All Inclusive help needed...

thanks a lot ladies. I've actually come across many of the hotels you guys have mentioned so I'm glad to hear good things about them. Couple of questions ... how is the food at those particular places? DH hates buffets and I know for some of the restaurants you have make reservations and I've heard some complaints about that (and the food). Also, how are the drinks ... can you get anything you want? whenever? We don't want to go somewhere where the pool and beach is packed by 9am.

Gonna keep looking today and hopefully settle on something!
Thanks again!!!

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Posted by FutureMrs.T

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!

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You know, I was almost totally set on them until I kept reading tons and tons of complaints. And they all seemed to be the same ones. The food, the reservations, pools, service ... I am glad to hear that you really like them! Which one did you stay at?

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Posted by PeteysBride

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.

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Wow, thanks so much for the great review! I had just started looking into them and now I'm excited to further check them out. Def added to my notebook

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Posted by Cpt2007

We went to Excellence Punta Cana and LOVED it! We'd go back in a heartbeat!

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oh good, another plus for them!!

p.s. how were the drinks? (this is DH biggest concern lol)

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Posted by April Liane

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Posted by Cpt2007

We went to Excellence Punta Cana and LOVED it! We'd go back in a heartbeat!

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oh good, another plus for them!!

p.s. how were the drinks? (this is DH biggest concern lol)

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We went to this resort when it was still Secrets.
LOVED IT !
Beach is very rough on this side of Punta Cana, but the pools are awesome.
Drinks - wow. The Coco Loco was the best.

Excellence looks and sounds awesome but seems to be more expensive than some of the others.

Anyone ever stay at the Majestic Colonial Punta Cana??

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Posted by hannahshim

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

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I agree he is great, we had spoke briefly back at the time of my wedding. Do you happen to have his email??

Nothing beats Excellence Riviera Maya (outside of Cancun, Mexico). It's an amazing All Inclusive Resort where we got engaged. Beautiful, great food, great service.

Such a happy/relaxing place and the staff goes way out of their way to make you happy. I definitely recommend you check it out. Good luck.

have you checked out Iberostar resorst? very popular AI resort company around the world.

I'm doing Iberostar Bavaro all suites in May with my DH for our anniversary trip......a week for less than $2K. we used in & out travel (dream destinations) -- they are vendors on here.

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Posted by April Liane

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Posted by Cpt2007

We went to Excellence Punta Cana and LOVED it! We'd go back in a heartbeat!

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oh good, another plus for them!!

p.s. how were the drinks? (this is DH biggest concern lol)

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EXCELLENT! The one in Mexico was a great resort and the food was great BUT the one in Punta Cana blew it out of the water. the spread was IMMENSE. And DH loooved the lunch nd breakfast buffets.

We found the drinks to be stronger in Punta Cana and there is one called a Coco Loco (crazy coconut) that was DELICIOUS. Its served ina coconut. The bartender not at the main pool but at the one I posted with the waterfall, made them so strong I had one and was set firmly on my butt, so if thats what your DH wants lol he will get it. They use the premium alchohol and its all free.

It is a little pricier BUT call a travel agent. When we went to Secrets Excellence in mexica in the Riviera Maya, it was 3,600 for us both for 6 days including airfare. When we went to Punta Canan Excellence, they ahd already split, so they were ofefrign CRAZY deals. We went in August and it was 2,300 with airfare for one day less!

FH and I booked our honeymoon with Occidental Royal Hideaway in Mexico.

You can read comments on Trip Advisor about hotels/resorts for places that you are thinking about.

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Posted by April Liane

Excellence looks and sounds awesome but seems to be more expensive than some of the others.

Anyone ever stay at the Majestic Colonial Punta Cana??

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ive stayed at majestic colonial....i HIGHLY recommend it. we went for i think it was 5 nights and came out to alittle under 1800.00, roundtrip out of Newark, non-stop, roundtrip transportation to the hotel and aiport, AND they upgraded for free us to the most expensive suite there, when we only paid for the most cheapest room.....the staff is soooooooooo nice there! and its 5 stars so you cant go wrong!