The Roaming BoomersWaldorf Astoria Orlando
Stay tuned for our video review of the elegantly luxurious Waldorf Astoria Orlando. Our first Waldorf Astoria property! Can’t wait! (Photograph from Waldorf Astoria Digital Archives)
Video Review: Jade Mountain Resort, St. Lucia, Caribbean Islands
Jade Mountain Resort, St. Lucia, Caribbean Islands – This third stop on our 25th wedding anniversary Caribbean tour is our longest stop (6 nights/5 days), and it is here that we will celebrate the actual day of our wedding anniversary.
Not to take anything away from the other resorts we have visited on this tour, but Jade Mountain, along with its sister resort Anse Chastanet, is quite simply romance personified. Note: click the photograph for a much larger view!
Take a look at our five on-site photo journals from our stay at Jade Mountain:
On-Site Roaming Boomer Photo Journals
- St. Lucia’s Jade Mountain Resort Creates Unforgettable Memories for our 25th Wedding Anniversary
- Ah! Another day in St. Lucia’s Jade Mountain Resort Paradise
- Day #3 at St. Lucia’s Indescribable Jade Mountain Resort
- Day #4 of our 25th Wedding Anniversary Visit to Jade Mountain Resort and Anse Chastanet
- Day #5 of Romantic Bliss at St. Lucia’s Incomparable Jade Mountain Resort
And here is our video review:
As you can see, Jade Mountain is quite the place. Just look at a few of the awards they have garnered:
- #1 Resort in the Caribbean – Travel & Leisure
- #3 Resort in the World – Travel & Leisure
- #1 Hottest Caribbean Escape – The Travel Channel
- One of the Top 25 Caribbean Resorts – Conde Naste Traveler
- One of the Top 10 Luxury Hotels with the World’s Best Views – Luxury Travel Magazine
- Sexiest Skinny-Dipping – Brides Magazine
- Newly awarded the AAA Five-Diamond!
When Jade Mountain was asked to describe their “sanctuaries” (that’s what they call their rooms), here is how they described them:
“Expect grand sweeping spaces beyond your imagination, with your bedroom, living area and extravagantly sized private infinity edge pool gliding into one another to form an amazing platform floating in space, with the 4th wall missing entirely – the result is a stage-like setting from which to embrace the full glory – and infinite views – of St. Lucia’s twin Pitons and the shimmering Caribbean Sea – a view you are not likely to ever forget.”
We completely agree!
Our Jade Mountain, and sister resort Anse Chastanet visit was absolutely everything we had hoped it would be. Peaceful, romantic, great food, unparalleled service, ocean activities, and an unforgettable sanctuary to hide ourselves away to enjoy the company of each other.
We could not possibly think of a better place to steal ourselves away for our 25th wedding anniversary.
Thank you Nick! Thank you Karolin! And thank you Jade Mountain team! It was perfection, and a job well done!
To understand all that Jade Mountain offers, make certain that you poke around all of our articles, the above video, and the Jade Mountain website.
Disclosure: a portion of our wonderful stay was provided by Jade Mountain. Thanks!
Update 2013: through Roaming Boomers Travel Services, we can now book a room for you at Jade Mountain, and bring you special offers and pricing that you won’t find on the Internet. For more information, call us at (480) 550-1235, or to complete our convenient online information form CLICK HERE
The Jawbone Icon Hero Bluetooth Headset
Coming Review: With all the roaming we are doing, I am finding it difficult to keep my Motorola Droid up to my ear. Therefore, we are testing and reviewing this Jawbone Icon Hero Bluetooth Headset. Stay tuned!
Photo Journal – Day #2 at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa – Phoenix, Arizona
Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Phoenix, Arizona (Day #2) – As is my custom when visiting a beautiful resort, I arose quite early and explored the lush, oasis-like grounds of the Royal Palms Resort and Spa.
As I was roaming, the only stirring human beings were me and the resort’s gardeners. I also enjoyed the company of scurrying rabbits, desert songbirds that were busily sounding their throaty tunes, and an occasional small lizard.
I made my first photographic stop of the resort’s pool. I had to get my shot off quickly as there was a young father present with his very young son who was simply dying to swim in the pool. It was only a smidgen past seven o’clock in the morning. I smiled as I imagined the scene in their hotel room as this young family was dealing with a very persistent young swimmer wannabe.
As I pressed on past the pool, and into the resort’s nine acres at the foot of Camelback Mountain, I was immediately taken with how incredibly lush this place was for being in the middle of the desert. These gardens are over 80 years old, and the lush magenta bougainvillea, the many exotic plants, the palm trees, the orange groves all made testament that this is truly one of the Phoenix Valley’s most mature landscapes.
Here is a beautiful Mexican Bird-of-Paradise that was begging to be photographed.
Another striking feature of the Royal Palms Resort and Spa are the copious numbers of fountains, doorways into private alcoves, antique wooden doors, iron gates, outdoor fireplaces, and comfortable small sitting areas that are discovered as you explore the resort’s maze of curving walkways.
At nearly every turn, I felt as if I had discovered yet another secret garden hideaway.
Even further, the terra cotta Spanish architecture that lays the foundation to the resort is simply stunning. Here’s an example…
Later in the morning, we headed over to the pool to enjoy a cabana that the Royal Palms Resort and Spa had reserved for us. We were greeted by eager pool waitstaff, ushered a metal bucket full of iced bottled waters, and told that they were there to wait on us hand and foot.
When it was time for lunch, all I had to do was gaze towards the wait-stand and immediately there was someone rushing to our aid.
We enjoyed mahi mahi tacos, wonderful olives, and a wonderful smokey humus.
Here’s a photograph of Carol in ultimate pool luxury wearing her secret agent sunglasses. 🙂
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Around two o’clock we packed up our things and headed back to our home in North Scottsdale.
But, stay tuned.
We still have a video to share with you, and we simply can’t forget to tell you about our wonderful dining experience at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa’s T. Cook’s restaurant.
Photo Journal – Day #1 at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa – Phoenix, Arizona
Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Phoenix, Arizona (Day #1) – In the business world, one of the things that I learned many years ago was that first impressions are very critical to your enterprise. Perhaps even more important is the fact that it is very hard to undo a bad first impression.
Clearly, the Royal Palms Resort and Spa understands and has mastered the art of the first impression.
We arrived at 12:00 and our room wasn’t quite ready yet. Therefore, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch at their on-property fine dining restaurant, T. Cook’s. As a side note, their White Sangria was cool, refreshing, and out of this world!
Shortly after our lunch, my cell phone began vibrating in my pocket to alert me that our room was done. When our bellman opened the door to our Alavadora Spa Terrace Suite, this was the opulent luxury that was beckoning our entrance.
As our optical systems were firing great pleasure messages to our brains, our auditory system noted that there was also immensely beautiful Spanish accoustic guitar music playing on our spa suite’s Bose stereo system.
This is a photograph of our room!
Note: this particular photograph is from the Royal Palms Resort and Spa Digital Photograph Library.
When we stepped out onto our patio, there was below us a most beautiful courtyard with the Camelback Mountains serving as a backdrop.
Next on the agenda was a wonderful eucalyptus steam bath for David, and Carol was slated for the Alvadora Spa‘s signature Omorovicza Facial:
This classic Hungarian facial, cleanses and re-mineralizes the skin. Cleansers, exfoliaters and moisturizers are formulated with mineral – rich Hungarian thermal waters which are used in different combinations to suit each customer’s skin ensuring the best result. After gentle exfoliation, a mud mask packed with calcium and magnesium carbonates, cleanses and detoxifies the skin. A unique facial massage stimulates micro-circulations and combats stress.
Carol walked out beaming that the skin on her face was glowing and looked five years younger. I agreed, and certainly wouldn’t have had the courage to do otherwise. 🙂
Here is a stock photograph, from the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, showing one of their beautiful spa suites.
After a few hours of luxuriating in the Alvadora Spa, we returned to enjoy some time in our wonderful room and prepared for our dinner at the resort’s renowned T. Cook’s restaurant.
I can’t possibly explain the exceptional cuisine we enjoyed in this short photo journal. Therefore, I will tell of this experience is a separate post.
However, to tease you a bit, think Iron Chef, AAA Diamond Awards, most romantic, best hotel dining, best place for a date, to mention just a few of their many awards.
For now, just know that T. Cook’s spoiled us rotten. Check this out photograph with Chef Lee Hillson…
After dinner, we strolled in the Royal Palms Resort and Spa’s stunningly beautiful grounds.
Well, that’s it for now. Stay tuned!
Note: all photography, except where noted, is by David A. Porter and is protected by copyright.
Our Client Testimonials
Research Travel Options
Best Way to Book a Cruise
