All inclusive resorts
- Thread starter Catman100
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I've never been to one, but I do have kids.
Don't take her.
Don't take her.
I have been to a few and it's not really as good as it sounds. Usually, the drinks are weak and food is not up to par.
Would agree with above poster...try to avoid taking said daughter. Make it an adult trip. Have stayed at several All-Inclusives...do you know where you're going yet? Simple piece of advice, use Trip Advisor as a gauge. Keep in mind that you'll have some people who are impossible to please and some who are on the other side of the spectrum but it's a good gauge.
Have stayed at the Excellence Properties in both Mexico and the DR and would recommend. Have also stayed at Secrets Silversands and Maroma Beach Mexico. Have also stayed at The Royale in Playa Del Carmen. Those are all adult only resorts so may not be applicable. But try Trip Advisor for some guidance. Personally, I like Mexico much more than I like the DR. The Riviera Maya is currently dealing with a massive seaweed issue so the beaches aren't that great right now. Would agree with one of the posts above me. Temper your expectations on some things. While the food and drinks are good at the high end resorts, a filet mignon in Mexico just isn't going to be like a filet at Jeff Ruby's.
Once you're ready to book, take a look at both vacation express.com and apple vacations. They have charter flights that fly out of Cincy direct into Cancun, Punta Cana, the Bahama's, etc. While those charter flights fly on certain days, certainly beats the option of having multiple connections. Just food for thought.
Have stayed at the Excellence Properties in both Mexico and the DR and would recommend. Have also stayed at Secrets Silversands and Maroma Beach Mexico. Have also stayed at The Royale in Playa Del Carmen. Those are all adult only resorts so may not be applicable. But try Trip Advisor for some guidance. Personally, I like Mexico much more than I like the DR. The Riviera Maya is currently dealing with a massive seaweed issue so the beaches aren't that great right now. Would agree with one of the posts above me. Temper your expectations on some things. While the food and drinks are good at the high end resorts, a filet mignon in Mexico just isn't going to be like a filet at Jeff Ruby's.
Once you're ready to book, take a look at both vacation express.com and apple vacations. They have charter flights that fly out of Cincy direct into Cancun, Punta Cana, the Bahama's, etc. While those charter flights fly on certain days, certainly beats the option of having multiple connections. Just food for thought.
If you're going for your daughter try Beaches, it's a family oriented resort. They're nice, rooms are clean, good beachfronts.
We've been to Turks and Caicos, and Negril. We preferred Turks but Negril was awesome too.
If you're looking for a Romantic getaway, with your GF, and I'm guessing she is, leave your daughter at home. Go the adult only route.
We've been to Turks and Caicos, and Negril. We preferred Turks but Negril was awesome too.
If you're looking for a Romantic getaway, with your GF, and I'm guessing she is, leave your daughter at home. Go the adult only route.
Stay away from the one in Jonestown, Guyana. I heard that place is so bad that it makes you wanna kill yourself.
I've been to several Sandals resorts and a Couples resort in Jamaica. I have also been to Beaches Turks & Caicos and a Dreams resort in Mexico.
My advice is go to an adults only resort and leave your kid with a relative. Having your kid along completely changes the dynamic. Sure, they advertise daycare and fun things for kids, that might get you a few hours during the day, but it all stops around dinner time.
I found everything about the famy resorts to be worse than the adult only resorts. Entertainment at Beaches was Sesame Street all week. Want to go drink after dinner? Alcohol is paid for. Sounds good until you realize that either one of you will have to stay with your kid or you leave them alone in a 3rd world country.
If you want to take your kid, rent a condo in Clearwater or similar. At least that way when night comes, she can be in a separate room.
My advice is go to an adults only resort and leave your kid with a relative. Having your kid along completely changes the dynamic. Sure, they advertise daycare and fun things for kids, that might get you a few hours during the day, but it all stops around dinner time.
I found everything about the famy resorts to be worse than the adult only resorts. Entertainment at Beaches was Sesame Street all week. Want to go drink after dinner? Alcohol is paid for. Sounds good until you realize that either one of you will have to stay with your kid or you leave them alone in a 3rd world country.
If you want to take your kid, rent a condo in Clearwater or similar. At least that way when night comes, she can be in a separate room.
The biggest thing is ----------> All AIs are not created equal, or even close -- pretty much like any other resort. Do your research -- I find the travel forums on TA (and elsewhere) to be the best resource, much better than the actual reviews.
You get what you pay for.
The High 4-5* resorts have good-to-really good food, and premium drinks available.
The 2-3* resorts that you get for $800 or whatever for a week have ****** buffets and watered down well drinks
...and the general clientele follows along.
Of course, Adults Only ftw.
You get what you pay for.
The High 4-5* resorts have good-to-really good food, and premium drinks available.
The 2-3* resorts that you get for $800 or whatever for a week have ****** buffets and watered down well drinks
...and the general clientele follows along.
Of course, Adults Only ftw.
I am going to be planning a honeymoon soon, just checked and "play booked" an all-inclusive 7 day (aug 20-27)to Excellence Riviera Cancun, ocean view, w/ airfare for 2 for $3,600. I have to say, I thought that would be around 6 grand.
Not to hijack the thread but is this standard pricing for these type things or can i get even better deals?
Not to hijack the thread but is this standard pricing for these type things or can i get even better deals?
August in Cancun is hurricane season. There's a good chance that you will experience a lot of rain.
That pricing is is pretty good considering it includes air. Big thing is to check the various resorts and see if they have rewards clubs, are associated with a major hotel chain, etc. I've stayed at Melia resorts a couple of times. I joined their club when I was looking at places to stay which ended up getting me a discounted booking and now the points I've earned I can apply against other stays so things like that can drive your price down.
Definitely go adults only though if you can and as BBdK noted, not all AIs are created equal. The cheaper they are, well, that means the facilities aren't as nice and more people can afford them and you're going to get a different crowd vs paying a little more to get better accommodations and a different crowd.
To me, the best thing is you know the costs up front, you don't have to worry about what the final bill is going to be, you don't have to keep up with money other than some small bills for tips.
Recently priced a 4 or 5 night trip to an all-inclusive in Cancun or Cabo or Punta Cana (Dom. Republic). They were around $1500-$1700 per person with air fare out of Lex.
A friend of mine highly recommended Aqua Live in Cancun. Very high on Trip Advisor's list as well. You may want to look into that.
A friend of mine highly recommended Aqua Live in Cancun. Very high on Trip Advisor's list as well. You may want to look into that.
Seems to sort of defeat the purpose of seeing a different country/culture IMO. Guess it has its place though. Personally at the very least I'd leave the AI and experience some of the local food scene.
That's a pretty good deal. Keep in mind that peak season in the Caribbean is considered November-April...that's when rates really spike. The summer months are considered the rainy season and you could potentially get rain. That said, I was in Mexico the first week of August and had terrific weather, 6 days of pure sunshine. Will be hot and humid.
Excellence RC is phenomenal, very nice resort. Food is good and it's laid back. Would recommend taking the bike ride down to Puerto Morelos. Cool little village and gives you some time away from the resort.
Stayed there in September for my honeymoon. It was pretty terrific, but the seaweed issue really killed the beach. If you go to Playa del Carmen (or Riviera Maya) there is tons to do inland. Xcaret, plenty of cenotes, Chichen Itza, etc... The onsite entertainment is a little khakis and polos for my taste, but a lot of the mustache and goatee crowd enjoyed it and it was a nice appetizer before hitting the town. Town is nice - plenty of options from Coco Bongo to little Brazilian hole in the wall bars. And all the cheap crap you can fit in your luggage.
They don't have ceviche anywhere on the resort, but otherwise the food is pretty solid, especially if you reserve a table at the nicer restaurants for dinner (one of them is extra money). The resort next door (the family version of the Royale) is also included (restaurants, pools, bars, etc...), and they have great ceviche.
If you are up for adventure, then I highly recommend Ian Anderson's Caves Branch Resort in Belize (cavesbranch.com). We were there in Sept and had a great time. Their AI package includes room, really nice breakfast & dinner, all the local rum drinks you want (you do pay for non-rum drinks), and a daily adventure/excursion (which usually includes lunch). There are some tame adventures, and a couple of extreme ones (Black Hole Drop, & Waterfall Cave Expedition). We took our two kids there, so taking the daughter there would work.
Guess it depends on what you're looking for. We just wanted beach vacation. The resort we stayed at in the DR was massive, never really had any inclination to leave.
Agreed. Never had a desire to even leave the resort both times we went AI.
Just another thought: you can probably get a nice 7-day cruise cheaper than staying at an AI. I've been on 3 cruises and looked online at many AI resorts and it's been much cheaper to go cruising than to an AI. Cruises have casinos, multiple restaurants, tons of good entertainment, plenty of 'down time' where you can get away from everyone, spa, bars, comedy club and opportunities to go on excursions at each port. If you avoid summer months and Xmas holiday, you can get good deals AND avoid having a bunch of kids onboard (we've been in early November each time and hardly saw any children whatsoever). Not saying I won't go the AI route but cruises are a darn good deal for all the stuff you get.
Wife and I went to Anse Chastenet in St Lucia. Highly recommend it. Rooms without a 4th wall that was open to the ocean. No internet, phone, or AC in the rooms. Private beach in a secluded alcove. Several top notch restaurants. Well off the beaten path. It was awesome.
Have been to Sandals in St Lucia as well. It was ok. Just seemed much more commercialized. Seemed also very social. It's the place you want to go to meet other couples, drink, and dance. We usually just like to be by ourselves so we likely won't go back.
Went to a 5* resort in the Yucatan peninsula. It was great. Much larger than Anse Chastenet but certainly not a party place.
Have been to Sandals in St Lucia as well. It was ok. Just seemed much more commercialized. Seemed also very social. It's the place you want to go to meet other couples, drink, and dance. We usually just like to be by ourselves so we likely won't go back.
Went to a 5* resort in the Yucatan peninsula. It was great. Much larger than Anse Chastenet but certainly not a party place.
We did Sandals Ocho Rios for honeymoon... It was really nice, but I bore easily. We left the resort about every day to GTFO.
I'm a drinker, but got tired of drinking with just the wife... Wished my friends were with us after 3rd night.
We golfed, picked coffee beans in the Blue Mountains, bike tour, smoked pot in some field near Kingston, Dunns River Falls.
Once again, I felt like I didn't take advantage of food/drink opportunities.
I'd rather go to Europe and not deal with 3rd World ********.
I'm a drinker, but got tired of drinking with just the wife... Wished my friends were with us after 3rd night.
We golfed, picked coffee beans in the Blue Mountains, bike tour, smoked pot in some field near Kingston, Dunns River Falls.
Once again, I felt like I didn't take advantage of food/drink opportunities.
I'd rather go to Europe and not deal with 3rd World ********.
Went to Xcaret in Riviera Miya once. It was pretty great. I second what folks say about the food and drinks. Depends where you go, but the XCARET park was pretty awesome.
Stay at Excellence resorts if you can, one in Play Del Carmen Mujares that is really nice, small hard to book. American Express travel told me years back that Excellence properties are rated their best.
Friends booked one this past Labor Day in Secrets Maroma, not good, owned by Amstar which is glorified time share, hit you up as soon as you get there. Excellence is the way to go. Good food not extravagant, beaches nice, Excellence in Dominican is rated one of top ones. Excellence resorts are pushed by travel people like American Express. We met some people in Canada that have been to 10-15 all over Dominican and Mexico. She say Excellence was top one.
Sandals is terrible.
Friends booked one this past Labor Day in Secrets Maroma, not good, owned by Amstar which is glorified time share, hit you up as soon as you get there. Excellence is the way to go. Good food not extravagant, beaches nice, Excellence in Dominican is rated one of top ones. Excellence resorts are pushed by travel people like American Express. We met some people in Canada that have been to 10-15 all over Dominican and Mexico. She say Excellence was top one.
Sandals is terrible.
Had this one booked at one time and AM Express told us that since we were middle age to go to Playa Del etc.. Said all are nice but more younger/Frat crowd which is fun but not a my age. We stayed at Playa Del Mujares which is the best and the other one there that is Excellence property.
Riu Palace Las Americas in Cancun is a great resort
Moon Palace in Cacun is better but more expensive. Been to both twice. Moon Palace is for the more snooty I'm to good to socialize crowd but it is plush.
The Riu is more of a party atmosphere.
Also went to the Riu in Costa Rica in 14. Pretty much a brand new resort. So it was nice needless to say.
Moon Palace in Cacun is better but more expensive. Been to both twice. Moon Palace is for the more snooty I'm to good to socialize crowd but it is plush.
The Riu is more of a party atmosphere.
Also went to the Riu in Costa Rica in 14. Pretty much a brand new resort. So it was nice needless to say.
Excellence Playa Mujeres is fantastic...actually honeymooned there. Did a two story suite with the rooftop pool and it was insane. Have stayed at both Secrets Silversands and Maroma Beach and both are phenomenal...have never had that issue with AmStar resorts for what it's worth although I have read about that. In my opinion, Excellence caters to more of an upper class crowd, typically older people. I'm mid 30's and you don't always see a ton of young people. But Secrets Maroma is typically one of the top rated all inclusive in Mexico, along with EPM.
Personal preference though. My wife prefers Secrets and I prefer Excellence properties. Excellence is nearing completion on a new resort in the DR and is in the midst of building one in Jamaica. The Jamaica property will be the only "Fiji" type resort in the Caribbean with huts on the water. Will be awesome once open. Excellence is actually a family owned operation and I think it shows with their staff. They are always top notch.
You strut around and show off that tramp stamp like a proud peacock?
Two words. Cancun Mexico. My buddies and I went for our senior trip. We took the all inclusive route. It was around 600 a person but it was well worth it. We got airfare and everything. Plus you can eat and drink all you want at the resort. Of course if you go out your paying for it. Just don't drink the water. The trip was awesome and well worth it
Just got back from one in Jamaica. I've been to 3 different ones between Jamaica and Cancun. The Hyatt Zilara is really nice... the Iberostar's in Cancun are hit and miss. Food and drinks at the Hyatt are much better than anywhere else we've stayed. And the resort is split with one entire side for families and kids, and one private side for adults only. You can usually find good rates if you book early. Here is the tripadvisor page for it.
No, never left the room. Your mother just kept wanting more.
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anon_aawvduncd4ay0
Guest
You seem very angry, but for clarity, do you really have a tramp stamp? If so, what did you go with?
Should have booked a trip to Turtle Bay resort in North Shore. Most beautiful place the wife and I have ever been to and it was cheaper than what you spent. Granted, not all inclusive but you're right on the beach and have pools and restaurants all right there.
Took a trip to the Turtle Bay resort 15 years ago and it was awesome....I imagine it has changed since, but I am sure it is still great. And yes, you will crap your pants when those giant turtles swim up next to you.