All Inclusive help needed...

April Liane Posted: Mar 18, 2008 11:19 PM

All Inclusive help needed...

Hey Ladies,
for those of you who have done the all inclusive, I need some help. We are looking to book our 'real' honeymoon in the end of May. We want to do an all inclusive and I've been looking around online for weeks and I've found some great deals during that time ... I guess since it's after all the holidays and spring break. Only problem is, we have never done and AI so I am clueless. Can anyone recommend a good place that they have been to. We are willing to go just about anywhere as long as it's sunny and warm. I've looked around at some places in mexico, dominican rep and aruba. Mainly I am trying to find the best deal as we are still pretty tight on money. Any advice would really be appreciated - I need help!

TIA

woobie113007 Posted: Mar 19, 2008 08:14 AM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

We stayed at the Occidental Grand in Aruba. It was all inclusive. LOVED it!!!!
I think Aruba is a bit more expensive than other places though.
Have you worked with a travel agent yet?

FutureMrs.T Posted: Mar 19, 2008 08:17 AM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

Try any of the RIU resorts. We love them and those are the only places we will stay...blows sandals away (no offense to anyone who stays at sandals). check them out!

DGoldfarb0776 Posted: Mar 19, 2008 09:01 AM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

We just got back from our HM in St. Lucia where we stayed at the Sandal's Halcyon- we had a FANTASTIC time!!!

LittlePup34 Posted: Mar 19, 2008 09:04 AM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

i would look into aruba me and fh have a timeshare there and love it !!!

JnD110808 Posted: Mar 19, 2008 09:05 AM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

There are alot of all inclusives in Mexico. You can try Playa del carmen, Rivera Maya-We stayed at the El Dorado Royale and maybe Cozumel.

hannahshim Posted: Mar 19, 2008 09:06 AM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

you should contact travel tom!
he will help you, hes awesome!
check out my rave and FM me for his info

my rave]travel tom rave

HTH

if you have a budget he will tell you where you can get the most out of your $$ and he will never go over your budget

Just Cindy Posted: Mar 19, 2008 09:08 AM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

SANDALS all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PeteysBride Posted: Mar 19, 2008 09:52 AM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

Excellence! Look at my review-I did a review of the one in Punta Cana where we went on our honeymoon (FABULOUS!) but I also compared it to the one in Mexico that is newer and a better laid out resort. VERY affordable too and its just suuch luxury.

MEMEJOR Posted: Mar 19, 2008 10:03 AM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

I did it in aruba at the divi links... we have a timeshare there... loved it and they so lost money on my family with the drinks

fabulousmady Posted: Mar 19, 2008 10:15 AM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

i've stayed at the RIU Palace in Los Cabos, Mexico. AWESOME!!!!!!!!
have also stayed at Sandals in Negril, Jamaica. Also very good.

Christine N Ralph Posted: Mar 19, 2008 10:22 AM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

I would say try to look on the islands of Jamaica, Dominican Republic, or Cancun/Riviera Maya. Those are the places that have the highest concentration of all inclusives. There are other islands like Aruba, St. Lucia, and Antigua that have all inclusives, but I find them to be more expensive. I have a great travel agent who would be happy to help you. Fm me if you are intereted!!

robynci1 Posted: Mar 19, 2008 10:47 AM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

Two places I know that are amazing, The Royal Hideaway in Mexico and Sandles Bahamas. Both are amazing, flights are reasonable, but yes they are expensive. They are also in great locations, Mexico is wonderful and you can catch a cab to Plya Del Carmen and rent a car and go to Cancun. Sandles is just a ride away from Paradise Island and there is alot to do there also. I am getting married May '09 and I am finding its a great time to vacation, rates are down before the summer rates, great weather. If you need any other info, let me know. Good Luck

MrsInglima Posted: Mar 19, 2008 11:42 AM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

We're interested in an all inclusive HM too and I'm totally clueless how to go about it.

How much do travel agents cost? Does any one have any experience using a website like Travelocity?

This is the one thing we're on a tight tight budget for, so every penny counts.

bonniejd Posted: Mar 19, 2008 11:54 AM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

We just came back from a vacation at Excellence Playa Mujeres in Mexico (the new one north of cancun) and it was AMAZING. Definitely check it out.

SusiBtoM Posted: Mar 19, 2008 11:55 AM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

Posted by MrsInglima

We're interested in an all inclusive HM too and I'm totally clueless how to go about it.

How much do travel agents cost? Does any one have any experience using a website like Travelocity?

This is the one thing we're on a tight tight budget for, so every penny counts.

Travel agents don't cost a thing, and you can usually get a good deal thru them. They have better pull than online sites. Liberty Travel is the one we use all the time, the branch in Flushing on Northern Blvd.

I hated Sandals so I won't recommend them.
Paradisus/Sol Melia is a really good resort chain with resorts all over the world. Family resorts, not sure if they have any adult only.
Riu is good. A lot of European guests here. The come on charter vacations.
Excellence or Secrets is great too. These are adult only resorts.
Club Med is also a good one. Turks & Caicos is adults only.

I wouldn't do AI in Aruba - there are too many great restaurants to try on the Island, and it is perfectly safe to go off the resorts.

diva7531 Posted: Mar 19, 2008 12:03 PM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

Aruba has the Divi and Occidental, we stayed at the Occidental, it was great, but we upgraded to the Royal Club (totally worth every penny!!!)

I forget the name os the place in Punta Cana, but they have a great one where you are treated like Royalty.

Mexico there are a ton of places, depends on wherer in Mexico

MrsInglima Posted: Mar 19, 2008 12:04 PM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

Posted by SusiBtoM
Travel agents don't cost a thing, and you can usually get a good deal thru them. They have better pull than online sites.

Wow, I had no idea they were free. Thanks!

jtgarsik Posted: Mar 19, 2008 12:17 PM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

we stayed at the Sandals Regency in St. Lucia....absolutely LOOOOVED it. SO fabulous. the island is gorgous, the resort was beautiful - and our particular resort has SUCH a variety of restaurants...had everything from relaxation to action. we really enjoyed it! throw me some FM if u'd like any more info i've heard great things about all the places u mentioned..we have friends that stay at the Divi resorts in aruba all the time & the DR is GORGOUS! good luck!

jtgarsik Posted: Mar 19, 2008 12:19 PM

Re: All Inclusive help needed...

ps: I dont know where u're located but Nikki Mahoney at Liberty Travel in the selden/centereach area is WONDERFUL. she's an all-inclusive specialist and my family has used her for YEARS! ..and i'm almost POSITIVE that all liberty travel branches specialize in the Sandals resorts. check out their website for branch locations - the deal we got was really great!