Sandals resort or similar

[sookie]

Okay, experts. This all-inclusive thing is all new to me. Please give me your advice!

I'm looking at:
Excellence Riviera Cancun-- Excellence Club ocean font Jr. Suite
vs.
Secrets Maroma--Preferred Club oceanview
vs.
Aventura Spa Palace--Concierge level ocean view ***By far the cheapest*** Why?
vs.
le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun-- ocean view

I figure I can't lose with any, but if you've been to more than one, will you please tell me the differences. Thanks!

(Iberostar Grand is sold out the days we are going. Like I needed one more choice! )

I have been to Le Blanc and it is hands down our favorite - because the level of service is amazing. We have returned there twice and it is the best to go to! It is small, intimate, and the staff is super willing to please. I used to be a real snob about mexico - but this place is AMAZING. I think that Sandals is over priced and on top of that, over rated compared to Le Blanc. We just like it better. Get the Ocean View room. The rooms are really pretty. Can't wait to go back! They are worth it. After going for several years, I can tell you that they have a low staff turn over as well - I hope that is because the staff likes working there. They seem to like working there and again - the customers like it. Go look at the reviews on trip adviser - people consistently like this place.
I will say that you need to make any reservations for your romantic beach dinner, if you want to do that, when you get there - they book out early as they are doing them in the beach cananas now (you will know what i mean when you get there). I like it that you can use some of your resort credit in the spa - it is a really gorgeous place. We did the couples massage and it was really a lot of fun.
Do it! It is really one of the best run resorts I have ever been to. It is very peaceful and quiet - which is why you are going there (adults only). I'm jealous you are going because I don't have my next trip planned because I'm taking my kids to disney... ahhh!
Did I mention that you can use some of your resort credit to go to off site excursions? We went to some ruins one year, but we haven't done that in a while. I think that depending on when you are going, they have their sister resorts having concerts and you can get tickets to go (additional cost, but not outrageous) - they will transport you there and back. We just got emails that they were having Ricky Martin this fall, and now they are having Usher or someone else over new years. We saw a "cirque de solie" (sp?) type show that was really good when we went this past summer - it was good for a night of entertainment.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

You all have been really amazing in guiding me to lots of great choices. After going back and forth all day, I finally booked something...

I decided to go with Aventura Spa Palace. While perhaps Maroma has a more beautiful beach and le Blanc has superior service, I just couldn't pass up the amazing deal here. ASP was less than half the price of any of the others. I assume it's because they are making a transition to new ownership (Hard Rock.)

We booked 3 nights in a concierge ocean view for less than $1000 and it includes a $500 credit for spa service, excursions, etc.
Besides upgraded amenities, concierge service, and room service menus, the concierge room includes (2) 25 minute massages and a candlelight dinner one night. (Can anyone tell me details about the candlelight dinner? Is it anything other than special seating?)
I think we'll use our resort credit for more spa services and also possibly an excursion.

I'm so excited!

Also I'm going to spend my "savings" on upgrading our flights to first class (using miles too but the upgrade fee is still about $500.) This is going to be awesome
Update...actually we booked first class on American instead of United and got much better flight times and still paid what we would have using our miles and paying extra upgrade fees with United. So we'll save those United miles for another time and give American a try!

 

[TinkTock]

It sounds like you have a great trip booked. I went to Aventura Spa Palace when it was under the old ownership, and it was fantastic. There's a lot to see just exploring the grounds. Please come back to the thread after your trip and let us know how it was.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

It sounds like you have a great trip booked. I went to Aventura Spa Palace when it was under the old ownership, and it was fantastic. There's a lot to see just exploring the grounds. Please come back to the thread after your trip and let us know how it was.

Any tips for me?
From the reviews it looks like more people prefer te Mexican restaurant at the Cove over the one at the Spa. Perhaps the one at the Spa won't be open in off-season anyway?
We'll only be there 3 nights so I want to make the most of it!
Did you do any tours?
The only thing I'd be interested in is a snorkeling excursion, I think. Can you do that off the beach anywhere (at sister resorts?) I know there is snorkeling in the man-made lagoons at the Spa but I'm not sure that will satisfy us.

I will make contact and book my spa service before we get there. Anything else I should know? Thanks!