Sweetness

My husband and I are deciding between on a beach trip Jan 4-9, 2014 We have traveled to many places in Europe, Caribbean and the US. We have stayed at various non AL throughout the Caribbean (Ritz Grand Cayman most recent) and several AL's in Mexico(Secrets Maroma &The Royal most recent). We are coming from Ohio. The flight to Mexico saves us a few hours compared to DR and Jamaica. We love a nice beach so we wanted to try DR or Jamaica, but the resorts don't seem as nice as in Mexico (we have gotten custom to nice resorts like Secrets Maroma) . We are considering Excellence DR vs Excellence rivera or Iberostar Grand Rivera Maya? Iberostar Grand in DR is full. We considered Al in Jamacia, but the price seem $550-700 more for the nice AL's compared to DR and Mexico. So, my questions are: 1-Do we go back to Mexico or try DR/ Jamaica if the comparable resort is $500 more?
2. If we choose Mexico, what is better Excellence or Iberostar Grande?

schmerl

I would recommend the IB Grand over Excellence.
I have been to Excellence in Punta Cana and it was nice, but no where near the level of the IB Grand.

suze

I like Jamaica better than the Dominican Republic (by a lot). I like Mexico best of all. But am not familiar with the level of resorts you are looking at, so can't specifically help there.

schmerl

I was referring to the IB Grand Paraiso in Mexico. Top of the line all the way.

KVR

I agree with the IB Grand Paraiso. If you liked Secrets Maroma and the Royal Playa del Carmen, then it's the next choice in that area. To me, the Excellance resorts are too secluded in Mexico.

There is an Iberostar and Secrects in Montego Bay, Jamaica. I have to agree that they are a little more expensive than the ones in Mexico and I don't feel they are as lux. But, if you wanted to try something new, it would be a good option. Though Montego Bay is not the optimal place to stay in Jamaica.

We enjoyed the Jewell Dunn's River resort in Ocho Rios, which used to be a Sandals, but the room are Sandals meh. We like the resort itself though, but it's definitely not as lux as what can be found in Mexico.