All Inclusives-- where for our Next Trip

Old Apr 28th, 2010, 09:10 AM
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All Inclusives-- where for our Next Trip

Need help selecting our next trip, which will be Labor Day Weekend. We want an All-inclusive, preferably one for adults only. We loved the Moon Palace in Cancun and the Grand Palladium in Lucea, Jamaica, but want to try something different. We would only be able to spend four nights.
We live in Northwest Florida, so we already have access to beautiful beaches. Having said that, we do want a waterfront AI, but if the resort has a rocky beach, that is OK. We are mid 50's and are not much into clubs, so night life isn't a priority. We loved doing the zipline in Jamaica recently, so we would like another adventure. We don't golf or tennis, but we are reasonably fit for our age. We have to fly through either Atl, Memphis, or Orlando because of our location in northwest Florida.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
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Old Apr 28th, 2010, 10:14 AM
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Maroma Beach in the Riviera Maya will be nicer than what you saw in Lucea, Jamaica. Look at Secrets Maroma or El Dorado Maroma. Additional hotels to consider; Iberostar Grand Parasio, Secrets Capri, Valentin Imperial Maya, Zoetry. There is also 2 Grand Palladium hotels in that area.

There are several places to zip line. Look at X'Plor.

http://www.xplor.travel/

I would also suggest Xcaret or Xel-Ha which are echo parks. There is cenote swimming/snorkeling, and several Mayan Ruins to visit. Ak Tun Chen is a cave system to explore.

This site will give you a good idea of things to see and do in that area: http://www.playadelcarmentours.com/
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Old Apr 28th, 2010, 11:09 AM
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Thanks KVR -- I have read several of your posts and trust your advice.
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Old Apr 29th, 2010, 06:41 AM
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Thank you. That's a very nice thing to say.

We are probably going back to Playa del Carmen in December. We've been debating between Playa, Aruba and Jamaica. The price in Mexico is winning.

If we do decide on Playa, we chose the Mahekal Beach Resort. After 14 AI vacations, it is kinda of getting old and we wanted something different. Also tired of the huge AI complexes with tons of loud people. The Mahekal is a modified EP plan with breakfast and either lunch/dinner. They have cute rustic cottages that sit directly on the beach and within a 10-15 walk to 5th Avenue. It's a different alternative.

I've used that playadelcarmen tours site before without any problems and plan on using them again to snorkel at Akumel and do a catamaran cruise. We also want to go back to Xcaret. We enjoyed it and their night show much better than Xel-Ha.
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Old Apr 29th, 2010, 05:44 PM
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Gracie- I probably don't live an hour or less west of you - depends on where you are on the panhandle (I am in Mobile) so I understand that you are accustomed to beautiful beaches- I try to tell people that and that we kind of like some different coastlines on vacation since we have miles of white sand but they don't get it! I am not a big AI person so I am not the best of advice there; however, we have traveled quite a bit- your age and love to snorkel and adventure/see as much as we can of an island- and we are looking at the Bay Islands of Honduras (Roatan) for our next adventure- been there? We just returned last week from the BVI's- love the out islands of the Bahamas, Mexico, Culebra and a little off the beaten path but Roatan has the ziplines, the beaches, the snorkeling and (we hope) the laid back vibe we like. You can fly direct from Atlanta- we can do that or Pensacola to Houston to Roatan. Just a thought if you haven't been or considered it.
Happy travels!
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Old Apr 30th, 2010, 08:44 AM
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ishkribbl -- we live in Bay County, near Panama City Beach. We have been to beaches in Jamaica, Cancun,St Thomas, BVI, Greek Islands, Nice, France, Italian Rivera, plus most beaches on the east and west coast of Florida as well as beaches in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, and California. Nothing beats the stretch of beaches from Orange Beach to PCB as far as beautiful water and pure, fine, white sand. I just hope the oil spill doesn't ruin our paradise. It will be devastating for our economy.
But, I do like to see different types of coastlines on vacations from what we have here in our backyard, so to speak.
I think this time we would want a smaller All-inclusive. The Lady Hamilton in Jamaica was huge and there were just so many people everywhere. The resort handled the crowds very well, but it wasn't at all intimate. And, we had to walk a pretty long way from our villa to the pool or beach -- so if you had to go back to your room, it was at least a 15 minute walk. Our travel agent is a friend of my sister-in-law and she is recommending the Dreams Cancun. Do you or HVR have an opinion on that resort?
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Old Apr 30th, 2010, 11:39 AM
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We've been to Cancun twice, but it's not an area I would go to again. We prefer Playa and Cozumel. Dreams does get good reviews, but it's not adults only. If interested in Cancun I would suggest the Royal Cancun instead. We stayed at their sister resort in Playa and loved it.

For a nice beach and clear water I would suggest Turks and Caicos. I haven't been to the areas of Florida you have, but from the parts of Florida I have seen, T & C wins hands down. Actually, Grace Bay is the best beach I've seen in all of my travels. Look at the Veranda. It's a small all inclusive that recently opened. Unfortunately for us it wasn't there when we went.

Grand Cayman would come in second for a nice beach and clear water. The Marriott on 7 Mile Beach has an AI plan, but it not adults only.

Aruba's Eagle beach is also very nice. The water is not a clear as some other destinations, but it is still quite nice. The Manchebo, the Divi, and Amsterdam Manor are good small hotels. I would not do AI as there are just too many resturants to chose from and easy to get to.
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Old Apr 30th, 2010, 11:50 AM
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KVR -- what do you like about Playa and Cozumel? I mean, why do you like it better than Cancun?
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Old Apr 30th, 2010, 12:33 PM
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Cancun is much more commercialized than Playa and Cozumel. It was built as a tourist location and has very little "local" flavor.
Playa is a small town with wonderful shops and restaurants.
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Old Apr 30th, 2010, 01:13 PM
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I agree with Schmerl. I really enjoy 5th Avenue in Playa. Blocks and blocks of great resturants, bars and shops. I'm a big shopper. We've gotten tired of the huge AI complexes and found some really cute boutique hotels within walking distance to 5th Avenue. When I found the Mahekal Beach Resort I said that is exactly what we are looking for. Cute, rustic and on the beach. I could never get a better room anywhere that close to the beach at an AI hotel.

Cancun's beaches are not as great. They have had a lot of erosion over the past few years. They have spent a lot of money doing a beach restoration, but Cancun just doesn't have that charm like Playa and Cozumel. It's a very big party place. Our last trip was in 2008 when I turned 40. We were the oldest couple everywhere we went. I also like it when shops, resturants and bars are more localized like Playa, Cozumel and Aruba's Palm Beach area.

We went to Cozumel for our 4th trip this past December. San Migual Square is like 5th Avenue in Playa. Lots of great resturants and bars and shops. The snorkeling is really good there. It's very laid back.

Cozumel and Playa kinda remind me of the Riverwalk in San Antonio. One of our favorite weekend getaways within driving distance.

We chose Key West, FL for our 10th wedding anniversary in July. We are not going for the beaches, but for the fun. Lots of bars and resturants. We got a B & B with a pool side room. I could never afford one of those at an AI resort anywhere. And the pool is heated, unlike the AI's.

If your interested we have all of our vacation pics posted. You may see something that interests you.

http://community.webshots.com/user/kvrlvn
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Old Apr 30th, 2010, 04:14 PM
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Hi Gracie- it is looking very scary indeed for our stretch of the Gulf- I am not much of a TV watcher but I have been watching special local news reports for the couple of hours since I got home today.
I have never stayed in a resort in Cancun (honestly, never really wanted to for reasons others have said about it being a place for younger people) and have only flown into the airport then moved on to Playa or to the ferry to Isla Mujeres. I agree with what others have told you about Playa but it is a pretty bustling place, too. The one time we went to Cozumel it seemed overrun with cruise ship day trippers and all the vendors trying to sell to them. The other side of the island was different but town was full of loud partiers- it is not at all fair for me to judge on one experience and others seem to have found places there they really like. I found two weeks ago that Virgin Gorda on a non-cruise day is the peaceful, gorgeous, place I was looking for but on cruise days we quickly knew which places to avoid!
The place we loved in Playa (actually about 6 miles north of Playa in Punta Bete) has been torn down to put condos there- such a shame- it was small,simple, very pretty and immaculately maintained place but a great little spot (Posada de Capitan LaFitte). If the place called Mahekal is what used to be the Shangri-La Caribe then it is a place I always wanted to go and was a "sister property" to the LaFitte so it looks similar- beautiful and low key. I would go there in a minute. Lafitte had breakfast, dinner and taxes included in the extremely reasonable rate and we enjoyed adventuring and eating lunch while out every day so the EP (?) worked well. One of the places we explored (a few years ago) was as small fishing village that seems to have grown some resorts- called Puerto Moreles (sp?)- it was a pretty little place then- others might know if any of the places now there are nice for you.
We have not stayed - only day-tripped from Playa- to the Tulum area but it is a place I would look also- I have also researched Akumal and it appeals to me for the setting, the snorkeling, the more quiet setting.
I tell you all of this since we are of similar age and have had similar travel experiences (never been to Greece though- I envy that one!!) just in case those places might appeal to you. My husband has gotten a little spoiled and finally outspoken after the last few years of being in great beachfront places (private houses or tiny resorts) where you could walk right out and have the beach virtually to yourself so now I don't so much go for the high up with a view kind of places (like in St. John)or the "short walk to the beach". We want it out the window or porch.
Keep your fingers crossed or say your prayers that this oil does not ruin forever our gorgeous "backyard". By the way, we like the "forgotten coast" area of Mexico Beach, Cape San Blas, etc. not so far past you- it is growing, too- a shame!
Hope you find something great!
Sorry so long- winded!
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Old Apr 30th, 2010, 07:06 PM
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"If the place called Mahekal is what used to be the Shangri-La Caribe then it is a place I always wanted to go and was a "sister property" to the LaFitte so it looks similar- beautiful and low key. I would go there in a minute."

Yes, it's the same hotel. It was bought out in December, 2009 and re-named. I agree it looks wonderful and we can't wait to stay there.

We've never had any issues with cruise shippers in Cozumel or partiers. We've also stayed on Isla Mujeres for 4 nights and it was much too quite for our taste. But, we did enjoy it. Wouldn't go back though. I do agree that 5th Avenue in Playa has gotten much more busier over the years. Areas like Tulum, Akumel and Puerto Morales are quieter, but you won't find AI/adult only resorts in those areas.
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Old May 3rd, 2010, 09:34 AM
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I DO appreciate your comments. We are narrowing our search based on the following criteria:
Trip will be in late Dec. Want a place warm enough to swim. That rules out Key West and the Bahamas.
Can't bee too expensive, so probably will go with Mexico -- Caribbean side.
A beautiful beach isn't essential but clear waters are.
All-inclusive with free drinks is a must --DH and I rarely drink, but we like to try different tropical drinks. Plus, DH and I like not having to worry about where we will eat and we are not "foodies"
Prefer adults only but not looking for anything wild.
Probably NOT the hotel zone in Cancun, as I think we want something less bustling.
A zipline or other adventure near by.
A room with an ocean view and not a hike from the room to the beach or pool. (We had a pretty good hike at the Grand Palladium in Lucea.)
Shopping is not even on the list of things to do-- we just want to relax and not spend more than $5,000.00 for four nights, including airfare.
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Old May 3rd, 2010, 11:47 AM
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Look into the Catalonia Royal Tulum. It is on a gorgeous beach with great water. It is an adults only all inclusive and is small and quiet.
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Old May 3rd, 2010, 11:53 AM
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Then I go with my orginal receomendations of Secerts Maroma or El Dorado Maroma in the Mayan Riveria.

We go to Mexico every November/December. We have been rotating between Cancun, Playa, and Cozumel for the last 10 years. Went to Isla Mujeres once. The pools are really to cool to swim in that time of year, but the ocean temps are perfect.

We were debating on going back to Aruba this year because the pools will be warmenr than Mexico, but the prices are too high.

There are plenty of zip lines in that area along with other off site adventures. One of the main reasons we go back every year.
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Old May 4th, 2010, 09:28 AM
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Again, my thanks. i appreciate the suggestions.
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Old May 6th, 2010, 06:19 AM
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I second KVR's opinion of the El Dorado Maroma. I was there for four nights in November and it was wonderful. Small resort very laid back and there is a marina next door for activities. The beach if beautiful. On par with Negril and Turks (I've been to both). One recommendation, book any room above the basic "Mi Hotelito" rooms. There is a big difference and well worth the higher prices.
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Old May 6th, 2010, 03:07 PM
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I am a big fan of AI resorts - love the convenience, not having to carry money, opportunities to be as active or as laid back as you choose, etc. I have stayed at AI resorts in Cancun, Punta Cana, and Costa Rica but my favorite, by far, is the Iberostar Hotel Grand Paraiso on the Riviera Maya North of Playa del Carmen. Not only is it a beautiful resort but it has a very nicely appointed rooms as well as a decent choice of restaurants and buffets with very good food. It is an adults-only resort and if you don't like the noisy, too active main pool, there is a serenity pool which is quiet and beautiful. If you feel like shopping, there is a reasonably priced shuttle that will take you into Playa. I liked this AI so much that I now plan to check out the Iberostar Grand Hotels in Jamaica and Punta Cana. I have nothing negative whatsoever to say about this AI except for the fact that my trip didn't last nearly long enough. And if you read Trip Advisor reviews, don't pay attention to the negative ones. I am convinced nothing would please the people who write them.
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