Any recommendations for All-Inclusive vacation?

[Chris]

So my fiance and I are looking at places for our honeymoon this September, and we are hoping to find a nice, All-Inclusive resort in the Caribean (or Mexico), but we have found there is a LOT to choose from.  So I was wondering if anyone has any first hand accounts of All-Inclusive (ideally adult-only) resorts, that they would like to recommend. 

I know that some All-inclusives are not really a great deal, compared to going ala carte, but we figure it is worth paying a little bit of a premium to not have to worry about money on the honeymoon. 

We have mostly been looking in Mexico (not a huge fan of a party area like Cancun, but we are open to the idea if its a nice enough place and good deal), as well as Jamaica and Dominican Republic.  But we really are open to most anywhere.

[wdleehi]

I had my wedding reception at the Sandels in the Bahamas.  It was a very nice looking resort.  The food was good.


Added benifit, accross the street is a Swedish bakery with the owner looking and sounding just like the Muppet's Swedish Chef.  (he made out wedding cake)  He also makes some good patties. 


My wifes family all live on the island so I do know a little about the island, but I live with an expert if you had questions. 

[JSD]

So my fiance and I are looking at places for our honeymoon this September, and we are hoping to find a nice, All-Inclusive resort in the Caribean (or Mexico), but we have found there is a LOT to choose from.  So I was wondering if anyone has any first hand accounts of All-Inclusive (ideally adult-only) resorts, that they would like to recommend. 

I know that some All-inclusives are not really a great deal, compared to going ala carte, but we figure it is worth paying a little bit of a premium to not have to worry about money on the honeymoon. 

We have mostly been looking in Mexico (not a huge fan of a party area like Cancun, but we are open to the idea if its a nice enough place and good deal), as well as Jamaica and Dominican Republic.  But we really are open to most anywhere.

I had a terrific stay at the Westin in Aruba for my Honeymoon last March. A great assortment of fun things to do during the day (with an activity booth on the 1st floor), a solid gym, nice pool, and full Casino. It's also right on the Beach.

http://www.westinaruba.com

[JSD]

By the way, congrats on the engagement Chris!

[Jeff]

we really enjoyed Jamaica - Couples Swept Away

I think it was a pretty good deal

http://www.couples.com/12sw/index.html

[Brickowski]

It's not adults only but it's very nice.  One of the best in the Carribean.  Not cheap.

http://www.caneelbay.com/

[LarBrd33]

So my fiance and I are looking at places for our honeymoon this September, and we are hoping to find a nice, All-Inclusive resort in the Caribean (or Mexico), but we have found there is a LOT to choose from.  So I was wondering if anyone has any first hand accounts of All-Inclusive (ideally adult-only) resorts, that they would like to recommend. 

I know that some All-inclusives are not really a great deal, compared to going ala carte, but we figure it is worth paying a little bit of a premium to not have to worry about money on the honeymoon. 

We have mostly been looking in Mexico (not a huge fan of a party area like Cancun, but we are open to the idea if its a nice enough place and good deal), as well as Jamaica and Dominican Republic.  But we really are open to most anywhere.

I'm sure with a honeymoon you probably want to find a really romantic spot and spend boatloads.  But I'll just chime in with my own vacation recommendation (for anyone listening).  A cruise...

I'm serious... go on a cruise.   Some cruise ships are garbage, but I went on a Royal Caribbean cruise in 2004 to the Caribbean and it was absolutely amazing.  You're basically on a huge floating resort... all the food was included (and it was really [dang] good in the dining room... steak, lobster, etc)... a huge theater to watch shows, a casino, several bars... the ship I went on (Mariner of the Seas) also had a dance club.  I partied with my cousins all night and was eating food at 2 in the morning.  I think they even had a Johnny Rockets burger place on that thing.   Multiple pools, multiple hot tubs, a mini golf course, a full exercise room, saunas... everything.

The cruise I went on was a week long and went to Nassau, Bahamas (the worst of the islands) and St Thomas, St Marteen (both amazing) and I think maybe St. Johns.   The ship was brand new at the time, but I think they have launched 3 more since then which are even newer, nicer and bigger.   The cruise left out of MIami.  Here is the ship I was on:  http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/class/ship/home.do;jsessionid=0000YGDNZQuHbnCUtFH-yz8xfPM:12hdhuaq2?br=R&shipClassCode=VY&shipCode=MA


The best part:  It's dirt cheap.  If you go at the right time of year it's like $600 bucks per person.  And mind you this includes all the food and everything. You just have to pay for liquor... and if you want to do events on the island (like take snorkel boats out and stuff), but I had a blast just exploring the beaches when the ship was docked.  It's nuts.   So you figure $300 a person for airfare to Florida and $600 for the cruise itself... it's around $1000 for everything (per person).  I don't think you can find a better deal.  It was literally the best vacation I've been on and the most fun I've ever had.  I went to Maui a few months ago, stayed at an amazing condo, spent three times as much and it sucked in comparison.

There are other cruises, of course.  I noticed that the exact ship I went on (Mariner of the Seas) now leaves out of Los Angeles and does a Mexican Riviera cruise.  I found that one for as low as $400 a person.  I live in Seattle... we're talking about me paying at most $100 for roundtrip airfare and $400 for the week long cruise.   Seeing as I don't drink... I could easily pull that off the whole thing for $500.  Lol.  I'm planning on it.

[Master Po]

Caneel Bay on St John....very nice in terms of Beaches, food is very good....service is very nice. Rooms are not ultra plush but good. and like Brick said expensive

I have traveled pretty extensively in the BVI's and USVI's, Grand Cayman, Jamaica. I would not recommend anything on St Thomas ALL Inclusive....I would highly recommend Virgin Gorda (Little Dix Bay Resort) - this is the sister resort to Caneel Bay. Tortola is a nice island as the people are friendly but a bit crowded for my taste.....I would stay at the Old Sugar Mill if I stayed there but I do not think it is all inclusive and it is a bit small.

Jamaica is where I spent my honeymoon 1986 at Sandals all-inclusive @ Montego Bay.....While I love Bob Marley and Reggae music Jamaica is full of beggars ...it's non stop once you get outside of a resort. To me the real Caribbean lies elsewhere

Top on my list for all-time is a little resort on a Private Island called Guana Island .....most secluded and romantic place I have ever been....will be going back there hopefully in 2010....all inclusive but expensive.....not plush but very very secluded.

Another I have not stayed at is Peter Island but I have been there - same thing private island expensive and they let people on Tortola come over on day trips to the island which makes the resteraunt beach area crowded

Try to pick an Island Resort NOT near a crusie ship stop...

Hope this helps...Po

[Amonkey]

I'll give you an idea but that might be a little bit off the wall.  How about Guatemala?  I went there cuz my gf is a Peace Corps there and have fallen in love with the place.  You can do things like climb an active volcano, walk around Antigua and visit the Mayan city of Tikal in the rainforest, where u stay in a little island filled with bars, restaurants and little shops, perfect for couples.  Best of all, it's extremely cheap, allowing to really go all out in a bunch of things.  I'm gonna try to add a couple of pics and tell me what you think.

[Chris]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.  Some of these places look great (although some are a bit out of our price-range, since we are paying for the wedding ourselves, and are trying to stick to a budget of around $2-3000).  

We are very interested in places like the Couples, Sandals, and other resorts like that.  The one Jeff suggested sounds great, and it looks like it is a little cheaper than the Sandals, which is definitely a plus.  

As far as cruises go, its just not what we have in mind for our honeymoon.  We really just want to be on a beach, and not have to worry about getting back to the boat at a certain time, or anything like that.  

[Chris]

I'll give you an idea but that might be a little bit off the wall.  How about Guatemala?  I went there cuz my gf is a Peace Corps there and have fallen in love with the place.  You can do things like climb an active volcano, walk around Antigua and visit the Mayan city of Tikal in the rainforest, where u stay in a little island filled with bars, restaurants and little shops, perfect for couples.  Best of all, it's extremely cheap, allowing to really go all out in a bunch of things.  I'm gonna try to add a couple of pics and tell me what you think.

I would love to go some place like that (I have heard Costa Rica is similar), but its a little more adventurous than we are looking for, for the honeymoon. 

[eddietours]

Go to Dominican Republic Punta Cana

[Jeff]

Go to Dominican Republic Punta Cana

I liked that one as well

[Brickowski]

Well, IMHO the best part of the Carribean is the southern part, from St. Lucia on down.  I love Bequia and the Grenadines, especially for sailing. You might check out this resort on Petit St. Vincent, with the caveat that I've never stayed there (although I vaguely recall anchoring in the bay at Petit St. Vincent and doing some snorkeling).

http://www.psvresort.com/

BTW, if you are on a budget I would check out Guadeloupe.  I believe there is a nice Club Med there.  But that may be a little too "adults only" for a honeymoon. Plus, tout le monde parle francais, pas anglais.

[eddietours]

http://www.puntacana.com/