Any suggestions on a great All Inclusive Resort?

[Jena17]

We are trying to plan our Honeymoon! The wedding is on October 10th and we only want to spend about $3000 as we are in the process of buying a house. My plans were either Hawaii or and All Inclusive resort in Mexico or anywhere really.. Have any of you been to one or heard of any that are good?

Thank!

 

[ash313]

My friends are headed to Dreams Los Cabos in Mexico, a nice all-inclusive you should be able to swing for about 3k (if you don''t stay in the SUPER luxury suites). Try applevacations.com, that is where we are booking from - they find your flight and everything and include transfers!

 

[princessplease]

FI and I are also doing Dreams, but in Punta Cana. You may even get in there for under 2K. FI and I found the resort on orbitz.com, and we know people who have been there who raved about the place.

 

[Lauren8211]

I have only been to Mexico once, and I can only suggest that you AVOID Riu Santa Fe all inclusive in Cabo.

Just. Don''t. Do it.

 

[Rock_of_Love]

A friend of mine stayed here and really loved it...
http://vallarta.grandvelas.com/

Also, I''ve heard good things about Fiesta Americana in Cancun...

 

[MsP]

Date: 7/9/2009 1:35:25 PM
Author: elledizzy5
I have only been to Mexico once, and I can only suggest that you AVOID Riu Santa Fe all inclusive in Cabo.

Just. Don''t. Do it.

Don''t avoid Riu all together though--I''ve been to a handful of all inclusives and I can without reservation recommend a few of the Riu Palaces. There are "Riu..." hotels and then "Riu Palace..." hotels. Totally different experiences. I have stayed at both.

Do you know about TripAdvisor? It can be a good place to find reviews.

 

[buttercup80]

DH and I got married last October 12 - and we honeymooned at the Excellence Playa Mujeres in Mexico. We absolutely LOVED it...quiet, serene, gorgeous, EXCELLENT food, fabulous room.

It''s outside of town, though, so there''s not much of a huge nightlife if that''s what you''re looking for. There IS a nightclub on property, but we didn''t check it out, so I can''t tell you what it''s like at all.

 

[dcgator]

Date: 7/9/2009 3:54:38 PM
Author: buttercup80
DH and I got married last October 12 - and we honeymooned at the Excellence Playa Mujeres in Mexico. We absolutely LOVED it...quiet, serene, gorgeous, EXCELLENT food, fabulous room.

It''s outside of town, though, so there''s not much of a huge nightlife if that''s what you''re looking for. There IS a nightclub on property, but we didn''t check it out, so I can''t tell you what it''s like at all.

My DH and I went to the Excellence Riviera Maya in Mexico, and I imagine it was just as FABULOUS as the other one in Playa Mujeres. We too LOVED it and had nothing but good things to say. I have been to about 3 or 4 different all-inclusive brands, and Excellence was by far the BEST! The food was awesome, the service was great, and you can''t beat having 24 hour room service included in the price.

We ended up paying a couple hundred more to be on the Club level (their version of a VIP type thing) and while it wasn''t a huge difference, I did appreciate the separate beach and pool, which was not as full as the larger beach and had SUPER COOL beds to lie in.

We only paid about $2100 for a week for the two of us, so this place is a great value too. Also check out Jet Blue for airfares, b/c I think they were doing Fort Lauderdale to Cancun for something crazy like $50 each way.

Good luck and let me know if you more details!

 

[Morgie44]

We haven't been yet, but we are going to Excellence Riviera Cancun for about 2400 total (including trip insurance, which you will want going in October) It's actually about 1/2 hour outside of Cancun and has consistently good reviews and has won travelers choice awards on trip advisor for being one of the best all inclusive, luxury hotels, and for romance the last 2 years. We can't wait!!

ETA: Sorry to be redundent, I just read the two above reviews for Excellence. I think the one DC Gator is talking about and the one we booked with are the same, as there are 2 Excellence resorts in the Riviera Maya Area Excellence Playa Mujeres and Excellence Riviera. After the two glowing reviews above I am even more excited to go in 2 months!

 

[indypitty]

Okay, I am going to jump on the bandwagon here and recommend Excellence Playa Mujeres. We honeymooned there last year and it was so unbelievably wonderful! I have heard equally good things about Excellence Riviera Maya and Punta Cana. Playa Mujeres just opened about a year and a half ago. Everything about it was amazing, but as someone else mentioned, it is a ways away from town. If you''re at all all-inclusive, though, why leave? That''s how I look at it.

We''ve also stayed at Secrets Capri in Riviera Maya. We loved it too, but enjoyed Excellence a little more.

 

[ficklefaye]

i''ve stayed at a riu in cancun and i really enjoyed it, the caribbean is just gorgeous

 

[LynxCat]

We spent 5 nights at Melia Caribe Tropical in Punta Cana last spring and loved it! I only recommend going there for your honeymoon if you splurge for Royal Service - it''s like a private resort within the resort. Private restaurant, private pool, better service, newer accommodations, etc. We got a good deal through CheapCaribbean.com
http://www.meliacaribetropical.com/royal/
I''ve also heard great things about Excellence Punta Cana. We chose Melia Caribe because it was more in line with our budget. I think Excellence is adults only. Melia Caribe is not, but there are not as many kids in the Royal Service section of the resort, especially in October when school is in.

 

[wannaBMrsH]

We stayed at The Royal Cancun last year and it was an amazing experience. They have multiple a la carte restaurants and it was easy enough to get into them, you didn''t have to make reservations every night.

They have a beautiful infinity pool and easy beach access. We spent about $2200 for 4 nights. but I think you can do 7 for $2800

For our wedding we are going to the DR to the Iberostar Punta Cana. I''ve heard great things, but they just opened a luxury resort there called the Iberostar Grand Bavaro and one of my co-workers was there last month and said it was unbelievable! He said that he spent about $2600 for both him and his wife but flights are hard because there aren''t any direct flights from our area.

Good Luck! I''m sure you will have an amazing time!

 

[Sabine]

I''m going to echo the others who loved the Excellence resorts. We went to Excellence in Punta Cana, and it was FABULOUS! I think they are a great chain resort!

 

[DMBsGirl]

I stayed at the Melia Cabo Real in Cabo for my honeymoon and we loved it! We extended our Cabo stay because we missed out departing flight and stayed at the Riu Santa Fe for 3 nights. Not as nice as the Melia, but totally worth it for the price we paid!

 

[Izzy03]

We went to the RIU Palace Las Americas in Cancun and LOVED it. We plan to go back with all our family next year. We paid $2100 for 6 nights all inclusive. If you can swing it financially The Royal in Cancun is suppose to be even better!

 

[April20]

Date: 7/9/2009 5:33:20 PM
Author: indypitty
Okay, I am going to jump on the bandwagon here and recommend Excellence Playa Mujeres. We honeymooned there last year and it was so unbelievably wonderful! I have heard equally good things about Excellence Riviera Maya and Punta Cana. Playa Mujeres just opened about a year and a half ago. Everything about it was amazing, but as someone else mentioned, it is a ways away from town. If you''re at all all-inclusive, though, why leave? That''s how I look at it.

We''ve also stayed at Secrets Capri in Riviera Maya. We loved it too, but enjoyed Excellence a little more.

Another one jumping on the bandwagon for Excellence Playa Mujeres.

DH and I went last August and are going again this August. I can''t say enough good things about it, though I will say that if you''re looking for a resort with "entertainment", this ain''t it! The nightly entertainment is pretty awful. BUT, it''s beautiful, the food and drink is excellent and it''s the perfect place to just go and do nothing.... It''s really, really wonderful. There are some CRAZY deals out there right now for packages that include airfare and hotel. I saw a deal on Orbitz the beginning of May that was $1K/person for airfare and 7 nights. That''s a bit less than we paid and I thought we got a great deal. The prices have really gone down with the economy the way it is (the swine flu scare helped too). I checked around after we booked last year to see what it would have cost if we''d booked closer to our date and it was over $2K/person to book in May for August, just to give you an idea of the price difference between last year and this year.

 

[Jena17]

We finally booked our Honeymoon! I took your advice and we are going to the Excellence Playa Mujeres!!! SO Excited! I hope it is as nice as it looks in the pictures and what everyone has told me! Thanks for your advice girls!

 

[Londongirl1]

Oh I'm too late - I was going to say that Sandals has half price deals at the moment. If anyone else is lookng for a great A/I get away check them out

 

[beau13]

Date: 7/9/2009 5:33:20 PM
Author: indypitty
Okay, I am going to jump on the bandwagon here and recommend Excellence Playa Mujeres. We honeymooned there last year and it was so unbelievably wonderful! I have heard equally good things about Excellence Riviera Maya and Punta Cana. Playa Mujeres just opened about a year and a half ago. Everything about it was amazing, but as someone else mentioned, it is a ways away from town. If you're at all all-inclusive, though, why leave? That's how I look at it.

We've also stayed at Secrets Capri in Riviera Maya. We loved it too, but enjoyed Excellence a little more.

Those were my two choices. You can't go wrong with Secrets Capri, smaller, more intimate, NO Kids there..phew! They treat you like royalty (maybe we just looked like we were

..lol)
Seriously though, both places are AMAZING!! Not sure if the prices went down, but 2 winters ago, Secrets Capri ran us about $ 6000 for the two of us!!
We're now looking at places in Cuba...prices are cheap(er), beautiful place, lots to do and see!

 

[ficklefaye]

can americans travel to cuba now? beau13, i actually forgot if you were from the states or canada

 

[cleokizzy]

which part of Mexico did you plan to go to?

I''ve only been to Mexico once (so far!) and stayed at Park Royal Piramides in Cancun. I absolutely LOVE the place. It''s more of a family-type all-inclusive resort where there are kids around but if your like me who adores kids - it''s a nice place to hold your HM. I''m a foodie at heart and this place rocks! I love that they featured local and international delicacies! Plus its only a few minute bus ride away from the restaurants, clubs AND... walking distance to the outlet!

 

[beau13]

Date: 7/20/2009 4:09:58 PM
Author: ficklefaye
can americans travel to cuba now? beau13, i actually forgot if you were from the states or canada

Yes, I live in Canada, I assume you live in the US?? NO..from what I understand US citizens can''t travel to Cuba..sorry!!

 

[cleokizzy]

US citizens can''t travel to Cuba?!?

 

[BigDiamonds]

Just wanted to add that we just back from Iberostar Grand Playa Paraiso, near Playa del Carmen. It was great, all adults, and super quiet! I know you can get great deals now.

 

[CDNinNYC]

I loved where we had our DW at the Royal in Playa del Carmen! There were many honeymooners there. Highly recommended.

 

[isaku5]

Date: 7/20/2009 11:12:17 PM
Author: cleokizzy
US citizens can''t travel to Cuba?!?

Unless things have changed dramatically, US citizens (can''t) travel to Cuba. Can''t is in parentheses because some Americans fly to Canada, and then to Cuba. I can''t really see this as a viable option because you''ll still be carrying a US passport and if memory serves, there was a Visa needed to enter Cuba - this very detailed visa made it next to impossibe to get through customs where armed guards are pacing - ready to escort some poor unsuspecting sun-deprived citizen to ????

 

[galvana]

Date: 7/10/2009 8:26:21 PM
Author: Izzy03
We went to the RIU Palace Las Americas in Cancun and LOVED it. We plan to go back with all our family next year. We paid $2100 for 6 nights all inclusive. If you can swing it financially The Royal in Cancun is suppose to be even better!

DH and I got engaged at the RIU Palace Las Americas 2 yrs ago! we LOVED IT! AND we just got back form our HONEYMOON at The ROYAL IN CANCUN! it was AMAZING. I did not think we could find a place better than the Riu Palace but we did!
the Palace is a 10 - really really REALLY nice. but the ROYAL (to my surprise) was even a little bit better.

we loved it! i want us to go back again ASAP! it was the most amazing place. i can''t think of one thing negative to say.
about $3500

 

[beau13]

Any US citizen (whether you fly to Canada first or not), will NOT be welcomed into Cuba! I do believe you are required to show your passport! Without going into detail (I'm sure the reasons can be researched), I do know it's been this way for years, and not likely to change anytime soon!