okiegirl

Anyone have any experience with the Magestic Elegance, Iberostar Grand or Gran Bahia Amber? We are wanting an upscale adults only all-inclusive. All three look nice, so if anyone can point out any pro's or cons , it would help with our decision.
We are 50, and will be traveling with another couple. We want good food, some resort activity, not tucked away from everything, would to to be able to go off property easily if we want to............

Any help would be appreciate.

schmerl

The Iberostar Grand is a spectacular resort.Great food. fantastic service. You will have a butler and a concierge. It is is a complex with four other Iberostar resorts, but none of their guests a permitted on the Grand property. However, you would have access to all of the resorts there. It is about a 20 min. ride into Playa del Carmen and the resort has a shuttle for about $4 each way or you could take a taxi for about $20 (after you split it with the other couple it works out to be just a bit more than the shuttle).
I haven't been to the other resorts, but the Grand bits your description. For loads of info on the IB Grand go to this site and keep scrolling until you get to the section on the IB Paraiso Grand--ther are other "Grand" hotels on the site so make sure you have the section for the Paraiso Grand:

http://www.iberostar-board.com/boards/index.php#

okiegirl

Thanks so much, can you tell location wise where is the best rooms for a nice ocean view room. Is there one building vs another that would make any difference?

schmerl

There are two ocean front buildings (70 and 71), and then other buildings have ocean views.
Here is a link to a map of the IB Grand. Buildings 70 and 71 are right onthe beach. The honeymoon suites are over to the side and do not have ocean views and are pretty isolated. You can look at the map ad get an idea of where you might get an ocean view if you don't book an ocean front room.

http://www.iberostar-board.com/pictu...t=&ppuser=2540

KVR

The OP is asking about resorts in the Dominican Republic and the response was for the Iberostar in Mexico.

I agree with the info regarding the Iberostar in Mexico. My choice for the DR would the the Magestic Elegance. I haven't been there though, but if I did chose to vacation there, that's the hotel I would pick. Check the reviews and pics on Trip Advisor.

schmerl

oooops..I guess I have to pay better attention to the tags!!
In the DR you don't want to wander off the properties on your own. Have you considered Mexico?

okiegirl

I've read several reviews on the Magestic Elegance, and though it looks very nice, alot of people claim to have gotten very sick on the food. They say there are to many buffets, where the food just sits out.

KVR

If you look, that is a common complaint of many of the resorts in the DR. At one time there was quite an epidmic, but I beleive they have since correted it. That with the fact that leaving the resort without being on a guided tour is not recommended. That's why we've never ventured there.

If you wanting an adults only AI with nice amenties and good food, I would go with schmerl's advise of the Iberostar Grand Parisio in Mexico. It gets really good reviews. Other resorts to look at in Mexico are the Royal Playa del Carmen (we loved it and it's a 5 minute walk to 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen were there are tons of resturants, bars and shopping), and any of the Secrets or Excellance resorts.