Honeymoon advice please!

hsouth · 04-17-2004

Hi all! I'm hoping that your experiences can help me out...
It looks like my fiance and I are going to Mexico for our honeymoon (yay!). We will be going June 29th - July 6th (2004). Our budget is somewhat limited and our desires diverse, so we're not sure were to pick. We would like all-inclusive and hopefully all adults. (No small children) Imortant things to us are: activities (we'd like to try snorkelling and other water activies like paddleboats or sailing - things we've never tried before, plus some resort style activities like dance lessons, yoga/exercise class, etc), good food without a really long wait (and less buffets is better), cleanliness, nice rooms, privacy...we would like to both be active and relax. We're young (23) so some evening activites would be nice (and other young people), but we're not "partiers". We're choosing Mexico because of cost and wealth of things to do - we'd definitely like to check out some of the ruins and ecological areas. Plus we've never been there! Actually it's our first time to any kind of resort. We're looking to spend under $3500 total (including excursions, and maybe a massage or other spa treatment). The suggestions from travel agents has been mainly ElDorado Royale (~$2900 + excursions/spa) and Secrets Capri (~$2700 +). Adventura Spa looks really nice (from what I see online), but a little more expensive and BIG! ($3300 +). I don't want to actually be IN Cancun - we're not into super touisty stuff...
What are your opinions on these three and others for honeymooners with these kinds of "wants"??? Thanks for any input you can give me! We need to book in the next week or two!

~Hilary

woodr35 · 04-19-2004

Hello Hsouth - I think any of those 3 will fit your needs, mostly. IMO the main differences between the 3 that you mention are: EDR tends to be a little quieter at night, and ASP is not on a real beach (it has a lagoon, which is nice for kayaking and snorkelling, but it's not the beach - but, you have full privileges at Xpu-Ha, a sister resort on a great beach a $6 cab ride away). ASP also has the excursions included.

At any resort, be it these 3 or others, the atmosphere can change week to week depending on the guests, so thats a crapshoot. One week the resort can be on the quiet side, and the next week it's party central! Ya just never know.

I guess in summary they are all pretty similar. There are other adults-only AI's but they are either higher or lower rated (Royal Hideaway and El Dorado Resort) or geared towards the au-natural crowd (Hidden Beach, Desire).

hsouth · 04-19-2004

Thanks! I've read good and bad reviews about all three, so it's hard to know what to expect. All say that they offer snorkelling, kayaking etc - but can you do them there?? It seems that all reviews say "great for relaxing, all we did was lay by the pool"...is there actually stuff to do or is it just in the brochures?
Thanks again! Anyone else have any input?
~H

Tonys · 04-19-2004

HI hsouth

We stayed at the el dorado royale, garden view rooms for 11 days in february, 2004. The new lobby is fabulous, the most beautiful martini bar right off the main lobby, very romantic. Rooms were extra large w/ 2 person jacuzzi in each room, some with 2 person showers. All sitdown al a carte ordered meals, 4,5 & 6 course meals for lunch and dinner. The oriental is a dining experience not soon forgotten, excellent. All th eothe rrestaurants were also excellent. The grounds are fabulous, great evening or daytime walks. Lots of non crowded beach area. Snorkelling and paddle & kayaks available for free anytime. Bikes also available, Outdoor Chess. 7 or 8 pools with daily activities at the main pool. Swim up bars at each one. Spa on site. Casitas are very nice but I don't think worth the extra.

woodr35 · 04-20-2004

Yes, the activities listed for the most part are available at the resorts. Sure, some things change and equipment gets broken and not replaced in a timely manner so there are no guarantees, but for the most part... I read one review where the person rated the resort a 1 out of 5 because the kayaks were a little old. Anyone that picky should not go to Mexico in the first place.

I can just speak for ASP (went in December) and there are bicycles, rollerblades, a climbing wall, par-course, snorkelling (I do recommend though bringing your own gear if possible), kayaking, the gym, the spa, water aerobics, pool games, volleyball, ping-pong, foosball (strip foosball is kinda fun).... all included. I think what you are finding out reading the reviews is that a lot of people (moi included) make action-packed plans, only to spend a lot of the vacation with rear planted comfortably on lounge chair, drink in hand, soaking up the scene....

Keenashelby · 04-20-2004

We stayed at the El Dorado Royale in 2001, absolutely loved it. And from everything I have been reading they did alot of new things to the resort that make it sound even better. I dont think you would be disappointed.

04-17-2004	#1 (permalink)
hsouth sandflea Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 3	Honeymoon advice please! Hi all! I'm hoping that your experiences can help me out... It looks like my fiance and I are going to Mexico for our honeymoon (yay!). We will be going June 29th - July 6th (2004). Our budget is somewhat limited and our desires diverse, so we're not sure were to pick. We would like all-inclusive and hopefully all adults. (No small children) Imortant things to us are: activities (we'd like to try snorkelling and other water activies like paddleboats or sailing - things we've never tried before, plus some resort style activities like dance lessons, yoga/exercise class, etc), good food without a really long wait (and less buffets is better), cleanliness, nice rooms, privacy...we would like to both be active and relax. We're young (23) so some evening activites would be nice (and other young people), but we're not "partiers". We're choosing Mexico because of cost and wealth of things to do - we'd definitely like to check out some of the ruins and ecological areas. Plus we've never been there! Actually it's our first time to any kind of resort. We're looking to spend under $3500 total (including excursions, and maybe a massage or other spa treatment). The suggestions from travel agents has been mainly ElDorado Royale (~$2900 + excursions/spa) and Secrets Capri (~$2700 +). Adventura Spa looks really nice (from what I see online), but a little more expensive and BIG! ($3300 +). I don't want to actually be IN Cancun - we're not into super touisty stuff... What are your opinions on these three and others for honeymooners with these kinds of "wants"??? Thanks for any input you can give me! We need to book in the next week or two! ~Hilary

04-19-2004	#2 (permalink)
woodr35 lost on fifth Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 19	Hello Hsouth - I think any of those 3 will fit your needs, mostly. IMO the main differences between the 3 that you mention are: EDR tends to be a little quieter at night, and ASP is not on a real beach (it has a lagoon, which is nice for kayaking and snorkelling, but it's not the beach - but, you have full privileges at Xpu-Ha, a sister resort on a great beach a $6 cab ride away). ASP also has the excursions included. At any resort, be it these 3 or others, the atmosphere can change week to week depending on the guests, so thats a crapshoot. One week the resort can be on the quiet side, and the next week it's party central! Ya just never know. I guess in summary they are all pretty similar. There are other adults-only AI's but they are either higher or lower rated (Royal Hideaway and El Dorado Resort) or geared towards the au-natural crowd (Hidden Beach, Desire).

04-19-2004	#3 (permalink)
hsouth sandflea Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 3	Thanks! I've read good and bad reviews about all three, so it's hard to know what to expect. All say that they offer snorkelling, kayaking etc - but can you do them there?? It seems that all reviews say "great for relaxing, all we did was lay by the pool"...is there actually stuff to do or is it just in the brochures? Thanks again! Anyone else have any input? ~H

04-19-2004	#4 (permalink)
Tonys way into it Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Chatham,Ontario Posts: 156	HI hsouth We stayed at the el dorado royale, garden view rooms for 11 days in february, 2004. The new lobby is fabulous, the most beautiful martini bar right off the main lobby, very romantic. Rooms were extra large w/ 2 person jacuzzi in each room, some with 2 person showers. All sitdown al a carte ordered meals, 4,5 & 6 course meals for lunch and dinner. The oriental is a dining experience not soon forgotten, excellent. All th eothe rrestaurants were also excellent. The grounds are fabulous, great evening or daytime walks. Lots of non crowded beach area. Snorkelling and paddle & kayaks available for free anytime. Bikes also available, Outdoor Chess. 7 or 8 pools with daily activities at the main pool. Swim up bars at each one. Spa on site. Casitas are very nice but I don't think worth the extra.

04-20-2004	#5 (permalink)
woodr35 lost on fifth Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 19	Yes, the activities listed for the most part are available at the resorts. Sure, some things change and equipment gets broken and not replaced in a timely manner so there are no guarantees, but for the most part... I read one review where the person rated the resort a 1 out of 5 because the kayaks were a little old. Anyone that picky should not go to Mexico in the first place. I can just speak for ASP (went in December) and there are bicycles, rollerblades, a climbing wall, par-course, snorkelling (I do recommend though bringing your own gear if possible), kayaking, the gym, the spa, water aerobics, pool games, volleyball, ping-pong, foosball (strip foosball is kinda fun).... all included. I think what you are finding out reading the reviews is that a lot of people (moi included) make action-packed plans, only to spend a lot of the vacation with rear planted comfortably on lounge chair, drink in hand, soaking up the scene....

04-20-2004	#6 (permalink)
Keenashelby toe in water Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 49	We stayed at the El Dorado Royale in 2001, absolutely loved it. And from everything I have been reading they did alot of new things to the resort that make it sound even better. I dont think you would be disappointed.

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