July 2014 All inclusive help!

vbialecki

So it feels like my fiancé and I have been all over every travel site and travel agency (AAA and liberty travel) trying to find the best all inclusive for our money.

We had thought that we had finally decided on Couples Swept Away in Negril, Jamaica. But then we decided that even though we really love the beachy feel of the resort (and the racquetball courts!), we wanted a little bit more "luxury" for our honeymoon, and would really like to have 24-hour room service. That being said, we are not glitz and glam people at all. We're very laid back. But he's in grad school and I'm in medical school so I think we really just need a worry-less vacation where we can feel pampered for 7 days. We definitely aren't too picky about food. We'd like to have a few options, but are okay without 5-star food, as long as there is at least one restaurant where we can get dressed up and feel fancy.

Any suggestions for where we should go? Destinations are open (although I'd prefer not to go to Mexico, as I've already been there). Our budget is about 5,000 for flights and hotel (out of Philadelphia). We'd really like to be able to afford an upgraded suite (maybe even with a jacuzzi??) with a balcony/verandah-because when else can we do that??

We've been seriously considering: Couples Swept Away, Couples Negril, Secrets Montego Bay, Dreams Punta Cana..etc.

Must have:

24-hour room service (we would like to be able to get drinks in our room late at night if we want)

Non-motorized water sports (we'd love to be able to take a kayak out whenever we want)

Location on the beach (not 5 minutes away or on a cliff)

Prefer, but not entirely necessary:

No kids

Included excursions (catamaran tours..)

Area to explore around the resort with hiking

Jacuzzi in the room or on our private balcony

Would like the hotel to be a little bit on the small side

JMalettas

 We went to Costa Rica on our honeymoon last August and absolutely *loved* it! One thing that's nice about Costa Rica, is that in our summer months everything is in bloom there! If you go during our winter, most of everything is dry & brown. Our summer is their winter, but the temps are still ridiculously hot! We stayed at the Occidental Grand Papagayo. It's a smaller resort, right on the beach. We upgraded to the Royal Luxury Club, (*do this*), and got a private suite with a private patio. (Ours didn't have a jacuzzi, but they do offer them). They had champagne in the room, and room service until around ten at night. No, not 24hrs, but gives you a little time to order whatever you think you may want for drinks or whatever up until then. They had non-motorized water sports included, & offered at the beach. Kayaks/canoes, snorkelling equipment etc. (Although, the idea of using shared snorkelling stuff seems kind of gross). There were kids, but not many, & no included tours. Although, we found the price of tours reasonable. There's lots of area to explore without hiking. Although, it is pretty 'hilly', which is expected of Costa Rica. They had a buffet for all meals, a snack bar (that you order by menu), & 2 a la carte restaurants. (Italian & Oriental). The 2 a la carte's require reservations, and were nice to get all dressed up for. We had no problems getting reservations, & they decorated a table with rose petals and fancy drinks for our '1 week anniversary.'  (Try & make your reservations the first day you're there to insure you get the important ones you may want, just incase). There were 4 bars, one being a 'disco' that opened around 10PM, another is only accessible for the 'Royal Luxury Club' members, one main one off of the lobby, and one 'snack bar' style one by the pool. Also, if you're there on your honeymoon, they offer a breakfast in bed buffet, on a morning of your choice! It was really nice, and we enjoyed that option! 

  

 The only downsides, (in my opinion), were that they often ran out of champagne at the restaurants by the time we got there. (We made 8PM-ish reservations). They also didn't have air conditioning in the buffet room. So it was quick/warm visits for meals! The snack bar offered menu food, and we often ate at the outside tables there instead of the buffet, because of this. Also, we met some people that were staying there that had not upgraded to the Royal Luxury Club that said their rooms were quite outdated. We didn't find that at all with our upgrade, but I would definitely recommend it for that alone!

 Obviously, those few things weren't deal breakers, and we'd love to return to Costa Rica again! We flew out of Toronto, and also had a connecting flight to get to Toronto. (They don't have direct flights from Northern Ontario where we are), and for one week, all inclusive, and flights, our trip came to $4000 for us both. I don't know what the prices are for the Riu Palace, or the Four Seasons, but I've heard they are both really nice hotels there!

 Happy honeymoon-hunting! Good luck!

 *J

vbialecki

@JMalettas

Thank you so much for your suggestion! Costa Rica looks beautiful and I would definitely love to go there soon. Did you have any issues with bugs though? We hadn't really considered it much because both my dad and brother have been and said the bugs were horrible! 

Funny-we were looking at the Occidental Grand in Punta Cana too so it's good to know you loved the resort!

I think at this point we need to just stop over-analyzing and pick a place. He and I are both researching resorts a ton and the littlest things are putting us off.

Thanks again for your help!

JMalettas

 No problem! We absolutely loved it! We didn't have any issues with bugs at all while we were there. Maybe it's bad during certain months? We were there Aug12-19, and I don't recall any bug problems!

 Not to steer you away from Dominican, but both my husband and I have been to Punta Cana, to 2 different resorts, and both really disliked it there. We will never return. The resorts themselves are nice, but for the most part, unless you book an excursion, you're stuck there, because it isn't safe to just venture into the town. The one time I did leave our resort, I was harassed so badly to buy things and whatnot, that I got about ten mins down the beach, and turned around and went back. Secondly, just released over the news today, 2 women from Ontario, who returned from Punta Cana this past Wednesday, were harassed, sexually assaulted and shot at by resort staff at the resort they were staying at. The Govt of Canada has only released a 'Caution While Travelling Due to Theft' over it, but the RCMP are doing an investigation. They were staying at the Bahia Principe San Juan, in Punta Cana. Our opinions of Dominican were based on our visits, but I just wouldn't go there again for safety issues alone. 

 Another place thats recommended in the summer months, is Aruba. They also have a Riu Palace there, that was comparable to the price of our resort in Costa Rica. When deciding on our honeymoon, it came down to those 2 locations. The reason we chose Costa Rica was because of the more exotic feel to it. The rainforest, mountains, volcanos, etc. My husband and I are both outdoorsy people, & for us, Costa Rica offered more 'adventurous' types of excursions that we were interested in. 

 Also, while deciding, be aware that a lot of warmer places are in the middle of hurricane season in the summer. Even if you don't book through a travel agent, you can always stop by one, or look online to find out which countries are safe to go to during the summer months. (Costa Rica and Aruba were two of the few options we had). 

 *J

Ausome13

@vbialecki I feel your pain!!! I wish that I were one of those people who just walked into a travel agent tossed them some money and said sure that sounds fine. I feel like I have over researched lol. I'm trying to stay in the 5k ball park too and because of airfare I think that's easiest to do in the Cancun or Jamaica areas. I initially wanted to go to St. Lucia but the additional money in flights really didn't seem worth it. Couples Swept Away looked perfect until I read reviews about things being closed and really having no options for drinks or dinner outside of designated times which has us looking at Sandals even though we aren't crazy about the commercialized chain feeling. I'm beginning to think that it will be worth the draw back for the slightly more luxurious atmosphere and plethora of accommodations like room service. 

AprilH81

A lot of the AI resorts will stock the room with beer, wine and an assortment of alcohol, so unless you want a strawberry-mango frozen something at 3:00 am you may not need the 24 hour room service.  It may be something worth checking into.

tcnoble

@ausome13 and OP, check out the Iberostar Grand Resorts. They are adult only, each room gets a butler, all inclusive. I have been torn between their resort in Punta Cana and in Jamaica (Rose Hall). They are cheaper than Sandals too, but probably depends somewhat on time of year and where you are departing from.

vbialecki

@Ausome13 we finally decided on Couples Swept Away! We just decided to get out of our heads and book it and I am so relieved! I haven't looked at anything honeymoon related since Tuesday (when we booked). We didn't realize friends of ours had stayed there for their honeymoon and we had a long conversation with them about all of the nit-picking questions we had and felt better. I just love that absolutely everyone ravesss about Couples resorts in general. Our friends have actually been to Secrets resorts, Iberostar, and Couples and choose Couples over all of them. We really started considering Sandals, but I just don't think you get as much for your money (suite-wise). We are so excited! Just get out of your head--it was the best thing we've done so far!

@tcnoble I did check out the Iberostar but for what we wanted it was way too expensive unfortunately. But thanks for the advice!!!

Thank you everyone for the help!

Ausome13

@Vbialecki did they offer any insight to the reviews that say everything is closed down between 6-11? My only real concern is that we'll have to live on a strict schedule and not have drinks or food when we want it. I'm also not thrilled that couples requires you are there 72 hours before you get married when Jamaica will let you fill out the paper work in advance and only wait 24 hours. We aren't getting married until next March so we can't book until airfare comes out next month but I'm so ready for that!! When is your wedding? 

vbialecki

@ausome13 They didn't say anything about having any issues getting food. We mentioned we were concerned that we wouldn't be able to get booze after 10 pm and they said they stock the mini bar in your room-so that solved our main concern! Between 6 and 11...am? Because it seems like most restaurants are open for dinner. My impression is that there are quite a few restaurants and we won't have any problems eating. Our friends couldn't stop raving about the staff, the food, and the experience in general. My fiancé and I are not very picky food-wise so I think the Cabana Grill is open all day/night (until 5 am) and has sandwiches and all so he and I are quite sure we'll be happy food-wise.

Wow! You're really on top of it! At least you still have plenty of time to look around and make the best decision for the two of you. I just think Couples has a laid back vibe that really fits my fiancé and I so I'm really looking forward to it. We're getting married July 11th! Can't wait! I'm so ready to be done with the planning part and just enjoy ourselves. I catch myself thinking all the time that we should've just done a destination wedding. It just wasn't in the cards.

Ausome13

I thought you were doing a destination wedding. I guess I got my lines crossed lol. The food issue is something I read in a few unpleasant reviews but I'm very happy to hear it sounds like they aren't the case! There isn't a bar open past 10 though? 

Can I ask what room category you are going with and can you PLEASE come and tell me all about it after you have an amazing time

vbialecki

Haha nope unfortunately not the case. I do think Couples would be an amazing place to do a wedding though. The beach in Negril is supposed to be just amazing. And I can only imagine just how gorgeous it is at sunset.

It seems like it might depend on the day. And my fiancé and I were initially pretty opposed to that idea. But since we have the mini bar, we're not really too concerned about it. I'd say that's one of the few things that would've deterred us at all. But our friends definitely like quite a few drinks, and they said they didn't have any problem with it.

We're going with the Great House Jacuzzi Suite! Typically the beachfront verandah suites are more our style...but I think just for the honeymoon we should do something a little bit nicer. In my opinion, the Great House suites look a little more updated than the beachfront verandah suites and seem to offer a little bit more "luxury". I will absolutely come back to tell you about it! I just wish it was sooner!!

Jl1188

We just booked our Honeymoon for Couples Negril, we'll be going in July as well. I think you made a great choice! I did quite a bit of research and settled on CN. The couples resorts really seem to have the most bang for your buck. I've been lurking on the couples website message board and from what I understand the "mini" bar isn't really mini. I believe it's full size bottles of liquor/ wine. You choose each day what you want them to stock it with. Have fun!