Posted by - Debbie Panell |
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Two new favorite Hotels
July 07 , 2008
My Two new Favorite hotels
Mandarin Oriental Mexico
Okay, so I travel a lot, and stay in a lot of hotels, and yes, I have lots more favorites other than these two! But, since space is short I’ve narrowed my list to my top two; for the moment at least. Best of all- one is right here in
Miami ! Just a short drive away for a romantic getaway!
Mandarin Oriental Cancun
First, lets hit
! About half an hour south of Cancún, the new Mandarin Oriental, which opened earlier this year, is definitely the place to be for the adult crowd! Acres of mangrove forest surround a small stretch of powdery sand. The villas utilize native hardwoods, stone and other local accents. Three championship golf courses, including the El Cameleon course, operated by the neighboring
Fairmont hotel are available for guests to use, along with access to three swimming pools and guests can enjoy snorkeling, kayaking and windsurfing at the hotel beach. A modern fitness center offers workout stations, treadmills and free weights. Guests can visit the resort's water sports center to plan local excursions, including scuba diving, sport fishing and Mayan ruin tours. There is also a private pier for sailing and yacht excursions, ideal for hopping on a sunset cruise or private snorkeling trip. A kids' club is available for children ages 4-12, with daily child care, meals and activities. It’s pricey, but luxury doesn’t come cheap! And this is one resort worth every penny! http://www.mandarinoriental.com/rivieramaya/
Regent Bal Harbour, Florida
Not to leave our own state out of the mix,
Miami has a gorgeous new resort waiting to pamper you! Make no mistake: Regent’s first property in the wants nothing to do with
South
Beach . This is for grown ups only, and its amenities make no mistake in identifying that! Some of the more desirable features include: a commissioned, museum-quality art collection featuring works by established and emerging American artists. Each guest room and executive suite assures the utmost privacy and quiet with access from semi-private or private elevators. Bathrooms are outfitted with freestanding bathtubs placed before 10-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows with stunning water views.
And if a standard room is not good enough for you, there’s the presidential suite which with 3,500 square-feet, including 702 square-feet of terrace, a theatre and media room; 46-bottle wine storage; and grand-piano bedecked living room, is nicer than many peoples homes!
If you’re looking for genuine luxury accommodation in Florida, check out the
Regent
Bal
Harbour . http://www.regenthotels.com/balharbour
Have video or photos of your favorite new hotel or resort? Upload them to SplashVision today!
That’s a wrap!
- Debbie Panell (help us grow by forwarding this to friends)
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Time to buy a boat
July 07 , 2008
Buying a boat in a down Economy
2006 Sea Ray 400 Motor Yacht
Doom and gloom, that’s what all financial experts say. But if you have good credit, or enough cash stowed away for a nice down payment, you can afford to buy a terrific boat, at a fraction of the cost it normally would be!
Stories of boaters losing their boat- whether due to foreclosure; or high fuel prices, or simply wanting to get out for any number of reasons, have flooded the market with great boats. And since there are so many boats on the market right now, and so many bank owned boats, getting a good deal is easy!
Buyers tend to buy when everyone else is buying. When no one is buying, inventory increases, days on market increases, prices drop and sellers negotiate down to the buyers favor. What does this mean? Buy when no one else is!
Despite the perception, lenders are giving new boat loans! True, your credit must be excellent, no- you are not going to get into a $500,000 boat on a $50,000 a year income, but you can still get a boat loan. So why aren’t people buying? Simple…attitude and perception. The boat market is determined to be good or bad solely from the sellers view point. When prices and sales are down it is presented as a bad time for boating. This only helps to perpetuate the bad market in that it discourages buyers from buying. The best buying sign there is, is to hear a seller complaining about market conditions.
When looking to buy a foreclosed boat, or short sale boat, make sure to have it thoroughly inspected before hand. People that do not want to leave their boat often neglect and destroy things inside, and take anything that isn’t nailed down (and sometimes things that are!) buying a boat in foreclosure or short sale means there are no warrantees, guarantees or any other protective measure. What you see (or don’t) is what you get! Make sure the boat is inspected to check and make sure there is no structural damage or damage to the engines or electrical systems.
Make an offer! If it is a short sale or foreclosure, the seller might not have much room to budge on price, but it never hurts to ask! Especially if it has been on the market a long time. If the seller is simply relocating by choice, they may be able to accept a lower offer- they want to sell their boat and the perceived notion is that no one is buying!
Lastly, make sure the boat you are buying is insurable! Many insurance companies now have strict guidelines on insuring boats. Call your broker and ask before making any deals!
Have you gotten an awesome deal on a boat? Upload your video of your new ride to SplashVision today and share your great deal!
That’s a wrap!
- The SplashVision Team (if you liked this forward it to a friend)
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Beach Award 2008
July 02 , 2008
Florida gets
Top
Beach award for 2008!
Caladesi Island State Park
Coastal expert Dr. Stephen Leatherman, a.k.a. “Dr. Beach,” has named Caladesi Island State Park in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area America’s Top Beach for 2008.
Locals have known for years that Caladesi is a gem in the gulf and all of its supporters are proud to be recognized nationwide for the natural beauty of this tranquil island! While remote, there are a lot of recreational activities at Caladesi. A mangrove-covered kayak trail winds from the marina to the St. Joseph Sound and back. Kayaks are available for rental through the Cafe Caladesi. The nature trail is a great place to find Osprey in old pine snags or cross paths with a gopher tortoise. Just remember to bring water and sunscreen!
Since it is rather remote,
Caladesi
Island is accessible only by private boat or through the Caladesi Connection ferry service. The costs have recently increased to $10 for adults and $6 for children and ferries depart hourly starting at 10 a.m. Ferry passengers are allotted a four-hour stay on the island. For our animal loving friends, Fido will have to sit this trip out, as no pets are allowed on the ferry or the island!
Caladesi
Island was created in 1921 after a savage storm created
Hurricane
Pass and separated it from what was then
Hog
Island . The origin of the name is uncertain, however, it first appeared in print in the early '30's.
Leatherman honored two other Florida beaches this year including
Siesta
Beach , and
Cape
Florida
State Park in Key Biscayne.
Have you been to
Caladesi
Beach or another great beach ? If so, upload your fantastic videos or photos and share them with the SplashVision community!
That’s a wrap!
- The SplashVision Team (if you liked this forward it to a friend)
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