Best AI for Honeymoon...

[AbbieMarco]

Hi folks...
Heard about this site and there's a lot of info. I've been reading and reading and I'm pulling my hair out.
Getting married in November. Plan on honeymoon in the Riviera Maya region. We've looked online at tons of places and just can't seem to make a decision.

Here is what we would like:
All-Inclusive
Adults only
Nice suites
Direct access to beach
Internet access
Would like to visit the ruins of Tulum

I've checked out Dreams Tulum and the Occidental resorts...Looking to stay for under $4K with airfare.

Anybody ever stay at the El Dorado Royale resort?
Any help and suggestions would be appreciated...you all seem to be the pros.

[jeffandbecky]

Keep your eyes on the prize! Internet access? This is about the two of you, not the outside world.

[queencityfan]

Dreams and Occidental are not Adult only. I suggest the oneof the Secrets properties.
Your budget may be a bit low for Adult only with direct beach access unless you catch a sale.
I also recomend you have a Travel Agent make some suggestions, they will be invaluable to you if any issues arise.
I'll PM you my TA for the best advice.

[amyh]

The Royal Playa del Carmen is so nice! It is in the city on the beach! Access to everything and it is adult only. I stayed there last year and loved it. My friend stayed at the Eldorado Royal for her honeymoon last June. She liked it okay. The beach is not as nice as the Royal playa del carmen!

[cbrund1079]

In November you may be able to get into a Secrets Resort for around 4k. Even if it is slightly more it may be worth it. I just booked secrets Maroma for Mar 2009. Looks like a fantastic place with a great beach. You can check out some of the travel sites they should have pricing for Nov 2008, it is scheduled to open in Aug 2008. Either way you'll be in the Rivier Maya muy bien

PS try the Sun Palace it is the only Adults only in the Palace family but located in Can cun not Playa.

[AbbieMarco]

Originally Posted by jeffandbecky

Keep your eyes on the prize! Internet access? This is about the two of you, not the outside world.

It's for the porn...

[jillianbee]

If I had $4,000 I would stay at the Royal or Iberostar Grand!

We went on our honeymoon in November of 2006 stayed at the Iberostar Quetzal -- loved it!



Congrats on the upcoming nuptuals!

[AbbieMarco]

Since we will be going the second week in November, does anybody know what the weather is like?

We also understand that although we would like to stay at an adult's only resort, there might be more adults than families since we will be there the 2nd week of November.

I've been reading some information about FunJet.com...saw some good prices at some nice resorts, anybody have any experience with FunJet? Not sure if flying from Vegas to Chicago then Cancun is a worthwhile trip...

[mexisv]

The Grand Palladium has a great beach and although not adults only has an adult only section, The Royal. With that you get unlimited internet, unlimited ala cartes, a royal pool, room service, and many other royal amenties. I haven't stayed at the Royal but have stayed 4 times at Grand Pallaium Colonial and Kantaneh and we love the place. Goggle palladiumaddict.net for a great bunch of people who will answer all your questions about the entire resort.

[actran]

Royal Hideaway is an Occidental resort. Although, I'd be amazed if you could get it for under $4K. And, while it is the best service in the PDC area, the beach , in a word, sucks.

Yoou should check out the Iberostar Grand and Secrets Maroma will have recently opened and may have some good specials.

The Valentin Riviera Maya is adults only and a good price, although sounds like it is experiencing "new resortitis".

[AbbieMarco]

I just checked out Dreams Puerto Adventuras and they have Preferred Club with Ocean View for $3500 for two with airfare.

A friend told me he stayed at Dreams Tulum and said that Puerto is new and smaller.

Anybody been to this new destination for Dreams?

[amyh]

We did the the Royal last year and went through funjet. I use funjet often for trips. I do NOT book my tours or any of that stuff through them. I do that on my own. I really think you would love the Royal. (adult only) Here is my review from last summer....
http://www.playa.info/playa-del-carm...ned-royal.html

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by AbbieMarco

I just checked out Dreams Puerto Adventuras and they have Preferred Club with Ocean View for $3500 for two with airfare.

A friend told me he stayed at Dreams Tulum and said that Puerto is new and smaller.

Anybody been to this new destination for Dreams?

The Dreams in Puerto Aventuras is new in name only - it used to be Sunscape Puerto Aventuras and has been there for years (and was something else before Sunscape too!). They will have to do A LOT of upgrading there to get it "Dreams-worthy", although I'm not sure what they have done so far. I did stay there a few years ago and I can say that I wouldn't stay there again, nor do I recommend the property to clients (as of right now anyway). There are just too many other resorts for either the same or less money to make that particular resort the one I'd pick over another. The pool is small and shallow (smallest pool I've ever seen in fact), the beach is also small and the sand is hard (coral and rock covered in sand) - and because it's in a cove - the water is kind of stagnant with no waves and little more than a ripple most of the time. Just wasn't that appealing. I know they are doing work to the property to bring it up to the Dreams standard, but you can only change so much. I still would have to say that there are better resort choices out there. Personal opinion of course.

Also, if you want adults only, you really do need to book an adults only resort. Picking one with an adults only "section" won't fix the child friendly atmosphere, or the fact that anywhere you go outside that specific adults only section ( to any other buffet, ala carte, pool, beach, bars), you'll find kids! Just because it's November and most kids are in school doesn't mean you won't find kids in Mexico. Here in NJ, we are off part of the second week in Nov and it's a big travel time from this area to Riviera Maya. Until last year, we have always taken our kids down the second week of Nov. You also have people with children too young for school that will travel in Nov. as it's low season, and others will pull kids in lower grades out of school too.

Just trying to make a point that if you really want to ensure yourself a kid free honeymoon, you do need to stick to adults only resorts.

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by AbbieMarco

Not sure if flying from Vegas to Chicago then Cancun is a worthwhile trip...

Eeek ...why would you fly this route? Seems out of the way to me - check with your TA, there has to be something better! ?

[AbbieMarco]

Originally Posted by Shammy

The Dreams in Puerto Aventuras is new in name only - it used to be Sunscape Puerto Aventuras and has been there for years (and was something else before Sunscape too!). They will have to do A LOT of upgrading there to get it "Dreams-worthy", although I'm not sure what they have done so far. I did stay there a few years ago and I can say that I wouldn't stay there again, nor do I recommend the property to clients (as of right now anyway). There are just too many other resorts for either the same or less money to make that particular resort the one I'd pick over another. The pool is small and shallow (smallest pool I've ever seen in fact), the beach is also small and the sand is hard (coral and rock covered in sand) - and because it's in a cove - the water is kind of stagnant with no waves and little more than a ripple most of the time. Just wasn't that appealing. I know they are doing work to the property to bring it up to the Dreams standard, but you can only change so much. I still would have to say that there are better resort choices out there. Personal opinion of course.

Also, if you want adults only, you really do need to book an adults only resort. Picking one with an adults only "section" won't fix the child friendly atmosphere, or the fact that anywhere you go outside that specific adults only section ( to any other buffet, ala carte, pool, beach, bars), you'll find kids! Just because it's November and most kids are in school doesn't mean you won't find kids in Mexico. Here in NJ, we are off part of the second week in Nov and it's a big travel time from this area to Riviera Maya. Until last year, we have always taken our kids down the second week of Nov. You also have people with children too young for school that will travel in Nov. as it's low season, and others will pull kids in lower grades out of school too.

Just trying to make a point that if you really want to ensure yourself a kid free honeymoon, you do need to stick to adults only resorts.

Thanks Shammy....just curious about the kids...we wouldn't mind seeing them around.
Thanks for the info about Dreams Puerto Aventuras. We're now looking at the Grand Palladium Resorts ... How are they?