Travel Advisor

Advisor - Susan Anderson

Susan Anderson

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Expertise

  • Alaska,
  • Maldives,
  • Colorado,
  • Luxury Travel,
  • Europe,
  • Australia,
  • Africa,
  • Asia,
  • Iceland,
  • Off-the-Beaten Path Travel,
  • Tropical Vacations

Profile details

About

Curious about the world, other cultures and history. I travel several months a year exploring new places with my husband, children and grandchildren. I have been to 124 countries. We reside in CO and AK.

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Travel style

I pick a few new countries to explore and an itinerary to follow. I like to spend time getting to know each country — there's so much to experience and learn about! I love serendipity along the way. We end our travels of staying in boutique hotels and small inns/B&Bs with a few weeks relaxing on an island, or two. We have been to most island groups in the world and now are planning our eighth trip to the Maldives luxury travel at its finest! We have stayed in 16 Maldivian Resorts thus far. We also enjoy adventuring with our grandchildren and children. The world is a classroom and we also traveled for months at a time with our four children growing up. A few of my fondest recent memories are our self drive around Namibia, driving around Kyushu in rural Japan (including Yakushima), staying in the romantic Onsens, hiking in the Sapa area of Northern Vietnam, exploring the Lofoten Islands, island hopping in the South Pacific, snorkeling in Indonesia and the Maldives, taking the Indian Pacific train across Australia and exploring Nepal, Peru, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Norway and France. I love to share the joy of travel with others!

Susan's travel guides & trip reports

a row of bungalows over turquoise water
Guide

The Mesmerizing Maldives: An Insider's Guide

My husband and I first journeyed to the Maldives 12 years ago and like so many others we found ourselves drawn back over and over again - I have heard it referred to "Maldivitus". We are currently...
mountain with trees during sunset
Guide

3-Day Guide to Year-Round Fun in Breckenridge, Colorado

Breckenridge is one of the coolest ski towns in the US and has the added benefit of over 300 days of sun a year! Our family has stayed at many other ski resorts on family vacations but Breckenridge...
a solitary cabin on a grassy meadow in front of snowy peaks
Guide

4-Day Itinerary in Seward: Alaska's Gateway to the Kenai Fjords

Seward is a rare gem, a hard working scenic fishing town tucked in between the majestic Chugach Mountain Range and the massive Harding Icefield, an endless expanse of white and blue glacial ice. Our ...
tents colorful
Trip Report

The St Regis in the Middle of Lhasa Tibet is Impressive

There are many spaces throughout the hotel to cozy up and read or just visit with others. It is a hotel that you could happily spend days at and never leave, but sightseeing calls!
bedroom for a romantic night out
Trip Report

Jaya House is An Amazing Find in Siem Reap Cambodia

My husband and I spent 3 days at this lovely boutique hotel in a quiet part of Siem Reap and we loved every minute.  
A piece of art
Trip Report

Hilton Garden Inn, Stunning New Upscale Hotel in Torshavn, Faroe Islands

My husband and I really enjoyed the Faroe Islands. We ended up spending six nights at the Hilton Garden Inn in the capital of Torshavn and exploring from there, which worked out great! We spent one...
view of beach
Trip Report

Stunning and Stylish Lombok Lodge is Simply the Best on Lombok

What a find! My husband and I really enjoyed our stay here. Lombok Lodge sets the standard high so it is ideal as a "save the best for last" booking at the end of your holiday.
tropical heaven
Trip Report

The Kayon Jungle Resort in Ubud Bali has the Wow Factor at Every Turn

This is a very special hotel. It is tucked into the lush emerald green jungle and gives you the feeling of utter relaxation and pampering. We greatly enjoyed our 4-night stay.
beach side
Trip Report

Resort Review: Ayada Resort, Maldives

We were in Sunset Beach Villa # 314 at the Ayada for five nights, which was perfect. A large villa with wonderful open views of the sandy beach and the water lapping at the shoreline, we had a large...
hut like resort
Trip Report

Maldives Resort Review: Baros

We loved the overwater villa we stayed in! It was Room 313 and it was an excellent choice, as all we could see was the endless turquoise water and sky. The villa is stunning, everything about it from ...
Sea and sky view
Trip Report

Vakkaru is a Fun-Packed & Relaxing Maldives Resort

The whole resort sparkled, especially at night. The room was exquisitely decorated and upscale with a B & O sound system, huge glass walls, everything programmed on an iPad including lights, curtains,...
View of hotel
Trip Report

The Esplanade Zagreb Hotel With an Amazing Orient Express History

The historic luxury hotel and its Michelin star restaurant goes back to the magical Orient Express days as it was built in 1925 near the stately train station, and it has a story to tell.
hotel exterior
Trip Report

Loved this Smart Modern Siglo Hotel in the Heart of Siglufjordur, Iceland

Just a beautiful hotel out in the middle of nowhere really, a small fishing village. The drive in both directions is stunning one of the prettiest in our 30-day adventure around Iceland.
Outside view of a black and white Tudor-style inn.
Trip Report

Lovely Inn in the Stunning Welsh Countryside

My husband and I spent three wonderful nights at this cozy and welcoming Inn. The Inn is nestled in the gorgeous, verdant green Welsh countryside.
Sea and seaside view
Trip Report

We Enjoyed the Outstanding House Reef and Room at Banyan Tree Maldives

The stunning room 16 is the best of the bunch at the Banyan Tree Maldives. Room 16 is in the corner — the furthest out and actually right up to the waters edge. We spent a lot of time sitting in our...
View of the sea and beach
Trip Report

Kandolhu Maldivian Resort: This Little Maldivian Island is Magical

This was our fourth trip to the Maldives and seventh resort. I researched extensively before deciding on that next island and we always do a split stay; we chose Kandalhu and Vakkaru for this...
View of the Maldives booklet
Trip Report

Lux Maldives: We Didn't Want to Leave this Stunning Island

The staff, especially Hassan in Guest Relations and Waheed in housecleaning were exceptional. Highly professional, they have obviously had "5-star" training and it shows. They could not have been any ...
View of inside pool
Trip Report

Hilton Mauritius: This Hotel is Really a Special Gem

The Hilton Mauritius is a really special property and a true gem.
another spa photo
Trip Report

Sanga is a Gorgeous Japanese Ryokan Tucked into the Forest with a River Running Through It

My husband and I spent two nights in this lovely Ryokan Sanga. The rooms are large with a little sitting area that overlooks the river area and from where you can open the windows and go to sleep...
view of beach
Trip Report

Nuka Hiva Kekahanui Pearl Lodge is a Tropical Paradise Snuggled in the Remote Marquesas Islands

My husband and I were gone for five weeks to celebrate our 32nd anniversary— first in Japan and then two weeks in Bora Bora, the Tuomotus and the Marquesas. We loved Nuka Hiva and wish we had spent...
tropical view
Trip Report

The Terra Nostra Garden Hotel is an Upscale Hotel in the Heart of Furnas, Azores

The Terra Nostra Garden Hotel is modern, with well kept, lovely rooms, comfortable beds and nice views. We were on the third floor and it was very relaxing with the door opened to hear the wind in...
hotel lobby
Trip Report

JW Marriott in Khao Lak Thailand is a Stunning Hotel on an Amazing Beach

Located in a very unique setting, JW Marriott in Khao Lak Thailand is spread out so you never get a crowded feeling. There is a separate area geared families (blocks 3, 4 and 5) so honeymooners,...
view of fields
Trip Report

Panoramic Views from this Boutique Hotel in Ella Sri Lanka

We walked up little Adams peak in the morning at 98 Acres Hotel, which we enjoyed. The room is a little rustic, but this only adds to its charm. I recommend this hotel for views that are very...
A view of boats on the beach surrounded by sand, buildings in the distance and the sea in the evening. There are people walking along the shoreline and a faint sunset in the distance.
Trip Report

Enchanting Moroccan Riad in Fes Awaits on the Other Side of a Dimly-Lit Alley in the Medina

The Riad Laaroussa Hotel and Spa is a work of art and as I understand it a labor of love. The couple who own it and live on the premises with their adorable young children are very friendly and...
Sea, sunset, and seaside view
Trip Report

Mirihi Is a True little Barefoot Maldivian Island

Mirhri is lovely. It’s a pretty little island and it's postcard perfect. The staff is really friendly and helpful. We never put our shoes on. It is a very unpretentious with a relaxed vibe and white...
View from the hotel
Trip Report

W Resort, a Beautiful Little Maldivian Island with Fantastic Snorkeling

We were in one of the overwater ocean rooms at the end of W Maldives with mostly expansive unobstructed views. We were entertained by planes landing right next to us in room 223 a couple times a day. ...
Lake and lakeside boats view
Trip Report

Lovely New Luxury Hotel Overlooking Fewa Lake in Pokhara Nepal

We spent three nights at the Glacier Hotel and enjoyed our stay. We were in a smartly decorated, room on the sixth floor facing the mountains. The view of Mount Fish Tail in the morning was stunning! ...
Travel advisor posing
Trip Report

Lovely, Stylish Hotel in Heart of Alesund, Norway

New, modern upscale rooms at Hotel Brosundet. Very nice spaces with exposed wood in the rooms and throughout the hotel which gave it a rustic, almost "chic mountain elegance" feel thats bright and...
A beautiful aerial view of stone buildings tucked into a coastal array of rocks, trees and winding roads in Malta.
Trip Report

Ursulino Is a Lovely Luxury Hotel with a Great Location for exploring Valletta, Malta

Rooms in the new, upscale Ursulino Valletta Malta in the capital city of Malta are modern, loft style and nicely decorated.
Sea and sea side view
Trip Report

Pongwe Beach Hotel in Zanzibar is a Slice of Paradise

We came to Pongwe after spending two days in Stonetown. Loved the expansive beach area with hammocks strewn about to relax in.
View of the resort
Trip Report

Loved this Luxuriously-Appointed Dolomite Camp in Etosha Namibia

My two daughters and I did a independent self-drive through Namibia and loved every moment! We drove to Dolomite Camp through Etosha, wildlife viewing on the way in. So fun to stop at the waterholes...
Cabana over the ocean.
Trip Report

Snorkeling Adventures at the Angaga Island Resort & Spa

We spent five wonderful days relaxing after our month long trip to Tibet and Nepal.
View of the Island
Trip Report

Amilla Fushi Maldives is a Lovely Island with Something for Everyone!

My husband and I visited Amilla for eight nights for our anniversary and enjoyed every minute. We really fell in love with the island, which is not hard to do! It is a lovely, lush green island.
A gorgeous bungalow above the crystal clear turquoise water in the Maldives.
Trip Report

8 Nights at Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives

My husband and I spent 8 nights at the Six Senses Laamu resort in the Maldives and fell in love with it! Especially being it had been on my short list for some time. We split our three weeks into...
A stunning photo of crystal-clear blue waters and a resort in the distance, surrounded by white sand and palm trees.
Trip Report

A Wellness Trip to COMO Cocoa Islands Mesmerizing Lagoon

My husband and I spent five glorious days at Cocoa and had a wonderful time! This was our seventh trip to the Maldives, marking it as our 16th resort visit and counting! Our holiday was split into...
VIEW ALL

Favorite hotels

Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel, Anguilla

Mediterranean-style property along a white sand beach with private, luxe rooms and suites.

Fora Perks
  • ★

    $100 hotel / resort credit.

  • ★

    Breakfast daily.

  • ★

    Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

The St. Regis Lhasa Resort

A regal escape in the ancient Barkhor area, amid the stunning Tibetan landscape.

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas

Enchanting Maldives resort surrounded by nothing but turquoise lagoon which melts into sapphire blue — perfect for a romantic vacation.

Susan's travel photos

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A person standing on a white sand bank surrounded by crystal clear blue water.
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Susan's reviews

Susan's knowledge of Alaska was so helpful and she was organized and great to work with!

Susan Anderson was extremely helpful in the planning of our vacation to Puerto Rico. She was very professional, creative and knowledgeable. Susan was also very responsive to all of our questions and her experience made all the difference. We wanted to make a few last minute changes to our trip and she was very accommodating. Her services helped us to get a room upgrade and some meals included in our stay, which we would not have been able to get if we had booked this trip ourselves! We had a fantastic vacation and would highly recommend her services!

Booking with Susan made planning this trip such a breeze! She was very on top of everything and coordinated with the hotel directly. She was also very quick to respond to any questions we had. We basically just had to show up and enjoy! I highly recommend working with Susan for your next vacation getaway!

Our travel advisor, Susan, was amazing and we can't wait to plan our next adventure with her again! :) I trust her with everything travel, as she's been all over the world herself. She's relatable, communicates quickly and effectively, and is kind! Not to mention, she understands your budget, where you should spend a little more, and where you can afford to not spend as much.

Get in touch with Susan

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Advisor - Susan Anderson

Travel Advisor

Susan Anderson