bettycrocker

I am looking to take an All Inclusive vacation late Jan 05 Early Feb 05. Since I have never been on an AI vacation I am getting very confused even working with my travel Agent. I was looking at the Sandals Jamaica properties . Wondered if anyone had any comments on those. The Sandals Inn has a good price but is small and has a pub lic beach, you can however use the other Sandals resorts on the Island. Does anyone have any other favorite destinations that I should know about? What are the best?

Morgan

Though not in the Caribbean Royal Hideaway in Playa del Carmen, Mexico (just south of Cancun on the Mayan Riveria) is VERY good.

MarionCK

Hi Betty,

Since you have expressed an interest in Jamaica, you might want to look at the Jamaica Inn.

Although not really an AI, they have various meal plan options.

You will find lots of information here, including a trip report that I wrote in May....and a more recent one by Howard C.

There are also very positive reveiws on tripadvisor.com.

It really is a lovely property !

Marion

Diana

Actually, RH is in the Caribbean. (Mexican Caribbean.)

I agree that it must be a great place - it is one of the only AI's I have never seen a bad reviews for.

I no longer go to AI's, but if I were to go to one, that would be it!

benj

We did the Beaches Negril AI. It was ok overall. The food was so-so but the service was excellent & having the watersports all included was great. If you don't want to be around kids then it isn't the place for you. If you are looking into Jamaica & want a real pampered visit then check out Moon Dance Villas in Negril. They do offer an AI deal. You get a villa with your own cook & bartender. Watersports are included & the beach is lovely there.

bettycrocker

Diane - why do you not do AI anymore?
and also does anyone have any advice on the Sandals Inn? I heard at work today that this is a good place for the money and you can use other Sandals resorts.

Penpen825

We have been to tthe other Sandals in Jamaica but not the Inn but have met tons of people that have stayed there with mixed results. The beachis public and across a busy road so that is a major downer to most. The pool is small, great personal service and everyone gets to know each other but every day, people get on the buses to go to the other sandals, which offer tons more in comparision.

If you want to save, try booking the lowest rooms at Sandals Royal Caribbean or Sandals Ocho Rios. The lowest rooms are still great and these properties are lower in price then the others.

Or look into Mexico - the resorts are not as intimate but you get tons for the money.

Also, if set on Sandals, compare prices on the web - far cheaper thengoing through a traditional travel agent.

Penney

ejcrowe

First of all, are you traveling alone or with somebody? The Sandals hotels only allow heterosexual couples, no singles, at their resorts.

Many people on this board think that the Sandals chains are at best a joke and at worst, a total rip-off. Though the chain certainly has its devotees, most of them do not lurk on this board. And since the Sandals Inn is the least nice of all the Sandals, you probably won't hear much, if anything, about it here.

Without getting into the politics of staying at an AI vs. supporting the local economy, the main reason people don't like AI is the overall poor quality of food. Secondly is that most people who stay at an AI never leave the resort and hence don't get to experience the beauty the island offers.

If you tell us more about what you want to get out of a vacation, it will help us better tell you places to consider. It's not unusual for the very "Best Carribean [sic] All Inclusive" hotels to be $800/night or more for the time frame you're considering vacationing, like Jumby Bay or Galley Bay in Antigua.

If you want to go to Jamaica, for example, you could stay in a nifty little hotel on the beach in Negril, have dozens of dining uptions up and down the beach & cliff areas, and still come out ahead than if you were to pay AI at Sandals Inn.

almesq

I highly recommend the Royal Hideaway. We just went there a couple of months ago. We had never done an AI before, because we have heard that the food is generally not good (buffets, etc.) The RH does not have buffets (there is a breakfast buffet as well as an a la carte breakfast). But it has 5 excellent a la carte restaurant with very good food and nice atmosphere. The service is outstanding, beach is great, and had lots of activities. We were very pleased and would not hesitate to return.

bettycrocker

In response to some of the replies. It will be the two of us my husband and myself we are 57 - we have not had a vacation in three years we both lost our jobs at a major 8 billion dollar company so we are obviously on a budget that is why we were looking at Sandals Inn - thought we could do all three resorts and pay less but we are open to other options just want to have a very relaxing romantic "good time" without having to cook etc and worry about anything for that matter.

diann

Since you mentioned budget I would look into Dominican Republic. They usually have a great price for the money. I have always heard good things about Sunscape. It in Punta Cana. Check out reviews on tripadvisor.com

Diana

Hi again bettycrocker,

To answer your question, we have been traveling a lot in the Caribbean and have found that AI's do not represent a good value.

The first few times we went to the region, we did AI's, then we began doing the MAP (breakfast and dinner). Once we started going out on our own for lunches, we discovered several things...

1.) We loved the true local foods - not the "pseudo-local" dishes that most AI's serve

2.) We really enjoyed getting away from the resort and meeting people and experiencing the culture and atmosphere of each island. (When we stayed at AI's, we felt tied to the resort to get our money's worth.)

3.) We found that non-AI's actually were less expensive or the same even when we added the food and drink costs back in because we don't drink house brands

4.) The non-AI's were more our style (No "activities director" bothering us to join the crab races or the volleyball games or the toga party or the water polo or the .....)

5.) The food, drinks and accommodations at the AI's were not at the level they should be for the price.

It sounds, however, like you may be interested in just relaxing and not having to do much other than veg out and enjoy each other's company (sounds great!), and in that case, an AI would most likely work well for you since you may just want to hang out at the resort.

As diann mentioned, Punta Cana would be a great choice for you! It's inexpensive compared to many destinations, it's almost solely AI resorts, the beach is lovely, it's easy to get to quickly, and it would be a great low-stress vacation for you.

Jamaica and the Caribbean coast of Mexico also have quite a few less expensive AI's, but I would never select a Sandals or a Beaches. (Way too expensive for what you get.)

One other thing... by going mid to late April through mid-December, you would save 30 to 60% on airfare AND hotel as that is off-season. (Don't know if that's a possibility, but I thought I'd mention it.)

Have a great time no matter where you choose to go. It is TIME for a vacation!

bettycrocker

Thanks for all the good feedback. Much appreciated. I have been looking into Sunscape in the Dominican Republic at some of your suggestions and I do like what I read and see - One question I have has anyone been there? The fact that children are allowed is a concern - I love Kids - but on vacation alone it can be a bit of an inconvenience. Please let me know.

schmerl

I just returned from Secrets Excellence in Punta Cana. It is an AI with NO children allowed. It was beautiful. Very relaxing. great beach and a wonderful pool.

Diana

I was just going to suggest Secrets!

We checked into going to PC and it was the only adults only resort I could find.

I did some research and it appears to be well thought of. The only negative (and this would be a plus for some) was that it is pretty far down at the end of the beach, but the OP is most likely looking for R&R, so that would not be an issue...

bettycrocker

After having spent the whole weekend reading reviews and looking at resorts on the internet I have still not come to a conclusion on where to go in the Caribbean. Does anyone out there have any ideas of where and what we can do in the Caribbean (not Mexico) in early 05 that would be both relaxing and fun - good food - good drinks and nice beach area. Does not have to be all inclusive at this point perhaps a Maps?
Thanks
Betty

MarionCK

Hi Betty,

I know you realize that Jan/Feb are the height of the season....and prices in the Caribbean will be very high.

You might want to look at Long Bay Hotel in Antigua. EJ Crowe, who posts here frequently, and whose opinion I respect, speaks very highly of it.

Take a look at the website and and some of the reviews, both here and at tripadvisor.

I would also highly recommend Rendezvous Bay Hotel on Anguilla. A beautiful spot on a wonderful island.

From the number of responses here, it seems that many people want to help you !

It might help us in the process if we knew what kind of *budget* you have in mind...and from where you will be flying.

Marion

bettycrocker

Hi I am very thankful for all the response . In response to Marion CK thank you for the tips. I have still not decided where to go. We would like to stay around $3500.00 and we would be flying either out of Grand Rapids Michigan. Anymore tips would be helpful
Thanks

mgbozarth

My husband and I stayed at Riu Palace Mexico in Playa del Carmen. Children are allowed but we saw only a few...it is geared more for adults. The food and service were both great. It was nice to have the town of Playacar within walking distance to the resort so if you wanted to, you could leave and still feel safe. Some AI resorts are in such secluded areas that leaving the resort is discouraged. The prices in Playa del Carmen are pretty reasonable from what I have found.

PattiGA

you and I are the same age!

A few years ago, my husband and I went to the Sandals in St. Lucia. The smaller of the two there. It was wonderful! After looking at all the Sandals brochures, I expected to see nothing but young couples and honeymooners, but that wasn't the case. Lots of couples our age, and we met some nice people. The service was great and enjoyed all their restaurants. No kids running around was a bonus! We spent 5 days there, and then spent 3 days at Ladera Resort on the other side of the island. It was the perfect vacation for us. The down side to St. Lucia is the traveling. Takes longer to get there (we're from Atlanta area) and the trip from the airport to Sandals was hair raising. But once at the resort, you are greeted with champagne and from then on it's total relaxation. We weren't interested in the organized games, and never had any pressure to join in. During the day we snorkled, hung out by the smaller pool with poolside bar, toured the town and shopped. At night we tried the different restaurants, watched the nightly entertainment and hit the hot tub.
Well, I could go on and on, but will close. Hope this helps.