All inclusive family resort?

[esk]

We're looking for an all-inclusive family resort for spring break this year....in Mexico, the Carribean or even Hawaii. We live in rural New Mexico, so we've got to fly 7-10 hours anyway so location isn't that important.

I'd love Club Med or Beaches but they are close to $8,000 for a week including airfare. Does anyone have any suggestions, or tips to maybe score a cheaper rate? (because $900 a night for hotel, food and activities just seems a little high to me)

 

[cntrygal]

In upstate ny there is

http://www.1000acres.com/

http://www.rockinghorseranch.com/


been to both and love both, but they are very different

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

We stayed at the Occidental Grand XCaret in Riviera Maya, Mexico. It had 10 restaurants, 3 pools, evening entertainment, a safe beach for kids (inlet), and free admission to the theme park next door which is like a Sea World equivalent. My girls swam with dolphins, went snorkling, saw a cool show, etc. It was a very family friendly all inclusive resort.

We won the trip through a television contest so I can't help you with the prices!

If you google it, you will get all the info you need. It was truly paradise.

 

[An_Island_Girl]

We love the Iberostar chain (the Iberostar Lindo and the Iberostar Maya are our favorite Iberostars' in Mexico or the Iberostar Beach if on a tighter budget). We go each year in May, and absolutely love it! There are activities to do all day long if you wanted, a kids club for the younger members, a teen disco, tons of pools (even a lazy river and a wave pool).
For the best pricing, you can check out your dates on Funjet.com, and most local travel agents can almost always get a better price than that by a few hundred dollars.

 

[travelgirl06]

When I was pricing out AIs for a trip last November, Breezes seemed to have good prices. We wound up at an adults-only AI, so I'm not sure if people like Breezes or not, but the prices looked good (I think it was around 1200-1500 for 2 adults for a week, not including air). Also, I know pricing varies GREATLY depending on which "season" you are in, so maybe check different chains as they may have different seasons (e.g. one resort may be in "peak" season while another is in a more mid-range season). Just an idea

A cruise is another semi-all-inclusive option (excludes drinks and some activites/excursions). There have been great prices on cruises lately, but it is a different experience than an AI.

 

[SGMCO]

Don't forget to include the cost of your Passports--unless you already have them.
You can go to cheapcarribean.com they have all the packages at a discounted price, some include air.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We are staying here in June 2010.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...relos_Yucatan_Peninsula.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT

I CAN NOT wait, looks like they have lots of stuff for kids to do. We are not taking the kiddos this time but will likely be on our next trip. I spent many hours researching and settled on this place. We are going for a week, total trip is around $2500.

 

[katie111]

We also stayed at Xcaret & loved it. Last year we stayed at Barcelo Mayan Palace which was a little more upscale than Xcaret. It was fabulous. The rooms and pool area were gorgeous. I'd say the food was definitely better at Barcelo but Xcaret had a smaller feel to it & we really liked that as well. Both were great overall.

 

[4Seasons]

When I was pricing out AIs for a trip last November, Breezes seemed to have good prices. We wound up at an adults-only AI, so I'm not sure if people like Breezes or not, but the prices looked good (I think it was around 1200-1500 for 2 adults for a week, not including air). Also, I know pricing varies GREATLY depending on which "season" you are in, so maybe check different chains as they may have different seasons (e.g. one resort may be in "peak" season while another is in a more mid-range season). Just an idea

Breezes does NOT allow children, and honestly I've really never heard much good about their properties.

 

[4Seasons]

Have you considered Los Cabos? Flying time will be less and will likely be more affordable from your gateway.
I'd recommend Dreams Los Cabos or RIU Santa Fe. The RIU Palace Los Cabos is very nice but will price higher than the Santa Fe which is right next door.
One thing about Cabo, the beaches are really not swimmable at the resorts(current is too strong).

 

[esk]

We are staying here in June 2010.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ECK_RATES_CONT

I CAN NOT wait, looks like they have lots of stuff for kids to do. We are not taking the kiddos this time but will likely be on our next trip. I spent many hours researching and settled on this place. We are going for a week, total trip is around $2500.



Yikes! The reviews on Trip Advisor are not so good......

We went on an all-inclusive trip in the late 90's, to the Maldives, and the food was not good, the room was a total let down and we were trapped on an island for a week, and almost lost our minds. So I really want to go with a place that gets great reviews. (We want the all inclusive because we've seen the food and activity prices at hotels where you are sort of trapped there. And to be honest, because I just don't want to cook!)

Thank you everyone for the suggestions, please keep them coming!

 

[esk]

.COLOR="Red"]We are staying here in June 2010.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ECK_RATES_CONT

I CAN NOT wait, looks like they have lots of stuff for kids to do. We are not taking the kiddos this time but will likely be on our next trip. I spent many hours researching and settled on this place. We are going for a week, total trip is around $2500. [/COLOR]

Yikes! The reviews on Trip Advisor are not so good......

We went on an all-inclusive trip in the late 90's, to the Maldives, and the food was not good, the room was a total let down and we were trapped on an island for a week, and almost lost our minds. So I really want to go with a place that gets great reviews. (We want the all inclusive because we've seen the food and activity prices at hotels where you are sort of trapped there. And to be honest, because I just don't want to cook!)

Thank you everyone for the suggestions, please keep them coming

(edited because I tried to figure out how to make the previous post into a quote, but clearly I still can't figure it out....)

 

[happymommy]

Be careful when choosing. My in-laws go to one in Punta Cana, and it sounds like somewhere I'd rather not go. It's called Ocean Blue, and many people have had food poisoning there. I'm very leery of those places.

The only "all-inclusive" in Hawaii is the Kona Village Resort on the Big Island (I used to live on Oahu). It looked wonderful, but has recently gone through some tough financial times (I think they are operating under bankruptcy protection right now). It isn't really the typical "all-inclusive" meaning drinks aren't included, just the full American plan.

If you are looking for a vacation with your meals already paid for, you could consider a cruise from the West Coast. Or, since this IS the Disboards and I'm partial, a Disney vacation with the meal plan

Anyway, good luck searching for the right vacation!

 

[tammymacb]

We travel a lot and take out DD on a trip yearly. Cruises are her clear favorite. And it doesn't have to be Disney cruise line. Her favorite is actually Carnival followed by Royal Caribbean. She's 13 and has been on 8 cruises and will go on her ninth in less than two weeks.

I was going to take her to Beaches, Turks and Caicos instead. It would have been quite a bit more expensive. But she really wanted to go on the Carnival Dream...So, we're going.

Now, cruising is not all inclusive. You have to pay for drinks, tips, and excursions. But, you can keep it well budgeted with a little research. We'll be on the brand new Dream on January 9th. We are taking DD and her best friend. Room cost was $2400 for the four of us. I prepaid tips. ( $280 ) I'm taking the girls on a private excursion snorkling in Belize ( $75 per person ) and I've got a private excursion booked in Roatan for about $100 per person. We'll wing it in Mexico because we've been there a million times ( including several land trips ) and I just don't like Mexico.

 

[ibela]

We love going to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic but you have to watch out as a PP posted - some resorts are amazing while others are terrible.

We've had great success with the Melia chain so I'd recommend looking at that. (Barcelo Bavaro Palace which I think is renamed now, Melia Caribe Tropical which had great a la carte restaurants, and next on the list for us is Paradisus.) If you go to applevacations they offer packages which include airfare so check there for pricing. Good luck deciding!

 

[BeenHereB4]

We are staying here in June 2010.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...relos_Yucatan_Peninsula.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT

I CAN NOT wait, looks like they have lots of stuff for kids to do. We are not taking the kiddos this time but will likely be on our next trip. I spent many hours researching and settled on this place. We are going for a week, total trip is around $2500.

This looks lovely - and I put in for a quote for 4 nights in April and the total was only $274 (room only, but still)! I'll have to research this further. Are you doing an all inclusive package because I did not see one available?

Thanks and sorry OP for hijacking your thread here.

 

[10_Kyle_10]

In upstate ny there is

http://www.1000acres.com/

http://www.rockinghorseranch.com/


been to both and love both, but they are very different

I've tried looking on both sites and couldn't find if they included alcoholic?

 

[Darcy03231]

Here's another vote for the Iberostar chain. We've stayed in several and always have had a great time there.

 

[littlele]

We loved Vallarta Palace in Puerto Vallarta. Great location and not too busy (we went in May). There are a lot of kids activities and great pools, right on the beach for boogie boarding, etc.

Also we booked through Costco which gave us some added features incl: horse back riding, etc.

Definitely recommend this resort!

 

[Darcy03231]

I've tried looking on both sites and couldn't find if they included alcoholic?

Last time I was there Rocking Horse Ranch did not include alcohol.