need a resort suggestion

[abmitch01]

looking to try an all-inclusive resort somewhere tropical sometime between Jan and April, instead of a cruise. Can anyone recommend a place?

 

[abmitch01]

we'd be flying out of Albany or NYC. Open to just about anywhere. Cruises to the Bahamas are really cheap then but DBF got seasick on the last one so we'd like to try something different

 

[MandM-Mom]

We loved the sandals dunns river in Jamaica but we really just spent 10 days at the resort relaxing and enjoying the resort its self. We honeymooned there almost 10 years ago so I am sure it has changed a bit, i did not feel overly comfortable in the town as we were approached to buy drugs several times and that made me very nervous, but the resort itself was gorgeous.

 

[shoney]

I also honeymooned at Sandals Dunns River but 18 years ago. I read on line that they closed. We loved it too, but those guard towers were a little strange LOL

I love the riviera maya area in Mexico. It is south of Cancun. There are so many resorts of all price points. It is safe. The people are wonderful and the price is right. You can get direct flights out of JFK on american and Jet Blue. We are taking our 5th trip in October. This time we picked Dreams Riviera Cancun.

 

[abmitch01]

this is so helpful

 

[shoney]

tripadvisor.com has a forum section for the riviera maya section of Mexico. If this area interests you take a look there. Some things to think about:

Adults only vs. family
How far from airport
Price


There are countless excursions you can take or just veg out and enjoy your resort! Happy planning!

Edit: just for the record we are paying 3700.00 for 7nights/8 days (ocean view) for 2 adults 2 children with non stop air out of JFK...that includes transfers as well. we are going in October so it is cheaper!

 

[abmitch01]

it's hard to beat the prices of NCL's Bahamas cruise, some weeks are just $549 pp.

this trip will be adults only

 

[shoney]

With the all inclusives, all of your drinks are included. For us, that is a plus! LOL

I haven't been to it, but they talk about Catalonia Royal Tulum as being the best bang for ya buck! It isn't ultra luxurious but people rave about it. I looked it up for our dates in October and it started at 1700.00 for 2.

That is a fantastic price on the cruise.....Decisions, decisions!

 

[hannahon]

Definitely look into the Riviera Maya!!! We have been there 3 times now, 3 different resorts and it is fabulous!!!! You can't beat All-inclusive!!!! We stayed at the Gran Bahia Principe, Gran Porto Real and Hacienda Tres Rios. All were wonderful for different reasons, but none of them were adult only. I have heard great things about the Royal in Playa Del Carmen and The Catalonia Royal Tulum.

 

[MandM-Mom]

I also honeymooned at Sandals Dunns River but 18 years ago. I read on line that they closed. We loved it too, but those guard towers were a little strange LOL

I love the riviera maya area in Mexico. It is south of Cancun. There are so many resorts of all price points. It is safe. The people are wonderful and the price is right. You can get direct flights out of JFK on american and Jet Blue. We are taking our 5th trip in October. This time we picked Dreams Riviera Cancun.

Its still there its now a golf and spa resort but still dunns river by sandals, friends of ours just came back about 6 months ago..

 

[cdrn1]

tripadvisor.com has a forum section for the riviera maya section of Mexico. If this area interests you take a look there. Some things to think about:

Adults only vs. family
How far from airport
Price


There are countless excursions you can take or just veg out and enjoy your resort! Happy planning!


!

We stayed at Riu Palace Mexico in Riviera Maya in November. Had a great time! Good food, great drinks, and so much to do in the area. We felt absolutely safe; it's in Playacar, which is gated, about an hour from the Cancun airport. We paid less than $1800 with air from Indy.

 

[shoney]

Its still there its now a golf and spa resort but still dunns river by sandals, friends of ours just came back about 6 months ago..

I hope it is still open...would love to go back again....rumor on the websites is that is was closed on 6/30/10.

 

[Darcy03231]

We like the Iberostar resorts. We've stayed at several in both Rivieria Maya and Punta Cana.

 

[minniebeth]

Both my brother and my niece just did (separate) trips to the Iberostar resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica. They loved it. It is all inclusive. There are three tiers (levels) of the resort. My niece booked the moderate and was upgraded to the top level at check in. She loved it so much, my brother booked the top tier. They said they would highly recommend it.

 

[katie111]

Also loved the Mayan Riviera. We stayed at the Barcelo Mayan Palace, it was fantastic. The Barcelo has 4 or 5 resorts on one strip of beach and if you stay at the Palace you can use the facilities & restaurants at any of them. The food, beach and pool areas were all terrific. There is an unofficial Barcelo website that has tons of info. I don't have the web address handy but you can easily google it.

Be careful of going in March though. When we went there were tons of high school kids from the midwest on their senior trips. They were with parental chaperones but they were still pretty wild! They were all pretty much drunk by about 4 in the afternoon. Then they'd be yelling in the corridors at 2 or 3 in the morning every night.

 

[abmitch01]

DBF says Mexico is too dangerous right now. Anyone been to Jamaica?

 

[java]

If you think Mexico is dangerous(and I agree now is not the time I would be picking to take a Mexican vacation) Jamaica isn't much better. How much are you looking to spend. The nicest one I have ever been to is this one- it's expensive but worth every penny a tiny island off the coast of Antigua
http://www.jumbybayresort.com/

Oh shoot I forgot I was on the budget board- scrap the above suggestion!

 

[shoney]

Like I said we went to Jamaica 18 years ago, we went to a beautiful resort and had a great time. We had to drive through very very very poor town/villages to get there. The resort was great but there were gun guard towers surrounding it. The beach was fenced off and locals called you to braid hair and buy their local crop

In Mexico, you drive to your resort and pass Walmarts and such. Once you get there, no one bothers you. No gun towers or fenced resorts....Why? There is no need.L ike anywhere else, you need to decide where you go. I live on Long Island and there are neighborhoods that I would advise people not to visit. I will never change anyones mind if they are that dead set against it.

The Riviera Maya is a beautiful place with great people. There are so many great places to visit. The Riviera Maya is very budget friendly and wonderful. We will continue to visit and look forward to our upcoming trip!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My husband and I love Jamaica. We have visited every year for the past 10 years.

Watch the temperature in Mexico for the early winter months. My hairdresser visited in February last year and she said it was cold at that time and they didn't even go in the ocean.

We have stayed at multiple Sandals resorts in Jamaica with Sandals Negril being our favorite. Yes, Sandals Dunns River did close this summer.

 

[MandM-Mom]

I hope it is still open...would love to go back again....rumor on the websites is that is was closed on 6/30/10.

Wow I guess your right they did, I wish we would of gotten a chance to go back too!