why is everyone so crazy for ABR???

lin7604 · 07-18-2008

I would like to know what it is about this place that everyone loves.... I have liked the looks of it for years but have never actually booked it. what can you tell me to change my mind and actually book it.....

**Shammy** · 07-18-2008

I've never stayed there and wouldn't - just not my cuppa tea. But yes, there are people who love the place.

I have had clients stay at the ABR and from what I am able to gather, three things come to mind - nice beach, good snorkeling, low price.

If you don't care about fancy and can deal with a "budget" property, then it might work for you.

Sukidog · 07-18-2008

What is the ABR?

**Shammy** · 07-18-2008

Akumal Beach Resort

**Bumper** · 07-19-2008

We stayed there for a week a couple of years back. Shammy has covered it pretty well. It's kinda' average. No knock on the place, but just adequate. We went there just to try an All Inclusive, after our annual month in a condo in Playa. It reminded us why we don't do AI anymore, though we used to go that route every year in the Dominican Republic, Antigua, and St Lucia. Mind you, having said that, we were on Cozumel for a week last January, for a "destination" wedding at the Iberostar, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, though there's no comparison between the Akumal Beach Resort and an Iberostar.

lin7604 · 07-19-2008

oh that is so very true! I have read a lot on it and yes it seems to be a very basic casual place with so-so food and drinks. The beach yes is why i think most go there but i thought there has to be another reason why it has so many repeat clients. I guess maybe the small size of it, as so many resorts are mega sized now a days! I am not picky but i want decient food, drinks adn a clean room. I wondered why it was only rated 3 stars if it is best located, etc i know it would never get 4 but a 3.5 star rating i thought would be better suited from what i have heard but since it's only 3 it makes me wonder... why??? IS it worth the trip and with a 2 year old?? As sandos caracol is the exact same price for us as abr adn it offers so much more but it is a lot larger!

bulldogz · 07-19-2008

We have stayed there twice. The biggest draw for us was that every room is ocean front and the beach/water is perfect. It is very average but so are we so it worked. We are moving on this time to Secrets Capri so we are in for a major upgrade.

RonH · 07-21-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by lin7604

oh that is so very true! I have read a lot on it and yes it seems to be a very basic casual place with so-so food and drinks. The beach yes is why i think most go there but i thought there has to be another reason why it has so many repeat clients. I guess maybe the small size of it, as so many resorts are mega sized now a days! I am not picky but i want decient food, drinks adn a clean room. I wondered why it was only rated 3 stars if it is best located, etc i know it would never get 4 but a 3.5 star rating i thought would be better suited from what i have heard but since it's only 3 it makes me wonder... why??? IS it worth the trip and with a 2 year old?? As sandos caracol is the exact same price for us as abr adn it offers so much more but it is a lot larger!

I've stayed in Akumal a few times over the years, not ABR. The beach/ocean is a good place to play with your child. Water is pretty calm most of the time. I've seen the beach at Sandos Caracol and Akumal is better IMO. I've heard a lot of good things about ABR. Yes it is not a 4or5 star but it looks decent. Check out Locogringo.com for more info on ABR.

Rissask · 07-21-2008

We have never stayed there but we have checked out the beach and tried to check the pool and grounds out but just got a glimpse (the guard stopped us!)

But the former CEO of my company goes year after year to the ABR. This guy is super rich, yet this is his favourite place to go.

He admits the food is not the greatest, and the rooms are tired- but he goes because he loves the small size of the hotel, the spectacular beach, and the quiet, casual, and relaxed vibe of the place.

He and his wife detest the sort of resorts that make men wear long pants for dinner, and are so huge they require you to walk miles to get the beach, and so forth. They prefer the intimacy and casual vibe of a 3 star small resort, that still has all the amenities of a larger one, just more laid back. He also said he prefers the less pretentious fellow tourists at places like the ABR.

We don't usually do AI, but I can see his point.

The food not being too great and Akumal not having lots of restuarant choices otherwise, would be the only thing to discourage us though from booking there.

lin7604 · 07-21-2008

those are very good points,a dn that is what we like. We have done some of the fancier places in the last few years and then hubby said why don't we go back to 3-4 star in stead of 4-5 star b/c he like the smaller more intimate atmosphere. It's easier to meet people and it's more laid back, like you said about wearing dress pants to dinner. I agree with him and you but then when you look at another place that is cheape rand you get a ton more for your money it's hard to decide what to do then, imo. That is where i am torn as we will have a 2 year old that is extremely picky with food still adn i need to look what he needs best adn if that means a 4 star for more selection at the buffet then i guess i will have to do that. A cranky hungry toddler for 2 weeks, isn't my idea of fun.lol... If we don't decide to do it this year, there is alway next and our son will be older and hopefully eating aLOT better by then!

bellaa · 07-22-2008

Can anyone tell me if this place was around 20+ years ago? My husband & I honeymooned in Akumal and can't remember the name. It sure sounds like it though.

**Shammy** · 07-22-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellaa

Can anyone tell me if this place was around 20+ years ago? My husband & I honeymooned in Akumal and can't remember the name. It sure sounds like it though.

It opened in 1998.

Moxie · 07-22-2008

Sometimes I think a less pretenious place would be good. I really don't see why men have to wear long pants to dinner every night at the places I've been. Someone can be wearing jeans and it's fine, but nice bermuda shorts are no good. I just got back from Kauai and they are very proud of the fact that you can dine at any restaurant on the island in shorts. I thought it was great!

bellaa · 07-22-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shammy

It opened in 1998.

Can't be that one, then.
In 1987 we stayed at an AI in Akumal. It was just shy of a dump and we had no idea what an AI was or what we should expect. We had a great time because we were away and we were together. I remember the beach being great and the food, not so good.
Any idea what the name could be?

max2 · 07-26-2008

We have stayed at this place twice. For me, the draw was the snorkeling. We love to snorkel and right in front of this resort is some of the best snorkeling we have ever done.

Also, I loved the casual atmosphere of this place. I loved the rooms right on the ocean.

I do all of the research for vacations for my husband and myself. I watched this place for a few years and finally decided that I wanted to book. I asked my husband if he would mind if we booked "summer camp with booze and snorkeling'? He said if the snorkeling was good, he would be fine with it.

I would go back again.

07-18-2008	#1 (permalink)
lin7604 way into it Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 128	why is everyone so crazy for ABR??? I would like to know what it is about this place that everyone loves.... I have liked the looks of it for years but have never actually booked it. what can you tell me to change my mind and actually book it.....

07-18-2008	#2 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,903	I've never stayed there and wouldn't - just not my cuppa tea. But yes, there are people who love the place. I have had clients stay at the ABR and from what I am able to gather, three things come to mind - nice beach, good snorkeling, low price. If you don't care about fancy and can deal with a "budget" property, then it might work for you.

07-18-2008	#3 (permalink)
Sukidog reposado Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 1,426	What is the ABR?

07-18-2008	#4 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,903	Akumal Beach Resort

07-19-2008	#5 (permalink)
Bumper Class Clown Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 10,082	We stayed there for a week a couple of years back. Shammy has covered it pretty well. It's kinda' average. No knock on the place, but just adequate. We went there just to try an All Inclusive, after our annual month in a condo in Playa. It reminded us why we don't do AI anymore, though we used to go that route every year in the Dominican Republic, Antigua, and St Lucia. Mind you, having said that, we were on Cozumel for a week last January, for a "destination" wedding at the Iberostar, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, though there's no comparison between the Akumal Beach Resort and an Iberostar.

07-19-2008	#6 (permalink)
lin7604 way into it Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 128	oh that is so very true! I have read a lot on it and yes it seems to be a very basic casual place with so-so food and drinks. The beach yes is why i think most go there but i thought there has to be another reason why it has so many repeat clients. I guess maybe the small size of it, as so many resorts are mega sized now a days! I am not picky but i want decient food, drinks adn a clean room. I wondered why it was only rated 3 stars if it is best located, etc i know it would never get 4 but a 3.5 star rating i thought would be better suited from what i have heard but since it's only 3 it makes me wonder... why??? IS it worth the trip and with a 2 year old?? As sandos caracol is the exact same price for us as abr adn it offers so much more but it is a lot larger!

07-19-2008	#7 (permalink)
bulldogz lost on fifth Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 18	We have stayed there twice. The biggest draw for us was that every room is ocean front and the beach/water is perfect. It is very average but so are we so it worked. We are moving on this time to Secrets Capri so we are in for a major upgrade.

07-21-2008	#9 (permalink)
Rissask Brit basher Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 20,985	We have never stayed there but we have checked out the beach and tried to check the pool and grounds out but just got a glimpse (the guard stopped us!) But the former CEO of my company goes year after year to the ABR. This guy is super rich, yet this is his favourite place to go. He admits the food is not the greatest, and the rooms are tired- but he goes because he loves the small size of the hotel, the spectacular beach, and the quiet, casual, and relaxed vibe of the place. He and his wife detest the sort of resorts that make men wear long pants for dinner, and are so huge they require you to walk miles to get the beach, and so forth. They prefer the intimacy and casual vibe of a 3 star small resort, that still has all the amenities of a larger one, just more laid back. He also said he prefers the less pretentious fellow tourists at places like the ABR. We don't usually do AI, but I can see his point. The food not being too great and Akumal not having lots of restuarant choices otherwise, would be the only thing to discourage us though from booking there.

07-21-2008	#10 (permalink)
lin7604 way into it Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 128	those are very good points,a dn that is what we like. We have done some of the fancier places in the last few years and then hubby said why don't we go back to 3-4 star in stead of 4-5 star b/c he like the smaller more intimate atmosphere. It's easier to meet people and it's more laid back, like you said about wearing dress pants to dinner. I agree with him and you but then when you look at another place that is cheape rand you get a ton more for your money it's hard to decide what to do then, imo. That is where i am torn as we will have a 2 year old that is extremely picky with food still adn i need to look what he needs best adn if that means a 4 star for more selection at the buffet then i guess i will have to do that. A cranky hungry toddler for 2 weeks, isn't my idea of fun.lol... If we don't decide to do it this year, there is alway next and our son will be older and hopefully eating aLOT better by then!

07-22-2008	#11 (permalink)
bellaa into ruins Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central FLorida Posts: 68	Can anyone tell me if this place was around 20+ years ago? My husband & I honeymooned in Akumal and can't remember the name. It sure sounds like it though.

07-22-2008	#13 (permalink)
Moxie ruined Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 84	Sometimes I think a less pretenious place would be good. I really don't see why men have to wear long pants to dinner every night at the places I've been. Someone can be wearing jeans and it's fine, but nice bermuda shorts are no good. I just got back from Kauai and they are very proud of the fact that you can dine at any restaurant on the island in shorts. I thought it was great!

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07-26-2008	#15 (permalink)
max2 sandflea Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4	We have stayed at this place twice. For me, the draw was the snorkeling. We love to snorkel and right in front of this resort is some of the best snorkeling we have ever done. Also, I loved the casual atmosphere of this place. I loved the rooms right on the ocean. I do all of the research for vacations for my husband and myself. I watched this place for a few years and finally decided that I wanted to book. I asked my husband if he would mind if we booked "summer camp with booze and snorkeling'? He said if the snorkeling was good, he would be fine with it. I would go back again.