Germany & Austria

Becky Williams, a luxury travel advisor with Brownell Travel, has recently returned from a fabulous trip to Germany and Austria. Read below for her review of the sights and hotels she experienced.


















Our trip was wonderful and there was so much to see with all the history around us. My favorite days were spent enjoying the Romantic Road day trip from Munich to Rothenberg with stops in walled medieval villages along the way and the excellent train trip that was so easy to do out of Munich for a day in Salzburg. We walked all around in the rain the whole day but we were determined because there was so much to explore and it is such a beautiful city.

While in Munich, the last day of Oktoberfest was held and we wanted to experience why it is such a huge celebration for Germany and people who come from all over the world to attend. We wanted to go to one of the best tents of 14, with some holding up to 9,000 people. We knew which tent had one of the top brass bands with wonderful music, including one song that we knew the words to and could sing along to very well from much practice back in our college days --- "Hey, Hey Baby, I Want To Know If You Will Be My Girl"! They love American music, even it is from the 50's-60's! Of course that drink called beer was enjoyed by all but me and I found out that the cokes are lousy but the apple cider with sparkling water was much better!

So, there we were with 5,800 of our nearest and dearest friends in a huge, beautiful, Bavarian decorated tent at a large table of our host along with Scots, Italians, and Australians. We instantly were given big hugs and became part of their group and they insisted that we stay each time we stood up to try to leave. The world is a small place with many wonderful people and Oktoberfest is an experience that everyone should put on their list to go to once in their lifetime.

I liked that the Bayerischer Hof Hotel in Munich which is not a Virtuoso hotel but is right beside the Glockenspiel on the Marienplatz which we went to see for both day and night performances of the figures -- lords and ladies dancing and the knights on horses jousting! It is also very convient to the opera, and wonderful, old restaurants that are still owned by family that have been passed down through the generations from long ago. I loved the very private and quiet location just 1 block away from the Hotel. However, I did not think the rooms at the hotel were what they should have been but all the public spaces were exceptional. It caters to a very exclusive clientele from all over Germany as well as other Europeans.

As for The Sacher Hotel in Vienna, there is no desciption that is adequate enough for this Virtuoso property. It is above a 6 star property with the newly redone rooms and huge suites. I was able to see all the different rooms as they are all decorated differently and in beautiful taste.

All rooms and suites have no detail left unthought of....nightlights under the nightstands and under the cabinet sinks in the huge bathroom, power controls were bedside for all the blinds to the french balconies, lights in foyer, his and her closets and also to turn on the warmer to the marble floors for the bathrooms, which is such a nice touch.

When we arrived, the hotel had upgraded me to one of the new rooftop suites which was so unexpected but of course I was thrilled ....our suite was fabulous in every way including size, location and decor.

The service is over the top by each person who is on staff at the Sacher in Viennna. Their lobby areas, Rote Bar restaurant, and the Anna Sacher restaurant that have all just been redone, were above 6 stars too. We loved the "Blaue Bar" where the bartendar was so kind to bring me hot tea in the evenings for my cough and the top-rated Swiss spa which is a "LaPrairie Spa", the same as the Ritz spa in NY City, and the Ritz in Grand Cayman. The treatments were all chocolate based to go with the famous chocolate Sacher torte served there, as were the amenities in the bathrooms in rooms and suites.

You can't get any better than walking across the street from The Sacher to The Vienna State Opera which did not have a performance while we were there but we did a tour and it is a gorgeous, grand opera house and perfect for the Vienna Balls that are held there.
We also were only a couple of blocks to the Spanish Riding School from the Sacher Hotel, where they have the performances and practices of the famous Lipizzaner horses which we took in too.

I also wanted to go to St. Stephens Cathedral because I love the architecture of different cathedrals in Europe and other locations too. St. Stephens is one of the most spectacular in Europe. Huge and gothic from the outside, the plaza surrounding it for many blocks had wonderful Viennese sidewalk cafes, local musicians performing on the cobblestone streets and designer shops that would compare to Paris or London. I took everyone in to look around late in the afternoon and to sit for a while to enjoy. It just so happened that the Archbishop of Austria and all the Bishops were there for one mass only. They led a large processional, including a huge choir, past our pew. It was Oct. 7th, which is The Celebration of Our Lady of the Rosary, and is regarded as a very special celebration such as Easter and Christmas.

Vienna is huge and is known for it's economic, cultural and political center. Seeing the architecture of so many of the museums, the state houses, palaces, etc., it is not hard to understand why Vienna was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is well known in Europe for it's quality of life.

Overall, the trip was fantastic. I highly recommend it and can't wait to return!

To learn more about travel in Germany or Austria, contact Becky by clicking here.

Golf - Dominican "Style"

Debbie Fairvalley is the Director of Sales for Sterling Brownell. She is an avid golfer and has a lot to say about Punta Cana below!

Move over Pebble Beach there are new “links” to be discovered and they hail from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I have just returned from one of THE BEST golf outings I have ever experienced! I took a quick (3 hour) flight direct from Atlanta to Punta Cana and within minutes of arrival at the airport I was on the tee of a challenging seaside course that rivals the view from the Monterey Penisula.

Casa de Campo’s “Teeth of the Dog” course has a stellar reputation of providing the best golf in the Caribbean and I am delighted to say there is now an excuse to venture out to the east coast and experience Punta Cana. There are currently 2 signature courses one by Jack Nicklaus called Punta Espada, in Cap Cana, and a P.B. Dye course called La Cana. These two alone are worth a long weekend, but the real excitement is what is coming down the road within the next few months (opening is set for March). Corales a Tom Fazio design will be the ultra chic and very exclusive country club of such notable celebrities as Oscar de la Renta, Julio Iglesias, and Mikhail Baryshnikov. I had the privilege of riding the newly sod pristine fairways of this very long (over 7,500 yards from the tips) spectacular course and can’t wait to return in April with clubs in hand! This course is private and you must be an invited member or a guest of the Tortuga Bay resort to play it. Needless to say, there won’t be long waits at the tee or suffering through 5 hour rounds as on some resort courses. Nine of the holes on Corales feature breathtaking views of the turquoise blue ocean. Couple the views with the challenging layout, long yardage, gusty Caribbean winds, white sand fairway bunkers and you have an exciting round of great golf!

Punta Espada is a “must play” immaculately groomed links course that offers eight seaside holes – all of which are memorable. Keeping your mind on your game will be tough when every hole is a “post card”. The course plays 7,396 from the tips but there are four sets of tees that make it fun and challenging even for the high handicapper.

Caddies are mandatory and offer great insight into shot placement and getting the right read on the greens. Giamberto, my caddy, cut at least 8 strokes off my game and I later found out he is quite the player himself. After our round we experienced the beautiful new clubhouse and found the amenities as elegant as any of our US private country clubs –right down to the spacious locker rooms.

P.B. Dye’s La Cana course is also his home. He has a lovely view of the 7th hole from his balcony. This course features long fairway bunkers and waste areas and an interesting contrast to the Nicklaus design. The par threes feature multi-tiered greens and present an island green as well. The fairways are wide and forgiving and the whole course feels more like “playing at the beach” (rather than the cliffside views from Punta Espada). Caddies are also available (not mandatory) but I thoroughly enjoyed the humor and gentility of John, my caddy. He was well worth the $20 + tip!

By the end of the year a new road system will allow a 30 minute drive to have you playing any of the 4 glorious courses of Casa de Campo in the morning and the great new tracks at Punta Cana in the afternoon. For a die hard 36 holer – this will be “heaven”…..

If you want a rich golf experience, an opportunity to feel as though you are playing your own private course, spectacular views, and accommodations that are “over the top” luxury then you MUST put Punta Cana on your radar for your next golf outing!

To learn more about golf in the Dominican or around the world, contact Debbie Fairvalley by clicking here. To learn more about Sterling Brownell, click here.

Wonders of Ancient Egypt

Linda Terrill, a luxury travel advisor for Brownell, has just returned from an amazing adventure in Egypt. Read on for her fun review.

I am home from Egypt, where I accompanied a small group on Trafalgar’s “Wonders of Ancient Egypt” tour. My group wanted a moderately priced trip, but naturally wanted an exceptional experience with a good taste of Egypt. Trafalgar provided them with a banquet. The 13-day tour was offered at a very reasonable price. The accommodations, ship and services of our Egyptologist guide were exceptional, and cruising for 7 days on the Nile was bliss. The pre-tour hotel was the Le Meridien, located directly across from the Great Pyramids; the post-tour hotel was the Conrad Hilton on the Nile River, and our 7-day journey on the Nile River was spent on the MS Giselle. While the ship is fairly old, it was very clean and comfortable and the crew provided excellent service and good food. Best of all was our tour director. We all agreed that he had to be one of the most knowledgeable Egypt specialists in the country!

Note about riding a camel: It is harder than you think. I would not recommend it. I would not do it again. I wouldn’t give anything in the world for the incredible experience!! Now that’s was a true “Bucket List” adventure.

Whether you are looking for a moderately-priced tour or a more deluxe tour, I encourage you to consider this amazing destination. We felt completely safe the entire time, the people were extraordinarily friendly and the weather in November was ideal. It was truly a trip of a lifetime and exceeded everyone’s expectations.

To contact Linda or learn more about travel in Egypt, click here. To learn more about Brownell travel, click here.

Live from Egypt

Linda Terrill, a luxury travel advisor for Brownell, is currently with a small group touring Egypt. Read on for her adventures so far!










I’m sitting in a dirty little dive on the banks of the Nile River, but they have Internet access. When the river boat announced on our arrival that their internet access was out of order, I truly believed I need to be in a 12-step program for instant communications. Fortunately, Pam Peele is my wonderful back-up and is handling my pending business. Instead of fretting over my lack of internet access, I have focused my energies on everything Egypt. What an amazing place. We’ve visited the Great Pyramids and Sphinx, Alexandria and Luxor so far. Each site is more spectacular than the last.

Now that we’re on the Nile, our tours begin around 6 am (ugh) until 9:30 and then again in the afternoon when the sun begins to set. The heat is just too intense during the day.



















To describe Egypt in a word: WOW! I’ve taken hundreds of pictures and we’ve only been here 5 days! Of course, we know about the outcome of the elections; CNN on our TV on the riverboat. The people in Egypt are very excited about Senator O.

We have four armed guards on the back of the ship each day -- with mounted machine guns, and there were 6 guards with machine guns at the gangway in Luxor this afternoon. Always an armed guard on the tour buses. This is to keep the pirates away so they won’t overtake the ship or tour buses. Really! No joke. Who knew?
















Heading to Aswan tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll get internet access (or I’ll find another dive with a computer along the way). In the meantime, I’m back to everything Egypt.

To contact Linda or learn more about travel in Egypt, click here. To learn more about Brownell travel, click here.

Grace Bay Club Hotel and Villas

Becky Williams is a luxury travel advisor for Brownell Travel. She is an acclaimed Caribbean specialist and knows the ins and outs of properties thoughout the islands. Read below for her fabulous review of the Grace Bay Club.



















I arrived at the PLS airport was warmly greeted almost as soon as I got off the plane. We had a very short, ten minute ride...when we arrived, we were greeted with champagne, cool towels, and many friendly staff -- very welcoming! Instead of checking in at the front desk, I was seated in area off from the front desk with couches and met with my personal concierge. There were other guests who arrived and were also seated in a different area to do the same. Your personal concierge makes any kind of reservations or spa appts., and has a cell phone that you may buy 50 minutes of time on, or more for a minimum amount instead of high rates on your personal cell phone you may have brought with you. Very nice touch!

The Turks and Caicos Music Festival was going on while I was there, so there were plenty of celebrities of the music world staying at Grace Bay Club and their entourages with them --- but never heard any loud music or parties going on at the penthouses. I saw them at the restaurants and while I was checking in, but I would have never known other-wise.

My room was a in a villa building, a junior suite on the first floor. The first floor doesn't have a view of the ocean, but it was still very comfortable and well-appointed. The suites are very pretty and LARGE and have neutral colors, bedroom with 1 bath and terrace, but no living area. The room had good lighting, travertine tile floors, beautiful granite and tile in big bath area with seperate shower from soaking tub, and seperate water closet A nice touch was mosquito spray and a large glass container with votives to use on the outdoor terrace table. The terrace was surrounded was surrounded with high bushes and tropical plants. The villa building would be great for families as they offer adjoining rooms. See the very nicely done bathroom below:
















THE HOTEL is in a seperate building and closer to the adult pool, and is probably my favorite even though I stayed elswhere on this trip! I even had clients there while I was there, staying in the hotel building and they loved it! The room they stayed in was beautifully decorated, with different colors than in the villa building -- aqua blues, brown, and ivory, new furnishings, 1300 sq. feet, have mini-kitchen with granite counters and top of the line appliences, and travertine tile floors with 1 and half baths. There are gorgeous ocean views from living room and large terrace, bedrooms have dark hardwood floors. I highly recommend this room category or any of the Grace Bay 1,2, or 3 bedrooms suites in the Hotel building - or penthouses of course! These are in the adult only section of the resort.
















We did a hard hat tour of the Estate building they are in the process of working on, due to open this winter. Very luxurious, gorgeous woods, marble, granite used throughout, huge bathrooms to go with every bedroom. I look forward to visiting again when these are completed!

We had lunch and breakfast at the Grill Rouge which is outside, right by the family pool and has a adult menu as well as a children's menu for all day dining. Food was very good, although all the dining is outside--so it can get quite hot. The Grill is oceanfront so has pretty views if you are seated at the front nearest the ocean but tradewinds do not seem to blow through here much in summer months.

















We had a very special dinner the 1st night, set up on the beach, light breeze, sound of the ocean, torches lit, and it was lovely. We had a buffet, again excellent food with a chef grilling seafood, steaks, etc., more special drinks, champagne and the table decorated with flowers, shells, large glass hurricanes with candles --- it was beautiful. Food is served beautifully on plates such as any gourmet bistro type restaurant would, many choices and as a person that doesn't need one but has a sweet tooth, desserts were out of this world! The chocolate is definitly something to write home about!









































The next morning, we had breakfast set up on the beach under lots of umbrellas with plenty of shade and we were served a wonderful 4-5 course breakfast. That night for dinner we were really treated, with dinner in one of the penthouses of one of the Hotel Buildings -- gorgeous rooms, furniture, flowers, and table settings of china and crystal. One of Grace Bay Club's chefs prepared a 6 course dinner in the villa where we could see the preparation of lobster and filet mignon and then it was served. Excellent again! Service and sincere, friendly staff was everywhere, at least 10 to 12 people. I love these people and what they bring to this resort!There was also a large bar set up on a huge balcony area with wonderful raspberry mohito's, mango daiquiri's and other drinks to order at open bar. Prior to dinner we had a presentation of the native customs of the island such as the baskets that are woven out of sea grass, as they do in Savannah and Charleston. They are trying to pass on these types of art and culture to the younger generations so that it will always be around and be appreciated. It was wonderful to hear that Turks and Caicos has realized that they must preserve and honor these arts, music, etc. so all people may enjoy them and to keep the island special. Mr. David Bowen who is the Director of Culture and Arts for Turks and Caicos did the presentation and was wonderful at demonstating and making it fun while speaking.
















The last night we had dinner at the top restaurant in the resort--Anacaona -- which is adult only, gourmet food. It is by the Infinity Bar (where we met each evening prior to dinner ) and this is where the beautiful people come to visit and have drinks starting around 600pm with pretty sunsets to view since the bar is right at the beach and is THE place to be seen even with people who are not guests of Grace Bay Club. Even Monday night it was very busy and it is lots of fun but does seem to get quiet by 10-1030pm. Not a late night place, but there is a casino 2 blocks away that is not connected to any hotel or resort. Hotel shuttles can take guests there and come back to pick-up. And there are also nice bars close by at other resorts on Grace Bay beach and in the nearby area.

We had another 6 course dinner served to us that night with a slight tradewind off the ocean so it was a little cooler. It is all open air under thatched roofs which would be great in any months but August and the hot summer for some people. The linens and silverware, even chair covers out of a black and whte damask print material, all added to the feel of Grace Bay Club's top restaurant. Very updated, chic comtemporary feel, all kinds of clients would appreciate this restaurant. The Infinity Bar has stools for seating and then also the sitting areas that have large,low couches and coffee tables in cozy groups with baskets on palm trees that have lights that glow at night. Also, it has an area with open firepit for nightime, right on the beach adjoinind the area that Anacaona restaurant is in.

Last but not least, our spa treatments at the Anani Spa were outstanding! They needed a few more treatment rooms and the relaxation room was very nice but could use a little updating to go with the contemporary feel of the rest of the resort. There was a good selection of spa treatments with massages, scrubs, and there was a couples room for treatments. Grace Bay Club also has open-air spa tents by the ocean for spa treatments at no additional charge but they must be reserved prior to arrival.

One last note, there is a adult only pool which is very quiet and nice in front of The Hotel buildings. This section of the resort also has the adults-only restaurant and bar and is near the spa and fitness room. The Villas have a seperate family pool with pool bar and stools, beds to lounge on as well as chaise lounges....beds are set back from pool area so that you can read and relax at the family pool. This is all right by the family restaurant -- The Grill, which is convient for lunch time dining. Beach beds have been ordered for the gorgeous, long, private beach area also. Presently, they just have chaise lounges and umbrellas. There is a great staff for children's programs and activities and I never felt like there were too many families with children taking over the resort. With 11 acres of beach for its guests, Grace Bay Club has much to offer for families and those seeking private alike. However, it is not too spread out and doesnt feel like a huge resort.
























I love Turks and Caicos -- in many years of sending client there, I have never had a client that did not come back completely in love with the island the people, and also Grace Bay Club! If you want to be on Grace Bay beach with it's gorgeous water and beaches, and also want to go to other places to eat, shop, drink -- Grace Bay Club is my 1st choice for clients, especailly with the right suite choices at The Hotel section of the resort!

To learn more about Grace Bay Club or Turks and Caicos, contact Becky by clicking here. To see more about the Caribbean or learn about a luxury beach vacation, visit the Brownell site by clicking here.

Chile: Cliffs Preserve

Ellen Craig is a luxury travel advisor with Sterling Brownell. She had a fantastic visit to the Cliffs Preserve in Chile. Read on for her review.

I have recently returned from this brand new resort (opened Dec. 2007) that is "everything included". Located on an 8,000 acre private preserve on the ocean, the property is for just 36 guests. This is the main draw: you are one of just a few guests on a large private preserve, staying in luxury villas, with private guides. (You can stay in luxury hotels anywhere but often you have to share the natural attractions with thousands of other people: not so here, where the 8000 acres belong to you and just a few others.)


















Private guides are an integral part of this experience, with each experience tailored to the individual guest's level of comfort and activity. The guides are at your disposal for hiking, horsebackriding, walks, boating (weather permitting), penguin watching, and more.

The service and staff are excellent, personalities are carefully chosen to be warm, friendly, and extremely accommodating. For example, one guest couldn't figure out how to plug in her flat iron, and the next thing she knew, a Chilean flat iron was delivered to her room. Another guest forgot her hiking boots and wanted to buy new ones, but they didn't have her size. The next thing she knew, the hotel had delivered 3 pairs of loaners to her room that belonged to one of the women guides.

To reach this hotel, you arrive into the Puerto Montt airport, and take a private transfer via SUV, through absolutely stunning and unspoiled land, for miles and miles and miles. Think Scottish countryside combined with Italian countryside, less all the villages - beautiful.

The property itself is ocean front, with miles of coast, islands, and rainforest. From the main lodge, you have a great view of the beautiful Chiloe island out at sea, this island is reachable by ferry and is fascinating blend of people and culture.

The main lodge is a wonderful gathering place for meals, cocktails, or just relaxing. Here you'll find the bar, couches, fireplace, tables with chess and other local games. The spa islocated here as well.


















Accommodations are in 4 bedroom or 2 bedroom villas. You do not have to rent the whole villa, you can just rent a suite. Most of the bedrooms are very large, and all have fantastic views of the sea. Baths are luxurious. Each night I left the curtains open so that my view of the ocean in the morning would be unfettered. And it was a delight, to merely open my eyes and see the Pacific's huge waves crashing on the rocks and islands, ***without having even to raise my head from the pillow***. That is true luxury.

Also, there are washers and dryers in the villas. I put my laundry in the laundry room intending to take care of it after dinner, but when I came back after dinner, all my laundry was done for me. Each morning I watched as true Chilean cowboys led the horses down to the beach - enchanting.

The air here is clean and fresh, filtered pure by the cold southern winds and blue ocean sprays.

Beautiful hikes meander along seaside cliffs and trails, with lovely views ofthe many tiny islands just offshore. The weather here is mercurial - we felt that at one point on our walk in early spring, we had experienced all four seasons in the span of 10 minutes! The wind is a presence here, and makes its mark in the trees and shrubbery that have bent in unusual shapes in deferral to the wind's strength.


















Walking along the coast is very enjoyable, it is sometimes sandy, sometimes rocky. The rocks were sometimes rough and jagged and sometimes smooth as dinosaur eggs, with colors ranging from beiges to grays to blues. The variants in the rocks are due to volcanic activity, as with most of the rock formations throughout Chile. On one beach, I was mesmerized by the sound of large incoming waves picking up these stones, lifting them up towards shore, then letting them settle back down. It is a sound I have never heard before, enchanting and hypnotic, a combination of rustling, chafing, and shifting, all underwater. The guides said it has been recorded as a sound used in meditation and hypnotism.



















The guides here are private, and everything is custom tailored to the guest. On our first hike, the guide was constantly in tune with us,asking after an hour what we would like to do, to continue for longer or to go back to the lodge. Every so often, he continued to check in on our status, so that the hike was perfectly tailored to our energy and activity level.

One memorable hike was through the rainforest - there was one perfect moment when two rare birds began calling in multiple kinds of calls. The calls went on for some time, and we were frozen with delight, afraid to move that we might silence them...truly magical. Bird watching is a fantastic activity here, as there is a rich diversity in the types of birds that reside here. The birds we heard on that hike were the Hued Hued del Sur (Black-throated Huet Huet, or Pteroptochos tarnii), and the Chucao (Chucao Tapaculo, or Scelorchilus rubecula). These birds are rarely seen.











































Also enjoyable was riding horses with authentic Chilean cowboys uptrails with views of the Pacific beyond, stopping by the large organic garden and leaving the horses to graze on the lawn outside...walking into the garden where the chef was leading a tourand selecting herbs and vegetables for our dinner...we looked over after a bit and the horses had wandered INTO the organic garden to munch on tastier fare. It was amusing watching the Chilean cowboys go all out in taking off after the horses at the far end of the garden.

The Cliffs has its own five star chef, Pablo Galvez. The meals Pablo prepared were wonderful - so wonderful that this month he travels to Australia with the President of Chile! Some of the items included on our menus were: Cream of Dubarry soup, Eminence of Abalone with Chiloe Island Potatoes (Chile is thought to be the origin of potatoes, and indeed, there are hundreds of different kinds ofpotatoes), Ravioli di Zucca, Red Tuna Fillet Sealed in Luche beside Red Lentils.On our second night, Pablo prepared a special seven course tasting menu with paired wines that was simply divine. Every course was delicious, and after the dinner, the guests discussed and compared the various courses with a passion that can only be compared to that with which Italians compare opera singers. I list them here:- King Crab and Avocado with Wasabi- Razor Clam Au Gratin with Goat's Cheese- Ecuadorian Shrimp with Essence of Ginger Yogurt and Cream of CarrotSoup (my favorite)- Three Cheese Ravioli with Mushroom Ragout- Seaweed Sealed Salmon Served with Corn Pastel- Wagyu Loin (similar to Kobe beef) with Warm Salad Greens- Milk Chocolate CreminoDivine!!A lovely Chilean post-prandial tradition is to have personalized herbal infusions. A bowl of fresh herbs is presented at the table after the meal, and each person selects the herbs they desire, places them in a teacup, and hot water is added. The infusion may be sweetened if desired. The result is a fresh, soothing, and healthful hot beverage, a very nice way to conclude a complex meal.

The stars and constellations here are incredibly clear - the Chileansky is one of the clearest in the world.Now that spring is arriving, so are the whales - humpbacks and blues - who are journeying from the equator towards the straits of Magellan. Whale watching is a highlight of a visit to the Cliffs. Other creatures appearing this time of year are the Australian and Chilean dolphins, the sea lions, and many Humboldt and Magellan penguins. The Cliffs Resort offers specially equipped guided boat tours for the guests to go out and view these animals. This is one of the few places in the world where it is so easy to see wildlife, including whales and birds, in peaceful setting that is pure paradise.

The Cliffs Preserve offers an experience of a lifetime--I hope to return soon!

Ellen Craig is a luxury travel advisor for Sterling Brownell. To contact her for more information on the Cliffs Preserve or travel in Chile, click here.

Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Plantation

Ellen Craig is a luxury travel consultant with Sterling Brownell. She loves the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation. Read below for her review of this fabulous getaway.

A weekend away at the Ritz-Carlton Reynolds Plantation is the perfect getaway to relax and recharge. The Lodge is located just 75 miles from Atlanta on 35 shoreline acres of beautiful Lake Oconee. Known worldwide for its 99 holes of championship golf, the Ritz Carlton Reynolds Plantation will be hosting the Masters in 2009. Other attractions and activities include fishing, visiting antebellum towns, and much more. The hotel has been named among the "World's 500 Best Hotels" in Travel+Leisure Magazine in 2008, and is the recipient of the AAA Five-Diamond Award!

The accomodations are luxurious in true Ritz fashion. They include guest rooms and suites with resort and lake views, as well as 2 and 3 bedroom golf cottages, and a Presidential house. All rooms are outfitted with deep mahogany and cherry woods, featherbeds with fine cotton linens, marble baths and European bath essentials. Very luxurious!

The fitness and spa center is impressive, at 26,000 square feet of dedicated space. Club level is a wonderful option, offering private check-in, dedicated concierge, and exclusive access to the Club lounge with 4 light meal presentations throughout the day - the perfect place to relax, meet, and unwind.

Right now, Reynolds Plantation has exclusive offers for Sterling Brownell clients, including $150 resort credit or a complimentary BBQ Bulter, as well as special holiday packages and all kinds of wonderful amenities! Also, until October 25th, our clients recieve a free champagne cocktail cruise--you will cruise in style with champagne, wine or beer, cheeses, fruit, and chocolate fondue! I need to go back just to experience that! You can see the full list of offerings by clicking here.

I highly recommend Reynolds Plantation! It would be an ideal location for the holidays. Below is a picture of the "lighting of the lodge" that will take place this holiday season--it is so charming!

To book or learn more about Reynolds Plantation and the exclusive offers available, you can contact Ellen Craig by clicking here, or by visiting our site by clicking here.