Smokyboy

Ah yes, just like the old days!! Sandals, AI's, Crime in the Caribbean, Atlantis, what is it that brings out the shots on these subjects? Can't we all get along here? Or are we destined to be critical of ones opinion. It's almost like you people ENJOY this. That is so silly, it reminds me of my high school days! Oh well, too each his own.

Two_Cats

Hi Joan - yes, the Iberostar Paraiso on the Mayan Riveria has 5 sit down restaurants (Brazilian, Mediterranean, Japanese, Mexican, and Steakhouse) in which you can book up to 2 or 3 dinners per week in.<BR>Regretfully, and I'm only using a term already used on this thread, a lot of &quot;ugly americans&quot; who must have been on their very first ai and had to &quot;by gawd, get their money's worth&quot; were drunk around the pool every day! <BR>Personally, I'd rather some of these people would just stay away from the ai's - they've discovered our valuable little secret spots where now the prices have been driven sky high and the tone of the resort has been drastically lowered by drunken brawls, and men who have no concept of what it is to dress a bit for dinner! They show up in the dining room in cut off t-shirts that they wore to run in that morning or sport shorts half falling down their ass!

ejcrowe

Sunlover:<BR><BR>I don't believe that anybody who is truly politically or socially active would ever choose to vacation at an AI resort, especially one of the mega chains like Sandals or one of the SuperClubs. <BR><BR>Anybody with a level of social consciousness would never willingly give their business to such a large corporation to the overall detriment of the local economy. For every person who chooses to go to an AI resort, they are taking money away from local businesses, everything from local tawxi drivers, to rum shacks, to restaurants, to even the local beach vendors. The trickle down effect into the economy from most mega chain AIs is practically negligible. The equivalent of one pina colada served on the beach is about what an entire family budgets for food for one day. Not to mention that the &quot;service&quot; charge that is included in your bill averages out to just a little under 10%, much lower than the average American would tip if they were adding on themselves (usually 15-20%).<BR>So, even the direct money into the locals' pockets is significantly less at an AI than at a non-AI resort.<BR><BR>The homogenization that has made suburban America so unpleasant is only steps away from what the Caribbean and other vacation destinations will become if consumers don't start traveling and vacationing responsibly. <BR><BR>Let's face it: though most of us don't consider ourselves wealthy, if we travel to the Caribbean once a a year or more, we definitely have the money to be doing that travel responsibly. And traveling and staying at AI is most certainly NOT socially responsible.

xxxx

It seems as if the vacation police are on patrol.

sailor

There's nothing wrong with debate, and opinions. I for one have had my eyes opened a bit from so called shots. Do we really have to agree with everyone's ideas? No, nor does anyone have to agree with mine. I learn from various opinions and try to open minded to others. <BR>I came back from a Sandals vacation, not understanding at all how anyone could possible find this type of vacation appealing. I do understand after reading many posts what the attraction is. We are all different. I respect this and others choices of how they like to vacation. For one thing though I do wish I had discovered message boards before our trip, at least, I could have saved my self a lot of wasted time, money, and distraught. <BR><BR>If I had read half the so called shots about these resorts I would have had a better idea of what I was headed for.<BR><BR>Al's have never been my first choice in vacationing. I have and do stay at a friends Al in Mexico it is a very popular resort offering a 4 star rating. After many discussions about the food and quality, and recycling that is done, the bottom line is they struggle after the big guy's get there cut, they are left with $11 US dollars a WEEK to feed each guest. So if I offend anyone by possibly offering little conscious responsible consumerism. I do apologize. I don't connect the Peace Corp., donating to charity in any connection with being a responsible consumer. It does sadden me with the attitudes of some adults and this is being passed on to are children. Just because, heck WE are on VACATION, is no excuse for this type of behavior. I also myself have been in this catagory, and I am grateful, to have opened my eyes a bit, and just be a little more conscious of what I am doing and my responsiblity to pass on positive images and values to my children.<BR><BR>Donna<BR>

Mermaid

Very well said Donna. Giving to charity and doing volunteer work doesn't give one license to toss one's conscience out the window when going on vacation. Mindless consumption and waste are wrong ALL the time, not just when you're at home.

sunlover

Again, I didn't mean to offend anyone. The original post asked why people choose AIs, I was simply answering why I choose them. those of you who got on your soapboxes, looked down upon me and passed judgement based on your own set of values were just plain rude. You wern't trying to answer the original question you were either a) trying to make me feel guilty or b) trying to make me look bad. I could care less one way or the other. I come to this board to ask questions and ansewer them not pass judgment and have it passed on me.<BR><BR>For the record, my huband and I eat out about 3 times/week together and I eat out another 5 times a week for lunch while at work and yes I do oftern order multiple entrees. However, I usually nibble a little bit of each and take the rest home (then I have the rest for dinner that night!)Thh problem is that on vacation you can't take it home for later, it's throw it away or go without sampling. Also as for AIs that have many sitdown restaurants to choose from they do exist. I went to Sandals Negril last year there are three separeate sit down dinner restaurants for dinner (Kimono's, Sundowner, and 4 Cs) all are open every night in addition to the buffet resaurant. The resort next door is a Beaches resort and you hav eexchange privileges at their sit down restaurants as well. We only ate bufffet one night and that wa the beach party bonfire night that had a seafood buffet. In addition roon service was included as well adn there was a whole other menu of entrees you could order to your room! Not all AIs are buffets!<BR><BR>Some people like AIs some don't that is your choice but again the post was asking why people do like them and I think I have answered my reasons.