All inclusives in Mexico

[4VR4CY]

We are going back to Mexico in November and are looking at quite a few resorts. Anyone have any suggestions of really GREAT places they've stayed in the Playa del Carmen area? We don't know if we should do adult only or not. They are around $500-$700 more.

We are looking at:

Adult only:
Valentin Imperial
El Dorado Seaside
El Dorado Royale
Aventura Spa
Excellence Riviera
Secrets Capri

Or not adult only:
Ocean Coral & Turquesa
Riu Playa car
Catalonia Maroma
Grand Coco Bay
Hotel Marina El Cid

But, we are totally up for suggestions of really great places you've stayed!

 

[CloneBack]

Stayed at the Excellence Riviera over Xmas last year. I would recommend you upgrade your stay as well - private beach, chairs, pool, etc. Also, the resort is either the first or second stop after you leave the airport. It is located about halfway between Cancun and Playa.

 

[brianhos]

I recommend you go about 400 miles to the southeast of playa for a better vacation

 

[kcclones]

adventura spa is very nice it is far away from everything so if you are just going to relax it is perfect. if you are giong and wanting to do other things be prepared for taxi's.

 

[tman24]

Heading to Aventura Spa in 9 days. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[cjb1978]

We are going back to Mexico in November and are looking at quite a few resorts. Anyone have any suggestions of really GREAT places they've stayed in the Playa del Carmen area? We don't know if we should do adult only or not. They are around $500-$700 more.

We are looking at:

Adult only:
Valentin Imperial
El Dorado Seaside
El Dorado Royale
Aventura Spa
Excellence Riviera
Secrets Capri

Or not adult only:
Ocean Coral & Turquesa
Riu Playa car
Catalonia Maroma
Grand Coco Bay
Hotel Marina El Cid

But, we are totally up for suggestions of really great places you've stayed!

Actually my gf is travel agent and she has been to all of these places I believe. She works on non commission and can answer your questions if you would like. Send me a private message and I can give you her contact information.

 

[MrGreg]

We are going back to Mexico in November and are looking at quite a few resorts. Anyone have any suggestions of really GREAT places they've stayed in the Playa del Carmen area? We don't know if we should do adult only or not. They are around $500-$700 more.

We are looking at:

Adult only:
Valentin Imperial
El Dorado Seaside
El Dorado Royale
Aventura Spa
Excellence Riviera
Secrets Capri

Or not adult only:
Ocean Coral & Turquesa
Riu Playa car
Catalonia Maroma
Grand Coco Bay
Hotel Marina El Cid

But, we are totally up for suggestions of really great places you've stayed!

We've been to El Dorado Royale. It was very nice, but I don't know how it compares to the other resorts. The beach was a little strange with the "beached whales" (barriers to block waves, look for pictures), but we actually enjoyed them a bit, we waded out and sat on them.

I'd vote for the adults only resorts, especially if you have kiddos that you are leaving at home.

 

[thuisman]

We went to Secrets Capri for our honeymoon 3 years ago. The place was awesome, and the staff there is super friendly. It was also in a good location, right between Cancun & Playa Del Carmen.

 

[jdoggivjc]

I'd recommend staying at Riviera Maya, about half an hour away from Playa del Carmen. My wife and I stayed at the Iberostar Paraiso del Mar at Riviera Maya on our honeymoon. It might very well be the best vacation I have ever taken. Three "in-water" bars w/ free drinks in a pool that wraps around the resort. We only went to the beach once - we never had to leave the resort itself. I also got to see Chichen Itza (Mayan Pyramid), and my wife got to swim with the dolphins.

http://www.applevacations.com/showHotel.do?hotelCode=211040&command=showHotel

 

[ca4cy]

We are going back to Mexico in November and are looking at quite a few resorts. Anyone have any suggestions of really GREAT places they've stayed in the Playa del Carmen area? We don't know if we should do adult only or not. They are around $500-$700 more.

We are looking at:

Adult only:
Valentin Imperial
El Dorado Seaside
El Dorado Royale
Aventura Spa
Excellence Riviera
Secrets Capri

Or not adult only:
Ocean Coral & Turquesa
Riu Playa car
Catalonia Maroma
Grand Coco Bay
Hotel Marina El Cid

But, we are totally up for suggestions of really great places you've stayed!

We stayed at the Eldorado Seaside in Riviera Maya in March of '08. I don't have much to compare it to but it was a nice resort. I don't know how similar the Playa resort would be but I throw this out there. Obviously not all of this would be real useful.

Pros

-VERY friendly staff
-6 or 7 different restaurants with various cuisine on the resort so you don't have to eat buffet food all the time
-Room service is also included in your all inclusive
-Nice, clean rooms
-4 or 5 swim up bars

Cons

-30 or 40 minutes from the Cancun airport (yes the shuttle drivers will stop for beer)
-Not real sandy beaches. Lots of coral. That said, they are scenic and still nice.
-You will get the "opportunity" to sit through a time share presentation. We did it. You get a certificate to use on the resort that can get you a massage or seaside supper. The presentation was pretty painless and the massage felt good.

We had a great time and I can't really say anything bad about the place. Odds are we wouldn't go back simply because I'd want to see something different, but if I had a similar experience at another place, I'd be happy. Feel free to PM me if you have any more specific questions about the place.

 

[waynemorgan]

I cannot tell you enough to GO TO VALENTIN IMPERIAL!!!! My parents had been to numerous all-inclusives and said this one blows them ALL away.... My wife and I were first timers and will definitely be going back as much as possible...

Huge resort with great pools and swim-up bars....

Beautiful, PRIVATE beach.....Unlike a lot of resorts where the beach is public and shared....

I reccomend trying the dolphin excursion as well!

Message me with any questions but I can't even explain how great this place was....

 

[4VR4CY]

Bump - still haven't decided. Anyone else have suggestions?

 

[MNclone]

Went to Aventura Spa Palace a few years back. It was great. The package that we got had some day trips to different scenic locations, and the resort itself is really nice. There are big jacuzzi tubs in every room, if you like that kind of thing.
Unless you are looking to bring kids along, I would recommend an adult only place. We took a day trip to one of the family resorts to do some snorkeling, it wasn't nearly as peaceful with kids running around and yelling constantly.
I would go back to Aventura in a heartbeat if I had the opportunity.

 

[Clone1450]

I'd recommend staying at Riviera Maya, about half an hour away from Playa del Carmen. My wife and I stayed at the Iberostar Paraiso del Mar at Riviera Maya on our honeymoon. It might very well be the best vacation I have ever taken. Three "in-water" bars w/ free drinks in a pool that wraps around the resort. We only went to the beach once - we never had to leave the resort itself. I also got to see Chichen Itza (Mayan Pyramid), and my wife got to swim with the dolphins.

Iberostar Paraiso del Mar - All-Inclusive - Apple Vacations - Vacations for Families, Weddings, Luxury, Groups, Golf, Honeymoons, Spa and more

I seccond this. I've been to several Iberrostar resorts and they are top notch. The Paraiso del Mar was my favorite. Pool is awesome.

 

[jeichel]

I am curious as well as to what people think. My girlfriend and another couple are looking at heading down in October. We have really been researching the Palace Resorts, specifically Sun Palace and Beach Palace. Has anyone stayed at these resorts? What did you think? I appreciate the feedback.

 

[Stormin]

Check out Tripadvisor for reviews on all your hotels. A lot of good info there. And there is also a website called playa.info that has a message board and a reviews section of all-inclusives. Another great source.

I go to Playa del Carmen every year. Love it. But I don't go the All-inclusive route. I stay in a little 18 room hotel on the beach in the town of Playa del Carmen. Playa is an awesome place. The Cobblestone street of Fifth Avenue is great. They just restored all the beaches there last January because of erosion that had taken place over the years. It was a pretty incredible process. And they did it all in about 2 weeks.

Remember that the area that is referred to as the Riviera Maya is actually that whole stretch of area south of Cancun all the way down to Tulum. Things are pretty spread out. It was originally called the Cancun-Tulum Corridor. And is probably over 60 to 70 miles long. The whole area has undergone quite a transformation process in the last 15 years.

 

[acrozier22]

The adventura spa is AWESOME! The wife and i went there for our honeymoon. We are thinking about going back. It's beautiful, great dining, plenty of excursions ( free and cost), and great entertainment. The liquor attached to the wall in the room was a nice touch. They pour out a perfect shot!

In other words, it is HIGHLY recommended.

 

[CyinCo]

I recently stayed in Cozumel with my wife at the Cozumel Palace. It was nice but there isn't a beach. The resort is built on the reef and a great dive destination. You get all inclusive use of other palace resorts and there is one directly adjacent to the ferry dock at Playa Del Carmen. The Playacar Palace was really nice the day we visited. Now, we spent most of that day in the pool and at the pool bar but the location was great. It is short walk up the beach from the ferry.

Also, check out Tripadvisor.com for ratings of resorts. Read the reviews but keep in mind that some people will never be happy. Look at the overall score and the percentage of satisfied people.

 

[nwiafan]

The wife and I went to RIU Palace Riviera Maya (just south of Play del Carman) back in April. It was an amazing experience all around. Great food, great drink, wonderful beach and pool, and most importantly fantastic service.

Each room came with a free mini bar fridge full of beer, soda, and water and was restocked each day. Also each room had a liquor dispenser with four bottles of booze all for free. Each room was a suite and had a balcony with chairs and table. Bed was huge and bathroom was amazing. Also the resort had 24 hour room service included which was amazing.

The resort was located in a gated community so it was very secure and their were several other RIU properties located within the community that we could go and visit as we wished, but since we stayed at a Palace class resort, they could not come on our property.

If you want to see pictures feel free to PM me and I'll send em over to you

 

[brianhos]

How much do people typically pay for a week all inclusive with airfare in Mexico? Is it cheaper than Caribbean islands? I never considered a mexican resort because I had heard the beaches were not as nice.