[PSUSMU]

Hawaii is the best, but you don't do "all-inclusive" there. There's too much to see and do to stay at a hotel all day, every day. You go there to explore the islands. What also counts for something is that it's the US and safe enough to get lost.
F Mexico.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

You are either sadly mistaken or simply ignorant to some of the all inclusive resort offerings these days my friend.

I have been to many tropical destinations: Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Jamaica many of them were a la cart. Royal Hideaway and several others I can name not only have multiple 5 Star restaurants on site, but I order up ultra premium liquors all day everyday!
Don't know where you went....

Again, OP, check out the spot I suggested and if you go, please report back!

I'm not saying there aren't nice options out there, I'm just saying it's not the way I prefer to vacation.

The last all-inclusive I went to was the St.James Club on Antigua. It's $4,600 for the week in the cheapest room they offer, per couple. Maybe I am used to better food and drink but it was a big let-down.

In contrast, I spent $2,500 TOTAL (air, room, food & drink) for a week in Turks & Caicos and ate better, drank better, and did more activities. The beach and ocean were also much, much nicer.

I also find that you get treated better and get better food if they know they're still working for your money. At an AI, they already have your money so there's a bit less of an incentive to really go all out.

I've also learned that star ratings mean very little when you exit the country. I've stayed in some real dumps that are rated 4 stars in other countries. It's all relative.

[TXSTYLE]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I'm not saying there aren't nice options out there, I'm just saying it's not the way I prefer to vacation.

The last all-inclusive I went to was the St.James Club on Antigua. It's $4,600 for the week in the cheapest room they offer, per couple. Maybe I am used to better food and drink but it was a big let-down.

In contrast, I spent $2,500 TOTAL (air, room, food & drink) for a week in Turks & Caicos and ate better, drank better, and did more activities. The beach and ocean were also much, much nicer.

I also find that you get treated better and get better food if they know they're still working for your money. At an AI, they already have your money so there's a bit less of an incentive to really go all out.

I've also learned that star ratings mean very little when you exit the country. I've stayed in some real dumps that are rated 4 stars in other countries. It's all relative.

I do agree with you on ratings as I'm sure money exchanges hands for some.

But after hearing about your scenario, I understand better. Just didn't want folks to believe a awesome time with high quality food and drink weren't possible going all inclusive.
I literally go through a couple bottles of Remy Martin, Hennessey, Belvedere vodka and Cava de Oro Anejo. And ordered up tasty fresh off the grill ribeye kabobs ask throughout the day!

[bumere90]

go to Europe, trust me you won't regret.

[carzaddict]

i was talking to people that recently went to Cabos.....they're frequent "all inclusive" travelers and said its a really nice place.

Weather doesnt seem so bad. they said its pretty safe....you can walk around and to the town without any issues.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by carzaddict

i was talking to people that recently went to Cabos.....they're frequent "all inclusive" travelers and said its a really nice place.

Weather doesnt seem so bad. they said its pretty safe....you can walk around and to the town without any issues.

I was there in October (several years ago) and was hit by a hurricane.

For referrence, I've been to St.Thomas, St.John, Antigua twice, Dominica, Costa Rica, Isla Mujeres, Turks & Caicos, Cabo, Hawaii, all over Italy, London, and Bulgaria. The only place I felt unsafe in was Cabo. Several of my coworkers have been there as well and they felt the same way (although one couple loved it but never left their resort). It's bone dry and when you swim 5 strokes out the ocean is 50' deep. The town is also filthy, and not in a charming way.

[kscarrol]

^ Agreed on Cabo. It's been a few years but the only time we left the resort was to go into town for a fishing trip. The fishing was excellent but the town itself, there didn't sen to be much to see and I would not feel safe walking around at night.

If you want something quiet and romantic, staying at a Cabo resort is really nice but don't go for exploring the local culture...

[jaco]

If you try Hawaii, look at renting a condo. You can save a ton of money.

We are looking at Fiji and besides the horrible flight, it isn't terribly pricey vs a nice place in the caribbean.

[PSUSMU]

Originally Posted by jaco

If you try Hawaii, look at renting a condo. You can save a ton of money.

We are looking at Fiji and besides the horrible flight, it isn't terribly pricey vs a nice place in the caribbean.

x2 I rented really nice VRBO condos near the beach in Maui and Big Island for $60-80/night.

[KingOfJericho]

VRBO and AirBnB are both great resources. I rented an apartment in Rome last year via AirBnB and it worked out great.

[synclastica_86]

I had my honeymoon in the Maldives. All inclusive. I found a hotel with only 6 room on the entire island. Very private and very exclusive.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by synclastica_86

I had my honeymoon in the Maldives. All inclusive. I found a hotel with only 6 room on the entire island. Very private and very exclusive.

Maldives are prohibitively expensive from the US. He would blow his entire budget just getting there. Maldives, Seychelles, and Mauritius are popular destinations from Europe, AUS, and Asia but are extremely expensive to get to from the US.

[carzaddict]

we ruled maldives out. too far of a flight, not too crazy about it.

i used airBnB in Rome as well....i wasnt too thrilled with the service...id rather stay at a hotel

[KingOfJericho]

What service were you expecting from a rented apartment?

[Templar]

I just got back from mine on Saturday!

It was an all-inclusive resort in Antigua. It's called Keyonna Beach. We spent 5 days there, so not a whole lot of time, but it was still great. We had our own single cottage about 40 feet from the water's edge on the beach.

We found the deal on groupon. The drinks were great (not watered down in the slightest) and the food was absolutely top notch, we loved it.

I think the groupon deal we got was a little under $2500, then we paid for the flight separate of course. Was worth every penny and would do it again. Very good value for the price. I am actually a little impressed it didn't cost more...

[bolinp78]

I did Cap Juluca in Anguilla; Absolutely ridiculous. It is not all-inclusive, however. At the time, I paid a little too much attention to what I was buying and how much it cost (even though I wasn't paying for it) and at the end of the trip I realized that I should have just had fun and not worried about it because it was my honeymoon (even if I was the one paying for it). If you can, I'd really recommend not doing an all-inclusive for your honeymoon and committing to not worrying about what you're spending. It's *supposed* to be a once in a lifetime thing and for all the all-inclusives I've ever stayed at, you're never going to get the same experience and feel as you would at a nice pay as you go spot (in my experiences).

[SLOWER]

Our honeymoon was Hawaii. Maui then the Big Island, which I would highly recommend.

But for all inclusive in Aruba, this place was very very good.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...rt-and-casino/

Private island/beach with a separate no kids section. Drinks were great, the local beers, and the cocktails were not cheap booze, vodka drinks were Absolute vodka. 5 or 6 restaurants and they were all very good. We ate two dinners one night. I would absolutely go there again.

[Uber V8]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I'm not saying there aren't nice options out there, I'm just saying it's not the way I prefer to vacation.

The last all-inclusive I went to was the St.James Club on Antigua. It's $4,600 for the week in the cheapest room they offer, per couple. Maybe I am used to better food and drink but it was a big let-down.

In contrast, I spent $2,500 TOTAL (air, room, food & drink) for a week in Turks & Caicos and ate better, drank better, and did more activities. The beach and ocean were also much, much nicer.

I also find that you get treated better and get better food if they know they're still working for your money. At an AI, they already have your money so there's a bit less of an incentive to really go all out.

I've also learned that star ratings mean very little when you exit the country. I've stayed in some real dumps that are rated 4 stars in other countries. It's all relative.

PM'd you about this rate

[P1]

Originally Posted by TXSTYLE

Here are three that I not only can personally vouch for, but have and will return again and again:

http://www.lhw.com/hotel/The-Royal-H...-Carmen-Mexico

http://www.thegrandcollection.com/en...-hotel-paraiso

http://www.excellence-resorts.com/ca...-playa-mujeres

Been to Excellent Playa Mujeres three times now. It's the best all inclusive I've ever been to. Awesome food, and top shelf everything. The people are extremely accommodating also.

[Templar]

Lots of great options in here. Wish this thread would have popped up before I went on mine, although I did enjoy my trip a lot

[P1]

Go to Italy or the south of France. Been there a million times (it was driving distance for me growing up) but always top notch.

[KingOfJericho]

I make no secret about loving Italy. I've been there twice in the last two years and I'm planning another trip for June. It has become my go-to destination. I love the place.