my wife and I are getting ready to hit our 10-yr anniv. I'm thinking of taking her to an "all-inclusive" resort like Sandals. anybody have and opinion about them or any other "all-inclusives". usually i'm too cheap on vacation to do the little things like scuba, snorkel, golf, etc. therefore i figure an all-exclusive will allow me to do this stuff without thinking about it too much.
better make sure those are included in the price. All-inclusive doesn't always mean they are included in the price, just that they offer it on-site.
I have been to approx 10 All Inclusive resorts and they do differ. At Sandals pretty much everything is included including water sports although if your not certified to scuba you have to take a resort class to get "certifed" and the scuba normally has additional fees depending on what you want to do, but you can normally get a basic dive at no cost. The All Inclusive clubs I stayed at in Mexico normally do not include scuba and such although you do get snorkling gear and kayaks to use. Its a good deal if you dont plan on eating outside of the resort. A few months ago we tried a new resort in Playa Del Carmen, Secrets, and had a blast and never left the resort. I love to Scuba , so I payed an additional $200 to dive in Cozumel over a 2 day period.
Last October my wife and I stayed at the Hotel Melia in Cozumel on the all inclusive plan. We are going back this year. The food was not great but was mostly very good and varied. The booze was all top shelf and the service was great. Scuba was extra. I did a 2 tank dive with dive paradise and loved it.
Get the platinum package at Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios. The place is tiny (42 rooms), has a private beach, is family owned and staffed by people who have been there for decades. All rooms have verandas and ocean views, meals can be taken in the dining room, outside or on your veranda. Dinner is five courses every night and the restaurant (5-star rated) is one of, if not THE best, on the island. Anything you need, just ask. Their concierge service is excellent and the on-site spa is unbelievable. They don't allow kids and, if you're looking for a drunken brawl, forget it. It's all class from top to bottom, beginning to end. The missus and I got married there in May '03 and they took care of EVERYTHING. Best decision we ever made and greatest trip we've ever taken. We're going back every 5th anniversary. It's expensive, but worth every penny. This place puts Sandals, Beaches, Club Med, Hedonism, you name it to shame. I couldn't recommend it more highly. www.jamaicainn.com
The hottest spot around these days seems to be Ziahuatenejo - the place from Shawshank Redemption - but it is pretty pricey.
My sister in law and her husband honeymooned in Sandals St. Lucia and LOVED it. There are two Sandals in St. Lucia, but they are supposed to both be nice. I think they stayed at the golf resort one. They also stayed at this place for 2 nights before going to Sandals and said it was awesome for romance: http://www.ladera.com/
We actually got the wedding package which was cheaper and didn't include lunch or drinks, but did include...well...a wedding (just us, no guests). Plus we got married in May (offseason). Room, meals (B&D), 1/2 hour massages, a couple of passes to local sights, wedding (photos incl), transfers, taxes and incidentals came to $3600 for 5 nights. Airfare and spending money jacked it up to around $5200. And worth every penny. The level of personal service was what really made it great. Everybody on the staff knew and called us by name. Anything and everything we needed or wanted was a phone call away. Stepped off your verandah onto the beach. A waiter was by in minutes to see if we needed anything. Like I said, I can't recommend it enough. For the record, I notice alot of people discussing scuba diving. No on-site diving at JI, but there's a dive center close by and the Inn does provide snorkling equipment free of charge.
I went there also for my honeymoon. There are 3 resorts and it was just the best time of my life. Paradise galore... I need to save up money again to go there. Well worth the trip.
Is this just for honeymoons and couples or can singles also have a good time there? Or is there a better Resort for singles?
Oh well... I have a couple of friends that went last summer and said that it was crazy fun! So I guess it's all in what you're looking for.
