All-Inclusive Resorts

[toasty]

Wife and I are currently planning a vacation for after our daughter is born -- a babymoon, if you will. We need to swing by Florida en route to drop off the little one with the grandparents, so we're probably looking at the Caribbean/Bahamas/Mexico. Got any recommendations for nice all-inclusive resorts in the area -- not cold buffet food and watered down rail drinks, but higher end places?

I'm particularly curious about the Sandals resorts, if anyone has any input on those. I like that they are adults only (which is key) and they look to be very nicely appointed, but I hate that they brand everything with a massive SANDALS logo and their commercials are so cheesy, I'm concerned that it might be a little too "pre-packaged fun" for our taste.

Anyone have any recommendations? We're not looking to blow our wad unnecessarily on a private island or anything, but we're definitely interested in something that trends more towards the higher end. The all-inclusive thing isn't 100% necessary, but we've found it to work pretty well for us in the past, so that would definitely be our preference.

Thoughts from any travelers?

[88Mariner]

Re: All-Inclusive Resorts

Dominican Republic. I'll get more deets on this for you in a second.

[DreamGirlie]

Re: All-Inclusive Resorts

Divi all inclusive resorts tend to be better than Sandals in terms of quality.

I would not necessarily rule out non-inclusive...right now there are TONS of deals to be had on hotels in the Caribbean. Aruba is my all time fav- we go every April hehe.

How soon will you be going after the baby is born?

[toasty]

Re: All-Inclusive Resorts

How soon will you be going after the baby is born?

Not right away -- she's due in February, and we're probably looking at summer 2009 at the earliest before heading down there. Gotta give her time to recover, and wait enough time to pass that we're not saddling my parents with a newborn.

Haven't heard of Divi, will check it out...

We're not hell-bent on the all-inclusive thing, but it certainly does make things a lot more predictable. Having been to both the good and the bad, though, we've learned that finding a good one makes all the difference in the world. Our first two AIs were absolutely luxurious, but the last one we went to was most like a glorified Best Western with free food. Mostly, we just like knowing that after we pay up front, we're pretty much just paying for tips and souvenirs from there -- provided the quality is there...

[threehills]

Re: All-Inclusive Resorts

This past summer wife and I went to Couples (no kids allowed) in Jamaica.

Best time ever. My wife is super high strung and I have never seen her so relaxed. Literally everything is included, from scuba, snorkel, private tennis lessons, booze cruize, top shelf drinks, amazing food, amazing service. I put my wallet in the safe at the start of the trip and didn't touch it until back in the states.

We'd wake up in morning, hit the gym (private yoga lessons) or tennis courts, then to the smoothie bar, get changed, hit up an amazing lunch at one of the six restraunts, then off to the beach for some sun and frozen drinks, late afternoon nap, off to a dinner (usually at the fine dining place) back to the porch overlooking the ocean, smoke a spliff while the sun sets and then off to listen to reggae bands, dancing, more drinks etc etc...Its Hedonism. (although without all the full sagging breasts nudity you find at the actaul Hedonism resorts).

[KinKyJ]

Re: All-Inclusive Resorts

Dominican Republic. I'll get more deets on this for you in a second.

I'd go for that too Jim: the Melia Caribe resort at Punta Cana. 5 star place, about 11 restaurants, spa, sweet pools 'n' beach, ... Been there twice already and I totally love it!

[toasty]

Re: All-Inclusive Resorts

I do love the beaches in Punta Cana...

[day_for_night]

Re: All-Inclusive Resorts

the all-inclusives in mexico suck. seriously, don't go to one there...

[KinKyJ]

Re: All-Inclusive Resorts

I do love the beaches in Punta Cana...

http://www.solmelia.com/solNew/hotel...digoHotel=5896




Melia Caribe Tropical, the best resort in Punta Cana, on Bávaro Beach, ideal for couples, families, golfers and groups.

Location: Is located on the Bávaro beach, just at 20 minutes from the Punta Cana Airport, 50 km. from Higuey and 90 km. from La Romana, and 195 km from Santo Domingo city.

Accommodation:

Deluxe Suites
The Resort consists of 44 two-story villas with 24 rooms each one, with a total of 1,000 rooms. All the rooms are Junior Suites with central air conditioning, hair drier, ceiling fan, safe deposit box, desk with direct phone, internet access, satellite TV, minibar, living room with sofa. The resort also has 12 junior suites with Jacuzzi for honeymooners. Golf aficionados and families can also elect one of the 40 Golf Suites of one and two bedrooms, surrounded by the Cocotal Golf & Country Club. Maximum occupancy, 3 adults or 2 adult and 2 children up to 11 years old.

Golf Suites
One & two bedroom Golf Suites, a Golfer’s Delight and Great for Families!!! Stay in your very own 1 or 2 Bedroom Suite located directly on the 27- hole Cocotal Golf & Country Club across the road from the Melia Caribe Tropical. The Golf Suites include a Full Kitchenette with fridge replenished with water, soft drinks, milk, juices, cereals, beers, bread, butter & marmalade. Stove, microwave, complete living room with satellite TV and sofa bed, Full dining room, full bathroom with tub, shower and hairdryer, telephone, snack bar with full American breakfast and snack, swimming pool, jacuzzy and bar. One Bedroom Suite features king size bed and 2 Bedroom Suites features 2nd bedroom with 2 full beds and 2nd full bathroom. Safety deposit box is included. Includes to his guests one green fee free per person (per minimum 3-night stay. Golf cart is mandatory at extra charges. Preferential Tee Times at Cocotal Golf & Country Club (subject to availability).
**Mandatory carts, $33 US per person per round (double use), $40 USD (single use).
Calloway golf equipment available for rent (subj to availability).
Prices are subject to change.

• 1 Bdrm min occupancy is 2 adults/max occupancy is 3 adults
  or 2 adults and 2 children
• 2 Bdrm min occupancy is 4 adults/max occupancy is 5 adults
  or 4 adults and 2 children

Bars & Restaurants (12 Restaurants and 9 bars)

The Meliá Caribe Tropical is an “all inclusive”:
24 hours food & beverage service. It has 9 bars all available with national, imported drinks within established schedules.

12 restaurants, 7 a la carte and 5 exquisite buffets:
“Los Atabales” – breakfast and dinner buffet, “La Góndola” – Italian restaurant, with a la carte service for dinner, and buffet service for lunch; “Pagoda” – Asian restaurant; “Agora Grill” and “El Turey Grill” - beach buffet restaurants with, bar, salad bar, and snacks for breakfast and lunch. “Le Gourmet” – luxury restaurant with French and international cuisine; “Los Panchos” – buffet restaurant with Mexican cuisine and show cooking for dinner; “Ma Maison” – a la carte restaurant, with Gourmet international specialities for dinner. “Hokkaido” – Japanese specialties restaurant with Teppanyaki and a la Carte service for dinner. “Capri” - Fish and Seafood Restaurant a la Carte for dinner. “Restaurant BBQ” - steakhouse restaurant with service a la carte for dinner, and “Alhambra” – Spanish buffet restaurant with tapas and paellas for dinner.

Meeting & Banquet Facilities:
For meeting and conventions, the resort offers 12,000 square feet of convention space with a capacity for up to 1000 people divided in 8 meeting rooms, as well as a beautiful gazebo for weddings and special events. The hotel also provides a business center, Internet high-speed wireless connection in all resort areas and the tool necessary to make your meeting a successful one.

Golf:
27-hole World Class Championship golf course Cocotal Golf & Country Club, designed by José Pepe Gancedo, includes to his guests one green fee free per person (per minimum 3-night stay. Golf cart is mandatory at extra charges.
**Mandatory carts, $33 US per person per round (double use), $40 USD (single use). Calloway golf equipment available for rent (subj to availability). Prices are subject to change.

Spa:
2 world-class spas with Sauna, Steam Room, Jacuzzi, Gym and Beauty Salon, Massages, facial and especial body treatments available at extra charge.

Other Facilities:
Eight Tennis Courts, seven Swimming Pools, Baby Club (ages 0-4) Kid`s club (5-12 years old), Arcade with Video and Electronic Games for teenagers, Casino, Sport Bar, Fun Pub, Non-Motorized Water Sports. Two live shows every night and a variety of daily activities for children and adults. Boutique, pharmacy, jewellers. Medical Service 24 hour, Gift, and press shop. Car and motorcycle rental. 24-hour taxi service.

[nsite]

Re: All-Inclusive Resorts

This past summer wife and I went to Couples (no kids allowed) in Jamaica.

Best time ever. My wife is super high strung and I have never seen her so relaxed. Literally everything is included, from scuba, snorkel, private tennis lessons, booze cruize, top shelf drinks, amazing food, amazing service. I put my wallet in the safe at the start of the trip and didn't touch it until back in the states.

We'd wake up in morning, hit the gym (private yoga lessons) or tennis courts, then to the smoothie bar, get changed, hit up an amazing lunch at one of the six restraunts, then off to the beach for some sun and frozen drinks, late afternoon nap, off to a dinner (usually at the fine dining place) back to the porch overlooking the ocean, smoke a spliff while the sun sets and then off to listen to reggae bands, dancing, more drinks etc etc...Its Hedonism. (although without all the full sagging breasts nudity you find at the actaul Hedonism resorts).

i think we stayed right next door to this at Grand Lido. was going to mention Jamaica but didn't know how "nice" you wanted it. it was our first time at an all inclusive but we had a blast. SO relaxing and i have never seen a beach so calm. it was literally like a lake, no waves what so ever...

http://www.superclubs.com/brand_grandlido/resort_negril/

food was ok, buffets were ok but obviously fresh fruit and veggies were the best. the hibachi restaurant on site was actually fairly decent. room service was just ok but who cares at 2am when you're shitfaced!

drinks were as stiff as you wanted them. 24/7

just perfect for us and overlooked the beach. rooms were the nicest part of the resort. grand lido was a little older and a little run down but it made it kinda rustic....

overall 4.5 / 5 for us.

some pics:

room view


cove


sunset

[toasty]

Re: All-Inclusive Resorts

the all-inclusives in mexico suck. seriously, don't go to one there...

I've been to 2 in mexico, one of which was incredible (Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya), and one of which was very, very average (Intercontinental Presidente Los Cabos).

Thanks for the tips, folks -- definitely favoring places that are adults only or at least not geared towards families. I've got years of family-friendly vacations in my future, and it doesn't make a lot of sense to go out of our way to drop our daughter off only to be surrounded by other people's children.

[toasty]

Re: All-Inclusive Resorts

was going to mention Jamaica but didn't know how "nice" you wanted it.

We are actually looking at some Jamaica resorts, so now I have to ask what exactly you meant by this. Do you mean they are really, really "nice" or maybe not quite that "nice?"

[nsite]

Re: All-Inclusive Resorts

its not maldives or anything but it wasnt awful. id say right in the middle. like i said the rooms were better than i expected and thats where you spend most of your time...when you're not at the beach.

by nice i meant its probably "runofthemillamericantouristy" not an exclusive high end resort. there was nothing that we were BLOWN away by and nothing that just made us gag.

[88Mariner]

Re: All-Inclusive Resorts


This is my favourite resort in Mexico. God do i love volleyball.

And they always have people cleaning up every morning!