furbie

what is the highest quality all-inclusive that i can find in the caribean or mexico? want top of the line - location not important, so long as there is good hot sun!!

observer

Judging by another current thread, you might consider Jumby Bay at $1400/night!

GM

LeSport in St. Lucia is the best AI with twice daily spa treatments included, as well as Fencing lessons, Tai Chi instructions, a great aerobics/workout study and tons of other things to do/not do. There's 3 pools, 2 restaurants and 1 deli, 3 meals + 4pm High Tea, premium liquors and private beach property.<BR><BR>Its sister resort is in Grenada, LaSource - same difference, just 1 spa treatment a day.<BR><BR>Rendezvous in St. Lucia is another sister resort, but needs some major upgrading; didn't like it there, and the beach is not private.<BR><BR>All the Sandals, Club Meds, Breezes, Couples, etc., can't compare to LeSport. It IS considered top of the line, and the furnishings/property are wonderful. Check out the website.

Joe

If this LeSport is any better than Swept Away or Couples Negril I'd be very surprised. I don't GM has been to either resort - so suggesting LeSport is better means nothing.<BR><BR>Who the hell wants to fence or do Tai Chi??<BR><BR>I have been to St. Lucia and the beaches are average. The beaches in Negril are spectacular - some of the best stretches of beach in the Caribbean. The food is also great at these resorts.<BR><BR>Ask individuals who have travelled to the Couples Resorts in Negril or have a look at reviews on some of the travel websites.......you'll get your information there.<BR><BR>

Susan

All I have to say is the Royal Hideway Resort in Playacar, Mexico. I just returned from there for my 1year anniversary and this was paradise for me. I stayed at the Sandals in St. Lucia last year for a honeymoon and this does not compare. You don't feel like this is a chain resort or anything. Everything is just beautiful. And the food is amazing. Plus we stayed in their regular deluxe room and the bathroom was about the size of our room in the Sandals! Definitely look into it. I am so glad I did. Now I just don't know where I will go for my 2 year anniversary!!! Check out their website at: www.royalhideaway.com/playacar/ <BR>plus if you want I have a lot of photos of the place, etc. If you'd like I can email the to you.

x

Hey, folks:<BR><BR>I have been to Swept Away, LeSPORT, and Jumby Bay.<BR><BR>You do get what you pay for, and Jumby Bay is by far the best all-inclusive and by far the most expensive (although not close to $1400/night--not sure where that price came from!). <BR><BR>LeSPORT is a nicer resort than Swept Away, although I did not have any major issues with Swept. LeSPORT has nicer rooms, nicer beach (sorry, Joe), better food, and more activities. Swept has a dynamite sports complex, but the service and rooms leave a little to be desired.<BR><BR>Swept is the best value of the three, and you cannot go wrong with any of them. It depends on your budget and which activities you want.

Joe

Like I said, have a look at travel reviews of the three - that will help.<BR><BR>Also - not sure if the person above has been to Swept. If this person thinks the beaches in St. Lucia are nicer than 7 mile in Negril with white sand and crystal water - they are blind or haven't been there.<BR><BR>Also - we found the service at Swept impeccable and consider ourselves discerning travelers. Swept also has a gourmet restaurant called Feathers where we ate most nights. It would rival the top restaurants (for food and service) in our city.<BR><BR>There was also tons to do at this resort - lots of offsite adventures - and lots on property.<BR><BR>

another

TAO is LeSports gourmet resturant and it is wonderful! We loved it at LeSport. Their cove is a lovely private beach. Yes, Negril is a nice long strip, but I enjoyed snorkeling at LeSport's coral formations. Didn't have that experience at Beaches Negril which is close or as I recall next to Swept Away. Actually I thought the distance from the water to the "bulkhead" at Swept was quite narrow, but that was 2 years ago. I don't think you can compare Jamaica's excursions from Negril to St. Lucia's. Really the Piton's is an event in itself. Martha Brae isn't much and forget about going to Dunn's it would take a whole day!!

GM

For Joe: while in Jamaica one vacation we had at a villa owned by a Dr. (which has a maid, a cook and gardner), we stopped at the Swept Away resort. Just can't compare to LeSport; sorry, but no way.<BR><BR>Now, I WILL say that having travelled around the Caribbean, St. Lucia's beaches are NOT in the same league as, for example, St. John, but I have to agree with the poster named x. And my hubby definitely would agree with the poster 'Another' about the snorkeling at LeSport.<BR><BR>I only mentioned the Fencing, etc., cause that's what's included at LeSport, besides the tons of other activities that the resort offers to do or not do. You do get the best for your dollars, and as noted, TAO Restaurant at LeSport is wonderfully relaxing, delicious food, and is included with the pricing.<BR><BR>For all the things noted about LeSport, it's no wonder that TRAVEL + LEISURE noted (in 2002) that LeSport is in the top 10 of the world's best spas, and Conde' Nast's U.K. TRAVELER noted LeSport is in the top 10 of the 'World's Top 100' list of the 'Best of the Best' (this is per the website).<BR><BR>I'm not knocking Jamaica at all, we went there a few times. And, from the post by 'Susan' I would like to try that resort in Playacar myself; have to look into that for future reference.

Susan

For GM:<BR>If you'd like I can email you photos of the resort, the beach, the grounds, etc. of the place. You won't believe how beautiful this place is. I would recommend going though in off-season, not the winter - time. Being that we went in October it was a lot less crowded and we got a really good deal through Liberty Travel (however I did book it back in April). Its definitely worth checking out, I first had my heart set on Grand Cayman, but it was just too much money and then I did a lot of research and found this place and I could not believe how clear the water was here and how soft the sand is. Plus you can take different tours to visit the ruins, snorkeling, etc. to break up the days of just relaxing on the beach and my husband and I did a lot of that. Let me know and I would be happy to send you the photos. (Because being I did a lot of research it was hard for me to find a lot of photos of the Royal Hideaway's beach which is a shame because its just sooooo beautiful!)

x

Joe:<BR><BR>I have been to Swept twice and to LeSport twice. I am not "blind", and before you criticize you might want to *see* the beach at LeSport, which is in it's own private cove. <BR><BR>The beach at Swept was much nicer in the early 90's before the serious erosion (see the post by "another").<BR><BR>Water is clearer in Negril, but the snorkeling was better at LeSport.<BR><BR>Joe, not sure why the need to disparage resorts you have never been to (not to mention other posters), but if you are a reflection of Swept's clientele I doubt I will be returning.

Tricia

Susan,<BR><BR>Can you email me pics of Roayal Hideaway. I am considering for my honeymoon and and can't decide.

ML

Susan: We are looking for a nice vacation spot for February 2003, could you please email us the photos of your Royal-Hideaway? Thanks.

Sami

My husband and I stayed at the Royal Hideaway this year and it was wonderful. There were a lot of honeymooners and if they weren't on their honeymoon they were on a return visit. You can't go wrong here. My husband and I did a lot of research on where to stay in Mexico because I like to be pampered and he wanted a great beach. I would not hesitate to vacation there again!