NBR: All Inclusive Resorts

jml5q

This cold weather has me dreaming of beaches and frozen drinks...

DH and I are considering taking a trip sans kiddos in the spring. We've never done an all inclusive and the thought of minimal planning sounds nice.

So tell me about your favorite all inclusive resort(s) and why you'd recommend it!

SarahPLiz

I've never been to one but my friend swears by Sandals in Aruba. 

You might want to check out the honeymoon board on TK. There are lots of AI reviews there.  

august8080

A couple of years ago, DH and I got a great last minute deal on bookit.com for an all-inclusive. It was an El Cid in the Riviera Maya. I don't think I'd go to Mexico right now, but we LOVED it. We were even saying we should have honeymooned there.

We only left the resort one day and that was to go over to Cozumel and snorkel. The food was good, the service was excellent (people bring you drinks on the beach whenever you need them) and it was just so relaxing. They had activities--a luau type show one night, snorkeling, a catamaran trip, deep sea fishing (that was extra $) and we enjoyed all of it. I would definitely do it again and we plan to, eventually. 

ndluvsrk

I'm jealous. I love this cold weather but I've been dreaming of another AI resort trip for a long while now! :-)

Like pp stated, I don't know that I'd want to go to Mexico right now, but we loved the El D or ad o Ro yale in Riviera Maya.

Here is a link.

Nice, clean, relaxing resort with spa facilities. Fun entertainment at night. Drinks brought straight to your palapa on the beach of crystal blue water. What is not to love? 

 

FeistyFille

No experience with AI resorts.  Just wanted to say that my mom is in Puerto Penasco, Mexico right now and has been to a few other places in Mexico several times this past couple of years.  FWIW, she says she has never felt unsafe while there, but tourism is way down so she has the place practically to herself, relatively speaking anyway.  I think they're probably desperate for people so you might get a good deal.

SaraLouiseBride08

We went to Mexico in May of 2010, and I didn't feel unsafe. We stayed on the resort, though.

And AIs are awesome! I SO want to go!

texasbeachbride

I loooove all inclusives! We got married at one and try to go every 2-3 yrs. We always go to Mexico and I would feel safe there right now as long as you stay at your resort. There is plenty to do at them, so really no reason to leave. My fave that we have been to is the Excellence Riviera Cancun. It's not actually in Cancun, kinda secluded. Awesome food, beautiful grounds, excellent service!!! We have also been to the Royal in Playa del Carmen and it is great too. Both of these are adults only, which I would hightly recommend if you are wanting to take a trip without the kids.

a-c-d

Not sure of your budget, but we did all-inclusive in St Thomas USVI for a wedding a couple of years ago. I LOVED IT!!

We stayed here... Sugar Bay Resort and Spa. At the time, it was owned by Wyndham and it doesn't look to be the case anymore. So, I am not sure how much may have changed. 

thethomps

texasbeachbride:

I loooove all inclusives! We got married at one and try to go every 2-3 yrs. We always go to Mexico and I would feel safe there right now as long as you stay at your resort. There is plenty to do at them, so really no reason to leave. My fave that we have been to is the Excellence Riviera Cancun. It's not actually in Cancun, kinda secluded. Awesome food, beautiful grounds, excellent service!!! We have also been to the Royal in Playa del Carmen and it is great too. Both of these are adults only, which I would hightly recommend if you are wanting to take a trip without the kids.

I second the Excellence Riviera - we went there for our honeymoon and it was awesome.  We paid for the "upgraded" room (I forget what it's called), but you have your own part of the beach roped off and you have premium liquor in your room and access to a VIP lounge with snacks and good drinks.  And the French Restaurant there is AMAZING.  We ate there three nights, I think, and it's only because we found it on our third night.  The ash-covered goat cheese and port on the dessert cart is to die for.

ETA:  It's called the Excellence Club.  You also get upgraded room service breakfast, which was awesome in the mornings when we just wanted to lounge in the room and look out at the ocean.

Jess.O

thethomps:

texasbeachbride:

I loooove all inclusives! We got married at one and try to go every 2-3 yrs. We always go to Mexico and I would feel safe there right now as long as you stay at your resort. There is plenty to do at them, so really no reason to leave. My fave that we have been to is the Excellence Riviera Cancun. It's not actually in Cancun, kinda secluded. Awesome food, beautiful grounds, excellent service!!! We have also been to the Royal in Playa del Carmen and it is great too. Both of these are adults only, which I would hightly recommend if you are wanting to take a trip without the kids.

I second the Excellence Riviera - we went there for our honeymoon and it was awesome.  We paid for the "upgraded" room (I forget what it's called), but you have your own part of the beach roped off and you have premium liquor in your room and access to a VIP lounge with snacks and good drinks.  And the French Restaurant there is AMAZING.  We ate there three nights, I think, and it's only because we found it on our third night.  The ash-covered goat cheese and port on the dessert cart is to die for.

ETA:  It's called the Excellence Club.  You also get upgraded room service breakfast, which was awesome in the mornings when we just wanted to lounge in the room and look out at the ocean.

Another vote for the Excellence Riviera.  It's my absolute favorite place in the whole world.  We went in May and it was just perfect.  I have nothing to complain about at all.  We were on a budget so we stayed in the cheapest room that they have and it was very impressive to us.  I have pics at home if you're interested.  We stayed for 5 night I think and it was barely over 2K including airfare.  The food was great, the people were so friendly and I never felt unsafe at all.  

Now I want to go back.