Hello,

I'm trying to plan an all-inclusive vacation to the Caribbean for about 8 couples in June (age: mid-thirties) and we'd like to stay at an all-inclusive resort that serves premium brand liquor with excellent scuba and snorkeling; good food; nice contemporary resort. I think the maximum we'd want to spend is about $6,000 for all-inclusive lodging and airfare (if we could get a away with $3500 all the better - been looking at Dominican Republic Sunscape Casa del Mar for about that price). Any suggestions? The resort doesn't have to be adults only but a strong child presence is not what we're looking for. We also are a group of big partiers so a fun festive atmosphere is a must.

Thanks in advance.

I would suggest Paradisus Punta Cana on the DR. For that price you can even request Royal Service which is definitely worth the extra $$$. The resort is not a total party place, but with 8 couples, you can pretty much make your own party.
LisaS

Hi, you mentioned your budget of $3,500 - 6,000 but did not state if that was for the entire group, per couple, or per person or indicate the desired length of your trip or your origiation point. Providing those details might help people provide better suggestions.

Assuming that the range is a per couple budget, that should give you a lot of options for a trip of at least one week during off-season (June).

The Domincan Republic is a very popular AI destination, and AIs there are very reasonably priced. I stayed at the Coral Conoa (Bayahibe, LaRomana area) a few years ago at Christmas time for a week, and we paid about $1200/person including airfare from Toronto with a last minute package. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this hotel for your group, though. The beach/facilities were nice, the food was pretty good, but the rooms were a little shabby, and I don't think it had what you are looking for in terms of top shelf drinks and nightlife. Possibly another resort in LaRomana or somewhere in Punta Cana would be better for your group.

Another area (although not technically in the Caribbean) you might want to consider is the Cancun/Mexican Riveria area, which is another popular AI destination.

Finally, you may want to consider an AI that is adults only or couples focused, since more families travel in June, especially in mid to late June. Sorry I can't offer any specific recommendations, but there are a number of chains (e.g., Couples, Secrets, Sandals) that I believe target that market. Club Med may be another option, but I'd check carefully to make sure that it meets your requirements in terms of food, drinks, and atmosphere.

Thanks - to address your question "beachdreams3" - the budget is per couple. Are there any all-inclusives to smaller Southern Caribbean Islands that anyone could recommend that fit that criteria? St. Johns... I see a lot of people talking about how wonderful it it there. Open to any and all suggestions!

And yes Lisa1271, we will definitely be bringing our own party.

There was a resort that looked interesting called Anse Chastanet that looked interesting but didn't look like a party place and didn't have air conditioning. Has anyone been there? It's on St. Lucia.

Thanks!

OP says "Another area (although not technically in the Caribbean) you might want to consider is the Cancun/Mexican Riveria area, which is another popular AI destination." ummm excuse me but what is the body of water called that the beaches of Cancun and the Riveria Maya touch upon called? And, by the way, the Mexican Riveria is on the other side of Mexico. There is the Riveria Maya and the Mexican Riveria - not at all the same.

Jimmysnack,I'm going to St. Lucia this year, and based on my research would say that overall, the island is probably more low key and less of a party destination. It also is a big wedding/honeymoon destination. Anse Chastanet usually is among the places that people recommend for snorkeling though. If you are considering St. Lucia, you might consider some AI resorts further north (i.e., between Castries and Cap Estate) on the island. There are a couple of Sandals resorts that might be more of what you want (I'm not really sure, though, because I didn't look at them). Also, the Rodney Bay area has the most nightlife if you are looking for going out somewhere besides your resort.

Curt, Thanks for the geography clarifications. I only meant to distinguish Mexico as not being a "Caribbean island" which is the subject of this forum.

First choice is Sandals Antigua.
Second choice is Sandals Grande St. Lucia

Jimmysnack,
Looking at all of your criteria, maybe Secrets Excellence Riviera Cancun ( soon to be just Excellence Riviera Cancun -- Secrets won't be managing it anymore) would fit your needs.

The snorkeling & scuba diving in that area is really good (especially if you go over to Cozumel for that). Snorkeling & scuba are not included there (like at Grand Lido, Couples, Sandals...), but the resort offers day trips that you can pay for.

They serve top shelf liquor. The food was very good & I believe they might have added another restaurant since we were there. There is 24-hour room service included.

We actually preferred Secrets Capri, but that's a smaller resort (~242 rooms at SC vs. ~450 rooms @ ERC). I think that ERC would be better for a group, since it's more spread out.

There are tons of pools there, some inter-connected, some not, so it would be easier to find lounges for your group.

SERC was only 3 months old when we were there in Jan 2005, so everything was still nice & new, w/ lots of shiny marble.

Our room (we were upgraded to a swim-out room since we were Secrets repeaters) was beautiful. All of the rooms have 2-person hottubs, separate from the shower 'room' (shower was probably 3.5' x 4.5' !!). There are stocked (w/ pop, beer, water) mini-fridges in all rooms. There are also DVD/CD players in all rooms (they also had adult channels that came on around 11pm, but not sure if they still have those).

Also, the resort is only about a 12-15 minute cab ride down into Playa del Carmen, in case you wanted to venture off-resort for a night out in town (i.e. Carlos n Charlies, Senor Frogs, Blue Parrot,...). When we go to the Playa area w/ friends, we always try to get into town at least one night for a littel variety.

Anyway, I have a bunch of pics from our trip there (in the folder "Cancun-Secrets Excellence RC--Jan 2005&quot if you're interested:
http://photos.yahoo.com/jmrperotto

Also, you can check out their new website ( http://www.excellence-resorts.com/ ) to get more details.

Jackie

Cancun is a party atmosphere - the mayan riviera south of Cancun amongst the all-inclusive resorts is not a party atmosphere unless you went in to Playa Del Carmen on a weekend night.

I'm with JackieMRP - Secrets Excellence or Secret Capri are fabulous! If you want to be a short taxi ride to Playa Del Carmen, Riu Palace is nice but more crowded beach area - beautiful blue water in Playacar area though.

I've heard the Palace Resort on Cozumel is pretty fabulous now too, and of course Cozumel has great snorkeling and scuba!

http://www.palaceresorts.com/Resorts...lace/Index.asp

I would venture to guess the beach is not the best on Cozumel - it's not known for beaches but rather the sea life in the area. Want a beautiful beach - stay on the mainland.