All-Inclusive Reosrts? Anyone been?

[MickeysMommy]

My cousins and I are trying to plan a girls only trip without the spouses/SO's...we thought one of these places might be good to look into considering we wouldn't have to worry about paying for anything once we got there.

Have you been? What do you recommend? And, what time of year is best?

 

[storzo]

I've gone all inclusive my last five trips to Mexico and I would never travel any other way now. I always use Palace Resorts. They have hotels in the Cancun, Playa Del Carmen and Cozumel areas.

They are stay at one, play at all. The food is good and the drinks are not watered down. Some of the resorts are adults only and some are family oriented.

Ask any specific questions you want.

 

[Darcy03231]

I've been to several and really like the All Inclusive concept. Just make sure you do a lot of research and read reviews. Trip Advisor is a good place to start. I will say that I would never book anything less than a 4*. I haven't and I've never been disappointed. Keep in mind that a 4* in the US can be very different than a 4* in the Carribean. My neighbors went and decided to save money and book a 2* several years ago and said it was the worst vacation they ever had - lousy room, service, food, etc.. I've stayed at:

Young Island Resort, St. Vincent
Jolly Beach Resort, Antiqua
Iberostar, Cozumel
Breezes, Bahamas
Iberostar Bavaro, Punta Cana
Beaches, Turks & Caicos

 

[Spidey7]

I've been to several and really like the All Inclusive concept. Just make sure you do a lot of research and read reviews. Trip Advisor is a good place to start. I will say that I would never book anything less than a 4*. I haven't and I've never been disappointed. Keep in mind that a 4* in the US can be very different than a 4* in the Carribean. My neighbors went and decided to save money and book a 2* several years ago and said it was the worst vacation they ever had - lousy room, service, food, etc.. I've stayed at:

Young Island Resort, St. Vincent
Jolly Beach Resort, Antiqua
Iberostar, Cozumel
Breezes, Bahamas
Iberostar Bavaro, Punta Cana
Beaches, Turks & Caicos

How was that Beaches at Turks & Caicos? I've had my eye on that for some time now, it looks like one of the better ones to me. Doesn't it have a waterfall at the pool? That looked really cool. And is there lobster 24/7?

 

[Sandy V.]

We've stayed at the Iberostar Tucan, the Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar, and the Barcelo Maya (all in or near Playa Del Carmen). I heartily recommend the Iberostar resorts for their service and staff friendliness.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I've stayed at Occidental and Palace resorts in Cozumel and Cancun, and in just four weeks banana we're staying at the new Iberostar Grand Paraiso in Playa del Carmen.

I personally love all-inclusive resorts, but if you think you're going to want to spend a lot of time away from the resort, you might feel like you're wasting your money, since you'll be eating/drinking elsewhere.

What's really great, is picking a chain that allows you to go to all of their resorts. For instance, we can enjoy the amenities of our resort and we can also travel to the IB* in Cozumel and use their facilities and eat there too.

If you're interested in the Mexican Riviera/Cancun area, I have some good links to message boards.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I've been to several and really like the All Inclusive concept. Just make sure you do a lot of research and read reviews. Trip Advisor is a good place to start. I will say that I would never book anything less than a 4*. I haven't and I've never been disappointed. Keep in mind that a 4* in the US can be very different than a 4* in the Carribean. My neighbors went and decided to save money and book a 2* several years ago and said it was the worst vacation they ever had - lousy room, service, food, etc.. I've stayed at:

Young Island Resort, St. Vincent
Jolly Beach Resort, Antiqua
Iberostar, Cozumel
Breezes, Bahamas
Iberostar Bavaro, Punta Cana
Beaches, Turks & Caicos

I've heard this is where some of the most beautiful beaches are. It's definitely on my to-see list! There, and St. John's Trunk Bay.

 

[KristiKelly]

We are looking at taking our kids to the Majestic Colonial in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. It's all inclusive and has consistently gotten good reviews on Trip Advisor.

Next year we are hoping to take them to Beaches Turks & Caicos, if I can save enough money.

I have become addicted to Tripadvisor.com over the past couple of months, it's a great website. I have also found great deals on CheapCaribbean.com but we're already working with a travel agent.

 

[lemondog]

DH and I stayed at the Grand Lido in Negril, Jamaica for our honeymoon. We really LOVE the idea of an all-inclusive vacation. We ate and drank as much/often as we wanted and it was all included, with no tipping allowed. I think it would be a fabulous vacation. What could be more fun than laying on a beach with your girlfriends sipping on some fruity cocktails?!?!

In fact, our all-inclusive honeymoon is what made us decide to do the deluxe DDP on our upcoming Disney trip. Knowing our meals are included definitely makes the trip a bit more relaxing for us.

 

[dimimi]

We've stayed at the Iberostar Tucan, the Iberostar Paraiso Del Mar, and the Barcelo Maya (all in or near Playa Del Carmen). I heartily recommend the Iberostar resorts for their service and staff friendliness.

We also stayed at the Tucan and visited the DelMar...we loved it!

 

[java]

Jumby Bay (antigua) Just amazing. Beautiful beyond belief. And it is it's own island off the coast of Antigua*Robin Leach has a home there to give you an idea of the Lux factor.
It is swanky.And everything included means DRINKS too!! Jumby Jamboree!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

In fact, our all-inclusive honeymoon is what made us decide to do the deluxe DDP on our upcoming Disney trip. Knowing our meals are included definitely makes the trip a bit more relaxing for us.

Same here! I jumped at the chance to do the DDP for the same reason. I love the feeling of not having to worry about anything extra. Or use to love it. I guess now that tips aren't included anymore, that's not the case.

Another place I'd love to go to, is Sandal's Swept Away Resort in Negril, Jamaica!

 

[maraki527]

we went to sandals for our honeymoon and while the resort, rooms, and service was great we did not care for the food at all. most of the drinks had way too much liquor

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

we went to sandals for our honeymoon and while the resort, rooms, and service was great we did not care for the food at all. most of the drinks had way too much liquor

That's funny, because if I read one consistent complaint about AI's, it's that the drinks are watered down.

Good food is hard to find. I know I was less than impressed with the food at the Cancun Palace. I've heard nothing but wonderful things about the IB* resorts food though. We'll see!

 

[Hound 109]

I've stayed at Occidental and Palace resorts in Cozumel and Cancun, and in just four weeks banana we're staying at the new Iberostar Grand Paraiso in Playa del Carmen.

I personally love all-inclusive resorts, but if you think you're going to want to spend a lot of time away from the resort, you might feel like you're wasting your money, since you'll be eating/drinking elsewhere.

What's really great, is picking a chain that allows you to go to all of their resorts. For instance, we can enjoy the amenities of our resort and we can also travel to the IB* in Cozumel and use their facilities and eat there too.

If you're interested in the Mexican Riviera/Cancun area, I have some good links to message boards.

Am I There Yet, I would be most appreciative if you could provide those links (via link or pm would be great).

My daughter's wedding (at the Rui Palace) is a go for June of 08. (you had provided me with great opinions). Any info on Playa would be great to have.

And please post when you get back and let us know how it went. (hopefully there won't be any hurricane issues for you all.)

hound

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Another place I'd love to go to, is Sandal's Swept Away Resort in Negril, Jamaica!

Its Couples Swept Away, not Sandals.

DH and I just returned from Couples in Negril Jamaica. It was alot of fun. We met alot of nice people. The food was good and drinks were "not watered down".

We've been to several Sandals and Beaches Turks and Caicos twice.
Since you're doing girls only, Couples and Sandals would be out.

Beaches T&C is wonderful. We visited in August(very hot) and November. The food is great. There is a restaurant that serves crab legs every day for dinner. There is a bakery also for after dinner desserts and coffee.

It is a resort that allows kids and does have some pretty awesome programs for them too, so there will be some around. Its pricey but a fun and relaxing vacation.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Am I There Yet, I would be most appreciative if you could provide those links (via link or pm would be great).

My daughter's wedding (at the Rui Palace) is a go for June of 08. (you had provided me with great opinions). Any info on Playa would be great to have.

And please post when you get back and let us know how it went. (hopefully there won't be any hurricane issues for you all.)

hound

My only concern right now is about the weather. We're taking a risk going in October, but it's for our anniversary and we got trip insurance. We just have to cross our fingers!

Here are the links. The first one is for the IB* resorts, but just in case you're interested in them, it's a great board. There are even a few DISers on there.

http://www.iberostar-board.com/boards/index.php
http://www.playa.info/
http://www.cancuncare.com/forum/index.php
http://www.locogringo.com/forums/tt.asp?forumid=2&p=&tmode=1&smode=1

 

[hydster]

We went to an AI in Riviera Maya near Cozumel and it was fantastic. It was adults only so I didn't have to deal with any kids under the age of 18.

All top shelf liquor was included, not watered down and they had wonderful food. 5 different restaurants you could eat at from Italian to American to a Benihana type restaurant. We could eat at 1 or all of them.

The rooms were gorgeous and they had people clean up the beach of seaweed through the day. The room had a fully stocked mini fridge in your room filled with complimentary beer, soda and water.

They had pool "boys" who would get you an umbrella or a pool float if you wanted one.

The waiters would bring you food on the beach while you sat under your palapa and it was awesome!


http://www.secretscapri.com/capri/index.html

 

[MarylandPirate]

Been to Mexico many times and enjoyed all my vacations. However I think the food is better at the Cancun resorts than the ones in the Playa del Carmen area...i Haven't stayed on Cozumel yet.

 

[PatsGirl]

I am booked at the Royal at Playa Del Carmen next month. It's an adults-only resort with a sister resort across the street, the one we are staying at being the more upscale. While we can use their facilities, they cannot use ours or so I am told. The reasons for picking this particular resort include: top-rated beach in PDC, access to 5th Avenue by foot, and adults only. You might want to take a look at it if these things mean anything to you. I looked at many AI but I don't want to spend all my time on resort, nor do I want to have to take bus tours to go outside the resort to see cultural things. For the most part, Mexico was the only place I could find that the AI had lots of things to do off resort but close enough and safe enough that you could walk or rent a car, and still have most of your meals at the resort. Anyone else every stayed here? I'd love to hear your reviews!