Topics Include:
Travel Expert and Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams was originally scheduled to visit Tortola in the West Indies at the time of this broadcast but changed plans while she was in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Stephanie was able to refashion her itinerary within thirty six hours with the help of many skilled travel professionals including representatives at Travel Concepts in St. Lucia and the St. Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association.
Stephanie says the inspiration for traveling to St. Lucia came from Dominik Ruhl, General Manager of the Marigot Bay Hotel. Stephanie met Ruhl at the Caribbean Hotel Association Marketplace in San Juan, Puerto Rico while she was staying at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel and Casino. He explained that the Marigot Bay property is part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, an organization that Stephanie says handpicks the finest hotels in the world. St. Lucia is one of Stephanie’s favorite Caribbean destinations. She says it is what you think of when you think of the Caribbean including blue/green turquoise waters, lush tropical greenery, white sandy beaches and green mountain tops.
Dominik Ruhl, General Manager of the Marigot Bay Hotel, joins “Travel With Stephanie Abrams!” to discuss the property. Ruhl was born in Frankfurt Germany and in recent years worked at a hotel in the Maldives. Ruhl says he was ready for a change and fell in love with the island of St. Lucia. He comments: “It’s genuinely friendly and that obviously makes a holiday special”. Stephanie asks about his first impression of the. Ruhl says he received an initial impression of the hotel before arriving at the main entrance of the property. The road that leads to the hotel passes over the top of the hill that overlooks the property and marina. Ruhl says that this vantage point is extremely stunning and is arguably why author James A Michener called Marigot Bay the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean.
Stephanie is astounded by the size of the yachts in the marina and comments on one that looks to be as large as one hundred and fifty feet long. She is sitting next to a Schefflera tree which she says you only see indoors in the US. In addition to views of the bays guests of the property can appreciate complimentary water taxis that shuttle guests to beaches as far as forty minute away. Dominik Ruhl says that many of these beaches are private. Trips are available in the morning and afternoon and there is also a beach on site at the property.
Dominik Ruhl says the Marigot Bay Hotel is defined by its design which Stephanie says is characterized by seek lines and minimalist decor. Stephanie comments on the sheer netting that is hung around the four poster bed in her guestroom. She says it gives the sense of being in a luxury safari destination. The hotel offers standard modern amenities such as wireless Internet throughout the hotel. Guests are also offered free phone calls for anywhere in the world. Ruhl says that many guests have business to take care of and the phone accessibility “makes it easy to do an hour of work in the morning”.
Stephanie states that in some guest accommodations kitchens distract from the design but at the Marigot Bay Hotel the kitchens actually factor into the beauty and sleekness of the environment. Ruhl says there is a balance in making the design sleek without it being too empty. The rooms are residential which Ruhl says accommodates guest who are staying at the property longer. Each of the fifty-seven one, two and three bedroom suites have fully equipped Italian kitchens with a stove, microwave and fridge as well as a spacious living room, and laundry facilities. The suites also have balconies with deck furniture. Ruhl says that guests can appreciate the ocean breezes and do not need to use their air-conditioning all the time.
Stephanie says that the ceilings in the guestroom must be approximately thirty feet tall. She notes the use of dark wood, the cherry colored wood floors and vaulted ceilings. The design, she says, is minimalist but very comfortable.
The Marigot Bay property is a combination of hotel and marina. Within the resort complex is also a supermarket and restaurant. Dominik Ruhl says that in addition to the yacht members who have access to the hotel’s amenities there are also many local people who dine at the property. Ruhl says the hotel is famous among the locals for its “big mouth burgers”.
Guests interested in a bargain should visit http://www.marigotbay.com/auction. Dominik Ruhl says that this part of the website gives people an opportunity to quote their own price. He states it’s, “like eBay but nicer”.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1131
For more information visit http://www.marigotbay.com
Fun Facts:
The Roger and Hammerstein musical South Pacific was based on the collection of short stories “Tales of the South Pacific” by James A. Michener. The musical was made into a film in 1958.
Stephanie tells the story of a doctor and investor who traveled with her and a group in Spain. While visiting an art museum he would point out the ailments he saw present in the figures in some of the paintings. Stephanie says people take their work with them everywhere. This was evident in a recent news item as well. In January 2010, a professor of pathological anatomy, Dr. Vito Franco, diagnosed the Mona Lisa. Franco wrote in a research article that Mona Lisa had high cholesterol evident by the build-up of fatty acids under her skin. He argued her smile may be attributed to this.
Guests Include:
Dominik Ruhl, General Manager, Marigot Bay Hotel, St. Lucia, West Indies.
www.marigotbay.com
Topics Include:
“Travel With Stephanie Abrams!” is broadcasting live from the Marigot Bay Hotel in St. Lucia, West Indies. Travel Expert and Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams says that the property sits on a bay where there is a shopping centre and a “gorgeous harbored marina”. Stephanie loves the design of the rooms at the hotel as well as the added amenities such as the laundry room located behind the kitchen area in each suite. Stephanie plans to do her laundry before traveling home.
Noorani Azeez, Project Manager for the St. Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association joins “Travel With Stephanie Abrams!” Azeez states that the associations boasts an excess of 3,000 guestrooms on the island and says that number is growing. Accommodations on the island are found in a variety of categories. Azeez says they range from humble guest houses to the most opulent luxury resorts on the island. He says St. Lucia attracts many visitors because it offers fabulous experiences for even a short visit. Activities include diving in the coral reefs, parasailing, horseback riding, walking tours and sightseeing opportunities that allow visitors to appreciate the tremendous views from hilltops. These views Azeez says, “are world renowned”. Noorani Azeez says visitors will also enjoy the cuisine on the island. Stephanie plans to visit the rainforest and a drive-through volcano before the end of her trip.
Stephanie asks Noorani Azeez what is offered in the mid-range of guest accommodations. Azeez says the boutique hotels on the island offer more moderate pricing than the high-end resorts but with personalized services. He says that there is an enormous variety in smaller guest accommodations. Visitors are able to customize their stay based on their specific needs.
The St. Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association is approximately forty years old. Azeez states that it started with eight hotels and now manages two hundred and twenty member companies including hotels as well as other entities in the hospitality industry. He states that as part of the association’s dedication to their member base they work closely with the St. Lucia Bureau of Standards in the development and applications of standards at the various accommodations and industries. The St. Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association facilitates conferences to access up to date information regarding this and allow opportunities for members to participate in implementation and development. Azeez says that membership spans the entire island and offers experiences that surpass visitor’s expectations. Some of St. Lucia’s most popular nightlife events include the St. Lucia Gros Islet Friday Night Street Party, the Anse Le Rey Fish Festivals and the Dennery Fish Fry.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1132
For more information visit http:/www./slhta.org
Travel Expert and Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams says that the Marigot Bay Hotel is ideal in terms of its size and amenities for a large group to take over. She says it is perfect for those who travel with family or extended family as it has one, two and three bedroom suites. General Manager Dominik Ruhl says that the property hosts many intimate weddings where a couple comes for a private escape but that the property also hosts larger weddings as well. He says the facilities comfortably accommodate one hundred and twenty people and that the resort’s Palm Pavilion lawn provides a garden atmosphere that is ideal for a wedding. Representatives at the hotel will help the wedding couple register locally. Stephanie says to remember to bring the appropriate documentation for the event such as a birth certificate and a divorce decree if you were previously married.
Ross Reynolds, Executive Chef of the Marigot Bay Hotel, joins “Travel With Stephanie Abrams!”. Reynolds was born outside of Oxford, UK. He trained in London and worked in Africa and Burgundy before moving to St. Lucia. Reynolds says the move was initially a culture shock but that, “you couldn’t ask for a nicer place to live and work”.
Travel Expert and Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams hopes to develop the food side of Travelers411 Family of Websites as she states food is an important aspect of travel. She says one concern she has is about the quality of product used. Chef Ross Reynolds says he is aware of the need of sustainable agriculture and that the approach of the chef should be to incorporate local foodstuff. In England Reynolds says he would spend time talking with the farmers and selecting the right produce. He states that it was always a goal to get produce available within a fifteen mile radius when possible. Fresher produce is not only more affordable but, Reynolds says, contributes to better tasting food.
Ross Reynolds says he aims to incorporate a lot of local flavor and produce in his cooking at the Marigot Bay Hotel. A popular appetizer is a sage shrimp starter with a ginger pumpkin puree. Reynolds says that the most popular entree at the restaurant is a Cornish hen dish served with taro (also called dasheen) and potato cakes, cream leeks and green vegetables.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1133
For more information visit http://www.marigotbay.com
Guests Include:
Noorani Azeez, Project Manager, St. Lucia Hotel & Tourism Association, Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies.
www.slhta.org
Ross Reynolds, Executive Chef, Marigot Bay Hotel, St. Lucia, West Indies.
www.marigotbay.com
Topics Include:
Travel Expert and Radio Show Host Stephanie Abrams is broadcasting live from the terrace bar area at the top deck level at the Marigot Bay Hotel in St. Lucia, located next to the hotel’s restaurant. She says the complex includes the hotel, the Marina at Margiot Bay, and a shopping center that Stephanie hopes to visit soon.
Carmelita Xavier, Managing Director of Solar Tours & Travel in St. Lucia, West Indies, joins the “Travel With Stephanie Abrams!” Radio Show. Xavier states that the services the company provides vary depending on the specifications given by the client. Solar Tours & Travel provides transfers to and from the airport and will also take care of a guest’s needs during their stay.
Carmelita Xavier states that one popular package is a land and sea tour comprised of a transfer to and from the airport (either by private means, taxi, limousine, helicopter or coach bus), a trip to the town of Soufriere, exploration of the Pitons, (the famous St. Lucian mountains and world heritage site) and an experience of the Caribbean’s only drive-through volcano. Afterwards the tour provides a jeep or bus to transport guests back to their hotel.
Another package is the Creole Kitchen Fiesta which includes a rainforest tour, an interactive cooking session and a fruit sampling at the Lushan Country Life which is a heritage project in a rainforest environment. Lushan Country Life has medicinal and herbal gardens, garden trails, traditional thatched huts and a Creole kitchen. Xavier says the cooking sessions are led by a qualified chef and also a “grandma”; a local woman who describes the local ingredients and dishes.
Stephanie says that “teaching experiences” provide a great opportunity for families and for all travelers to interact with an area. She says they meet with the local people and interface with the culture and history on a deeper level. Carmelita Xavier says this is definitely the case with Solar Tours & Travel. She says that the experiences that cannot be missed in St. Lucia includes seeing the Pitons, taking a sunset cruise to Marigot Bay, visiting the drive through Volcano and meeting with the local people.
Solar Tours & Travel is also partnered with Shore Excursion Operations through the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association. This allows for travelers who are cruising to receive an intimate tour when they visit St. Lucia. Solar Tours are also the local representative for Delta Vacations, JetBlue Getaways, Certified Vacations and Festive Holidays. Stephanie says that Solar Tours has the industry locked up in St. Lucia.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1134
For more information visit http://www.solartoursandtravel.com
Bob Hathaway, Marina Manager of the Marina at Marigot Bay, joins “Travel With Stephanie Abrams!”. Stephanie comments on the largest boat in the harbor, a one hundred and sixty four foot Italian motorboat. It is docked next to a one forty seven foot sailboat which has a mast that is one hundred and eighty five feet high. Hathaway says that they are fortunate in that though the bay is small and beautiful it is also very sheltered. He says that even under the worst conditions there is no serious wind or currents in the bay that could result in the damage of large boats. Hathaway says the largest boat ever docked in the marina was two hundred and forty three feet. He says the larger boats have multiple radars and satellite communications when Stephanie notes the various attachments on a one hundred and fifty footer arriving in the harbor.
Bob Hathaway came to St. Lucia six years ago by yacht to retire. He sailed with his wife on a fifty six foot boat that had been shown at the Genoa Boat Show in Genoa, Italy. The couple sailed to Gibraltar and the Canary Islands and along the coast of Africa before arriving in St. Lucia. In addition to being Marina Manager Hathaway is also the Acting President of the Marine Industries Association of St. Lucia.
Travelers411 Community Forums - This interview's thread:
http://www.travelers411.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1135
For more information visit http://www.marigotbay.com
Guests Include:
Carmelita Xavier, Managing Director, Solar Tours & Travel, St. Lucia, West Indies.
www.solartoursandtravel.com
Bob Hathaway, Marina Manager, Marigot Bay, St. Lucia, West Indies.
www.marigotbay.com
