I am taking my wife and 2 kids to an "all inclusive" this March. I have done many vacations, but never an all inclusive resort. I know in the past I have always recieved good advice from my John Dee freinds, and am looking for any advice at all. My kids are 16 and 18 and we want to go to somewhere warm with a nice sand beach after the snowmobile season. This may be the last family vacation, so I would like it to be as stress free as possible. I would like a nice place with reasonably good food at of course a reasonable price. We were thinking of maybe somewhere in Mexico (away from the border violence), but any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Need help finding an "All Inclusive"
- Thread starter liv2ride
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trailshredder
Member
The company I work for takes us every year on a vacation somewhere in the Caribean. We always stay at "all inclusive" resorts. I feel that the RIU Resorts are the best. Don't waste your money on a four star go five star or better. Believe it or not it makes a HUGE difference. Personally if you are going to Mexico my favorite is Playa Del Carman area.
cuzzinolaf
Active member
We stayed at the Barcello Mayan Palace in The Riviera Maya near Playa Del Carmen and would go back. Good food, nice beaches and plenty to do.
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
Cancun
I've been to Cancun 3 times and it's a favorite of mine! There are many all inclusive resorts down there. Be sure to stay on the main beach as that has the white sand beaches and crystal blue water. I have attached a few shots from our last trip down there.
I've been to Cancun 3 times and it's a favorite of mine! There are many all inclusive resorts down there. Be sure to stay on the main beach as that has the white sand beaches and crystal blue water. I have attached a few shots from our last trip down there.
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eagle1
Well-known member
Another vote here for Mexico. We stayed in Riveria Mayia, forget the name of the place, but it was huge. Actually 3 places in one and you could use all of the facility. As big as it was it never felt crowded. I swear we found a new pool every day.
Stop at a travel agent and ask for Apple vacation book for Mexico. Give you and idea whats available. I also agree with trailshredder, go 5 star or better you won't be disappointed.
Talk to travel agent, they have stayed at lots of these places and will be able to help you find what you are looking for amenity and price wise
Stop at a travel agent and ask for Apple vacation book for Mexico. Give you and idea whats available. I also agree with trailshredder, go 5 star or better you won't be disappointed.
Talk to travel agent, they have stayed at lots of these places and will be able to help you find what you are looking for amenity and price wise
eagle1
Well-known member
Here's the place we stayed at Grand Palladium. http://grandpalladiumrivieramaya.com/
We went thru Apple vacations.
We went thru Apple vacations.
firefighter1
Member
I've been to Playa Del Carmen twice, including last year. Also been to Puerto Vallarta and this March we are going to Ixtapa. In my opinion I like the western side better because it seems warmer than the caribbean side. All the food was very good everywhere, so I don't think that will be a problem. The Riviera Maya is very nice if thats where you end up going, you will never go wrong with an all inclusive resort. We usually stay in a Riu hotel and they have been very nice. Last year we stayed at the riu palace which was amazing, we were upgraded there for free because they over booked our first hotel. We plan on taking the kids this summer. No matter where you go there are lots of activities for kids of all ages.
1blue99srx600
New member
Have been to Cancun, Riviera Maya, Puerto Vallarta and Ixtapa. My two least favorites were Puerto Vallarta only because we went during rainy season and Ixtapa, I just wasn't thrilled with Ixtapa. Cancun was great didn't go at Spring break, close to the city and shopping all excursions left from hotel by bus. Riviera Maya stayed at the Occidental Grand Xcaret, it is connected to the Xcaret Eco park and you get free admission when you stay there. They have Snuba, snorkleling, swim with dolphins. Not far from Playa Del Carmen with restaurants, shopping and can take the boat ovet to Cozumel from there.
Big fan of the Playa area too! The RIU complex is especially nice in that area. We've also stayed at the Bluebay Grand Esmeralda and loved them all. Make sure you check the Sun Country travel site and they seem to have some excellent direct flight deals. We'll be down there the end of Feb.!! 
Consider Cozumel also, I have had an all inclusive place there for 12 years. Because most of the places are on the west side of the island, you get all the great sunsets. When you are getting waves in Playa, you will have calm water on the west side of Cozumel. The best beaches are on the west shore and toward the southern part of the island. The Occidental Grand and Occidental Allegro are on San Francisco beach. The Grand is only a few years old. Both are all inclusive. I am leaving Dec 18th for a week, direct flight, 4 hours.
Les
Les
My sister and I have owned our travel agency for 13 years and have been to Mexico 10 times and consider Riviera Maya or Playa Del Carmen to be the best areas to stay in.
Here is our website www.discount-all-inclusive.com/
You can check out the resorts and all the amenities they have to offer. You can get instant quotes/rates as well. The rates that are generated on line aren't always the lowest and I usually discount further.
Please let me know if I can help.
Here is our website www.discount-all-inclusive.com/
You can check out the resorts and all the amenities they have to offer. You can get instant quotes/rates as well. The rates that are generated on line aren't always the lowest and I usually discount further.
Please let me know if I can help.
yamarage07
New member
Dominican republic last time i was there it was pretty reasonable
My wife and I stayed at the Royale Car. resort down there. However, that is more for couples than kids &/or families. This resort we visted on a free transfer with in Sandals Resorts. This place that I am posting a link to was more what you are looking for. Lots of fun things to do.
http://www.sandals.com/main/montego/mo-home.cfm
Hope you have fun and make sure not to leave to early before the snow is gone!!!
http://www.sandals.com/main/montego/mo-home.cfm
Hope you have fun and make sure not to leave to early before the snow is gone!!!
What are some of the differences between a 4 star and a 5 star. I was told by a freind not to book anything less than a 4 star. I have heard some people say that the food was terrible at an all inclusive, and others say the food was very good. Can I assume that the one with terrible food was under a 4 star rating?
flatlandracer
New member
Negril Jamaica!!!!!
We have done Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas, Punta Cana Dominican Republic, The Bahamas (but that was on a cruise), and Jamaica both Montego Bay and Negril.
Negril Is my favorite place in the world. Last trip stayed at Couples Negril so kids would not be allowed but the area is amazing and there is a Sandels and a few Riu's in the area. In my opinion Negril offers the best of everything. You can walk out 100-200 yards in the water and it is only chest deep. Great western views for sunsets over the water which you can't get in Cancun or Playa (go to Ricks Cafe and watch the sunset and the cliff divers or dive yourself). Amazing food. Locals love you. Amazing water and sand conditions. Cant go wrong with any of the locations that have been discussed but my personal preferance (and 8 other people that went with us last year agree) that Negril is heaven on earth. Enjoy your vacation.
We have done Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas, Punta Cana Dominican Republic, The Bahamas (but that was on a cruise), and Jamaica both Montego Bay and Negril.
Negril Is my favorite place in the world. Last trip stayed at Couples Negril so kids would not be allowed but the area is amazing and there is a Sandels and a few Riu's in the area. In my opinion Negril offers the best of everything. You can walk out 100-200 yards in the water and it is only chest deep. Great western views for sunsets over the water which you can't get in Cancun or Playa (go to Ricks Cafe and watch the sunset and the cliff divers or dive yourself). Amazing food. Locals love you. Amazing water and sand conditions. Cant go wrong with any of the locations that have been discussed but my personal preferance (and 8 other people that went with us last year agree) that Negril is heaven on earth. Enjoy your vacation.
I can't dissagree with Negril as an option. I have been there a couple times. My sister owns a small resort called Banana's Garden right across the street from Ricks Cafe, and we had access to the resort next to Ricks, so we had an amazing time jumping off the cliffs and watching the sunsets without the crowds at Ricks. I think she would be dissapointed if I went to Negril and stayed a few miles down on the beach and not at her place.
Just got back last night.
My wife and I along with another couple just got back form Mexico last night. We stayed at the Barcello Maya Palace, The same place cuzzinolaf stayed. It was great! We loved the resort. The resort had great food. You can snorkel in front of the resort, the beach was great and the nightly show were good. We will be going back in the future.
Last year we stayed at the Grand Palladium White Sands. We also liked that but the Barcello was just a nicer resort. We booked this trip on Expedia and everything went well. We booked our transfer from the airport to the hotel with a company called USA Transfers, it was a private transfer so we went directly to the hotel and it was just us in the van. The cost of the transfer was $130 (plus tip), the cost was about the same as Expedia was going to charge us.
The Playa Del Carmen area has a lot of activities that you can go and do.
If you need any info let me know.
Scott
My wife and I along with another couple just got back form Mexico last night. We stayed at the Barcello Maya Palace, The same place cuzzinolaf stayed. It was great! We loved the resort. The resort had great food. You can snorkel in front of the resort, the beach was great and the nightly show were good. We will be going back in the future.
Last year we stayed at the Grand Palladium White Sands. We also liked that but the Barcello was just a nicer resort. We booked this trip on Expedia and everything went well. We booked our transfer from the airport to the hotel with a company called USA Transfers, it was a private transfer so we went directly to the hotel and it was just us in the van. The cost of the transfer was $130 (plus tip), the cost was about the same as Expedia was going to charge us.
The Playa Del Carmen area has a lot of activities that you can go and do.
If you need any info let me know.
Scott