Repost 09-HM Opinion with Poll
I have to give credit where credit is due. FH and I talked ALL night last night about HM options. And he didn't really complain, and only tried to convince me *once* to just go to Newport and go to Greece in the late summer. Honestly, I'm so confused now, that maybe we will do that. But I suggested a 3-4 day cruise instead of Newport so we could afford to do both, and he doesn't want to cruise because he doesn't like that you're on a schedule during the day, so there goes that compromise.
So IF we do end up doing the resort option and do not stick to the original plan, we have pretty much narrowed down our options to the following:
1. Sandals Grande Antigua
2. Excellence Punta Cana
Pros and Cons for both:
Sandals the pros are that the resort is very clean, and it's a generally safe island so we could go into the town during the day if we wanted. Warmer weather and less rain in December. Only 10 minutes from airport. Cons are reviews are pretty bad regarding the service, and not just a few reviews, a TON. Also, sale 'ends' tomorrow, and if not extended again, we cannot afford it. So we have to hedge our bets with them. Longer flight, and no direct are available, so would have to transfer in Miami.
Excellence the pros are that the resort is very clean, altho the rooms are a bit older, and that the service is great and the food is actually good. More activities offered. Has excellent reviews across the board, for every 15 5 star reviews there's maybe 1 3 star, no real bashing 1 star reviews. Less expensive than Sandals with the sale even without a sale price of its own. Shorter flight, and it's direct. Cons are that the weather is a little cooler in December, and an inch more rain, generally it is warm but not sunny this time of year. It's not the safest of islands, so we definitely wouldn't leave the resort grounds. It's an hour from the airport via shuttle.
Ammenities wise, they both offer a good amount of restaurants, bars, pools, beach, spas, and activities, although Excellence has more activities that we would probably be interested in.
Given all of this info...which one would you choose?
So IF we do end up doing the resort option and do not stick to the original plan, we have pretty much narrowed down our options to the following:
1. Sandals Grande Antigua
2. Excellence Punta Cana
Pros and Cons for both:
Sandals the pros are that the resort is very clean, and it's a generally safe island so we could go into the town during the day if we wanted. Warmer weather and less rain in December. Only 10 minutes from airport. Cons are reviews are pretty bad regarding the service, and not just a few reviews, a TON. Also, sale 'ends' tomorrow, and if not extended again, we cannot afford it. So we have to hedge our bets with them. Longer flight, and no direct are available, so would have to transfer in Miami.
Excellence the pros are that the resort is very clean, altho the rooms are a bit older, and that the service is great and the food is actually good. More activities offered. Has excellent reviews across the board, for every 15 5 star reviews there's maybe 1 3 star, no real bashing 1 star reviews. Less expensive than Sandals with the sale even without a sale price of its own. Shorter flight, and it's direct. Cons are that the weather is a little cooler in December, and an inch more rain, generally it is warm but not sunny this time of year. It's not the safest of islands, so we definitely wouldn't leave the resort grounds. It's an hour from the airport via shuttle.
Ammenities wise, they both offer a good amount of restaurants, bars, pools, beach, spas, and activities, although Excellence has more activities that we would probably be interested in.
Given all of this info...which one would you choose?
