Recommend an allinclusive

Elle1036

FI and I are starting to plan our honeymoon. Squeeee! We're either going to Maui and crashing Lyn's wedding while we're there or doing something a little cheaper. We like the idea of an allinclusive, but we've never been to one before. Does anyone have one they recommend? I don't really care where, as long as it's pretty and warm. TIA!

motoLyn

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_recommend-an-allinclusive?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:45937e6e-a537-4c18-acc6-0ac2997a6b53Post:4635664e-6267-44bc-b3ed-f05fcbea909f">Recommend an allinclusive</a>:
[QUOTE]FI and I are starting to plan our honeymoon. Squeeee! <strong>We're either going to Maui and crashing Lyn's wedding while we're there or doing something a little cheaper</strong>. We like the idea of an allinclusive, but we've never been to one before. Does anyone have one they recommend? I don't really care where, as long as it's pretty and warm. TIA!
Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]

Ohhh time to plan the HM.  I don't know of any all inclusive in Maui, honestly don't think there is one.  BUT I know there of a lot in Mexico and the Caribbean.  I always wanted to go to Costa Rica.  I'm sure other members will have better suggestions for you.  Maui can be cheap but its all in the planning.  I say that going to Maui at this point the most expensive thing will be the plane tickets.

Elle1036

In Response to Re:Recommend an allinclusive:[QUOTE]In Response to Recommend an allinclusive:FI and I are starting to plan our honeymoon. Squeeee! We're either going to Maui and crashing Lyn's wedding while we're there or doing something a little cheaper. We like the idea of an allinclusive, but we've never been to one before. Does anyone have one they recommend? I don't really care where, as long as it's pretty and warm. TIA!Posted by Elle1036Ohhh time to plan the HM.nbsp; I don't know of any all inclusive in Maui, honestly don't think there is one.nbsp; BUT I know there of a lot in Mexico and the Caribbean.nbsp; I always wanted to go to Costa Rica.nbsp; I'm sure other members will have better suggestions for you.nbsp; Maui can be cheap but its all in the planning.nbsp; I say that going to Maui at this point the most expensive thing will be the plane tickets. Posted by motoLyn[/QUOTE]

You're right about the plane tickets. FI has enough miles to cut it down some, but we could basically ge free tickets if we go to Mexico or somewhere in the Caribbean, which is a huge plus.

CASK85

My MOH went to an all inclusive in Mexico with her husband for the HM. It was Riviera Maya Excellence Resort and Spa. They had an amazing time and I'm pretty sure it was relatively affordable but I can't be sure. 

leia1979

Our HM was at the Royal Playa del Carmen in Mexico (it's about 40min south of Cancun in the small touristy town of Playa del Carmen).

http://www.realresorts.com/The-Royal-Playa-Carmen/

This place was gorgeous. This was the view from our balcony:


We spent just over $3,000 including airfare for an 8-day trip. The food was good (the buffet was my favorite), the room was beautiful, the ocean is warm, the pools are gorgeous, and there are things to do, like walk into town, rent a jetski (so fun!), go to the nearby attractions like Xcaret (animal/cultural park) and Tulum (pyramids). We only went to Xcaret.

The Royal lets you also eat at their sister resort next door, but I thought the restaurants at the Royal were nicer. We also went off the resort one night to have a real Mexican dinner. That's why I liked that this resort was in town, while a lot of them are in the middle of nowhere. We also walked to Walmart when we needed supplies.

ETA: I have a spreadsheet of all the places we looked at, if you're interested. It can get a little overwhelming.

Also, I booked through Travelocity. I tried a few different travel agencies and got the best airfare + hotel rate via Travelocity.

Elle1036

Leia and Schiano, thanks! That's really helpful. If you care to share the spreadsheet, Leia, that would rock.

cu97tiger

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_recommend-an-allinclusive?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:45937e6e-a537-4c18-acc6-0ac2997a6b53Post:0690b779-dc1b-4ff8-aa4b-7f86129630f1">Re: Recommend an allinclusive</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>Our HM was at the Royal Playa del Carmen in Mexico (</strong>it's about 40min south of Cancun in the small touristy town of Playa del Carmen). <a href="http://www.realresorts.com/The-Royal-Playa-Carmen/" rel="nofollow">http://www.realresorts.com/The-Royal-Playa-Carmen/</a> This place was gorgeous. This was the view from our balcony: We spent just over $3,000 including airfare for an 8-day trip. The food was good (the buffet was my favorite), the room was beautiful, the ocean is warm, the pools are gorgeous, and there are things to do, like walk into town, rent a jetski (so fun!), go to the nearby attractions like Xcaret (animal/cultural park) and Tulum (pyramids). We only went to Xcaret. The Royal lets you also eat at their sister resort next door, but I thought the restaurants at the Royal were nicer. We also went off the resort one night to have a real Mexican dinner. That's why I liked that this resort was in town, while a lot of them are in the middle of nowhere. We also walked to Walmart when we needed supplies. ETA: I have a spreadsheet of all the places we looked at, if you're interested. It can get a little overwhelming. Also, I booked through Travelocity. I tried a few different travel agencies and got the best airfare + hotel rate via Travelocity.
Posted by leia1979[/QUOTE]

<div>This is where DH and I are going on our honeymoon at the end of June! We've read great things about it (and Leia's recommendation didn't hurt, either!). </div><div>
</div><div>DH has also been to several places in Jamaica, all of which he liked. They were slightly more expensive than Mexico, but if you have airline miles, that may help, too. Let me know if you want more specifics!</div>

travelerkris

I loooooooovvveeee the Palace Resorts in Mexico.  My best friend had her destination wedding at the Moon Palace.  Gorgeous food, dancing every night, massive pools, all your drinks included AND room service included.  It was amazing.  Every room has a two-person jacuzzi tub! 

We went to the Aventura Spa Palace the following year - adult only.  It was smaller and didn't have a white-sand beach, so I preferred the Moon Palace.  There are Palace Resorts throughout Mexico.  We also spent a day at the Cozumel Palace and it was GORGEOUS.

motoLyn

Elle, I most definitely would love for you and your future hubby to crash my wedding  but it seems you're best bang for the buck HM is going to be the places Leia memtioned.  I was at an all inclusive once in Tenerife and it was soooooo nice.  Everything you need without worry.  Good luck on your planning, I'll bring a cardboard cut out of you and place it in the back row of the ceremony, you can be there in 2-D.

ravenray

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_recommend-an-allinclusive?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:45937e6e-a537-4c18-acc6-0ac2997a6b53Post:14131b06-4e65-4dbd-ae2d-a6d72bf5d9df">Re: Recommend an allinclusive</a>:
[QUOTE]Elle, I most definitely would love for you and your future hubby to crash my wedding  but it seems you're best bang for the buck HM is going to be the places Leia memtioned.  I was at an all inclusive once in Tenerife and it was soooooo nice.  Everything you need without worry.  Good luck on your planning, I'll bring a cardboard cut out of you and place it in the back row of the ceremony, you can be there in 2-D.
Posted by motoLyn[/QUOTE]

<span style="line-height:115%;font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';color:#1f1f1f;font-size:8.5pt;">This would be sweet!  Where is my cutout? ;)

I have never been to all-inclusive but I have heard good things about them :)  Do it!  FI went to Coast Rica one time and he loved it.</span>

[Deleted User]

This is the only one i've ever been to, so I can't really compare to anything - but we loved it!

http://www.expedia.com/Riviera-Maya-Hotels-Dreams-Puerto-Aventuras-Resort-Spa-All-Inclusive.h659684.Hotel-Information?rm1=a2&hwrqCacheKey=b3d4303a-523c-474d-98ce-0d1665e2cd8cHWRQ1334856088086&hashTag=default&sp=KygIKjE7PWVqaWt2a2t-KygbMDMRNmVobHdqbX4rKAgqMTs9GxdlamlrdmtrfisoGzAzFy0sZWhsd2pg&c=b128b497-cce9-4ace-bd71-b7ade74a234a&c=02ea2671-1ad7-4ad1-b400-033363736a37&c=7cdf116e-c284-43f3-ad90-7958dc6191f0&rfrr=-30461&c=bdf40381-ab8d-4211-8506-36d526e180c0&

Features we loved:
- Modern, clean rooms
- 24 hr room service (included in the price!)
- No restaurant reservations needed
- Snorkeling right off the beach...we saw some amazing fish for FREE
- Easy day trip to the ruins in Tulum...beautiful beach there.
- Booked a snorkel excursion to xel-ha...totally worth it!
- Food was great, included drinks...even the good booze
- Far enough away from Cancun that you didn't feel crowded
- Cute town to walk around
- Only resort for miles...so you didn't have to share the beach
- Puerto Aventuras has the swimming with the dolphins. We didn't do it, but if you walk into town you can see the dolphins.

Elle1036

In Response to Re:Recommend an allinclusive:[QUOTE]Elle, I most definitely would love for you and your future hubby to crash my weddingnbsp; but it seems you're best bang for the buck HM is going to be the places Leia memtioned.nbsp; I was at an all inclusive once in Tenerife and it was soooooo nice.nbsp; Everything you need without worry.nbsp; Good luck on your planning, I'll bring a cardboard cut out of you and place it in the back row of the ceremony, you can be there in 2D. Posted by motoLyn[/QUOTE]

Are you trying to rescind your invitation? Gah. If you don't want me there all you have to do is say so.

Elle1036

Thanks Kris and Allusive! I'll look into both of those!

msuprincess04

I've only been to two all inclusive resorts. The Grand Palladium in Jamaica and the Fiesta Americana in Cozumel, Mexico.

The Grand Palladium was beautiful and very upscale. They also had four different ala carte restraunts instead of just the buffet. The pools were where we spent most of our time and I just loved the built in loungers. Jamaica itself is awesome. And Ricks has one of the most amazing sunsets I've ever seen. Though, there isn't much to do outside of the resort and Ricks.

The Fiesta Americana was very green. They had nightly entertainment on the beach and a few scattered buffets. Nothing spectacular on the food front. We went into town just about every night for dinner.

In the end, I think it depends where you are going whether it's worth it. The downside of any all-inclusive is that the food gets old quick. The same buffet every night is annoying after the third night. So you end up going out anyway. Best piece of advice, if you do choose and all-inclusive, bring solo cups. The ones they give you are tiny!

motoLyn

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_recommend-an-allinclusive?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:45937e6e-a537-4c18-acc6-0ac2997a6b53Post:b3ae368b-8c91-4393-a017-6826b707e553">Re:Recommend an allinclusive</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re:Recommend an allinclusive: Are you trying to rescind your invitation? Gah. If you don't want me there all you have to do is say so.
Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]

Hellz nah gurl!  I'm just trying to pull away to lessen the pain when you tell me you aren't coming.  :( It just sounsd like you would have a great HM at a better price in Mexico or the Caribbean.  Which I wouldn't fault you, because Hawaii can be expensive.  But!!!!!I still have hope that you may come.  RSVP is next week!

RavenRay, I think its best that we set up a laptop and we can skype the wedding right?!

JaniV123

Dominican republic has a lot of great 5star all inclusive resorts. Especially La Romana and Santo Domingo have really good resorts. Jamaica as well Also here in PR there are some really good resorts but they aren't all inclusive. With good planning you can have a great time here for not that much money.

tdwpg1984

I've never been to an all inclusive but my parents have been to many. They said their favourite was Iberostar Laguna Azul in Cuba. You probably wouldn't be able to go because you are American, but my parents usually stay iberostar resorts and really like them...

kiki1978

We went to the Royal Bahamaian Sandals resort in Nassau in January. We LOVED it!!!  It was so pretty and the staff is so nice.   I recommend it to everyone.