Go to Antigua with Curtain Bluff’s “Power of 10” package

by Tom Johansmeyer on

I know we’re still sweating the summer, and January seems like a lifetime away. But, think back seven or eight months. Remember how cold it was. It’s hard to make the connection, but it really was that cold out, and you lived it. It’s going to happen again before you know it. So, now is probably the time to book a retreat from the crushing cold. Curtain Bluff‘s new package, “The Power of 10,” is designed to make your start to 2010 memorable … as if relief from frigid temperatures with the warmth of Antigua weren’t enough.

From January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010, you’re stay at the all-inclusive Curtain Bluff resort will be enhanced with a sunset sail on Curtain Bluff’s yacht, cooking classes with Chef Christophe Blatz and a series of “seconds”: a second spa treatment, a second tennis lesson and a second personal training session. And, this comes in addition to all the usuals: fishing, snorkeling, SCUBA diving and just relaxing by the beach.

“2009 was a tough year for many in different ways,” says Rob Sherman, managing director of Curtain Bluff. “We at Curtain Bluff want to offer something extra special and fun to start 2010 off right,” he continues; “now in addition to experiencing some of our top activities already included with their stay, guests can also splurge on spa treatments and private lessons and classes at minimal cost.”

Curtain Bluff really does redefine relaxation: the place actually got me to chill for a while. This package is definitely worth a look.

Interested in Curtain Bluff? Read the recent series on this resort >>

Lava Leering: Getting up close and personal with Volcan Pacaya in Guatemala

by Aaron Hotfelder on

One of the few places in the world where you can stand just inches away from blisteringly hot lava, Guatemala’s Volcan Pacaya is the country’s most popular and most accessible volcano. Just a ninety-minute drive from the tourist mecca of Antigua, Pacaya offers visitors the chance to roast marshmallows over glowing orange lava, witness the flowing of a long “river of lava” which was formed back in 2006, and even plunge a stick into lava and watch it instantly catch fire.

Is it touristy? Oh, yeah. I guarantee you will not be alone on this hike– almost every travel agency in Antigua runs daily tours to the volcano for under ten dollars. But despite the crowds of tourists that ascend it every morning and night, Pacaya is one of Guatemala’s absolute must-see’s, and not only for the “I stood next to hot lava” stories you’ll be telling when you get home.
The two-hour ascent of Pacaya does not actually go to the 8,400-ft. summit, which is both incredibly steep and volcanically very active, but to a lower, safer area where most of the lava is visible. Here, you’ll find people roasting marshmallows, rocking back and forth to make sure their shoes don’t melt, and just generally marveling at the steaming pools of liquid rock (see bottom photo).
Most tours from Antigua leave at 6 am or 2 pm. The later hike, although it usually carries a greater chance of rain, often affords brilliant sunset views like this one.

If you go…

  • Be sure to wear close-toed shoes, not flip-flops, as the volcanic rock on Pacaya can be sharp and very hot. Long pants are also recommended if you want to avoid singed leg hair.
  • Bring rain gear and a flashlight if you’re visiting in the afternoon.
  • Don’t forget a liter or two of water as well as some snacks for the hike.
  • Purchase a stick for about fifty cents from one of the young boys who will approach you as you begin your hike. Even if you don’t need a stick for walking, it’s nice to be able to drop it into the lava and watch it catch fire.
  • Buy your ticket in one of the many travel agencies in Antigua; it shouldn’t cost more than $7. Tickets can also be purchased in Guatemala City.

Inside Curtain Bluff: how “all-inclusive” makes life easier

by Tom Johansmeyer on

When I spoke with Curtain Bluff Managing Director Rob Sherman, he cringed as he uttered the words “all-inclusive.” I think I know why. It sounds gimmicky and almost implies “discount.” Neither concept fits his resort. There are no gimmicks, just incredible, top-shelf service from a staff that’s worked the property for an average of 26 years. And, obviously, “discount” is in short supply at a property that caters to guests who tend to be affluent.

The underlying concept, however, makes life a hell of a lot easier. You pay once, when you book your stay. After that, you don’t have to think about carrying your wallet or signing for anything. I’ve found that, when I travel, most of the annoyances I encounter are during check-in, checkout and at meals (not including the flights of course, but that’s another matter entirely).

Think about it: check-in runs smoothly until you have to extract your credit card and wait for the imprint. It’s one of the longest parts of the ordeal; everything else is easy. When you depart, you have to wait for the bill to be settled and your receipt printed. Ugh … all you want to do is get on your way, but you have to wait. And, you deal with this at meals, too. You just want to leave, because you’ve finished eating. Not so fast … you have to wait for a frantic waiter to squeeze you in for the check while he scrambles among tables that have entrees coming up, drink requests and all manner of petty complaints. Even when you’re finished, you’re not.

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At Curtain Bluff, none of this happens. You’re fee for the booking covers everything else. You can eat as much or little as you want, drink yourself sloppy or have an occasional cocktail and engage in as many activities that turn you on. There are no hidden fees for lobster, sailing or top-shelf liquor. It’s all incredibly easy … and that’s what matters to Curtain Bluff. If the point is to disappear from the real world and take a vacation from thinking and worrying, the best move is to remove the aspects of travel that can force you to do both.

The decision to go all-inclusive, franky, is what makes the experience at Curtain Bluff hum along. The details that bother, bore or hinder are taken out of the equation. Even though it isn’t heavy lifting, the resort does it for you, and you can sit back and enjoy your vacation. Of course, a Curtain Bluff is a bit pricey, so this sort of convenience isn’t available to everybody. But, if you’re interested in an upscale excursion devoid of headaches, Curtain Bluff has the solution.

(Note: spa treatments are billed separately, but that’s the only exception I found.)

Disclosure: Curtain Bluff did pick up the tab for this trip. Honestly, a prolie blogger like me wouldn’t be able to cover this destination without support from the resort. That said, my opinions are my own. Worried that my experience was positive? Blame the resort staff for doing a kickass job. I could lie and say it all sucked, but that would come at the expense of my editorial integrity.

Inside Curtain Bluff: yes, there are hotdogs

by Tom Johansmeyer on

I can only imagine how Curtain Bluff Managing Director Rob Sherman is going to react when he stumbles upon this story focused solely on the hotdogs served at his incredibly upscale resort. Regular readers know the drill, though. If there’s a hotdog somewhere in the world, I need to try it. Curtain Bluff’s contribution will now stand alongside those from Reykjavik, Stockholm, East Anglia and Madrid. It’s just something I have to do.

Pass the calm swimming beach [LINK:previous day] and walk over to the beachside restaurant where lunch is served. Instead of sprinting for the extensive buffet, wait a moment for a menu and order the hotdog. Just do it once, and order it in addition to something “real.”

With British cultures, the definition of “hotdog” varies. The one I had in Cambridge, England was more sausage than hotdog, but East Anglia was decidedly the latter. Since Antigua’s history was shaped by British rule, I was unsure of what to expect. The result was waiting for me when I returned to the table (having abandoned my wife to run back to our room to get my cameras), and it was a hotdog – a thick hotdog. Not as long as what I had at King’s in Bury St. Edmunds, its girth was much more impressive. You’ll have to open wide just to take a small bite.

Despite the appearance, the Curtain Bluff hotdog tasted a bit more like a sausage than a hotdog. There was a hotdog taste to it, and the color and texture were certainly dog-esque, but there was a pretty substantial sausage contribution, as well.

So, how did it taste?

Order the damned hotdog! It’s worth it. The crisp crack that comes with the cutting of your teeth into this “lesser” cuisine unleashes a rush of juicy flavor that will dominate your taste buds. Supplement the experience with ketchup and a line of Grey Poupon mustard, and you’ve got a winning dog.

The best approach to lunch, I found, is to mix your hotdog with the buffet: get a little bit of everything. Order your hotdog, then run to the buffet for a salad. Don’t go overboard, just put enough on your plate to take the edge off a bit. When your dog arrives, scarf it down like an animal – it feels nice to be subhuman in such luxurious surroundings. Then, let your civilized self return, sample the grilled chicken, and pick something up for dessert (all of which is prepared perfectly in the pastry kitchen).

Finally, lie to all your friends about having eaten something as low as a hotdog at a place like Curtain Bluff.

Disclosure: Curtain Bluff did pick up the tab for this trip. Honestly, a prolie blogger like me wouldn’t be able to cover this destination without support from the resort. And, would the resort have “bought” a story about hotdogs? Let’s be a tad realistic about that, shall we? That said, my opinions are my own. Worried that my experience was positive? Blame the resort staff for doing a kickass job. I could lie and say it all sucked, but that would come at the expense of my editorial integrity.

Inside Curtain Bluff: 72 places to call home

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Curtain Bluff isn’t the only “all-inclusive” resort on Antigua – you have countless choices. What differentiates this resort from the many, though, is the collection of small touches that blend decadence and home-style comfort seamlessly. Where else would the managing director interrupt an interview with, “Hold on, I need to go make fun of somebody [obviously a guest]?” This same executive’s commitment is clear, however, when you realize the intended target is one of the property’s many repeat guests.

“Seventy percent comes from repeat stays,” says Managing Director Rob Sherman of Curtain Bluff’s occupancy. “We get children of children of children,” he continues, explaining that this tendency to come back is handed down from one generation to the next. Curtain Bluff, for some families, has become the definition of getaway, and this bit of wisdom is protected with all the zeal of an immigrant parent’s “secret recipe.”

On the property, you’ll find 72 guestrooms, ranging form single rooms to the Grace Bay suite, which includes a lavish bedroom, large living room and hot tub on the balcony. Every room has a view of the ocean, with sliding glass doors opening to the crash of waves and the salty smells of the Caribbean Sea. Frankly, I couldn’t have slept without those waves. The eerie silence that some resorts seem to treasure (a) freaks me out and (b) is at odds with the rhythms of the city that put me to bed every night. The large doors let the environment into your room, connecting you to the details that define Antigua.

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If the junior suites aren’t enough for you, amp up the experience and stay in Yo Yo Ma’s room. The world’s most amazing cellist calls Curtain Bluff home for a bit every year and can be heard working his magic from time to time outside his room.

Regardless of which room you choose, be sure to dine on your balcony or patio (depending on your floor) at least once during your stay at Curtain Bluff. The collision of waves with sand is as musical as the band that plays softly in the restaurant, and the ocean breeze naturally enhances the dining experience. For evenings when you elect to go to the restaurant, do remember that men are required to don pants and a collared shirt (oops).

The guestroom is only one part of the Curtain Bluff experience. Come back to Gadling throughout the week for other peeks inside this exclusive Antiguan resort.

Disclosure: Curtain Bluff did pick up the tab for this trip. Honestly, a prolie blogger like me wouldn’t be able to cover this destination without support from the resort. That said, my opinions are my own. Worried that my experience was positive? Blame the resort staff for doing a kickass job. I could lie and say it all sucked, but that would come at the expense of my editorial integrity.