(T&L) All Inclusive Vacation Planning - Page 5

T&L · 01-19-2012

And food and the beach r pretty important to us..We also r looking forward to playing on the 5th..Our first resort we even looked at was the Royal..Just because of it's location...So many resorts and could just become so mind boggling

**Shammy** · 01-19-2012

Right, and you're about at the point of what I call analysis paralysis!

You're looking at too many options, considering too many resorts. You have to narrow it down and think about what you really want. Do you want to be in or close to Playa? Do you want an adults only resort - because there is a big difference between that and a family friendly resort. Are you willing to pay more to get what you really want, or are you willing to settle for less to save money?

Correction on the Valentin, it's really not a smaller resort. There may only be 540 rooms but it covers a lot of ground. The least expensive rooms are toward the back of the property and it's a bit of a walk to get to the beach. There are shuttles though. But it's priced well for an adults only resort and will be less than the Royal.

The Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal, it is an older resort and the rooms are ready for a refurb. They are quite basic. The location is good and the jungle setting is nice but I don't know if that should be a deal breaker. You just can't compare it to resorts like the Royal or the Valentin. It's super family friendly so if the kid thing would be bothersome, not the right place.

T&L · 01-19-2012

I agree Shammy!!!! Yes We want to be close to Playa...And You are so right..Way to many resorts...That is why I am here and chiming in and looking for you...You seem to know ALL there is to know about where we want to stay...So your input is my(our) main priority...I am not bothered by a family resort..I have raised a wonderful 18 yr old...I guess maybe what we need to do is throw it in your hands...Help us find a great vacation..Where the beach is beautiful,food is good,and we can play on the 5th...From what I have read about you...You seem to be the queen of Playa...let me help you..HELP Us..Lol...We just want simple...beautiful beach..I don't want to have to get all dolled up to eat..Good drinks..and just a good time...We r good at having a good time together...very out going...But I can't express enough..Simple..Can U see the white flag I am waiving

..I think we just need help...Some really good input..From someone who knows their stuff...

**Shammy** · 01-19-2012

Doesn't matter how much I (or anyone else) know, I can't choose for you, sorry!

You have to take what's been said, weigh the pros and cons and come to a decision on what works FOR YOU. I don't like to vacation with kids, and I have two of my own. But if they're not with me, no thanks!

This doesn't bother other people and they don't mind dinner time with tots. We can all make suggestions but it's your vacation, not mine, not someone else's.

To note - you do have to dress for dinner no matter what resort you go to. Buffet dinners can be done in shorts/shirts/flip flops but most every a la carte restaurant will have a dress code. Pants, collared shirts, shoes/closed toe sandals for me. Sundress, skirt, capris, sandals for women. Not even going to escape this at a family friendly resort. So unless you want to eat at the buffet every night, you're going to have to pack some nice duds!

T&L · 01-19-2012

Well said...And You r right...it's not anyone's vacation but our own...We will take all that has been said/suggested into great thought...And yes I am aware of the fact that if we choose to dine there is some what of a dress code.. We have not been on a vacation in a VERY long time...So this is all new to us.... Just looking for simple and I guess beautiful...Can I get that all in one??? That is why we r here right? Everyones input is greatly appreciated and taken in..Thanks

Uno · 01-19-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by T&L

I agree Shammy!!!! Yes We want to be close to Playa...And You are so right..Way to many resorts...That is why I am here and chiming in and looking for you...You seem to know ALL there is to know about where we want to stay...So your input is my(our) main priority...I am not bothered by a family resort..I have raised a wonderful 18 yr old...I guess maybe what we need to do is throw it in your hands...Help us find a great vacation..Where the beach is beautiful,food is good,and we can play on the 5th...From what I have read about you...You seem to be the queen of Playa...let me help you..HELP Us..Lol...We just want simple...beautiful beach..I don't want to have to get all dolled up to eat..Good drinks..and just a good time...We r good at having a good time together...very out going...But I can't express enough..Simple..Can U see the white flag I am waiving

..I think we just need help...Some really good input..From someone who knows their stuff...

Eh it's a crap shoot. (with no craps) It is your first trip and it will be AWESOME!

You will find little things you liked and disliked. Overall, weather cooperating, you will be trying to figure our your second trip before the first one's over.

Again I can only suggest the two places I've stayed.

Between the IB Quetzal and the Barcelo... I think I would lean toward the Barcelo. Even the basic package is great. Food and drinks.

I thought the food and drink was similar to the IB. Buffets, Japanese grill, etc...

The Barcelo beach is superior. Again, SUPERIOR!

No choice will be the wrong choice.

T&L · 01-19-2012

So If we were to choose our top 4..It would be the Iberostar,Barcelos,The Royal and the Rui...The Royal being my first I saw and my Iberostar being one of the last..just by chance..Where does one go?? Yes we can pack dining options,and yes we can have a family oriented resort...We r just looking for ..honestly...the best beach located not far from the 5th..That's it...A room is a room..I don't want the worst...But do not expect the best

T&L · 01-19-2012

Ahhhhhh

Thxs!!!! Ya know what You r soo very right..maybe to much thought into a very simple vacation...To be honest no matter where we go..We will truly love it and enjoy every aspect of it...I know I can Not WAIT..And I know L can't either...We both deserve this...I guess maybe thats why we r looking into it a bit much..So far away and to many resorts...We r looking for good food,drinks,beach and the 5th...Not that hard right

Thank You for all the input..It is truly appreciated

Uno · 01-19-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by T&L

Ahhhhhh

Thxs!!!! Ya know what You r soo very right..maybe to much thought into a very simple vacation...To be honest no matter where we go..We will truly love it and enjoy every aspect of it...I know I can Not WAIT..And I know L can't either...We both deserve this...I guess maybe thats why we r looking into it a bit much..So far away and to many resorts...We r looking for good food,drinks,beach and the 5th...Not that hard right

Thank You for all the input..It is truly appreciated

It's okay to "nut up" and research every single thing you can find on the place. That's the fun of it. Then when the deadline comes, close your eyes, pick a place, and pay the deposit! Then it gets easy. Bragging at work, forcing everyone to look at the resort website... OH the JOY!

I still do that.

Babaloo · 01-19-2012

Go to the Royal.
Done.
I did it for you.
No more anxiety.
Don't you feel better now?

T&L · 01-20-2012

Dont you all worry .... I GOT THIS!!!!

Honestly .... The Barcelo really isn't that far from the 5th ... though it isn't in walking distance its only about 16 miles (25km) more or less the same distance to the south as the Valentin is to the North.

What would the fare be for the commute to Playa????? ... 140-235 Pesos / 10-15 Dollars ... sounds like a cheap excursion to me.

L

Babaloo · 01-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by T&L

Dont you all worry .... I GOT THIS!!!!

Honestly .... The Barcelo really isn't that far from the 5th ... though it isn't in walking distance its only about 16 miles (25km) more or less the same distance to the south as the Valentin is to the North.

What would the fare be for the commute to Playa????? ... 140-235 Pesos / 10-15 Dollars ... sounds like a cheap excursion to me.

L

205 pesos. Around $15 each way if you pay in pesos (obtained from an ATM). More if you pay in USD.

5th Avenue. Not the 5th.

I just saw. 286 days.

Tracielynn · 01-20-2012

If you plan on going into Playa a few nights, I would def stay closer than the Barcelo. I personally found the resort way to big and loved the Iberostar Quetzel. The Royal, I would love to go to one day too. Just my opinion. You will have a blast on your first trip. Our first trip was to the Iberostar Quetzel, and next to the Iberostar Grand its our favorite casual resort.

T&L · 01-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babaloo

I'm not sure if I quite understand your point ....

...or do I?

In case you don't recognize it that's the international sign of appreciation...

I got this ... I really do...

**Shammy** · 01-20-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by T&L

Honestly .... The Barcelo really isn't that far from the 5th ... though it isn't in walking distance its only about 16 miles (25km) more or less the same distance to the south as the Valentin is to the North.

What would the fare be for the commute to Playa????? ... 140-235 Pesos / 10-15 Dollars ... sounds like a cheap excursion to me.

L

It's $23 one way to Playa from the Barcelo. Takes about 20-25 minutes. $2-3/pp in a colectivo.

01-19-2012	#63 (permalink)
T&L way into it Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 200	I agree Shammy!!!! Yes We want to be close to Playa...And You are so right..Way to many resorts...That is why I am here and chiming in and looking for you...You seem to know ALL there is to know about where we want to stay...So your input is my(our) main priority...I am not bothered by a family resort..I have raised a wonderful 18 yr old...I guess maybe what we need to do is throw it in your hands...Help us find a great vacation..Where the beach is beautiful,food is good,and we can play on the 5th...From what I have read about you...You seem to be the queen of Playa...let me help you..HELP Us..Lol...We just want simple...beautiful beach..I don't want to have to get all dolled up to eat..Good drinks..and just a good time...We r good at having a good time together...very out going...But I can't express enough..Simple..Can U see the white flag I am waiving..I think we just need help...Some really good input..From someone who knows their stuff...

01-19-2012	#68 (permalink)
T&L way into it Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 200	Eh it's a crap shoot. (with no craps) It is your first trip and it will be AWESOME! AhhhhhhThxs!!!! Ya know what You r soo very right..maybe to much thought into a very simple vacation...To be honest no matter where we go..We will truly love it and enjoy every aspect of it...I know I can Not WAIT..And I know L can't either...We both deserve this...I guess maybe thats why we r looking into it a bit much..So far away and to many resorts...We r looking for good food,drinks,beach and the 5th...Not that hard right Thank You for all the input..It is truly appreciated

01-20-2012	#71 (permalink)
T&L way into it Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 200	Dont you all worry .... I GOT THIS!!!! Honestly .... The Barcelo really isn't that far from the 5th ... though it isn't in walking distance its only about 16 miles (25km) more or less the same distance to the south as the Valentin is to the North. What would the fare be for the commute to Playa????? ... 140-235 Pesos / 10-15 Dollars ... sounds like a cheap excursion to me. L Last edited by T&L; 01-20-2012 at 12:55 AM..

01-19-2012	#61 (permalink)
T&L way into it Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 200	And food and the beach r pretty important to us..We also r looking forward to playing on the 5th..Our first resort we even looked at was the Royal..Just because of it's location...So many resorts and could just become so mind boggling

01-19-2012	#62 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 17,502	Right, and you're about at the point of what I call analysis paralysis! You're looking at too many options, considering too many resorts. You have to narrow it down and think about what you really want. Do you want to be in or close to Playa? Do you want an adults only resort - because there is a big difference between that and a family friendly resort. Are you willing to pay more to get what you really want, or are you willing to settle for less to save money? Correction on the Valentin, it's really not a smaller resort. There may only be 540 rooms but it covers a lot of ground. The least expensive rooms are toward the back of the property and it's a bit of a walk to get to the beach. There are shuttles though. But it's priced well for an adults only resort and will be less than the Royal. The Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal, it is an older resort and the rooms are ready for a refurb. They are quite basic. The location is good and the jungle setting is nice but I don't know if that should be a deal breaker. You just can't compare it to resorts like the Royal or the Valentin. It's super family friendly so if the kid thing would be bothersome, not the right place.

01-19-2012	#64 (permalink)
Shammy Travel Insurance Tester Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 17,502	Doesn't matter how much I (or anyone else) know, I can't choose for you, sorry! You have to take what's been said, weigh the pros and cons and come to a decision on what works FOR YOU. I don't like to vacation with kids, and I have two of my own. But if they're not with me, no thanks! This doesn't bother other people and they don't mind dinner time with tots. We can all make suggestions but it's your vacation, not mine, not someone else's. To note - you do have to dress for dinner no matter what resort you go to. Buffet dinners can be done in shorts/shirts/flip flops but most every a la carte restaurant will have a dress code. Pants, collared shirts, shoes/closed toe sandals for me. Sundress, skirt, capris, sandals for women. Not even going to escape this at a family friendly resort. So unless you want to eat at the buffet every night, you're going to have to pack some nice duds!

01-19-2012	#65 (permalink)
T&L way into it Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 200	Well said...And You r right...it's not anyone's vacation but our own...We will take all that has been said/suggested into great thought...And yes I am aware of the fact that if we choose to dine there is some what of a dress code.. We have not been on a vacation in a VERY long time...So this is all new to us.... Just looking for simple and I guess beautiful...Can I get that all in one??? That is why we r here right? Everyones input is greatly appreciated and taken in..Thanks

01-19-2012	#67 (permalink)
T&L way into it Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 200	So If we were to choose our top 4..It would be the Iberostar,Barcelos,The Royal and the Rui...The Royal being my first I saw and my Iberostar being one of the last..just by chance..Where does one go?? Yes we can pack dining options,and yes we can have a family oriented resort...We r just looking for ..honestly...the best beach located not far from the 5th..That's it...A room is a room..I don't want the worst...But do not expect the best

01-19-2012	#70 (permalink)
Babaloo añejo Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 22,549	Go to the Royal. Done. I did it for you. No more anxiety. Don't you feel better now?

01-20-2012	#73 (permalink)
Tracielynn beachaholic Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Southwestern Ontario Posts: 276	If you plan on going into Playa a few nights, I would def stay closer than the Barcelo. I personally found the resort way to big and loved the Iberostar Quetzel. The Royal, I would love to go to one day too. Just my opinion. You will have a blast on your first trip. Our first trip was to the Iberostar Quetzel, and next to the Iberostar Grand its our favorite casual resort.

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