Travel Writing Stories of luxury resorts, beach bars, historic castles, oceanfront restaurants, and .....
At each new stop, I find fascinating people with a story to tell.
I love hearing and writing about how a particular setting makes a difference in one’s life. I enjoy describing what is unique about each place and how this location made someone’s dream come alive.
*Click the articles listed below for an inside look at the stories and photographic glimpses of my writing path less traveled.
Park Hyatt Aviara’s Game Changing $50 Million Renovation
By Tim Cotroneo It takes fewer than two seconds to see where a game-changing slice of the Park Hyatt Aviara’s $50 million renovation was dedicated. Step into Aviara’s Mediterranean-style lobby and the resort’s architectural headliner leads guests to gaze all the way to the California coast. You’d never know that, prior to renovation, Aviara’s now […]
5 Best Caribbean Luxury Escapes for Valentine’s Day
By Tim Cotroneo What’s on your Valentine’s Day wish list? When you close your eyes do you see miles of white sand beach, or an oceanfront room, or a romantic dinner with palm trees swaying all around you? The Caribbean meets all these Valentine’s expectations and more. Then again, some Caribbean accommodations raise the bar […]
Richland Pointe – Extraordinary Living on the Lake
By Tim Cotroneo Too often choosing a new or second home involves compromise or giving something up. For new Richland Pointe homeowners on Reynolds Lake Oconee, it’s more a case of realizing, “I can have this, plus all that?” The Richland Pointe development in Greensboro, Georgia gives new meaning to the real estate term “master […]
Best Caribbean Beaches: Missing You
By Tim Cotroneo I first met Grace in 2006. Her beauty left me breathless. It felt like I was struck by a thunderbolt. The Grace that I’m speaking of is Grace Bay Beach on the Caribbean island of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos. That first Grace encounter was so powerful it led me to […]
5 Most Luxurious Overwater Bungalows
By Tim Cotroneo Originating in Tahiti and perfected in Southern Asia, the overwater bungalow is the ultimate expression of high seas romance and luxury. The question is, “Where are the world’s best overwater settings for spending the night with ocean waves as your sleep soundtrack?” The amenities accompanying a dream night in an overwater bungalow […]
Ladera Resort in St. Lucia – Seeing is Believing
By Tim Cotroneo For those anticipating an island vacation at the Ladera Resort, you should know that the instant before departing is the best part of your stay. To fully understand how this last is best scenario occurs, realize that your emotional farewell is all part of the Ladera plan for exceeding expectations. Let’s start […]
Tortuga Bay Hotel in Punta Cana – Worthy of an Oscar
On the shores of Punta Cana’s most secluded beach, Designer Oscar de la Renta created a Caribbean jewel of a hotel. Located in a private enclave within the Puntacana Resort, the Tortuga Bay Hotel features 13 villas offering unrivaled luxury, the ultimate in privacy, and five-star service. Guests thrill to Tortuga Bay’s dreamy environment, posh […]
Love is All You Need at Sandals Emerald Bay
Each couple arriving at Sandals Emerald Bay Resort in Great Exuma secretly wants the same thing. Deep in their hearts they long for a no-hassle week of beautiful views, exceptional service, and a vacation that exceeds expectations. For more than 30 years, Sandals has earned a we’ll take care of everything reputation for couples seeking […]
Condado Vanderbilt Hotel – Luxury Turns 100 in San Juan
Condado Vanderbilt, San Juan Puerto Rico’s most elegant hotel, never looked so good. An architectural masterpiece that opened to great fanfare in 1919, this 319-room luxury property is known as Puerto Rico’s first five-star hotel. Today’s Condado Vanderbilt Hotel welcomes an international clientele with its glamorous salmon-hued interior, one-of-a-kind spiral staircase, stately meeting rooms, world-class […]
Greater Zion: Where Golf Meets Adventure
Southern Utah is one of the few places in the world in which golf is mentioned in the same breath with extreme sports. With nine, and soon to be ten, golf courses located within the 118 miles that is the city of St. George, it’s hard to find a foursome that doesn’t mention nature walks, […]
5 Best Bahamas Luxury Resorts
The Bahamas’ 700 islands and cays are spread over 500 miles of Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. With only 30 of these islands inhabited, you may ask, “Which hotels are regarded as the most luxurious?” If you’re seeking the ultimate in watercolor, amazing stretches of beach, and 5-star accommodations, the list begins to narrow. Add […]
Cape Santa Maria Resort in the Bahamas
Is This Resort Home to the Bahamas’ Most Beautiful Beach? The question for those considering a Cape Santa Maria Resort vacation: “To what lengths would you go to experience one of the most beautiful beaches in the world?” Cape Santa Maria Resort is located on Long Island. We aren’t talking about the island next to […]
James Bond’s Favorite Cocktail is Better in the Bahamas
Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig had one thing in common when starring in the legendary James Bond movie series. They all preferred their martinis shaken, not stirred. The lobby bar at The Ocean Club, a Four Seasons Resort located on Paradise Island in the Bahamas, served as the movie locale for […]
First Class at the Puntacana Resort & Club
The words “Punta Cana” seem to roll off the tongue. The translation for the Dominican Republic’s eastern most point refers to the white tips of the cane palms in the region. To make it easy in English, all you need to remember is that the name given to this dreamy Caribbean locale rhymes with nirvana. […]
Cocobay Resort in Antigua
What if there were a Caribbean escape where you could have it all? On the island of Antigua, “what if” is spelled Cocobay Resort. The views, the beach, the food, and the ambiance are picture-perfect at Cocobay. Located on Antigua’s western edge, Cocobay Resort sits on a small bluff overlooking the beach with a splendid vantage point for […]
Ocean Club West
A True Blue Turks and Caicos Resort
A color like you’ve never seen before. That’s what thrills first time vacationers and tugs at the hearts of returning guests at Ocean Club West in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Turquoise blue, green, and all shades in between. The ocean colors coming at you on Grace Bay Beach are jolting, intense, and intoxicating. Grace […]
The Reserve Club at Indian Wells
Golf Beyond Your Wildest Dreams When The Reserve Club’s Golf Course in Indian Wells, CA, was built back in 1998, there was a shoot for the moon mentality that said, “What if we design and build a golf course that exceeds our members wildest dreams?” The Reserve Developers, Bob Lowe and Ted Lennon discussed choosing […]
A Storybook Life at Desert Mountain
Is there a secret behind the steady stream of home buyers seeking to start anew at the Desert Mountain Golf Community in Scottsdale, Arizona? Maybe it’s the storybook elevated setting offering spectacular views of mountain ranges from very angle. Maybe it’s the introduction and welcome process that the Desert Mountain Member Services team has down […]
CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa in Anguilla
The CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa chose to look at the darkest day in their almost 20-year history as a new beginning. This optimistic attitude and approach has resulted in a remarkable transformation for the 275-acre property located on Rendezvous Bay in Anguilla. The date was September 6, 2017 when Hurricane Irma ripped through Anguilla […]
Sandals Over Water Destination Wedding
72 Hours of Montego Bay Bliss When asked to describe their destination wedding, how many couples respond with the words “over water?” For those who choose the neighboring Sandals Montego Bay and Royal Caribbean resorts as the dreamy setting for their nuptials, “over water” becomes synonymous with “I do.” Sandals Montego Bay is the flagship […]
St. Regis Punta Mita – A Forever Photographic Moment
If you’re a vacationer with a love for photography, staying at the St. Regis Punta Mita will shift your passion into overdrive. A guest seeking outdoor optimum camera light had the good fortune of meeting a St. Regis staffer at the right place and the right time. As the guest stepped from his suite in […]
SH Villa Gadea Hotel in Spain- Exhilarating
Exhilarating! That’s the best word to describe the anticipation of a new day for guests at the Villa Gadea Hotel in Altea, Spain. There is so much to see, feel, and do at this Five-Star property located on the eastern edge of a seaside Mediterranean village. Guests arriving after dark have no idea of the […]
Sea Pines Resort – Basking in Southern Charm
The scenic drive from the Savannah Airport to the Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head, SC, provides an unspoken amenity in the resort’s charming introduction process. As you decompress from your flight, the 45-minute journey amongst pine trees, the Intercoastal Waterway, glimpses of sailboats and yachts, and a sneak preview to the quaint village of […]
Excellence Oyster Bay Resort in Jamaica
The last hour of my last day of vacation at Excellence Oyster Bay Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica called for drastic measures. I needed one more walk on the resort’s picturesque beach before returning home. Andre, a long, lean beach attendant dressed in white from head to toe, placed his rake down in the sand […]
Grand Isle Resort in Great Exuma
On the island of Great Exuma in the Bahamas, there is a luxury resort that exudes a feeling of kindness and generosity. Guests find their expectations exceeded on a daily basis. Claudine Williams, the Hotel Manager at the Grand Isle Resort, was asked if there was a unique training that goes into making guests feel […]
Story of Hermitage Bay in Antigua
Andy Thesen’s career in high finance took a dramatic turn the day he initially turned down a college grad seeking employment. Thesen, the owner of Hermitage Bay in Antigua, believes his accidental path to building a 5-star hotel in the Caribbean had a lot to do with
Oceans of Reasons to Love Great Exuma
The world’s first glimpse of Great Exuma’s spectacular ocean color was during the James Bond movie Thunderball in 1965. The Exuma Cays’ turquoise water once again sparked an envious uproar in the 2006 Pirates of the Caribbean movie Deadman’s Chest. In 2015, during his year-long journey throughout our galaxy, Astronaut Scott Kelly described Exuma’s water […]
Blarney Castle Inn in Cabo San Lucas
One of the greatest hotel values in the entire Baja Peninsula is located high on a hill above downtown Cabo San Lucas. Guests staying at the quaint Blarney Castle Inn enjoy accommodations with million-dollar views for rates as low as $99 per night. Built in the likeness of the most famous castle in all of […]
10 Best Caribbean Wildlife Moments
One of the best parts of traveling in the Caribbean is the unusual wildlife that is unique to each island. The animals, birds, and marine life we’d encounter when writing travel articles are
10 Reasons to Love Ocean Club Resort
The Ocean Club Resort is one of Turks and Caicos’ longest running success stories. Yes, the resort’s prime location on Grace Bay Beach has a lot to do with
Vacation Like Royalty at Luxury Castles
Did you know that you can vacation in an authentic medieval castle? We’re talking a castle worthy of royalty. Does residing in a castle prompt images of
Chef Leads Eleuthera’s Top Restaurant
Upon relocating to the island of Eleuthera, Chef Peter Hamm learned that surprises were a way of life. Hamm’s kitchen crew must
Luxury Living in Texas Hill Country
A mere five miles north of Fredericksburg, TX, is Boot Ranch, the 2,000-acre residential dream come true of PGA Golf Professional Hal Sutton. Boot Ranch is the sprawling sister community to charming Fredericksburg’s ensemble of historic Main Street, gourmet restaurants, antique shops, and surrounding family of vineyards. During a Hill Country vacation, Sutton became so […]
Sailing Adventure in Turks and Caicos
It’s not every day you’re given the opportunity to sail on a rum runner in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The mere thought of hopping aboard a 77-foot schooner in the heart of the Caribbean’s’ bluest waters feels like a scene right out of
The Shell House of Isla Mujeres
Ask any Isla Mujeres taxi driver about the truth behind the island’s seashell home and you’ll notice
Adventure in Antigua
Eli Fuller’s office isn’t like yours and mine. One day his workplace is a 32-foot speed boat. Another day it’s a 52-foot catamaran. This 40-year-old native of Antigua conducts business and meets clients on the Caribbean Sea.
Regent Grand in Turks and Caicos
Spend a day on stunning Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and one thing becomes crystal clear. On the beach widely considered as the most beautiful in the world, the brighter the sunshine, the more vibrant the ocean color.
Four Seasons Nevis Resort
The Four Seasons Nevis team rolls out the red carpet long before guests check into their cottage or private villa. Upon receiving your bags at the neighboring St. Kitts airport, you’re whisked away by the personable Four Seasons attendants. Your first VIP moment occurs during the 30-minute private boat ride via the The Spirit of […]
Tales from the Cabana Bar
Jeff Rollings, the owner of the Cabana Bar at Ocean Club, flashed back to his earliest Turks and Caicos memories. “When I first visited here in 1984, you could walk Grace Bay Beach on a Wednesday and still see the footprints from Tuesday. Nobody knew much about Providenciales back then,” Rollings said. The former Palm […]
Dublin Chef in Turks and Caicos Paradise
Paul Quinn, the Executive Chef at The Vix Bar & Grill, takes a whimsical view of working 14-hour shifts at his new restaurant. Quinn’s positive approach may have something to do with his restaurant being located near
Anguilla Sea Villa – Caribbean Dream
The road to the Sea Villa on Long Bay Beach in Anguilla is unmarked… on purpose. For now, this luxurious oceanfront secret is
Innisbrook Golf Resort and Spa
What would your trip include if you were in charge of creating a golf dream vacation? Does your dream feature a resort with a golf course that is extraordinary enough to make the professionals salivate? Do you imagine a resort with a culinary flair and a menu of delights that are specific to your tastes […]
Towers at Pacifica in Los Cabos
You’ve just arrived at The Towers at Pacifica, Los Cabos’ newest luxury resort, and you’re almost levitating from breathing the clear Baja air. Inhale, inhale, inhale. Does this luxury resort somehow arrange for fresher oxygen? Immediately after stepping into the resort entrance you are met by Alexis, one of The Towers team of butlers assigned […]
The Shore Club in Turks and Caicos
If the Turks and Caicos Islands are the face of Caribbean resort luxury, then the newly opened Shore Club may be the island of Providenciales’ cover girl. The Shore Club is the first resort to
Buccaneer Resort in St. Croix
If it’s Tuesday night at The Buccaneer Resort on the island of St. Croix, you’ll find excitement building at the entrance of the resort’s most iconic structure. Standing like a beacon at the resort’s highest point is a
Belmond Maroma Resort and Spa
By Tim Cotroneo The legend behind the creation of the luxurious Maroma Resort and Spa is almost too good to be true. The story of the owner’s early days on Mexico’s famed Maroma Beach reads like a real-life Robinson Crusoe. The first page of the first chapter of what was originally called the Maroma Hotel […]
Caleton Beach Club in Punta Cana
Make Your Date with Eternity By Tim Cotroneo No sooner have you entered the gates of Cap Cana than you feel like someone has flipped a switch. During the one-mile drive leading up to the Caleton Beach Club & Villas, an unmistakable feeling of hushed anticipation will have you inching forward to the edge of […]
The Bristol Hotel in Panama
Before making a reservation at the The Bristol Panama, each new guest arrives with a picture painted in his or her mind depicting a luxury hotel stay. For some, the priority is a spectacular skyline view. For others, it’s an authentic culinary experience. And yes, there are also guests seeking a hotel with an art […]
Villa del Palmar in Loreto, Mexico
By Tim Cotroneo Life is hard. Vacationing should be easy. The Villa del Palmar Resort in Loreto, Mexico, on the Baja’s east coast, figured out that vacationers yearn for the opposite of their hectic life back home. The Villa del Palmar Resort welcomes guests to an extraordinary luxury setting where relaxing is a way of life. […]
Towers at Pacifica in Los Cabos
Pueblo Bonito’s All New Golf & Spa Resort By Tim Cotroneo You’ve just arrived at The Towers at Pacifica, Los Cabos’ newest luxury resort, and you’re almost levitating from breathing the clear Baja air. Inhale, inhale, inhale. Does this luxury resort somehow arrange for fresher oxygen? Immediately after stepping into the resort entrance you are […]
Wailea – Walk This Way
Strolling Wailea’s Magnificent Oceanfront Promenade By Tim Cotroneo If you’re considering Maui’s plush Wailea hotel zone for your next vacation, expect to pay $14 for a Mai Tai, $170 for Old Blue Golf Club greens fees and $285 for a weekly rental on a Mustang convertible. The good news is there is one awe-inspiring Wailea […]
A Maui Villa with Your Own Concierge
The Tropical Villa Vacations Story After 14 years working as a Concierge for the Four Seasons Resorts and Hotels, Irene Aroner had an entrepreneurial vision. Why not represent the best villas on the island of Maui and include her concierge expertise as part of a luxury vacation package? With decorated concierge stints at the Four […]
Four Seasons Resort in Lanai
Your First Impression Matters at the Four Seasons Lanai By Tim Cotroneo Something magical happens if you see the same employee twice at the Four Seasons Resort in Lanai, HI. Even if you’ve encountered this employee for only an instant the first time, chances are good they will address you by name the second time […]
Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo
Ocean Reef Club You’ve decided that a Florida upscale retreat is something you want to regularly include in your future. You can envision what this place looks and feels like. What if there were a vacation setting designed to exceed your expectations? In Key Largo there’s a magical place called Ocean Reef Club. Surrounded on […]
St. Regis Princeville Resort in Kauai
Finding Paradise in Princeville By Tim Cotroneo Have you ever had a hotel staffer bring a bucket of ice to your room and arrive with a smile that looked like he was holding a winning lottery ticket? This happened at the St. Regis Princeville Resort in Kauai. Have you ever asked a hotel bartender about […]
Westin Golf Resort and Spa in Costa Rica
Westin Golf Resort and Spa, Playa Conchal By Tim Cotroneo Have you ever vacationed at a resort whose environment is so invigorating it added years to your life? Guests staying at the Westin Golf Resort and Spa on Conchal Beach are not only vacationing on one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful coastlines, they are also luxuriating at […]
The Cove on Eleuthera
By Tim Cotroneo For newcomers booking a vacation at The Cove resort on the island of Eleuthera, it’s reassuring to know there’s an airport friend waiting to whisk you to this posh Caribbean retreat. This Cove ambassador could be Jerome, it could be McNeal, or it could be Trish. You won’t realize it at the time, […]
Abaco Club at Winding Bay
By Tim Cotroneo The unwinding begins upon entering the Abaco Club’s plush reception area. You’re handed a complimentary rum punch for one hand and the keys to a golf cart for the other. “I’ve got my hands full” takes on a wonderful new meaning in the Bahamas. Unwind. As a hospitality team member opens the door […]
Galley Bay Resort in Antigua
Galley Bay Resort’s signature adults-only feature was prompted by a mid 90s game of chess gone wrong. Growing up, James Lane Jr. didn’t realize that his Dad owned Galley Bay. He thought his Dad was simply spending his holidays at a resort in Antigua. James Jr. recalls fond memories of eating dinner with his Dad in the […]
Cap Juluca Resort in Anguilla
Unmatched Island Luxury By Tim Cotroneo If you arrive at Cap Juluca Resort between late morning and early afternoon, be prepared for a first impression unlike any other. There is a striking, almost jarring quality to the water color that vacationers witness
Cap Juluca Chef Wows Guests
The only thing missing was a drum roll as guests perched themselves on barstools at Cap Juluca’s oceanfront Spice Restaurant. Some were wondering about the rainbow of colorful food ingredients positioned eye level and to their left. Some were transfixed by
Frangipani Resort in Anguilla
Caribbean culture believes that the shedding of the frangipani leaf is the ultimate symbol of the passage of time. If you’re a guest at the Frangipani Resort on Meads Bay in Anguilla, the setting is so beautiful you’ll wish that time would stand still. For Jan and Alex Klingen, life amidst this pastel existence is a mixture […]
