Looking for reasonable All Inclusive

Maria004 · 06-26-2004

We have never done all inclusive so this March will the be first with two 15 year old girls. We are on a budget this year so need something reasonable priced. No need of elegance in rooms at all but nice beach and pool...decent food...any suggestions?

Cindyrella · 06-26-2004

We stayed at the Barcelo this past May and loved it. It has a spectacular beach--2 1/2 miles no resorts on either side, lots of beach activities or you can be all alone. Good snorkling off their pier, disco on the beach--they reserve it for teens until midnight. Average food-not gourmet but fine. Two huge pools, a $14 cab ride from Playa or $1.50 each on a collectivo. We are thinking of taking our teens , I would feel very comfortable letting them roam on the property since it's by itself. There was a temporary tatoo artist, hair braiding, that the girls might enjoy. Kayaks, boogie boards, Hobie cats, windsurfers, etc to rent (included in the all inclusive). WE paid $1,000 for the 2 of us. It was a great deal for all that the Barcelo has to offer. Check out this website for pictures www.unoffical-barcelo-maya.com

**Shammy** · 06-26-2004

The Barcelo does indeed price out very well but it's still tends to be above what is considered a "budget" vacation.

The Catalonia Riviera Maya and the Reef Coco Beach are two AI's that are substantially lower in price than many of the other AI's yet still offer an excellent value. I suggest you look into those two for starters if a hotel such as the Barcelo exceeds your budget.

Maria004 · 06-27-2004

Where can I check out these two hotels? I tried from the top of the website under hotels, but when I click on anything up there, nothing happens.
thanks.

**Shammy** · 06-27-2004

The Reef Coco Beach

thereefcocobeach.com

Catalonia Riviera Maya (formally the Cameleon Marival)

http://www.hoteles-catalonia.es/mail...co/riviera.htm

Cindyrella · 06-27-2004

Maria004,
A couple we met on our tour that were staying at the Reef Coco Beach and loved it. They said the food was great, pool great, beach nice. It isn't as "lush" because it's new and the vegetation hasn't grown in yet. They said they walked into town along the beach one day but it was too hot to walk back so they cabbed it. Trust Shammy, whatever she recommends will be wonderful and suti your needs--she's very good at her job.

Maria004 · 06-28-2004

I checked out coco reef website. It looks like a really nice place. I looked at their rates and checked out a 5 night stay for just 2 adults and they wanted 2,000 and that is without airfare! That is too expensive for just 5 nights.

**Shammy** · 06-28-2004

But you shouldn't book directly through the hotel Their rates are always higher than what you would get if you went through a travel agent and did a package of air and hotel together.

Don't know when you're looking to go but for instance....
Late August rates for 2 people, 5 nights without airfare (since I don't know where you are) are $700 for 5 nights at the Catalonia and $898 for the Reef Coco Beach.
Much better than $2,000!

It doesn't get much cheaper for a quaility all inclusive than the Reef Coco Beach or Catalonia. That's about as low as it goes.

Maria004 · 06-28-2004

Planning on going spring break end of March, possibly change to end of Feb. if I can get better rate. I would never book directly through the hotel but I looked at other websites and these two hotels weren't listed. I would prefer to go through Funjet or Apple because of Charter flights;....from Milwaukee. I think I will wait for special deals later on around January and see what they have. I know they drop rates quite a bit. I am not willing to pay what they want right now....airfare for end of March through Funjet is over 700.00 and that is outrageous. I'll wait.

KevKaos · 06-28-2004

For what it is worth, my GF and I are going to be staying at the Iberostar Parasio Lindo from the 18-25 July, booked through Apple and the air is a charter on USA3000 from Baltimore. The total on that with trip insurance and taxes was almost exactly $3K. The only bad part is that the last day is sort of a wash since we depart Cancun airport at like 9am. I only offer this up for comparison purposes. Hope it helps you a bit.

**tommy** · 06-28-2004

whats the budget for the four of you?

**Shammy** · 06-28-2004

Yup, well, Easter is at the end of March this year and if that's when you're looking to go, expect to pay top dollar. Even in Feb. the prices will be more because it's high season (but not as much as they will be over Easter). In April, the prices should drop.

The good news is that although the Reef Coco Beach is becoming more popular and sells out quite often, the Catalonia tends to run specials and doesn't sell out as fast. As long as your flexible with your hotel choices, you might be able to find a deal somewhere down the line.

I'm thrilled to bits that Easter is so early and my kids don't have spring break until the last week of April. Not everyone has break at this time so the prices should be substantially lower and that means....we can get to Playa again without bustin open the piggy bank!

Maria004 · 06-28-2004

I don't have a budget amount in mind...just cheaper then what we usually end up paying. I'm tired of paying so much money and each year it's more. I thought I'd try all inclusive this time and at a lesser quality hotel...not a dump. We have never stayed in less than a 6 star hotel....and 3 times at the Royal Resorts. Those vacations get very expensive....just want to save a little money on a vacation this year. .....yes, I am very flexible with hotel, like I said, doesn't need to be a 5 or 6 star...just nice and clean and good service as best as can be expected....and nice beach and pool area,...hopefully decent food. I was just wondering what are some of the better 3 or 4 star hotels that offer all inclusive....actually, not too interested in a 3 star but you never know!

**tommy** · 06-28-2004

is non AI an option...You could rent a 2 bedroom condo for @600-700 usd...buy your own food and be in the mix of things!

Maria004 · 06-28-2004

Nope, been there, done that....I don't want to buy groceries then cook, then clean up.
Stayed at Royal Resorts with kids and rented the villa....too much hassle...I just want to do the AI this time since we have never done that before. But thanks anyway. I am sure I will find something reasonable, if not, will have to spend a little more.

06-26-2004	#1 (permalink)
Maria004 toe in water Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 42	Looking for reasonable all inclusive We have never done all inclusive so this March will the be first with two 15 year old girls. We are on a budget this year so need something reasonable priced. No need of elegance in rooms at all but nice beach and pool...decent food...any suggestions?

06-26-2004	#2 (permalink)
Cindyrella toe in water Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: North Idaho Posts: 47	We stayed at the Barcelo this past May and loved it. It has a spectacular beach--2 1/2 miles no resorts on either side, lots of beach activities or you can be all alone. Good snorkling off their pier, disco on the beach--they reserve it for teens until midnight. Average food-not gourmet but fine. Two huge pools, a $14 cab ride from Playa or $1.50 each on a collectivo. We are thinking of taking our teens , I would feel very comfortable letting them roam on the property since it's by itself. There was a temporary tatoo artist, hair braiding, that the girls might enjoy. Kayaks, boogie boards, Hobie cats, windsurfers, etc to rent (included in the all inclusive). WE paid $1,000 for the 2 of us. It was a great deal for all that the Barcelo has to offer. Check out this website for pictures www.unoffical-barcelo-maya.com

06-26-2004	#3 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,498	The Barcelo does indeed price out very well but it's still tends to be above what is considered a "budget" vacation. The Catalonia Riviera Maya and the Reef Coco Beach are two AI's that are substantially lower in price than many of the other AI's yet still offer an excellent value. I suggest you look into those two for starters if a hotel such as the Barcelo exceeds your budget.

06-27-2004	#4 (permalink)
Maria004 toe in water Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 42	Where can I check out these two hotels? I tried from the top of the website under hotels, but when I click on anything up there, nothing happens. thanks.

06-27-2004	#5 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,498	The Reef Coco Beach thereefcocobeach.com Catalonia Riviera Maya (formally the Cameleon Marival) http://www.hoteles-catalonia.es/mail...co/riviera.htm

06-27-2004	#6 (permalink)
Cindyrella toe in water Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: North Idaho Posts: 47	Maria004, A couple we met on our tour that were staying at the Reef Coco Beach and loved it. They said the food was great, pool great, beach nice. It isn't as "lush" because it's new and the vegetation hasn't grown in yet. They said they walked into town along the beach one day but it was too hot to walk back so they cabbed it. Trust Shammy, whatever she recommends will be wonderful and suti your needs--she's very good at her job.

06-28-2004	#7 (permalink)
Maria004 toe in water Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 42	I checked out coco reef website. It looks like a really nice place. I looked at their rates and checked out a 5 night stay for just 2 adults and they wanted 2,000 and that is without airfare! That is too expensive for just 5 nights.

06-28-2004	#8 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,498	But you shouldn't book directly through the hotel Their rates are always higher than what you would get if you went through a travel agent and did a package of air and hotel together. Don't know when you're looking to go but for instance.... Late August rates for 2 people, 5 nights without airfare (since I don't know where you are) are $700 for 5 nights at the Catalonia and $898 for the Reef Coco Beach. Much better than $2,000! It doesn't get much cheaper for a quaility all inclusive than the Reef Coco Beach or Catalonia. That's about as low as it goes.

06-28-2004	#9 (permalink)
Maria004 toe in water Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 42	Planning on going spring break end of March, possibly change to end of Feb. if I can get better rate. I would never book directly through the hotel but I looked at other websites and these two hotels weren't listed. I would prefer to go through Funjet or Apple because of Charter flights;....from Milwaukee. I think I will wait for special deals later on around January and see what they have. I know they drop rates quite a bit. I am not willing to pay what they want right now....airfare for end of March through Funjet is over 700.00 and that is outrageous. I'll wait.

06-28-2004	#10 (permalink)
KevKaos Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mi hogar está en Baltimore Maryland Posts: 1,523	For what it is worth, my GF and I are going to be staying at the Iberostar Parasio Lindo from the 18-25 July, booked through Apple and the air is a charter on USA3000 from Baltimore. The total on that with trip insurance and taxes was almost exactly $3K. The only bad part is that the last day is sort of a wash since we depart Cancun airport at like 9am. I only offer this up for comparison purposes. Hope it helps you a bit.

06-28-2004	#11 (permalink)
tommy Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Austin Tx Posts: 12,216	whats the budget for the four of you?

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06-28-2004	#12 (permalink)
Shammy Moderator Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: The Joisey Shore Posts: 10,498	Yup, well, Easter is at the end of March this year and if that's when you're looking to go, expect to pay top dollar. Even in Feb. the prices will be more because it's high season (but not as much as they will be over Easter). In April, the prices should drop. The good news is that although the Reef Coco Beach is becoming more popular and sells out quite often, the Catalonia tends to run specials and doesn't sell out as fast. As long as your flexible with your hotel choices, you might be able to find a deal somewhere down the line. I'm thrilled to bits that Easter is so early and my kids don't have spring break until the last week of April. Not everyone has break at this time so the prices should be substantially lower and that means....we can get to Playa again without bustin open the piggy bank!

06-28-2004	#13 (permalink)
Maria004 toe in water Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 42	I don't have a budget amount in mind...just cheaper then what we usually end up paying. I'm tired of paying so much money and each year it's more. I thought I'd try all inclusive this time and at a lesser quality hotel...not a dump. We have never stayed in less than a 6 star hotel....and 3 times at the Royal Resorts. Those vacations get very expensive....just want to save a little money on a vacation this year. .....yes, I am very flexible with hotel, like I said, doesn't need to be a 5 or 6 star...just nice and clean and good service as best as can be expected....and nice beach and pool area,...hopefully decent food. I was just wondering what are some of the better 3 or 4 star hotels that offer all inclusive....actually, not too interested in a 3 star but you never know!

06-28-2004	#14 (permalink)
tommy Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Austin Tx Posts: 12,216	is non AI an option...You could rent a 2 bedroom condo for @600-700 usd...buy your own food and be in the mix of things!

06-28-2004	#15 (permalink)
Maria004 toe in water Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 42	Nope, been there, done that....I don't want to buy groceries then cook, then clean up. Stayed at Royal Resorts with kids and rented the villa....too much hassle...I just want to do the AI this time since we have never done that before. But thanks anyway. I am sure I will find something reasonable, if not, will have to spend a little more.