2009 Awards for Excellence

The following hotels, resorts and spas were selected as this year's winners in the Condé Nast 2009 Awards for Excellence:

ATLANTIC, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDS

Most Excellent Resort

Carlisle Bay - Antigua

Most Excellent Hotel

Hôtel Le Toiny - Saint Barthélemy

Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway

Horned Dorset Primavera - Puerto Rico

Most Excellent Spa Hotel

CuisinArt Resort & Spa - Anguilla

SOUTH AMERICA

Most Excellent Beach Resort

Kiaroa Eco- Luxury Resort - Brazil

Most Excellent Hotel

Hotel Unique - Brazil

Most Excellent Small Hotel

Pousada Maravilha - Brazil

Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway

Ponta dos Ganchos - Brazil

Most Excellent Spa Hotel

Kurotel - Brazil

Most Excellent Lodge

Hotel Las Balsas - Argentina

MEXICO & CENTRAL AMERICA

Most Excellent Resort

Grand Velas All Suites and Spa Resort - Mexico

Most Excellent Spa Hotel

Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort - Mexico

Most Excellent Hotel

Hacienda Xcanatún - Casa de Piedra - Mexico

Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway

Hotel Punta Islita - Costa Rica and Las Alamandas Resort - Mexico

Most Excellent Beach Hotel

Victoria House - Belize

UNITED STATES AND CANADA

Most Excellent Hotel

The Hay-Adams - Washington, DC and The Setai - Florida

Most Excellent Ranch

Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa - Utah

Most Excellent Inn

The Baker House 1650 - New York

Most Excellent Small Hotel

Casa Tua - Florida

Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway

Post Ranch Inn - California

Most Excellent Lodge

Sun Mountain Lodge - Washington

Most Excellent Country House Hotel

Blantyre - Massachusetts

Most Excellent Spa Hotel

Wedgewood Hotel and Spa - British Columbia

Most Excellent Golf Resort

The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort - South Carolina

Most Excellent Resort

Meadowood Napa Valley - California

Spring Break is coming up! Where will you spend your vacation?

Single Parent Fun

This is the first single parent offer I've seen. I wish more companies would support single parent families in similar ways. I'm thinking about taking advantage of this offer, simply because it's a great way to have fun, spend time with my son and meet other single parents learning to manage the delicate balance of work, home and single life.

To honor single parents everywhere, we are waiving the single supplement fee (up to $190 per night) at all our resorts when you stay 3 nights or longer. Come and enjoy a much-deserved vacation under the Caribbean sun during Single Parent Fun months. Enjoy tailored activities such as Single Parent Welcome Receptions, Single Parent Social Cocktail Receptions, Kids Movie Night, and more! Booking Dates: 04/14/2008 - 05/12/2008 Travel Windows: 5/01/2008 - 5/31/2008 & 8/17/2008 - 10/31/2008 Coupon Code: No coupon needed

Top 10 All-Inclusive Resorts!

Do something you’ll never forget - book an all-inclusive resort vacation. The advantages to staying at an all-inclusive resort are seemingly endless. Most include meals, beverages, tips, entertainment and activities in the price of the room - allowing you more time to actually relax on vacation and less time figuring the bill. Don't miss #9 - where I'll be traveling this December to celebrate one of my dear friend's wedding!


#1. Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort All Inclusive - Cancun, MX
Prime yourself for luxury at the Moon Palace Gold and Spa Resort in Cancun. Guests enjoy gourmet meals, beverages, tours, entertainment, and both land and sea activities. The resort also boasts a signature golf course by Jack Nicklaus and full spa facilities.


#2. Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort and Spa - Providenciales, TC
Touting itself as a multi-faceted fantasy world where private bungalows, pools and 12 miles of white sand overlook turquoise water, this resort features fine cuisine, land and sea sports, spa, nightly entertainment and a kid’s club - Pirate Island.



#3. Barcelo Bavaro Beach Hotel All Inclusive - Punta Cana, DO
Escape from the busy world at Barcelo Bavaro Beach Hotel in Punta Cana. This breathtaking hotel’s all-inclusive package offers admission to nightly entertainment, three meals daily at eight of the hotel’s 14 restaurants, complimentary transportation between five of the Bavaro brand hotels and complimentary local beverage and snack service.


#4. Paradisus Palma Real All Inclusive - Higuey, DO
Combining world-class facilities with a Caribbean setting, the Paradisus Palma Real features luxury suites, spa facilities, health center, sea-front pool, a casino, nightly entertainment and remarkable dining. Unlimited green fees and nightly entertainment are included in the all-inclusive package.


#5. Le Blanc Spa Resort All Inclusive - Cancun, MX
Upon arrival at the Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun, guests are greeted with a cool drink and washcloth. This adults-only haven allows guests to immerse themselves in the luxury of 24-hour room service, butler service, entertainment, premium drinks, haute cuisine and non-motorized water sports. All taxes and gratuities are included.


#6. Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort All Inclusive - Nuevo Vallarta, MX
Let your worries float away as you indulge at the Grand Velas All Suites and Spa Resort in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico. Luxurious all-inclusive services include gourmet dining, Pilates, yoga and meditation programs, Aqua bar, tennis and spa services.


#7. The BodyHoliday at LeSPORT All Inclusvie - Cap Estate, LC
Pamper yourself at The BodyHoliday at LeSport in St. Luciathis winter: all-inclusive amenities include dining at hot spots like Tao, fitness classes, Body Treats from the Oasis Spa, and land sports and water sports.


#8. Barcelo Langosta Beach All Inclusive - Tamarindo, CR
Relax and rejuvenate by the crystal waters of Playa Langosta at the Barcelo Langosta Beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, where long stretches of white sand beckon. Activities and classes, land sports, unlimited local beverages and buffet-style meals are all part of the resort's all-inclusive program.


#9. Akumal Beach Resort All Inclusive - Riviera Maya, MX
Enjoy daily beachside activities, a welcome cocktail, all meals and local beverages, scuba clinics and more at the beautiful Akumal Beach Resort, located on a one-mile stretch of beach front in the Riviera Maya.


#10. Jolly Beach Resort All Inclusive - St. Johns, AG
Lazy days await at Jolly Beach Resort in Antigua, where you can take advantage of their all-inclusive amenities, including meals and drinks at five restaurants and bars, children's activities, tennis, nightly entertainment, daily activities and non-motorized water sports.

Snow Days

In exactly one week, I'll be heading to Denver for a long overdue snowboarding weekend!

I'll be staying in the River Run Village at the Keystone resort and I am so looking forward to enjoying another visit to Breckenridge. It's been years since I've been there, and years since I've been on my snowboard but it'll be a nice getaway, and a weekend that I will remember for years to come.

But enough about that. I discovered recently that 5 of the 10 Top Ski Resorts are in Colorado. I have got to go there more often. Here's the list:

#1. Aspen, Colorado
#2. Crested Butte, Colorado
#3. Lake Tahoe, California
#4. Steamboat Springs, Colorado
#5. Keystone, Colorado
#6. Vail, Colorado
#7. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
#8. Whistler, Canada
#9. Park City, Utah
#10. Mont Tremblant, Canada