Author: Laura Schad

Experience Sand, Sea and Romance at El Dorado Casitas Royale

Tucked among palm trees on a sparkling white sand beach in a private area of the El Dorado Royale Resort complex is the adults-only El Dorado Casitas Royale, a Spa Resort by Karisma. This secluded enclave on Mexico’s Riviera Maya is not only dedicated to delivering a superior level of luxury and personal attention, it is also designed for romance.

Adelman’s Kinsey Bailey recently experienced the El Dorado Casitas Royale, where she found beautiful accommodations in picturesque casitas located directly on the resort’s mile-long pristine beach.  Kinsey had the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of delicious dining experiences as the El Dorado is a Gourmet Inclusive® resort that features crafted culinary delights served in uniquely themed restaurants.

According to Kinsey, couples will enjoy time together in the resort’s private pools and swim-up bars or can join the exciting nightlight. For those who want to pamper themselves with rejuvenating spa services, the El Dorado Casitas Royale offers a full menu of world-class treatments. The popular couples’ massage classes are another way for guests to indulge themselves during their romantic getaway.

Kinsey also found Karisma’s wedding or vow renewal options to be a wonderful option. According to Kinsey “The El Dorado resorts are great for wedding parties that are adults-only as they offer many beach and romantic wedding sites. Their sister resorts, such as the Azul properties and Generations Resorts, are great options for wedding groups with children.” A destination wedding with Karisma is an awesome way to avoid the stress of wedding planning as Karisma resorts offer a wide collection of resources including the convenient helping hand of a Signature Wedding Designer™, a personal onsite wedding coordinator who will ensure that every detail meets expectations.  Karisma also offers concierges for the wedding guests so couples can relax knowing that their guests are being attended to. Kinsey notes, “Besides the wide variety of ceremonies available, from intimate and romantic services to Indian weddings and vow renewals, Karisma also has many reception packages to choose.”

For more information on the Karisma’s El Dorado Casitas Royale or their other resorts and wedding planning options, please contact Kinsey or any of Adelman’s knowledgeable Vacation consultants at 800-749-7116, or visit our website at www.adelmanvacations.com.

The Surrey in New York City

An intimate address on New York’s Upper East Side, The Surrey was recently named the Number One City Hotel in the U.S. and New York City by the readers of Travel + Leisure. Its location gives guests direct access to top fashion houses, restaurants, world-class art institutions and iconic landmarks, while its discreet service allows for calm personal space — “Privately New York.” As New York City’s only Relais & Châteaux hotel, The Surrey offers world-class dining at Michelin-starred Café Boulud, plus guests can enjoy the atmospheric Bar Pleiades, the Cornelia Spa and a Private Roof Garden. Its 189 exquisite salons and suites accommodate celebrities, style icons and art aficionados from all over the world.

The Surrey offers Adelman customers special exclusive pricing that also includes complimentary Wi-Fi. For more information on The Surrey and these special rates, please contact your professional Adelman travel consultant.

Better off-line translations with Google’s newest AI-powered translation tool

While travelers have been able to access offline translations through Google Translate, these translations were not always as accurate as Google’s AI-powered translation product, which was previously only available online. Now, however, users can get in real-time the AI-powered translations without a data connection. The new feature is available for 59 languages.  When downloaded, each language only takes up between 35 and 45MB of storage space.    

What You Need to Know about TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry

When you’re heading out for a vacation, then airports can seem like a fun and whimsical place that represent your recreational travels. If you’re a business traveler, however, airports can be tiring and time-consuming places that drain all your time and energy.

To skip the lines in airports and save yourself some time, it may be wise to familiarize yourself with the latest TSA Pre-check and Global Entry programs. Whether you fly independently or use a corporate travel service, it’s recommended to sign up for one of these programs, especially if you’re a frequent flyer.

TSA Pre-check Explained for Corporate Travelers

TSA Pre-check is only for domestic US travel, allowing you to go through the expedited security line. Used at over 200 US airports, TSA Pre-check doesn’t require a valid passport for you to sign up. US citizens, residents, and nationals can sign up for TSA Pre-check, and there are no age restrictions currently in place for the system.

TSA Pre-check normally forces you to wait in line for less than five minutes, though this can vary according to popular travel times. TSA Pre-checks also mean that you don’t have to remove items such as your shoes, electronic devices, liquids, light jackets, and belts when going through security.

A good corporate travel service can easily guide you through the application process, which costs $85 for every five years of membership. The online application only takes 5 minutes and is followed by a 10-minute background check at an enrollment center near you.

Why Corporate Travelers will Love Global Entry

Re-entering the US? Global Entry allows you to skip the US Customs security lines, and also use the TSA Pre-check security lines if flying domestically. You can also use expedited lines for other countries that participate in the global entry program too.

The program costs $100 for every five years of membership. Lean on an experienced corporate travel service provider to help you with the Global Entry application process, though there are some strict eligibility criteria in place.

US citizens and US permanent residents are eligible, as well as the citizens of some other nations. Citizens of Columbia, the UK, Panama, Singapore, Germany, South Korea, Mexico, and Switzerland are also eligible, though visas may be required to travel to some of these countries.

Through the NEXUS partnership program, Canadian citizens and residents are also eligible for Global Entry, while a similar arrangement is in place for Dutch citizens via the Netherlands’ FLUX partnership program. Under-18s must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian in order to apply for the Global Entry program.

TSA pushes tighter scrutiny of powders in carry-on luggage

While the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) started closer inspection of powders in carry-on luggage last summer, it said it will place even greater focus on targeted checks. In addition, starting June 30, the TSA will request that foreign airports with non-stop flights to the United States also follow suit. 

TSA officials say that improvised explosives remain a primary reason for the enhanced checks, however, there is also growing concern over other dangerous substances such as fentanyl being transported in the passenger cabins of commercial aircraft.

Travelers are advised to place containers holding at least 350 milliliters of powder, which is about the size of a soda can, into their checked luggage. Powders that are packed in a carry–on should be taken out of the bag and put into a screening bin.  Travelers should also note that while powders are not banned from carry-on luggage, anything deemed suspicious by airport security screeners will be confiscated.

Marriott will equip rooms with Amazon’s Alexa

Under a new partnership with Amazon, Marriott will bring the Alexa for Hospitality virtual assistant to a number of Marriott locations this summer.  The hospitality version of Alexa will allow guests to connect to hotel-based services such as room service or housekeeping. The Alexa device can also be used to control room lights and thermostats or play music. Hotels can customize Alexa’s skills by property.

Amazon hopes to expand Alexa for Hospitality to other hospitality groups. It also said it plans to add additional capabilities including letting guests connect their personal Amazon accounts to the in-room device, so they can access their own entertainment content. Amazon said it will delete any conversations with Alexa for Hospitality on a daily basis.

Alaska Airlines

Passengers traveling out of Chicago O’Hare should be aware that Alaska Airlines is now located in in the L Concourse. The carrier will be using gates L1 and L3.

American Airlines

New service between Miami and Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) will commence Dec. 19, 2018.  With the addition of this twice-daily nonstop service, American will have 21 daily flights from GSP. American also said it will add a third daily flight from Miami to Curaco starting on Dec. 19. Customers can already purchase tickets for these new offerings.

Delta Air Lines

New service will be available between Minneapolis/St. Paul and Seoul, Korea starting in 2019. The new route will be operated with joint-venture partner Korean Air and will give passengers the ability to connect to dozens of destinations in Southeast Asia. Delta will use newly refurbished Boeing 777-200 aircraft that will be equipped with 28 Delta One suites and 48 Delta Premium Select seats in addition to 220 standard coach seats. 

Delta will also launch new flights between Seattle and Osaka, Japan next year. The carrier said it will provide additional details on the new service in the near future. 

Hawaiian Airlines and Japan Airlines

Airline officials announced that Hawaiian and JAL have applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation and Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism for antitrust immunity so they can deepen their existing relationship. The airlines say an expanded partnership would bring “significant advantages” for customers including a wider selection of travel options and lower fares.

It’s time to treat yourself to a wellness getaway

A wellness vacation is a getaway that enhances your wellbeing. It typically features unique and authentic local experiences in addition to offering services geared toward promoting a healthy body, mind and spirit. As interest in wellness travel continues to grow at a rapid rate, Adelman’s Marilyn Fare and Kelli Surdell-Steaveson attended the prestigious invitation-only Ultra Wellness summit, which was held at the beautiful Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in West Palm Beach FL.  

This luxury oceanfront retreat is located on seven acres and boasts a private beach and lush tropical gardens along with spacious and stylish accommodations designed by Jonathan Adler. In addition to a host of amenities and activities, the Eau also features the award-winning Eau Spa, a 42,000 square foot facility that features 19 comfortably elegant treatment rooms and an extensive menu of unique services, which are personalized to indulge guests’ every whim.  

According to Marilyn, “The Eau Spa is one of 48 in the world with a Forbes 5-star rating and is touted as one of the 10 most luxurious and best designed spas in the world.”

During the conference, Marilyn and Kelli had the opportunity to attend seminars lead by experts in the wellness travel industry and also met with individual wellness-driven suppliers to learn more about their particular offerings. 

According to Kelli, “This was an excellent experience. It was very educational and so helpful in supplementing my product knowledge.”

Marilyn agreed, “I learned so much in a short amount of time.”  

Both Kelli and Marilyn were impressed by the extensive range of programs that are now available including those geared toward themes such as food and nutrition, stress, sleep, preventative health and spiritual renewal.  

As Marilyn noted, “There is something for everyone including single women, girls’ weekend groups, multi-generational travel groups, special interest clubs, and professional groups. There are even a growing number of men’s experiences including fishing, stargazing, ropes course adventures, culinary and even beekeeping, which I found interesting.”

During their time in West Palm Beach, Marilyn and Kelli also visited The Breakers Palm Beach for the Awards of Excellence reception and dinner.   The highly-acclaimed Breakers Resort is known for its exquisite service and gorgeous grounds, which feature a private beach and two golf courses. This Italian Renaissance-style resort is also on the National Register of Historic Places. The Breakers offers sumptuous dining in eight distinct restaurants, four pools, 10 Har-Tru tennis courts and a wealth of other activities and amenities. The Spa at The Breakers is 20,000 square feet and includes outdoor facilities in a private oceanfront area that can be used for open air treatments while guests soak in the scenic water views. 

 If you would like more information on wellness travel or either of the fabulous resorts that Marilyn and Kelli visited, please give us a call at 800-749-7116 or visit our website at www.adelmanvacations.com.

The Godfrey Chicago

From its unique Cubist-influenced façade to its stylish accommodations, the striking Godfrey Chicago treats guests to an unforgettable experience. This luxury boutique lifestyle hotel offers 221 contemporary rooms and suites.  Rooms feature a vibrant feel along with an array of amenities including comfortable sitting chairs, large workstations and an ergonomic task chair along with a wet bar and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Guests will also enjoy Godfrey’s captivating roof-scape, which delivers uninterrupted views of the southern Chicago skyline. Named for its intriguing Indoor/Outdoor ambiance, I|O encompasses approximately 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, along with 10,000 square feet of lounge and event space, which is available year-round.  Other special amenities found at I|O include a fire pit, shimmering water elements, a video wall, retractable roof and more.

With its convenient location in the center of the River North neighborhood guests will find The Godfrey to be an ideal base for exploring downtown Chicago as you are just moments away from some of the Windy City’s favorite attractions and important business destinations.

For more information on The Godfrey and the special pricing that is available to Adelman customers, please contact your professional Adelman travel consultant.

News from the Road:  “70” is the magic number

“70” is indeed the magic number for the beautiful city and surrounding Southern California regions of San Diego.  “70” equals the year-round average temperature; miles of spectacular coastline and beaches, and the number of golf courses in this playground including Torrey Pines, home of the US Open and Farmers PGA events.

San Diego delivers the ultimate mix of history with Balboa Park and Olde Towne, international flair with Mexico just 45 minutes to the south, and unique attractions including the world-famous San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, the Wild Animal Safari Park and LegoLand.  The San Diego waterfront is a captivating area that features the USS Midway museum and hosts a variety of cruise ships and private party yachts, large and small.  Another fascinating area is Coronado Island, an idyllic island community, which is home to the iconic Hotel Del Coronado and a variety of luxury resorts and inns. San Diego is also home to the Pacific Fleet, Miramar Air Base and Camp Pendleton to the north. 

Lindbergh Field International Airport, which accommodates over 20 million passengers annually, provides easy access to travelers since it is less than 15 minutes from downtown. Visitors have a multitude of hotels, resorts and intimate inns accommodating groups of 10 to 75,000 from which to choose. The downtown area is home to over 20,000 rooms including the Manchester Grand Hyatt, the largest convention hotel on the West Coast.

San Diego also features many other convention venues. The 1-million square-foot San Diego Convention Center, which is located along the harbor in the Marina district and near the Gaslamp Quarter, can accommodate major conventions.  The centrally located Petco Park, which is home to the San Diego Padres Major League Baseball team, serves as a unique venue for large group programs.  To the east of downtown is Qualcomm Stadium, which can accommodate 70,000 attendees.

AdelmanSummit, the Meeting and Incentive Travel Division of Adelman Travel Group, is fortunate to be headquartered in San Diego and will serve as your personal concierge for any programs seeking a home in this stunning city!

Please learn more about San Diego, Southern California and other exciting meeting and incentive destinations by contacting dwheeler@adelmantravel.com or visiting https://brojure.com/summit-performance-group/adelmansummit/.

Airlines tweak boarding process, but maximum efficiency likely won’t be achieved

It’s a familiar airport scene: a mad crush at the gate followed by a slow and anxious trek onto the airplane to claim your seat and an elusive spot for your carry-on in the overhead bin.  As airlines say they are committed to improving the travel experience, many carriers continually experiment with better ways to load their aircraft. Most recently, Alaska Airlines and United have unveiled new initiatives aimed at simplifying the boarding process.

Under Alaska’s newest plan, instead of boarding by row, passengers will be assigned a group, which will be displayed on their boarding pass. When the group is called, it will also be clearly displayed on gate-side monitors to reduce confusion as to which passengers are supposed to board. Elite passengers and those requiring extra assistance will still be called before the general boarding groups.

United is testing a new system at Chicago O’Hare, Houston George Bush and Los Angeles International airports. Under the new system United will use two lines, one for priority passengers and the other for economy and basic economy travelers. Airline officials say the two-line boarding system will be expanded to other airports this summer.

While these changes could lead to some level of improvement, industry experts say that airlines are simply sugar coating the issue noting that more efficient boarding methods are possible. However, those systems will likely never be implemented as they do not typically give priority to preferred passengers. Further, they also don’t necessarily allow the airlines to take in added revenue by selling priority boarding as an option or including it as an amenity in a higher priced ticket bundle.