FH and I are still going back and forth. Neither of us knows where we want to go. Aside from wanting a beautiful resort, we really, really need a nightlife (clubs, not bars). Right now, the following resorts are in the mix:
Excellence Riviera Cancun Excellence Playa Mujeres Riu Place Cabo San Lucas Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana Riu Palace Riviera Maya (in Playa del Carmen)
We went to Cabo last year and loved it, but found the nightlife to be lacking. Everyone talks about El Squid Roe etc, but it felt like I was at a college bar, not a club.
Has anyone been to any of the above? Even if you've stayed at a different property, I'd love to hear your experience/suggestions. He and I are feeling pretty lost.
Ok, so we've narrowed it down to Riu Palace Riviera Maya or The ROYAL Playa del Carmen. Here's the dilemma: The ROYALl is adults-only, has more restaurants, is a higher rated property, and is literally on 5th Avenue (the main strip of restaurants, bars, clubs, shopping). Riu Palace is 1.8 miles from 5th Avenue (a $5 cab ride of about 5 minutes).
Easy decision? Nope. It's a $1,000 price difference. Part of us feels like it's our honeymoon and it's the only time we'd consider a 1k splurge when we can get a great vacation for less elsewhere. Another part of us feels like Riu Palaces are really nice resorts and we'll have a great time there as well. So, to splurge or not to splurge? If it were less of a monetary difference, we'd just go with The Royal, but 1k is a lot when we're paying for absolutely everything wedding-related ourselves.
pixietina
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Re: Argh! Honeymoon indecisiveness
I was between Excellence Playa Mujeres and Riviera Cancun too. I think the rooftop suite sold me at Playa Mujeres. Still I find myself going back and forth on where to go.
pjc92980
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Re: Argh! Honeymoon indecisiveness
i am not certain about the specific hotel - but in general i hear the punta cana nightlife is lacking....
Jmrosa1
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Re: Argh! Honeymoon indecisiveness
Posted by pjc92980
i am not certain about the specific hotel - but in general i hear the punta cana nightlife is lacking....
Punta Cana is a place where you stay on the resort. The resorts have everything you need...but may only have maybe 1 or 2 clubs, and not a night life per se.
Cancun has a whole big strip with tooonnnsss of clubs. Like senor frogs, and fat tuesday, etc. As long as your not going during a spring break season I don't think you will catch the college age groups there as much.
NYtherapist
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Re: Argh! Honeymoon indecisiveness
Posted by Jmrosa1
Posted by pjc92980
i am not certain about the specific hotel - but in general i hear the punta cana nightlife is lacking....
Punta Cana is a place where you stay on the resort. The resorts have everything you need...but may only have maybe 1 or 2 clubs, and not a night life per se.
Cancun has a whole big strip with tooonnnsss of clubs. Like senor frogs, and fat tuesday, etc. As long as your not going during a spring break season I don't think you will catch the college age groups there as much.
Playa Mujeres is 25 min from Cancun and Riviera Maya is 20 minutes from there. Ugh! So frustrating. Senor Frogs and Fat Tuesday are more bars and not what we're looking for. I'm not sure we can find what we're looking for unless we go to the Bahamas (which is totally out).
CaughtMyFish
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Re: Argh! Honeymoon indecisiveness
There are clubs AND bars in Cancun. The nightlife is really great there, from what i recall. I was a wee bit too drunk to recall the name of the one club we loved, but it was a huge Cave inside.
I agree about DR and you only get nightlife at your resort, bc it's slightly dangerous to leave your resort and head into town alone.
What if you tried Club Med Turks and Caicos? I read reviews that Honeymooners go there as well as Singles, so I am sure it is pretty fun at night.
Melissa1012
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Re: Argh! Honeymoon indecisiveness
I am going to Excellence Playa Mujeres ... so of course, that is my vote!!!
justnicethings
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Re: Argh! Honeymoon indecisiveness
Dont have much to offer, but just here to say that the RIU hotel chain is TOP NOTCH. The rooms are GORGEOUS and so are the grounds. I've been to the one in Cancun (there are two there, one is for the 21+ crowd, the other is for the hardcore party crowd) and the grounds were just gorgeous.
Thar1127
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Re: Argh! Honeymoon indecisiveness
I have been looking into El Dorado Spa Resorts & Hotels, its in Riviera Maya in Mexico. Looks amazing!
Jmrosa1
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Re: Argh! Honeymoon indecisiveness
Yea tree are def clubs in cancun. Just don't remember the names. There is a ginormous one for sure with some sort of walkway attached. That's all I remember about it. Lol
chliekm
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Re: Argh! Honeymoon indecisiveness
We've stay at the Riu Place Cabo San Lucas and the one in Cancun and they were OK.. got our money's worth, but I prefer the Palace hotel chains because they are much much nicer, but they are a little more money.
RIU Palace is RIGHT NEXT STORE to the other RIU Cabo hotel and it was more of a college crowd when we went. Palace was more quiet and couples. Good food options and drinks in the pool were open by 10.
I say stick with Excellence for honeymoon if costs aren't an issue.. RIU seems to be typical all inclusive vacation and the Excellence looks like its a little nicer and its gotten good reviews on here from other brides.
