Yep, people hate them, but I LOVE them! All-inclusive resorts, are you for or against? I've had a few people tell me that they get bored at all-inclusive resorts (umm...what?). I also hear "but I want to see the world" - this is a fair argument, but I also want to sit on the beach and stare at the waves for as long as I want (with a drink in my hand of course). I have been to several all-inclusive resorts (I also got married at an all-inclusive, see the post here) and I have never been bored. In fact, a week is never enough. In my opinion it is THE BEST true vacation where you actually get to vacate without the "walking marathons", which is what my husband calls the European trips I plan! He is right, those are fun, but sometimes I feel like I need a vacation after my vacation.
Maybe you don't take advantage of all the activities you can do at these resorts? There are always things going on; different games taking place every day of the week, entertainment shows, excursions (you do have to pay extra, but some are worth it), disco and beach parties. You can go snorkeling, play volleyball, try para-sailing, go on a party boat, go swimming or just take a nap...why not? Get some lunch and go back to the beach, read a book and go dancing in the evening after dinner. There are always things you can try at these resorts; either learning to shoot with a bow and arrow, taking a bike ride or a dance lesson, you can go parasailing or rent a jet ski. There are gyms and spas available as well (gyms tend to be free, spas are extra), yoga classes, zumba classes - the list goes on.
I don't know about you, but I always feel like I'm rushing at home, whether it's getting ready to go out or rushing to get to work or to get errands done. At these resorts, you can take your time. Take your time to have a meal, take your time to get ready and relax. Regardless of the resort I always recommend going with a group of people, it's just more fun that way. I've combined a list of resorts and the excursions I've done. I hope you give these types of vacations a try.
Cuba
Memories Jibacoa (last visited 2016)
You need no entertainment at this resort. Just take snorkelling gear with you, the reef is 50 meters out from the beach (if not less) and I literally spent hours each day snorkelling. Time flies. This is a smaller resort, a quieter one, but sometimes that's a nice thing. You feel like you're part of the family and really get to know the people there. There are dance lessons every day, disco parties every night and entertainment shows in the evenings. The bars are plentiful and the staff is incredible. If you're a picky eater, Cuba may not be the best destination for you, but the beaches (based on this resort and some of the other ones friends have gone to) are some of the best in the world.Excursions:
- This particular resort offers a tour up the mountain to the Cuban villages. You get to see the people, their farms and lifestyle. it's an interesting excursion and free of charge, but slightly rigorous as most of the way is uphill.
- This resort is very close to Havana as well - about a 2-hour drive. Ask the hotel to organize a tour for you. I personally haven't been, but Havana is definitely on my list.
Dominican Republic
Paradisus Palma Real (last visited 2012)
This was probably one of the fanciest hotels I have been to. I'll admit it was a pricey one, but wow was it worth it. The accommodations and the food selection was out of this world. The beaches were luxurious. Entertainment was some of the best I've seen as well. There are many restaurants to choose from. I cannot recommend this hotel enough if you can splurge a bit. You will be pampered the whole week, guaranteed.
Excursions:
- We went on a catamaran snorkelling tour. Unfortunately I cannot remember the name of the company we were with, but this was a fun, full day trip with food, drinks and snorkelling. I would highly recommend to book a tour like this. I'm sure there are plenty of options available.
Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo (last visited February 2023)
There is good and bad about this resort, so here's the pro/con list.
Pros:
- It is a small resort and is very walkable, which is perfect for families with small kids.
- The beach is one of the best beaches I have seen at an all inclusive resort. It's sandy, but has reefs in places close to the shore. Great place to swim and snorkel. The beach is comparable to Cuban beaches, which are some of the best (in my opinion). There was also no seaweed.
- Great entertainment for both adults and kids; dancing under the stars, beach parties, kids shows.
Cons:
- The resort feels dated - rooms are old, and small.
- Because it is a small resort we were not able to get a room with two beds (there were three of us), however they did give us a room with a king bed.
- It feels like there isn't enough staff at the resort for the volume of guests. As a result the service seemed very slow in restaurants and buffets.
- Food was ok - there is a wide selection, but it tasted a bit bland.
- Some rooms have no wifi.
- The club for adults needs better music.
I must say that I go to an all inclusive for the beach. The beach made up for all the cons. Despite that, I don't think I would recommend this resort. This did not feel like a 5-star resort, but it has so much potential to be one.
Mexico
Tip: If traveling with kids, I highly recommend booking a private transfer to avoid waiting for the bus and to make the transfer as quick as possible. I booked with Canada Transfers and had no complaints. The buses were on time, a Canada Transfers representative was at the airport to meet you and the transfer was smooth
Grand Bahia Principe Akumal (last visited 2013)
I got married at this resort, so I'll always be biased. It is massive (3 hotels in one - Akumal, Coba and Tulum) resort and if you stay at Akumal, you have access to all three hotels. Start your day with some yoga at the wellness centre, get breakfast at the many buffets available, go swimming at the beautiful beach. If you're feeling more adventurous, go scuba diving or snorkelling.
Hacienda is an amazing area with shops and bars. It's like a small shopping centre that turns into an entertainment area at night with dancing under the stars, performances and even a Mexican night. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from as well. Go to Arlequin for an exquisite steak, Mikado for a hibachi show or Tortuga for all you meat lovers out there.
As with all the resorts, there is a ton of entertainment every night, games during the day, pool games, beach games, volleyball games and dance lessons, to name a few.
Hacienda is an amazing area with shops and bars. It's like a small shopping centre that turns into an entertainment area at night with dancing under the stars, performances and even a Mexican night. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from as well. Go to Arlequin for an exquisite steak, Mikado for a hibachi show or Tortuga for all you meat lovers out there.
As with all the resorts, there is a ton of entertainment every night, games during the day, pool games, beach games, volleyball games and dance lessons, to name a few.
Iberostar Paraiso Beach (last visited 2022)
This is probably the most green resort I've been to. You almost feel like you're in the middle of the jungle. This place is also very close to the airport (30 min ride).Hotel: the hotel is a beautiful property located in, what feels like, the jungle. There is a lot of shade as you make your way from one end of the resort to the other. This is a huge resort, however; there are even golf carts to take you to different locations. With small kids, I recommend strollers. The resort is well maintained, clean, and the rooms are modern. Hotel staff is friendly.
For Kids: There is a huge playground located on the property, a program for kids and teens during the day, and babysitting services. In 2022, our baby was still a baby, so I cannot comment on the entertainment part for the kids.
For Adults: I absolutely love this resort. It is my favourite. While it may not be as fancy as Paradisus Playa Del Carmen (see review below), this one feels like home to me. There is always something for you to do, whether it's yoga, zumba, dancing or volleyball. There is great entertainment for adults as well. It does start later in the evening. I absolutely love the club that is located on the property. It is spacious and they always play fantastic music. I've never had a bad time.
Food: The buffet has an incredibly wide selection. Both buffets (breakfast and lunch) are in restaurants that are open, so it feels like you're eating outside. The Mediterranean restaurant consistently gets great reviews. There is an area in the resort built like a small strip mall. That area has cafes with coffee, dessert and crepes and small restaurants that are also part of the all-inclusive package. It's a nice alternative to the buffets, or just to get a snack.
Beach: The beach is fantastic, clean, wide, and has a lot of spots. I do recommend getting a towel on the lounge chairs early in the morning to get a spot (especially during busy seasons). The water is azure blue (when it's not seaweed season).
Verdict: I will always keep coming back to this resort. You can't go wrong.
Side Note: Mexican resorts tend to have better food/accommodations than Cuba, but Cuba (and I have only been to the one resort) has unparalleled beaches. While in Mexico, there are limits as to how far you can swim out, in Cuba there are no rules.
For Kids: While our babies were too young for the Petit Club (2yr old+), Mimi and Amandine who run the kids club arranged for a babysitter for us during the day and at night, were extremely accommodating in our last-minute requests, and made sure our babies were very well cared for, checking on them several times a day and sending us updates. Our primary babysitter Chris (Christian) was very responsible, so sweet and loving, and quickly made friends with our babies. We felt completely at ease leaving the kiddos with her.
For Adults: We took advantage of lots of activities that are included at no extra cost: daily yoga, fitness classes, water aerobics, beach parties, theme parties, water skiing, catamaran, tennis, beach volleyball, trapeze. We also had a one day scuba excursion to Cozumel (extra cost) via a conveniently located dive shop office on site.
Verdict: Perfect getaway for active families with kids, even very young ones! Thank you Club Med team for being so accommodating and friendly.
Side Note: Mexican resorts tend to have better food/accommodations than Cuba, but Cuba (and I have only been to the one resort) has unparalleled beaches. While in Mexico, there are limits as to how far you can swim out, in Cuba there are no rules.
The photo above is not of the hotel, but a different hotel that is also part of the chain that shares all the amenities.
Club Med Cancun
Note: friend recommendation
This was our first time at Club Med and we were very impressed. Traveling with friends and our two 14-month old babies could have been a stressful trip but Club Med was a perfect all-inclusive resort that had something for everyone.
Service: While the resort is not the most modern and does not have a huge variety of restaurants, it is very cozy and the level of service is EXCEPTIONAL. The whole time we felt like visiting good old friends. Club Med's GOs (Gentil Organisateur - i.e. organizers) walk around the resort and chat with the GMs (Gentil Members - i.e. guests) and make everyone feel very relaxed and welcome. Our bartenders Martha, Antonio and Daniel were quick to serve delicious drinks and accommodate any special requests.
Food: Very good quality food, delicious meals and a huge variety that changed daily, even at the buffet. The staff were extremely accommodating and helpful and very tolerant of the mess our kids inevitably created. There was lots of fresh seafood, which was a great addition to the traditional food buffet variety.
Tip: the buffet is not open around the clock and doesn't open until 6:30 pm. for dinner; however there is a creperie operating by the beach serving delicious crepes and light snacks.
Beach: There are two beaches, both quite small by cozy. The main beach was perfect and cleaned from the seaweed. Unfortunately the second beach was covered in seaweed at the time of the visit (June 2019) but this is a common problem in the Caribbean.
For Kids: While our babies were too young for the Petit Club (2yr old+), Mimi and Amandine who run the kids club arranged for a babysitter for us during the day and at night, were extremely accommodating in our last-minute requests, and made sure our babies were very well cared for, checking on them several times a day and sending us updates. Our primary babysitter Chris (Christian) was very responsible, so sweet and loving, and quickly made friends with our babies. We felt completely at ease leaving the kiddos with her.
For Adults: We took advantage of lots of activities that are included at no extra cost: daily yoga, fitness classes, water aerobics, beach parties, theme parties, water skiing, catamaran, tennis, beach volleyball, trapeze. We also had a one day scuba excursion to Cozumel (extra cost) via a conveniently located dive shop office on site.
Verdict: Perfect getaway for active families with kids, even very young ones! Thank you Club Med team for being so accommodating and friendly.
Paradisus Playa del Carmen (last visited December 2023)
Hotel: This is a small, beautiful hotel. It is split into two sections (family and adult only). It is a small, walkable property, which is great for families with young kids. The rooms are modern, spacious, and air conditioning works well and is quiet. The property is maintained well. Room service was wonderful. One interesting feature of this hotel is that your bracelet is also your room key, which is extremely convenient as you don't need to bring anything with you anywhere you go - no cards, no purses etc.
For Kids: There is a pool with a pirate ship and slides, as well as a fantastic waterpark on the property. There is babysitting services, and even a daycare/camp as well. There is amazing entertainment for kids during the day; different games, cartoon characters walking around, bracelet making sessions, dance parties, etc. I was slightly disappointed with kids' entertainment in the evening. It would have been nice for the resort to play some music around 6:30/7:00pm for kids, which did happen on a few days, but not every day.
For Adults: The adult side of the resort has a sports bar, which turns into a club, a martini bar and many other options to choose from. Entertainment for adults is great even on the family side; however, it does start later (9/10pm). I also noticed everyone dresses very well for dinners.
Food: Food was delicious. We noticed that this hotel has a lot of restaurants, and as a result, a slightly smaller choice at the buffet; however, everything at the buffet was delicious. We had no complaints with food. Restaurants are all air conditioned (bring a light sweater). There is also a gelato shop with 24 different types of gelato, a Nespresso bar, with different types of coffee and snacks, and a smoothie bar on the beach. There are many restaurants to choose from including snack bars by the pool. Service in restaurants and the buffets was wonderful and quick. Staff is very attentive, and friendly.
Beach: I absolutely loved the towel service at this resort. There are no towel cards as you'll see in most resorts. Towels are available all over the property (on the beach, and by the pools). You are able to take as many towels as you need, and discard them as often as you like. One negative aspect of the beach is that the resort has umbrellas instead of palapas. On one of the days, it was very windy, and as a result, the umbrellas weren't opened and you have to try to find shade elsewhere. Otherwise, the beach is clean, and lounge chairs are plentiful, the sand is very soft. I enjoyed the fact that there are no boats, few seadoos, no parasailing, and no smell of gasoline. There are kayaks and catamarans available. The beach itself is marked so you know where the reefs are.
Verdict: I would definitely recommend this hotel. Perhaps it was the time of the year we went, but we felt that there was enough of everything at this hotel. We didn't have to wake up early to get a spot at the beach, there was always room, lounge chairs by the pools and space at restaurants.
Tip: Despite the above, try to still book restaurants early to get a spot as they do fill up quickly.
Overall experience was extremely positive. I will definitely be coming back.
Best time to go:
- May - early may is heavy seaweed season.
- July - late July is a great time to go, but it does get very very hot.
- September - fantastic time to go, low season, very warm water.
- December - early December is still considered low season; however, November/December is also jellyfish season. There were warning flags on the beach. It can also get chilly at night, take a sweater.
Excursions:
- Ek Balam Cenotes - This was an amazing day. Instead of going to Chichen Itza, where you're not allowed to climb the pyramids anymore, go to Ek Balam where you are still allowed to climb. The view from the top is magical. Also climbing is harder than it looks (climb across, not straight up). The best part of this trip, however, was the Cenotes where you get to repel down and swim in the Cenotes. It's like a jungle gym down there too. This cost was around $120 if you purchase through the hotel.
- Matis (just ask the front desk to order you a car to pick you up) - Not to be missed. Amazing jewellery store where you can get pieces for a fraction of the price. The store sells mostly silver, but you can also get gold and even diamonds. I highly recommend to even just see it, it's not what you expect. Keep in mind you can also pick out a piece and get custom adjustments. If you see something you like, for example an earring, but want a necklace, just ask and they will change it for you on the spot.