All-inclusive resort recommendations

[micci41]

25th anniversary is coming up in 2007. I am trying to research all-inclusive resorts. Can anyone recommend an all-inclusive message board and/or a resort they have been to?

M

 

[oregonmousefan]

From what I've heard most all inclusives aren't what they seem. An exception I believe is Dreams Resort & Spa in Puerto Vallarta. We spend 8 nights there in Sept. and had a great time. There are many restaurants to choose from (not just crappy buffets) and the cocktails were flowing. Lots of other people we met there told us that if we were going to do another all inclusive resort we better not expect it to be like this. I'd recommend it if Mexico is in your plans.

 

[tropicalgirl]

There are many all-inclusive resorts in the Riviera Maya area of Mexico. We recently stayed at the Grand Palladium White Sand Resort, which is just about an hour south of Cancun. The hotel was absolutely gorgeous. The food is good -- not 5*. There are about 7 ala carte restaurants to choose from and 3 buffets. You can choose 3 ala cartes for a 7 night stay. I would definitely go back for the beach, pools, rooms, etc, but would go with lower expectations on the food. From what I hear this is typical of AI's. Check out tripadvisor.com and compare the resorts in the area. There are tons of them. This resorts is not as exclusively as Dreams, but less money.

 

[YachtClubWoman]

I have stayed at Palladium Grand 3 times. We love it. We spent our 10th anniversary there and returned twice after.

We were in a White Sands Cabana suite Apr 23-30. For a 25th anniversay - there are cabana suites in the Royal Suites only - that area of the resort has its own pool, private conceriege (sp?) and unlimited access to the ala carte restaurants. Mexico is great since there is so many things to do off site.

check out www.mybeachboard.com

 

[lindym]

Palladium is very nice. Also ck out the Iberostar Paraiso complex in Riviera Maya. Beautiful area and wonderful hotels. Of course if you get out of the Riv Maya area and do the Caribbean or Jamaica you can't beat the Sandals resorts especially for couples.

 

[micci41]

I'm laughing at this thread because friends of ours also stayed at the Grand in April and loved it. They will also be celebrating their 25th next year and we were planning a trip together. They certainly would go back to the Grand however they felt the liquor might have been watered down and the food was just OK. I have never been to an all-inclusive so I don't have any opinion at all. I'm just starting to research different option.

 

[honeybee213]

I loved the Couples Swept Away resort in Negril, Jamaica! The drinks were definitely not watered down, and they had great food too!

 

[jenniparker]

I'll second the Couples Resorts in Jamaica. Hubby and I have been to both Ocho Rios and Negril and had a great experience at both. They are for "couples" only so it isn't a big party scene and no little kids around. Great for romance. Drinks and food are very good. Check out their website. Sorry I don't have enough posts to provide it here, but just Google it.

 

[roryc]

My husband and I spent our 10th anniversary at Peter Island resort in the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean over the Holidays and it was spectacular.

It is located right between Tortola, BVI and St. John, USVI. Gorgeous and fairly easy to get to from the East Coast. Charlotte to Puerto Rico to Tortola and then a private Peter Island ferry. Much easier and faster than Hawaii where we went for our Honeymoon; although also truly spectacular.

Peter Island's website is www.peterisland.com. The prices are not cheap, but there is great snorkeling, hobie cats, scuba diving, picture perfect beaches, private beaches all right off the beach and mostly inclusive make for an awesome value.

The island has a maximum capacity of like 120 people and it's about 1400 acres. You won't regret it. The accomodations are awesome, especially the beach accomodations (literally right on the beach with hammocks and palm trees). Although we stayed in the oceanfront accomodations (2nd building in from the point and awesome oceanfront/soundfront on both sides. Their value season is the summer. Of course we went at the most expensive time of the year. Value season is about 1/2 price.

Have fun searching, that's the most fun.

 

[Gillian]

I was going to say Peter Island too. We haven't been yet, but it on our list. It seems more private than some of the bigger all-inclusives. We're not big partiers, although we both appreciate a good drink and good food. We love Tortola, St. John, Virgin Gorda etc. so it seems good for us.

My SIL/BIL/nephew went to one of the Iberostar resorts in Mexico and had a great time! It looks beautiful. It is one of the newer ones but I can't remember the name, sorry.

 

[roryc]

Oops! Totally forgot to mention food at Peter Island, and that the Spa is among the best, if not the best, in the Caribbean. It's only about a year old so it's in perfect condition and overlooks the beach. The spa pool is wonderful has a waterfall shower.

The beach cafe serves awesome pizzas as well as almost any seafood you can think of; great Caribbean Seafood night with mock jumby (sp?) entertainment. The Tradewinds Signature Restaurant is fabulous and they'll cook you anything you want if you can't find something that appeals to you. We never had that problem Food is all inclusive and awesomely good. If you're a foodie, you'll love it. Best rack of lamb ever. Pristine beaches, awesome accomodations, snorkeling/scuba/swimming, beautiful pools and world class spa. Lots of Conde Nast awards.

 

[englishteacha]

I haven't been, but my friend really enjoyed the Sandals resort in the Bahamas. Not sure if it's all inclusive or not.

 

[pnutmnm]

We just returned from Grand Palladium Bavaro in Punta Cana. I thought it was fabulous. We also went for our anniversary (15 years) and got the "Romance Suite". All rooms there have jacuzzi's.
For other ideas...check out the forums at tripadvisor.com.

 

[Bird-Mom]

Sandals resorts are awesome-my favorites are Sandals Antigua, Sandals Dunn's River and Sandals Negril (I have been to all of them except Sandals Whitehouse-which looks awesome-St. Lucia and Bahamas, but I don't think you can go wrong except for Sandals Inn). Superclubs Grand Lido Negril is awesome too, a step above Sandals. Superclubs used to own Grand Lido Sans Souci, and they sold it. I think it is just called Sans Souci now, and it is also a wonderful property. Couples resorts are very nice too; I prefer Swept Away.

Peter Island is very nice but not completely inclusive. There are a few other resorts that are not completely inclusive but very nice. It depends on what types of activities you want and how much you want to spend (if any) on alcohol which can really add up.

Former TA, Caribbean specialist here, feel free to PM with any questions.

 

[disneyohana]

My husband & I stayed at the Cameleon Marival/Lookea in the Riviera Maya. We loved the pool at the Lookea. There weren't many people in that pool. There was a coral reef right off the beach and a beautiful cove to kayak in or just wade. The food was pretty good at the buffets. I loved the atmosphere & everything was clean. The service was great. I'm sure there are better AI's but we had the best vacation there and hope to go back.

 

[Tinkerbelle32]

Anyone know of any of these all inclusives that would include fishing excursions/options for my hubby? Thanks, Tink

P.S. Probably looking for Mex., Carrabean, etc.

 

[Traveller]

We stayed at the Royal Hideaway in the Rivera Maya (near Cancun) for our honeymoon a few years back. OMG! The service is incredible and I have stayed at some of the best hotels. Food was close to 5* (no buffets) and they remodeled due to the hurricane last year. Gorgeous facilities and you will be pampered by the staff. Not a big "party" resort. Nitelife is limited but great for romance.

Good BB for info is: http://www.playa.info/index.html (click on forum and then AI/Big Resorts). Good luck

 

[fac]

DH and I had been to Sandals before we have kids. This year I thought they are at the age that we can go to All-inclusive. I have never been to Cancun, my initial plan was to Nassau, but then I found a really cheap package from Northwest. I did some research on Crown Paradise Club, mainly based on tripadvisor, while the resort may not be 5*, but it is kid friendly, hence I booked the package.

However, in the last few days, the review has been very bad, some even mentioned being robbed (with things stolen from the hotel room), and the good review may very well be written by the employees, I am not suprised because many emphasized on tipping.

I am really worry. Please tell me it is not as bad as it was reported.

P.S. I understand it may be off-topic, but if the bad review were true, at least it helps to know that we cannot base our research on tripadvisor or other review site.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

DH and I LOVE the Sandals resorts. We have been to Dunns River, Ocho Rios, Negril and Whitehouse.

JUst came back from the Whitehouse In March. WONDERFUL!!!! Drinks definetly not watered down, if its not strong enough for your taste, ask for more alcohol. But usually we were asking for less.

Steak and shrimp, scallops, and lobster tail are some of the dining options. And you eat as much as you want. One night we ate 4 lobster tails a piece. I know, but they were so yummy!

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

Fac, being robbed can happen anywhere. We went on our 10th Anniversary to Sandals St. Lucia Regency 5* stayed Conceirge and were robbed in Feb. Our hotel room was completely tossed. They took everything not just cell phones, money and CC but all our swimwear, shorts, shirts, jogsuits, shoes we literally came home with the clothes on our backs. Just great flying into Chicago with shorts and sandals in Feb. The thing that just tops it all off is that it was an inside job. When we were cleaning up looking for things on the floor we found a gardeners shirt that the thief left behind and the Security guard sat no more than 25 feet from our room. We did everything right and it still happened. We learned travelers need to always beware and don't take more than you can afford to lose.