My wife and I have visited Couples Swept Away twice in two years. Though we love the resort, we would like to try another destination. The things we love about CSA are 1) All-inclusive, no tipping, top shelf liquor and food, and at the end no hidden charges 2) vacation is paid for when you arrive , no need to carry money 3) great service and great beach 4) Swim up bar

Any suggestions on another location/ ressort that encompasses this ?

Check out the Playa del Carmen/Mayan Riveria area in Mexico. Secrets Capri, Royal Hidaway, Excellance Riveria and The Royal Playa del Carmen.

We chose the Royal Playa del Carmen for September. The other hotels I listed get great reviews.

Or if your interested in a Sandals resort they will meet you critieria also.

Are all of these in Mexico ? I have often heard that the Sandals are too commercial ; though I would like to review the one in the Bahamas .

Yes, the hotels I listed are in the Playa del Carmen/Riviera Maya of Mexico. About an hour outside of Cancun.

We have previously stayed at Sandals Royal Bahamain in Nassau and the Sandals Grande in St. Lucia. We also visited the Sandals Regency in St. Lucia. Of the 3, we preferred the Sandals Royal Bahamian. However, we preferred the Island of St. Lucia over Nassua.

I didn't get that "commercial" feeling, but did think they were too expensive for what you get. I felt the same regarding the Couples properties in Jamaica. We had wanted to stay at Couple Negril, but just couldn't see paying that much money for what was offered. We ended up at the RIU Tropical Bay. Nice hotel, but we didn't care for the type of clientele they attract. We prefer adult/couple only resorts.

One of the reasons we prefer Mexico AI's over any other Caribbean destination is you get more for your money. The Royal Playa del Carmen is an all suite hotel with a jaccuzi and a bar in all the rooms. You don't have to pay an huge price for a higher catagory room to get those features like at a Sandals or Couples property. The package we got for the Royal was much less than what we paid for either one of the Sandals properties we stayed at or what we were quoted for Couple Negril.

Read the reviews and view the pictures on Trip Advisor for the hotels I mentioned and see if they fit your criteria.

Here's the link to our pictures if your interested: http://community/webshots.com/user/kvrlvn

Are these resorts couples/adults only. Forgot to add that I don't want to see any kids. What about the food and a swim-up bar. Top-shelf liquor ? Any hidden charges?

All the resorts mentioned are adults only. No real hidden charges, but many people choose to tip at these resorts (including me). Some charge for premium wines.

I can only comment specifically on the Royal since that is the hotel we chose and have researched more than the others.

Yes, it's adult only, but NOT couples only. That means singles over the age of 16 are allowed.

There are no "hidden charges" if you actully research the property and their web-site and know before hand what is not included in the AI. Such as fine wine, some name brand liquors, and fine cuts of steak and seafood. However, lobster will be included on certain nights in the ala cart resturants. Off property tours/excursions are also not inlcuded like Couples provide.

This is the only AI I found that includes bottles of liquor, that they offer, in your room upon request. Not just a liquor dispenser of house liquors. Bottle water is available and included. They have a 24 hour hospitality room in which you can pour your own drinks. No more complaints of drinks being weak or watered downed by the bartenders.

Guests at the Royal can also use the facitlites at their sister hotel, the Gran Porto Real, across the street, but not vice versa.

Yes, there is a swim up bar, a tequila and cigar bar and a martini bar.

These are some of the main features that sold us plus the in room jacuzzi for no additional charge and the hotel is within walking distance to 5th Avenue for additional bars, resturants and shopping.

Sounds like these are unlike upper end AI's where tipping is not allowed, nothing on the menu is extra, and some excursions are included ?

I don't agree with your comment. In my opinion, I feel these resorts are just as good or better than a Couples/ Sandals resort.

Tipping is not required, but some people do. I wouldn't feel out of place or "cheap" if I didn't tip.

I've not found a resort that doesn't charge extra for fine wine, special cuts of meat or lobster. Only Couples resorts offer some included excursions. Haven't found any other resort that does that.

Couples charges extra for suites, in-room jacuzzis, and in-room bars. I rather have an included suite with in-room bar and jacuzzi than fine cuts of meats or fine wine. Tipping is not an issue to us. I guess it's what more important to you. Research their web-sites and Trip Advisor before making a final decision.

The new Iberostar Paraiso 'Grand is about as "upper class" as it gets. Top shelf liquor, gourmet food, BUTLER service AND concierge service, one or teo rounds of golf included (depending on the length of your stay)...For instance Kobe burgers are even offered on the room service menu----all upper end beef and seafood is included.

Where is the Iberostar Paraiso 'Grand'?
Any great places in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Cayman Islands ? Tipping is not that big of an issue ? It just defeats the purpose of paying beforehand and then the waiters cater to people feeding them tips.

The IBEROSTAR GRAND HOTEL PARAISO is located in Mexico. Here's a link to their info:

http://www.funjet.com/destinations/H...C=&plCode=

Grand Cayman only has 2 hotels that offer an AI option for food and beverages. They are no where near a super AI resort.

Nassau has a Sandals, which we have been to. There are a few other AI hotels, but not any super AI's or comparitive to Sandals. I've only been to PR on a cruise, so not familar with their hotels. However I don't see any AI hotel options listed on Fun Jet.

We went to the Bahamas about fifteen years ago to Freeport. It really did not seem to promote AI's as there were plenty of bars and restaurants within walking distance of the hotels/resorts.
Is this typically the case or was Sandals great because it was all-inclusive.

Go to this site for some trip reports on the Iberostar Grand:
http://www.iberostar-board.com/board...hp?board=130.0