bigcoop98

The wife and I are planning a somewhat last minute trip to the Caribbean before the arrival of our first child. We want to go all-inclusive, and cannot seem to decide on one. We love Turks and Caicos but AI there is too expensive. We want a nice place with good food and a somewhat reasonable price/ Anyone have any suggestions/recommendations? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

--Big Coop

qwovadis

bookit.com

cheapcaribbean.com

travelzoo.com

luxurylink.com

for best price points.

Dominican Republic puntacana.com for me.

Puerto Plata cheapest but beaches browner.

Jamaica perhaps too good deals around MoBay.

www.rockhousehotel.com great for non AI for me.

Happy Planning!

KVR

Mexico, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic has the majority of AI resorts.

Look at the Iberostars, Excellance, Secrets, Couples, El Dorado and Sandals resorts.

We are headed to the Jewel Dunn's River in Ocho Rios in December. It was formally a Sandals. It's getting great reviews on TA. I noticed today I got an e-mail that they are having 45% off sale right now. I got this resort for 5 nights with air for a great price on Expedia.

doug_stallings

January prices can dip except during the week around the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The week right after New Year is typically one of the cheaper winter weeks to travel. Follow KVR's advice: look at Mexico, Jamaica, and the DR for cheap AIs. But you could also try Antigua, though flights there tend to be more expensive.

However, just a side note: You're pregnant and won't be drinking heavily. AIs aren't known for excellent food unless you go to a really expensive one (which you don't seem to want). You may very well do better at a modest beachfront resort that is NOT an AI.

One of the cheaper AIs is Grand Pineapple in Negril. It's small but well located and on a grand stretch of the beach. Nice staff, owned by Sandals. Just be sure to get a room on the beach side. Some rooms are across the road, which is busy. I like this a LOT more than the giant cheaper AIs like RIU.

genio67

If you will consider a non AI vacation ( which I would if interested in good food), I would look at St. Martin. We went there a few years ago and were amazed at how good the food was in every price range. We only stayed and ate on the French side, so I can't comment on St. Maarten. Grand Case has some nice hotels that are in easy walking distance to great restaurants.

bigcoop98

Thanks all for your responses. We are looking at either DR or Bahamas right now. We did think about non-AI b/c of the pregnancy thing,, but we like the idea that all food, soft drinks, snacks, etc are included in the price, so you don't end up spending much more out of pocket.

genio67, we actually went to St. Martin last summer, and while I agree the food was great, we did have a problem with crime there. We were almost car jacked on our way back to the hotel one night, saved only by my driving skills. Needless to say that we will not be going back there.

Again, thanks and keep the suggestions coming.


--Big Coop

KVR

I don't think you're going to find any decent AI's reasonably priced in the Bahamas. There is Sandals in Nassau and Exuma, but they are expensive. I would avoid Breezes and the RIU. In my opinion they are sub-par and the food is below average. You might look at the Sherton in Nassua or the Wyndham on Grand Bahama. I have stayed at the Royal Bahamian in Nassau and the Wyndam Sugar Bay in St. Thomas. The Wyndam and Sherton won't be like a traditional AI resort.

In the DR look at the Majestic or the Iberostars. The Iberostars in Mexico get really good reveiws.

cmcfong

I don't think you would find an AI in Bermuda. Although a number of the hotels offer MAP, I don't recall any AI. And bear in mind the weather will not be tropical, Bermuda is six hundred miles off the coast of North Carolina and while it may be pleasant, it probably won't be swimming weather.

doug_stallings

I would probably not look at the Bahamas. In January, it can actually uncomfortably cool at the beach there. That leaves you with the DR. There are some nice upscale AI resorts in Punta Cana. Start looking there. But I think you may be mistaken to think that all the food makes up for the high prices at a mediocre AI resort. You can still pay considerably less unless you are eating and drinking all the time in excess.

Maybe look at PuntaCana Resort. It's not an AI but does offer some meal plans and is on a wonderful beach. But the Club Med is on the same beach next door. Though a family resort, it's still nice. And the DR will be reliably warm.

AlnReg

Yes it will be cooler in Nassau in Jan. but not that cool where you cant enjoy the beach. Sandals is a wonderful choice if your budget allows. Breezes has alot of bang for the buck and on a beautiful beach. I have been to Sandals in Nassau many times,and its always been wonderful. Any more questions just ask.

schmerl

Do NOT stay in Breezes in Nassau. It is not good a good choice for a couple expecting a child.
It is more for the loud college crowd.
In Punta Cana look into Excellence Punta Csna which is a great adults only AI resort. Also check out the Iberostars and Paradisus resorts in Punta Csna.

bigcoop98

Thank you all again for the responses. We have since ruled out the Bahamas, since it seems like it would not be as warm as we would like. We are currently looking at the DR, Punta Cana specifically. We kind of have a habit of going to newly opened resorts, so it looks like Riu Palace Bavaro is at the top of our list. Will update if we ever make a decision LOL

--Big Coop

KVR

We just returned from the Jewel Dunn's River in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and loved it. Very nice resort. So easy to get around, great pool and beach. The food was well above many AI's that we have been to. No reservations for resturants except at the Japanese becasue they have to know how many people to sit around the hibachi grill. But can go to conceriege anytime to make.

Just be weary of the RIU's. Their food is massed produced and to get reservations for their ala cart resturants means getting up early and standing in line. Not something I want to do on vacation. The price is less expensive than others, because you get what you pay for. You'll probably be happier at Secerts, Excellance or an Iberostar. I know I would be after our RIU experience in Negril.

schmerl

If you are looking in Punta Cana, check out Excellence (adults only AI), Paradisus, and the Iberostar resorts.

scooter33

I tend to pick based on price and quality so I would see what www.bungolow.com has to offer.