jenbonfig

A few couples looking to go to an all inclusive in 2013 a few of ours 40th birthday. January seems to be a good option for us. Would love New years but probably too late and too expensive. Not looking to break the bank but willing to splurge a little.
We are not set on a specific island but are looking for the following:
we are traveling from Massachusettes and do not want a really long flight.

Beach front
pools, swim up bars
top shelf liquor
restauranats (preferably no reservations)
wait staff on beach
crustal clear water, tropical feel
no kids
music
beach party??

some activities we like but not a must:
horseback
atv
zip line
golf
boating/catamaran

Thanks so much in advance

KVR

The Royal Playa del Carmen in Mexico

The Jewell Dunns River in Ocho Rios, Jamaica

Both are adults only AI. Neither require reservations for their ala cart resturants. I found the Jewell had better on site activites. ie;, beach party and pier dinner. The Royal is 5 minutes from 5th Avenue. Tons of restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment.

Both offer the off site activities that you listed.

Also check the Iberostars in Mexico and Jamaica.

Caribzack

Turks and Caicos is not for you ...nothing like that available. The Veranda is an upscale AI but, does not have everything you are looking for...BUT Turks & Caicos has the best beach of all of your choices....I'd trade that for anything on your list!!

eastenderusvi

The USVI are not for you either, sorry! ;-)

BellaClaire

2 places to check out...well maybe 3/4....
1. Sandals Grande, St. Lucia...I think it has the best beach on the whole island but water is not "crystal" clear due to the island being mountainous/volcanic.... but you can golf for free on the 9hole course at Sandals LaToc

2. Sandals Antigua.....not sure about golf though..

3. La Samana in DR has great golf courses as I understand it...and Four Seasons on Nevis...maybe stay at Nisbet Plantation..but again...not "crystal" clear water.

What are your priorities? That could help with the answers you get.

jenbonfig

Thanks everyone for your comments. Golf is not a necessity, but the husbands would probably say different.
The wives are one ones turning 40. we are looking for a relaxing, fun, and luxurious 4 days. we love the beach. wait staff on beach would be great or a beach bar. we will spend a lot of time on the beach as well as the pool/swim up bar.
we would like some sort of night life and definitley want top shelf/premium liquor. we dont want to wake with a headache every day i think we would take whatever activities are available but dont want to really venture off the resort too much.

KVR

I stick with my recommendations.

I am not a Sandals fan after staying at 2 of their resorts. Of the 15 AI's resorts that we've been to, I rate the Sandals Grand in St. Lucia at the bottom. Horrid food and service for that price point. January is in high season, so prices will be high compared to other times of the year.

Based on your wish list, you won't find most of it outside of Mexico, Jamaica or the DR. Sandals resorts are the exception. You might look at Whitehouse in Jamaice or Emerald Bay in Exuma if Sandals peeks your interest. However, Janauray in the Bahamas is probably not a good idea weather wise. Much too cool.

jenbonfig

KVR. Thanks again def.staying away from Bahamas in Jan.
Which is the warmest in January? Mexico, DR or Jamaica
Also, Good food and drink seem to be at the top of our list with great tropical beaches. The rest of the amenities we will adapt to. The Royal Playa del Carmen in Mexico looks fantastic but just wondering what your thoughts are for DR and Jamaica. * I have always been drawn to Punta Cana and Peurto Plata for some reason. What do you think about the Excellence Resort Punta Cana or Couples sept away or Tower isle in Jamaica or Iberostar's Grand Hotel Rose Hall?

schmerl

I have been to the Excellence Resort in Punta Cana and loved it. The food was actually pretty good and no reservations are needed for the restaurants. The beach is beautiful and relaxing. Their evening shows were a bit less entertaining than other AI resorts I've visited.

KVR

I have not been to the DR in ages. Just not a area that interests me. I prefer Mexico. Have been going for the last 10 years and have been to Jamaica twice.

If you just want to go and hang at your resort, then the DR would probably be fine. I would go to Trip Advisor and read the reviews. The Excellence and Majestic seem the most popular.

I have been to the Royal Playa del Carmen and the Jewell Dunns River and I rate then #1 and #2 of the resorts we've been to. The Iberostars and Secrets get lots of recommendations.

I have looked into Couples, but their accomendations are just not a lux as what I found in Mexico. Negril is the most popular area to stay in Jamaica, but Montego Bay has the better resorts; Iberostar and Secrets. (IMHO)

In January I would say all your choices would be fine. I do fine the pools warmer in Jamaica than I do in Mexico in December, which is we normally go.

If you're interested I have all our vacations posted on our picture site:

http://community.webshots.com/user/kvrlvn

Odin

Antigua might be a good choice although not sure if it ticks all the boxes. I would expect it to be warmer than Jamaica, which I found rather cool at the beg of March, it was actually very pleasant with little humidity but the sea was very cold. I didn't like the location of Sandals in Antigua, there are better beaches.

BellaClaire

I stayed at the Majestic Elegance this past February....I would highly suggest upgrading to the Elegance club, they have a separate section on the beach where they serve drinks...the beach is fantastic, wide, feels like flour, and it massively long. It's loaded with people however, so if secluded is what you are after, you'd want to rule it out.....but, the drinks were fantastic...they made GREAT, fresh mojitos at the beach bar....and William in the lobby bar made fantastic margaritas/cosmos....we got a swim up room...the room was nice and roomy, the food was okay, we really enjoyed the nightly entertainment. Upgrading to the elegance club will get you closer to the beach..you'll also have access to the club room where a concierge will help you with anything you need...plus it has snacks and beverages all day long and free wi-fi....

Gina83

A little too late, but try Jamaica. I'm going with my husband next month and can't wait! It will be our first all-inclusive holiday to Jamaica, well anywhere really, but we're really excited! We got recommended to use Couples Resorts and they have some great offers for the all-inclusive packages. Hope you managed to book somewhere to escape this depressing January weather!

Here is the website to take a look - http://www.couplesresorts.co.uk