All-inclusive, not mexico?

[natsnow]

I'm trying to plan a vacation in the late winter/early spring for 4 of us (2 couples). We had originally talked about going to Hawaii, but friends now think it won't be "relaxing enough." They are accustomed to all-inclusives and are pretty set on going to one again. Our last 2 vacations with them have been to Le Blanc Spa Resort in Cancun and Secrets Maroma Beach in Playa del Carmen, which were both fantastic.  However, I just don't think I want to go to the same place again.  I'd like to venture out a little bit. Do you all have any recommendations of all-inclusives that are up to the caliber of the previous ones we visited, but elsewhere?  I had considered Iberostar Grand Bavaro, but I'm not sure.  halp.

[sparty04]

I'm at Couples Swept Away in Negril right now. Love it here. It's pricey but I have no regrets

[mrsstreet]

We honeymooned at the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall in Jamaica and I would highly recommend it.

[mcfelix]

Sept 26, 2013 20:19:54 GMT -5 mrsstreet said:

We honeymooned at the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall in Jamaica and I would highly recommend it.

We went here with another couple a year ago and loved it. Very relaxing.

[natsnow]

Sept 26, 2013 20:35:04 GMT -5 mcfelix said:

Sept 26, 2013 20:19:54 GMT -5 mrsstreet said:

We honeymooned at the Iberostar Grand Rose Hall in Jamaica and I would highly recommend it.

We went here with another couple a year ago and loved it. Very relaxing.

I just looked at this one... looks nice

[Deleted]

I would probably do Jamaica or St Lucia, both of which have lots of all-inclusives if that is their preference.

[natsnow]

jamaica might be a good bet. I'll check out some of those. thanks

[natsnow]

Has anyone been to iberostar grand bavaro in Punta Cana?

[Deleted]

How is Hawaii not relaxing enough??

[natsnow]

Sept 27, 2013 13:38:09 GMT -5 @heyitsme said:

How is Hawaii not relaxing enough??

lol... I KNOW.  We were going to stay in a condo vacation rental to save some money and they weren't thrilled with the idea of having to make our own food and drinks. 

They've pretty much only been to those two resorts, and so are used to people bringing drinks and having a different scent aromatherapy every night.  I'm trying to compromise

[jewel]

Sept 27, 2013 10:39:52 GMT -5 sexycarrot said:

Any of the Couples resorts in Jamaica. We especially love Couples Negril and Couples San Souci. The message board off their site has tons of info.

www.couples.com

Another vote for Couples. They also have a new resort in Barbados.

[mrssandro]

St Lucia has a ton of AI's.

[vegas]

Love couples negril and couples swept away. If you want something better than le blanc, check out the caves in negril Jamaica. Best I've ever visited!!

[natsnow]

vegas have you been to both? I saw that one when browsing. I'm not sure why I didn't think to look at it more closely. It doesn't have a beach, right?

[vegas]

Sept 27, 2013 17:35:48 GMT -5 natsnow said:

vegas have you been to both? I saw that one when browsing. I'm not sure why I didn't think to look at it more closely. It doesn't have a beach, right?

Yes I've been to both couples and caves. Caves doesn't have a beach but you don't miss it at all. It's in a class of its own if you ask me. It's small and on the quiet side since max capacity is like 40 people but it's close to bars if you want action. Plus the bar in property is awesome and open to the public at least one night a week. You also get free use f a nearby resort's beach if you want to use it. What we did was stayed for 8 nights in negril--4 at couples swept away in a beachfront suite and 4 at caves so we got the beach trip and the relaxing seaside trip. Definitely look into caves.

[Deleted]

I stayed at the Hard Rock Resort in Punta Cana last year and it was really nice. They had a great golf course and spa. The food was also really good.

[chicago]

Would you guys consider a split stay? I'm going to echo vegas and recommend Jamaica - stay at Couples Swept Away for a few days, then hop on down the road to The Caves! I have to say, I don't think I loved The Caves as much as vegas did, but I did think it was really cool. The rooms are gorgeous but don't expect perfect luxury, even at that price point. The food and drinks were good (soups were amazing!), but I'd put them on par with an above average AI. The nicest things about The Caves are the location right on the cliffs and the amazing privacy. It is SO quiet and you feel like you have a rich friend's vacation home to yourself. I think it's nice for a few days, but I can't say the price is justified for an entire week. We stayed 4 nights there and 4 nights at the Rockhouse, which I actually preferred, but it's not AI.

[vegas]

Sept 28, 2013 13:19:39 GMT -5 chicago said:

Would you guys consider a split stay? I'm going to echo vegas and recommend Jamaica - stay at Couples Swept Away for a few days, then hop on down the road to The Caves! I have to say, I don't think I loved The Caves as much as vegas did, but I did think it was really cool. The rooms are gorgeous but don't expect perfect luxury, even at that price point. The food and drinks were good (soups were amazing!), but I'd put them on par with an above average AI. The nicest things about The Caves are the location right on the cliffs and the amazing privacy. It is SO quiet and you feel like you have a rich friend's vacation home to yourself. I think it's nice for a few days, but I can't say the price is justified for an entire week. We stayed 4 nights there and 4 nights at the Rockhouse, which I actually preferred, but it's not AI.

Aw bummer, I wish you liked it as much as we did!  I don't think I remember hearing about your stay since you've been back,

I will say that if you go off season the prices are pretty reasonable for the Caves when compared to other AIs in other parts of the world.  I know Le Blanc can be really pricey even if booking through a member and I think when we priced them out for our September stay Caves was considerably less.  But when compared to other Jamaican AIs it is pretty pricey.  I actually prefer non AI and think we'd do something like Rockhouse or Catcha Falling Star if we go back to Negril.

[Whitecaps]

Excellence Punta Cana is fantastic.

[stealthmom]

Sept 27, 2013 13:50:02 GMT -5 natsnow said:

Sept 27, 2013 13:38:09 GMT -5 @heyitsme said:

How is Hawaii not relaxing enough??

lol... I KNOW.  We were going to stay in a condo vacation rental to save some money and they weren't thrilled with the idea of having to make our own food and drinks. 

They've pretty much only been to those two resorts, and so are used to people bringing drinks and having a different scent aromatherapy every night.  I'm trying to compromise

Oh JFC.  They do know that just b/c they stay in a condo doesn't mean they can't go out, right? 

[brooke77]

Also recommend Couples in Jamaica.

[flatlan]

Sept 28, 2013 10:00:28 GMT -5 @canadiandrone said:

I stayed at the Hard Rock Resort in Punta Cana last year and it was really nice. They had a great golf course and spa. The food was also really good.

I will also second Hard Rock in PC.  We have been 3 times (this is where we honeymooned) and we love it!  Very relaxing!