all inclusive advice
 

Hi and thank you in advance. My girlfriend and I are looking to go somewhere other than Mexico in the middle of July and are looking for an all inclusive beach resort. We've never done an all inclusive but are willing to try it for the value. We're a little afraid that the food will be horrible (we are both foodies) and we generally like to bop around and check out the surrounding areas ( restaurants, cafe's, bars, local attractions, etc..) on a normal vacation so this will be different. We are looking for a place with great food, awesome pools, and a great beach. Maybe 5 nights leaving from the east coast. Thanks again for any advice.

Your budget will have a big impact in the quality of food you get at an All Inclusive.

Generally speaking AI's are noted for having "lots of food", not necessarily "great food". Obviously, the higher end AI's will have better food.

Also, if you are going to eat a lot of your meals "off resort" then going All Inclusive might not be your best choice. You don't get credit for meals you don't eat.

So first question you have to answer is "What is your budget for your All Inclusive accommodations"? Once you tell us that we can make recommendations.

FYI - Of the islands you tagged you'll find the biggest concentration of All Inclusives in the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. You'll find some "high end"AI resorts in Bermuda, several of which have "dine around" policies which will allow you to have some dinners at other resorts. There are very few AI's on St. Martin. The island has hundreds of great restaurants so going AI there is a waste.

Just the fact that you claim to be a "foodie" and like to get out and dine at other places tells me that an All Inclusive is not the right choice for you. Gourmet food and AI simply don't go together. Sure you'll have some people claim the food is great, but if you really know good food, then you will be disappointed with AI food.

I recommend finding a condo on an island that check off your boxes. Buy stuff at the grocery store for breakfasts and lunches...and eat out at different places each night. That sounds more what you are looking for.

I'm not understanding why you want to go All-Inclusive this time? If you like great food and enjoy being out and about.

wanted to try something different and save money that's all. Any ideas of what island/resort will give you the biggest bang for your buck and still allow us to eat out and roam around without being ripped off?

<<<Any ideas of what island/resort will give you the biggest bang for your buck and still allow us to eat out and roam around without being ripped off?>>>

That would be the Riviera Maya area of Mexico which is where you said you didn't want to go.
The Dominican Republic would offer a good bang for your buck, but there is not much to offer as to eating out and roaming around.

<wanted to try something different and save money that's all>

When I've priced all-inclusive vs. independent travel, I can do it cheaper on my own. So I've yet to even try an AI vacatiobn.

As above, Mexico offers the most bang for your buck.

That said, how about Negril Jamaica?

Yes I would be interested in jamaica too. Or turks and caicos. Seems that there are so many options it's hard to decide.

<<Yes I would be interested in jamaica too. Or turks and caicos. Seems that there are so many options it's hard to decide.>>

Well, it's YOUR vacation so YOU have to make a decision on where to go. Contributors here can only make suggestions/recommendations based on what they like or what they think you might like but ultimately it's a choice you and your travel companion will have to make.