If
you’re looking for the perfect vacation for and your
family, all you have to do is call All Seasons Travel and
pack your luggage. We called last February 2008, and little
did we know that our travel agent Slavenka at All Seasons
Travel would arrange a vacation for our family in “Paradise”.
Our destination was Runaway Bay between Montego Bay and Ocho
Rios in Jamaica at
The Gran Bahia Principe, a stunning Resort and Spa with a
Spanish influence in architectural design.
Upon our arrival in Jamaica you can’t but notice the
hospitality of the Jamaican people. Their smiles seem to brighten
the surrounding atmosphere in such a positive way, that you
with out any doubt feel welcomed to their Country (Ya Man).
The buses at the airport fill with many happy tourists going
to different Resorts in Jamaica. Our family was among those
happy tourists. We were escorted to our bus and driven along
the coast to our Resort, The Gran Bahia Principe. The bus
driver and tour guide set a “Jamaican Mood” by
playing Reggae Music and singing with the music. Along the
way, our bus stopped to let out people vacationing at other
Resorts. They were all so beautiful to look at even though
it was dark outside. We all became so excited and could not
wait to arrive at out Resort.
After about 45 minutes we arrived at our destination
–
“Paradise Gran Bahia Principe Jamaica”.
THE
RESORT
It was so beautiful you had to pinch yourself to make sure
you weren’t dreaming. An important thing to remember
is that upon arrival, your reservation may not be perfect
but I assure you, if you’re patient with the Reservation
(Check-In) Staff at the Hotel, they will go out of their way
to ensure that you get the perfect room during your stay at
the Resort. The rooms are spacious and clean with large washrooms
that include a Jacuzzi tub, separate shower stall etc…
The view from any balcony is beautiful but if you would like
an ocean view, you must request this upon your reservation
with your travel agent.
TOURS
The following morning, your Airline Representative will post
a meeting time in the main Hotel lobby. I would suggest that
those who can attend this meeting do so. Your Airline Representative
lets you know about many Tours that are offered thru the Resort.
Some of the most popular Tours are the Dunn’s River
Falls/Boat Cruise where you cruise to Crystal Reef and snorkel
with tropical fish of every amazing color. You also get to
hike up a cascading waterfall and upon your return a Jamaican
party awaits you with complimentary rum drinks and Jamaican
music.
Another Tour for the adventurous is the Chukka Cove Jeep Safari.
This Tour highlights much of Jamaica’s great beauty,
culture and history. You are driven in a 4x4 Land Rover and
get to enjoy breathtaking views. There is 15 minute river
walk to beautiful hidden waterfalls and you can also swim
in the clear mineral waters of the rainforest riverbed.
For those who have children, there is a Dolphin Tour. You
can swim with the Dolphins if you’re over the age of
8 years. If you have smaller children they can touch the Dolphins
with an adult present.
Lastly, for those that enjoy shopping as much as I do, there
is a Shopping Tour to Ocho Rios with some sightseeing just
20 minutes away. You get to see many beautiful gardens, a
bit of the city of Ocho Rios, do some duty free shopping(don’t
forget to buy Jamaican coffee) and lastly travel to a local
craft village for handmade local crafts at good prices. For
those vacationers interested in Touring, they will have to
speak to their assigned Travel Representative for additional
details and cost of each Tour.
ACTIVITIES
The Gran Bahia Principe offers guests that do not wish to
Tour, many other activities to keep occupied. Some activities
(for a small cost) include Scuba Diving, Snorkeling and Day
Cruises on the Catamaran, Wind Surfing and Sailing. Our family
enjoyed Banana Boating around the bay (at no cost) and if
you look closely you can also see many colorful tropical fish
swimming in the crystal clear waters below.
There is also a wonderful Spa and Wellness Centre located
on the Resort with many luxuries available for those men and
women interested in a little pampering. Services such as massages,
body wraps, various special (therapeutic) therapies, body
waxing, nail treatments, tattoos, and salon treatments. Brochures
are available with a price list for all services. All you
have to do is reserve your own private time and relax.
Wedding Packages are also available at the
Resort for those that are looking for a “Wedding in
Paradise” in Jamaica. You can get more information form
you agent at All Seasons Travel regarding any of these packages.
BEACH
If you’re not interested in visiting The Spa or getting
married you could relax at the beach. At The Gran Bahia Principe
there are two beaches, one is a pebble beach and the other
is a sandy white beach. They are both nice beaches but our
family chose the sandy beach because our daughter likes to
make sand castles in the soft white sand. The water is crystal
clear and shallow. You can walk out long distances and the
water is not too deep, which is perfect for children. You
may also meet one of many local venders selling souvenirs
along the shore line. They are very friendly, harmless and
honest. Two that we met were named Bruce (in a banana boat)
and Rasta (walks and sings along the shore line).
There is also a bar, washroom and children’s daycare
located directly on the beach that was very convenient for
everyone. Between the two beaches is a great Snack Shack called
“Pisces”. This buffet style beach restaurant offered
a great variety of items for lunch for everyone (kids and
adults) including our favorite “Jerky Chicken”
grilled everyday on one side of the snack shack. Jerky Chicken
is a Jamaican specialty and if you go to Jamaica you must
not leave before you try this BBQ Chicken, it is delicious!
There is a seating area overlooking the bay and live music
“Jamaican Style” to entertain all guests.
POOL
If you’re not a beach person you can lounge around the
“Never Ending Pool”. This pool was one of the
longest we had ever seen anywhere. It starts from one side
of the Resort and continues all the way to the other side
(you cannot see where it ends) thus getting its name “Never
Ending Pool”. The pool is not too deep (4 feet) and
there is an area for small children to play and swim called
the kiddy pool. Swim-up bars are available in the pool area
for adults.
DINING
AT THE RESORT
The Gran Bahia Principe offers 4 a la carte restaurants: Don
Pablo (Spanish), Mikado (Oriental), The Fisherman’s
Place (Seafood) and The Grill (Grilled Specialties). To dine
at any one of these restaurants you must make reservations
early each day in the main hotel lobby and there is a dress
code with no exceptions. There is also a Buffet Restaurant
available called “Orquidea”. No reservations are
necessary and you may dress casual but men must wear pants
for dinner. Our family enjoyed the Buffet because there was
such a nice variety of different foods and this made everyone
happy.
After dinner we went to the commercial area ”Pueblo
Principe”. This is an area of the Resort designed with
Shopping Boutiques, Piano Bar, Disco Club and evening entertainment.
We did most of our shopping in this area and the prices were
not too bad.
ENTERTAINMENT
The evening entertainment starts off with a show for the children.
Later, The Gran Bahia Principe Dancers arrive with amazing
shows each night to entertain all age groups. In order to
see these shows you’ll have to go to Jamaica to see
for yourself.
After the show guests can continue to party until the sun
rises at the Disco Club or Piano Bar. Other guests retire
to their rooms to rest up for the next day of fun in the Jamaican
Sun. Whatever your family chooses to do, you will with out
a doubt experience “Paradise in Jamaica” at The
Gran Bahia Principe. All you have to do is call All Seasons
Travel and book you next vacation, and you too can experience
the beauty of Jamaica.
Remember, you can make up any excuse not to go, but memories
collected from your vacation and spending time with your loved
ones in Paradise is PRICELESS!
Thank
you Slavenka and All Seasons Travel
From
the Avejic Family
Gran Bahia Principe (14)
Transportation
