All inclusive family resort?

[mommy2allyandaveri]

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.

Yes, we found the best deal through Expedia, but we also checked out funjet, beachdestinations and apple. Expedia had the best deal for us. I only do AI's (except for Disney) because I don't like to think about money when we are there. Pretty much everything is included for us.

Oh and no matter where you stay you will find good and bad reviews, you just have to weigh them and make a decision. For me, this place has many more good then bad and we are getting a great vacation for a great price.

For our honeymoon we did Sandals in Jamaica, cost about 3x as much and was not nearly as enjoyable as any of our 3 trips to Cancun.

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

We LOVED the Barcelo, south of Playa Del Carmen Mexico. Beautiful location and they were wonderful. My daughter got married there a couple of years ago and not one person out of 35 guests complained about anything. It was fantastic. unofficial-barcelo-maya dot com is a website that gives lots of info. There are different levels and price ranges and we found it to be very reasonable for an all-inclusive. Sometimes funjet and cheap caribbbean have good package deals.

 

[travelgirl06]

OT: which adult AI did you go to? Did you like it?

We went to Couples (Tower Isle) and LOVED it! Very refined (yet not at all stuffy), awesome staff, good size of resort (easily walkable, but with a variety of activities/restaurants) and lots of extras included (tours to Dunns River Falls, Horseback riding, etc.). I'm trying to figure out a way to get back there soon.

 

[maps]

Another vote for the Occidental Xcaret in Playa del Carmen. We went a couple of years ago and spent a total of about $4000 for the 4 of us including non stop airfare from Boston. Since everything was included, we barely spent any money while there at all.

Since it included admission to the Xcaret park, it was well worth it for us. We even paid to go an extra day and they give you a reduced rate for that, too.

By far the best vacation we've had!

 

[nunzia]

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)

Hi there fellow New Mexican. Iberostar are good family friendly resorts in Mexico on the Yucatan/Riviera Maya side. Nice..great kid activities, all inclusive.

 

[blanq]

This has been mentioned, but I will say it again...a cruise is a wonderful way to get an all-inclusive experience, and it can be a great value as well as tons of fun. You can generally save money on your flights, if you sail from a US port. Also, getting a taste of a number of islands, while only unpacking once, is a great way to travel. For March spring break this year, my family is going to Palm Springs for the week, but we do have a four night cruise planned in Feb. The airfare and cruise costs were very reasonable for our quick get-away.

 

[BeenHereB4]

Yes, we found the best deal through Expedia, but we also checked out funjet, beachdestinations and apple. Expedia had the best deal for us. I only do AI's (except for Disney) because I don't like to think about money when we are there. Pretty much everything is included for us.

Oh and no matter where you stay you will find good and bad reviews, you just have to weigh them and make a decision. For me, this place has many more good then bad and we are getting a great vacation for a great price.

For our honeymoon we did Sandals in Jamaica, cost about 3x as much and was not nearly as enjoyable as any of our 3 trips to Cancun.

Thank you! I saw mostly good reviews to be honest with you. We would really like to do their resort in Cozumel but the airfare is killing me. We'll see what we can work out.

 

[dimimi]

Also don't forget about the Sandals Select repeat guest program.
I'd be happy to answer any questions about them, I'm a Certified Sandals Specialist and have been to many of the properties.

We are planning a trip to Sandos Beach in March, 2010. It sounds like you like the property. Do you think it is a good resort for 12 and 16 year olds. Which area would you suggest...Riviera/Beach...etc? Thanks

 

[Darcy03231]

This has been mentioned, but I will say it again...a cruise is a wonderful way to get an all-inclusive experience, and it can be a great value as well as tons of fun. You can generally save money on your flights, if you sail from a US port. Also, getting a taste of a number of islands, while only unpacking once, is a great way to travel. For March spring break this year, my family is going to Palm Springs for the week, but we do have a four night cruise planned in Feb. The airfare and cruise costs were very reasonable for our quick get-away.

Actually a cruise isn't an "all inclusive experience". While it does include your room, food and entertainment, it doesn't include alcohol, soda and tips. You also have to factor in money for shore excursions where some all inclusive resorts have free activities (snorkeling, paddle boats, wind surfers, etc). We love to cruise and we've also been to quite a few all inclusives. Both have their attractions for us, but we always end up spending more on the cruise because of the things that aren't included and the shore excursions.

 

[esk]

OP here.......thank you all so much, I've spent the last 3-4 days on the computer, comparing and contrasting. Haven't quite brought out the spreadsheet yet, but.....

can't cruise. I get seasick. Or I have to be knocked out on Dramamine which makes it no fun. So cruises are out.

But the Occidental Xcaret is the front runner.....WOW! It looks great and I can get us there, good flights, etc, for about $4000 for 5 nights.

Although DH wants to upgrade to a club-level jr suite, adding another $1000. Anyone who has stayed there....difference between concierge jr suite and club jr suite? (One room with 2 beds, not so good. Our kids won't sleep, we need a separate area for them to at least try to fall asleep in)

 

[4Seasons]

We are planning a trip to Sandos Beach in March, 2010. It sounds like you like the property. Do you think it is a good resort for 12 and 16 year olds. Which area would you suggest...Riviera/Beach...etc? Thanks

Sandals and SANDOS, 2 totally different properties.

One of my agents went to Sandos in October and did not like it at all.

For that age group look at either the Grand Palladium resorts or Iberostar.
The Iberostar Linda and Maya share facilities and have a fantastic wave pool.
The Iberostar Beach and Del Mar share facilities and are more "budget friendly".

 

[sunlover13]

OP here.......thank you all so much, I've spent the last 3-4 days on the computer, comparing and contrasting. Haven't quite brought out the spreadsheet yet, but.....

can't cruise. I get seasick. Or I have to be knocked out on Dramamine which makes it no fun. So cruises are out.

But the Occidental Xcaret is the front runner.....WOW! It looks great and I can get us there, good flights, etc, for about $4000 for 5 nights.

Although DH wants to upgrade to a club-level jr suite, adding another $1000. Anyone who has stayed there....difference between concierge jr suite and club jr suite? (One room with 2 beds, not so good. Our kids won't sleep, we need a separate area for them to at least try to fall asleep in)

OP - I'm considering this resort also. The only thing that I do not like is it is 1 hour from the airport. Our last couple of vacations, we were only 20 minutes from the airport in both Mexico and Jamaica. If you do not get an answer about concierge here, check out trip advisor. There is a great forum there where I'm sure you can find an answer.

 

[4Seasons]

The royal club jr suite has additional amenities included, such a the hydro therapy tub, upgraded linens and pillows, 24 hour room service, private check in/check out reception, club-only restaurant, complimentary wireless internet, preferred seating at ala carte restaurants, etc.

Just a couple side notes about this resort: beginning in 2010 admission to Xcaret park is no longer included, and the beach at the property is not a natural beach but a man-made inlet. Some people are surprised by this and some are disappointed, but be aware of it. It is a very popular resort.

For something closer to the airport, consider one of the Iberostar properties or Dreams Riviera Cancun. Moon Palace will be your closest property.

 

[BeenHereB4]

Hey there! Just thought I'd post a $99 AI deal for Riveria Maya that just came through my email in case the OP or anyone else was interested.

I didn't research the resort yet, but just wanted to pass along the rate from Travelzoo.

http://hotels.travelzoo.com/caribbean-mexico/719428?utm_source=top20_us&utm_medium=email_top20

 

[kmezick]

How about one of the Palace Resorts in Mexico? We just visited the Spa Palace in Riveria Maya and loved it!

 

[polkadotminnie]

We stayed at the Occidental Grand Xcaret 3 years ago. It is a beautiful resort with a lot of amenities. We stayed in a regular room so I can not comment on the suites. The beach is man-made but that did not bother us at all. We snorkeled in the inlet and saw numerous fish and even an octopus. We spent the day at Xcaret park next door and swam with the dolphins.
There were many activites around the resort. We saw lots of animals including monkeys running around. My favorite activity was painting Mexican pottery by the pool. It was a relaxing way to spend the day plus I had a souvenior that I made.
It is about an hour south of the airport but on a highway so it was not a bad drive. I would definitely recommend the resort. It is beautiful and clean.

 

[polkadotminnie]

One other thing I will mention if you are a diet coke addict, take some with you. When we were there, they only served Pepsi.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

OMG i am now obsessing about the beaches turks site omg i so want to go...hmmm maybe if i save a tad harder that will be our next vacation rather than Mexico...we did 3 weeks in Florida this year so it was to be mexico next year but i am seriously loving this beaches....just wish i new airfare prices this far out as i would reserve a room, but no airfare prices available this far out.......so thanks guys for shifting my obsession to this place......

I will have to check out the mexico resorts mentioned also as that was our plan and we were hoping to return to the mayn riviera but wanted a different resort than our last trip...................

 

[DisneyDreams4P&B]

I posted this on a thread the other day but I got a 4 star resort (junior suite) at the Barcelo Maya Palace (all inclusive), it was $1429 for 5 nights with air from ATL, but they let me use a coupon code and I got $75.00 off so it came out to be $1354. Not bad at all for 2 people.

I noticed alot of the Cancun/Riveria Maya hotels were offering kids stay free on bookit dot com.

 

[Soulsearching]

subscribing, thanks!