All-Inclusives in Cancun

[nicks]

Do you have any recommedations for a great all-inclusive in Cancun? I am having a really hard time figuring out what we would like from the Expedia info.

TIA!

[Rosebud]

I haven't been myself, but when I was working as a travel agent I assisted lots of people in finding an all-inclusive near Cancun for their honeymoons. They gave me a lot of feedback on the places they liked best. Are you going for a romantic trip? If so, I recommend the Playa Del Carmen area. In particular, Royal Hideaway (http://www.royalhideaway.com) and Secrets Capri (http://www.secretsresorts.com/capri/) are excellent resorts that get rave reviews.

Have you been to tripadvisor.com? You should definitely go there and read reviews on the all inclusives near Cancun. That should give you a much better idea of which places are great.

[Kristy]

We stayed at the Moon Palace last June for a week. Heaven on earth. I didn't want to leave. Some people have mixed reviews, but I have nothing but wonderful things to say about it. The property is beautiful, the food is incredible, the pools are great, the staff is very attentive and friendly, there are tons of things to do. It's also the closest resort to the airport, so you have a very short drive, which is a great bonus.

[Belm]

We have stayed at Moon Palace 3 different times over the past few years. We love it there! We have always had a good experience, food has been great, staff is super friendly and helpful. We are hoping to go to the Spa Palace in late summer/early fall.

[jnshanna]

We stayed at the Aventura Palace last year and it was fabulous! The service was most impressive to us. The staff really is wonderful.

[HeatherFL]

My ex-husband and I went to Moon Palace for our honeymoon in 2000, and we really enjoyed it. Obviously, it's been seven years so I can't speak to how it is now, but it was a nice experience back then.

~H.

[MrsBeckyLP]

Sorry if you want to stay right in Cancun and I'm hijacking this thread, but for our honeymoon my husband and I stayed at the Secrets Excellence Riviera Cancun, which is only a few miles south of the city. It was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. I have been to quite a few all-inclusive resorts, and this was by far the best. The food was superb, the rooms were amazing and the staff was great.

This was how we felt when we had to leave:

http://images1.snapfish.com/34978%3B4%3A3%7Ffp344%3Enu%3D3278%3E799%3E5%3C4%3E WSNRCG%3D323386528687%3Bnu0mrj

I want to go back right now (and I want that tan back too)!

[Bbbethie]

I'll agree with everybody else and recommend going south to the Riviera Maya. We've been there three times and I'm working on DH to go back later this year.

What are you priorities for the trip? Food? Beach? Excursions?

[nicks]

Thanks for all the replies ladies! I have been so busy that I just got back in here but I am still trying to decide where to book this trip.............

Rosebud - Thanks for the ideas, I will go check them out. I have heard that Playa is wonderful. My main reason for not wanting to go there is because of the drive. We are going for a pretty short trip (4 days, 3 nights). I kinda just wanted to be able to get there and get to the hotel quick.

Kristy, Belm and Heather - The Moon Palace was the first place that my DH and his buddies found. They want to go for the golf. It sounds great but when I started reading some reviews it sounded like a lot of people said the beach wasn't nice. Is that not the case? A beautiful beach is probably #1 on my list.

jnshanna - Thanks I will check that out!

futuremrslp - I will take a look. You and your DH make a beautiful couple!

Bbbethie - Well, we are going for my DH's 30th bday. We want a nice beach and pools, good food and service and my DH wants golf nearby. Although we will do our fair share of drinking we are not interested in the Cancun party scene in the least (Coco Bongo and the like).

Thanks again for all the ideas, I really appreciate them!

[Kristy]

I found the beaches at Moon to be pretty decent. Very clean, and most often times very quiet. There can be a lot of seaweed on certain days, but that's the ocean for you. I particularly liked that the wait staff will bring you drinks down there :)

The golf course is beautiful. It's a Jack Nicklaus course, the only one in Mexico, IIRC. DH had a tee time, but it was so darn hot and humid he ended up cancelling. If you decide to golf, schedule a time ASAP. They book up fast.

ETA: Here's a picture of the beach, pretty early in the morning.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/kaflorey/IMG_0671.jpg

[akacharlotte]

We are leaving for Aventura Spa Palace in 1 month and 3 days! I can't wait. It is an all inclusive about 90 minutes south of Cancun.

I used Trip Advisor to make a decision. The only downside to Aventura is there is no beach rather a man-made beach around a lagoon. However, the hotel offers a shuttle to a sister resort that has a real beach. We plan on spending our time around the pool anyway. ;)

[{b}]

We honeymooned at the Royal Hideaway and I truly recommend it. The drive wasn't that bad/long if I remember correctly - maybe 30 minutes?

The RH did have some hurricane damage from Rita, so yoiu might want to double-check that they are operating at full capacity.

[ellidew]

Has anyone stayed at the Iberostar Tucan? It's located in the Riviera Maya and it's (obviously) part of the Iberostar chain. It has a 4.5 out of 5 rating on trip advisor. Would you recommend one of the other Iberostar resorts? Why? Any other recommendations for the Riviera Maya? TIA!

A co-worker told me about Gran Bahia Pricipe (Tulum) (there is also Coba). Any reviews? I'm going to go look that one up on trip advisor.

[RobynScott]

We are leaving for Aventura Spa Palace in 1 month and 3 days! I can't wait. It is an all inclusive about 90 minutes south of Cancun.


I'm jealous! We spent our HM there and LOVED it - have a great time!

[nicks]

ellidew - The Iberostar Tucan is where we ended up booking our trip in July. I have heard wonderful things about it from lots of people and it was in our price range. All of the suggestions that I got here looked fabulous but a little more than we wanted to spend. We had also looked into the Iberstar Del Mar/Beach which is a little closer to Cancun. The only reason we ended up booking the Tucan was because it has (from what we hear) a nicer beach. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Iberostars! Good luck!

[jnshanna]

I'm jealous! We spent our HM there and LOVED it - have a great time!

I'm jealous too! We were there in October last year and we loved it! The lagoon was my favorite place. I'd lay under an umbrella with a book in one hand and a drink in the other. It was heaven! Take lots of pictures! It's gorgeous.

[KrissyCat7]

Have a wonderful time AKACharlotte. We honeymooned there and loved it.

[akacharlotte]

KrissyCat7, jnshanna, and robynscott, I'm glad you guys loved it! I can't wait to go! Just 16 days left until we leave! Do y'all have any recommendations on anything? Restaurants, tours etc?

[TracieB]

Stace - you're going to have an awesome time!!! ASP is a great place. Token and I both loved the Italian restaurant ... I forget the name of it, though. Definitely go to Chichen Itza; it was a cool tour. Have a great time!!!

[RobynScott]

KrissyCat7, jnshanna, and robynscott, I'm glad you guys loved it! I can't wait to go! Just 16 days left until we leave! Do y'all have any recommendations on anything? Restaurants, tours etc?

Just be careful if / when you eat OFF of the resort. We knew of course to stay away from the water - but we weren't thinking too well when DH ordered a HUGE frozen daiquiri when we went out to eat in Playa Del Carmen - and he paid for it! So think about the ice in whatever you eat/drink when *not* at the resort. Other than that - everything was great!

DH and I are pretty low key - we also really liked the Italian restaurant, Ventanas. We didn't do the restaurants where you needed reservations as often. Our last night there we ate at like 3 different places (for different courses) - just wanted to experience them all one last time ;)

Also- bring lots of $1 bills -they're great for tips and really appreciated. Go and have a great time!

Oh yeah - we did not do Chichen Itza b/c I could not convince DH to sit on a bus for that long (I think it was like 3 hours there and back) - we did Tulum which was a much shorter tour and had a great time!

Also, I went parasailing and would do it again in a heartbeat - it was great!

[Belm]

akacharlotte ~ How did you like Advenuta Spa Palace? DH & I think that we are going to head there in late July for 5 days.

[Aug2002Bride]

So do you ladies who have been here think a 3 night 4 day mini vacation to preferably an all inclusive with airfare could cost us around $1000?

[rosa727]

I just had to add that I have stayed at the Royal Hideaway (2nd anniversary) and Secrets Capri (3rd anniversary). Both are about 30 minutes south of Cancun near Playa del Carmen. They were both AMAZING!!!! They both had amazing food, wonderful staff, and beautiful beaches (though I think the one at RH may have suffered from Rita). I would go back to either in a heartbeat. We have been to quite a few AIs, so I feel that I have a pretty good idea of what's out there. However, either of those would be around $2000 for 3 nights, I think.

If anyone wants to know more about either, feel free to ask. I would be happy to answer questions or post specific pictures, as I have about 100 of both places :)

I also highly recommend the Playa del Carmen area, even if you are only going for a few days. It's really pretty quick to get there form the airport, especially if you have transportation set up in advance. That area is just so nice and also close to lots of fun stuff, like Tulum, snorkelling, and jungle.

[ash313]

Another vote for Secrets Capri. Can't wait to get back there!!!

[akacharlotte]

akacharlotte ~ How did you like Aventura Spa Palace? DH & I think that we are going to head there in late July for 5 days.

We loved it! It was quiet and relaxing which is just what we wanted. The spa was really great too! We enjoyed a romantic couples massage our last full day. The resort is huge! We stayed on the north side(Spa side). It was a fairly long walk to the south side of the resort but there is a pool on each side and the lagoon pretty much runs the length of the resort. If you want more of a party stay on the south side. If you are looking for peace and quiet head for the north. :)

The food was ok. Some things were great, others just eh. We loved La Trattoria(the Italian restuarant) and we really liked La Hacienda(which a lot of people we spoke to did not). El Greco was the buffet restaurant on the north side and I really liked lunch there. They had homemade banana ice cream which was yummy. We skipped Ventanas and the Oriental restaurant. The room service menu is a little light but the burgers were good as was the club sandwich.

The staff was very friendly and the service was very good. We had no problems whatsoever with the water(ice in drinks, brushing teeth etc). They have a very good filtration system in place at the resort.

Let me know if you would like more details! We are already planning a trip for late November. :D

[Belm]

Tell me about your couples massage! I think that we want to book a few treatments too. Also, did you do any of the excurisions?

[...Shannon...]

We stayed at Moon Palace two years ago and really enjoyed it. The grounds are beautiful, the pools are GINORMOUS, and the staff is exceptional. A couple of things to keep in mind, though:

They do allow children. That was perfect for us since we had our then 2-yo DD with us and it was a family vacation, but if you're looking to get away from kiddies it may not be for you.



Someone mentioned not having a nice beach earlier. I have to agree. Actually, the beach itself is fine; it's the water that's not so great. If you're looking for the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean, MP doesn't have it. It's filled with seaweed and the water is murky. You can, however, take a shuttle to one of their other properties in Cancun proper, and those do have the beautiful water (at least they did before Rita).


I agree with others about visiting Trip Advisor. Just do a search of Moon Palace and you'll get all sorts of information. I even posted a review and pictures--of course, you'll have to go way back to get to mine and I don't even recall what I titled it. Advice, DO search first because they tend to jump down your throat there if you ask something that has already been asked in the last month or so. :eek:

[akacharlotte]

Tell me about your couples massage! I think that we want to book a few treatments too. Also, did you do any of the excurisions?

We booked the romantic couples massage. We received a spa credit(timeshare tour) which we used towards the massage. Their services are much more expensive than in the States. However, we got more than a massage. We arrived an hour before our appt. time and were ushered into the locker areas. We did have to separated at this point. We wore our bathing suits(recommended) and they provided a robe and footwear. You then enter the Hydrotherapy area. I sat in the hottub first. After about 10 minutes an attendant led me to the sauna. I sat in the sauna for 10 minutes and then she led me to a shower(cold). After the shower it was into a second steam room. I think it was a eucalyptus steam. I sat in there for another 10 minutes then took another cold shower. After that I was led back to the hot tub for a long soak and then went into the cold plunge pool. After that I soaked my feet in a whirlpool like tub and then relaxed on a lounge chair for about 10 minutes or so. They gave me a drink(some type of flower) that was very yummy. The attendant came back to escort me to a reception area where they offer you another drink. At this point the massage therapist came out to get me and I met up with DH. They led us to a massage suite. We picked out our scent of choice for the oil/lotion and they left us alone to undress and slide under the sheets. The room was darkened and of course soft music piped in. We did a 50 minute massage as it was DH's first massage ever so I did not want him to endure a long period if he did not like it. About 10 minutes into the massage I heard him sighing so I knew he was enjoying the massaage. After the massage was complete we went back to the locker room to change. They have showers for your use but we just headed back to our room. It was very relaxing.

As far as excursions we did the Mayan ruins, Chichen Itza and Tulum. Chichen Itza was a very long, very hot day. Unfortunately, we were unable to ride on the large tour bus(the seats were all filled) so we took a shuttle van which was incredibly bumpy and hot. We got stuck in the back of the van and there were no AC vents back there. Seeing the ruins was incredible but the drive out and back was not fun for us.

Tulum was much better. It was only a 20-30 minute ride from our resort. Due to Tulum's proximity to the ocean it was cooler. You can feed the iguanas at Tulum. We picked hibiscus at the urging of our tour guide and the iguanas will come right up to you and eat the flowers from your hand. We loved that! The water/beach at Tulum is gorgeous and you can swim/snorkel there.

We did not want to do any other tours this trip but we will next time. I heard Xel-Ha was a waste of time from other people but the brochures make it sound nice. I did not hear anything about Xcaret.

We did not need to go into Playa del Carmen for shoppping as both ruin tours stop at a cooperative and we made a couple of purchases there. Chichen Itza has vendors/craftsmen set up inside the ruins. Tulum has a mall like area outside the ruins for shopping.

HTH. :D

[jnshanna]

Great detailed description of the spa, akacharlotte! We didn't do a couple's massage but we did both get massages out in the huts in the lagoon separately. The massage was amazing. The best I've ever had (although I've only had 3) and the part before the massage was equally great! I felt like royalty being waiting on hand and foot. And that juice is so yummy! It is a bit expensive but it's seriously SO worth it. It was one of the highlights of our trip.

BTW, we're planning to return this October. Yay!

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Has anyone stayed at the Riu Palace resorts? We are thinking of staying there next August.

[Aug2002Bride]

My cousin just stayed at the RIU Cancun and she had a great time and wants to go back. I havent actually talked to her in person but her pictures look like its really nice.

[Tommy's Mommy]

I am leaving to go to Aventura Spa Palace next week w/one of my friends for my best friends wedding. I just found out tonight we are not allowed to wear flip flops for the wedding that is at the gazebo or in most of the restaurants. Please tell me this isn't true, the travel agent just told her this like 3 days before we leave and all of us girls already bought our wedged flip flops.

I have tried calling and have not gotten through and didn't see anything on there website, I know someone here can help me out. TIA!!!

[akacharlotte]

Tommy's Mommy-I can honestly say I saw women wearing flip flops in the restaurants. We were told about the dress code but I never really saw it being enforced. That being said we always followed the dress code.

As for the wedding gazebo-I have no idea. I would just have something to wear as a back-up just in case but I'm confident it won't matter.

Have a great time!

[jnshanna]

We stayed there during October when they were less busy so it might have been because of the season but they definitely did not enforce the dress code. People would go eat lunch in El Greco with their swimsuits still on and just a cover up on!

[Tommy's Mommy]

Thanks for the responses I think I am just going to take my chance with the shoes I have. I finally talked to someone over at Palace resorts and she said no flat beach flip flops but if they were more on the sandle I could where them.

[akacharlotte]

We stayed there during October when they were less busy so it might have been because of the season but they definitely did not enforce the dress code. People would go eat lunch in El Greco with their swimsuits still on and just a cover up on!

We wore our swimsuits with coverups in El Greco as well. But we were told that was fine. :)

[jnshanna]

We wore our swimsuits with coverups in El Greco as well. But we were told that was fine. :)

Good to know it wasn't just the season that we were there. I was surprised to see that because I was worried that they would be very formal at all restaurants from what I had read. I even went to El Greco with a swimsuit and coverup on our next to last day! It was so comfy. :)

[snowzilla]

As far as excursions we did the Mayan ruins, Chichen Itza and Tulum. Chichen Itza was a very long, very hot day. Unfortunately, we were unable to ride on the large tour bus(the seats were all filled) so we took a shuttle van which was incredibly bumpy and hot. We got stuck in the back of the van and there were no AC vents back there. Seeing the ruins was incredible but the drive out and back was not fun for us.

Tulum was much better. It was only a 20-30 minute ride from our resort. Due to Tulum's proximity to the ocean it was cooler. You can feed the iguanas at Tulum. We picked hibiscus at the urging of our tour guide and the iguanas will come right up to you and eat the flowers from your hand. We loved that! The water/beach at Tulum is gorgeous and you can swim/snorkel there.

We did not want to do any other tours this trip but we will next time. I heard Xel-Ha was a waste of time from other people but the brochures make it sound nice. I did not hear anything about Xcaret.

We did not need to go into Playa del Carmen for shoppping as both ruin tours stop at a cooperative and we made a couple of purchases there. Chichen Itza has vendors/craftsmen set up inside the ruins. Tulum has a mall like area outside the ruins for shopping.



I'm surprised to hear that about Xel-Ha. We've been to Xel-ha twice on two separate trips - we loved it that much. The first time we did a combination tour spending the morning at Tulum and the afternoon at Xel-ha. It's an all-inclusive tour, so once you get to Xel-ha they give you a wristband and you can drink and eat for free at some of the restaurants. If you're into snorkeling, it's a wonderful way to spend a day. You can swim right up to the parrotfish and other creatures. Taking a tube down the top of the river into the lagoon is great if you're not a snorkeller, but I've snorkelled it a few times between the two trips and loved all of the sea life.

We've done a lot of shopping in Playa Del Carmen - between our first and second trip, they really developed their "higher end" shopping area, and they've got some very neat shops besides the regular run-of-the-mill vendors.

:)

[rosa727]

Has anyone heard anything about the new Iberostar? It is adult-only and supposed to be amazing. We are thinking about going for our 5 year anniversary.

[snowzilla]

Has anyone heard anything about the new Iberostar? It is adult-only and supposed to be amazing. We are thinking about going for our 5 year anniversary.

It was still in construction when we were there for our 2004 honeymoon - we stayed at the existing Iberostar next door. I don't know what it's like, but I can say that we were super impressed with the Iberostar chain, and would definitely stay at another one again.

[Winter Biscuit]

We booked a trip to the Grand Palladium White Sand Resort & Spa south of Cancun in February 2008. We're taking our kids with us (they'll be 4 and 1 at the time), and we are also going with my entire family: parents, brother, brother, SIL and their 4 girls (who will be ages 4, 7, 9, and 11).

We're quite excited. It will be a nice family vacation - plus we have built-in babysitters so DH and I can enjoy a few meals alone with the kids are with their grandparents and/or uncles.

We did not have a choice in picking our resort as my parents are paying for all of us; this family vacation is a gift from them. Plus, they had to pick a resort where families are welcome (e.g. no couples-only resorts) since all the kids are coming too.

I've read all the reviews on Trip Advisor and other sites, and the comments about White Sand (both positive and negative) are what I would expect of any AI so I am not worried. Still, I'd love to hear any feedback from anyone who has been here.

I can't wait to go :) I hear the spa calling my name...