All Inclusive? Or not...

Done one all inclusive before in Greece and it was awful food and watered down beer so never again,anyway i much prefer to eat out in a different Restaurant every nite when on holiday not have to put up with the same place all the time so my advice is to just book as normal without all inclusive!!
 
Isn't Cancun the choice for American pissed up teenagers?My mate was there said it's just like any other European resort but there are mostly Americans there
 
I stayed at an all inclusive just south of Cancun. The beaches and water is like you read about. So beautiful. The all-inclusive resorts in the area are gorgeous as well. I liked staying at an all-inclusive, but I did feel secluded and felt as if I wasn't getting a feel of the local culture. We took off and did some day trips to take in the culture. It was approx. 115 degrees F at the ruins, so we skipped that, but we did some fabulous scuba diving and went to some great restaurants. Cancun has some huge clubs, and they can be alot of fun, but there is certainly a shady element looking to prey on tourists.

I'd say if you want to completely relax and not worry about anything, all-inclusives are a good way to go, but if you are more adventurous, stay at a hotel or bed and breakfast- it may be more rewarding.
 
Mexico however is flaming hot, the sun is right up above you, you've been warned!!

as opposed to what elsewhere??........underneath?....by the side??



Johnny 68

The "all inclusive" experience is somewhat different in Europe compared to say the carribean/indian ocean/far east. I wouldn't let your experience put you off trying a proper all inclusive resort ;)
 
Went on a all inclusive to Cancun in Sep 05. I was with then girlfriend and we both thought it was great. Food was great were we stayed, and th ehotel was right on the beach which is amazing, great for chilling out on through the day, with a couple of cold ones brought down to you from the pool bar. we were there for two weeks , and ate out a few nights, but I would have gladly ate at the hotel every night such was the quality of the food. I would definitely stay AI again.
Went to all the big clubs in Cancun, most were quite cheesy, there was a lot of RnB getting played there too. However, In "La Boom" the DJ was playing a blinding house set, everyone was getting into it, and then they stopped for a bikini contest! Watching that whilst 8O was quite amusing. Couldnt believe how far you can make your $$$ go. In one club/bar (cant remember exactly) for $50 we got a bottle of Ballentines for 3 of us to share, all our mixers , and jugs of wine (topped up when empty) for the girls! How much would that be in Space!! Its Totally different to ibiza mind, but isnt variety the spice of life?!
 
I did an all inclusive once. The was an abundance of food and free drink all day and night. I put on a stone.

If you get a hotel that lays on a good buffet then i say go for it!
 
we loved it, yeah the seafood restaurant was the nuts, we ate there quite a lot, we had a ground floor room and that was right outside our door. one night the sea was quite choppy and wifey got soaked by a big wave :lol: the Le Jardin was nice too, we ate there just as much also had our special "honeymoon celebration dinner" in there. I used to wake up to the sound of the waves lapping the beach not 50ft from my door.....it was great.

I also discovered "mr smart" a very helpful chap who ran a small giftshop just beyond the complex....up the rugged path down the back of the "bambou" restaurant, he could "get you things" ;)

did you ever get the barstaff to do you a "BBC"??

That BBC rings a bell, what was in it?
Was Le Jardin the place on the beach to the right? Lovely Breakfast in there, all we did was eat for two weeks! :lol:

Did you go on a boat trip with that guy who stood by the water sports hut all day, can't remember his name, but for lunch his Mama cooked, so yummy.
 
That BBC rings a bell, what was in it?
Was Le Jardin the place on the beach to the right? Lovely Breakfast in there, all we did was eat for two weeks! :lol:

Did you go on a boat trip with that guy who stood by the water sports hut all day, can't remember his name, but for lunch his Mama cooked, so yummy.


Tell me about it, I put on half a stone, and went to the gym every otherday!!

The BBC was baileys, banana & coconut creme passed through a blender with ice...we spiced ours up with a double shot of rum!!!

Le Jardin was the adults only restaurant, the air conditioned one closest to reception
Images-b1370173S-Emma_from_the_pool_bar.jpg

remember Emma?? she did a mean bbc :)
 
my mate came back from CanCun and they said they spent every night in this CocoBongos place. Checked it out on the net, and it looked like Baja's Beach Club in Newcastle!
 
Tell me about it, I put on half a stone, and went to the gym every otherday!!

The BBC was baileys, banana & coconut creme passed through a blender with ice...we spiced ours up with a double shot of rum!!!

Le Jardin was the adults only restaurant, the air conditioned one closest to reception
Images-b1370173S-Emma_from_the_pool_bar.jpg

remember Emma?? she did a mean bbc :)

OMG I remember her, she took a shine to my other half! :lol:
 
:lol:

she kept calling me "cheeky face" and pinching my cheeks!! 8O

she was nice though, always served me 1st when it was busy ;)
 
Thanks everyone. Lots of helpful comments.

It looks like the downsides (isolation, limited choice) shouldn't be an issue as the we're looking places in the center of the resort area, not far from the shops, restaurants, nightclubs, bars, etc. We'll only be at the hotel during beach time (and to sleep)... now I'm looking forward to sipping drinks all afternoon while the missus hits the beach :D

Jonny68 - It is a popular place for university kids to go on spring break but that's in March. From the reviews I read, it's adult couples and/or families most of the time. I'm sure there'll be lots of Americans (because it's close, which is why we're going!) but I hope there'll be some Europeans to mix it up. Anyway, you're there to interact with the Mexicans, right?

Ooh.. Now I can't wait :D I just have to make it through 6 more weeks of snow/cold.... and a week with the parents in the States :? :lol:
 
Club med is always top for food. Our experiences in Bodrum, Tunisia, Morroco & France were excellent, the downpoint premium alcohol is expensive.
 
never understood these all inclusive things. i'd put in a bit more money and go for the original local food, leaving some money for the people who actually live there instead of some big hotel chain that has already driven them away from their own beaches...
 
never understood these all inclusive things. i'd put in a bit more money and go for the original local food, leaving some money for the people who actually live there instead of some big hotel chain that has already driven them away from their own beaches...
Well yes... and no.

The position I've developed over the past few days (at least, for Cancun) is that when you're sitting on the beach during the day, better to have the free food and drinks available. Saves money, time and energy. Plus, as far as I can tell, Cancun isn't like Ibiza where there's always an alternative within walking distance.

However, I'd agree that you shouldn't cocoon yourself in one of these places. I'm looking forward to going out to dinner, bars and nightclubs all around town... and to day trips out to see other towns and villages.

Keep in mind, also, that a lot of the locals work at these big hotel chains!
 
never understood these all inclusive things. i'd put in a bit more money and go for the original local food, leaving some money for the people who actually live there instead of some big hotel chain that has already driven them away from their own beaches...


1/ Most caribbean islands have do not have private beaches, even if the beach is situated on one of the big resorts or hotels, the locals can use them too, it's the law. in fact the guy that owns sandals, (think he's jamaican), wanted to introduce private beaches but none of the other islands would go for it.

2/ in st lucia and most of the caribbean, these hotels are one of the biggest, and best paid employers
 
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