On October 25-29, the luxury all inclusive Beaches Resort in Turks and Caicos hosted the ever-popular Beaches Friends Forever (BFF) Girls Getaway. The special girls getaway treated 173 BFFs to five days of relaxation and VIP treatment on beautiful Grace Bay Beach. During their stay, the ladies were treated to:

• A welcome cocktail reception,
• A hairstyling tips and ticke class sponsored by Paul Mitchell,
• A beach-bonfile PJ party,
• Private snorkeling trip on an Island Routes Kitty Katt Catamaran Cruise,
• A jewelry and wine soiree,
• Seaside yoga classes,
• and many other surprises.

The BFFs also received $200 spa credit to use on resort, 10% discount at all resort gift shops, a free 5x7 photo, free Paul Mitchell keratin treatment, free shellac power polish and a welcome goody bag compliments of Beaches Resorts. 

The BFF Girls Getaway is a GREAT idea for celebrating milestone birthdays, bachelorette weekends, mother-daughter bonding time, sorority reunions, or any other reasons for a Caribbean getaway! 

If you would like attend one of the upcoming BFF Getaway weekends, there is one scheduled for April 23-27, 2015 and another September 24-28, 2015. Rates start at $1,599 per person and include unlimited food, unlimited premium brand drinks, watersports, transfers to and from the airport, and all taxes, tips and gratuities. Click below to request more information. 

FAST, FREE AND EVERYWHERE: SANDALS RESORTS AND BEACHES RESORTS ADD WI-FI TO LUXURY INCLUDED® EXPERIENCE

~ All Guests to Receive New, Improved and FREE Internet Beginning December 1, 2014 ~

Perfect for those that keep their smartphones and tablets as close as their sunscreen while on vacation, Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts will introduce free Wi-Fi beginning December 1, 2014.

Unlike most other resorts, Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts are giving guests the connection they need, wherever and whenever, for free. Whether accessing the latest news and gossip while lounging poolside; uploading pictures of a romantic beachfront sunset via social media straight from the beach; or checking emails while relaxing in their luxurious suites, Wi-Fi will be available to all guests, in all room categories and public areas. Guests are unrestricted in the number of their devices they can connect.

“Offering free Wi-Fi is an important Sandals Resorts difference, not only to our guests who want to stay connected to their lives at home, but to our agent partners who may confidently sell the most comprehensive all-inclusive luxury experience in the marketplace,” said Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, Chairman of Sandals Resorts International. “We’ve always been a leader in providing the best Wi-Fi service with the best equipment for several years and we are now offering this class leading service for free. This is what sets us apart from the rest.”

The introduction of this connection courtesy join a wide selection of impressive inclusions that demonstrate the Sandals Resorts difference. Among these offerings, guests will find luxurious accommodations, fine dining options, unlimited premium brand wine and spirits including wines by Beringer Vineyards and Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum, international a la carte culinary delights through Discovery Dining, land and water sports including scuba diving for certified divers, fitness centers, airport transfers, gratuities and more.

“I personally am asking guests to tweet to us at @SandalsResorts or @BeachesResorts and let us know how we can further improve their vacation,” added Stewart. “We value our guests’ feedback and encourage them to share their experiences with us.”

Sandals Resorts:

With 15 stunning beach front settings, Sandals Resorts has earned a worldwide reputation for providing two people in love with the most romantic vacation experience in the Caribbean.  Sandals Resorts welcomes guests to the islands of Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados and Grenada with a myriad of exclusive amenities from luxurious accommodations and Butler service to gourmet specialty dining and premium wines and spirits.  The award-winning Sandals Resorts is also the perfect venue for dream destination weddings, vow renewals, honeymoons, or what Sandals Resorts has coined WeddingMoons®.  For more information on Sandals Resorts Luxury Included experience, Request your Complimentary Vacation Consultation with The Sand Lady from Royal Travel.

Beaches Resorts

With three spectacular locations in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica and soon a fourth in Barbados and a fifth in Antigua, Beaches Resorts is the ultimate getaway for every member of the family.  With outrageous water parks, XBOX® Play Lounge, the Scratch DJ Academy, exclusive Kids Camps, teen nightclubs, Certified Nannies, Butler service, and Red Lane® Spas, Beaches Resorts provides an unrivaled experience in the Caribbean. As a proud sponsor of Sesame Street, Beaches Resorts also offers the Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street®, where kids can spend their vacation with their favorite friends from the Sesame Street gang with daily activities and weekly stage shows. Beaches Resorts are also the perfect destination wedding and vow renewal venue, offering unrivaled choices for your most special day and the opportunity for the whole family to celebrate together with FamilyMoons®. For more information, Request your Complimentary Vacation Consultation.

There are several new and updated features of Sandals Royal Bahamian that I wanted to update you on after our recent stay. The most exciting is the addition of Sandals signature Crystal Lagoon swim-up suites! But let's not get ahead of ourselves...

I LOVE flying in to Nassau, Bahamas. The view from the plane of all the little out islands of the Bahamas is just gorgeous. 

The Nassau airport is new and modern. Once you have claimed your bags and completed a short immigration process, you will easily find the brand new Sandals arrivals lounge in the airport.

A friendly face will greet you, take your bags, and let you know when your transfer to the resort is ready. This usually takes just a few minutes, and the ride to the resort is only about 10 minutes. But if you do have a few extra moments in the airport, you might enjoy seeing a familiar brand at the coffee shop. 

At the end of your stay, you will also be able to clear US customs in the Nassau airport before actually leaving the island. This can save tons of time and hassle once you arrive stateside. 

Nassau is extremely friendly for those who have not traveled as much or who simply prefer a more familiar culture. Don't get me wrong, the Bahamians have their own unique style and culture, but they do appreciate American brands and experiences more so than some of the other islands in the Caribbean. 

Now on to the resort. Did you want to be treated like a queen or a king for the week?

The plush thrones in one of the small wading pools are unique and cute. But they really are a snapshot of the playful, royal style of this resort. No one takes themselves too seriously here, but the service and the food is absolutely top notch. 

Just on the other side of this wading pool is one of my favorite places to hang out - one of the two swim-up pool bars on this resort. 

The Balmoral Tower has recently been totally refurbished. I've already shared some of the updates in a previous blog here. I specifically want to show you the walk-out rooms available on the first floor of the all new Balmoral Tower. 

The beach front walk out rooms have these romantic fire pits just steps from your private patio. The fire pits come alive after sunset and make a cozy gathering area to socialize to stargaze together. 

Around the corner of the building from the beach front walk-out rooms are the Zen Garden walk-out rooms. 

While these rooms do not have the view of the beach from their private patio, they do still have a private sitting area on the patio and a personal sunning area in the Zen garden. These will satisfy a more restrictive budget. 

This gorgeous, quiet end of the beach is just steps away from the Balmoral walk-out rooms as well. 

This is the quieter, less frequented end of the beach on this resort. How about a dinner by candle light or a couples massage at the end of this pier? 

Sandals Royal Bahamian never feels crowded. Here is a spot for sunning right in the middle of the beach on the main area of the resort. The water is always so blue in Nassau. This is also the perfect spot for a beach wedding with a gorgeous backdrop. 

Sandals Royal Bahamian now boasts an enormous penthouse fitness center with the absolute best view from an elliptical trainer that I've ever seen. 

On the opposite side of the resort from the Balmoral Tower sits the Windsor Block where many of the other guest rooms are located. The rooms of the Windsor Block have also been recently updated. Most notably, Sandals has added their signature Crystal Lagoon swim-up suites, which have previously been found at Sandals Negril, Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Grande St. Lucian. 

These first floor suites feature private entrances to the Crystal Lagoon pool. On this resort, the Crystal Lagoon pool is fairy secluded from the rest of the resort. You will have lots of privacy in these tranquil suites. 

You will also experience the highest level of pampering when you stay in one of these luxurious honeymoon suites as they come with Sandals exclusive Personal Butler Service as well. How about champagne breakfast on your private patio overlooking the sparkling Crystal Lagoon pool followed by a refreshing swim to start the day?

The other rooms in the Windsor Block have also been recently updated to the highest standards. These more entry level rooms offer lots of space and plenty of extra amenities. 

To read more about Sandals Royal Bahamian including the private offshore island, check out this blog article. If you are planning a honeymoon, you may be interested in this article. Or if you are planning a destination wedding, check this out. If you are looking for a more exotic resort, this article on Sandals Emerald Bay might suit your taste. 

In any case, I hope you will request a no obligation complimentary vacation consultation with me. There is never any fee for my service. Your Sandals vacation will cost the same whether you book through me or any other method. So why not let me guide you through selecting the right resort and room for your preferences and budget? I will take care of ALL of the details from this point until you return from your trip. 

Hi! I'm The Sand Girl. My Mommy and my Gigi are The Sand Ladies. I'm 3 years old. My brother and I are on vacation at Beaches Turks and Caicos. This is a really special vacation because my mommy and my daddy, my uncle Ubbah, my grandparents Gigi and Popey, AND my great-grandparented Mammaw and Pawpaw are ALL here! We are all having so much fun here.

And I have a BIG surprise to tell you!!

The beach here is SO beautiful! I love playing on the beach with my brother. We move the sand. And I take buckets of seawater and seashells up to my Mammaw in the shade.

Our room is in the brand new Key West Village. My Mommy says it is her favorite.

Davion, our Butler, helps us get all the toys and stuff to the beach. I love talking to him. 

The beach there is really big and there aren't a lot of people around. 

This is the beach right beside it in the Italian Village.

Mommy swims while we play.

Sometimes I swim with Daddy.

After we play on the beach all morning, I sure am glad our butler Davion has saved us a cabana by the pool!

I'm telling you. This is the best napping spot ever!

And guess what!! We got to bake cookies with Cookie Monster!!!

I love Cookie Monster! He was REALLY big!

We've also been playing at the water park. 

And eating icecream at Bobby D's. My Pawpaw loves icecream! and so do I...

The french toast at Bayside in the Key West Village is my favorite, though.

Can you believe how beautiful it is here? I like to look at the ocean after breakfast.

Look who we ran into on the way to the water park yesterday! I love Big Bird!!

 

My Mommy told Davion the Butler that my birthday was 2 weeks ago and my brother's birthday is next month. Look what he surprised us with yesterday! A birthday party lunch with my whole family!!

THIS was a VERY YUMMY birthday cake!!

 

My brother wanted to save it. What a fun morning! We were so tired.

My Mommy told me that Zoe and The Count came by while we were sleeping.

My Daddy is so silly.

My Mommy and Daddy got to have a special dinner just for them while my brother and I were hanging out at the Sesame Kids Camp. We got to have a pajama party with some Sesame friends!!

That's our other butler, Randy. He is always so helpful to my Mommy. 

OK. This is the BIG, BIG, BIG surprise!! Last night ELMO came to read us a bedtime story and he tucked us in before bed!!! Can you believe it?! ELMO!!!! And we brought my brother an elmo doll to have. He brought me Abby. Because he knows I love Abby.

 

Did you see part 1 of my post? 

If you want to bring your family to play on this beach and visit with Elmo, you can just push that button below to contact my Mommy and my Gigi and find out how. Be sure to as them about Personal Butler Service and to schedule a bedtime story with your favorite Sesame friend!

Hi! I'm The Sand Girl. My Mommy and my Gigi are The Sand Ladies. I'm 3 years old. This is my brother's first trip to Beaches Turks and Caicos. And I was just a baby when I was here before. 

Yesterday, I got to fly on an airplane. But today was SO fun. We had breakfast by the ocean at Bayside. My mom says I'm kind of grumpy when I'm hungry. My brother and I love the fresh fruit here!

After breakfast, we went to the pool. Our butler Randy set up this cool cabana by the pool for us. My Mommy says we have a butler because that makes it a vacation for her too!

Then we all went for a swim. I can swim all by myself! My brother likes to play by himself in the shallow areas of the pool.

We got to swim for a LONG time! Then we went to the Sesame Kids Camp for Super Grover's Super Science Fair. We dug in the sand to find treasures. I blew bubbles with Bert, too. I love playing bubbles! Did you know Bert loves playing bubbles, too?!

We were hungry after all that science!! And do you know what?! When we got back to our cabanda, Randy brought us all kinds of snacks!

We even had a cookie and some milk before nap time. Did you know Cookie Monster makes the cookies here?! My Daddy closed the sides of the cabana so we could take our nap by the pool!

He is SO silly!

I loved napping by the pool, too. Our cabana even has a fan in it!

And my Mommy and Daddy rested by the pool, too. That's the shallow baby pool in the front, and a HUGE hottub on the far left.

You just SWIM up to this place, and you can sit on a stool in the water, and they give you whatever you want to drink! I like strawberry slushies.

After my nap, I swam a little more in the baby pool with some other kids while my brother was still sleeping.

Then it was time for my Gigi and the rest of our family to get here! I am SO excited to show Ubbah (he's my uncle) and Mammaw where Big Bird is!

While they were unpacking, my brother and I got Tatoos! I got to pick mine out. It is a mermaid.

My brother is tough like Daddy.

We ate a yummy dinner with all of the family, and then we went to Big Bird's Beach party!! It was SO much fun! We got to see ALL of the Sesame Street friends. We dance and sang. It was pretty much the most fun night ever. 

 I was so sleepy after today. My Daddy carried me back to the room. I can't WAIT to see what we're going to do tomorrow. I want to swim in the ocean. And bake cookies with Cookie Monster. He's going to teach me. I'll tell you all about it.

If you want to come visit Big Bird, you can just push that button below to contact my Mommy and my Gigi and find out how. 

Goodnight!!

Don't miss part 2 of our family adventure!

The water sports program at each of the 15 Sandals Resorts and 3 Beaches Resorts operates a National Geographic Dive Center and PADI five-star operations. The 18 resorts offer 510 spectacular dive sites throughout the Caribbean and are a part of the renowned Divers Alert Network (DAN), the most recognized dive safety organization in the world. 

These luxury all-inclusive resorts provide a safe and fun environment for SCUBA divers of all levels. 

	Jamaica Example Dive: Throne Room - The entrance is a fairly wide but low cavern, with a crack in the reef about 25ft. long and 8 ft. wide. When using the entrance you need to be really careful not to damage the coral around the opening. The walls on the inside are covered with colorful sponges. The bottom is covered with fine sediments which when disturbed will immediately reduce the visibility. Leaving the throne room, you swim through a large opening forming a window of sorts; coming into the deeper reef at 70ft. this window provides great photo opportunities.  Skill Level: Novice Avg Depth: 40ft Max Depth: 70ft
	Nassau, Bahamas Example Dive: Shipyard - You can investigate not one, but three of the best wrecks in the Caribbean Sea at the Shipyard. This nautical graveyard is home to three freighters resting at a depth of eighty-five feet. The abandoned vessels resting in close vicinity gives the area a supernatural feel. But just when you think you are approaching a series of lifeless vessel shells, a massive school of silversides will swarm through the scene, shifting away from the pursuit of predators like the Barracuda, the African Pompano, or the Schoolmaster. These are 3 wrecks down for about 20+ years: 1 Oil Tanker and 2 Mail Boats. Skill Level: Advanced Avg. Depth: 90ft
	Great Exuma, Bahamas Example Dive: Sandals Wall - Sharks, barracudas, stingrays, jacks, snappers, dolphins and a variety of tropical fish seen in this area. Starts at about 50ft Skill Level: Advanced Avg Depth: 50ft Distance from Shore: 15 min
	St. Lucia Example Dive: Virgin Cove - patches of coral and eventually more defined structures of reef. This semicircular reef/wall is a richly diverse coral reef structure displaying both hard and soft corals. Shaped like a figure "9", maximum depth is around 70 ft/21 m. There are lots of large barrel sponges, brain coral and occasionally stingrays. Schools of snappers, grunts and Atlantic spade fish as well as turtles and barracudas are frequent residents of this reef, especially at the 60 ft/70 ft level. Skill Level: Novice Avg Depth: 30ft Distance from Shore: 20 min
	Antigua Example Dive: Mary Kay Reef - This is a very nice reef to navigate. This site is filled with an abundance of soft coral heads that brings lots of marine life, Also a spur and grove site with small ledges and undercuts. Lobsters, barracudas and lots of small fish are usually present. The occasional turtle and stingray put in an appearance. Skill Level: Novice Avg Depth: 45ft
	Grenada Example Dive: Bianca C - The Bianca C a 600 ft. cruise ship sank in 1961. A fire in the boiler room occurred just as she was anchoring in St. Georges Harbour. She, however, still makes a brilliant advanced wreck dive. No penetration is possible, but the shear size and scope alone make it exceptional. You can swim into the ships swimming pool at about 130 ft. and then continue to the bow. One often sees schools of horse eyed jacks as well as large barracuda. The occasional large shark is seen as well as large eagle rays. This wreck is flanked by Whibbles reef, which is south about 150 yards. Skill Level: Master Max Depth: 135ft
	Turks and Caicos Example Dive: Graceland: This site has a large sand chute under the dive boat and a swim-through leading to the wall at 50ft. The wall has many buttresses and indentations with a good possibility of reef sharks swimming in the depths off the wall. Skill Level: Novice Max Depth: 50ft

The example dives above are just a tiny sample of what is available through the Sandals and Beaches SCUBA program. Each resort has many dive sites in the novice and advanced skill levels. And even a few advanced dives. Night dives can be scheduled at an additiona fee on most resorts. If you would like to see a more comprehensive list of dives by island, please Contact Us. 

Each of the resorts offers multiple levels of certification courses. For guests who are not certified divers, the Sandals Resort Program is a very popular option. If you've always wanted to experience SCUBA but never had the time it takes to get certified, Sandals can qualify you to dive at the resort in just a few hours. This PADI Discover Scuba Diver program is only $90 per person and you will be able to dive, in most cases, the same day as your program, and be able to dive throughout your stay at our Sandals Resort. 

Certified divers may enjoy acheiving an advanced certification during their stay. Multiple advanced PADI certifications are available. 

Diving in the Caribbean can cost $200+ per day just for the dive. Why not take your next dive vacation with Sandals or Beaches where up to two tanks per day are included? Dive groups with 5 or more rooms also receive incentives and discounts.