Posted by David Porter on August 13, 2010 · 8 Comments
The Roaming Boomers have visited a fair number of incredible resorts since we launched our enterprise back in February of 2010.
We have devised our own system of culling out which resorts we will visit, and many of them are the best of the best. However, we do find distinct differences in these resorts that we would like to make you aware of, and simply lumping them into our current category called “amazing” isn’t very helpful. Right?
Here is our first stab at developing a system of comparison for each of the resorts we visit:
- Our rating system will follow the common practice of having a five point system. However, we plan to offer our system with 1/2 point increments.
- Both of us will put forth our own individual ratings of the resort.
- Our ratings will fall into eight categories:
- First Impression
- Staff service
- Room Quality
- Food Quality
- Grounds Quality
- Spa Quality
- Room View
- Overall Impression
- From these 16 different ratings, we will then average them all down to a single rating which will be rounded to the nearest hundredth.
- From our previous travels, we will establish a benchmark for each of the categories to determine near perfection. For example, the Jade Mountain Resort possessed the best room view of all of the properties that we have currently visited. Therefore, we will set Jade Mountain’s room view as a “5” and rate all others in comparison. If we find a resort room with a view greater than Jade Mountain’s, then we will change the benchmark.
I suppose our proposed system is flawed in some measure because our visits are subject to the resort’s policies on hosting travel media, and also subject to their availability. For example, a recent Four Seasons Resort put us in a 2,000 sq. ft. suite, while one unnamed hotel put us in a 300 sq. ft. matchbox. From our point of view, our hosts made a business decision where to host us, and this is going to certainly reflect in our impressions of the resort. Unfortunately for the unnamed hotel, I was not happy in the matchbox.
Furthermore, it is our intention, if something is glaringly sticking out, to make a few brief comments. For example, one recent world renowned resort we visited had vinyl shower curtains, and very mediocre products in their bath. Whereas, a good many of our host’s bathrooms contain beautiful marble, glass, and yummy bath products.
As you get to know us, you will understand that we are constantly on the look out for attention to the small things, and continually have our antennae looking for the remarkable.
At the end of the day, we think this all boils down into something called experience. If someone is going to spend a great deal of money to stay in a world renowned resort, the resort had better be able to deliver a mind boggling experience.
Otherwise, we would all just stay in a Motel-6. Right?
So, these are our initial thoughts. Please…give us your feedback!
Input, we need your input!
Leave a comment below.
Posted by David Porter on August 10, 2010 · 1 Comment
This was the majestic parting view of St. Lucia’s iconic Pitons, taken from our romantic sanctuary, as we were sadly leaving the Jade Mountain Resort with a little of my artistic filtering added.
This view, Jade Mountain, and my bride of 25 years all combined to create the absolutely perfect ending to our 25th wedding anniversary tour of the Caribbean’s most romantic resorts.
Posted by David Porter on August 9, 2010 · Leave a Comment
This was my view when I woke up this morning at 5:45 a.m. at St. Lucia’s Jade Mountain Resort.
Posted by David Porter on August 8, 2010 · 1 Comment
Jade Mountain Resort, St. Lucia – it is day #13 of our romantic 25th wedding anniversary tour of the Caribbean, and day #5 of our stay at the Jade Mountain Resort.
Today, St. Lucia’s famous Pitons delivered up a day predominantly showcasing that this is indeed the rainy season. Not the least bit disheartened, I strapped on my “inner Monet” and created this little number taken from our sanctuary overlooking these iconic landmarks.
If the weather is going to confine a traveler to their room, I can’t think of a better place for that to happen than in one of Jade Mountain’s sanctuaries.
We enjoyed listening to, and watching the gentle rains water the earth. We enjoyed our in-sanctuary infinity pool, read books, talked about our future, enjoyed the eager service of our major-domos, enjoyed the various St. Lucian birds that happened by our way, and generally drank in a day of complete relaxation.
As evening approached, the clouds broke and provided us with this remarkable display.
When you stay at Jade Mountain, you have a wide range of dining alternatives. Just look at what is available:
- First of all, the Jade Mountain Club features tropical cuisine created by the James Beard award winner, Chef Allan Susser.
- Jade Mountain is very adept at creating private candlelit diners in secluded spots all over their stunningly beautiful property.
- When you are lodging in one of the world’s most scenic sanctuaries, a glorious option is to have your major-domo serve you a three course meal right on your patio overlooking St. Lucia’s arresting Pitons.
- Additionally, a short jaunt down the mountain to Jade Mountain’s sister resort, Anse Chastanet, will give you these options:
- The Treehouse Restaurant for fine Caribbean dining.
- Emeralds – vegetarian cuisine featuring organic produce grown right on the resort’s own farm.
- Trou Au Diable Beach Restaurant – Caribbean and Creole cuisine served right on the Anse Chastanet beach.
- Apsara – in the evenings, the Trou Au Diable Restaurant transforms into a romantic setting where you can enjoy a fusion of East Indian and Caribbean cuisine.
For this evening, we chose to enjoy the Jade Mountain Club pictured below. (photo courtesy of Jade Mountain)
For our appetizers, Carol enjoyed the most incredible Smoke Gouda-Beef Ravioli (Tomatoes, Scallion, Basil Cream Sauce), while I experienced near gastronomical bliss with Smoked Duck Breast and Seared Foie Gras (Pineapple Carpaccio, Sour Orange Vanilla Coulis). Wow!
Carol then moved to her salad with Anse Mamin Hearts of Palm and Romaine Caesar (Garlic Croutons, Parmesan Frico, Chive Dressing), while I enjoyed “Crispy” Goats Cheese Salad (Cherry Tomatoes, Grilled Onion, Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette). Both were outstanding, but we both agreed that this was the best goat cheese salad ever!
For our Entrees, Carol cooed over Sweat Pea and Cashew Nut Risotto (Artichoke Bottom, Callaloo, Sun Dried Tomato), while I enjoyed Island Spiced Filet of Mahi Mahi (Braised Lentil and Plantain “Samba”, Green Tomato Slaw, Lavender Basil Tea). The hot Lavender Basil Tea was poured over my fish at table-side.
This truly was a night of gastronomical delight in one of the most romantic settings ever. To top it all off, just as we were leaving the Jade Mountain Club, in walked a gal with a soprano saxophone. Therefore, we sat down and enjoyed a wonderful performance of smooth and sultry jazz.
What an evening!
It was now time to head back to our room to once again enjoy the Milky Way from the vantage point of our in-sanctuary infinity pool.
Oh, before I go, I thought you might enjoy this photograph of the Jade Mountain Sanctuaries at night. The various colors you see are from each rooms Chromotherapy lights in their individual infinity pools. (photo courtesy of Jade Mountain)
Stunning, isn’t it?
Posted by David Porter on August 7, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Here is a sunset that I captured here at the Jade Mountain Resort on the island of St. Lucia.
The Roaming Boomers
