AI Recommendations Needed: Mexico or Jamaica

[jmc325]

Hi everyone,

A few weeks ago I posted and received a lot a great recommendations for a birthday trip to Portland, but looks like we've done a complete 180 in planning and now looking to do a more budget friendly beach trip. I have $200 of Southwest gift cards, so we need to go somewhere they fly to (leaving out of Houston). 

As of right now, I've been focusing on Cabo, Puerto Vallarta or Montego Bay, as they have the best flight times (nonstop too which is a huge plus). I'm completely overwhelmed with Tripadvisor, so I'm looking for some help from you guys. Because of the gift cards, I will be booking the flights and hotel through Southwest Vacations, since that's where I think I'll get the best deal.

Originally I was leaning towards Mexico, with our budget being about $3,000-3,200 total, but I've reading that most AI resorts aren't on swimable beaches? Anyone have any more info. on this? My husband isn't interested in Cancun since we we went there already. Then I started looking into Jamaica as Couples Swept Away is highly recommended on this board (and looks awesome), but sadly out of budget for this trip. I was looking at Sandals Montego Bay, but we would get the 'cheapest' room and it doesn't come with all the AI perks. Anyone have any recommendations for a AI in MoBay that isn't Sandals?

Anyone have any insight they can offer? Overall, we are just looking to relax on the beach this trip. It's only my second AI trip (the first wasn't planned by me), so I'm really not familiar with how this all works.

Thank you!!

Edited to add: We will be traveling March 23-27

[jmc325]

Thank you so much jamaicam. Both Jewel Dunns and the Hyatt Zilara look nice and are within our budget! Just curious, do you have any AI recommendations for Negril?

[mdgirl]

There's a little town north of Puerto Vallarta called Sayulita where we did a trip with another couple a bit over a year ago. No AIs and it's mostly condos, but it was incredibly cheap. We had a beautiful, huge oceanfront condo for $500/night (so $250 per couple), we stocked up on beer, breakfast stuff and snacks at a grocery store on the way there for something like $100, and I don't think any meal was over $50 for the 4 of us, even with alcohol. There's a huge beach you can swim on (it's also super popular with surfers). You can rent a beach chair for something like $5 a day and then order drinks all day.

This is where we stayed:
www.hotelvillaamor.com/home

[niki]

If you choose MB, make sure you research where your hotel is in relation to the airport. Those planes are so loud. We did Dunn's River when it was a Sandals. The trip to the Falls was amazing and was the highlight of the trip.

[jmc325]

Mar 6, 2017 12:18:18 GMT -5 niki said:

If you choose MB, make sure you research where your hotel is in relation to the airport. Those planes are so loud. We did Dunn's River when it was a Sandals. The trip to the Falls was amazing and was the highlight of the trip.

I've read a lot about this, that's why I'm hesitant to stay in MoBay...

Now my H is saying that maybe we should stay in an AI that includes excursions, ughhhh... I'm tired of researching, lol.

Any thoughts? Even though it's a little pricier I'm looking at Couples Negril, but anyone know of other resorts worth checking out?

I also looked at Couples Tower Isle since it's closer within our budget, but it looks a little TOO outdated for me :/

[niki]

When I was researching, I was stuck between the better beaches at Negril and an area close to the falls. I am happy we chose the Falls. The beaches on the east side of the island aren't terrible at all, just not as pretty as the south in Negril. Nice thing is that the island is small enough that you could spend a few days on one side and a few on the other.

[mrssandro]

Hello jamaicam quick question. We are thinking of going back to Jamaica during Nov but taking the family this time. We are having trouble deciding between Grand Palladium or Jewels Runaway Bay. Mainly for the kids satisfaction. Which do you think is better? I am leaning towards Jewels but GP looks nice as well. Your advice is greatly appreciated.

OP I liked Jamaica in Ocho Rios and we stayed at a Couples San Souci which we loved. We loved it so much we want to plan a trip to Couples Swept Away when we have our next solo trip. We got the best deal from Costco.

[Purple]

We've stayed at Couples Negril, Excellence Riviera Cancun (in Puerto Morelos), and Iberostar Rose Hall Suites (Montego Bay) and liked each of them.

Let me know if you have questions on any of them.

[egishere]

We stayed at Secrets in PV in 2015 and really liked it. PV is a neat town!

[dm0506]

I highly recommend Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta. It is adults only and has the most amazing food! The only negative is that it is not beachfront. It is literally a 2 min drive and the hotel has an air conditioned van on standby - we never had to wait. The beach club is great, although I have to say the beach isn't that great in that area since it is so close to the Marina. Downtown is a quick cab ride away. I think we went into the city 2x during our visit. The hotel grounds are beautiful and the staff is wonderful!

Our second choice which is a little more budget friendly is the Hyatt Ziva.

[jmc325]

jamaicam, sexycarrot, purple and anyone else who loves Couples Negril...

I checked prices last night and it's closer to our budget now then it was previously. Just wondering what makes it so great? Is it truly beachfront, I don't want to have to walk too far to get to the water (and I don't want to have to call a golf cart for a ride). Also, what's included in the price, we will probably be more conservative and get the cheapest room available (I think it's the garden room). Last question, what's the best way to book? We will probably do the flights and resort together to get a bundle rate. We aren't members at Costco, so I don't think we can do it through them. Should we book through the resort website or can anyone recommend another reputable site?

Thank you so much for all of your help! I started steering away from Mexico and Jamaica and started looking into Costa Rica, but I think Negril gives both my H and me what we are wanting from a relaxing vacation!

[Purple]

jmc325, I agree with everything jamaicam, said. We got a deluxe garden room and it was fine. The food was pretty good. The rooms are pretty no frills. The beach is absolutely walkable from any room and it is gorgeous! We booked flights, transfer and room together with sunset travel. That was the cheapest that I found. I kept seeing them mentioned on tripadvisor over and over.

[mrssandro]

It is true that there is no tipping allowed at Couples.

But I am part of the Facebook Message boards and the advice is to bring candy and give that instead. From what I understand they appreciate american candy as it can be expensive on the island. So we brought bags of mini snickers and twix and some others and just had them out with a note for the maid and room service to take what ever they wanted. We also left a fancier candy gift at the end.

Also if you want to give back to the community they really appreciate kids school supplies. www.issatrustfoundation.com/

couples.com/issa-trust-foundation