Update for AI resorts; Help a Girl Out!

[incognitotoday]

So we are getting some of SO father's timeshare through RCI and here are the following AI's we have considered.

Anyone been to any of these particular ones, and what are your thoughts (pros/cons) on them?

While I am appreciative of the prior thread and all the suggestions, there are many places to choose from, so we really needed to narrow down to a select few. Honestly, we REALLY need to narrow it down to an ISLAND. We both have never been to any of these regions, so I am relying on your input here and going back to SO and letting him know your collective thoughts. So TIA!!!

1) Le Blanc Spa Resort (Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico)
2) Occcidental Grand Aruba (Oranjestand, Netherlands, Antilles)
3) Ocean Blue & Sand (Punta Cana, Dominican Republic)
4) Paradisus Palma Real (Punta Cana, Dominican Republic)
5) Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera (Solidaridad, Quintan Roo, Mexico)
6) Secrets St James (Montego Bay, Jamaica)

*Side note: this will hopefully be the week before Thanksgiving

[ddi741]

I would say Occidental Aruba. We stayed at the Divi Aruba when we went but I know a few people who have stayed at the Occidental and liked it. I loved Aruba, the people were friendly the beach was great. The weather was fantastic.

I also found the Tripadvisor forums to be a great help when narrowing down hotel choices. I used it for the trip to Aruba and our recent trip to Mexico.

[hz80408]

Who is going on the trip? You and H? Are you looking for relaxation, night scene, food, etc?

Of the above, I've only been to Secrets Maroma. When we were there in Oct, it was primarily HMers with a few groups of adults. We thought the food was delicious (there's 7 restaurants I believe). The night life was pretty dull, although there were nightly activites and there is a dance "club". But, really after getting up by 9am and sunning/drinking all day, we were usually ready for bed by 11pm anyways

[incognitotoday]

My S/O and I are going together; his birthday and mine around that time of year. We are looking for a lot of R&R. He is just as much a beachbum/poolbum as I am! We both work a lot, so night scenes are ok, but not the driving force of this particular trip.

[Deleted]

Secrets Maroma hands down!

[incognitotoday]

Aug 15, 2012 8:55:14 GMT -5 mags said:

Secrets Maroma hands down!

Why? Can you lists pros/cons (if any)?

[Deleted]

Maroma beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! There is tons to do in that part of mexico, the food is wonderful and the people are great. Out of all the places listed above (locations) i think this is the best in may ways and I've been to all of them(places not hotels) Le Blance is an amazing hotel, but Im not a huge fan of cancun.

[hz80408]

Based on your reponse, I definitely say SMB then! Where are you located?

One pro for us was that it was a 2.5 hr direct flight. We were on the beach by noon of our arrival day.

Pros:
-Clean and gorgeous facilities
-Not overly crowded (not sure how it would be near Thanksgiving but mid Oct we never had issues get pool/beach chairs, etc)
-Delicious food and lots of options; drinks were good and semi-strong; but you could ask for extra alcohol if you wanted it
-There are optional activites throughout day and night if you feel like partaking, but you don't have to
-Beach: rated top 10 in the world
-Spa: our HM package included massages, which were amazing. Since we went, they now have beach massages and beach "beds" you can rent for the day
-Low key: We were able to putz around as we wanted. People were dressed up for dinner, but I never felt out of place and not like I had to be all done up

Cons:
-Leaving!
-Room service for breakfast was late the 2 times we got it; after the first time, we purposely scheduled our 2nd breakfast 15 minutes earlier than we wanted so that we'd get it on time for when we needed it.

[natsnow]

I've been to both Le Blanc Spa Resort and Secrets Maroma Beach. I loved them both in different ways. SMB was so fun. The beach was absolutely beautiful. They had non-motorized water sports like like hobie cats to go out on and kayaks. There was entertainment every night that was pretty decent - some night better than others. The food was good. con: I got eaten by mosquitos. If you go there, I would not bother with a swim out room. I think the ocean-view is way better. Ask for a 4th floor room. Room service was awesome. They have someone called a "secrets box" where they will deliver your room service so you don't have to see anyone if you don't want to. I had a great time there.

Le Blanc was different, but equally as great. The atmosphere is very spa-like. It's so relaxing. They have aromatherapy piped into the building. You can choose a different scent for your aromatherapy in your room every night. The butler will draw a jacuzzi bath for you after dinner with scented bath salts and champagne. The food was some of the best I've ever had, anywhere. Spa was amazing with a free relaxation section that included hydrotherapy (steam room, cold shower, sauna, cool pool, hot tub, warm pool). There was basically no night time entertainment. Most people ate a late dinner and went back to their rooms. The beach here was also really nice. I think it was a little nicer at SMB, but it still had gorgeous turquoise water. Awesome infinity pool here

It just depends on what you want! Let me know if you have any other questions between these two places