Why EVERYONE Needs a Travel Advisor

Do you know all the ways using a TWIL Travel Advisor can enhance your travel experience? Let us give you a quick refresher!

#1 - We ensure that your trips are 100% tailored for YOU!

We invest a lot of time asking questions with the goal of getting to know you. Your likes, dislikes, travel style, preferences, trip objective (i.e.: adventure, relaxation, multi-generation), and lessons learned from past travel experiences. No detail is too small because you never know how we might use it to surprise and delight you! Our trip suggestions and itinerary design process is custom tailored to each individual client – no cookie-cutter trips can be found here! Every destination we suggest, property we quote, experience or restaurant we include in your itinerary has been specifically chosen to meet your personal travel needs, style, and objectives.

#2 - We add value to your Travel Experience (and it doesn’t cost you more!)

There is a misconception that using a Travel Advisor is more expensive. This could NOT be further from the truth.

• We have access to multiple rate options such as preferred partnerships/consortia rates and discounts that are not available via consumer-facing websites. We compare these options and present you with various options based on the most attractive rates and/or flexible booking policies.

• We act as your advocate and representative by working hard with the properties to ensure that you are getting the best rates, access, and opportunities. We also work with you to negotiate group rates or extended stays when applicable to help ensure that you are guaranteed great value out of those types of stays.

• We include tremendous added value through our elite hotel partnerships. We are able to enhance your stays with amenities such as breakfast, early check-in/late check-out, room upgrades, and property credits at NO extra cost to you. This often results in hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in value for every stay!

#3 - We save you tremendous amounts of time!

How many hours have you spent trying to plan a weekend getaway, let alone a complex trip to an international destination? From comparing your flight options, finding the ‘right’ hotels, the hottest restaurants and sights to see - the information is endless and can be overwhelming. Before you know it, you’ve spent more time researching and planning than you’ll actually be in-destination! Between our own travels, constant research and extensive network, we have a lifetime’s worth of knowledge to share with you.

#4 - We have partners in every destination we send you WORLDWIDE!

We have an expansive network of TWIL Insiders that help us ensure our clients always have someone looking out for them in their destination. These partners are based in-country, speak the local language, and are available 24/7 to assist in any way necessary. We work very closely with our partners to ensure we match our clients to the right guides so that they get the maximum return from their experience. An added perk, our network of global partners helps to ensure we are always up to date on the hottest tickets, tables and exhibits in town!

#5 - We help manage unforeseen circumstances!

With all the joys that travel brings, there is always a risk of the unexpected. We are your secret weapon, working behind the scenes to minimize interruptions and inconveniences. Whether its flights that are cancelled due to weather, misconnections due to flight delays, or hotel reservations that need to be changed last minute – we are here to help manage it all.

#6 - Our clients receive VIP treatment!

Did you know we are members of the following elite hotel consortia’s?

• Virtuoso

• Four Seasons Preferred Partner

• Hyatt Prive

• Peninsula Pen Club

• Belmond Bellini Club

• Rosewood Elite

• Marriot International Stars & Luminous

• Mandarin Oriental Fan Club

• The Circle by Doyle Collection

• Couture by Langham Hotels

• withIN, Small Luxury Hotels of the World

• Design Hotels Collective

• Preferred Hotels Platinum Partner

• Shangri-La Luxury Circle

AND MORE! Being a member of these consortia’s gives us greater access to develop personal relationships with individuals at these properties. We work closely with them to ensure they roll out the red carpet for our guests.

Just Back From: Cap Cana

TWIL Travel Advisor’s Ilana Prussky and Rhonda Lewis recently returned from a confernece in Cap Cana, a beautiful and secluded area in the Dominican Republic, closest to Punta Cana. This area is known for their high-end resorts and the beautiful Juanillo beach, featuring white sand and crystal-clear waters. During their time in Cap Cana, Ilana and Rhonda made a point to visit the top properties in the area. Each of these resort options have a variety of dining options, activities and entertainment to suit all types of travellers!

Location

All these luxury resorts are located on the east coast of the Dominican Republic in the exclusive Cap Cana area. The properties below are found about 15 minutes from the Punta Cana International Airport.

HYATT CAP CANA: Two brand new, all-inclusive properties

Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana (family) 

Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana (adults only 18+)

Photo: Sunwing

Rooms

Rooms either offer a king bed or 2 queens with a pullout and small seating area, in addition, the bathrooms are large with a double sinks and separate water closets. The balconies are very large with loveseat, plus a table with 2 chairs.

Amenities

• Onsite water park features a lazy river, tall slides and water cannons. Plus they offer a splash area for younger kids with buckets that overturn, small slides, etc. 

• Stunning beach with beautiful white sand and turquoise water

• The resort offers a variety of water sports including paddle boarding and kayaks (double and single). They are also happy to organize off site activities for a fee, for example, deep sea fishing, zip lining and tennis

• Family evening entertainment at the outdoor amphitheater, featuring musicians and amazing dancers

• They offer the best gym I have ever seen, a few amenities they offer are a spin room, yoga, cross fit and boot camp

• For adults they can provide a romantic dinner under the stars, couples massages on the beach and cooking classes to learn how to make traditional dishes

TRS CAP CANA HOTEL: An adult only beach front resort in a gated community that is perfect for couples or groups of friends. It’s a beautiful small boutique resort that is perfect for relaxing and unwinding.

Rooms

Junior suite ocean view and junior suite pool view are large rooms with a king or queen sized beds, with furnished balconies to enjoy the incredible views. The resort provides 24 hour room service and personalized assistants for your specific needs.

Amenities

• They have a small beach area and provide a shuttle to a larger private beach near Secrets Cap Cana resort

• There are 4 international restaurants using top quality ingredients, in addition they have a 24-hour sports bar

• The dine around program lets guests go to the restaurants at the Gran Palladium in Punta Cana or TRS Turquesa Hotel

• The resort has a lively pool and quiet pool to choose from

• A small beautiful spa offering many services and treatments, including hydrotherapy, done by professional experts

• Great line up of daily activities, for example yoga, stretching and paddle boarding in the pool

Photos: Eden Roc Cap Cana

EDEN ROC CAP CANA – A beautiful family resort that offers 60 lavish rooms with both ocean front views and in-land suites. It is a unique and secluded resort in the beachfront community of Cap Cana. This property is a member of Relais & Chateau, and the food does not dissapoint.

Rooms

• Rooms are very spacious and can be connected to add bedrooms by the beach. The two bedrooms are very large with a king connected to two queens and a large living space as well as a kitchen and great furnished balcony.

• The resort offers beachfront suites and boutique suites as well as a variety of villas to accommodate large families

Photos: Eden Roc Cap Cana

Amenities

• A great laid-back vibe on the property, with a variety of experiences from cultural delights, family activities and out of the ordinary experiences

• The garden of Eden is beautiful and can be used to host romantic dinners

• Koko kids club is designed like a tree house, located on a lagoon and has an excellent indoor and outdoor play space

• Golf carts are available for some room categories and you can drive anywhere in Cap Cana

• Good sized gym that offers a variety of machines, an aerial yoga room, boot camp, dance lessons and much more

• Juanillo beach is a beautiful white sand beach with turquoise water

• Infinity pools overlook the beach and the resort offers water activities, eco-adventures and sailing opportunities

• Sports activities are provided, including the opportunity to play at a Jack Nicklaus signature gold course for an extra fee

Overall, we had an amazing stay at all these beautiful properties and they are perfect to accommodate families or couples.

To learn more about how we can create the perfect vacation offering VIP treatment at the worlds finest properties and provide you with exclusive added values and amenities when you book your stay, please contact a TWIL Travel Advisor.

Just Back From: Peru

Minnow Hamilton just returned from her trip to Peru and it was an unforgettable one! She found Peru to be so rich in history and culture with warm and welcoming people wherever you go. Staying at luxury properties, as always, take the trip to another level and this trip did not disappoint in that department.

Read on for more information on where to stay in Lima, Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.

Starting in Lima

When you visit Lima, you’ll want to stay in either Mira Flores or The Baranco District. You’ll find the classic Belmond Hotel in Mira Flores with seeping views of the sea from the rooftop pool and the chic artsy Hotel B is in The Barranco district.

Hotel B is a Relais Chateaux hotel in the Barranco district. It used to be a family home and since they have maintained the integrity of the original house, the rooms are all different. What’s interesting about this hotel is that it’s an art gallery. It has a very nice rooftop bar as well that is incredibly popular for sunsets. The Barranco district is formerly the bohemian neighbourhood which has been recently gentrified and is now filled with many artisan shops, cafes and restaurants as well as galleries and museums.

What to see in Lima

Larco Museum – This museum is privately owned and houses 5000 years of Peruvian pre-Colombian art and history. Once you are finished in the museum be sure to check out the café and restaurant on the terrace for traditional Peruvian food. It’s a beautiful setting in the garden and a great little gift shop there a well.

Where to eat in Lima

Maras – Rafael Piqueras’s restaurant in the Westin features a fabulous gastronomic experience.

Maido – Ranked as the 6th restaurant in the world featuring fusion cuisine of Japanese and Peruvian dishes.

La Rosa Nautica – A beautiful restaurant overlooking the water and specializing in fresh seafood.

Carnaval – Ranked as the 13th best bar in the world. Known for their out of the box and creative cocktails.

Chez Wong – Award winning chef who hosts guests in his own house and is recommended by Anthony Bourdain. A must try is the ceviche and they are only open for lunch.

Where to Stay - The Sacred Valley

Tambo del Inka

We stayed at Tambo del Inka, A Luxury Collection Resort and Spa. This has all the comforts – a great spa, good food and large rooms. Great for groups or large families. The location is perfect if you want to walk into Urumbamba and explore the markets, restaurants, shops.

Sol Y Luna

Sol Y Luna is a very gracious resort set in the Sacred Valley owned by a French woman - and it shows. Guests stay in cozy casitas that are made from local stone and decorated individually with sweeping views of the mountains. All residences are decorated in beautiful textiles and have local murals painted on the walls. The location is within walking distance to the town of Urumbamba and the premium rooms offer a king bed or 2 double beds with an outdoor Jacuzzi on a private terrace and a nice large sitting area for drinks and snacks. 

Inka Terra Urumbamba

The new Inkaterra is beautiful, it feels more rural and ranch-like. It’s further from Urumbamba town and is surrounded by massive views of the mountains. You feel like you’re far from everything, but it’s only a 10-15-minute drive into the town. All rooms are private casitas have a king bed or 2 twin beds with a fireplace and a terrace to enjoy the beautiful panoramic views.

Belmond Sacred Valley

Set in the Andean mountains beside the flowing Urumbamba river is a tranquil property that is easily accessible to town. Each room sits on a raised terrace that leads down to the waters edge. The rooms are decorated in wooden decor and locally woven furnishings. They offer a variety of activities from horse back riding, kayaking, yoga and feeding baby alpaca’s for the kids.

Cusco

Antigua Casona San Blas – This boutique hotel is in the San Blas neighbourhood which is one of the oldest districts and a short walk to the main square. The property is Peruvian run and has the perfect local touches.

Machu Picchu and Aqua Calientes

We stayed at The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel which was a huge hit. It felt like staying in a jungle and had a very strong sense of place. Hot water bottles and working fire places in each room were appreciated as well.

Regardless of which way you see Peru, you are guaranteed to have a culturally immersive experience filled with warm personal interactions. It’s truly a beautiful country, but my take-away is that it’s best seen on foot if you can do the hiking. There are ways to stay in luxury and be adventurous at the same time! For those a bit less outdoorsy, Enjoy the many 5 star hotels dotted around the Sacred Valley, take first class train rides, visit salt mines and so…many….markets…you will never want to rest. It’s a place where you are constantly looking up and around for fear of missing something. And we didn’t even mention the Pisco sours!

To learn more about how we can create the perfect vacation offering VIP treatment at the worlds finest properties and provide you with preferred partner amenities, please contact a TWIL Travel Advisor for all the details.

Just Back From: The Four Seasons Resort Nevis

The Four Seasons Resort Nevis is re-opening this October and we couldn’t be more excited to share with you some of the fantastic new features!

Storytelling Suites:

With 14 guestrooms converted into seven suites, the Resort now features 24 suites across five new categories: Indigo Suites, Poinciana Suites, Chelanii Suites,Kalinago Suites and Alexander Suites. All suite category names tell the story of Nevis in different ways, representing either the island’s people, history, nature, wildlife or culture.

Re-imagine Restaurants:

On the Dune - Offering an upscale and relaxed yacht club style venue during the day, this new eclectic restaurant highlights a blend of Caribbean and American cuisine using the freshest regional seafood and local produce while the bar focuses on a noteworthy section of wine.

Mango - This seaside restaurant features a redesign of its bar area to allow for more unobstructed Caribbean views during cocktail hour.

Kids For All Seasons:

Kids For All Seasons has found a new home right on the sands of Pinney's Beach. This three room structure will feature a large indoor play area, movie room and outdoor playground for our young travellers. The complimentary Kids For All Seasons program includes supervised recreational, creative and educational activities for guests' children ages 3 to 9.

Signature Infinity Edge Pool:

The Resort’s signature pool has been completely reconstructed and raised to create one long sight line from the Great House lobby straight out to the Caribbean Sea horizon. Surrounded by lush new landscaping, the 3,300 square foot (300 square metre) infinity edge pool will be the centrepiece of the Resort, featuring 86 new loungers and four luxury pool cabanas fully-equipped with comfortable seating and furnishings, Wi-Fi connectivity and power. The pool’s 5,350 square foot (500 square metre) hardwood deck has been made from fully-sustainable US-grown resources, highlighted by a new feature fire pit that has been installed to the west of the pool, towards the beach.

If you have any questions or inquiries, please contact your TWIL Travel Advisor at TWIL Travel today.

Just Back From: Costa Rica

Are you ready to experience the “Pura Vida” way of life in Costa Rica? Our TWIL Advisor, Ruby Silvertown, had an amazing time in Costa Rica and had the chance to experience two very different properties, both of which she enjoyed. The trip was filled with a mix of adventure and relaxation. Costa Rica is the perfect destination to recharge, reconnect and live the simple life.

Photo: EQRoy/ Shutterstock

Four Season Papagayo Costa Rica

Location

A 40-minute drive (NW) from Liberia Airport. The airport is super easy to navigate, and there are daily flights from Toronto and many other major US cities. The Four Seasons is directly on the tip of the Papagayo Peninsula, there are beaches and views all round.  

Facts and First Impressions

• A multi-million-dollar renovation has just taken place including a brand-new spa

• The area is immaculately manicured with stunning gardens and vegetation with marked bike lanes

• Staff are outstanding, extremely helpful and charming. Entire property has been well planned and has exquisite views in every direction

Photo: Four Seasons, Papagayo

Activities

Many services and activities on the Peninsula are communal and shared with the other properties on the development. The area features and 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Golf Course, along with a variety of activities and sports for everyone, including mountain biking, water bikes, hiking yoga, deep sea fishing, snorkeling and so much more!

Accommodation

There are several types of suites from one bedroom to three bedrooms, along with residences that go up to 4 bedrooms and can be adjoined for more. The residences are a bit farther from the main action but walk-able or one can call a golf cart. A typical residence will always have rooms with kings and 2 queens as well as living rooms, dining rooms, multiple bathrooms, kitchens and laundry. These are a great option for larger or multi-generational families, especially those with younger kids, where having a kitchen and laundry facilities are key!  All the rooms are spectacular and have a water view.

Food and Drink

All the food was spectacular. It was fresh and delicious, creative and very healthy. For a quick fun lunch, among other spots, there is a great “food truck” on the beach with a menu changing daily.

There are alcoholic drink specials daily with a unique rum and chocolate tasting activity for those who think they might like that. There are 2 main go to restaurants in the main part of the hotel, and another one at the Golf Club a short local transfer ride away.

Overall, the Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo is a fabulous property that will appeal to both couples and families.

Los Catalinas by Casa Chameleon

Location

An 80-minute drive (SW) from Liberia Airport. Roads are okay, there are 2 roads and I suggest you take the paved one and avoid the ‘short cut’. Las Catalinas is a newly developed, fully walkable beach town that is car- free. It has the look of a Mediterranean Seaside resort.

Photo: Hidden Coast Realty

Activities

You can spend your days hanging out by the infinity pool, or exploring the 22 trails they have to offer by hiking or mountain biking. Some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling is found just offshore. They offer sunrise and sunset yoga on the shores of Playa Danta. 

Facts and First Impressions

Beautiful property however, might not be suitable for those with mobility issues, as it has challenging hills and stairs.

Staff are outstanding, extremely helpful and charming.

The sunset was so spectacular that it is reminiscent of Positano – maybe better.

Accommodations

The property cascades down a hillside with individual casitas, which are small but private and well planned. They all have exquisite unobstructed views of the Pacific sunset with private pools, king beds, private yoga mats and weights to work out on your private terrace. The furniture is cute, boho trendy and comfy. There are no TVs anywhere, but not to fret - there is WiFi.

Food and drink

There is one restaurant on property with beautiful views. The food was great and the service was excellent. Other food can be found down the hill in town, but it is limited.

Please Note

Most of the hotels that we visited in Costa Rica are ultra eco-conscious and (Except for the Four Seasons), prefer that guests  use their shampoo and soap, as they do not contain chemical substances. They also don’t want anyone putting anything, including toilet paper down the toilet in order to save their sewage systems.

Costa Rica is the perfect destination for everyone, they offer a mix of tropical beaches, adventurous activities and awe inspiring nature that is sure to leave you refreshed and energized! We loved our time exploring the different regions and experiencing the “Pura Vida” way of life, it definitely made our trip a unique one to be remembered!

To learn more about how we can create the perfect vacation offering VIP treatment at the worlds finest properties and provide you with preferred partner amenities, please contact a TWIL Travel Advisor for all the details.