Rachel Garrett
Expertise: Experienced traveler with a young and fresh point of view if you are looking for the exotic and also southeast USA, especially Florida. She knows Florida inside-out!
Advice – Although traveling can be challenging on the details side, it’s a wonderful way to create memories and dreams.
Rachel has been to Mexico, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Canada, Hawaii, Tahiti and hundreds of locations all over the US.
One of her favorite places is where she spent her honeymoon recently – the South Pacific/ French Polynesia. She has plenty of ideas for travelers looking for the same.
The South Pacific / French Polynesian Islands offer exotic, gorgeous settings that also are secluded and private, with a very rich and interesting history. Wonderful hotels she recommends are the St. Regis Bora Bora Resort, Moorea Pearl Resort & Spa, and the Radisson Plaza Resort (Papeete) Tahiti.
In Florida, strong recommendations in Hollywood / Ft. Lauderdale for the Hard Rock hotel, the Bahia Mar, and even the more economical Sheraton Yankee Clipper Hotel.
Miami / South Beach recommendation is the Ritz. Same for Naples – the Ritz.
If you’re thinking South Carolina / Hilton Head, Rachel recommends the Villamare villas & condos.
If you’re headed to the Western US, she loves the Stanley hotel in Colorado, which is where the Shining movie was filmed.
In Mexico, she suggests the Marriott in Puerto Vallarta. Marriott for Toronto as well.
She’s been on Celebrity Cruises and loves cruising.
Other favorite places – Maui without a doubt, in part because it is exotic, romantic, beautiful and memorable – but also still USA and somewhat more accessible. She loves to tell people about Haleakal, or the East Maui Volcano, a massive shield volcano that forms more than 75% of the island. In Maui, Rachel recommends Grand Wailea.
Another favorite is South Beach, Florida, and the Delano Hotel. It is the ultimate world-class urban resort and self-contained destination, a cool haven of relaxation in the middle of one of the world’s most vibrant communities…never a dull moment…sushi bar in lobby is awesome, nightlife is endless, alive at all hours.
Favorite thing to do when not traveling: Rachel likes to hang out with her husband and dogs and loves to shop, spend time with her mother and plan her next trip.
Rachel grew up moving about the US with her family, living in such states as Florida, Georgia and Michigan. She also toured many southeastern US states while playing soccer in high school and early college.
Rachel attended Brenau University in northern Georgia and ultimately took a different route. She graduated from William Beaumont Hospital’s Program of Radiologic Technology in Royal Oak, Michigan,
Rachel is an Interventional Radiology technologist with Beaumont Hospital.
When Rachel’s not working, she enjoys traveling with her husband, mother, family and friends.
Alexander T. Garrett
Alexander has been traveling to many US locations and many amazing locations around the world. He has been to Florida, California, New York, Las Vegas, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Canada, Tahiti, Mexico and Italy. His love for travel started at an early age and he continues to explore new destinations every year.
Alexander has been on numerous Royal Caribbean International cruises and has had the privilege of staying at some of the finest resorts in the world – the Ritz in South Beach, Naples, and Palm Beach; in Miami the Sanctuary and the Fairmont Turnberry Isle, and The Breakers Palm Beach.
His most memorable place was on his honeymoon at the St. Regis in Bora Bora. He also has wonderful childhood memories from living at The Wentworth by the Sea in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Alexander loves Las Vegas, is an expert regarding many hotels there and enjoys the Hard rock Hotel, Bahia Mar, Yankee Clipper& Ritz in Miami/Fort Lauderdale.
His travels also include visits to these lovely properties, St. Regis Bora / Bora, Moorea Pearl Moorea, Radisson Papeete, Marriott in Puerto Vallarta and Toronto, Grand Wailea in Maui, Celebrity cruise lines, The Stanley Hotel in Colorado, and Villamare in Hilton head
Alexander Garrett was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, and moved about the US until settling with his family in Rochester, Michigan. He received a BS in Business Administration from Oakland University works for Guardian Insurance Company in Michigan.
Listen to Alexander on the KPAM Portland Travel Show
Heidi, Editor-In-Chief
