So, the Island of Hawaii inspires you to visit and you've decided that you want to go experience it all! The next stage in the planning process is where to stay on the beautiful island?? There is so much variety on the island and no shortage of places to stay. And part of our experience was to see some of the beautiful accommodations that you can stay for your trip.

SHERATON KONA RESORT & SPA at KEAUHOU BAY
The Sheraton Kona is a 4 star hotel in the Kona area providing gorgeous views of the Kona coast of the island. Located right next to the marina, it is within walking distance to snorkelling adventures and night time manta ray feeding excursions as well as close to Kona Village if you wanted to explore the area. 

This hotel is ideal for families and honeymooners in Kona. It is known for the iconic lava rocks that surround the property and the opportunity to view the manta ray feedings from the shore. The Rays on the Bay Restaurant is themed around the manta ray fish with the option to watch night feedings from the balcony overlooking the water. 

It holds the Haleo Luau at the resort, which we were able to enjoy during our trip. The gorgeous sunset setting is the perfect place to enjoy the luau. 

VOLCANO HOUSE
If you are visiting the Hawaii National Volanoes Park area, I would highly recommend moving to a location in the Hilo area for a couple of nights to explore the area and visit the park. The Hawaii National Volcanoes Park is the number #1 tourist attraction on the island, so it is definitely worth spending a few days in this area to explore the natural beauty of the Island of Hawaii. 

We were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to stay at Volcano House, right in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, overlooking Kilauea Caldera, with clear views of Halemaumau Crater. 
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WESTIN HAPUNA BEACH RESORT
Hapuna Beach is rated one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii and the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort is beautiful beachfront resort in agreat location in the Waikoloa area. 

The Westin Hapuna recently completed a multi-million dollar renovation in June 2018 with a complete makeover of its lobby, guest rooms and pool area. The rebrand to the Westin aligns with the wellness and relaxation pillars that are evident with the Westin hotels. The upscale dining options and cuisine enhance the overall lush and relaxation experience you get when staying at this property. The rooms at 600 square feet are the largest hotel rooms available in the Kohala Coast area. 

It's a great hotel for families and honeymooners, with a gorgeous location to hold a destination wedding! 

MAUNA KEA BEACH HOTEL 

For families requiring more space or those looking for an upscale experience with culture and history, the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel can meet those requirements! 

The ample cultural programs and kids activities onsite is what makes this hotel attractive to families. The Mauna Kea Discovery Center provides a great place for guests ot explore and learn about the history of Hawaii and the Mauna Kea Beach Resort. 

The hotel offers a variety of room sizes and configurations to meet different clientele, with a large section for golf enthusiasts. 

Unique to Mauna Kea is the Moonlight Manta Ray Tours, where you can enjoy a moonlight swim with the manta rays experience from the shores at the Mauna Kea! This activity is unique from other manta ray experiences is that you walk into the water from the shore, so it's safe and easy for those who are concerned about being in the water at night and easier for younger kids who want the experience! 

(We were supposed to have enjoyed this tour but the waters were too rough during our trip and our tour was cancelled. We were still able to learn all about the manta rays from our guide and it was a very educational and informative experience learning about these gentle giants!)
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HALI'I KAI AT WAIKOLOA
Condo rentals are very popular in Hawaii and Waikoloa is a great area for guests with a lot of amenities and accommodations options to suit a variety of travellers. Hali'i Kai offers great villa and condo options for families wanting extra space, without the hotel amenities with a large choice of one- to three-bedroom condos. 

FOUR SEASONS HUALALEI
You can never go wrong with a stay at any Four Seasons hotel! And the Four Seasons Hualalai is no different. Being the only five star, five diamond resort on the island, guests return time and time again for the intimate guest experience. Originally a village, the area was abandoned when the volcano erupted and the story and history of the place is embedded everywhere you go. 

Peace. The intimacy of the community feel and the customized guest experience is unparalleled. The amenities and activities available here are plentiful and unique, ranging from cooking and mixology classes, wellness experiences with a personal reflexology river journey, cultural activities and onsite marine experiences. 

FAIRMONT ORCHID
We ended our trip with a stay at the Fairmont Orchid, the perfect place to relax and end our adventurous week! Another beautiful resort, perfect for couples, honeymoons and weddings, the scenery is breathtakingly calm and serene, surrounded by lush greenery and the sound of trickling waterfalls. 
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Wherever you choose to stay on the island, the spirit of aloha is all around and each property welcomes you with the same warm hospitality of the Hawaiian people and culture. 

The Island of Hawaii is unique all to itself, continuing to evolve and grow. Make sure you take the time to explore all that the island offers on all corners to get the full island experience!  Need ideas?? Make sure you check out my other Hawaii posts, "Bucket List Adventures on the Island of Hawaii" and "Hidden Gems on the Island of Hawaii". 

Let me know how I can help you plan your trip to the island!
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Given the opportunity to visit Puerto Vallarta for just 48 hours, would you do it?? Of course! After enjoying a very relaxing and laid back visit in the summer at the Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort and Spa, it didn't take much to convince me to return for Air Canada Vacations MegaFam trip to Puerto Vallarta for 2 nights! 

​The Flight Experience 

Flying on the new aircraft, the Boeing Max 737, we were one of the first to experience the comforts of the new plane, including a select few who had the privilege to enjoy business class! So utterly spoiled! Meals were excellent, cabin was comfortable and cozy, flight experience was eerily quiet and gentle making it one of the smoothest flights I've experienced in a long time. 

Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa

Upon arrival at the Puerto Vallarta airport, we were whisked away to our hotel for the first night, the Grand Palladium Puerto Vallarta, who gave us a warm welcome. 

With its scenic views along the Banderas Bay, the five start resort offers a luxury full service resort experience perfect for families, couples getaways, including weddings with its onsite chapel. 

We began our day bright and early to tour several properties in the Puerto Vallarta area to get an idea of some of the most popular resorts to choose from, for a variety of different traveller types and budgets. 

Iberostar Playa Mita 
​The Iberostar Playa Mita is a five star luxury resort in the Riviera Nayarit area, offering stunning views of the Bay of Banderas. This quiet, secluded resort is ideal for families with older kids, couples and weddings and  perfect for travellers who are looking for a serene beach vacation, away from the hustle and bustle of town. 

The Grand Palladium Vallarta and the Iberostar Playa Mita are located in one the best areas for surfing in the Puerto Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit area. 

Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta 
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Another fantastic option for families, this oceanfront resort offers large spacious suites, with a fantastic location, close to Puerto Vallarta. Golf packages are also available with unlimited golf packages to two golf courses nearby. 

Canto del Sol & Villas Vallarta by Canto del Sol 

Close to Puerto Vallarta town, and only about 10 minutes from the airport, Canto del Sol provides a home away from home all inclusive experience. Studio suites, one and two bedroom suites are available making the resort perfect for larger families and groups. 

Hilton Puerto Vallarta 
The resort is the first all-inclusive resort for the Hilton brand of hotels. It offers beautiful views of Banderas Bay with a gorgeous beach. It is ideally located close to town, and offers something for everyone. 

The Hacienda at Hilton is the adults only section offering a cosy and intimate experience at the resort, with complimentary access to the Hilton facilities. 

Velas Vallarta 
For the most luxurious and blissful vacation, Velas Vallarta is the perfect choice for families, weddings and groups. The stunning grounds are meticulously groomed and maintained to provide a lush, green and gorgeous landscape. Velas Resorts are also known for their exceptional culinary experiences and 

Having visited Puerto Vallarta twice this year, it has quickly become a new favourite for me to recommend and book clients! The authentic Mexican feel and the laid back nature of the people making it a great vacation destination. We even had the chance to head down to the Malecon, to walk around and enjoy some drinks with a local Mexican band to experience the nightlife. We felt perfectly safe walking around town, taking a cab from our hotel and back. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Puerto Vallarta as a vacation destination for anyone and it's such a great option for families with its wide variety of activities available for all ages.

Let me know if you have any questions about Puerto Vallarta and would like a complimentary vacation quote! I would love to help you plan a vacation to Puerto Vallarta!  

And thanks to the Palladium Hotel Group, my daughter and I were able to share in a special mother daughter girls only trip to Puerto Vallarta with a luxurious stay at the new Family Selection at Grand Palladium Vallarta Hotel and Spa. We connected with other like minded individuals and families who understand the importance of travelling with their kids, and making some amazing memories along the way. 

The Family Selection is a new exclusive club offered at Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts, and the first to open at Grand Palladium Vallarta Hotel and Spa in Riviera Nayarit beginning June 1, 2018. We were able to experience the VIP service and facilities of the Family Selection and the care and attention they paid especially to the kids (otherwise known as "Family Bosses").

Family Selection guests arrive and check in at the exclusive Family Selection Lounge with private check in.  Each Family Boss also receives a special welcome kit with items customized to the age and gender of the child. For families with more than one child, they try to mix up the items so siblings don't necessarily receive the same items. Our welcome kit included a Family Selection back pack, rash guard, Family Boss hat, water bottle, portable power bank and fidget spinner. In addition, kids also receive special bathrobes and slippers to use. 

Rooms are elegantly styled for maximum comfort. The Family Selection Junior Suites are spacious, with room to add a playpen for infants, if needed. Rooms include a king size bed or two full size beds, and a sofa bed pull out with memory foam mattress and can fit up to four guests (2 adults and 2 kids). There are exclusive L'occitane bath products for the adults, and mini toiletry items just for the kids. 

Nightly turn down service with special treats change daily, and kids are treated to a special hydromassage bath once per stay.


​Imagine our delight when we returned to our room
​after dinner to enjoy this! ​

Family Selection guests have access to an exclusive lounge, bars and restaurants, pool and private beach area as well as premium alcoholic beverages in the Family Selection areas, and in room amenities including access to a climate control wine bar, personalized minibar with treats for kids, and a coffee maker and Nespresso machine. 

While much attention is paid to the Family Bosses, just as much attention is paid to the parents to ensure they have a most stress free and relaxing vacation with their kids. For this reason, there is an exclusive restaurant, The Nest, only available for Family Selection guests where you can choose from all you can eat buffet options and a la carte dining options for breakfast, lunch and dinner (lobster included). Because we know kids can get hungry at all times during the day, there is 24 hour room service to ensure you will always have dining options available. 

You have access to concierge service with a Family Host who is available from 7:00am to 11:00pm for your needs to ensure you receive priority reservation in all restaurants. 

Free laundry service is also available (2 pieces per person) during your stay. 

To encourage Family Boss parents to really indulge, Family Selection guest/adults receive unlimited access to the hydrotherapy pools, hot tubs and steam room at Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness (normally a $30 USD per person per day cost), as well as 20% discount off of spa and beauty treatments. 

Choose from a menu of a wide variety of spa services including beauty services, hairstyling, body waxing, manicures and pedicures and facials, to massages and body scrubs and wraps. Romantic couple massages can be booked for a couples experience, or treat yourself to a Mommy and Me experience and book a "Little Princess" Package, where little girls can receive a mini massage, manicure and pedicure along side mom's spa treatment. (Princess Package can only be booked in conjunction with an existing spa treatment so it cannot be booked on its own).

The "Zentropia Massages" is their signature treatment where you are treated to six different deep tissue massage techniques in an 80 minute session leaving you completely blissful and zen. It was an AMAZING spa experience! 

There are four different treatment rooms, each representing the four elements - fire, water, earth and sun. The music, oils used and decor differs between each room to provide the experience that suits the element of the room. 

Exclusive activities are available for Family Selection guests including every girl's dream of becoming a mermaid! For "mermaid school", mermaid tails are provided to the kids and they can swim like a fish to their heart's content! 

Family yoga classes on the beach are perfect to start your day in gratitude surrounded by the beautiful scenery in the quiet hours of the morning.  

Other complimentary activities available at the resort range from paddle boarding, kayaking, surfing to relaxing in the saltwater pool. Tennis, basketball, and archery are other kid and teen friendly activities to enjoy. The beach is calm and the water is warm, with a small section of rocky beach, but otherwise perfectly safe and fun for the kids to enjoy the ocean. 

Kids Clubs at the resort include a Baby Club for kids ages 1 to 3 years and the Mini Club for kids ages 4 to 12. Tweens and teens have their their own club, Junior Club Black & White where they have their own space to hang out with other kids their age and enjoy a range of activities including trivia quizzes, archery, billiards, disco parties, karaoke, snorkelling and boogie boarding. The People of Palladium (POP) Team are fantastic in engaging with the kids and taking excellent care of them while in their care providing assurances to parents who can enjoy their own adult time without the kids around! 

Gastronomical adventures at the Grand Palladium include two buffet restaurants and four speciality restaurants (Mexican, Italian, American Steakhouse and Asian) as well beach BBQs and cooking lessons.

They have an excellent Allergy and Food Intolerance Program to ensure that families with special dietary needs and concerns are confident with their food choices during their vacation. We have food allergies/intolerances and dietary restrictions to manage so it's always a challenge to find appropriate places to eat. The Allergy and Food Intolerance Program is comprehensive covering ten different dietary concerns with Palladium Dietary Cards that guests can hand to the dining staff upon arrival any restaurant, and the maitre de, chef or food and beverage manager will come and review appropriate food choices. The Palladium Dietary Cards are colour coded to different dietary concerns so any language barriers are minimized as the staff are well aware of the dietary concerns for the right guest. I was extremely impressed with how easy it was to find appropriate food choices and all levels of dining staff were very knowledgeable about our food allergy concerns. 

Celiac - dark green
Type 2 Diabetes - light green
Nut allergy - brown
Fruit and vegetable allergy - red
Seafood allergy - purple
Fish allergy - blue
Egg allergy - orange
Dairy and lactose allergy - white
Sodium and glutamate allergy - pink

​The rest of the resort is lush and green, like a tropical rainforest and an intimate jungle with exotic animals. 

While the Family Selection has its own private pool, there is also a main pool area with slides and waterpark area to enjoy, and an adult only pool area with infinity views. 

Or there's always the beach....

And the sunsets in the evening to enjoy....

My Family Boss and I were treated like royalty during our stay and the exceptional attention to detail was evident in our accommodations, our dining experiences, and scheduled activities throughout the stay. The new friendships that were made through this trip are ones we won't forget.

Thanks to April, Brianna and Mario for putting together such a great itinerary, and for executing a most enjoyable stay at the Family Selection at Grand Palladium Vallarta Hotel & Spa! 

If you are interested in a complimentary quote for the Family Selection at Grand Palladium Vallarta Hotel & Spa for your next vacation, let me know!! I would love to help book you and your family to this place to experience this for yourself. Puerto Vallarta is a fantastic destination for families and this resort is the perfect place to treat yourself and your kids to ensure you have a most enjoyable and luxurious vacation! ​

Who else remembers guests getting slimed on "You Can't Do That on Television" from childhood??!! Well, my kids had no idea what I was talking about but they were just as eager to get slimed at Nickelodeon's Punta Cana Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic! 

Actually, it looked a little more like this! 

It was green and a little bit slimey but oh so much fun! I can certainly check that off my list of things to do! 

Ever since Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts first opened their resort in Punta Cana in 2016, I knew it would a place that I would eventually visit! It's such a fun themed resort and perfect for a family vacation in the Dominican. When my agency, Centre Holidays, announced it would be holding their first travel agent conference in Punta Cana, (where I was also privileged to share my passion and knowledge of Disney with other agents!) I wanted to travel down a couple of days earlier to experience the fun and excitement of the Nickelodeon Punta Cana Resort by Karisma, a five star luxury resort full of awesomeness! 

With only two days to spare, we made sure we checked out as much as we could to get the full experience here at the Nickelodeon Punta Cana resort, including the infamous Pineapple Villa, located at 124 Conch Street,  and replica of the underwater pineapple home of SpongeBob SquarePants! The villa was booked during our stay so we were not permitted to visit inside, but it is a two bedroom/three bathroom 2300 square foot, two storey villa complete with private butler and sufficient room to accommodate up to six guests. 

Upon check in at the lobby, guests are greeted with a welcome champagne beverage and a "Slime Smoothie" for the kids. 

Our room was a Flat Suite, 721 square feet of space and includes one king bed in the master suite and a double size pull out bed in the living room. The PAD suite features two double beds and a pull out sofa bed. Both options include extra large balconies on the second and third floors, and swim out suites on the first floor. 

The heart of the the Nickelodeon Punta Cana Hotel & Resort is Nickelodeon Place, or Nick Place for short. It is the hub for all things entertainment and all things Nickelodeon-related. All guests of the Nickelodeon resort have access to Nick Place included with their stay. Guests staying at the neighbouring Sensatori Punta Cana, (sister resort to Nickelodeon sharing many of the central amenities) can purchase a day pass or a week pass to include access to Nick Place. 

Aqua Nick is where you will find the water slides, splash pads, spray grounds, lazy river and of course, the home of the twice daily Slime parties! There is a mass sliming option where everyone gathers underneath the signature orange Nickelodeon blimp in the middle of the water park and a mass green slime pours down on everyone at the same time. Slime parties are held twice a day (once in the morning and again in the afternoon). Rooms are randomly drawn for the chance to be slimed or you can reserve a private sliming (for an additional fee) if you want to ensure you get the "Get Slimed" experience! 

Nick Place is also home to Character Central, where you can meet and greet with your favourite Nickelodeon characters including SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick, Dora the Explorer, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. 

The Kids Club, Just Kiddin', is available for kids ages 4- 12, providing daily supervised activities for the kids. Aqua Bites is the perfect place to grab a quick snack or meal while enjoying the day at the water park. The Sports and Entertainment Center also provides several sports activities including tennis, table tennis, archery, football, and a state of the art fitness center.

The Nickelodeon Punta Cana Resort is a Karisma property, which is known for its signature #GourmetInclusive Experience, perfect for foodies who enjoy gourmet cuisine. Premium alcoholic beverages with top shelf liquor, gourmet cuisine and daily restocked mini bar in your rooms provides a first class all-inclusive experience. 

The Gourmet Village is centrally located and provides a marketplace atmosphere for all the guests of Nickelodeon and Sensatori Resorts, including Doppio coffee shop, several signature restaurant experiences such as Wok Wok Far East Fusion cuisine; Verdello Sicilian Kitchen; Brgrs PH for artisan burgers, Space Walker Interstellar Cuisine, Kitchen 23 (adult only) or a piano bar experience at Vino Vino. 

Signature "must have" dining experiences include the Machete Burger (which we didn't to experience!) but is an artisan burger large enough for the whole family, and Space Walker, the Interstellar Restaurant, featuring the signature desserts, "The Inner Core" and "Houston, We Have a Problem". 

In addition to all the amenities listed above, the Gourmet Inclusive Experience at Nickelodeon also includes:
- Access to nine swimming pools
- Nickelodeon Concierge and Vacation Planner services
- baby and toddler amenities including Gerber baby food, strollers, cribs, kids' spa robes and baby bottle warmers, step stools, baby bath tubs, change tables, and baby monitors. Perfect for families with young kids as you don't need bring anything from home! 
- Internet and Wi-Fi (very important! Not all places include Wi-Fi in the cost)
- 24 hour Room Service (So important when your kids don't eat at regular meal times, or are hungry ALL.THE.TIME)
- Balinese beds are also available to enjoy in the pool and beach area without additional cost. Reservations are required and can be made directly with your pool butler. 

For an extra Nickelodeon experience with the kids, optional extras are available to make it even more fun!
- Nickelodeon Nick Knack Packs filled with Nickelodeon specialty treats and items
- Nickelodeon birthday parties
- Nickelodeon character dining experiences
- Nickelodeon private character meet and greet events
- Nickelodeon private sliming experience 

Let's talk beach! Because the Dominican Republic is known for its soft sandy beaches and gentle warm waves, all the beaches we visited in the Punta Cana area lived up to the reputation! I wouldn't hesitate to recommend families with kids going into the water. Waves are warm and gentle, the sand is soft and pliable, perfect for young kids. 

Not a beach person? That's ok! There are also nine pools for you to enjoy, in addition to the beach and Aqua Nick waterpark at Nickelodeon Place. There are plenty of water experiences for the kids and older kids to enjoy! 

There is much to share about our experiences at Nickelodeon Punta Cana and it certainly lives up to the standards and reputation of being a Gourmet Inclusive Resort by Karisma Resorts. Let me know if you have any questions about the resort, or would like assistance in booking your next vacation here (or anywhere!). I would love the opportunity to help. I know you will enjoy your stay here as much as we did! 

And just a small aside.....we were travelling during the time between Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. We were evacuated in advance of Hurricane Maria's arrival in Punta Cana and Westjet sent relief flights to a day early before our scheduled departure date to ensure we arrived back into Canada safely. Thank you to the volunteer crew who helped bring us home and made the flight easy and enjoyable to return home!