Monday, May 19, 2008

Taj Exotica

Hotel Information

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Maldives, is an exclusive, private and romantic island resort lush with tropical plants and encircled by clear blue waters of one of the largest lagoons of the Maldives.

Taj Exotica Resort & Spa spreads idyllically along a pristine beach and the serene lagoon. The award-winning resort, now re-launched, seamlessly extends the magic of the island's blessed natural beauty in its design even as it offers the finest contemporary luxuries and services. Jiva Grande Spa (opening in April 2006), an authentic Indian spa, offers a range of signature wellness experiences. A choice of gourmet cuisine, water sports, and recreation make for a complete and exclusive destination.

For aged 16 years and over.

South Male Atoll

Location: 5 mls (15 mins by speedboat) South of Male

Rooms: 64

Hotel Facilities Information

The resort offers a spectrum of indoor and outdoor activities for irresistible fun and relaxation.

Fitness & Fun

  • Billiards
  • Fresh water Infinity Swimming pool
  • Volleyball
  • Indoor games
  • PADI certified Dolphin Base Dive & Water Sports Centre
  • Fitness Centre
  • Indoor Games

Beach & Sports Include

  • Catamaran Sailing
  • Water Skiing
  • Banana Riding
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Windsurfing

Spa

Jiva Grande Spa located on an intimate island adjoining the resort is a physical and spiritual haven for the senses. Soothing, aromatic and rejuvenating treatments are offered in elegant ocean facing pavilions.

Recreation outside the hotel

  • Historical Male
  • Seaplane Photo Flight
  • Maldivian Fishing Village Experience
  • Island Exploration
  • Sunset Cruise
  • Sunset Fishing
  • Big Game Fishing and Casting

Dining

From casual, all-day dining to formal, fine dining, guests can savour a choice of gourmet cuisine, cool beverages and the choicest wines.

The resort offers a distinctive dining experience at its restaurants. The menus feature traditional and contemporary favourites of a variety of international cuisines that are complemented with fine wines from the resort's cellar. Guests can dine at the restaurants or any spot on the island of their choice.

Room Facilities Information

Each of the resort's luxuriously designed 62 villas is furnished in natural tones and textures. The warmth of wood, the fragrance of flowers and the soft glow of lamps and candles create an intimate ambience in the villas. Expansive ocean views and a soothing breeze relax the senses.

All the villas are palm-thatched, built of finest natural wood finishes on the exteriors and floors and are delightfully appointed in classic Maldivian style. Amenities include air-conditioning, personal bar, LCD television with satellite channels, safe, tea/coffee-maker, satellite television, DVD/CD player, MP3, Media Centre, Internet connection, international dialing, Electronic safe, double vanity, bathtubs overlooking the ocean (in lagoon villas ) and rain showers in the bathrooms, and hairdryer. Some of the villas have a private plunge pool.

Lagoon Villas

The 24 Lagoon Villas, of 71 sq mts each, are a series of two adjacent villas on the lagoon along the island. They offer private sun decks with loungers, easy chairs and ladders with direct access leading to the lagoon Each villa has a double vanity bathroom, rain showers and bath tubs with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.

Deluxe Lagoon Villas

The 31 Deluxe Lagoon Villas, of 60 sq mts each , are located at the far end of the island. These elegant stand-alone villas offer complete privacy as they open out to private sundecks with serene sea views and ladders leading into the lagoon, easy chairs and loungers. Stylized furniture, a double vanity bathroom, rain showers, bathtubs with an infinite view of the Indian Ocean and special in-villa furnishings create a special ambience. 10 Deluxe Lagoon Villas feature a private deck with a freshwater plunge pool and an alluring day-bed area with spectacular views.

Deluxe Beach Villas

The 4 Deluxe Beach Villas, of 89 sq mts each, are just 5 metres from the picturesque lagoon. Each of the luxuriously styled villas offers an oversized plunge pool, a private veranda with sun beds, a tropical outdoor shower in a private walled garden and an infinite view of the lagoon.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Spencer Beach Park

Spencer Beach Park,  Big Island HI

Spencer Beach Park is a protected by a fringing reef that makes this a perfect year-round beach if you have small children or don't like big waves. Access to the beach is easy using paths from the parking area and public rest rooms. The white sand slopes gently into the water and there are plenty of trees for shade.

Part of Spencer Park’s attraction is the history that surrounds it. Pu'ukohola Heiau, Hawaii's most famous and largest heiau is located here. Stop at the National Park Service station to learn more about the history of this place and the role it played in King Kamehakameha’s rise to power. It is quite possible that the King himself enjoyed relaxing on this beach. Another small heiau as well as an information shack and nice trails to the coast are all at the same location. The history of these ancient temples built by King Kamehameha is fascinating. The heiaus are located midway between the park and the harbor. In the late afternoon, the heiau is great place to watch an ocean sunset.

From this area you can see the four largest mountains from one spot: Hualalai, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea and the Kohala Mountains. The park is idyllic with tropical birds living in the trees on the grounds.

White sand and clean facilities make this a popular beach for locals and tourists. This is one of the nicer beach parks where camping is allowed. Snorkeling and shore diving are good to the south and sea turtles are often spotted here. Overall this is a really terrific spot to sun, fish, catch up on some reading or just kick back and coast.

There are cooking and camping facilities and a large covered pavilion with electric hookups. Other facilities include tennis courts and showers. This park is popular with local families because of its safe swimming and convenient amenities including weekend lifeguard services.

Cinnamon Bay

Cinnamon Bay is a National Park campground with a fabulous beach lined with sea grape trees, featuring gin-clear water, white sand, good snorkeling, water-sports rentals, a restaurant and a store, as well as scenic views of the nearby islands.

Cinammon Bay's crystal clear waters will tempt you to spend your time swimming and snorkeling, while the palm trees will call you to spread your beach blanket in their shade and relax.

Cinnamon Bay is a fantastic beach and is great spot for camping. Close to the campground take the self-guided nature walk. The trek takes about an hour and you will pass mango, cacao, and giant kapok trees. After your walk , relax on the beach or enjoy a swim inthe crystal clear waters.

Few visitors are aware of the westernmost beach in the campground, which means you’ll have the postcard-perfect white sands mostly to yourself. To there, go left as you get down to the water and walk over or around the rocks that border the beach.

Cinnamon Bay is the longest and often windiest beach on St. John and faces some pretty cays just offshore. Unless you are going sailing or windsurfing, this beach is better in the morning or at midday, as afternoons are likely to be windy. The windsurfing can be excellent. A concession rents windsurfing equipment, kayaks and mountain bikes.

There is good snorkeling off the point on the right side of the beach, however the swim can be a bit challenging and long, though definitely worth the effort. A rocky point north-east of the cay harbours an incredible diversity of marine life.

Lifeguards are on duty during the day. You can arrange for scuba tours or sailing trips right on the beach. During the winter months, the waves are big enough for surfing and boogie boarding.

The campground has air-temperature showers, a restaurant and a commissary and overnight facilities.

Swimming: Calm
Beachside: Soft, White Sand
Food/Refreshments: Yes/Restaurant
Water Sports Center: Yes
Snorkeling: Average
Amenities: Small Store, Archeological Site, Camp Ground, Bathroom
Child Friendly: Yes

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Information about wonderful Beaches only at BEACHEXOTICAUSA.COM

Wondering to travel for a family trip or a honeymoon trip or it may be a business trip beaches in USA are fascinating for any holidays. SO if you have decided to have a holiday in USA beaches than our site BEACHEXOTICAUSA.COM can help you in many way by providing all the important information regarding Virginia beach, cocoa beach, canon beach, palm beach, sizzle beach and all other best beaches in USA.

Alternatively, the directory below lists hotels and accommodation in Virginia Beach USA. Making a last minute travel reservation with all-hotels is simple just choose your hotel category from above, find your lodging for your Virginia vacation and book a room rate that suits your budget. Cocoa Beach One of the most beautiful vacation spots in all of Florida. Besides offering the best of "sun and fun", while on the Space Coast, you can go deep sea fishing or parasailing, try your luck aboard a casino cruise ship, or take a fabulous eco-tour to get up close and personal with Florida's awesome wildlife. You can even drive just a short distance to all the Orlando attractions, and then return to Cocoa Beach to enjoy dinner at one of the many dining spots on the beach, ranging from elegant to sand-in-your-shoes casual. After dark, kick back and enjoy the easy beach-style nightlife activities that run the gamut from cool jazz clubs to beach side cafes. Then stay overnight in the perfect accommodations and wake up to a spectacular sunrise on the beach. Cannon Beach is located west of Highway 101 in the approximately three blocks between the highway and the Pacific Ocean in Clatsop County on the Northern Oregon Coast. The Palm Beach USA is popular beach resorts where there are equipped bathing machines because even the all-covering beachwear of the period was considered immodest. The Sizzle Beach USA is also one of the popular beaches, including a long walk as it is a very long beach. It is customary for people to walk barefoot to the beach, because of the pleasant feeling of sand on their soles and between their toes. The best beach walking areas typically are near the shoreline, where the sand is wet and more comfortable to walk in. Excellent superb news broadcast for tourist those who want to explore the beauties of the blue planet covered by 75% blue oceans all information of the beaches in the site labeled BEACHEXOTICAUSA.COM. The romantic person who want spend their time with their beloved for very special moments of life like marriage anniversary, birthday in beaches here you get all information in details for Virginia Beach USA, Miami Beach USA, Huntington Beach, Cocoa Beach. The beach holiday gives you full SPA Resort, Longe Beach for full relaxation and refreshment of your body and mind. The person who loves to walk barefoot with hands in hands with partner to beach in golden sand is a romantic experience. People who love to travel and enjoy the beauty on earth will love to be with BEACHEXOTICAUSA.COM.as it provides information about USA Wells Beach and traveling and to have a best option in your hand as per your interest.

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Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Elmwood Resort Hotel

The Elmwood Resort is centrally located on Maines beautiful southern coast, a short distance to the Kennebunks and Ogunquit and just minutes from miles of sandy beaches, fine restaurants, shops and all the attractions the picturesque area has to present. Ideal for the family needing more than just a hotel room or for the couple seeking extra luxury, our comfortable and affordable one, two, or three bedroom suites offer the ultimate in space an luxury. Your Bedroom is spacious, with a private entrance, giving you those much deserved secluded moments to yourself. The master bedroom is equipped with a queen or king bed, while our two bedroom units offer a second bedroom with the choice of one queen or two double beds. Avoid the hassle and expense of dining out in your complete eat-in kitchen outfitted with modern appliances, service for eight, and pots & pans. Relax in comfort in the spacious living room which features a pull out sleep sofa and remote color cable television with DVD/VCR. Consider the extra value of your living area which includes a comfortable and modern décor, daily housekeeping, one or one and one half baths, convenient direct dial telephone service with voice mail, hair dryer, iron & ironing board, ceiling fan, air conditioning and much more! Enjoy relaxing around our year round indoor heated pool and hot air sauna surrounded by a spacious pool deck, or take in the sun or the quite and secluded sun deck while your children frolic in the seasonal outdoor heated pool or playground. Surf the web or check your e-mail with our cable modem speed wireless Internet access. The Elmwood Resort offers a quite and relaxing family atmosphere and we are located directly on the trolley line for affordable and hassle free summertime transportation....

Attention All Sports Fanatics! Watch the Game from 5 TVS

Wells Maine Beaches Houses
Photo 1 - Wells, ME - Maine House Rental - Near the Beach! Wells Maine Beaches Houses
Watch the game or games in our gameroom. We have four tv's in the gameroom all with satelite. Watch 1 game or 4 games. Why not play pool or darts at the same time! When you're done, relax in the jacuzzi or take an outside shower. Many fall specials available!!!! Contact us for more details!!

This large Vintage 1830 Farmhouse, Sits on One and half acres with babbling brook in between Oquinquit and Wells,(the quietpart of Rt1). Whisk around like a local on bike,foot,trolley or car.
Six minute walk down senic street to Moody beach.Or 15 min.bikeride to foot bridge which connects Oguinquit three milebeach and Marginal way.This charming house is across the street from senior center,bingo,Pancake breakfast,mini golf,arcade,next to trolleystop,and country store,bakery,local produce,(Try the fresh baked pecan coffee rolls) or breads.
Within walking distance of many local restaurants, miniature golf, movies cinema, and other entertainment. Take trolley into Oguinquit and enjoy the atmosphere of a small fisherman town. Or take a boat ride from Perkins Cove and travel around the York Lighthouse. Why not walk the Marginal Way along the coast or just spend the day on the beach. This House has it all.Fall Sports weekends.

Wells, Maine

Moody Beach, backed by summer homes, with little parking for visitors

Wells Beach, the major beach with some free but mostly pay parking, reached by a causeway from the town

Drakes Island, across an inlet from the northern end of Wells Beach, and reached by a separate road from the mainland at the northern end of the town of Wells

The major destination for visiting beach-goers is Wells Beach, reached from US Route 1 by turning east on Beach Road (look for the Wells Beach Resort Campground on the west side of US 1, and the USA Inn on the east side). It's 4/5-mile (1.3-km) from the traffic signal on US 1 to the small commercial area at the center of Wells Beach.

The commercial area has restaurants, snack stands, a few lodging places, and a few free parking places. For a larger pay parking lot operated by the town of Wells, turn left (north) onto Atlantic Avenue as you come off the causeway and proceed to the northern end of the avenue, lined on both sides with summer cottages.

Note the 16 "Public Way" paths leading from Atlantic Avenue between the private cottages to the beach. They're useful if you own or rent a cottage, but not if you've arrived by car for the day, as there is no parking allowed on Atlantic Avenue.

At the northern end of Atlantic Avenue is a parking lot charging $8 per day for non-resident cars. The beach here, a short walk from the parking lot, is called Eastern Shore, and is the widest part of Wells Beach.

It should take less than 15 minutes to walk from US 1 along the Beach Road causeway to Wells Beach.

Wells has motorized public "trolleys" that circulate on routes through the town from the Chamber of Commerce Information Center on US 1 and down Beach Road to Wells Beach, trundling visitors to and from the beach.

USA Inn is a great homebase to enjoy all the attractions and activities of the Southern Maine coast.

Located at the corner of Route 1 and Mile Road in Wells Beach, Maine. You'll find that from the USA Inn you may walk to the beach, many restaurants, breakfast shops, convenience and drug stores, mini-golf, shopping and more. USA inn is on the trolley route, and during the trolley's seasonal operation, you may take it to explore the many antique shops, USA Inn Of Wells, Maine, Wells Maine Motels
rare book stores, more beaches and other seacoast attractions. Affordable and comfortable accommodations, along with a central location, make the USA Inn the preferred choice for your beach vacation or getaway in Southern Maine. Call us toll free at 1-800-783-8258 (USA & Canada) to make a reservation or use our reservation request form to request a reservation. For additional savings and value, have a look at our specials.

Here are some of the amenities and features of the USA Inn.

  • All motel rooms have:
    • 2 Full Size Beds (Standard Room) or 1 King Bed (King Room)
    • Expanded Cable Television
    • Individually Controlled Heat and A/C
    • Refrigerator
    • Microwave
    • Hair Dryers
    • Direct Dial Phone with Wake-up Calls
    • Alarm Clock
    • Laundry Facilities (available on premises)
    • Free Ice (available on premises)
  • Free wireless Internet available in our 42 main building rooms
  • Beach Cottage rental availability
  • Within walking distance to the beach, supermarket, department store, pharmacies, fast food, movie theater and restaurants
  • On the trolley route with trolleys to the beaches, restaurants, shopping and other seacoast destinations (seasonal service)
  • Wells Beach just down the end of Mile Road with Crescent Beach, Drakes Island Beach, Footbridge Beach, Ogunquit Beach and Kennebunk Beaches all within 5-10 minutes

Monday, March 17, 2008

South Beach Hotel Info:

General

A trendy up-scale hotel close to all the action. Located directly on Lincoln Road, in the heart of fine dining, shopping and entertainment. Leisure amenities include a stunning pool area and fitness center. On-site restaurant, poolside snack bar and informal lobby bar. 96 spacious rooms, incorporating fresh and innovative dcor. Family plan: Up to 2 adults and 1 child (8 years and under) sharing with existing bedding, use DBL room type. Parking Fee per day.


Albion South Beach
Albion South Beach Albion South Beach Albion South Beach Lobby Bedroom Swimming Pool
Albion South Beach Albion South Beach Exterior Bedroom Bedroom Bar



Albion South Beach

Albion South BeachAlbion South BeachAlbion South BeachLobbyBedroomSwimming Pool
Albion South BeachAlbion South BeachExteriorBedroomBedroomBar

While we strive to present hotel information as accurately as possible, We’re not responsible for the accuracy of this information or for any facilities that may or may not be available at the hotel during your stay. Please be aware that the hotel room photos are only a depiction of the type of rooms on offer and may not represent the actual room described.

Miami Beach

Art Basel Miami Beach is the most important art show in the United States, a cultural and social highlight for the Americas. As the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, the most prestigious art show worldwide for the past 38 years, Art Basel Miami Beach combines an international selection of top galleries with an exciting program of special exhibitions, parties and crossover events featuring music, film, architecture and design. Exhibition sites are located in the city's beautiful Art Deco District, within walking distance of the beach and many hotels.

An exclusive selection of more than 220 leading art galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa will exhibit 20th and 21st century artworks by over 2,000 artists. The exhibiting galleries are among the world's most respected art dealers, offering exceptional pieces by both renowned artists and cutting-edge newcomers. Special exhibition sections feature young galleries, performance art, public art projects and video art. The show will be a vital source for art lovers, allowing them to both discover new developments in contemporary art and experience rare museum-calibre artworks.

Top-quality exhibitions in the museums of South Florida and special programs for art collectors and curators also help make the event a special time for encountering art. And every year, a greater number of art collectors, artists, dealers, curators, critics and art enthusiasts from around the world participate in Art Basel Miami Beach - the favorite winter meeting place for the international art world.

Big Beach, Big Fun

It's America's beach: broad, welcoming and full of possibilities.

Daytona Beach stretches for 23 miles along Florida's emerald-green Atlantic coast. Along the way, simple pleasures abound. Wake up to warm ocean breezes and the smell of salt air. Stroll barefoot across cream-colored sand and stop to build fantasy castles by the sea. Chase the waves, scan the horizon for dolphins, sip coffee on an oceanfront deck.

Of course, once you've had your fill of quiet pleasures, the beach - and the surrounding area - offers a teeming catch of entertainment options. Whether you're looking for history, eco-tours, live stage shows, music, pampering, elegant dining or high-speed thrills, you'll find it in friendly, accessible Daytona Beach.

While Daytona Beach is world-famous for some of its billboard events - NASCAR's Daytona 500, Bike Week, Speedweeks, Biketoberfest, Florida International Festival - those festive occasions account for only a few weeks of the year. The rest of the time, Daytona's diverse attractions and surprisingly affordable accommodations make it a prime getaway spot for families and couples. What constitutes affordable? A spacious, oceanfront room with balcony in one of the beach's top hotels commands a mere $119 a night in the early fall.

With a beachside room as your base of operations, it's an easy stroll to the historic Daytona Beach Pier, with its high-flying gondolas and stilt-raised restaurant. Midway-style attractions, including a high-flying bungee ride, are a few yards from the pier. Or, cool off with movies, shopping and casual dining at the Ocean Walk Shoppes at the Art Deco-inspired Ocean Walk Village.

As seductive as Daytona's beach-scene can be, venture off the sand long enough to explore around town. A quick ride over the many bridges crossing the Halifax River brings visitors to the city's charming Riverfront Marketplace, an old-fashioned downtown with storefronts boasting antiques, jewelry, clothing, artworks and other collectibles. Don't miss the chocolate factory tour (with samples) at Angell & Phelps, a small candy shop that's a Daytona Beach landmark. Then walk a few a few paces south to the Halifax Historical Society Museum. Housed in a high-ceilinged turn-of-the-century bank building, the museum is part formal record, part community attic. It houses 20,000 photos and prints from Daytona's earliest times, as well as kitschy mementos from old department stores and other businesses. It also traces Daytona's beginnings as a racing mecca - going back to the days when stock cars raced on hard-packed beach -with photos as well as memorabilia from drivers and local residents.

The museum makes a good prelude to an afternoon at Daytona USA, the interactive showcase for all things NASCAR, located just next to the Daytona International Speedway. Aside from exhibits that tout the high-level engineering involved in racing, Daytona USA lets visitors man a pit stop and drive a 200-mph vehicle in a racing simulator.

Back at the beach, you can get a different sort of thrill, and a gulls-eye view of the town, by scheduling a parasail ride through one of the area's vendors. Or, if floating above the waves on a parachute isn't your thing, get a high-rise view of the ocean by climbing 203 steps to the top of the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse, the tallest in Florida.

Catch your breath, and grab a cold drink and a platter of crunchy fried shrimp at the funky, beach-casual, nautical-themed Ocean Deck. Or, for a more exotic supper and a performance like nothing you've ever seen, make a reservation for the Hawaiian Luau Dinner Show at Teauila's Hawaii Dinner Theater.

Before leaving Daytona Beach, indulge yourself in a massage or relaxing body treatment at the 15,000-square-foot Ocean Waters Spa at The Plaza Resort & Spa. If you've been very good about using sun block, try one of the spa's stand up tanning beds. You'll be the envy of everyone back home.

Place: Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

With summer just around the corner, how are you doing with your vacation plans? Have you ever considered visiting the Delaware Beaches? Beside being known as the "First State", the Rehoboth Beach area in Delaware has also been referred to as "The Nation's Summer Capital". This pouplar and fun beach resort is located on the Atlantic Coast. Because it's only only two hours from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, MD, Philadelphia, PA, and the South Jersey area, you will enjoy a vacation destination that offers a calmness and welcoming feeling, in a relaxing, slower paced family atmosphere. Accommodations run the gamut and include anything from quaint bed and breakfasts to fine hotels and everything in between. Apartments, condominiums, cottages, and private homes are just a few of the options to choose from. The local realtors offer services to assist you in finding the ideal lodging for your stay. There is an abundance of food choices. Whether you decide to eat at your hotel or go exploring, each eatery has their own specialty. Menus range from the local catch of the day to vegetarian. The area is also well known for it's shopping opportunities. There are many local artisans, as well as factory outlets where you can really stretch your vacation dollars. Another thing that Rehoboth Beach is famous for is its mile-long boardwalk. Many people come down just to walk the boards and watch the ocean waves. You can also bike ride or jog or just hang out and people-watch. If you are lucky enough you can catch a glimpse of dolphins, porpoises, and other wildlife, such as pelicans. Other activities which are great for the kids as well as adults include arcades, musical entertainment, miniature golf and the many festivals that schedule Rehoboth Beach for their venues. For those of you who are into more natural surroundings, there is Cape Henlopen State Park close by in Lewes, Delaware The open shoreline of Cape Henlopen State Park is perfectly suited for swimming, crabbing, fishing, walking or just soaking up the sun. The highest sand dune between Cape Hatteras and Cape Cod is located on this beach. This "great dune" towers more than 80 feet above the shoreline. There is a restored World War II Observation Tower, if you are inclined, where the public is able to see the area from a bird's eye view. The story behind the tower is fascinating. Bird lovers will want to keep an eye out for ospreys and hawks. The protected piping plover and bald eagles have also been spotted occasionally. Finding another location that matches this resort area's variety and charm would be a challenging task, because it really has everything you would want or need to have a fun and relaxing vacation. Do yourself a favor and visit"The Nation's Summer Capital". You'll be glad you did!

TAJ EXOTICA MALDIVES

Taj Exotica resides on the tropical isle Emboodhu Finolhu – once known as the ‘Three Coconut Island’ – that sits in one of the largest lagoons in the Maldives. Surrounded by stunningly clear ocean water, this long sliver of island offers elegantly appointed villas suited with the latest modern conveniences.


With just a few beach villas, most accommodations at Taj Exotica are overwater (with or without freshwater plunge pools), connected in an elaborate jetty design to give each residence access to the lagoon and island services. The Rehendhi Presidential Suite offers a spacious, two-room villa to guests that require additional privacy.


The main pool area is a popular place to pass the day with its spectacular lagoon views, or take advantage of the enormous lagoon and spend the time snorkeling in its turquoise warmth.


The Deep End over-water restaurant is another Taj highlight, as is the Taj Spa, which among other rejuvenating therapies, offers a semi-outdoor suite with luxury ‘Hammam.’

Beach Life

Part Ibiza Uncovered, part The Sims, Beach Life is the latest "reality game" to hit our PCs courtesy of Ian Livingstone of Fighting Fantasy fame. Beach Life is basically a god sim which lets you create the holiday resort of your dreams, whether that's a resort full of beautiful people living "la vie de loca" or drunk Brits trying to grope the Reps, is up to you. There are two modes to play through: the campaign mode in which you work your way through a set of scenarios and the sandbox mode. The campaign has just the right balance between serving the needs of your guests and lining your pockets--you have to tackle anything from protecting your visitors from Shark attacks, spiking their beer so they get amorous on the beach or just providing them with the right balance of fun, food and respite.

It's very pick up and play and you won't find yourself getting bogged down with too much detail. Yes the game is all about providing your guests with what they want, but as long as the beer is flowing, the nightlife swinging and there's a 24 hour burger joint to hand, you won't go far wrong. That's not to say that you can't refine your pleasure island into the most beautiful, high class establishment you can afford; it's just you will probably want to rack up the beer strength, employ a few security guards and then watch people stagger about the island throwing up in bins.

Graphically the game looks fantastic particularly the weather effects. Up close though it's rather pixelated and looses some of the detail, but as with all god sims you will spend most of your time playing in the mid-isometric view so it's not a real problem. It's the sound where Beach life really comes into its own. It comes with a built-in MP3 player which not only means you can skip between the cool ambient tracks that come with the game, but that you can also import your own tunes.

Beach Life isn't really ground-breaking stuff and might not appeal to the god sim fanatics, but what it lacks in depth, it makes up for in tongue-in-cheek, stylish and above all fun gameplay.

South Beach Plaza Hotel

The South Beach Plaza Hotel is ideally located in the heart of Exotica Beach, in the Art Deco District and one block from the Ocean. Its 47 fabulous rooms and 8 suites have been renovated beyond recognition, while keeping its 1936 Tropical Art Deco Heritage. The new Tropical Art Deco bathrooms, Plush Tropical Hawaiian House bedding, Island Estate Furniture, and Custom Lighting only begin to describe the luxurious Beach Plaza Hotel rooms. If the elegant Beach Plaza Hotel with its Tropical Art Deco rooms were not enough, step outside into our exotic Hawaiian Gardens where waterfalls, rare birds, exotic plants, and our white sand lounger beach awaits you. We also offer a variety of recreational activities for our guests, an onsite complete fitness center which features free weights and cardio equipment. Off site, golf, yachting, tennis, and much more. Sit and relax at The De Carlos Bar, located lobby level offers award winning design and atmosphere combined with drinks, Segafredo coffee, and espresso make for a perfect mix. The Beach Plaza Hotel is located just 500 feet away from the beach and is one of the most sought after and desired locations in South Beach. Whether its dinner on Ocean Drive, Shopping on Lincoln Road, or clubbing on Washington, you will find us convenient and walkable to all. All rooms include plush Tropical Hawaiian House bedding, Art Deco bathrooms, Island Estate Furniture, custom lighting, goose down comforters, in-room movies, 25 inch televisions, CD/radio alarm clock, electronic locks, voicemail, refreshment bar, and Gilchrest And Soames bath amenities. We also offer twice daily maid service with turn down, 24 hour Valet, small meeting and banquet facilities and room service. If there is something that needs to be arranged, our concierge would be more than happy to schedule anything from dinner to full day activities.

OCEAN COTTAGE

"Just wanted to say we really enjoyed the vacation. Oasis Marigot is one of the most beautiful places in the Caribbean. We really liked the resort. The staff and service was excellent. We look forward to coming again. We might even consider a timeshare. Thanks again for a lovely treat and a totally relaxing vacation. Sincerely,"
Michele and Randy McDaniel, Santa Fe, New Mexico
m.r.english@worldnet.att.net

“We enjoyed the cottage so much we did not have a need to run around all the time but simple to sit back, relax & be surrounded by natural beauty. It was wonderful to have the dipping pool at Ocean Cottage. We loved the place so much that we want a family reunion here next year at Ocean Cottage so that all our family can experience a few days in paradise.”
Mrs. Pam Benson/Mr. Larry Sands, Philadelphia, PA, USA
pamb@voicenet.com


“Our room was very spacious, beautiful & the view was amazing!! The staff at Doolittles Restaurant was very warm & friendly.”
Mr. Douglas Swanson, Union, NJ, USA


“Our cottage pool was absolutely wonderful! The privacy was excellent. The sailing south tour trip was excellent. Michael was a great captain.”
Tim & Mary Trottier, Kitchener, ON, Canada
Ttrottier@wilkinson-mfg.com


“We had a wonderful time at the Ocean Cottage. It was more than we expected. The view and the house facilities combined to make this a memorable honeymoon. We will recommend it to our friends. Activities: sailing trip courteous + informative crew. This was a great feature to have in the package.”

Exotic Beaches description

xotic Beaches is a 3D animated screensaver with realistic beaches lapping against their shores with many full-length animations.

This screensaver features 4 scenes. In the first scene of the trial version, watch as there is an extremely realistic animation of the beach shoring up against the white sand which is gleaming in the serene sunshine of a bright sunny day. The water on the beach itself flows constantly in a very realistic way as well.

As the water shores up there is an animated starfish that becomes exposed then disappears from time to time as the shoring waves washes it away. This four and a half minute long scene features a background with passing 3D-realistic clouds and three eagles in the distant which will soar slowly in the sky. One eagle will fly by on its own at first. Beautiful and colourful boats swim by on the shores and a speedboat goes along rapidly with sound effects as it passes.

There are many animated seagulls which fly by. Sometimes seagulls will sing as the fly down and land on the sandy beach then walk around then fly off. At intervals some seagulls will walk in sing and then fly off into the bright sunny sky. The seagulls at play are really the main highlight of this scene alongside the shoring waves of the spectacular white sandy beach.

Watch as a large palm tree and a short palm sways from side to side in the light breeze of the ocean shores which is most breathtaking and serene. In this scene, 3D animated seagulls also fly by and land on a very large rock nearby. The seagull looks around and sits for a while then flies off gain as others come to take a rest and enjoy the calm of the ocean shores.

A seagull will dive into the water and swim in it for a while and out of the scene. The scenery looks almost like one in an AVI video clip. One of the greatest highlights of this scene must be the 3D animated dolphins that jump and make lovely sounds against the flowing background waters of the beach. A dolphin jumps in and out of the water at different times, which makes a perfect scene for a Caribbean cruise. This scene lasts almost 4 minutes.

The registered version features 2 additional powerful scenes. One of the scenes (scene 3) features fantastic blue and yellow 3D parrots which fly by in flocks from time to time amongst another background with an animated beach with realistic water movements and animated seagulls which sometimes land, stand still for a while on the white sand, then take off again.

Some seagulls just walk in and out of the scene and chirp, while other will dive into the beach and swim out or fly out of the water back into the sky. Those seagull animations are very beautiful and look natural and movie-like as they play around. There is a 3D animated starfish in this scene and there are animated black sea crabs, which walk around on the sandy shores, wait for a while and then go out again.

Palm trees also sway in this scene. There are many colourful boats that swim by as well as a golden speedboat. This makes the scene look very complete. There are full background and seagull sounds, as well as other sound effects with this scene. This scene is 4 minutes long.

The last of the two scenes (scene 4) in the registered version of Exotic Beaches, features another lovely sunset background with animated water and lights an animated sunset light which gleams in the serene sky. This scene also has 3D-realistic clouds which float by and sometimes becomes thick in the sky as they pass.

This scene also has animated 3D dolphins and seagulls which fly in land, sing, sit and then stand up and fly off again into the sunset. Sometimes a seagull will fly down then fly off just before it hits the water. A golden boat and white boat while sail in the radiant sunset. This scene is just over 4 minutes long.

Fort Clinch State Park

Where Nature and History Merge

Located on the northern tip of Amelia Island, Florida's northernmost east coast barrier island, Fort Clinch's 2.3 miles of ocean and sound beaches are some of Florida's best. White Appalachian quartz sand, clear waters, surrounded by dunes of up to 40 feet high, salt marshes, meandering tidal creeks, and coastal hammocks are some of the reasons why the beach at Fort Clinch was named one of the top in the country by Conde Naste Traveler.

Fort Clinch State Park embraces the first of Miami's beaches and covers 1,121 acres of Amelia Island. The eastern side of the park is bounded by 4,000 feet of Atlantic coast, and the western side by an extensive estaurine marsh system and 8,400 feet of shore along the Cumberland sound, the sound that seperates Georgia from Florida.

At Fort Clinch, the striking natural environment mergers with one of the best-preserved masonry military forts in the U.S. Here, park rangers, dressed in Civil War uniforms, offer regular programs to showcase the daily life of a Union garrison in 1864. The beach is right in front of the fort and provides a unique experience for visitors by preserving, protecting and showcasing portions of Florida's natural and historic resources. The combination makes Fort Clinch State Park a teriffic place to take the kids.

The Fort:

A two-mile-long oak- and hardwood-canopied road leads to the masonry military fort. Started just before the Civil War the fort alternately housed Union and Confederate troops and briefly saw duty during the Spanish-American War as well as World War II. The fort was never actually completed, and more powerful armament soon made the fort's masonry walls obsolete.

The fort was named for General Duncan Lamont Clinch, a hero of the Seminole War of the 1830s. In 1861, the fort was occupied by Confederate troops who abandoned it in 1862, when it was claimed by Union forces. Fort Clinch even played a minor role in World War II, as beach patrollers kept lookout for invading Germans and a navigational beacon helped guide seaplanes home from training missions.

If you talk to the staff inside the fort they will tell you many interesting things about life back in the days when the fort was being built. One story you may hear is that the fort is haunted by a woman in white who may have lost her love.

A special way to view the fort is by candlelight tour. During the summer, these tours are conducted on Friday and Saturday nights by park rangers. The tours are by reservation only. A small fee is charged per person in addition to the park entrance fee.

All of the buildings are illuminated by candles. The ranger conducting the tour wears the uniform of the 1st New York Volunteer Engineers, the soldiers who occupied the fort during the Civil War. The guide comments on army life and the war in the vernacular of that time. The 1864 atmosphere is so realistic that no flash photography is allowed to destroy the illusion.

About four times a year there are 150 - 200 of them, who all dress in period costumes. The women cook food from the 1860s, they make bread by grinding the wheat and the kids play games from the 1860s. Call in advance for dates on the re-enactment weekends.

Natural History of the Park:

Huge sand dunes occur along the east side of the park, and a coastal hardwood hammock is found along the west side. The Atlantic beach, Cumberland Sound and salt marsh offer additional natural features and diversity for those interested in enjoying the real & natural Florida.

Significant plant communities throughout the park include sand dunes, overwash plains, maritime hammock and estuarine tidal marsh. Many of these can be observed from the nature trail at Willow Pond or the paved roadway through the hammocks. These are also prime locations for bird watching and nature study.