Trying to help son who is a senior in college find a decent AI resort for a group of his senior friends to go to for spring break. The budget is up to $1500 per person. They are looking for lots of sunshine coming from snow country. We have been to many islands but never stay at the AI resorts. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Almost forgot, they don't want Mexico. Thanks.

Jamaica has some really nice resorts on it.. you should check it out!

hedonismresorts.com Negril

#3 Spring break destination

after Panama City FL and Cancun

bookit.com other AI options

Hard Rock puntacana.com new nice

for their price range i'd say the best bet would be an ai on dominican republic. gorgeous beaches. lots of fun to be had in punta cana.
i would not even consider hedonism. frankly it's a place for nudists & people who want to "hook up".

Negril Jamaica has some good AIs on the gorgeous 7-mile beach there. You fly into Montego Bay, then 90 mins. by shuttle ($20pp). Lots to see and do outside the resort.

I think the Punta Cana suggestion is good if they aren't looking for local culture but just want a nice resort to stay put on.

The other place I'd recommend is the Mayan Riviera, into Cancun then south from there, but you said no Mexico.

qw,
Hedonism isnt something a father normally recommends to his kids, especially a one frequented by an older crowd that takes full advantage of the clothing optional liberty like Negrils Hedonism

Punta Cana has a Mexico type price, but a Mexico type feel too

flit,
What airport will they be flying out of? With a tight budget, departure airport is important. Maybe they can get the AI they want or a more Carribean non AI experience elsewhere

Thanks for the replies. I was doing some research last night and came across the Riu in Costa Rica. Any thoughts on that? I will look up DR, it seems everyone I know that has gone there has gotten sick though, I guess the water thing. They are leaving out of PIT so they have quite a lot of flight options.

Have you checked Apple Vacations? They have a very user friendly web site and it's easy to get flight, hotel and pricing information. There seem to be quite a few all-inclusives in Dominican Republic and Jamaica that will fit the budget.

We aren't experienced all-inclusive users but we have stayed at the upper-end Iberostars in Mexico and Montego Bay and thought they were top notch, particularly the one in Jamaica. I know that top-end Iberostars are over the budget but I was impressed with Iberostar and they have budget friendly properties.

I would absolutely choose Jamaica over the DR. If you can get the price you need anywhere in Negril that would be great for them.

I think people mention DR because those mega resort developments in Punta Cana are inexpensive (it's a 'built environment' for tourists, nothing was there before they put up all the resorts). I have heard about the stomach issues so that is a negative but can happen at any budget all-inclusive (it can be a problem when you have are eating buffet meals in hot climates)

Personally I've found you can get by far the most bang for your buck in Mexico, so it's unfortunate they are not open to that idea.

Costa Rica is nice, especially the Pacific side. I did get an email from Club Med for Turks and Caicos, 7 nts from less than $900/pp for a week in Spring. That might work for him if he needs an AI

As a Dad, I think sending them to St John or Martinique and renting a little place off the beach would be so much better..but thats just my humble opinion

I agree FrankS, would love to rent a place but, they have never gone on spring break before and want the experience of the large resort that offers all the entertainment. I will check with the Club Med you mentioned. We have been to T&C a number of times and he does like it there.