29 NOV 2017: “What is your favourite island Sam?” I’ll bet you get that too. Usually I bore them to death, and half way through my monologue to see if they’re still listening, I say, “I love the island of Mexico.” If they don’t correct me and walk away in disgust I know they’ve tuned me out. And usually I haven’t even mentioned resorts yet.

As you know there are so many variables in choosing the perfect holiday.

So, in no particular order, here are some I found outstanding.

1.Dreams Delight Playa Bonita Panama just 40 minutes from the centre of the city and a free shuttle will get your client to the second-best duty-free shopping in the world.

While the shopper in the family is giving credit cards a work out, the kids can be in the great kid’s programme. With 307 rooms, each one of them facing the ocean, your clients can watch the huge ships lined up to wait their turn through the canal. It is even more spectacular at night. I spent hours day and night watching the ships. The pools are lovely, a good thing as ocean swimming gets complaints. We could even see the ships from the pools.

2. I’ve been writing about the 4-star Allegro Playacar since 1992… I still think it is great value for dollar. It has location, location, location – in the middle of Playacar, within walking distance of 5th avenue in Playa del Carmen, and on the nicest part of the beach. Transat has an exclusive this year. As you know Barcelo now owns this chain, and they’ve spent a lot of money on the property. It looks great.
3. Cozumel Palace Resort is a gem for families that want to dive and snorkel and wander around the funky island of Cozumel. This is not a beach destination, but Palace Cozumel is, for instance, perfect for a couple or family who love to be in the water. There are 175 rooms and junior suites all with an ocean view, in one five story building. Cozumel, just 12 miles from Playa del Carmen, and a really fun ferry ride is Mexico’s largest Caribbean island, 28 miles long and 11 miles wide, it is known as THE country’s scuba-diving capital. I found the staff absolutely outstanding.
4. The 4 ½ star Grand Bahia Principe El Portillo in Samana is built around the fabulous beach and the pools. It welcomes families of 5 plus and has a great kid’s club. It’s my favourite of all the Grand Bahia Principe’s in this area.
5. The Melia Buenavista is a small 105 room adult’s only property in Cayo Santa Maria, Cuba. The rooms have a very romantic outdoor shower. Yes, there is butler service, guests rave about the food, and they particularly love the brick pizza oven beside the pool.
6. Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya. It is no Secret to you that I love AM resorts. Akumal means, “Place of the turtles” in Mayan, and when you snorkel right off this beautiful beach, you’ll swim with them. Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya is an adult’s only award-winning resort. I love the swim out suites…talk about spoiled. Then there’s the food, delicious and, of course, there are no reservations needed. I also love the way they do special occasions like the Oscars. This is a stunning resort.
7. At Sanctuary Cap Cana in Punta Cana we had an ocean front villa, right on the beach. It looked like a Muskoka cottage. I had no idea that such a place existed, other than in my dreams. It was huge 1,100 or so roomy square feet, with a stunning deck. We lived on the deck. The air-conditioning worked just right in each of the rooms. I’m a sheet snob, and the wonderful cotton sheets made it hard to get out of the king-sized bed. Tom loved the living room with the 37-inch plasma TV. And yes, there was all the other electronic stuff, we can’t seem to do without: DVD with integrated DMS system, multi-line communication, cordless phone so you can order 24-hour room service from the deck. We spent one evening curled up with great food, watching a movie we’d been wanting to see. This would be a great honeymoon choice.
8. Tucked away in the southeast, 859 km and a world away from Havana and Varadero, is 3-star Club Amigo Marea Del Portillo with 130 rooms and its sister resort a leisurely short walk away the 120 room Farallon de Caribe. And that’s it, there are no other resorts in the entire area. Guests can use the dining rooms and facilities in both.

One guest said, “It is the traditional Cuban property.” It might be, but it was also the cleanest property I’ve ever stayed in. Staff were always working. Alfredo was bartender of the little covered bar overlooking the water. Yes, he could find a bottle of scotch for me, nothing was too much trouble. His smile brightened the day.

9. The 450 room 5-star Riu Palace in Aruba is a great choice for your clients. It is famous on the island for its buffet breakfasts. Naturally it is on Palm Beach. The rooms are newly renovated.
10. The Royal Playa del Carmen is at the “Fancy” end of 5th Avenue. I’ve always loved the Royal. The founder Fernando Garcia Zalvidea went to his 5-star resort in the sky, a few years ago and Playa Resorts now owns it, and they are still doing things with love. Playa Resorts kept their key staff, and the property is better than ever.This is a unique resort, I don’t know another one, where people enjoy an all-inclusive resort, but also walk straight out the lobby doors and experience everything that Playa, as the locals call it, has to offer.

I’m still raving about the fruit on the breakfast buffet.

I’ll have to memorize this column for the upcoming Christmas Parties.