AI recommendations

[litskispeciality]

I know All Inclusive resorts are hit or miss here. I need recommendations as DH and I (no kids) are hopeful to plan a trip in early November. 4 - 5 nights. We don't cruise, and my DH really likes AI. I'd be ok staying in the US on the east coast,  however I'd like to avoid FL. If it's U.S. it doesn't have to be AI (iI don't think the U.S. has AI's?), however honestly this year we need easy peasy just swim, read, eat, drink repeat so DH is really leaning toward AI.

We've done Sandals, and the Majestic Elegance in DR. I liked Sandals a bit better, but Majestic is like half the price. Debating between Sandals Royal Bahamian or maybe Majestic Elegance again, however I was reading that the DR can get some rain in Nov, how bad does it get? DH and I bring the rain wherever we go, and I can't take another "I'd rather be on vacation in the rain than at work" (sorry people say that in real life and it makes me nuts). 

A few of DH's co-workers are/have gone to Puerto Rico, however they stay with family. PR doesn't have any AI right? Can you recommend anything that's similar to an AI with lots of food options within walking distance? I *think* we might be able to get a direct flight, or at least not have to try to rush through customs to get to the next plane. 

Flights to the Bahamas and/or DR really stink, I can't find anything direct and the layovers are either no more than 1.5 hours at bigger airports, or 4+ hours and then it's like 10+ hours of traveling. Anything you can recommend either in the US east coast that will be warm (at least 70 degrees, ideally warm enough to swim) or an AI? Thank you!

Budget, I think I'd like to stay under $5K if at all possible, but probably could go a little higher as we haven't taken a *real* vacation in a few years.

[eb777888]

Is Mexico doable for you? We stayed at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun in July and it was amazing. The food, service, rooms were beyond expectations. It's the best AI I've been to. Weather should be nice in November.

[mccallister84]

We did Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana (in DR) this summer. It was very nice.

[jamaicam]

I can give Jamaica recommendations.

Hyatt Zilara in Montego Bay is really nice. Excellent food. It is on the same property as Hyatt Ziva but Zilara is adults only. As an adult, you can eat and use facilities on both sides, but kids cant come into the adult side.

I love Sandals but it is a lot more! The Sandals Negril or South Coast/Whitehouse are the top 2 in my opinion.

My parents love Couples Tower Isle - it is a bit smaller than someone of the other AIs

November is after hurricane season so you should be OK for the weather.

[countthestars]

We did the Excellence Playa Mujeres for our honey moon (a long time ago!) but it looks like it still gets great reviews. Not sure where you're flying from, but it looks like I could book Boston to Cancun + the room for 11/6-11/11 for $4900 with non stop flights.

[litskispeciality]

Thank you all! jamaicam, I was peeking around at the Sandals since they've really expanded their Jamaica resorts. I'll look in to other options in Montego Bay We stayed at Sandals White House over 10 years ago now and loved it, but it was a looooong ride from the airport.

We haven't done Mexico but I'll check with DH. We have friends who went a couple of years ago without their kids, and another friend who just went for a wedding. countthestars, I'm drooling over the Excellence options, might have to go with the Rivera due to openings, but they all look ah-mazing.

Oh please let this work out. Just the thought of laying in a chair with a drink in my hand has me relaxed!

[expectantsteelerfan]

Giving my usual plug to contact a travel agent for this type of advice. They will be able to make recommendations based on what they know about the weather, and price out different options for you quickly/easily and find potential deals.

[NewGirlNic]

We love the Excellence brand and have stayed at a few of the properties. Playa Mujeres has been our favorite. We're going to Excellence Rivera Cancun in a few weeks. It was more in line with our budget, as it's the oldest resort, so a bit cheaper (but was remodeled in 2018 I believe) 
www.excellenceresorts.com/ 

We did the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana in 2021, which is a family resort, but connected to Zilara and that side is adults only. It was nice. Service and drinks were great but I didn't love the food. Not that I ever have super high expectations for AI food, but I can usually find something I enjoy at most places. H and I both got a bit of a stomach bug, so that probably skews my opinion as well. 

[litskispeciality]

Sept 11, 2024 12:28:44 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

Giving my usual plug to contact a travel agent for this type of advice. They will be able to make recommendations based on what they know about the weather, and price out different options for you quickly/easily and find potential deals.

Yes I'm somewhat desperate to just "throw money" at a travel agent to do all of this. We tried AAA but our local branch only has 2 TA's and one is either completely booked or on leave because they have no apts in Sept. The other one has limited apts, and none after when I get out of work and I can't flex anymore time for non-medical stuff. Weirdly we couldn't even look for apts at a further branch, or virtual, unless it was during business hours. I really hope it was user error, but both DH and I had issues looking at the site after 5 PM.

We used to have a travel agency in my town that we've used before, but it's sadly closed. The agent we used was really nice, but basically we found the resort (Sandals) and the deal, and she booked everything. This was pre-COVID so I hope that folks are a little more open to making recommendations again. I also think that specific person retired, but I'll see if I still have their name as maybe they changed agencies.

I know a couple of travel agents in real life, but I tend to stay away from using them because they get annoying if my plans change, or they're pretty much trained/focused on Disney. I tried to use someone I used to work with for a Disney trip one time but then we changed our mind. The person kept bugging me until I finally just said we weren't going on vaca at all. I know they have to book trips, but it shouldn't be that big of a deal. Anyway open to ideas of how to find a good travel agent outside of using AAA.

I'm going to look deeper in to Excellence. I saw Riviera and that looks nice, although I didn't realize it was the oldest, still looks pretty new. Apparently Nov must be a good time to go to Mexico as well as a lot of the places seem to have limited options based on my dates.

[starburst604]

@litskispecialty in my experience I haven't paid a travel agent, I thought they are paid by their suppliers?

Does your area have a local FB moms/parents page? There are a few local travel agents who are always recommended and active on my local page. In early 2020 I contacted one of them for suggestions based on our needs and she put together some great options. I booked through her and was really happy with everything she suggested. She does a lot of tropical/AI destination stuff. I see you're on the E. Coast, so I don't know if you're near MA but I could give you her info if you think it would be helpful.

[zizibet]

@litskisspecialty TA commissions are usually paid by suppliers. I have one I can recommend to you, if you like. Take a look at Karizma Resorts, a friend really likes them.

[wildrice]

Sept 11, 2024 13:43:17 GMT -5 litskispeciality said:

Sept 11, 2024 12:28:44 GMT -5 expectantsteelerfan said:

Giving my usual plug to contact a travel agent for this type of advice. They will be able to make recommendations based on what they know about the weather, and price out different options for you quickly/easily and find potential deals.

Yes I'm somewhat desperate to just "throw money" at a travel agent to do all of this. We tried AAA but our local branch only has 2 TA's and one is either completely booked or on leave because they have no apts in Sept. The other one has limited apts, and none after when I get out of work and I can't flex anymore time for non-medical stuff. Weirdly we couldn't even look for apts at a further branch, or virtual, unless it was during business hours. I really hope it was user error, but both DH and I had issues looking at the site after 5 PM.

We used to have a travel agency in my town that we've used before, but it's sadly closed. The agent we used was really nice, but basically we found the resort (Sandals) and the deal, and she booked everything. This was pre-COVID so I hope that folks are a little more open to making recommendations again. I also think that specific person retired, but I'll see if I still have their name as maybe they changed agencies.

I know a couple of travel agents in real life, but I tend to stay away from using them because they get annoying if my plans change, or they're pretty much trained/focused on Disney. I tried to use someone I used to work with for a Disney trip one time but then we changed our mind. The person kept bugging me until I finally just said we weren't going on vaca at all. I know they have to book trips, but it shouldn't be that big of a deal. Anyway open to ideas of how to find a good travel agent outside of using AAA.

I'm going to look deeper in to Excellence. I saw Riviera and that looks nice, although I didn't realize it was the oldest, still looks pretty new. Apparently Nov must be a good time to go to Mexico as well as a lot of the places seem to have limited options based on my dates.

See if there is an agent through Fora. It's a web based company and I almost became one of their agents, but it ended up sounding like too much work. But I was impressed with their format and they help with this sort of thing for free.

[litskispeciality]

Y'all are the best, thank you!

DH and I did some research and I *think* we're leaning toward the Excellence Riviera, however we're going to follow the advice here to check with a TA before booking, and then let the TA book the trip etc.

[starburst604]

wrong thread 

[egishere]

We also love the Excellence resorts. We have stayed at both in Mexico and loved them. I want to try Unico2087 too- that is supposed to be great!