How to choose an all-inclusive resort

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All-inclusives are a popular vacation option for everyone from honeymooners to extended families, but it pays to do a little bit of advance research (and get some advice from your travel agent) to make sure you’re choosing the right all-inclusive resort for you.

Naturally, you’ll want to choose a destination that fits your interests, and a resort that offers the amenities (and pricing) that you’re looking for, but there are some more subtle differences that you might not think to ask about. Here are some of the important nuances that can make the difference between a good vacation choice and a great one:

  • Who is the resort aimed at? Is it couples-only? Adults-only (allowing singles and couples)? Are same-sex couples welcome?  Is it family-friendly?  If it’s a resort that allows guests of all ages, is there a separate adults-only section within the resort for those that don’t want to be around children?
  • What are the dining options? Some all-inclusives have primarily buffet restaurants while others offer a variety of a la carte restaurants as well. If the resort offers a mix of both types, are guests limited to the number of times they can eat in the sit-down restaurants? And are there some menu items that involve a surcharge (i.e. lobster)?
  • What beverages are included? Is it only domestic (local) brands of alcohol? Is your favorite top-shelf brand included, or will you have to pay a surcharge for that?
  • Are dining reservations required? If so, what is the procedure – can you make all your reservations at the beginning of the week, or do you need to call each day?
  • Is there a dress code? Some require long pants, closed toe shoes, and other attire that you may not want to pack for a stay in the tropics.
  • What resort activities are included in the all-inclusive rate? Most include all the non-motorized watersports, but if you’re a snorkel or SCUBA fanatic, you might want to choose a resort that also includes these activities.
  • How far is it from the airport, and what tours/excursions are available nearby?

With some advance planning and the professional advice of a trusted travel consultant, there’s sure to be a perfect all-inclusive resort out there for you!

Mexico is on the rebound

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After the one-two punch that Mexico suffered this year (the drug violence and the swine flu scare) their tourism business was really hurting, so it’s nice to see some good news in the media:

The Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau recently reported that hotel occupancy for July was at 81%.

I guess the word is getting out that Mexico is still a great vacation destination, and there are some amazing deals to be had this year as hoteliers try to lure travelers back to Cancun, the Riviera Maya, and west coast destinations like Cabo and Puerto Vallarta.

I know I’ve been seeing rates at less than $1,000 per person (including air) for a one week stay in a nice all-inclusive in the Riviera Maya. How can you not jump at that?

Beachfront Catholic Cermonies

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In case you’ve been living under a rock somewhere and missed this trend, destination weddings are huge right now, and Mexico is a very popular location for these events.

In Cancun and the Riviera Maya, it seems that just about every resort now offers wedding ceremonies in beachfront gazebos or right on the beach itself. The problem is that if you’re Catholic, and looking for a consecrated church or chapel, your options are much more limited.

But I have good news!  Real Resorts has opened Cancun’s only Roman Catholic resort chapel on the grounds of the Gran Caribe Real Cancun. The all-glass beachfront chapel, consecrated by the local Bishop,  is available to couples staying at the 477-suite family-oriented property, or at the adjacent adults-only Royal Cancun. The resort offers a broad range of wedding options, from the most simple intimate ceremony to a lavish celebration, and they can even offer weddings on Sundays (when priests are usually not available).

If you’re interested in finding out more, give me a call.

And, if you’re more interested in the Pacific coast of Mexico, fear not! I recently toured a lovely resort in Cabo San Lucas that has a beautiful little on-site chapel.   Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach feels like a Mexican hacienda, and the chapel, while not beachfront, is so authentically Mexican with its carved wood pews and quiet courtyard that I’d get married there in a minute!

HOT deals in Mexico

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Now that the swine flu hype is over, the cruise lines have returned to Mexican ports, and U.S. citizens have been given the “all clear” to return to destinations like Cancun, the Mayan Riviera, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos, there are some amazing deals out there!

Secrets silversands

I just got an email today about a “buy one night get one free” promotion at Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun — a sophisticated five-star, adults-only, all-inclusive resort. The promotion runs through the summer, and when I priced out a four-night stay in July (with air from Boston), it came to just $450 per person!

If you’re looking for a romantic getaway this summer, you need to give me a call. I toured this resort last September, and it’s a beauty. It feels like a little piece of South Beach transplanted from Miami to Mexico. And at those prices, it’s a steal!

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You provided excellent guidance for us. I appreciated that you really had us think about what was most important to us when we were selecting the right cruise – and not to totally focus on what other people had to say. THANK YOU for helping to make this a memorable trip for our family! It really was a trip of a lifetime!

– Clare and Mark (family cruise to Alaska)

The level of service we experienced was out of this world (and we did NOT make it easy on Ann). We weren’t quite sure where we wanted to go, when we would be able to go, or what “vibe” we were going for. After asking us some key questions (what we liked, didn’t like, why, etc.) Ann helped us narrow down our trip details and planned the honeymoon of our dreams. She helped book some of our excursions, answered some emergency questions while abroad and was always available/willing to help. I think it’s safe to say we won’t be using anyone else for future travel planning – Ann is a rockstar!

– Carli (Italy and Spain)