gillybrit

Looking for a recommendation for a reasonably priced AI in Jamaica. As an example, we found 5 nights at the Riu Ocho Rios for $1100 inc flight from Philadelphia - traveling late July. Group of 15- 20 people. Youngest are two 13 year old boys - others are all 18 - early 50s. The young adults will definitely want some nightlife. We have stayed at the Barcelo Maya Tropical and were happy with that level of service, room, food etc.. as another benchmark.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated. I know that may fodorites are not fans of AIs but we like knowing all our costs up front. Did a cruise last year and the bar bills just added up way too quickly!
Thanks!

suze

It's not fair to compare staying non-AI in Jamaica with going on a cruise (where you are held captive on a ship and the cocktails are way expensive). You can drink in casual off-resort bars all around Jamaica CHEAP, nothing like a cruiseship.

Sorry that's not an answer to your question and I only know Negril (love it!) for Jamaica but just perhaps a tidbit of information that might influence your thinking.

gillybrit

Hi Suze - I agree, but we are all on limited budgets and really want to be sure of all our costs up front. We've done plenty of more independent traveling but this time we want to make it simple. It's a large group and one of the few things we have all decided so far is that we want to go the AI route.

qwovadis

AIs are fine saves with a group jamaica.bookit.com good reviews on the Riu.com have done in CR not Jamaica but nice.
$1k pp including air is a steal of a deal go for it.

travelzoo.com sales cheaper deals on Tropical Lifstyle reorts DR and cheap flights down spirit.com in the past but Jamaica
is my fav of the 2 for that rasta vibe and adventure.

Happy Trails!

KVR

I agree that an AI resort vacation is much less expensive than going on a cruise. We have done both and our bar bill on the cruies were also excessively high. We actually prefer AI's over cruises.

We have done 2 AI hotels in Jamaica. The RIU Tropical Bay in Negril and Jewell Dunn's River in Ochgo Rios. I am not a fan of the RUI's. They are very cost effecient, but the food is terrible. Standing in line for ala cart reservations is not something I want to do on vacation. Compared to the Barcelos, the RIU's are diffently a good step down in my opinion.

Instead look at the Iberostars in Montego Bay, the Grand Pineapple in Negril, Royal Decameron in Runaway Bay or the Gran Bahia Principe in Runaway Bay.

suze

Sure, I understand about wanting to know the costs upfront, as being one reason why people choose to go All-Inclusive. Just saying it's not always necesssarily cheaper.

KVR

It really depends on the destination and the person. How much one plans to eat/drink and off site excursions. I have done AI, non-AI and cruises. For us, AI has always been less expensive especially in Mexico.

I just had this very same debate with someone on the cruise board. Until cruises offer AI alcohol at the same rate we can get it with AI hotels, AI land vacations will always be less expensive for us.

BTW, at this very moment we are trying to decide on a hotel in Barbados for our August vacation . I have looked at going non AI and AI. Food and drink in Barbados is excessively high compared to other destinations that we have been to. $20 p/p for a buffet breakfast, $6-$7 for one can of beer. There is only about a $500 difference between the non AI hotel and the AI hotel we are looking at. We much prefer convenience for meals and drinks then hunting for it. I have researched many restaurants and menus. At this point AI is definitely winning.