Category: News

Courtyard Marriott service that speaks for itself

Courtyard by Marriott, located at 879 Schechter Drive Wilkes-Barre, PA, is the newest hotel in the area. Equipped with the beautiful and modern decor, including 42 in flat screen TVs, you’ll find yourself in the lap of luxury, all at an affordable price, too. Their on-site bistro offers a bar-like atmosphere at night and fresh food to-go.

They offer discounted room blocks for weddings, as well as a shuttle service to bring you to and from events. During your stay, you and your guests can relax on the outdoor patio with fire-pit, where you can just sit and take in the day’s events.

The hotel and staff have a proven track record for exceptional customer service. They’ve received the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence, and are rated 4.5 out of 5 on Trip Advisor. Ranked in the top 5% of 1,000 Courtyard hotels worldwide, Courtyard by Marriott Wilkes-Barre’s achievements in quality speak for themselves.

Your convenience is always of utmost importance. So, in order to offer you the most value, and a great reception option, the hotel has partnered with Whitewoods, a brand new reception venue that opened last year.

When looking for a hotel to host your wedding guests, be sure to check out Courtyard by Marriott. You’ll have the newest of everything at your disposal, and a staff who goes above and beyond to make sure you get the experience you deserve every day.

Courtyard Marriott – Wilkes Barre Arena
570-235-6700

Honeymooners looking for the perfect postcard scenery, look no further than endless sunshine with incredible sunsets at Cabo San Lucas.

Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort

For honeymooners looking for endless sunshine, great nightlife and activities to fill your day, look no further than exciting Cabo San Lucas.

This part of Mexico boasts around 300 days of sunshine per year, and an average temperature of 78 degrees.  Though a bit cooler from October to April, it warms up from May to September, sometimes reaching the 90’s.  This area gets about 10 inches
of rain, most falling between August-October.  This near-perfect weather lends itself to gorgeous sunsets and tons of land and water activities.

Los Cabos consists of two towns connected by a 20-mile corridor. Cabo San Lucas is to the west and is a lively town with famous clubs and a large, active marina area. San Jose del Cabo to the east, is a calm, quiet, picturesque and charming colonial town with cobblestone streets. The area in between is lined with residential areas, golf courses and fantastic resorts. The whole area is referred to as Los Cabos or just Cabo.

Honeymoon couples who venture to this part of the world will find so much to do…. spas, world-class golf courses, whale watching, horseback riding and tons of other activities.   The waters around Cabo have strong currents, so most visitors spend their time at their resort’s magnificent pool as swimming in the sea is not recommended.   

Nightlife and dining are centered in Cabo San Lucas where couples will find lively bars for drinking, dining and dancing.  But Cabo is really for romantics, with its postcard perfect scenery and incredible sunsets.  

During the day, couples can take part in numerous activities.   There are 9 golf courses, zip-lining, off-road buggy adventures, sport fishing, whale-watching (Dec. – March) and natural wonders such as the El Arco de Cabo San Lucas.
The area also offers great All-inclusive resorts, and a number of very high-end luxury properties.   Cabo is easy to get to from most U.S. cities and provides a wonderful action-packed, yet romantic destination for honeymooners.

– Melanie Jascoviez  CTC / DS 
MJ Travel
570-706-5775

Photos provided by Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort

Set your voyage of love…with a honeymoon cruise.

Princess Cruises

This is where the Love Boat got its start….setting off on the high seas for a romantic getaway.   Cruising is actually a great way to spend a Honeymoon.   After the stress and anxiety of all the wedding planning, most couples are ready to slip away to relax and be pampered.   What better way to do that and visit multiple destinations while only unpacking once.   

Taking a cruise on your honeymoon is a great way to hit up several destinations while taking in the views.   Couples can choose cruise itineraries to exotic destinations, while having their accommodations, gourmet meals, professional entertainment and transportation — all in one easy place.   A cruise delivers all that for one price. 

Most couples know that there are a multitude of choices for both destinations, types of cabins and onboard activities.    Some mega-ships could simply sail the ocean and honeymooners could find plenty to do without ever going ashore.

When planning an unforgettable honeymoon, there are so many reasons to choose a cruise. They offer convenience, a variety of shows and activities, relaxation and pampering in the spa.  A honeymoon cruise let’s couples simply pick their dream itinerary and just coast, letting the attentive staff take care of the rest. With numerous onboard dining and entertainment options the ship becomes their stress-free sanctuary at sea.  Cruises offer the ideal blend of activity and leisure. And, with all these details taken care of, the couple can focus on what’s really important…each other.

– Melanie Jascoviez  CTC / DS 
MJ Travel
570-706-5775

Photos provided by Princess Cruises

Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort: 72 Years of Quality Service


The length of time something lasts is almost always an indication of its quality, this is true of Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort. Family run for 72 years they have cultivated excellent customer service, providing brides and grooms with an unmatched experience.

Located on Lake Wallenpaupack, the view from Ehrhardt’s property is stunning. Facing the west guests are treated to vibrant sunsets all year long. Combined with the view and their years of experience are creative and talented chef’s. Moderately priced and delectable; brides, grooms and their guests have a memorable and delicious dining experience.

When asked about what guests love most about Ehrhardt’s, their wedding planner Karen said, ‘Brides love the one on one attention, the way our staff anticipates their needs and they can relax on their wedding day, knowing everything will be taken care of by us. Grooms love our food and the guests always enjoy the view!”

Special to Ehrhardt’s, wedding parties can stay at the resort, extending the experience by boating on the lake, making s’mores in the fire-pits down by the water, and making a ‘lake’ weekend out of it!

Ehrhardt’s combination of service, beautiful views and excellent food has garnered them acclaim as a premier venue to celebrate your wedding. Check them out for yourself and start planning your lakeside wedding!

Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort
570-226-4388

Come experience Mexico for your honeymoon in the beautiful beach setting of Cancun.

Dreams Sands Cancun Resort & Spa – Mexico

Cancun is an ideal choice for honeymooners looking for action and activities in a beautiful beach setting.  Located on Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, it is bordered by the Caribbean Sea and offers a wide choice of resort options to suit every budget.    

Cancun and the Riviera Maya both have wonderful all inclusive resorts and gorgeous beaches, but very different atmospheres.  Cancun is a condensed strip of resorts, with shopping and nightlife just minutes away.  Hotels are lined up along an incredible beach in an area some call the Hotel Zone.   The Riviera Maya is 81 miles of coastline just south of Cancun, with resorts that are spread out on some of the best beaches in the world. 

All Inclusive honeymoon packages are a great option with a wide variety of resort types featuring beautiful beaches, luxurious rooms, great food and numerous activities.  Couples can enjoy resort spa treatments, golf, shopping and more.  Historic Mayan ruins, water sports and tons of different pursuits are nearby.  And honeymooners will find airfare is very affordable as well.

Cancun honeymoons are a great value where couples can relax on white sand beaches, dance until 4 a.m. at a disco, snorkel, golf, jet ski, parasail, and visit jungles and ruins.  Go and see why Cancun is the # 1 tourist destination in the Caribbean and Mexico.

– Melanie Jascoviez  CTC / DS 
MJ Travel
570-706-5775

Resort photos provided by Dreams Sands Cancun Resort & Spa – Mexico

Enjoy tropical breezes over the turquoise waters of Aruba with non-stop adventures for Honeymoon couples…

Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort – Aruba

Sunny Aruba is the smallest, but most popular of the ABC Dutch Islands, located below the hurricane belt, in the southern Caribbean.   It is surrounded with white powdery beaches and is blessed with great weather year round, making it a perfect Honeymoon destination.  Gentle tropical breezes and non-stop adventures await Honeymoon couples.

Bright sunshine, soft sand, turquoise waters, natural scenic wonders, excellent dining and shopping, plus a variety of nightly entertainment—Aruba’s got something for everyone.  Aruba draws honeymooners and sun worshippers to its silky sand shores. This 20-mile long island offers salsa dancing, excellent dining, gambling in glitzy casinos, and numerous watersport options year-round. Aruba’s history unfolds in the Dutch architecture of its busy capital, Oranjestad, and during a hike in Arikok National Park.  Beautiful sandy beaches line the west coast, but the east coast is rugged, with cliffs of limestone, sand dunes, and crashing breakers.   Divi Divi trees whose flat branches grow in the wind’s direction, are trademarks on this island.

Aruba gets less than 20 inches of rain per year.   Just about as close as you can get to guaranteed daily sunshine.  The island is blessed with constant trade winds to keep couples cool, even though the temperature is almost always in the mid to high 80’s.  

Aruba has all the beach and water activities that couples would expect in the Caribbean.   Go sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling and deep sea fishing.  And because of the constant tradewinds, Aruba is one of the most popular places in the world for kitesurfing and windsurfing.  Other land based activities include bicycling, golf, hiking, horseback riding, birding, ATVing, tennis and so much more.

The most popular resort areas are on Palm Beach and Eagle Beach.  This is where couples will find many of the most well-known resorts.  There is a wide array of accommodation choices, from All-Inclusive, Adults-only resorts, to small intimate, romantic resorts.   Something for everyone’s taste.  Aruba also has an island wide program called One Cool Honeymoon, which many resorts participate in. This program is designed to give couples the special welcome they deserve on their Honeymoon, including special amenities and perks.

If couples are looking for near-perfect weather, sunny days and tons of activities, Aruba is great place to start looking.
    

– Melanie Jascoviez  CTC / DS 
MJ Travel
570-706-5775

Resort photos provided by Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort – Aruba

Antigua….A truly romantic and enchanting honeymoon destination.

Galley Bay Resort & Spa – Antigua

A honeymoon to Antigua is all about the beaches. Antigua has 365, one for every day of the year. Most of the beaches are located along the calm, protected waters of the island’s Caribbean side. The coast is dotted with safe harbors and calm, relaxing waters. Couples will find the whitest sand and relaxing clear aqua waters. The island has warm, constant winds and a protective, almost unbroken coral reef, which makes it great for snorkeling.

On Antigua, love fills the air and offers honeymooners a romantic haven to begin their new lives together. The island offers wonderful resorts with accommodations for every budget.

Antigua is located in the middle of the Leeward Islands in the Eastern Caribbean. Nearby, to the south are the islands of Montserrat and Guadeloupe, and to the north and west are St. Kitts, St. Barts, Nevis and St. Martin.

Antigua is a world class yachting and sailing center. Nelson’s Dockyard National Park is a beautiful harbor full of history and cultural heritage. Couples will want to include a visit to Shirley Heights where there are breathtaking views over English Harbour, especially at sunset. Simply gorgeous!

The beautifully restored buildings and grounds at Redcliff Quay offer great shopping opportunities in the capital of St. Johns. Sting Ray City offers the chance to pet and feed friendly stingrays in their natural habitat. Couples can also take a Canopy Zip Lining Tour over the lush rain forest. The neighboring sister island of Barbuda is only a 10 minute flight or quick catamaran ride away, where you can explore the Frigate Bird Sanctuary, or find a quiet spot alone on one of Barbuda’s beautiful beaches.     

– Melanie Jascoviez  CTC / DS 
MJ Travel
570-706-5775

Photos provided by Galley Bay Resort & Spa – Antigua

Wrap yourself in paradise for your honeymoon with miles of private beaches leading you into the crystal clear Caribbean waters of Jamaica.

Secrets Wild Orchid – Montego Bay

Jamaica is considered by some to be the heart of the Caribbean. It’s where reggae music and the all-inclusive resort concept were born.    Jamaica is the land of coffee, sugar cane and limestone.   Of blue skies, aqua waters and gorgeous white sand beaches.   The island boasts mountains, waterfalls and picturesque locales.  A diverse island with a laid-back feel. 

As the third-largest island of the Caribbean, Jamaica has three main tourist areas which make it an island paradise.   Westernmost Negril is popular for its incredible beaches and upscale accommodations.   Montego Bay is well-liked by golfers, shoppers, and is close to the airport.   Ocho Rios appeals most to adventurous types because of the numerous activities in the area, including Dunn’s River Falls.

Jamaica has a way of settling into your heart and soul.   Each day is full of sun and fun. Jamaica is the largest English speaking island in the Caribbean and offers more exciting honeymoon experiences to share than you can fit into one trip.    Some of the Caribbean’s very best resorts sprawl out along the sparkling white beaches. After all, this is where today’s popular all inclusive resorts were born, so it’s no surprise that some of the world’s finest all-inclusives can be found right here. Water sports abound, everything from river rafting to deep sea fishing, scuba diving to wind surfing, and the island even has a few of well known championship golf courses.    Just make sure to leave time to relax and let the warm Jamaican sun bathe you in honeymoon bliss.

Whether you visit Negril, Montego Bay or Ocho Rios area, you’ll find yourself surrounded by tropical beauty just like it appears in travel brochures.  Enchanting reggae sounds give honeymoon couples a feeling of tranquility they won’t want to leave behind.     

You will repeatedly hear ….”Irie mon”  which means… cool, everything is going good.  That’s what honeymoon couples tend to think while they’re sipping a cocktail by the pool with the love of their life in Jamaica, and why many couples begin planning their return anniversary trip before they even depart for home.

– Melanie Jascoviez  CTC / DS 
MJ Travel
570-706-5775

Resort photos provided by Secrets Wild Orchid – Montego Bay

Relax in luxury at The Turks and Caicos Islands the perfect destination for love just steps away from white sands and sapphire waters.

The Regent Palms Turks & Caicos

Are you looking for a luxury honeymoon destination with white powder sandy beaches, luxury resorts, incredible aqua-colored waters, plus terrific diving?   Then Turks and Caicos might be just the honeymoon destination for you. 

Turks and Caicos is a destination that’s a bit off the beaten track. The islands are situated southeast of the Bahamas and are a tropical paradise with gorgeous beaches (some of the best in the Caribbean), great snorkeling and superior scuba diving. The Turks and Caicos Islands provide the ultimate upscale getaway, full of luxury and romance.

The islands cover 193 square miles in the Atlantic ocean and have one of the longest coral reefs in the world, which is why it’s considered a premier diving destination.    Another of the islands most prize possessions, are the white sandy beaches which cover 230 miles and are highlighted with crystal clear waters. The land is mostly flat, but depending on which island you visit, it can vary from sand dunes to tropical green vegetation.

Turks & Caicos is the perfect remedy after months of stressful wedding planning.   Perfectly white sand beaches fringed by shimmering aqua water, colorful coral reefs, crunchy conch fritters and a laid back, light-hearted atmosphere, make it a perfectly relaxing and luxurious getaway.

 A Turks and Caicos honeymoon has many perks, from amenities to location. Because its relatively close in proximity to the US, there are a few non-stop flights from several East Coast airports.  There are endless activities for honeymoon couples, from tours to watersports.   Plus there are numerous accommodations from boutique hotels to large all-inclusive resorts . Regardless of which you choose, you’re bound to fall in love with this magical place.

– Melanie Jascoviez  CTC / DS 
MJ Travel
570-706-5775

Photos provided by The Regent Palms Turks & Caicos

High above the rest. New exciting changes on the East Mountain

 After an $8 million dollar renovation and re-branding, the Best Western East Mountain Inn and Suites transforms into the Brand New Holiday Inn Wilkes Barre – East Mountain.

This venue has always been known for superb food, accommodations and exquisitely executed social events.  After nearly a year of renovation, all 152 guests room have been completely renovated inclusive of new furniture, wallpaper, carpeting, bathrooms, even down to the new Holiday Inn style linens.  The Grand Ballroom was given a facelift with new carpeting, dance floor, wallpaper and 300 new banquet chairs.  The Executive Style Boards Rooms offer the latest in technology.   A complete renovation of Wildflowers Restaurant and The Bistro Lounge offers a modern, fresh look and inviting feel to conduct business or enjoy a social gathering.   Complete with new social media pods in our new Wildflowers Lounge along with our wall mounted fireplace while enjoying the beautifully landscaped grounds overlooking Wilkes-Barre.

So plan your Wedding, Shower, Rehearsal Dinner, Post-Wedding Breakfast or Brunch with confidence knowing that it will be a complete success.  Contact Mandy Loeffler at 570-970-1154 for an appointment and tour of the hotel and grounds.  Hold an outdoor ceremony on our waterfall patio or your cocktail hour under our tented verandah.  Ask us about our Friday evening and Saturday afternoon wedding packages. 

Holiday Inn Wilkes Barre – East Mountain
570-970-1154

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