By Samantha Chapnick

Atlantis and Las Vegas are so similar they could be siblings. Both are MEGA resorts with massive hotels, 24-hour gambling, hot restaurants, outrageous shopping and ample attractions.

But where Vegas is the younger brother, still into drinking games, non-stop entertainment and the thrill of flirting with trouble, this Bahamas vacation resort is the more mature sister: still seeking thrills but only accompanied by beaches, upscale restaurants, family-friendly amenities and lots of opportunities for relaxation.

Especially for families, Atlantis is one of the best mega-resort winter destinations. It's an easy place to have a holiday without any decisions, compromises or thinking. Part Orlando, part Las Vegas, part Cancun vacation, this is the anti-"I'm bored!" resort.

With over 3,000 rooms and 12,000+ guests spread over thousands of acres on Paradise Island, just navigating can be anything but simple.

Here's part 1 of my tips and strategies to get the most out of your Atlantis visit depending on your travel profile.

Transit lounge: Adding two days to your trip

One of my favorite features of Atlantis, and one I wish others would emulate is the "transit lounge." By having a room set aside on lobby level with showers, changing rooms, bathrooms, and even bathing suit quick-dry machines, hotel guests who check in way early or stay way late can "add" two extra days to their trip without extra fees or room nights.

Lights out

Atlantis very deliberately keeps the outside lighting very low after sundown to prevent people from using the pools in the evening. If you go in winter, especially with children, make plans for the evening that don't involve any of the outside features.

Dining comparison chart

With 30-plus dining choices ranging from Jamba Juice to Nobu, your options will depend on your price point and food preferences. Check Atlantis' comparison chart to find the best options for your family. If you are going to eat at any of the upscale restaurants (e.g. Nobu) make reservations in advance. (Note: Atlantis has eliminated its dining plans for 2008, so there are no longer any pay-one-price options).

Continue reading "Atlantis vacation tips" »

By Erin Kregor

The holidays are stealthily creeping up on us this year, so get out those credit cards and get cracking on your gift list. Here’s a list of my top 5 places to shop.

1.    Michigan Avenue, Chicago: It may be because of the home-court advantage, but you can’t beat the Mag Mile when it comes to holiday shopping. Yes there tends to be more than a few tourists, but it adds to the holiday merriment. Michigan Avenue has something for everyone -- from GAP to Gucci you’ll find stores in your price range and presents for the whole family. Add the numerous public transportation options and you’ve got shopping gold, even on a budget.
2.    Union Square, San Francisco: From high-end window shopping on Chestnut St. to everyday shopping in Union Square, San Francisco has something for everyone. Head through the Dragon Gates of one of the original Chinatowns for everything from inexpensive souvenirs to higher end wares including jewelry and furs.
3.    Sawgrass Mills, Fort Lauderdale: I consider myself somewhat of an expert shopper, having been from outlet to boutique and back again. Sawgrass Mills Outlet is by far the best outlet mall I have ever laid eyes upon. It’s a 30-minute drive from downtown Fort Lauderdale but well worth it. (*Tip: consider renting a car for the day. A cab could run upwards of $70 both ways, so the rental car will pay for itself). You will find every store imaginable, so leave the faint of heart at the hotel, and plan to spend an entire day here.
4.    5th Avenue Manhattan, New York:  Definitely a shopping mecca, Manhattan has a rich history with many iconic stores. Visit Tiffany’s flagship store at 5th and 57th or the first Saks 5th Avenue at 5th and 50th. Head across the street to American Girl Place and pick up something for that favorite niece.
5.    Nassau/Paradise Island: Label lovers will delight in the many brand name boutiques Nassau has to offer. Jewelry, perfume, handbags and the lot are bountiful… and the best part is it’s all duty free! So hit up Gucci and Fendi on Bay Street and save while shopping (not an oxymoron). Plus you can have fun bargaining for cutesy souvenirs and t-shirts at the Straw market.

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When Erin Kregor is not at Orbitz, she can be found working over the racks at Neiman Marcus.

By Joe Brancatelli

Delta Keeps Expanding Its Overseas Presence: Since its 2005 bankruptcy, Delta Air Lines has slashed its domestic network and remade itself as an international carrier. And the new routes keep coming. Next June, it plans to launch nonstop flights to Paris from two new cities: Raleigh and Pittsburgh. The five weekly Raleigh flights start on June 2; the five weekly Pittsburgh flights begin the next day. Also next June, Delta will launch a new route to Africa: Atlanta-Cape Verde Islands-Monrovia, Liberia. Flights will operate weekly. … US Airways will bulk up its international network in May. From its hub in Philadelphia, it will add seasonal flights to Oslo and Birmingham, England. … Thai Airways has changed its mind again and will keep operating its Los Angeles-Bangkok nonstop flights. The service was due to end on October 31, but now will survive at least through January 31. … JetBlue Airways is branching out in the Caribbean. On December 18, it launches daily flights between Fort Lauderdale and San Juan. On February 1, it will add two daily flights from Fort Lauderdale to Nassau, Bahamas, and a daily flight from Orlando to Nassau. And beginning February 14, it will begin Saturday-only service between Boston and St. Maarten.

AIRPORT REPORT

Little Changes Mean a Lot: Continental Airlines and US Airways are trimming the size of allowable carry-on bags to 45 linear inches. Most U.S. carriers are already at 45 inches for carry-ons. … Global Entry, the Customs and Immigration Service's trusted-travel program, had expanded to four more airports: Atlanta, Chicago/O'Hare, Los Angeles and Miami. The program launched earlier this year at New York/Kennedy, Washington/Dulles and Houston/Intercontinental. It permits returning U.S. travelers to skip passport-control lines. … Travelers who carry a Chase credit or debit card tied to the Continental OnePass program are now permitted to check one bag for free and are not charged the airline's $15 first-bag fee. … Delta Air Lines, which merged with Northwest Airlines last month, has lined up the two carriers' checked-luggage fees: $15 for the first bag, $25 for the second.

HOTEL HOT SHEET

Economy Be Damned: Another Burst of New Hotels Opens: If you thought the rocky economy would slow down the pace of new hotel openings, forget it. There are so many new properties in the pipeline that they just keep gushing forth. So get out your scorecard for these new outposts of your favorite brands. … In Boston, there's a new 72-room Holiday Inn Express on Friend Street, across from the TD Banknorth Garden where the Celtics and Bruins play. … Sheraton has opened a 161-room property in the posh Chicago suburb of Northbrook, just 14 miles from O'Hare Airport. … Marriott has opened a 106-room TownePlace property in downtown Albany, the capital of New York State. … A former newspaper building has been converted to an 81-suite Candlewood Suites hotel in Terre Haute, Indiana. … W Hotels has opened its first hotel in Hong Kong. The 393-room property in Kowloon has a spa, fitness center, swimming pool and two restaurants. … Two new limited-service hotels opened in the Soho District of New York this week: The 150-room Four Points on Charlton Street and the 160-room Hampton Inn on Watts Street. … The former Radisson in Hampton, Virginia, has become a Crowne Plaza after a $4 million renovation. … Shangri-La has opened a 548-room hotel in Futian, in the Shenzhen province of China. … And there has been plenty of new action in the luxury sector, too. In the last few days, Four Seasons opened a 147-room property in Seattle; the Philippe Starck-designed SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills opened as part of the Starwood Luxury Collection; St. Regis opened a 120-room resort in Punta Mita, Mexico; and Inter-Continental turned the key on the 257-room Montelucia Resort, a swanky 34-acre spread in the Paradise Valley area of Scottsdale, Arizona.

ROUTE MAP

Southwest Introduces Something New in Minneapolis: Southwest Airlines, which already said that it would enter the Minneapolis market, has now launched something new to Northwest's fortress hub: low fares. Southwest said this week that it would begin eight daily roundtrips between Minneapolis and Chicago/Midway on March 8 and the one-way fare is $69. That's the 21-day advance-purchase price, of course, but consider that Northwest's (and American's and United's) lowest one-way fare on the Minneapolis-Chicago/O'Hare route had been $426. The carriers' cheapest fare before Southwest arrived was $376 roundtrip. Northwest isn't sitting idly by, however. It is adding a few flights to its MSP-Chicago/O'Hare route. Northwest will operate about 20 flights a day in the market by February.

MILES & POINTS

More Cuts (and Upgrades) in the Major Frequent Travel Plans: Marriott Rewards couldn't wait to tell folks that it was eliminating blackout dates on its hotel awards beginning on January 15. And Marriott was excited as all get out to say that the bonuses for Platinum Elite members would rise to 50 percent from the current 30 percent. But what it didn't announce, much to the annoyance of sharp-eyed members, was that capacity controls on awards will remain, essentially negating the benefit of having no blackout dates. Also, the program added an eighth, and much more expensive, tier of hotels. The eighth tier includes more than a dozen of the most desired properties in major cities around the world. And the price of a popular choice of very frequent Marriott Rewards members, the 7-night-stay award, was raised. … And some good news: American has quietly dropped the $5 fee for claiming an AAdvantage frequent flier award. And Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines have eliminated fuel surcharge on award tickets. … On the other hand, United Airlines has increased the cost of some of its awards by as much as 40 percent. It has also switched its policy on upgrade awards: International tickets purchased at any fare can are now eligible for mileage upgrades. But the upgrades come with stiff cash co-pays of as much as $500.

NEED TO KNOW

On-the-Road Intelligence to Help You Travel Smarter: Remember all that crowing US Airways did earlier this year after it padded its schedule and shot to top of the on-time ratings? You are now cordially invited to forget it. The airline slipped to tenth among the 19 carriers in the Transportation Department's on-time ratings for September. Also tumbling down the chart after a few months of improved operations: United Airlines, which finished 17th. Overall, the government says 84.88 percent of all flights arrived on-time (which is defined as within 15 minute of schedule). … United Airlines now wants to sell you luggage-shipping service. The airline's new Door to Door service promises overnight delivery of luggage for prices that start at $149 a bag. But United isn't stupid: The luggage will be shipped by FedEx, not United. … Detroit's Book Cadillac, the hotel that once feted the kings of the car industry, has finally reopened. After a two-year, $200 million restoration, the hotel is now known as the Westin Book Cadillac. It originally opened in 1924, was one of Motown's most notable hotels through the 1960s, fell into disrepair as Detroit cratered in the 1970s and tumbled into bankruptcy and closed in 1984. It stood empty, a blight in the heart of downtown Detroit, until reopening with a gala bash for charity last week.

Related Orbitz resources:

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Joe Brancatelli is editor and publisher of JoeSentMe.com, a non-commercial Web site for business travelers. Copyright 2008 by Joe Brancatelli. Licensed by contract for Orbitz use.

By Lena Katz

Thinking about planning a Caribbean vacation for the holidays? With hotels opening all over the islands, increased flights to popular destinations, and a slew of promos and specials designed for tighter budgets, the Caribbean is as tempting as ever ... and possibly not as out-of-range as you think.

Right in time for Christmas crowds, St. Lucia’s Calabash Cove opens with a Far East-inspired flourish. Eschewing typical Caribbean décor for an exotic Indonesian aesthetic, this property shoots right to the top of our list because of its “Swim Up” suites — not over-ocean as you’d see in the Maldives, but instead poolside, which is more prosaic but a whole lot safer in the hurricane-prone Caribbean. Big spenders can separate themselves from the splish-splash of the common pool area by booking a cottage suite with its own private pool.

As always, much to report on new developments in all-inclusive resorts: This fall couples-only Sandals Resorts debuted Sandals Resorts PGA Golf School in Jamaica, plus over-the-top Millionaire Suites at Sandals Regency La Toc in St. Lucia. At Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort, classic Mediterranean glamour meets Caribbean chic — guests can photo-op it up at the Italian Village, a newly unveiled $125 million addition, and then splash down at the expanded Pirate’s Island Waterpark.

Grenada’s lovely LaSource has all sorts of sophisticated soirees and festivities on the holiday calendar for its grownup (age 16+)  clientele. Practically every day from December 21 onward brings a special program. Christmas morning kicks off with an eggnog party on the beach (only in the Caribbean!), and December 31 sees out the old year with a cocktail party, a poolside gala, fireworks and live music.

The Riu Palace Tropical Bay, an impressive reinvention of a classic all-inclusive Negril resort, opens in early December after a $25 million renovation that took four months to complete. Also in Jamaica, Couples Tower Isle (formerly Couples Ocho Rios) has deferred its original December 2008 reopening date to March 2009…but, to keep the anticipation level high, has revealed that property enhancements include a spa with 10 treatment rooms, a floating dock, two new swimming pools (one with a swim-up bar), and a new juice bar.

The Dominican Republic will attain true “Golfers’ Paradise” status when the Golden Bear Lodge & Spa opens in early December. Inspired and helmed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus, this property overlooks the Las Iguanas and Punta Espada golf courses. And to entice its greens-minded guests, it’s offering 2-for-1 greens fees at Punta Espada with a five-night stay. Book by December 15.

Continue reading "Caribbean vacation: New, renovated resorts boast fabulous amenities" »

By Lena Katz

So many nibbles, so few frequent-flier miles. Food festival season is a challenge for any ambitious gourmand. Here are a few of my faves to whet your appetite -- from northern California to the Caribbean.

Heat your blood at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya, where chile season is in full swing. Located in New Mexico on the Rio Grande, actually on land that's part of the Santa Ana Pueblo, this hotel has an unexpectedly unique culinary program that draws from Native American traditions and local produce -- of which, of course, the chile is a major component. From now through November 30, Tamaya commemorates the chile harvest with a special tasting menu, cooking classes and a special chile mud spa treatment at the Mist Spa. For a more in-depth experience, arrange a tour of a salsa factory or a native blue corn mill.

Over on the California coast, the entire county of Mendocino is donning their waterproof boots and prepping to head into the woods and fields for the annual mushroom season. Porcinis, morels, chanterelles and that rare delicacy, the candy cap, are just a few of the 3000 kinds of mushrooms that grow in Mendocino County. From October through January, Mendo menus will be all about the mushrooms. The high point of the season is Mushroom Festival, which takes place November 7-16 and includes cooking classes, mushroom walks and a wild mushroom winemaker dinner at MacCallum House that's guaranteed to rank among the best meals of your life.

For Caribbean travelers, a heads-up on NICHE Nevis, which takes place this year from October 17-19. This is a very high-end annual culinary event, with chefs from luxe resorts like the Four Seasons and Montpelier Plantation Inn heading up tastings, dinners, and a final Veuve Clicquot-sponsored gala in which all island chefs participate. Local flavor also gets a chance in the spotlight: don't miss the Coco Beach barbecue and rum tasting, or the tour of Mansa's Last Stop, a locally beloved farm and fruit stand.

Finally, Key West's annual Fantasy Fest is happening this year from October 16-26. Though this has little to do with food, I'm throwing it in because it sounds like the ultimate in awesome.

"Fantasy Fest is Key West's answer to Mardi Gras, only much more outrageous," says South Florida travel maven Cheryl Andrews. "It's a party that goes all Halloween weekend. Every couple years the mayor says 'Let's make it family friendly,' and all the residents laugh and say, 'Nahh.'"

If you're at Fantasy Fest, definitely check out a new event taking place at Beachside Resort: Dancapalooza. According to the release, this is a dance-off where people compete in duos or eight-person teams -- you pick the music, bust your moves onstage, and are rated on creativity, style and costumes. Like everyone else in the world, I love "So You Think You Can Dance" -- and though I probably shouldn't admit this, I watched 4 solid hours of "Pants Off Dance-Off" on one particularly hungover winter weekend in '07. Meanwhile my mother is a "Dancing With the Stars" junkie. This party sounds like it has potential to go in any or all of the three directions, and the opportunity to see it live is something no self-respecting heckler should miss.

Related Orbitz resources:

• California vacation
• Key West hotels
• Caribbean vacation
• San Diego hosts Wine & Food Festival
  
• Top haunted houses, Halloween events
  

Lena Katz lives on the Left Coast and writes about tropical islands, beach clubs and food, but her heart belongs to NYC.

By Kate Schwartz

Break out flip-flops and reach for your sunglasses, because summer in Chicago is not over yet! Puerto Rico is taking Chicago by storm with a unique, three-day culinary adventure brought to you by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

From October 2 through Saturday, October 4, join Top Chef season three winner Stephanie Izard and Puerto Rico's gastronomic powerhouse, Giovanna Huyke, for live cooking demonstrations in a state-of-the-art, pop-up restaurant/store located in Chicago's Shops at North Bridge. It's right on the Magnificent Mile, surrounded by many top Chicago hotels, stores and restaurants.

Not only will you be able to learn how to incorporate Puerto Rican flavors into your everyday meals, but you can also experience the sights and sounds of the Island of Enchantment by participating in an experiential photo booth and viewing footage of the island's most popular sites.

With flights between Chicago and Puerto Rico on the rise, now is the best time to see what Puerto Rico has to offer! If you can't jump on a plane this weekend for a Puerto Rico vacation, make sure to check out this innovative adventure that's bringing a warm Caribbean breeze to the Windy City.

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By Lena Katz

Every day it seems like newer, different and more luxurious all inclusive resorts are cropping up around the Caribbean and Mexico. The catch phrase now isn'’t "more for your money," it’s everything and then some, all for one price.

Spanish brand Riu is making the biggest splash, no question -- and in two different places within the same month. In early September the chain opened Riu Montego Bay, a sprawling low-rise bungalow property surrounded by tropical gardens and situated in the heart of Jamaica's most dynamic resort district. With four restaurants, four bars, multiple pools and a full-service spa, this property gives a lot of options. Thumbs-up on the 24-hour dining option, the in-room minibars and the spectrum of formal dining options (Asian, Italian or steakhouse) available by pre-reservation.

The latest Riu development, the Riu Palace Pacifico, opens on October 3 in the thriving Riviera Nayarit  resort district. This property ranks within the very highest tier of Riu properties. It offers everything: variety, quantity, quality and novelty ... the latter mentioned because even though the Riviera Nayarit is swiftly becoming one of Mexico's most popular resort destinations, most tourists still haven't gotten the opportunity to check it out. The Riu Palace's emphasis on service is markedly different from the overly friendly/intrusive "guest host" service style usually seen in European all-inclusives, and we like the change -- hopefully other all-inclusives will follow the lead. And finally, guest suites are spacious but warm and elegantly decorated, without the sterile feeling that can characterize all-inclusive digs. Guests get all the comforts of home and hotel: mini-bars, bathtubs with massage jets, flat-panel television, 24-hour room service and ocean views (in select suites). If boredom sets in, take a jaunt to either of the Rius in neighboring Puerto Vallarta -- your Nayarit room key gets you comp passes to Riu Vallarta and Riu Jalisco nightclubs, as well as some of their restaurants.

In spite of a rather suggestive name, the Temptation Resort Spa is not one of the Riviera Maya's eyebrow-raising "adult" (i.e. nude or naughty) properties. There is one European-optional pool, but the other two require standard swimwear, while the rest of the property -- six restaurants, four bars, seven Jacuzzis, etc. -- leans toward the trendy/cosmopolitan vibe rather than the scandalous. This adults-only resort one of the pricier all-inclusives to open in the past year, but it’s been offering some deep discounts lately.

By far my favorite of the new all-inclusive concepts is the "gourmet inclusive" -- same one-price concept, only with an emphasis on sophisticated atmosphere, upscale accommodations and, of course, really superior food. El Dorado Royale in the Riviera Maya is one of the first to pioneer the gourmet inclusive concept. It also is adults-only, which is a foolproof way of ensuring that guests can enjoy quiet grownup conversation along with their white tablecloth gourmet dinners.

Meanwhile established resorts like Mango Bay in Barbados keep their offerings up to par with the newcomers -- in this case, literally. This boutique Gold Coast property just teamed up with about a half-dozen golf courses around the island, some of which are only open to members normally, to create new custom golf vacation options.

Related Orbitz resources:

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• Puerto Vallarta hotels
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Lena Katz lives on the Left Coast and writes about tropical islands, beach clubs and ski resorts, but her heart belongs to NYC.

By Ted Alan Stedman

Ahh, the swaying palms, the tourmaline colored water, gentle tropical breezes and misty mountains piercing the clouds. Could be Hawaii, but I'm talking about Dominican Republic. As I plot my second dive/raft/party sortie to the DR, I'm reminded why I love this friendly Caribbean country brimming with exotic flair.

It's not like I'm alone in my enthusiasm. Europeans and Canadians have been hitting the DR for years, although U.S. travelers not until more recently. The new El Cately International Airport, a major high-speed arterial road, plush resorts, awesome diving, fantastic golf and an envious menu of eco-sports -– what's not to like? Here's another reason: it's just a two-hour ten-minute flight from Miami to the DR's capital, Santo Domingo.

Diving paradise

Many visitors come for great diving. Clear tropical waters, abundant marine life and an intricate 800-mile coastline encircled by a protective reef guarantee it. There's a staggering 437 cataloged shipwrecks of historical significance lying offshore as well, including 138 treasure ships, along with underground freshwater caves and caverns serviced by dive operators.

Divers could spend years exploring the DR's waters. On the south central Caribbean coast, the family- and couple-friendly Juan Dolio is a stronghold of tourism and a popular dive area that has 25 named recreational dive sites within 15 minutes. Just east of Santo Domingo near the reef-protected lagoon off Boca Chica, divers can visit the well-known wrecks of Hickory and Limon at La Caleta Underwater Park.

Off the southeast shore from La Romana lies Isla Catalina, an island outpost in the Parque Nacional Este marine park where endangered West Indian manatees and bottlenose dolphins cavort. East and also accessible from La Romana sits the impressive Saona Island, similarly protected in the marine park. Go overboard here and chances are good for spotting turtles, nurse sharks, occasional whales, along with some of the DR's most magnificent coral formations.

Head to the north Atlantic coast and divers will have a wildly different experience. Near Puerto Plata, Sosua offers some of the north coast's best bubble-blowing in the form of underwater safaris that include whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins and humpback whales. Another untamed area is the Samana Peninsula. Plan a visit from January through March and you'll see why the World Wildlife Fund considers the peninsula to be one of the world's prime humpback breeding grounds -– 5,000 were recorded in one season.

You'll see tourism's growing prominence in the profusion of specialized resorts, hotels and other facilities coming on-line in the past decade. The new Xtreme Hotel in the kiteboarding capital of Cabarete caters to the sport's followers. Families with teenagers are heading to the Club Med for an attraction called "The Ramp," designed for skateboarding teens and obliging parents.

Golf and gambling

And of course there's golf. Plan ahead and book tee times on any of the 21 golf courses designed by legends such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer that are sprinkled throughout the DR. A couple notables are the new Tom Fazio-designed Corales and Jack Nicklaus-designed Punta Espada golf courses, each flanked by ritzy resorts and country clubs. Gambling casinos are in no shortage either, having sprouted along the north, east and south central coastlines. The DR is also doubling the number of full-service marinas –- including the new Cap Cana Harbor and Marina that will be the largest mega-yacht marina in the Caribbean, able to host over 500 yachts up to 150-foot.

Continue reading "Dominican Republic: a big, beautiful Caribbean jewel" »

By Lena Katz

See, folks, this is why we take Caribbean vacations. Not for white sand beaches, excellent snorkeling, rum, reggae or duty-free emeralds. But for parties and festivals we've never heard of -- never even imagined -- with names straight out of Willy Wonka and celebrants in costumes and body paint.

Grand Koodement Day is actually the grand finale of Barbados' biggest and most popular annual festival, Crop Over. A traditional event based around the historic sugar cane harvest, Crop Over comprises five weeks of live music, dance, parties and carnival-esque fun. On this final day, schools and businesses shut down, and all the people in the island don costumes and dance in the streets to Caribbean soca calypso. The date is August 4th, but August 3rd is also worth attending—it's the annual Kings and Queens of Crop Over costume showcase, officially known as Cohobblopot. (Yup, I love that name too.)

Related Orbitz resources:

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Lena Katz lives on the Left Coast and writes about tropical islands, beach clubs and food, but her heart belongs to NYC.

By Jessica Labaire

Last year my family and I spent our Christmas vacation at the Majestic Colonial Resort, one of the all inclusive resorts in Punta Cana. Punta Cana is a fairly new resort destination on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. This picturesque area has gained popularity over the last 5 or so years as they have been building dozens of high-end all inclusive resorts. Since it is still fairly young for a Caribbean hot spot, you can find amazing prices at really high end luxury resorts. Punta Cana offers everything you would expect from a great Caribbean vacation; unbelievable beaches, perfect weather, endless watersports and a unique culture. Plus, at an all inclusive resort you don't pay for anything. All your meals, drinks, entertainment and activities are included in your upfront price, making it a perfect option -- especially for family travel –- because you never have to worry about that extra soda or afternoon snack.

Since there are not a ton of things to do in the area itself, the all inclusive resorts in Punta Cana have all been built to accommodate a full week's vacation without ever having to leave. The Majestic Colonial, for example, has six restaurants ranging from casual beach snack bar to gourmet a la carte dining and, of course, a couple buffets as well. And since it's an all inclusive resort, you don't have to pay a dime at any of them.

During the day we typically spent a couple hours relaxing on the amazing beach, or some days we snorkeled or sailed. Then after lunch we would spend a couple more hours in the afternoon at the expansive pool -- one if the biggest I have ever seen, complete with a swim-up pool bar and water volleyball court. My brother spent most of his time in the sports center that featured tennis courts, basketball, and a full gym. The resort even had a quaint little chapel right for our Christmas Eve Mass, or, I imagine, a beautiful destination wedding if you so chose.

At night there was plenty to do on site as well. This resort has its own casino with blackjack tables, roulette, slot machines and more. They also had a great sports bar (and thankfully we were able to watch the New England Patriot’s all way from the Dominican Republic). And later in the evening the nightclub gets into full swing. Unfortunately we were usually too tired from all the day's activities to partake in the disco.

We were not traveling with young children, but the Majestic Colonial does have a pretty cool play area with a big castle, kid’s pool and arcade. And with all the children that were there, we barely noticed any, so it seems they keep the kids pretty busy.

Our rooms were huge and immaculately kept, with maid service a couple times a day. Something to note: Even though tipping is not necessary at most all inclusive resorts, we did leave our room staff some money on the first day, and they seemed to notice; they took very good care of us.

I have stayed at many all inclusive resorts on my Caribbean vacations. Jamaica had been my favorite vacation destination, until I stayed at the Majestic Colonial in Punta Cana. This resort is amazing -- the staff was great, the food was superb, and the beaches and weather comparable to anyplace I’ve been. I feel like we got way more for our money at this all inclusive resort.

Related Orbitz resorces:

• Caribbean vacation
• Punta Cana hotels
• All inclusive vacations

Jessica Labaire is a merchandising manager for Orbitz.