A group of 7-8 couples want to take a trip to the Riviera Maya in January 2014. Looking for a resort with several room upgrade options. Some want basic, some want to upgrade. Good food is a must for some, We take this trip every two years. In 2012 we stayed at the Catalonia Riviera Maya. Accomodations ok, food not so great. If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate it.

for good food go non AI

Actually, that is not a true or accurate statement.

In our experience of 16 AI resorts throughout Mexico and the Caribbean you get what you pay for. However, I feel Sandals is the exception. They are overpriced and their food was pretty meh. In Mexico though, the more lux the AI with multiple dining options the better the food - Usually. There are no guarantees.

We loved the Royal Playa del Carmen adult only AI and their sister resort The Gran Porto Real across the street. We found the food at those resorts better than anything on 5th Avenue. Actually, the multiple times we have ate out on 5th Avenue we were pretty disappointed.

Look at the Iberostar Grand Parasio, The Secret resorts, the Excellance resorts, the El Dorados resorts, Valentin Imperial Maya, Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Royal Hideaway and Moon Palace just to name a few.

You might check Trip Advisor and read reviews. One of the first thing people either complain about or praise is the food. It's so subjective that it's really hard to make a true determination, but it does help. Consistancy in the reviews is the key to helping make a decision.

yes, it is true and accurate except higher end properties. TA is full of reviews by destination interests like real estate people and tourism people so be careful.

The best of the Riviera Maya resorts are NON-AI, but I certainly understand the interest in going that way. It doesn't necessarily cost more, but most of these are luxury resorts and will likely cost as much without food as an AI resort will cost including food and drinks, so I'm aware that's a consideration.

Thanks for the responses. We found a deal at the Valentin and are leaning towards that one.

Have heard great comment on Valentin Imperial!

I think you will like the Valentin Imperial Maya better than the Catalonia Riviera Maya. It's definitely a upgrade.

"The best of the Riviera Maya resorts are NON-AI"

This is also an inaccurate and untrue statement as far as I am concerned. We have done both and will NEVER, EVER, EVER, go non-AI in that area again. We found much better hotel amenities and food at the AI hotels we stayed in vs. the non-AI hotels and anything on or around 5th Avenue. I guess it's all a matter of perspective.

Go to Cozumel and then I will change that. The food in San Miguel is much better than the AI resorts there, and anything non-AI that Playa del Carmen has to offer.

AI is great if your needs are to just stay on property and sit around the pool and eat from buffets/on property restaurants.

Non AI is better if you are an explorer and will be off property a lot doing things and eating locally.

I don't know why people think that staying at an AI resort means you can't leave the grounds and explore the local areas. After all...they don't lock you in there!
We just prefer the ease of staying at an AI. We like to have entertainment right there in the evenings rather than having to look for something to do every night. We DO leave the resorts and visit local sites and eat at local restaurants also.
As mentioned, the amenities at most AI resorts are wonderful.

people can certainly leave the grounds to eat or tour or whatever. When you drink or eat off property you are wasting the money spent on an AI, it will vary as to how much you eat/drink off property.

Again Katzgar is making inaccurate and untrue statements as well as assumptions when he does not have the broad experience with AI properties that Schmerl and I do.

"AI is great if your needs are to just stay on property and sit around the pool and eat from buffets/on property restaurants"

Completely inaccurate. Who actually does this? Not me. I have never, ever, ever, just sat at an AI property and strictly ate at the options they offered. We go off property and visit sites, do tours and go to 5th Avenue. Just because we stay at an AI doesn't mean we spend the whole time there. AI is for convenience and is more cost effective than trying to find options outside of the hotel 100% of the time. For the 1 ore 2 days of our vacation that we do enjoy the pool/beach, AI is very convenient and cost effective.

"When you drink or eat off property you are wasting the money spent on an AI"

Again, another false assumption. We've have vacationed at 16 AI resorts in various locations as well as several non-AI establishments in locations where AI wasn't an option or not feasible over the last 13 years. There is no validity to that statement. As part of our AI vacation, we include into our budget options for outside excursions and dining options. With experience, we have learned how to do this without it be cost prohibitive. Part of the overall vacation is to experience what the destination has to offer.

I understand that people generally don't like AI properties and would prefer people not stay at them for what ever reason. I spend a lot of my time here defending them and proving people wrong. People who have never been to one or only has a limited experience with them, shouldn't make broad, false, inaccurate assumptions or statements regarding something they know nothing about. It doesn't help the OP or anyone else researching their vacation.

As a current example, we have been researching our trip for this year to Puerto Rico. PR does not have any AI resorts. We have found that accomendations with air for 2 people are going to run about $2,300. Adding in food options and drinks, which are very expensive in that destination is going to cost us another $1,200 to $1,500. This usually means that we have to limit what we eat or drink in order to meet within budget restraints.

We can go to Mexico and stay at a very nice AI resort. Nicer than what we are finding in PR, that includes food and drinks for around $2,300 or less depending on the resort. I have stayed at AI properties in Mexico for between $1,300 and $1,500 with air for 2. Then take the additional $1,200+ for outside excursions and other local attractions including trying the local cuisine and establishments. So again it's all a matter of perspective and what type of vacation we are wanting to do and how much we are willing to spend. You get way more for your money at an AI resort especially in Mexico. That includes off site excursions, tours and eating/drinking of property.

I have over 6,000 photos of all our vacations posted on our website that also prove that what Katzgar has stated is not accurate.

https://kvrlvnphotogallery.shutterfly.com/pictures/5

"When you drink or eat off property you are wasting the money spent on an AI" Again, another false assumption

Time for a simple math lesson I see. The concept of all inclusive is just that, lodging, food and drink is included in the price. To the extent that you eat or drink off property you are spending money on something that you could have gotten free on property. Simple math.