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- Dec 3, 2011
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April20|1422733224|3825076 said:We've done an all inclusive vacation every year since 2007. Here's my take.
You get what you pay for. DO NOT cheap out. If you need to pay 50% more to stay at a "5 star" vs a "3 star" all inclusive, then save your money longer and book the "5 star".
I've found that all 5 star AI resorts are generally the same when it comes to amenities. They're generally adults only, lots of bars with the good liquor and "a la carte" restaurants that don't require reservations at dinner. This is what you want. I would not book a resort that requires reservations for any restaurant at night (other than hibachi) and/or limits the nights you can do restaurants. This means you'd be stuck eating off a buffet at dinner the other nights and it's generally not that great. If you end up needing to take kids, boom a 4 star. That's generally 5 star amenities but not adults only.
As to beaches, I think the beaches in the Dominican Republic are better than in Mexico. Less sea grass. I do think the beaches on the "hotel strip" in Cancun are decent but they're less private due to all,the resorts in a row. The ones more isolated north and south of Cancun proper are nice, but do tend to have a lot of sea grass and can be a bit rocky.
In Cancun/Mayan Riviera we've stayed at Excellence Playa Mujeres twice (hands down fav), the Valentin Imperial Maya (didn't like the grounds. It was too jungle like and you couldn't see the water without trekking down through growth to the water) and Secrets Silver Sands. I would go back to any of them but the Valentin. The Valentin had great food, but I just didn't care for the fact that you couldn't see the water. And I saw snakes there several times. Ummmmm. No.
Our very first year we did an AI we stayed at the Sunset Grande Ocho Rios in Jamaica. It was a 3 star and we knew nothing about AIs. We learned everything about what not to book for a vacation that first year. It wasn't so bad while we were there as we didn't know better but when I researched resorts we passed after we got home I realized how much it sucked!!!!
Oh and a note on airport transfers. If the resort is 15 mins or less from the airport, book shared transfers. You will likely be first off at the resort and last on to go to the airport. Anything other than 15 mins, book private. It will only be you and you will go straight to the resort. It will save you at least two hours because you won't be dropping people at different resorts along the way. The way back to the airport is always shared, but who cares!
I agree with April -- DO NOT CHEAP OUT. We thought Beaches was pretty good until we stayed at Excellence and Secrets, too! We have had great luck with All Inclusive Outlet, but I have several friends that use Cheap Caribbean all the time... I totally agree about the beaches, with one exception -- SECRETS MAROMA BEACH. It's more expensive, but the beach is ranked in the top #5 in the whole Caribbean (and I can see why)... The restaurants are the same with each chain. All the Secrets resorts have Bordeaux (French), El Patio (Mexican), Himitsu (Japanese/Hibachi), etc... Same deal with Excellence.
We chose SMB for our "Weddingmoon" because of the GORGEOUS BEACHES (umm, hello?? photo opps!!). We were told by countless Secrets "aficionados" and travel agents that it was the best Secrets resort. There is no seaweed whatsoever, and the beaches are pristine -- super white and clean with the clearest, bluest of blue water! Sorry for the shameless wedding pics -- SMB was just so beautiful and these photos helped capture it!
Here are some (TONS) photos of Secrets Maroma Beach (Riviera Cancun):