Please help us to plan a group vacation for 3 or 4 couples age 28-33 in September. At this time we are open to any destination in the caribbean (not Mexico) but have some specific requirements. we must have all-incusive and this is very important as we wan to relax and not worry about anything including carrying money around. Club Med is out as all alcohol is not included and hanging by the pool with an umbrella drink is the goal. we are looking for a little nightlife (disco) on the resort (again we do not want to leave the resort for any reason). Watersports such as snorkeling are a must as are crazy poolside games all day long with a "fun" atmosphere.<BR><BR>We do not care for budget resorts but at least on this trip, we cannot break the bank either. We loved Sandals Negril for example but it is out of our price range this time. So far we are looking at Sandals Inn (least expensive Sandals) and Breezes Runaway bay but are looking for suggestions on any island. Our budget is about $1100/person including airfare from Chicago for 6 nights. Thanks in advane for your help.

Angela: Hi! Sounds like fun. I've been to Club Meds, and Sandals so I know what you're looking for. In early February we went to the Paradisus resort in Punta Cana. Most resorts here are all-inclusive. Paradisus is top notch with 8 restaurants instead of the usual 3 or 4, premium liquor at the bar (Stoly or Absolut instead of Popov), a casino on site, and all the activities your little heart desires. There's a swim up bar in the pool (and 3 others throughout the resort) and the beach is fabulous (we spent every day there). Entertainment nightly and a disco/kareoke bar. The only time we left the resort was to go horseback riding (which was included). Check out www.debbiesdominicantravel.com for other reviews and info about DR but feel free to write back to me with any specific questions. Oh, one thing which may or may not be an issue for you (it certainly was not a problem for us): Americans are in the minority. Many sout americans, germans, canadians and french. Not everyone speaks english but you don't need much spanish to get by (they even give you a helpful mini-dictionary for the important words like "towel" "beer" "housekeeping" etc.) We used Apple Vacations out of Baltimore but I think they also ran out of the Chicago area. Good luck.

What about one of the Jack Tar Village resorts? I know the one in Montego Bay is quite cheap bu tdon't know what those facilities are like. We went to Allegro Jack Tar Village in aruba this year and loved it, though it my be out of your prie range. Check into these, my sister is looking at going to the one in St. Kitts and is quite excited.

Anyone, anyone?

I suggest the Allegro in Aruba. Everything is included and there is lots to see and do around the pool. People watching is great or you can participate in the wide array of activities. There is a casino in the hotel as well as a sports bar that has various activities each night.

The Allegro in Aruba sounds great but definitely out of our price range of around $1000/person for a week including airfare rom Chicago. I'm having trouble finding anything in the price range, anyone help.

Did you check out Punta Cana? We paid just over $1100 for a week during high season and that's for the top rated resort. I know you can spent as little as $700 for some resorts - and even less during off season. Are you hesitant about this location for a reason?

For your budget, like Karen suggested, how about the Dominican Republic? It's supposedly the best bang for the buck. My sister (she's 28) and her boyfriend were just there - Iberostar Bavaro Punta Cana. She enjoyed it immensely...

I recently checked prices for the Jack Tar Village (Allegro resort)St. Kitts and for the flight and 7 days hotel plus all inclusive, it was 2300 per couple. Of course, that was airfare from Houston, but we generally pay more for flights to the caribbean than people on the east coast/mid west. In fact, last time we went to St. Kitts, we had to fly from Houston to Chicago to San Juan to St. Kitts. Go figure. Anyway, we usually meet up with people from up north and compare airfares and theirs are generally lower, perhaps they are flying charter. Check with Apple vacations. They seem to have a lot of good deals.

Angla<BR>I have several suggestions and I am a travel consultant. Punta Cana is a value resort with several all inclusive properties to pick from. Contact me if you want and I would be glad to help you.

I forgot about this. Go to www.aa.com (American airlines website). Follow their links to travel planning and vacation packages. You can pick the all inclusive category and it will give you all of the resorts in the caribbean that AA services. You can then plug in your home airport, dates, number of people, select your flight, pick a room category, and then it will generate a price for you. It is good because you do not have to commit to anything and it gives you some idea. I did this just to check on prices to Curacao in May so that I wouldn't have sticker shock when I went to my travel agent. She quoted me the exact same price, so I was prepared. Hope this helps.

We too are from Chicago!! My girlfriend &amp; I just returned from a 9 night stay at Breezes Runaway Bay. We had a great time. The food is nice, The bars are always open-great drinks, and all you want at no charge, There is a grill at the beach is going all day which prepares hamburgers &amp; jerk chicken if you want but there are other eating options. At night there are shows, a piano bar and a disco that closes only after the last guest leaves. At the beach there is free scuba, snorkling, boat rides, water skiing, A great golf course across the street. The pool is fab, tons of things always going on. Please feel free to E-Mail me &amp; we can discuss it more. I highly recommed it, It was our first trip to Jamaica &amp; we cant wait to get back.

Also you may want to book a super surprise, + or ++, you will get a better price than the regular rack rate and could end up at a more upscale resort. From what I have read, do not go to Breezes Montego Bay, it would probably be a disapointment

Just saw an Apple Vacations special from Chicago to Sam Lords Castle in barbados - 6nights/ $1100/person. I may book it myself. I have seen some negative posts about this resort on fodors in the past but they supposedly did a complete renovation in 2000. Barbados itself is beautiful, we stopped there briefly on a cruise once and loved it.

Hedonism III.... my wife and i went there last november and are going back in august... just booked for 1096 per person (plus air).... it is as much fun as you will have anywhere

Re howards e-mail ,we went to Sam Lords last year and had a terrific time. It is a bit isolated but that doesn't seem to be a problem with you. It has a fabulous setting and the staff can't do enough for you. If you look at reviews in Fodors site you will see that other people are also giving the revamped hotel good reviews.We found it to be much cheaper than other hotels on the island- and the food is wonderful( well I put on far too much weight anyway!!) Whatever you choose I hope you have a great time!!

Try Breezes Costa Verde, in Cuba. <BR>(Just an hour out of Holguin). <BR>Has EVERYTHING you mentioned, plus. <BR>24 hour lobby bar...bingo at the swim up <BR>bar was a blast, (has to be Maylin calling the numbers!), and an all around <BR>beautiful place. <BR>Snorkelling 100 yards offshore, and we saw lot's of life! <BR>Scuba is offered as well.... <BR>Not sure how much from Chicago in September, might even be off-season, but it's worth checking into. <BR>

So what did you decide on??

I would recommend the Breezes Bahamas. There is so many things todo - total party atmosphere. Adults only - we had a blast last summer. We flew from Chicago and I think it was about $1,500 per person air and hotel for 7 nights. You can cut the nights down to 5 and we flew out of Chicago as well. Direct charter from Apple - your there in 3 hours. They even have a flying trapeze. I'm telling you - pajama parties - great nightly entertainment - drinks freely flowing - well worth it. I plan I going back next year. This year - St. Lucia!!!

To Karen from the first post--I was wondering how the beach was at the Paradisus--what is it like? It is crowded? Thanks!