Tell me about all-inclusives

[MizzouSnives]

So, i have a honeymoon coming up at the beginning of november, and no, i haven't planned it all out yet. however, that was an awesome piece of luck, because now my parents have extended an incredibly generous offer that basically amounts to me being able to stay at any RCI property or Hilton Grand Vacations property for a week, no charge. Some of them are all-inclusives, which I know very little about as a topic. We've picked out a few that look promising, so if anyone has any thoughts on the topic please let me know. Thanks!

here are the places we really like, if you have experience with them at all: The Grand VelasCasitas Royale at El Dorado

 

[brntorng]

I've stayed at an all-inclusive one time and don't plan to do it again. I enjoyed having breakfast and lunch readily available and the unlimited drinks were ok, but I'm not a big drinker. What I didn't like was having dinner included. I much prefer venturing out for dinner and exploring local restaurants, etc. Not that you couldn't do that with an all-inclusive, but then you're paying for dinner twice. The same issue holds if you take any day trips, although some hotels will prepare you a lunch to go.

 

[next2naus]

tough to beat free, however I prefer to not stay in an all inclusive as I like to get out and find the cool local joints to eat and drink at.

being NV of the overall PV area you are 15 to 20 min by cab to most night life and restaurants so factor that in if you want to go out, hence in this case the all inclusive might be handy.

 

[Mistadobalina]

Depends on what you want to do and to some degree, where you're staying.

I avoided all inclusives like the plague on my honeymoon in Jamaica a couple months ago, b/c there were too many local places I wanted to try. You also get the impression at some places, that they've given up preparing good food b/c they've got you locked in. However, if you're staying in the middle of nowhere with no town nearby, or if you don't have the desire to venture out and try places, they're useful. The idea of all you can booze does sound beautiful though...that's the reason I'd be interested, though the wife isn't nearly the wino I am. Check Tripadvisor for people's reviews on the place, or in the forums there...it's a really good resource.

 

[HornOnTheBayou]

My wife and I did one on St Thomas for our honeymoon and loved it. The restaurant/bar was 50 yards from the beach. It was perfect for us because all we wanted to do was sit on the beach and relax.

 

[UTinBigD]

haved only stayed at one all inclusive place and was pleasently surprised by everything.

This was in Jamaica, near Ochos Rios and was for our honeymoon. Both the wife and I like to booze it up and they had pretty much every liquor and type of beer you could ask for. I was surprised to be able to get Guinness there. They were not picky about serving beer/mixed drinks/frozen drinks in some 64oz mugs that we brought either.

As for the food, I can honestly say it was great. Some of the best sugar cured ham I have ever eaten. Normally, I would agree that you want to check out the local flare, but we in a different mindset on our honeymoon and did not want to do the tourist thing at all.

All in all, it turned out to be a good deal for us. I researched a lot of places and it seems like the service ebbs and flows over the years at these places so it pays to hit the travel forums for some recent reviews.

Plus if you are getting the thing for free, why can't you then splurge for a dinner at a local joint? They don't lock you in those places.

 

[blkshoes]

i guess it depends on what you want to do. i prefer them, and dont necessarily like to worry about cabs, and restaraunts, and getting lost and spending more money. i have stayed in them and actually ventured out for a meal or two, or some shopping, in st kitts an island tour, but nowadays, i take a book and my scuba gear, and never plan on leaving. thats my idea of a vacation. hanging at the beach, and when that gets boring, hanging at the pool. my wife and i are drinkers. and i feel like i get my moneys worth from the alcohol alone.

 

[Spankytoes]

In your situation, I'd go for it. If it is indeed free, you can either elect to eat/drink at the hotel or venture out to dine. It's nice to have options depending on your mood.

All-inclusives are nice and conveinent. You never have to worry about tipping and can get pretty much whatever you want to eat or drink. However, the quality of the food is pretty crappy and the drinks are watered down. To boot, you aren't the only person wanting the free stuff and usually have to wait in line for both.

 

[iamtigerwoods]

Having done several when traveling with my parents, I can tell you the food almost universally sucks(exception is Royal Hideway in Playa del Carmen). The drinks are a mixed bag, but you never drink enough to put up with the small cups or lack of good alcohol at the majority of them. Going out to local restaurants and getting to see the sites is why it is worth traveling several hours by plane to go somewhere. If you are just going to sit by a pool, go to Vegas b/c they have nicer pools.

BTW, the resort you chose looks nice, but Puerto Vallarta is iffy, given the choice of places you would have with Hilton Grand properties. Hawaii would be a much better choice..