Best All-Inclusive w/Teens -- Any Experience w/Club Med Punta Cana?

[PrincessKsMom]

Last summer we went to Beaches, Turks & Caicos. Wondering if anyone has any experience with any other all-inclusive resorts and more particularly Club Med Punta Cana, although I'd love to hear about any resort. Would like to keep it in the Caribbean. So DISers, what info do you have to share with me? And thank you!

 

[Chokky]

Last summer we went to Beaches, Turks & Caicos. Wondering if anyone has any experience with any other all-inclusive resorts and more particularly Club Med Punta Cana, although I'd love to hear about any resort. Would like to keep it in the Caribbean. So DISers, what info do you have to share with me? And thank you!

Sorry we haven't done that Club Med but my teen loved the teen club at Club Med Cancun so I can endorse the teen program in general. Mine was sad about leaving at the end of our two trips she had so much fun.

Club Med Punta Cana had a renovation not long ago so is supposed to be very nice.
I have heard it attracts a larger number of visitors from France so English can sometimes be in the minority of what is being spoken around the club.

But meeting people from all around the world is one of the many reasons we enjoy Club Med!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Sorry we haven't done that Club Med but my teen loved the teen club at Club Med Cancun so I can endorse the teen program in general. Mine was sad about leaving at the end of our two trips she had so much fun.

Club Med Punta Cana had a renovation not long ago so is supposed to be very nice.
I have heard it attracts a larger number of visitors from France so English can sometimes be in the minority of what is being spoken around the club.

But meeting people from all around the world is one of the many reasons we enjoy Club Med!

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed Club Med Cancun. I guess I tend to be a worry wart and am extremely nervous about going to Mexico, particularly since our travel party will consist of two women and two teenager girls. I'm sure there will be many who tell me my fears are unfounded...

 

[violetrose]

We've had great experiences with the Iberostar Resorts in Playa del Carmen. There was a little something for everyone there.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

We've had great experiences with the Iberostar Resorts in Playa del Carmen. There was a little something for everyone there.

I'll definitely check into it. BTW, did you see Antonio Banderas while you were there?

 

[BunsenH]

I've been to the Club Med in Punta Cana....................................in 1982.

Back in those days, Club Meds were not the place for kids.

I'm sure that it has been completely family-fied in the last 30 years.

 

[JessicaR]

We went to Beaches Negril this past August. Loved it! My teens had a ball but found their structured teen programs lacking. However they were SO busy during the day that they were wiped out at night anyway. Gorgeous property (small compared to Turks) excellent service and really good food. We all look forward to returning.

The EPIC on NCL - kids had an absolute blast! Their teen program was excellent. The only problem I found is they didn't want to hang out with us - at all. Food was great and service was also.

Dreams La Romana in Dominican Republic - again a very strong teen program and offerings. They kept them going all day and night if they wanted to. Lots of scheduled options, a teens club and very welcoming staff. The staff rounded up all the teens and had many opportunities for them to socialize and have fun.

I've been researching too so cant wait to see what suggestions you get! I think we even talked about Beaches last year - our Turks trip got cancelled due to the hurricane but I was there once already.

We do lots of all inclusives but these are the few that stand out as most fun for the kids so far.

How about Atlantis? I hear they started an AI - going to look into that for us.

Also, Costa Rica Westin Playa Conchal.

Have a look at Iberostar properties - lots of fun, good service and teen programs. I know you said no Mexico but they have a great reputation there and elsewhere too.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

We went to Beaches Negril this past August. Loved it! My teens had a ball but found their structured teen programs lacking. However they were SO busy during the day that they were wiped out at night anyway. Gorgeous property (small compared to Turks) excellent service and really good food. We all look forward to returning.

The EPIC on NCL - kids had an absolute blast! Their teen program was excellent. The only problem I found is they didn't want to hang out with us - at all. Food was great and service was also.

Dreams La Romana in Dominican Republic - again a very strong teen program and offerings. They kept them going all day and night if they wanted to. Lots of scheduled options, a teens club and very welcoming staff. The staff rounded up all the teens and had many opportunities for them to socialize and have fun.

I've been researching too so cant wait to see what suggestions you get! I think we even talked about Beaches last year - our Turks trip got cancelled due to the hurricane but I was there once already.

We do lots of all inclusives but these are the few that stand out as most fun for the kids so far.

How about Atlantis? I hear they started an AI - going to look into that for us.

Also, Costa Rica Westin Playa Conchal.

Have a look at Iberostar properties - lots of fun, good service and teen programs. I know you said no Mexico but they have a great reputation there and elsewhere too.

Wow you've given me a lot to look into. Thanks! Looking at Iberostar now on VioletRose's recommendation. Would love to go to Atlantis, but I think it will be too expensive. Went to Turks last year for approx. $7k for 4 of us. This year the same trip (room category, approx. dates, etc.) is $10,500. Everything I've heard about Atlantis is great, but not all-inclusive and things like breakfast being $50+ for 2 people, $35 for a pizza a soda...too rich for my blood. I want it all and I don't want to pay for it.

 

[violetrose]

I'll definitely check into it. BTW, did you see Antonio Banderas while you were there?

I wish!

Don't worry about Mexico. The all inclusive resorts are very safe, and the Mexicans go out of their way to make your stay comfortable. I wouldn't necessarily tell you to go wandering away from the resort, but at the resort you will be fine! Have fun planning!

 

[JessicaR]

We've had great experiences with the Iberostar Resorts in Playa del Carmen. There was a little something for everyone there.

For the monkeys only I want to stay at Quetzal! The beach looks amazing also. Did you stay on the Tucan side or Quetzal?

My only issue is that all their restaurants are outdoors and offer no AC - going in August I think I would melt.

Would love to hear more -

 

[violetrose]

For the monkeys only I want to stay at Quetzal! The beach looks amazing also. Did you stay on the Tucan side or Quetzal?

My only issue is that all their restaurants are outdoors and offer no AC - going in August I think I would melt.

Would love to hear more -

We stayed at the Quetzal. If one is worried about being around Americans, I would stay at the Tucan, the Quetzal seemed to be more populated with Europeans. My kids loved it, met a lot of Brits and a few German kids they kept friends with. In fact my DD just mentioned something about one of them the other day, they are Facebook friends.

We loved the monkeys! And all the other animals. Its amazing how they just are one with the tourists. It really is a beautiful resort.

The beach was very nice, but I've been to better. The beach itself is not huge and a little rocky, but the best of the Iberostar resorts in Playa del Carmen.

We never minded the heat, but we went in April. The main restaurant was adequate - I think anyone who has been on a cruise or to an all inclusive resort knows they really aren't about fine dining. The speciality restaurants were good - again not the greatest dining experience but perfectly fine for what we were expecting. We liked the Japanese restaurant the best.

Any other questions please ask! The resorts are very highly rated on Tripadvisor - we went solely based on those opinions and were not disappointed. It's been 4 years since our trip and our kids still talk about it.

 

[JessicaR]

We stayed at the Quetzal. If one is worried about being around Americans, I would stay at the Tucan, the Quetzal seemed to be more populated with Europeans. My kids loved it, met a lot of Brits and a few German kids they kept friends with. In fact my DD just mentioned something about one of them the other day, they are Facebook friends.

We loved the monkeys! And all the other animals. Its amazing how they just are one with the tourists. It really is a beautiful resort.

The beach was very nice, but I've been to better. The beach itself is not huge and a little rocky, but the best of the Iberostar resorts in Playa del Carmen.

We never minded the heat, but we went in April. The main restaurant was adequate - I think anyone who has been on a cruise or to an all inclusive resort knows they really aren't about fine dining. The speciality restaurants were good - again not the greatest dining experience but perfectly fine for what we were expecting. We liked the Japanese restaurant the best.

Any other questions please ask! The resorts are very highly rated on Tripadvisor - we went solely based on those opinions and were not disappointed. It's been 4 years since our trip and our kids still talk about it.

Yes, Quetzal appealed to me most also. I bet April would be much better than August. Thanks for the info.

OP- I was having a look around today because I am getting anxious about booking something. I saw that as of May 1st big sales for Punta Cana on cheapcarribean.com
Expedia
Apple Vacations and Bookit.com

Majestic Colonial
Iberostar
Dreams
seem to be a big topic of discussion on the trip advisor boards.

I looked for us and prices are great for our dates and air on jet blue not bad at all!

Let us know what you end up doing. Wish I had info on Club Med but haven't visited one in over 20 years but have heard they changed a lot.