I just got back from my first all inclusive adult resort vacation. I have to admit I never thought I would be a partipant in one of these types of vacations. In my mind, these were narcissistic, sun loving, bikini clad ( and male equivalent ), party people.
Well I use do to wear a bikini, now wear 30+ sun block, haha ( have had basil cell removed twice and Dad, a deep dish tanner, who developed melanoma) and beach cover, but still like to party, although on a much lower scale.
Anyway, we (H and I) had a great time. The atmosphere, services and amenities were excellent. 24/7 room service, beautiful comfortable rooms, the aqua blue ocean, white sands and flowering bushes. What is not to love?
I enjoyed the adult atmosphere. H and I met a few couples we got to enjoy. One was a lesbian couple and another younger than us. So there was obviously diversity of people. We also enjoyed not having a lot of over loud children sounds. We love kids, but it was nice without a screaming child in the restaurant.
We saw and met all types of people. Mostly American ( it was Cancun), young or old, thin or fat, well dressed or, IMO poor taste.
So it was not what I my pre-conceived notions were! It was actually very relaxing and enjoyable.
I have thought about doing this, but I don’t think I could get my husband to sit still …he isn’t a beach person at all ( and we live rather close to the beach ) The closest thing I have done to an all inclusive is Pompano in Bermuda with my sisters and mother…it was relaxing !
Bahia resorts in Cancun has an all-inclusive 18 and over property. I admit that I enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and serenity - but as soon as you get out of fhis secluded “island”, the sight of police with automatic weapons guarding checkpoints is just … ugh. Don’t think I’m going back.
When we were at IBEROSTAR Grand Rose Hall, the biggest surprise were how many young couples were there. Many honeymooners.
The adult only is definitely a plus. The service is great.
The night of our anniversary, they set up one table on the balcony of the Italian restaurant for us. While we were having dinner, they got a bubble bath with fresh rose petals and chilled a bottle of champagne in our room.
It is a little more expensive but well worth the $$.
Ha, Dad, last week we came back from inclusive at Hilton Rose Hall Jamaica. Last minute idea D1 had. Her, her bf and me. Travel agent convinced us to try that rather than Punta Cana since it was easy from the airport and we were only going for 4 nights.
Lots of Canadians and Minnesotans. Children. Well behaved (til they get on the departng flights, exhausted.) But not too many honeymooners. Great staff and beautiful days. Make that gorgeous days. And too much rum.
Would we do it again? In a flash. What I’m still not sure of is how I feel about a resort where you only get off the grounds on specific side trips. I’m used to wandering on travels. In Bermuda (years ago,) we could do that. The trip made me realize I’d probably feel somewhat trapped on a long cruise.
So I’d be interested in suggestions where we can do inclusive (or a couple of meals/day,) but still get off the grounds at will and mingle.
Looking forward, consider Fairmont Gold level rooms. People staying in these rooms get access to a lounge that serves tasty breakfast, afternoon tea, and hearty evening snacks (sorry, adult drinks are not included, but there is a honor bar). You are free to do whatever you want - on your own. I love the Orchid property on the big island!
For a different kind of all-inclusive, I highly recommend Lapa Rios in Costa Rica, an eco-resort in a rain forest on the edge of the sea in a remote part of the Osa Peninsula. Lots of nature hikes, with three different kinds of monkeys and lots of spectacular birdlife (toucans, parrots, etc.) All sorts of other animals, too.
And many of the private game reserves in South Africa and Botswana are all-inclusives. Very, very pricey but worth the splurge for a once-in-a-lifetime trip. We especially liked Mala Mala in South Africa, even more than some of the more remote and even more crazily expensive places in Botswana.
Neither Lapa Rios nor Mala Mala include alcohol in the all-inclusive prices, which means fewer drunk people and is thus a positive in my view. I wouldn’t like an all-inclusive where I felt like I was subsidizing the heavy drinkers. I’d rather pay separately for my glass or two of wine.
Many years ago we did a family all inclusive to the Palace in Cancun. While on the trip I won a free week to return to the Moon Palace (IIRC we would have to pay for our airfare, travel to the resort and something towards the food, I forget, but the lodging for the week was free and food cost was nominal). Bottom line, we didn’t use it. To us, free isn’t what its necessarily all about. We passed.
Our all inclusive in Cancun included alcohol. Interestingly, we did not see one obviously drunk person in the whole time we were there.
My ex-BIL is Mexican. I have visited his home town a few times in central Mexico. Not at all a resort area. That is where I saw the police and guards at banks with automatic weapons. Apparently that is normal in all areas of Mexico.
The bars on windows and barbed wire and broken glass top fences were seen in past Mexico and Puerto Rico visits but, interestingly, not seen as mush on our 30 minute trip from the airport to our resort in Playa Mujeres.
I am taking the girls to Blue Diamond at Riviera Maya in few weeks. It is all inclusive, food and alcohol. I didn’t look into if activities will be included, but I think we’ll be sitting by the pool sipping umbrella drinks, so I am not too concerned. I booked two suites, each has a private pool overlooking the beach. I thought about getting one room for three of us, it got vetoed very fast by the girls because I am an early bird. It’s adults only, so no little kids running around. We usually do Club Med, but thought we would try something new this year. We are doing another all inclusive with my extended family at Punta Cana in May.
I would like to go to a nice all inclusive, but I am very turned off by the crime in Mexico. We like very active vacations, and would want to get out. With free airline tickets and discounted AI rates, it is very cheap and attractive to me, which is my favorite kind of vacation. However, I think we will look elsewhere, maybe Costa Rica?
I’d rather pay seperate for my adult substances also.
Never really thought about it, but the place where we spent Christmas in the North Cascades is almost all inclusive. European style with shared bathrooms & meals.
Folks do need to bring skis or rent, but snowshoes are complimentary for guests, and there are plenty of trails on the property. Ski right out the door! Hot breakfast and dinner, with a sack lunch for taking with. There is a hot tub, and fireplace for relaxing. When it isn’t winter, there is hiking, fishing, inner tubing, climbing & mt biking.
There was a very informative young woman who led the snowshoe walks, ;), and the cooks are eager to adjust the menu to your needs.
We haven’t had much winter on the west side of the Cascades, so I am very excited at current snowfall at Mt Baker & Stevens Pass!
My Ds have both gone to Costa Rica. Youngest spent about a month or so there in college, mostly doing research in the jungle, but she also enjoyed surfing on both coasts and using the zip line to get around.
I think they stayed here for a while. http://www.dantalodge.com
I had to convince my H to go on this because he is not a sit at the beach type person. There was enough to do, and more that we did not do, to keep him, and me, entaintertained.
I also finally got him to go to the spa. We bought a full body message. When an attractive Mexican women told him to get naked, I thought he would leave. He just looked at me and said- “You got us into this.” Haha!
The last time we were at an all inclusive was in 1988 and we loved it! Went to Jamaica Montego Bay Sandals. we met 3 other couples and ended spending the time with them, going on day excursions and all of our meals together. I would do another all inclusive again, just have done different things since then. I would like to try one in Punta Cana and maybe one of the big ones in Cancun. We are typically sight-see type of people, but love our relaxing time at the beach also.
I have to say we went on a 7 day Royal Caribbean cruise in 2009, at the time it was the largest cruise ship in the world…a mere 2 inches longer than it’s next ship in the fleet, LOL! Anyway, the ship was absolutely spectacular and I’m glad we went to have that experience. The dining room at night was absolutley gorgeous and the service fun and impeccable. Really…those massive ships are too be seen. However, I will NEVER go on another that is that long. We did feel quite ancy during the day. We are not “laying around the pool” types…which it is great if you are. There were only so many times you could walk around the ship, even one that big. I would lay on a lounger and start to read, but DH wouldn’t and was bored so I’d put my book away. I thought looking out at water just everywhere got boring really quickly. We looked forward to the ports, but one of them was just 6 hours we had to be back. One was at a beach all day and that was nice. I like to watch the waves, etc.
The most fun we had was in the evenings started at happy hour, then dinner, then shows and gambling…stuff to do. But the days on the ships were too boring for us. We might do it again, but it would just be a 3 or 4 night cruise…maybe.
“However, I will NEVER go on another that is that long. We did feel quite ancy during the day. We are not “laying around the pool” types…which it is great if you are. There were only so many times you could walk around the ship, even one that big. I would lay on a lounger and start to read, but DH wouldn’t and was bored so I’d put my book away. I thought looking out at water just everywhere got boring really quickly”
@conmama, you can find seven day cruises that have port stops every day. There is no reason to feel that you must lay around at the pool all day, although many people do. You just have to look carefully, and find ones where you don’t have to be back on the boat until the evening. There is plenty of variety as far as cruises go.
