jb2sprint

I posted awhile back about a honeymoon destination but we never booked yet and we've doing some more research. Based on what I've been finding, I have a few more questions, if those with experience would be so kind to give their opinions...

BACKGROUND: We will be taking our honeymoon over Thanksgiving week (roughly Nov 25 - Dec 2). We'd like to stay around 4K or less for both of us (including airfare) if possible. Doesnt have to be a couples only resort, but we're not really interested in going somewhere with tons of kids and families either. We're both 30.

We want to go the All-Inclusive route. We're not too terribly picky on location...my fiance would like a place with a good weather that time of year, nice beach, swimup bar, maybe a few activities nearby (swim with the dolphins, snorkel, local sightseeing/landmarks, etc). We're not picky eaters and we know that going AI means we won't have top-notch food all of the time, but that's not a huge deal for us. As long as it's decent.

We are also curious about safe water? It doesnt sound like there are too many places you can actually drink the water, but how bad actually is it? Can you have ice in your drinks without worrying? Are some places better than others?

Location of the resort to the airport would also be of interest. I've read some stories about some places that you have to take a 2 or 3 hour ride from the airport to get to.. we're not crazy about something like that.

WHAT WE'RE NOW CONSIDERING:
I think we want to narrow our search to just the big resorts. While some of the small, private resort areas seem very nice, we'd feel more comfortable in the bigger, AI resorts. Here are three that have sparked our interest:
- Royal Playa Del Carmen (read good things about this place on this board, Mexico also seems to be a bit cheaper?)
- Excellence in Playa Del Carmen (read good reviews about this one too)
- Jewell Dunn River Falls in Ocho Rios (know a couple that went here and they had a great time)

All in all, we just want somewhere that will be relaxing yet fun and exciting at the same time. While we'll do some serious pool time, we don't want to be stuck doing that all day, every day.

Lastly, with the Thanksgiving holiday falling during our trip... how long would you recommend waiting to book? I've read other posts on this message board about folks waiting until it gets within 2 months to get the best prices, but do we risk getting burned doing that since we're dealing with a holiday?

suze

Playa del Carmen (flying into Cancun) or Nuevo Vallarta (flying into Puerto Vallarta) both offer the most of the type of things you are seeking.

Anywhere I've ever been in Mexico bottled water is provided &/or you buy it from the store. So it's not a question of "how bad actually is it?". Even many locals have Sparklette-style jugs delivered to their residences. Ice is fine because for hotels, bars, and restaurants it is typically delivered from the purified ice-making factory. Restaurants and bars aren't making ice cubes from tap water!

Because you want to go over the Thanksgiving holiday I would book as soon as you can make up your mind where you want to go.

Sorry I don't know the specific 3 resorts you have chosen. But have been to both Mexico and Jamaica many times and have always had wonderful trips.

KVR

If wanting to go Thanksgiving week, here are my concerns. First, it's going to be expensive. More expensive than going the first two weeks of November or the first two weeks of December. Second, it's going to be crowded. That means crazy airports with possible delays and thousands of kids if you don't pick an Couples/Adult only resort. Third, on the Caribbean side of Mexico, the pools are cold during that time of year. If you are wanting lots of pool time go to Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta where the pools are heated. There are a few pools in the Playa del Carmen area that are heated during the winter months, but you have to pay for the upgraded "Royal" or "Excellance" room category to gain access to them. To me that is BS.

I have stayed at the Royal Playa del Carmen and the Jewell Dunns River resort. Our next stay will probably be one of the Excellance resorts. I give the Royal a heads up over the Jewell, but both are nice properties. Mexico has more things to see and do off property and the food at the Royal was a little better. Walking off the resort in Mexico is no issue. In Jamaica you need to go on a tour or hire a driver to take you anywhere. We went to the Jewell in a December and the pool water was warm enough for swimming.

Water/ice is safe to drink in both locals. The water is filtered. Just don't drink out of the tap in your room. Restaurants are OK. Most places provided bottled water. We never has issues with taking showers or brushing teeth.

If you decided to still book over the Thanksgiving holiday do it as soon as you make a decision and find a price you can live with. Any other time, we wait about 6 weeks out.

jb2sprint

Thanks for the input. Unfortunately, Thanksgiving week is our only option due to work schedules.

I didnt think about the pool water being chilly. We're from Ohio so even 80 degrees is nice to us. But now that I look at the average temperatures, I see where it gets cooler than that at night, so I can see how the pools might get chilly.

KVR, do you have any recommendations on nice AI resorts in Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta?

KVR

In Cabo San Lucas we stayed at the Marina Fiesta. It's a small hotel on the Marina and within walking distance to Medano Beach and a variety of restaurants, bars and shopping. The AI options at that hotel includes restaurants down on the boardwalk that is also open to the public.

In PV, we stayed at the Los Arcos. I definetly would not recommend for a honeymoon. We only booked it for breakfast and drinks and ate elsewhere.

Both Cabo and PV has inferior beaches to the Caribbean side of Mexico. We did not get in the ocean at either destination. Also the AI hotels there are not as lux as what you will find on the Caribbean side of Mexico either.

If I was you, I would either go to Jamaica and stay at the Jewell or pay the updgraded expense on the Caribbean side of Mexico and get access to a heated pool. The Excellence resorts I believe have a heated pool and the Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Perla does.

Here is a list of AI's in all of Mexico; East and West side.

http://www.mexicoallinclusive.com/me...ve_resorts.cfm

Here's a search on TA for heated pools in Playa del Carmen:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...Peninsula.html