort brings you every type of cuisine under the sun which are all prepared by Master Chefs using the finest quality ingredients!

The Caribbean’s finest rooms and suites – Sandals have created the most unique suites with romance, seclusion and luxury in mind.

Unlimited scuba diving for certified divers – very unique!

Drinks are included 24/7 with unlimited top-shelf premium branded drinks as well as Beringer wines. 

If you are a couple who like to go back to their room after dinner, sit on the balcony with a glass of wine to enjoy the surroundings and warmth, or whether you like to stay in the bar trying out the top shelf drinks, your evening’s can be as low-key or as lively as you wish. Resorts have different entertainment each night – when I was at Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica they had a carnival and a steel band parade through the resort. Not my sort of thing usually but I’m glad I watched it!

Having being voted the World’s Leading All-Inclusive Company for 17 years in a row shows Sandals have perfected the All Inclusive holiday.   

The Sandals Resort concept is simple – The Luxury Included Holiday.

Everything is included and everything is extremely luxurious.

So when you next see the 2-for-1 offer, make sure you take advantage and go!!!

For enquiries - www.kanootravel.co.uk

Kanoo early March Flight sale!

For enquiries - www.kanootravel.co.uk

Trip to Canada

Trip to Canada - Emily Garrett

I came across Banff on my travels through Canada and fell in love with the town. It is a beautiful, peaceful town surrounded by stunning scenery of snow-capped mountains and has a lake that is a mixture of blues and greens in colour.

   You can go on a gondola ride up one of the peaks and look down over the town itself or out into the distance over the mountains.  On a sunny day take a walk along the river and sit on the banks with your feet dangling in the water, or take a kayak ride up the river. 

While I was here, I also took a horse ride along the river edge, past the Banff Springs Hotel and through the surrounding woods, where you get to experience the true beauty of the area.  You can book any of the town’s activities through the helpful visitors centre on the main street.

   The town itself, although small, has shops including a supermarket, bars, restaurants and even a club for the evening’s entertainment.  Banff gets popular for skiing during the winter periods also, so is a perfect place to visit all year through. The local people are extremely helpful and friendly and always able to help you should you need it. I stayed in a wood lodge hostel that was very accommodating and comfortable for the few nights I was there and part of the HI association. The youth hostel put on events and themed nights for people staying there.

   A must-see while in Banff is the Banff National Park. Just off the main highway leading up to Jasper, is Lake Louise. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise sits right on the edge of the lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains. The hotel is very beautiful in its peaceful surrounding area and perfect if you enjoy to cycle or take long walks around the lake itself. From Lake Louise, make your way to Moraine Lake and Peyto Lake, for a must-have picture overlooking the picturesque scenery. Both are situated in Banff National Park. Peyto Lake lies at the bottom of a mountain in the shape of wolf.

   I recommend seeing all the Rockies has got to offer and going to Jasper also. Here I ended up staying in a Wilderness Hostel for a night at Athabasca Falls, which if you haven’t done it before then it’s definitely worth a try. Although, if you’re like me, one night is good for the experience! Here you stay in wooden cabin out in the woods, with no running water only pumps. The kitchen has the main things you would need but with the ECO-friendly edge. There are no flush toilets and no showers. Even though this may put people off, it’s like camping. The staff are extremely friendly and encourage you to join in. Also, a short walk away you get to experience the stunning rivers and waterfalls of the Athabasca Falls.

   This is my favourite place I have travelled to and encourage others to experience the same thing!