Recommend an all-inclusive resort please?

[sherry7]

Okay, so I know that this is a Disney board, but you guys are always chock full of excellent advice! We're thinking about going to an all-inclusive resort in January or February 2014. Our DD will be 3 1/2 at that time, so kid friendly (kids club, etc) is a big consideration. (To be perfectly honest, I'd love to be able to drop her off at a fun kids club for a few hours everyday while I get some much needed relaxation.) Budget is also a consideration, since I haven't managed to win the lottery yet.

I heard great things about Beaches resorts, but upon checking the prices for January 2014, the cheapest package (for 1 full week, including air from Pittsburgh) is almost $5500. I'd rather keep this in the less than $4000 range. Upon searching the net, I've found dozens and dozens of places that would fit that price range. It's overwhelming though, because I don't know the slightest thing about all-inclusives.

Has anyone been to a kid friendly all-inclusive resort that didn't break the bank? We'd like to stay under $4000 for a week, including air from Pittsburgh. I see that there are resorts in the Dominican Republic, various areas of Mexico, Jamaica, etc, etc. Does any one area have an advantage over the others? Please give me your opinions and advice. Thanks!

 

[phyzch]

Anything along the Rivera Maya in Mexico, I stayed at the Iberostar Paraiso Beach for my honeymoon and loved it (it barely won out over the Barcelo Maya, mainly for price considerations me being a poor, newly-wed, college student and all). But there are so many to choose from, if you enjoy doing your own research it may just be a matter of spending some time with various search engines. Otherwise this might be a good question for a respectable travel agent that can help you sort through the offerings of the various resorts (and keep you from trusting marketing pictures from 20 years ago that look great but then you get there and the place is run down).

*Note: Don't do Chichen Itza from the Rivera Maya, cool as it was, it was so far away (about 3 hours) It kills a whole day for only a couple hours of ruins. If you want to see ruins do the Tulum/Xel-Ha tour.

 

[twinz]

We stayed at the JADE in Mayan Riveria in Mexico a few years ago, and it was AWESOME! The resort was BEAUTIFUL. It wasn't overly hugh and the staff were amazing. We got a really good deal as well, so that helped.

 

[Darcy03231]

Our family really likes the Iberostar resorts. We've found them to be very family friendly and our kids have always had a good time. We've stayed in ones in Punta Cana and Mexico and have never been disappointed.

 

[jackie101]

we have stayed here http://www.crownparadise.com/cancun/
twice and loved it. It doesn't get the best reviews, but we loved it both times

 

[duckcow]

We went to Grand Palladium White Sands in Mexico last year and loved it. It's 4 resorts in one so there are a lot of different restaurants. I think our room for the week was ~$2000 and it had a private master suite away from the kids. That was nice. There is a website called palladium addicts and they have a ton of info as well as a forum that is really active

 

[artesian]

We did Beaches in Turks for the first time last year. Was kind of pricey but everyone had a blast and is very kid friendly

 

[holden]

Check out tripadvisor.com for recommendations/reviews on resorts you are interested in. We are heading to Beaches T&C this summer. Jan/Feb. is prime travel time for the Caribbean. Maybe you could save a few $ by traveling at a different time of year? Summer/Fall is usually less expensive (especially Aug/Sept/Oct).

 

[Mersmom98]

For our honeymoon we went to Dreams Resort in Puerto Vallarta. They have resorts in other countries as well. We LOVED it! Food was top notch which was not true when I stayed at a Beaches in the Bahamas (yuck!). It can get pricey but I lucked out and found it on sale through Continental Airlines (now United) vacations. What about a cruise? I know that drinks aren't included but food is so it is kinda all-inclusive...

 

[kittycatalina65]

Seconding Dreams. The one in Puerto Adventuras is a nice size (smaller) in a good location. It is very secure, with several security checkpoints for cars and pedestrians. We liked the 24 room service and minibar (that were included) for easy meals/snacks with kids. The Kids Club staff will take the kids to dinner at the buffet, they have a kids section. The adults went to the sushi bar one night, and we got a plate from the kids buffet for my son so they are really flexible. They also have nightly activities for kids, pinata party, dance party, one night they did a show on the stage for the parents. They also have movies on the beach on a big screen. It's short walk to a marina where you can swim with dolphins or go deep sea fishing. Very nice kids club with English speaking red cross certified staff. Can't wait to go back once my youngest is potty trained and ready for the kids club.

 

[Eureka]

We took our honeymoon in Aruba. Many of the hotels had all-inclusive deals there. Granted, it was back in '97, but I would imagine a lot of them still would.

 

[My name is URL]

We go to Atlantis in the Bahamas for 3 weeks every year because its unbelievable

 

[shoney]

We've been to Xpu-ha palace (destroyed in a hurricane), Barceló Maya Palace and Dreams Riviera Cancun (x2)....all of these are in Mexico.

We loved Xpu-ha palace and are saddened that such a unique resort was destroyed. Based on our experience, I wouldn't hesitate to try another palace resort if the physical resort/location appealed to us.
(we are considering the moon palace for an upcoming vacation)

The barcelo maya palace is on a fabulous stretch of beach. It is part of a much larger complex, which can be a negative for some. The resort itself and the rooms are beautiful. My major cons for this one:
1. reservations for dinner are required. They were also difficult to come by.
2. no beach grills. food must be consumed in a restaurant, not outside.

We loved Dreams Riviera Cancun. it is a smaller resort. The food and service were great!!! the only reason I wouldn't go back again is because my kids have outgrown it. There isn't much for teens to do.
There kids club is very structured so it is much better for the little ones. My kids were 9 and 11 when they went here and they liked the kids club at the barcelo better. Dreams does take 3 year olds, where lots of other chains require that the kids be 4.

I suggest going on tripadvisor. Everyone there has been so much help to us.

Have fun...we love our AI vacations!!!!

 

[2minnies]

Barceló Maya Palace -- been there twice and can't wait to return.

http://www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com/forum/index.php great forum with helpful people

booked thru lone palm travel. AnnaLynne is great!

http://www.lonepalmtravel.com/services.html

 

[mickeyboat]

We also went to Barcelo Maya Palace and had a wonderful time. They have a fantastic kids pool area, but since we were there as a couple, we did not use the kids' clubs.

The website (with discussion forum) linked by 2minnies is very informative.

 

[platamama]

You will have to look closely at the ages that the kids club at an AI will accept - many start at age 4.

When DD was 2, we went to a FDR Resort in Jamaica (there are 2 there) because your stay comes with a "vacation nanny." She would entertain and keep your child busy and take care of naps while you had some relaxation time to yourself. And she was available for babysitting in the evenings if you arranged it, for an extra fee. We did that one evening to go out on a bioluminescent bay which was pretty awesome.

Compared to some other AIs, the facilities did not wow with their luxury. But it was nice to have the option to have some family time mixed in with adult time. And the beach, though small, was nice and sandy and the water warm.

I've heard great things about Club Med Ixtapa; there's also a Club Med in Florida that might be easier to get to from where you live. Looks like they can accommodate little kids.

 

[Bbbethei]

Barceló Maya Palace -- been there twice and can't wait to return.

http://www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com/forum/index.php great forum with helpful people

booked thru lone palm travel. AnnaLynne is great!

http://www.lonepalmtravel.com/services.html

We haven't ventured to any AIs with the kids, but I can't recommend AnnaLynne enough. That lady knows her stuff!

 

[cdrn1]

Try cheapcaribbean.com for good prices. The only all-inclusive we have ever done was the Riu Palace Mexico in the Riviera Maya. It was very nice. The only thing we didn't like was that the pools were cold.

 

[lukenick1]

We've been to Xpu-ha palace (destroyed in a hurricane), Barceló Maya Palace and Dreams Riviera Cancun (x2)....all of these are in Mexico.



The barcelo maya palace is on a fabulous stretch of beach. It is part of a much larger complex, which can be a negative for some. The resort itself and the rooms are beautiful. My major cons for this one:
1. reservations for dinner are required. They were also difficult to come by.
2. no beach grills. food must be consumed in a restaurant, not outside.


I suggest going on tripadvisor. Everyone there has been so much help to us.

Have fun...we love our AI vacations!!!!

We went to Barcelo Maya Colonial last summer. I HIGHLY recommend it! It was about $1,000 cheaper for our family than the Barcelo Maya Palace and we really liked it better. As far as eating outside.....the Captain Morgan Grill (buffet) at the Barcelo Maya Beach/Caribe has outdoor seating at the beautiful beach. We parked ourselves there everyday for lunch. Watch out for the iguana's hanging around they want your food. LOL

 

[platamama]

I really enjoyed our time at Barceló Maya Beach two years ago too. But OP needs a place that her 3.5yr old can go, and Barceló's kids club starts at 4.