RIU Palace Peninsula

The resort was first class all the way, and absolutely gorgeous.  Unlike the other RIUs I’ve been to that typically have a Spanish colonial influence; the décor at this one is modern and very chic.  The result is an almost ZEN ambiance.  Color theme of the resort throughout is aubergine, fuchsia, and marble.

We were given a junior suite ocean view (actually all of the rooms are ocean view) that featured an integrated lounge area with a sofa bed and large balcony.  There is a Jacuzzi tub literally in the middle of the room, between the bed and the vanity area, with no privacy whatsoever.  In fact, only the room with the toilet had a door.  This did not bother us, but I wouldn’t sell this resort without mentioning it to a prospective client, because all of the rooms at this resort are this way.  We were on the 9th floor; floor 10 and above is considered an upgrade because of the spectacular view of the pools and ocean, but quite honestly, our view was pretty spectacular!

I have always associated RIU resorts with cleanliness and great service, but in my opinion, the Peninsula far exceeded my expectations in both of these areas!  Likewise, I have associated RIUs with passable but mediocre food at best.  Well at the Peninsula I could not have been more wrong!  I was blown away; the food was fabulous, with lots of variety in every single restaurant – even lobster, and filet mignon which honestly tasted like Mancys!  There are 6 specialty restaurants (as well as the “Capuchino” Coffee bar/patisserie & ice cream parlor; delicious!) in addition to the International Buffet, which was actually amazing!

I recently attended The “Love Elevated Wedding Symposium” in Saint Lucia. This 4-day program brought together local and international experts in the fields of destination wedding planning: retail, photography, catering, and travel.  It was the perfect opportunity to get answers to all my questions about hosting the perfect wedding on Saint Lucia.  I was able to see the many sides of Saint Lucia—from its destination resorts to landmark sites to the tropical rainforests that can serve as an idyllic backdrop to a memorable wedding.  The St Lucia Tourist even planned a “mock wedding” – perfect to the last detail at the Pigeon Island National Landmark!
 
Saint Lucia is the perfect destination for an unforgettable and romantic wedding or honeymoon!  No other island in the world is so completely dedicated to couples in love.

Recently I visited Las Vegas as a guest of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. As a Destination Wedding Specialist, I was invited to observe firsthand why over 100,000 weddings are held there each year!  I discovered that you can have your ceremony performed by Elvis at the Viva Las Vegas Chapel, go high style in the chapel at Ravella at Lake Las Vegas, or choose anything in between. A wedding ceremony in Vegas is only limited by the imagination.   
                                                                       
Weddings in Vegas are custom-fit for any budget, any taste and any couple.   One of the most fabulous venues in Las Vegas is at the chapel at the Mandarin Oriental.  The premier event, the Ultimate Luxury Wedding, begins at $100,000. However, with this package, the bride receives a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes and a diamond pendant from Harry Winston, in addition to 2 toasting goblets from Baccarat!  On the other end of the spectrum, one of the loveliest weddings we had a chance to peek in on was a “Sunkissed Love” ceremony at the Tropicana (voted Best Vegas Wedding Chapel 8 years in a row), and packages start at $800.00!   A wedding in Las Vegas is sure to leave any couple with lasting memories.