| Author |
Message |
    
SOSully
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 1321
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 9:42 am: | 
|
Ok, the matriarch who is paying for our trip asked me to research our options. I am furiously Googling, but thought I would lay out her criteria here and see if anyone has a fit.
She would like a non-stop flight (especially now) if possible to a High quality all-inclusive resort that caters to families with young children (kids camps, babysitting, activities), but also has great activities and dining options for adults. Beautiful locale, beach, pools, snorkeling, diving, golf and SPA are essential. It would be nice to be able to take an excursion for shopping or sightseeing (to break the monotony of paradise). She prefers that we have villas so the family can be together rather than disconnected by hotel rooms. She wants good to high quality accommodations and service.
Does anyone have experience with a resort that fits or nearly fits this description?
And yes, I love my mother-in-law.  |
Josh Holtz
Citizen
Username: Jholtz
Post Number: 584
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 9:56 am: |
|
SOSully: On the 20th of this month we are headed to Paradisus Palma Real Resort in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
From your above post it seems to fit most of your criteria.
http://www.palmarealparadisus.com/?source=Google
Non-stop flight from Newark (relatively inexpensive fares - although I used mileage), kid's camp, golf, spa, all water activities, different pools and supposedly beautiful accommodations with great service. The food is supposed to be outstanding as well.
The resort recently opened and is being touted as five star. We were able to get a good deal as a result of the end of August time period. Otherwise I hear it can be rather costly.
I will let you know of our experience upon return. |
SOSully
Citizen
Username: Sullymw
Post Number: 1323
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 9:59 am: |
|
Josh, thanks very much but I neglected to mention one other criterion:
not Punta Cana. She has nothing against Punta Cana, but she has been there 3 times already. I'll check it out anyway and definitely let me know how it goes...and enjoy! |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4937
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 11:17 am: |
|
Paradisius is a great chain...my parents have been to the one in Punta Cana and my brother just returned from his honeymoon at the one in Riviera Maya. I would consider it, for sure. We are also doing (or trying to do!) an extended family vacation next year and I should put that on our list.
Josh, how much, approx, was it for late August? |
HKing
Citizen
Username: Hking
Post Number: 38
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 11:52 am: |
|
Playa Del Carmen is on the carribean. To get there, you fly into Cancun. Take taxi or hotel transfer van to resort. It's about a 40 minute drive.
We went to resort in Playacar, which is a set of resorts just south of Playa Del Carmen. You can easily cab or walk into Playa Del Carmen. We stayed at the Iberostar Tucan. We did not take our kiddos as they were too young (<2) then but have been planning to take them back. They have a kids club with activities. The resort itself is somewhat of an open zoo -- monkeys, iguanas, exotic birds, etc. Several pools. Main pool is gigantic. Nightly entertainment. Food was so-so (it's an all-inclusive...) but the guac and snack/salad bars were fantastic.
One of the best beaches--very nice waves and clear blue water. However, I have heard there was hurricane damage so you should check that part out.
From Playa del Carmen you can take a ferry over to Cozumel for a daytrip. You can also sign up for all sorts of bus trips from the resort. We did Chichen Itza. It was amazing.
You have to drink bottled water, which the resort provides in your room. But if you go, don't forget when you are out and about to only drink bottled water and not to use any ice in it!
Another option, but I haven't researched it and don't know about transportation, is Beaches. It's a family resort done by the Sandal's people. We've done Sandal's before and despite the cheesy ads, it's really top notch as far as big resort type places go. |
Josh Holtz
Citizen
Username: Jholtz
Post Number: 585
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 12:36 pm: |
|
VIG: Glad to hear about the good experiences. I think for seven nights it was around $4200 (all-inclusive except for air). It was for a one bedroom ocean view suite. Definitely expensive and it hurts to say the cost. It was a marital compromise though. I wanted to do something less costly, my wife wanted to go to Paradisus. So we compromised ... and we are on our way to Paradisus. However, it will be our last vacation for awhile so we wanted to do something special.
BTW - I just went through a travel agent that I know. I am sure there are better deals out there. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 4939
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2006 - 2:24 pm: |
|
My sister hated Beaches. She said the food was horrible. Food/liquor at the higher end places is MUCH better. |
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page