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Originally Posted by nhplgrm
 Hello friends; and Shammy (our most valued guide)
I've been reading this post regularly and could use your assistance in making a vacation decision. Let me first say that I thoroughly research (sometimes too much) before I go! Have been to the DR twice and loved it and have had the pleasure of spending a week a couple years ago at Secrets Excellence in Punta Cana...have also tried the IB Hacienda Dominicus in LaRomana. Secrets is our favorite as my wife says it was the most relaxing vacation she's ever had. The last two vacations have been cruises (which have been great) and we'd now like to go back to AI as they seem to be the most carefree and serene! Suffice it to say we don't want a "schedule" to follow. We are late 40s and work very hard all year to save up for a relaxing vacation. We like upscale properties with food/beverages and beach being most important. Long walks on the beach and romantic dinners! You know; what most couples like on vacation.
Now our dilemma....please help if you can. WE are limited to taking a week in March and August only. We usually cruise in March for a week and would like to get back to AIs in August. So that said; I am planning a 50th. birthday week or so for my wife in either Playa del Carmen area, Turks & Caicos or back to the DR. Would like to try Playa area as we stopped in Cozumel on a cruise and loved it.
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Well, you gotta KNOW I'm gonna tell you to give Playa a try!
Yes, the Mayan Riviera is my specialty but I also do quite a bit of the Dominican as well. These are usually people who normally go to Playa but are looking to switch things up a bit...but they ALWAYS end up back in Playa! :p I'm having a difficult time selling the Dominican these days due to the malaria scare and the fairly recent norovirus scare as well. Then you have the people who want to go but feel after last year's bonanza of hurricanes that came through the Caribbean, they're afraid and feel Playa is a safer bet. Which leads me to.......
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Originally Posted by nhplgrm
Questions: Is August too risky weatherwise for Playa? DR is constant light breeze and that was refreshing....IS there any breeze of the water in August in Playa? Some folks say we are crazy to vacation there in August saying it's far too humid and rainy.
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Playa is no more risky than any other Caribbean destination, and in my opinion, less so. However, no one will ever know when or where a hurricane will form nor where it will land so when you travel in August, my advice is to keep business as usual and make sure you take trip insurance just in case.
The weather in Playa in August is most definitly H O T! But yes, there's a breeze and again, there's little difference between the Dominican and Playa in August. Hot and humid is the word here but isn't it hot an humid at home too? Well, I don't know where you live so perhaps if you're in Alaska, this isn't an issue but here in Joisey, it's hot and sticky. If I'm gonna be hot anyway, I'd rather it be in Mexico than in Joisey!
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Originally Posted by nhplgrm
Now for the big question...I've narrowed down (using this and other posts) to Secrets Capri or Secrets Excellence. Adults only and we have had such good experience with Secrets in DR. So given what I said above..if you could share your opinions with us it would be greatly appreciated.
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Sounds to me that since you like what you've seen at Secrets Punta Cana, you'd also like either of the Secrets properties in the Mayan Riviera. There really isn't much difference between the two, all the Secrets follow about the same policies. But the Excellence is newer (opened in Oct 2004), bigger, has more restaurants, bars and swimming pools (6), has a world class spa, is set off by itself more, is further from Playa Del Carmen. Neither beach is what I'd call "fantastic" and that seems to be the one drawback of both resorts. The water isn't the same turquoise blue, there's some seaweed that washes up (but they rake it all day), but regardless, it's not horrible by any means.
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Originally Posted by nhplgrm
In the past Shammy; you've recommended Barcelo Maya for the beach...and given the pics I've seen you're right but we really love the elegant sorroundings like Secrets. We considered Royal Hideaway but the beach erosion and close proximity to other resorts kills that. Also looked at IB Paraiso Maya and sister properties but the constant blaring of music on the beach isn't what we want. May also reconsider the RIU Palace but the crowds on the beach turns me off. I know; nothing is perfect!  |
Yep, the Barcelo has an outstanding beach area, very few resorts come close to what they have been blessed with. But it's not up to speed when compared to Secrets. This is a solid resort but if you want to be pampered and deal with high end food, drinks, service, rooms...then you have to stick with a place such as Secrets. While I love the Barcelo, you simply can't compare it to Secrets.
Royal Hideaway is great too, but quite a bit more expensive and yes, they do have that beach thing goin on.
Not sure what they are going to do, whether they will wait for Mother Nature to take hold or if they will begin improvements on their own as reported, so I really can't tell you what the beach will look like come August. But if the beach is important, then you'd want to give this some consideration.
I've never heard of issues with blaring music at the Maya (but maybe I just haven't heard!) but the Maya is located in the Playa Paraiso complex where the IB* Del Mar/Beach and Lindo are so yes, it's a big place. The Maya is an all suite property and the more upscale of the 4 properties but not sure it's worth paying that price just to "be at the Maya". The other resorts are very family friendly and in August, you're probably going to be surrounded by lots of little ones taking advantage of the wave pool and lazy river at the Lindo.
Riu Palace is adult oriented although they do accept children. While most US folks tend to go to more family friendly resorts, the Europeans do like the Rius and will bring their kids in the summer. Beacuse it is in Playacar, the beach will be more crowded than a resort that is set off by itself. I heard that although they don't have the same severe erosion problems, they have lost a bit of their beach area. The Palace will cost less than Secrets (and quite a bit less) but you don't have the unlimited ala carte dining nor the same level of "pampering" that you would find at Secrets. However, this is a very popular property and there's a reason for that....good price for what you get.
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Originally Posted by nhplgrm
Thanks for reading my long request folks..simply trying to get your opinions before I book. Your ideas are very much appreciated.
Sincerely,
nhplgrm  |
Hope that helped, let me know if you have any more questions!
