canaan's talk of all-inclusive resorts...now w/ extra snark

[canaan]

anyone have any recs on good prices/good quality joints? im not picky on location (punta cana, caymans, etc..doesnt matter)

thanks in advance.

personal experiences would be a plus

[Three Stars]

http://www.mountainviewgrand.com/

New Hampshire FTW. Tax Free Or Die.

[rasbatch]

El presidente in San Jose del Cabo was awesome!

[shafnutz05]

Like I told you, Sandals Negril. Just beautiful, amazing experience, amazing food, etc.

[blackjack68]

Couples Negril for romance.
Breezes Runaway Bay for fun.

[bh]

Only one I ever went to was the Iberostar Bravaro in Punta Cana.

[shafnutz05]

I can't imagine going to an all-inclusive resort like that that allows children. What's the point?

[PenguinSteve-o]

go on a Cruise.

[llipgh2]

Viva Wyndham Fortuna Beach on Grand Bahama Islands was great.

Viva Wyndham Maya on the Riveria Maya was nice, but I liked the Bahamas better.

[Letang Is The Truth]

Are all sandles resorts all inclusive?

[shafnutz05]

Are all sandles resorts all inclusive?

I think so, maybe they have one or two that isn't.

I DON'T recommend Sandals Whitehouse at all....it's pretty, but it's in the bay and the water is gross.

Negril is where it's at.

[Letang Is The Truth]

Interesting. I was looking online at some of them for a trip but couldn't tell if it was all inclusive or not

[Tomas]

"Couples" resorts in Jamaica are supposed to be the "high-end" of all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica. Truly all-inclusive (4-star restaurants with no restrictions, free transportation from and to the airport, all activities - including snorkeling, scuba diving+training, water-skiing, sailing, horse back riding etc., - fully included). For couples only - no kids allowed.

I spent 1 week this winter in Couples Tower Isle (http://couples.com/tower-isle/index.php ) and it would definitely have my recommendation. Fully remodelled in 2009(?), it's a place where many Hollywood stars in 1950's vacationed. It's right next to Ocho Rios on the north shore of Jamaica.

Two extra advantages over places on the west coast of Jamaica (Montego Bay, Negril):
(i) it's right next to Dunn River Falls http://www.dunnsriverfallsja.com/about_us_link.htm (in fact, the resort provides free bus trips there)
(ii) it's still a manageable distance from the Blue Mountains (http://www.bmtoursja.com/home.html ; that one is not included, but the tour company has a stop in the resort on the way to Blue Mountains).

I did not see any reason to do that, but you can also apply for spending one day at a different Couples resort (Couples Tower Isle is just 5-10 minutes from Couples Sans Souci). Also free of charge.

[Zach6668]

I stayed at Oasis Cancun when I was 19 or 20 (about 6 or 7 years ago). It was pretty awesome, but I have no other resort experience to compare it too. Plus all we did was get drunk for a week, lay on the beach, then go to a club or bar. Meals were at set times (ie a 2 hour window for lunch, dinner, etc), so that was mildly inconvenient. The food was good, though. The hotel bars closed around midnight I think, so that was also annoying. We'd typically be at the disco by then, though, so wasn't a huge deal.

Cancun is pretty awesome overall, but not sure if I think that because I was so young when I went or not. Not sure how much I'd love it now or if I was older, even. It wasn't exactly a relaxing vacation week or anything. Lots going on. Although I suppose you could make it that if you wanted.

[tjand72]

"Couples" resorts in Jamaica are supposed to be the "high-end" of all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica. Truly all-inclusive (4-star restaurants with no restrictions, free transportation from and to the airport, all activities - including snorkeling, scuba diving+training, water-skiing, sailing, horse back riding etc., - fully included). For couples only - no kids allowed.

I spent 1 week this winter in Couples Tower Isle (http://couples.com/tower-isle/index.php ) and it would definitely have my recommendation. Fully remodelled in 2009(?), it's a place where many Hollywood stars in 1950's vacationed. It's right next to Ocho Rios on the north shore of Jamaica.

Two extra advantages over places on the west coast of Jamaica (Montego Bay, Negril):
(i) it's right next to Dunn River Falls http://www.dunnsriverfallsja.com/about_us_link.htm (in fact, the resort provides free bus trips there)
(ii) it's still a manageable distance from the Blue Mountains (http://www.bmtoursja.com/home.html ; that one is not included, but the tour company has a stop in the resort on the way to Blue Mountains).

I did not see any reason to do that, but you can also apply for spending one day at a different Couples resort (Couples Tower Isle is just 5-10 minutes from Couples Sans Souci). Also free of charge.

Couples Tower Isle is the only all-inclusive place I've been, but it was great. My wife and I went there for our honeymoon this past year. I would say that if you're going to spend the money to go to a place like this, spend an extra $100 or so to be sure that you get an oceanview room. Our balcony overlooked the courtyard and ocean, and it was beautiful. There were other rooms that were not as desirable, and I think that the difference was only $100 or so. If you're going for a week, that's nothing.

Another thing about Tower Isle is that, from what I understand, it's smaller than other resorts. There were always beach chairs, and the activities were rarely booked solid. There's a lot more personal attention.

Our return flight was canceled and we got to stay at the Hilton resort for a night. It was nice, but it was humongous and definitely had more of a hotel feel to it. Not to mention the kids. I love kids, but I don't think that I want to spend a week on vacation with them if they aren't my own.

[PensFanInDC]

Couples Swept Away in Negril was amazing. Full week for under 4k including airfare from allinclusiveoutlet.com

We are probably going back in august for a babymoon.

I would recommend the atrium sweet for a tad more. Private balcony (and ours came with a free bag of weed....)

[mac5155]

Dude. Sounds like u had a suite time.

[Physical_Graffiti]

C'naan, are you American?

[Letang Is The Truth]

Dude. Sounds like u had a suite time.

Lolz

[Bowser]

I really had a great time with my wife and her family when we stayed at the Club Med in Sand Piper, Florida back in 2004. Food and alcohol all day long, pool side, sports stuff, kids stuff, golfing, etc.

http://sandpiperbay.clubmed.us/resort

[bh]

Only one I ever went to was the Iberostar Bravaro in Punta Cana.

ok to expand a little as i didnt have time earlier. When I was looking in 2005 Punta Cana was one of the cheaper places compared to the other islands. From the research I got the impression that Jamaicans were a little pushy and rude. I've never been there but there were a lot of bad reviews. The people in the Dominican were some of the most friendly and hospitable that I've ever met. Their staff at the Iberostar were just top notch. We were supposed to stay at the Riu but they were overbooked and we got all kinds of upgrades and got transfered to the Iberostar.

[PensFanInDC]

Dude. Sounds like u had a suite time.

Lol
on my part

[bh]

I really had a great time with my wife and her family when we stayed at the Club Med in Sand Piper, Florida back in 2004. Food and alcohol all day long, pool side, sports stuff, kids stuff, golfing, etc.

http://sandpiperbay.clubmed.us/resort

Being able to swim up to a bar and order whatever you want is just an awesome experience.

[canaan]

C'naan, are you American?

Yessir

[tjand72]

Are there any resorts like this in the US? I don't want to have to worry about tips or purchasing alcohol or food. I'm actually surprised there aren't more places like this.

I don't even mean "tropical" resorts. Just places where you can pay a flat fee and be taken care of without worrying about extras.