Review Friends

Club Med Starts Guest Rewards Program

Club Med announced today that is is starting a guest rewards program called Great Members.
Club Med guests can earn upgrades, discounts, late check-out and future rewards based upon how many nights and/or how much the guests have previously spent.Club Med Great Members has three reward levels:

1) Turkoise - Anyone who has stayed at a Club Med within the last three years.

2) Silver - Guests who have spent at least $8,000 at Club Med

3) Gold - Guests who have spent at least $20,000 at Club Med.

While the rewards program is nice, it seems to me that Club Med needs to get better at getting the message out about how much fun their resorts are. This simply churns a bit more business out of existing fans. People are confused about the new Club Med. They need to craft a strategy to clarify what they offer and what’s in it for travelers to choose Club Med over the mryiad of options.George

I don’t often get excited about another Hotel Booking site (there are so many now) however I recently stumbled upon a new site called www.LateRooms.com. This is a new site put together by the largest travel company in Europe; TUI Travel House out of the UK. They offer many different types of accommodations that are not readily accessible by the big US online travel sites.

You can book B&B’s, Castles, Villas and small family run hotels throughout Europe. The really neat thing is that they seem to have low prices too.

George

Now is the time to vacation in Mexico!
Sounds like the mantra for the real estate industry’s: “Now is the time to buy.” However, it’s also true for Mexico vacations. With the Swine Flu scare behind us for the most part, Mexico’s Beach resorts and hotels are flooding the market with discounts and great packages to lure back U.S. travelers.

According to Jorge Sidron, Chief Mexico Corespondent for Travel Weekly “Travel discounts to Mexico might not get better than this. As the county’s tourism industry battles to recover from the severe impact of the swine flu outbreak, people considering a visit can choose from an unprecedented number of steeply discounted resorts and hotels throughout the country, including many that would otherwise be out of a typical tourist’s price range.”

Staying in a luxurious resort normally beyond one’s means? Self-indulgence in today’s frugal consumer environment? An interesting concept indeed. However, if you are planning on taking a vacation why not stay in the best hotels if they offer such a great price you really can afford it? It’s been a rough couple months. Go ahead, treat yourself. Go to a 5-star Mexico resort for the price of a 3-star hotel.
George

The Swine Flu scare has forced the RIU chain of popular All-Inclusive Mexico beach resorts to temporarily close due to lack of guests. To be clear, they are not shutting down, but closing until mid May due to lack of incoming guests.

In Cancun, the RIU Playacar, Riu Tequila, and Riu Palace Cancun will shut down until May 21, moving all incoming guests to the Riu Yucatan or Riu Palace Riviera Maya.

In Puerto Vallarta, the Riu Jalisco is shutting down until May 21 moving all guests in-house and incoming to the Riu Palace Pacifico.Clearly, Riu Mexico Hotels has the facilities to shut capacity and handle the incoming guests. However, it truly indicates the impace that the Swine Flu scare is having on Mexico tourism.I’m no doctor, but isn’t it just the Flu? Don’t more people get Montezuma’s Revenge than the Swine Flu? I guess, people move in groups.

Avis has now initiated No-Show Fees in Europe. Look for this trend to spread quickly to the U.S. The car companies have traditionally counted on sweet deals from the car manufacturers to stock their fleets. Obviously they can no longer count on Detroit for anything and must now make operations profitable through new fees and rate structures.     

Avis may be the first car rental firm to impose no-show fees, look for the rest of the rental industry to fall in line within a very short period.  In Europe the no-show fee is a one-time charge of £40 (approx: $60). Avis will now begin requesting a valid Form of Payment at the time of booking to guarantee rental car reservations.

Frankly, the days of reservations without putting any skin in the game are over. It’s about time the car rental agencies manage their fleets better by asking people to guarantee reservations.

George

Club Med from $499pp Family Plans!

Club Med Punta Cana

Club Med has unveiled some new Family Travel Specials at:

• Club Med Sandpiper
• Club Med Cancun
• Club Med Ixtapa, Mexico
• Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

For more info on the new Club Med check out: Club Med Reviews

Specials begin at $499 per person for up to a family of four staying in the same room.
Club Med membership fees and airfare additional.
Must be booked by April 30, 2009

Enjoy,
George

Now for something deluxe. This is for those of you looking for a luxury cruise, but also looking for a deal. Check out these specials on Seabourne Cruise Line. This upscale line specializes in Europe Cruises. From the Mediterranean to the Greek Isles, there’s never been a better time to go luxury yacht cruising in Europe. Now at the most attractive fares you’ve ever seen from Seabourn Cruises…up to 60% off. Enjoy savings on all four Seabourn yachts, including Seabourn Odyssey, the world’s most exciting new yacht.

Italian Idyll Cruise - 7 Days on the Seabourn Spirit
JUN 20, JUL 11, AUG 1, AUG 22,
SEP 12, OCT 3 or OCT 17, 2009
Venice, Italy to Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Special Fares from $2,999 pp/dbl

Corfu & Croatian Isles - 7 Days on the Seabourn Spirit
JUN 27, AUG 8, AUG 29 or SEP 19, 2009
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy to Venice, Italy
Special Fares from $3,299 pp/dbl

Dalmatian Gems - 7 Days on the Seabourn Spirit
JUL 4, AUG 15 or SEP 5, 2009s
Round-trip Venice, Italy
Special Fares from $3,299 pp/dbl

Cote D’Azur & Spanish Isles - 7 Days on the Seabourn Legend
JUN 20, JUL 11, AUG 1, AUG 15, AUG 22,
SEP 12 or OCT 10, 2009
Monte Carlo, Monaco to Barcelona, Spain
Special Fares from $2,999 pp/dbl

The Yachtsman’s Riviera - 7 Days on the Seabourn Legend
JUN 27, JUL 25, AUG 22 or SEP 19, 2009
Barcelona, Spain to Monte Carlo, Monaco
Special Fares from $3,299 pp/dbl

Florence & Italian Yacht Havens - 7 Days on the Seabourn Legend
JUL 4 or AUG 29, 2009
Monte Carlo, Monaco to Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Special Fares from $3,299 pp/dbl

Aegean Odyssey - 7 Days on the Seabourn Odyssey
JUL 18 or SEP 19, 2009
Istanbul, Turkey to Pireaus (Athens), Greece
Special Fares from $3,449 pp/dbl

Greece & Dalmatian Delights - 7 Days on the Seabourn Odyssey
JUL 25, AUG 29 or SEP 26, 2009
Pireaus (Athens), Greece to Venice, Italy
Special Fares from $3,449 pp/dbl

Grand Mediterranean II - 16 Days on the Seabourn Pride
OCT 8, 2009
Lisbon, Portugal to Pireaus (Athens), Greece
Special Fares from $5,999 pp/dbl

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL
OR SEABOURN CRUISES DIRECTLY AT 1.800.929.9391.

The Hawaii tour operators are finally coming the the recession party and dropping vacation package prices. They have been reluctant to drop prices fearing that it will hit profits. However, they found that in this recession the traveling public will only travel if they get a deal. So here are some specials offered by Pleasant Holidays:

		3 Nights at the Castle Maile Sky Court Includes RT Airfare from LAX and 3 nights accommodations reduced rate and Kids 17 & younger stay FREE. Valid for travel: Select Thru 04/06/2009 - 06/01/2009 Mondays - Price is Per Person - Double Occupancy - Subject to Availability and change		From $300.00
		3 Nights at the Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel Includes RT Airfare from LAX and 3 nights accommodations reduced rate, daily continental breakfast, 2-for-1 luau, Aloha Book value coupons, and Kids 12 & younger stay, play and eat FREE.Per Person - Double Occupancy: Valid for travel: Select Thru 04/06/2009 - 06/01/2009 Mondays - Price is Per Person - Double Occupancy - Subject to Availability and change		From $406.00
		3 Nights - Maui Condo Outrigger Royal Kahana Ocean View Studio. Includes RT Airfare from LAX and 3 nights accommodations - reduced rate and Kids 17 & younger stay FREE. Valid for travel: Select Thru 04/06/2009 - 05/18/2009 Mondays - Price is Per Person - Double Occupancy - Subject to Availability and change		From $507.00
		3 Nights at the Sheraton Kauai Garden Hotel Includes RT Airfare from LAX and 3 nights accommodations - reduced rate and Kids 17 & younger stay FREE. Valid for travel: Select Thru 03/01/2009 - 03/28/2009 Mondays - Price is Per Person - Double Occupancy - Subject to Availability and change		From $500.00

Pleasant Holidays is the largest tour operator to the Hawaiian Islands. They tend to use United Airlines in their packages, but also will include Hawaiian and Delta as well. Here is the contact info for Pleasant Holidays: Toll-Free: 1-866-247-6659

Enjoy,
George

I just found this awesome travel deal to Australia. This is from Qantas Vacations.
Quantas is the Airline of Australia. Check this out:

5 DAY TOUR - RED CENTER WAY FROM $899
Experience the real Australian Outback
Discover the natural and cultural marvels of Australia’s Red Center
Includes 4 nights hotel, exceptional touring with local guide & Hotel/Airport Transfers
Visit the 3 must sees Ayers Rock, Alice Springs & Kings Canyon
Enjoy a beautiful sunset at the Olgas with an Aussie BBQ
Visit Ayers Rock at Sunrise and see its changing rock colors
Climb to the rim of Kings Canyon BONUS FREE HOTEL UPGRADE:
Book this tour by February 28 and receive a free room upgrade at Ayers Rock.**

Here is the link to Qantas Vacations

**5 Day Red Center Way Terms and Conditions: Special Upgrade Offer: Book by February 28, 2009, Travel April 1- Dec 31, 2009 and receive a free room upgrade at Ayers Rock, per couple. Subject to availability and not combinable with any other discount or offer. All prices are “from,” per person based on double occupancy and travel in low season. All prices, itineraries and routing are subject to change. 

My favorite hotel in Waikiki is the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Outrigger has refurbished “The Reef” quite a few times in the last 10 years or so. However, this time was a major renovation with over $110 million in improvements. Immediately upon arriving repeat guests will notice the new tropical wood entry. The pool area and sundeck have been upgraded. The Reef had quite a few rooms that were small and some that had really small bathrooms. These rooms have been consolidated and expanded to more appropriate sizes. However, those lowest priced “no-view” rooms still have No View and should be avoided. Choose city or pool view rooms or better when making reservations. 

Never fear, the popular Shorebird Restaurant and Bar is still serving up those drinks and raw pieces of meat. They call it the “Thrill of the Grill” where guest cook their own meat. Repeat and new guests alike will be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the renovation. The Outrigger Reef will continue as one of the most popular hotels in Waikiki.

Aloha & Mahalo,
George