Property News

A USA Today Travel article published recently with the headline “Americans ready for vacation, despite high gas prices” claims that “More than six of 10 Americans say it’s important they get away from home this year.” The article also says that most are willing to find a way to go on vacation despite the rising gas prices.

You would think that with increasing costs all around the board from airfare to gas prices to hotel prices most people would prefer to stay home or in other words opt out of a vacation for a staycation. However, Anne Banas, executive editor of the website SmarterTravel, was quoted in the article saying, “I think the ‘staycation’ is dead. People are sick of it.” During the recession we saw many people choose a staycation. People were saving their money or conserving any way possible during the hard times. However, now even the fluctuating fees and rising prices in the travel industry do not play a huge factor in deciding to stay or go. People are going. After skipping vacation last year or the year before people want to get away regardless of the prices.

Because people are traveling despite prices, it does not mean that people are just spending and spending without a care. Travelers are not only going but they are willing to hunt for bargains. Brian Hoyt, spokesman for the online travel company Orbitz, is quoted saying, “Consumers are saying, ‘I’m still going to go, but I’m going to do it smartly… You’re seeing the consumer be very savvy this summer season but again refusing to give up their right to travel.”

Sean Oakley, Marketing Manager at Travel Advantage Network or TAN (A Sundance Vacations vendor) said, “The volume of booking for TAN(Sundance Vacations) clients has stayed consistent, despite rising gas prices. This is a good illustration of one of the biggest benefits of our program: inflation protection. Our clients don’t have to worry about any rising cost in their TAN vacations, which makes it easier for them to travel in the face of rising gas prices.”

In fact, Sundance Vacations and TAN are helping customers travel even more in 2011. Together we created a Value Season deal, which cuts the cost of Peak Season fees in half for select months in various locations. This cuts back on the amount of time a location was normally considered in Peak Season.  So instead of travling for $30 a night during peak, customers now have the option to travel for $15 a month during the new Value season.

Along with Value Season deals, we also split up locations to accommodate more value season dates. Candy Bednar, VP of Business Development, explains, “Another exciting change to the destination list is that Hawaii has been designated by two separate areas just like our Florida destinations. This separation of Maui, Hawaii and Molokai, Hawaii gave way to add a three month value season to Molokai for September, October, and November. I think this is a great opportunity to get our clients on that Hawaiian vacation that they have been dreaming about! It’s already got me thinking about a fall getaway to paradise for a few days!”

With people traveling and relentlessly hunting for the best deals Sundance Vacations is here to accommodate that need and many others at our wide variety of locations and properties at a fraction of normal travel prices.

The Gulf Shores Plantation runs along the Gulf of Mexico in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  With 4,000 feet of private beach, guests are sure to have a relaxing vacation.  Gulf Shores Plantation has six outdoor pools, an indoor pool, eight tennis courts, a basketball court, volleyball court, shuffleboard, horseshoes, putting green, an exercise room, outdoor charcoal grills with picnic tables to enjoy a family cookout, a sauna, and a game room.   Also, for the avid golfer, Kiva Dunes Golf Course is conveniently located right next door.

There are numerous activities for guests to participate in on their Gulf Shores vacation.  Parasailing, scuba diving, boating, fishing, kayaking, jet skiing, sailing, golf, mini golf, and even dolphin cruises are among the fun activities available in the Gulf Shores.

Looking to do something out of the water?  In the Gulf Shores, there are many fun attractions that make for perfect day trips away from the beach.  For the kids, there is Waterville USA, where you can splash around in the water rides, or the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo to enjoy the wide variety of exotic animals.  Fort Morgan is another popular attraction that is only eight miles away from the resort.  Take the Mobile Bay Ferry from Dauphin Island to Fort Morgan and enjoy a trip into history.

The units at the Gulf Shores Plantation include air conditioning, telephone, TV, unlimited free WiFi access, a kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, and a balcony or patio.  Travel to Gulf Shores and experience all it has to offer!

Deep in the serene backwoods of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, on 60 wooded acres, sits the Dells Club Condos property.  The property is located next to the Wisconsin River and is surrounded by magnificent landscapes. Seeing as Dells Club Condos is in a rustic area, hiking, biking, fishing, boating, horseback riding, skiing, snowboarding, and golf come natural as some of the most popular local activities.

Dells Club has a heated pool with deck area, a tennis court, and a boat pier with seating, to entertain guests while on-site.  The units at Dells Club Condos come complete with a full kitchen – including a microwave, TV, VCR, a patio or balcony, and a wood-burning fireplace for the cold winter months.

Despite the peaceful surrounding, there are definitely way to make some noise during an experience in Wisconsin Dells.  Downtown Dells is a must-see during the trip: dining, shopping, art galleries, boat tours, and exciting nightlife can all be found in Downtown Dells, along with so much more.

Other attractions in Wisconsin Dells include visiting Noah’s Ark Water Park, Timbavati Wildlife Park, Cave of the Mounds, the Kalahari Indoor Theme Park, and the Ho-Chunk Indian reservation to try your luck in the casinos.  Also, there are dinner cruises, theaters, and plenty of restaurants for guests as they enjoy their stay in Wisconsin Dells.

Guests looking for a relaxing, nature-filled getaway must visit Dells Club Condos.

Located in the Caribbean Sea, near the northern end of the Lesser Antilles archipelago, Nevis is the epitome of “island paradise.”  Surrounded by crystal blue water and white sandy beaches, Nevis is a picturesque sight.  The island is about 220 miles southeast of Puerto Rico and is a 36-square-mile isle, part of the inner arc of the Leeward Islands chain of the West Indies.

With a volcanic peak, called Nevis Peak, at the center of the island, the sandy beaches are composed of a mixture of white coral sand and brown and black sand that have been eroded and washed down from the volcanic rocks, which are the composition of the island.  The softly sloping green coastal plain of the island offers beautiful fresh water springs, in addition to non-potable hot springs

Located on the beautiful slope of Nevis peak, Monkey Rock is located around six miles from town, and approximately seven miles from the beach.  The Monkey Rock unit comes complete with a wrap-around patio that gives you a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea.

For a fun day with the whole family, take a trip down the Nevis slope to Pinney’s Beach.  The palm tree lined beach is surrounded by coral reefs, which protect the beach from large waves, making it an ideal place for swimming and tanning.  For the museum guru, visit the Alexander Hamilton Replica House and take a look at all of the Hamilton memorabilia.  Other exciting activities include horseback riding, hiking, mountain climbing, tennis, golf, water skiing, and wind surfing.  You can even explore the island’s multiple shipwrecks while snorkeling or scuba diving! Your stay at Monkey Rock is sure to make for an excellent tropical vacation.

An article was recently published on USA Today Travel titled “Three reasons why airfares are likely to rise” about exactly that – rising airfares! David Grossman, author of the article, writes “According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the average domestic airfare (excluding checked luggage and other ancillary fees paid after ticketing) jumped 13% from $301 to $341 in the second quarter of 2010 vs. the previous year. That $341 fare was 3.8% more than the previous quarter and represented the fourth consecutive quarterly fare increase.” This fact alone is scary but the article goes on to discuss reasons why airfares are rising which include: capacity cuts and rising demand, prolonged period of higher oil prices and changing business models for low-cost airlines. It may be obvious that there are more reasons as well but for the sake of the article the author only discussed three. Anyway whatever the case may be it does not look like travelers have much of an option when controlling fees or at least getting fairly cheaper rates than before.

However, as a wholesale travel provider Sundance Vacations offers bulk vacation packages that make saving on vacations similar to the way people save when they buy a case of soda instead of a can. Because of this increase in airfares, budget conscious travelers are seeking cheaper travel alternatives to help them save. In fact, last summer when prices originally spiked we saw a considerable jump in demand for drive to destinations and we predict the same for this summer as well.

Sundance Vacations has a lot of destinations on the east coast in areas such as the Jersey shore, Ocean City, Virginia, Maryland, South Carolina and Hilton Head – all of which are within a days drive from any one of our east coast sales offices. When it costs double to fly anymore, consider driving to a Sundance Vacations destination – where you not only save on getting there but you save on the overall vacation as well.

The Resort and Club at Little Harbor

Situated on 350 acres of land in Apollo Beach Florida, the Resort and Club at Little Harbor has secluded beaches and marinas that are perfect for a peaceful getaway.  The resort is a part of a residential community called Little Harbor which is not a heavily populated or busy setting.

If you are looking to explore the area around the resort, you can travel to Tampa Bay where vast arrays of activities are located.  In Tampa, you can have a fun-filled family trip by visiting the Busch Gardens theme park, The Florida Aquarium, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa Greyhound Track, Ybor City, Big Cat Rescue, or Dinosaur World.  Tampa also offers many golf courses, beautiful beaches, fascinating museums, bars, theatres, and exciting shopping locations to suit your liking.

As for onsite activities at Little Harbor, there is a pool with a deck area that overlooks the beautiful Tampa Bay, a hot tub, fishing piers and docks, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, shuffleboard, a spa and a fitness center, a conference center, tennis courts, retail stores, a playground, horseshoes, a lively Tiki Bar, and the delicious Sunset Grill Restaurant.  You can also put on your scuba equipment and explore the captivating reefs in the Gulf of Mexico.

The rooms at Little Harbor are charming.  Accommodations include a kitchen with a microwave and mini-refrigerator, cable television, telephone, Internet access, central heating and air conditioning, washer and dryer, iron and ironing board, and a private balcony or patio. Some rooms also have dishwashers and fireplaces.

The Resort and Club at Little Harbor is located in a tranquil setting, but has many exciting activities to participate in Little Harbor is sure to be the perfect place to stay during your Tampa Bay vacation.

Luxury has found its home in Cape Coral: The Resort at Marina Village Inn, a 19-story hotel, offers spacious rooms, stunning views of the Caloosahatchee River, San Carlos Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico.  Each unit is sure to make you feel like a celebrity; along with modern furniture and room décor, units are equipped with a king-size bed, full kitchen including a dishwasher and a microwave, TV, internet access, telephone, washer, dryer, heating and air conditioning, and a screened lanai.  Room service is available at the resort.

The resort also offers a pool, lap pool, fitness center, clubhouse, amphitheater, tennis courts, bocce ball, a horseshoe pit, fishing, boat and kayak rentals, spas, water taxi rides to the beaches, and sunset cruises.

As for dining accommodations, The Resort at Marina Village Inn has the Marker 92 Waterfront Bar & Bistro serving up delicious cuisine nightly.  Woodfired dishes, fresh seafood, and a large wine selection at Marker 92 make it the perfect place to eat after a long day on the water.  You can dine indoors and enjoy the beautiful furnishings, or dine outdoors and enjoy the views.  The resort also offers The Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar & Grill, where you can relax and enjoy the causal menu along with live entertainment on Friday nights, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons.  If you wish to dine in the privacy of your room, you can take pleasure in the in-room dining services.

The Resort at Marina Village Inn is a beautiful resort.  The contemporary design, numerous activities, and gorgeous sites will make for a very relaxing vacation that you’ll want to last forever.

The Luna Maya Quintana is one of our premier vacation properties.  With beautiful powder white beaches, calm surf, and an overall relaxing environment, The Luna Maya Quintana Resort makes for the perfect island getaway.  The resort is located in beautiful Playa Del Carmen.  Playa Del Carmen or “Playa” as it is informally called, is a town in Quintana Roo Mexico, and is located in the east of the Yucatán Peninsula.

Playa Del Carmen began as a small fishing town.  It did not become a popular tourist spot until the passenger ferry service to Cozumel, a popular scuba diving destination, was started. As people passed through Playa Del Carmen on the ferry, they started to realized that it was a nice and quiet place to relax as a getaway from the busy crowds of Cancun, and even had the beautiful beaches and crystal clear water that Cancun offers.

There are 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom units that are located on the 3rd floor.  There is no elevator and it is approximately thirty-five steps to the room.  With a queen-size bed in the master bedroom and two twin-size beds in the second bedroom, the room can sleep up to four people.  The quintessential Mexican-themed unit includes a full kitchen with a microwave, telephone, two TVs with DVD players, washer, dryer, iron, ironing board, heating, air conditioning, ceiling fans and three balconies that provide a spectacular view of the surrounding area.

As for activities at the Luna Maya Quintana Resort, there is a small fitness room onsite and a swimming pool.  Looking to explore Playa Del Carmen on your trip? Travel to Xcaret, the amazing Mayan themed ecological park that is just south of the town.  Quinta Avenuda, or Fifth Avenue in English, is also a must see when visiting Playa Del Carmen.  Less than a five minute drive to 5^th Avenue, 5^th is a lengthy pedestrian walkway located just a block inland from the beach and is lined with hotels, unique shops, bars, and restaurants.

Whether you are looking for an adventurous vacation, or a relaxing vacation, the Luna Maya Quintana resort has what you need.  With many exciting things to do in the area, and a beautiful setting, staying at the Luna Maya Quintana will be an excellent decision.

Snow Ridge Village in Pennsylvania’s famed Pocono Mountains is the ideal spot to connect with nature, whether framed by the majestic snow covered peaks in winter or surrounded by the lush, verdant trees in the spring.

You can experience all that each season offers at this fantastic home away from home. In addition to all of the usual amenities, such as a full kitchen, this property also has a fireplace! The resort also provides free daytime shuttle service to Jack Frost and transport for night skiing to Big Boulder.  Also, take a dip in the swimming pool located at Big Boulder – complimentary pool passes are provided.

Ski the nearby slopes, or enjoy fishing and hiking in quiet serenity at sparkling Lake Harmony. With its awe inspiring beauty and an abundance of year-round activities, it’s no wonder that Snow Ridge Village is one of our most popular destinations.

Looking for an authentic Hawaiian getaway? Hotel Molokai offers an old-Hawaii feel, but with modern conveniences! The beautiful island of Molokai, known as the birth place of hula and called the “Friendly Isle,” is a rural, relaxed paradise boasting the world’s highest sea cliffs and the tallest waterfall in Hawaii.

This home property is located at Kamiloloa Beach, only five minutes from the island’s largest city, Kaunakakai. The oceanfront property resides adjacent to Hawaii’s only barrier reef and is reminiscent of a South Seas-style resort with its Polynesian village of bungalows. Many units offer convenient kitchens with new appliances. High-speed Inernet and cable television are available in each room; an Internet Kiosk is provided in the lobby for guests wishing to leave their laptops at home. There is also a freshwater pool onsite, overlooking the island of Lanai.

Be sure to dine oceanside at Hotel Molokai’s open-air restaurant, Hula Shores, which hosts nightly Hawaiian entertainment. Each week, the weekend begins with Hula Shores’ Aloha Friday Sunset Celebration. Na Kupuna, Hawaiian “aunties” who entertain through music, hula and mana’o (wisdom), share lore, feats and values of island culture. Artisan wares are for sale and a live band plays all evening.

The hotel is also a popular place to plan an exotic nuptial getaway. A wedding site is located in the garden, which abounds with tropical plantings.