Top Shelf Escapes

09/19/2022

Resort Highlight!

Our next featured resort is the Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica! This adults only resort sits on the western shores of Jamaica, overlooking lush mountains on one side, and clear blue water on the other. The Hyatt Zilara is all inclusive and features 5 restaurants, 6 bars, an infinity pool, a state of the art spa, in room mini bar, access to 2 links style golf courses, as well as all the amenities of the neighboring Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall. For accommodations, this resort has over 330 suites with panoramic views, including some with a swim up pool, and offers in-room dining for those who want a relaxing start to their day. 

If you want to know more about the Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall or any of their other properties, reach out to us and we can match you with the perfect resort for your next top shelf vacation!

08/30/2022

Resort Highlight!

For our next highlight, we have the Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos in Cabo San Lucas! This family friendly resort is seated right on the beach and features over 200 rooms and suites across 6 buildings. This resort also allows for access to its nearby sister properties, Pueblo Bonito Rose and Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, and offers a free shuttle service. For dining, Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos features 4 restaurants, 5 bars including 1 swim up bar, and 24 hour room service. On property, they also have a full service spa, 2 outdoor pools, a golf course, yoga classes, a night club, and more! 

For more information on the Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos, or any of their other properties, reach out to us and we can get you going on your next escape! 

07/20/2022

Location Highlight!!

Our next location highlight is the Central American country of Costa Rica! Featuring dense rainforests that are home to more than 500,000 species, Costa Rica boasts some of the most biodiverse regions on the planet! Visitors can explore these rainforests on hikes, or from the skies on a series of zip lines. The country is also known for its beautiful beaches, with some of the best surf for all skill levels, along with 7000 marine species that make it a great destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. Costa Rica is home to 5 active, and 61 dormant volcanoes which heat groundwater to form natural hot springs.

Is Costa Rica on your bucket list? If so, reach out to us and together we can plan your perfect Costa Rican adventure!

07/14/2022

Had a great meeting last week with the team. Learned about all the new updates including their newest resort and their upcoming resort for May 2023 Sandals Dunn's River. For more details on these exciting updates, send us a message!

06/27/2022

Our MGM Grand Room Tour Video is now live! Check it out using the link below and let us know what you think!

Room tours from our trip to MGM Grand Las Vegas. 1st room: Grand 2 Queen Room ($284 Weekend Nightly Rate + Resort Fees)2nd room: Stay Well Executive King Sui...

06/21/2022

Resort Highlight!

Today we will be highlighting the MGM Grand In Las Vegas, Nevada. The MGM Grand has been in operation since its grand opening in 1993 and features 5,044 guest rooms, including 751 suites, making it one of the largest hotels in the world. This resort has more than 25 dining options as well as optional room service, so any guest will be able to fill their palette. MGM Grand is home to a variety of shows including KA by Cirque du Soleil, David Copperfield, Jabbawockeez, along with world class concerts at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. As far as the party scene goes, this resort is home to Hakkasan Nightclub, Wet Republic Dayclub, and 7 bars throughout the property, each with its own unique vibe. MGM also features a state of the art spa and barber shop, a 6.5 acre pool area with a lazy river, and Nevada’s only Topgolf location, with 102 hitting bays on 4 levels.

For more information on the MGM Grand, reach out to us and stay tuned for our room tour video for MGM Grand coming this weekend!

06/07/2022

Resort Highlight!

Today we will be highlighting the Riu Reggae in Montego Bay, Jamaica! Opened in 2016, this adults only All Inclusive resort features over 450 guest rooms and is seated directly on the beach. Situated next to the Riu Montego Bay, guests have access to all accommodations between the 2 resorts. For dining and refreshments, the Riu Reggae has 7 restaurants on property, with enough cuisine variety for any guest, and 4 bars including 2 with swim up sections. There are 3 infinity edge pools on property, along with access to a water park at the Riu Montego Bay right next door. The resort also features daily daytime and nighttime entertainment, an on-resort spa, along with a range of non-motorized water and land sports.

For more information or to book your next stay at the Riu Reggae, reach out to us! As Riu Specialists, we have the knowledge and insight to make sure your next stay at a Riu Resort is top shelf! 🧳✈️🏝️🇯🇲

06/01/2022

With travel restrictions easing up around the world, what can you expect when traveling this summer? 🤔🤔

About 6 out of 10 Americans are planning to travel at least once this summer, with travel spending just under pre-pandemic levels. This means busier airports, more travel delays, and rising costs. Experts say summer travel will cost between 25% and 50% more than last year, with less likelihood of there being last minute deals available. 

How can you avoid this? Plan and book early! The earlier you book, the easier it will be to get the dates, destination, and cost you are looking for. Another tip to help you avoid a headache is to purchase travel insurance. Whether your flight is delayed or canceled, your bags are lost, or you are unable to make your trip for whatever reason, travel insurance protects your investment  and makes it so that your planned trip isn’t gone to waste. You can get reimbursed for costs of having to get a new wardrobe and rescheduled for a missed trip. 

If you’re planning on taking a trip this summer, reach out and let us ease your travel stress! 🧳✈️🌎

05/25/2022

Location Highlight!!

Our location highlight for this week is the city of Las Vegas, Nevada! Known as the “Entertainment Capital of the World”, Vegas is famous for its beautiful resorts, celebrity chefs, nightlife, and so much more. Las Vegas Boulevard, more commonly known as The Strip, is the main street of the city, stretches four miles long, and boasts more than 30 hotels of varying themes. Of these 30 hotels on The Strip, 14 of them make the top 20 list for the largest hotels in the world! Vegas is the largest city in the Mojave Desert, and is the most populated city in the state of Nevada. Given its desert location, it is dry and mostly clear year round, with the winters being cold and the summers sweltering. There are a variety of activities that one can take part in on a Las Vegas vacation, from a helicopter tour of the city, to ziplining from a 12-story tower, racing exotic cars on a closed track, and of course, gambling.

Next time you are planning an escape to Las Vegas, reach out to us here at Top Shelf Escapes. As Las Vegas Specialists, we have the knowledge and skills to take your trip to the next level!

05/18/2022

Sandals Highlight & Deals!!

For 40 years Sandals has been the leader of luxury all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, and one of the most well-known and award-winning hospitality names in the world. It features 5 brands and 24 properties amongst 8 countries, and has remained dedicated to innovating resort development across the Caribbean. The newest resort set to open June 1st, 2022 is set on the beautiful island of Curaçao and includes a Mini Cooper to tour the island with select room categories. Sandals also provides more quality inclusions than any other resort brand, from PADI certified scuba diving, free roundtrip airport transfers, and complimentary green fees for golf just to name a few.

Now into the deals! To start off, all 16 of the Sandals resorts are offering at least 55% off rack rates, meaning these rooms are less than half the official rates, with 12 offering 65% off! They also currently offer an additional 7% off at 7 of their resorts in 1 room category each. For example, at Sandals Ochi, the Club Level room we stayed in is currently only $1,800 for a 4 night stay, with the lowest tier room on property starting at $2000! On top of that, all Sandals resorts only require a $98 initial deposit to reserve your room with the option to switch room categories upon availability.

If you have any questions or are interested in booking a Sandals vacation for you and your loved one, reach out to us or schedule a free consultation using the link in our bio!

05/17/2022

Travel Tip Tuesday! This week’s travel tip will focus on how to pick the right destination for your next vacation. Whether you’re an experienced traveler, or a beginner, finding the best spot for your next vacation can be challenging. Here are some of the steps we use to narrow down where our next trip will take us!

Step 1: Make a list of 5 destinations that are on your bucket list. This doesn’t have to be in any particular order, just 5 that you feel you might be interested in.
Step 2: Decide how many days or weeks this vacation will be. The longer the trip, the higher the likelihood that you can have multiple stops in your trip.
Step 3: Focus on what kind of trip you want to have. Are you a relaxer, adventurer, history buff etc. What kind of activities do you do you see yourself doing on the trip?
Step 4: Make a rough budget for yourself. Include flights, hotel stay, food & drinks, and a small buffer for any souvenirs or excursions you may want to participate in.
Step 5: Compare steps 3 & 4 with your list from step 1, and see which locations are left. This should leave you with only 1 or 2 options that fit your budget. If there are 2 remaining options, flip a coin to determine which location you will visit first. (If you’re unhappy with the outcome, it means the other option was what you really wanted and you should pick that one)

And just like that you’re ready to plan your trip! What are some destinations that you are thinking about for your future trips? Let us know in the comments below!

05/15/2022

Part 2 of our Sandals Ochi Travel Vlog is now up! Check it out now using the link below! If you have any questions about Sandals Ochi, or any of their other properties, feel free to reach out to us!

Part 2 of our trip to Sandals Ochi in Ocho Rios, Jamaica in February 2022! Tour of Butler Elite room: Butler Village Oceanview One Bedroom Poolside Villa Sui...

05/14/2022

With the warm weather coming in fast, it's time to get your summer trip planning started with this week’s fresh deals! Our deals feature a 5 night stay for 2 at the following locations:

1. Ocho Rios, Jamaica 🇯🇲
2. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 🇲🇽

For Ocho Rios, we have the newly renovated RIU Ocho Rios. This family friendly resort sits on warm golden sands and features 5 restaurants, an in room mini bar with a liquor dispenser, and an on-site water park. A 5 night stay for 2 at the RIU Ocho Rios starts at just $1,310!

In Puerto Vallarta, we have the Hilton Vallarta Riviera. Nestled in a private cove at the base of the Sierra Madres mountain range, this family friendly resort features 12 restaurants, a spa, a guaranteed balcony or patio in each room, and a separate adults only section of the resort. For a 5 night stay for 2, the Hilton Vallarta Riviera starts at only $1,680!

Reach out to us today and we will find the best deal for your perfect summer vacation! 🧳✈️🏖️

05/13/2022

With the warm weather coming in fast, it's time to get your summer trip planning started with this week’s fresh deals! Our deals feature a 5 night stay for 2 at the following locations:

1. Ocho Rios, Jamaica
2. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

For Ocho Rios, we have the newly renovated RIU Ocho Rios. This family friendly resort sits on warm golden sands and features 5 restaurants, an in room mini bar with a liquor dispenser, and an on-site water park. A 5 night stay for 2 at the RIU Ocho Rios starts at just $1,310!

In Puerto Vallarta, we have the Hilton Vallarta Riviera. Nestled in a private cove at the base of the Sierra Madres mountain range, this family friendly resort features 12 restaurants, a spa, a guaranteed balcony or patio in each room, and a separate adults only section of the resort. For a 5 night stay for 2, the Hilton Vallarta Riviera starts at only $1,680!

Reach out to us today and we can find the best deal for your perfect summer vacation!

05/10/2022

With summer just around the corner, we wanted to give you our top 5 picks for international destinations to visit this year.

1. Coming in at number 1, we have the beautiful Spanish city of Barcelona. Resting on the Mediterranean coast, this vibrant city is full of art, history, and culture, with enough vibes to suit any traveler.
2. At number 2 we have the city of Negril on the west coast of Jamaica. Sitting on the famous 7 mile beach, this city has some of the best sunsets in the whole country, and enough beach space to experience privacy.
3. Our 3rd pick is the Indonesian island of Bali. Featuring volcanic mountains surrounded by jungles, pristine clear water beaches, and amazing coral reefs, Bali has long been a popular tourist destination with something for everyone to enjoy.
4. At number 4 we have the island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia. Home to some of the most well known over the water bungalows, this island is surrounded by a turquoise lagoon protected by a coral reef and is popular amongst scuba divers and snorkelers.
5. Rounding off our top 5 list, we have the region of Los Cabos in Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. Home to some of the most spectacular golf courses in the country, it is known for its beaches, water sports, and amazing nightlife scene.

As more and more countries ease their travel restrictions, there has never been a better time to explore this beautiful Earth we call home. Reach out to us today and we can get you on your way to your perfect summer vacation!

05/07/2022

Our first YouTube video is up!! Check it out now below! This is part 1 of our trip to Sandals Ochi in February 2022. Part 2 will be up next Saturday. Let us know what you think in the comments!

Part 1 of our trip to Sandals Ochi in Ocho Rios, Jamaica in Feburary 2022! Tour of our room: Honeymoon Hideaway Club Level Luxury Garden Cottage - GC Room #2...

05/07/2022

Coming in hot with some fresh deals, perfect for summertime! The prices for these deals are based on a 5 night stay for 2 at the following locations.

1. Cabo San Lucas, México
2. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

In Cabo San Lucas, we have the beautiful RIU Palace Cabo San Lucas. This resort is family friendly and features 6 restaurants, in room liquor dispenser and mini bar, 692 junior suites, and waterpark access at the nearby RIU Santa Fe. For 5 nights, the RIU Palace starts at only $1,550!

For Punta Cana, we have the Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa. This adults only resort features 10 restaurants, an on site casino, 750 suites, and on site Spanish lessons. A 5 night stay for 2 at the Breathless Punta Cana starts at only $1,540!

If you’re getting ready for a summer trip to paradise, reach out to us for a free consultation and we can make sure you have the best vacation possible!

05/04/2022

Happy Global Travel Advisor Day!

At Top Shelf Escapes, we strive to make every trip for our clients as perfect as can be. Helping you experience adventures of a lifetime is what gets us up in the morning. Thank you for trusting us with your vacations, both big and small, and we look forward to serving you for years to come!

05/03/2022

LOCATION HIGHLIGHT!!!

For our next Location Highlight, we are focusing on a city with arguably the most well known surf spot in the world, Honolulu. The capital of Hawai’i, Honolulu is a unique and vibrant city, with museums, art galleries, eclectic dining, and so much more. Home to some of the only royal palaces in the US, Honolulu has a rich history that goes back over 1000 years, when Polynesians arrived on its shores after navigating the ocean using the stars to guide them. Here you can also find some of the finest sites in nature, from the Tantalus Rainforest, to the Foster Botanical Garden, to Diamond Head, an extinct volcanic tuff cone that gives unparalleled views of Honolulu and the island of O’ahu. Honolulu’s most famous area is the world renowned Waikiki Beach, often referred to as the birthplace of surfing. It was here that Hawaiian royalty would show off their skills, and eventually where Olympic gold medalist Duke Kahanamoku would bring surfing to the world. The waves here are perfect for any beginner surfer to learn or any experienced surfer to practice their hang ten!

There is never a dull moment when visiting Honolulu or any other city in the Hawaiian Islands. With pleasant weather year round, it is a perfect destination for any season! Here at Top Shelf Escapes, we are Hawaiian specialists and can book you the perfect trip to O’ahu, or any of the other Hawaiian Islands. Reach out to us today for a free consultation!

04/29/2022

We’re back with more All Inclusive resort deals! Get to paradise without breaking the bank! These prices are based on a 5 night stay for 2 at the following locations.

1. St. George’s, Grenada
2. Tulum, Mexico

For Grenada, we have the Royalton Grenada Resort & Spa. This resort sits on 2 white sand beaches and features 4 restaurants, 24 hour room service, in room mini bar, water sports, and of course a spa. A 5 night stay at the Royalton Grenada starts at $2,250!

For Tulum, we have the Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa. This family friendly beachfront resort features 7 restaurants, a water park, in room mini bar, dance classes, and water sports. For 5 nights, the Dreams Tulum starts at only $1,750!

Where should we look next for more All Inclusive deals?? Let us know in the comments! 👇👇

04/22/2022

In honor of Earth Day, this week’s deals will be from Eco-Friendly All Inclusives. These resorts are Green Globe Certified, and are committed to operating at the highest level of sustainability, promote diversity and inclusiveness in their workforce while respecting local cultures, invest in protecting the culture and heritage of their host destinations, and so much more. As always, the prices below are based on a 5 night stay for 2 at the following locations.

Riviera Maya, Mexico
Montego Bay, Jamaica

For Riviera Maya, we have the El Dorado Royale, by Karisma. This gourmet-inclusive beachfront resort is adults only and features 15 restaurants, a full service spa, in room mini bar, and non-motorized water sports. For 5 nights, this resort starts at only $2,100!

For Montego Bay, we have the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach resort. This family friendly beachfront resort features an on site casino, 4 restaurants, an in room liquor dispenser, and an on site nightclub. For 5 nights, this resort starts at just $1,800!

If you want to travel sustainably, reach out to us and we can find the perfect Eco-Friendly vacation for you!

04/20/2022

This week for our travel tip, we will be walking you through the passport application process!

Step 1: Fill out the application for a US passport. This can be found online at travel.state.gov.
Step 2: Take a 2” by 2” passport photo. You can normally get this done at the post office, a pharmacy like CVS or Walgreens, or at a shipping center such as UPS and FedEx. You will want to get 2 copies of the photo.
Step 3: Make an appointment with the US Passport office. Depending on availability, it could take up to a month or more to get an appointment, so you want to get one as soon as possible.
Step 4: Get a certified copy of your birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or certificate of naturalization. You will need a photocopy of the document as well on an 8.5” by 11” white paper.
Step 5: Take your completed documents and photo to the appointment along with your ID, a photocopy of your ID, and a check made out to the US Department of State. The total cost for your passport is $130 plus a $35 “Acceptance Fee”.
Step 6: Receive your passport in the mail. Routine time for a passport is 8-11 weeks, but can be expedited in 5-7 weeks for an extra $60.

And just like that, you will now be able to fly internationally! Even if you don't have immediate international travel plans, we highly recommend getting your passport as soon as possible, because you never know when the opportunity for exploration might arise.

04/16/2022

Every week, we want to share different deals with our clients to show that you can have an amazing escape without breaking the bank! The pricing of these deals are based on a 5 night stay for 2 at the following locations:

1. Playa Matapalo, Costa Rica
2. Panama City, Panama

For Costa Rica, we have the beautiful Hotel RIU Guanacaste resort. This resort sits on the west coast of Costa Rica and features 5 restaurants, an in room mini bar with a liquor dispenser, scuba lessons, and a swim up bar. For 5 nights, the RIU Guanacaste starts at just under $1,050!

For Panama City, we have the Dreams Playa Bonita Panama by AMResorts. Located just 30 minutes from the airport, this resort features 5 pools, 6 restaurants, a driving range, and a batting cage on property. For 5 nights, the Dreams Playa Bonita Panama starts at only $1,200!

To find the perfect deal for you, click the calendar link and schedule a free consultation with us today!

04/12/2022

04/12/2022

Hello and welcome to Top Shelf Escapes, where we guarantee a top shelf experience no matter the destination! We are a full service travel agency, which means we plan, organize, book, and assist you with all your travel needs. We specialize in all inclusive travel to Mexico and the Caribbean, along with luxury travel in Europe, the US, and Asia. Our team of experienced travel professionals has visited over a dozen countries thus far, from Jamaica, to Spain, and even China just to name a few. We caught the travel bug early in life, and are excited to continue exploring this planet we call home. If you are anything like us, and have been dreaming of your next great adventure, reach out to us and we can get you on your way to paradise!

03/31/2022

03/31/2022

03/31/2022