I just went to one for the first time in SJD, and while SJD was nice, and the property was nice, it was a bit...umm....trashy, but I'm a travel snob and prefer a local eatery over a buffet any day of the week.

Which one specifically did you visit? Jackie has been talking about going to one in Jamaica, it's of interest to me.

I'm a high maintenance traveler as well, so I want the best bang for the buck.

Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 1): Which one specifically did you visit?

Riu Palace. Nice property, but the idea of leaving the US to spend time in an enclave with nothing but drunk tourists (and in this case 99.9% Americans), avoiding the natives and locals at all costs, was not my bag.

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 2): Riu Palace. Nice property, but the idea of leaving the US to spend time in an enclave with nothing but drunk tourists (and in this case 99.9% Americans), avoiding the natives and locals at all costs, was not my bag.

Thanks.

I like the local scene as well. I like the Mom and Pop places, but I also like the 'safety' of being in an enclave at the end of the day.

I live and die by them. I've done Club Med (5+ locations) I've done Sandals (Negril, Jamaica), I've done Rui also (Cancun).

If you like to eat and drink a lot, go for it! Of course the people traveling there are hit and miss-at Club Med it was a lot of Europeans, at Sandals it was a mix of families, honeymooners, etc. Rui was an older but rambunctious crowd. All alot of fun.

If you go to one, look to be active and come with an open mind. The more fun you try to make for yourself the more fun you will have!

It was perfect for us the last time we travelled to the Cancun area (Playa del Carmen). Did a Club Med for our honeymoon and loved it as well.

The trick sometimes is to pick an all-inclusive that is located in a town. This way you have the choice to leave the hotel grounds.

Another choice is also to pick a local hotel company, instead of a global one.

We would go back to this one in a heartbeat

http://www.realresorts.com.mx/Gran_Porto_Real/

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 2): avoiding the natives and locals at all costs, was not my bag.

I am with you. I usually try an get first class accommodations but I don't go for the package deals. I like to rent a car and go exploring. Sample the local culture by day but sleep safe and comfortably by night.

Quoting Airfoilsguy (Reply 6): I am with you. I usually try an get first class accommodations but I don't go for the package deals. I like to rent a car and go exploring. Sample the local culture by day but sleep safe and comfortably by night.

I'm definitely all for that but can't afford that currently. To add some perspective I'm nonreving to Ethiopia this weekend to stay for a week, with nothing more than a guide book, a backpack, some domestic flight reservations, and some vaccinations. I might hit Rwanda, Djibouti, or Somaliland too depending how the ET loads look .

I have done it once on Cozumel ( ferry from Playa del Carmen) and it was nice and clean with good food.

I have been also to one in Turkey but the only thing there was to get drunk ( real bad btw. ) with actually no activity in the club. Eating drinking swimming were the only things you can do there.  

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 7): To add some perspective I'm nonreving to Ethiopia this weekend to stay for a week, with nothing more than a guide book, a backpack, some domestic flight reservations, and some vaccinations.

You don't sound like the target market for all-inclusive resort, so I'm not surprised you found the experience less than ideal. I think they cater mostly to folks who are timid travellers and want to sample the local culture in small doses, or those who just want to send a few days partying and relaxing on a warm beach.

Quoting AA61Hvy (Reply 4): Of course the people traveling there are hit and miss-at Club Med it was a lot of Europeans

Oh God - not Europeans ! I hope you demanded a refund.  

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 7): I might hit Rwanda, Djibouti, or Somaliland

Somalia - (it hasn't been Somaliland since Mussolini bit the big one) - do you have a death-wish ? I hope your insurance covers being clubbed to death, set on fire and fed to wild animals, because in Mogadishu, that's Saturday night  

Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 10): Somalia - (it hasn't been Somaliland since Mussolini bit the big one) - do you have a death-wish ?

Depends who you ask. Somaliland is, according to the locals, an independent country with their own flag and currency. It is actually quite peaceful and stable--I'm not sure there's much to do but it'd be cool to spend one night in Hargeisa just to say you've been. It's the Northwest quarter of Somalia. The farther East you go you get into Puntland and then Somalia proper, neither of which I'd recommend spending any time in unless you were intent on ending it all in the third world.

Quoting PhilGil (Reply 9): You don't sound like the target market for all-inclusive resort

That was patently obvious from the get-go but I went with an open-esque mind 

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 11): Depends who you ask. Somaliland is, according to the locals, an independent country with their own flag and currency.

Oh fun, a real life Independent Homeland Republic. Do they have a casino yet ?  

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 11): it'd be cool to spend one night in Hargeisa just to say you've been.

I can empathise with your goal, and laud your dedication to the craft of the Pointless But Whimsical Non-Rev Trip. Make sure they stamp your passport - got to have the stamps !

Ive stayed at the Moon Palace in Cancun and everything was great. One of the best vacations of my life.

Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 12): Do they have a casino yet ?

No but they have a hotel with a nice website

http://www.ambassadorhotelhargeisa.com/

Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 12): I can empathise with your goal, and laud your dedication to the craft of the Pointless But Whimsical Non-Rev Trip.

Most of the trip is to check out the historical sites in Ethiopia, but we have a couple days to spare so we are evaluating our side trip options.

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 14): a hotel with a nice website

Yes, very important for a hotel to have a good website. It may not have a roof, but they had cute graphics   

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 14): Most of the trip is to check out the historical sites in Ethiopia,

Seems like there are some fascinating sites in Ethiopia - is it Gondar I'm thinking of, that has the churches carved out of solid rock ? The archaeology in the northern and eastern parts of the country must be wonderful, and there must be so much left still to find - Ethiopia has not had anything like the attention it deserves when it comes to excavation and preservation of ancient monuments.

To me, an all-inclusive resort sounds like hell. I do not want to be in a compound with everything someone thinks I might want to do in one place. I don't want to think "should I go into town for dinner? After all, I've already paid for it here." I don't want to be isolated from locals and out of the way places. I don't want to interact with only tourists and staff. I want to go out and see random things and meet people and learn about the local culture, language, food, everything.

We went to Portugal last year and stayed a few days at the Sheraton Algarve. Many of the guests there seemed to be British families on package holidays and many of them seemed to have no interest in anything Portuguese. It seemed that for many of them, all they wanted was a bus to and from the airport, a nice room, a restaurant in the hotel that served vaguely Portuguese food - but nothing too exotic! - and shops nearby where they could buy their favourite British snacks and speak in English. What a waste! We went all around the area and met lots of nice people, tourists and locals, wandered the alleys where real people lived and where no tourists walked, and got a flavour of what it means to be Portuguese and live in the Algarve. I felt like I learned a lot. Of course, Mr. Harlot is Portuguese-Canadian, so it was easier for us because he spoke and language and I've been around it enough to understand about half of what I'm hearing. But most people we met, we got along in English until they realized that Mr. Harlot spoke Portuguese - and then off they went and I was forgotten - which is fine.  

One of the best times we had in Hawaii was when we went around West Maui, on a one lane road, and came to this little village. There was a fruit stand and we stopped. The guys selling fruit lived in this village, which had no mail service because it was so isolated. One of them cut me open a mango and squeezed fresh lime juice over it. It was so delicious. Then, there was another tourist couple there who had locked themselves out of their rental pickup truck. Some of the local guys were trying to figure out how to get into the truck while she called the rental company and tried to explain where she was. Mr. Harlot joined the guys and for 45 minutes they worked on the truck while I chatted with some local people. One of the guys joked - "how many Portuguese does it take to get the keys out of a truck?"   Finally they were able to force open the window at the back of the cab and a skinny guy squeezed in and unlocked the door. We all cheered each other. It was so ordinary, but it is those ordinary kinds of interactions that are special.

So - all inclusive resorts are not for me. Too confining - too touristy. Large, prolonged group tours aren't for me, either. I don't want to travel around Europe getting drunk on a Contiki bus and seeing what others think I should see.

Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 1): Jackie has been talking about going to one in Jamaica, it's of interest to me. I'm a high maintenance traveler as well, so I want the best bang for the buck.

Grand Lido Braco..you can't go wrong..

Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 15): is it Gondar I'm thinking of, that has the churches carved out of solid rock ?

Lalibella has the churches carved out of the bedrock. Gondar has a royal enclosure from the 17th century. Both look really cool. Gondar is also the jumping off point for trekking in the Simien Moutains which look incredible and were featured in the phenomenal Planet Earth series.

Quoting ScarletHarlot (Reply 16): So - all inclusive resorts are not for me.

I agree...but I gave it a shot. I had a lot of fun but I'd definitely like it better if meals were not included, so in other words, just a hotel 

Quoting MaverickM11 (Thread starter): What Do You Think About "All Inclusive Resorts"?

Eww!!!    They are boring "safe" places for lazy, unimaginative Westerners who are amateur travellers that lack a sense of adventure.

Quoting ScarletHarlot (Reply 16): To me, an all-inclusive resort sounds like hell. I do not want to be in a compound with everything someone thinks I might want to do in one place. I don't want to think "should I go into town for dinner? After all, I've already paid for it here." I don't want to be isolated from locals and out of the way places. I don't want to interact with only tourists and staff. I want to go out and see random things and meet people and learn about the local culture, language, food, everything.

   Alright, girl! That's how you're supposed to travel. Plus, trying new things and placing yourself in situations that are challenging (and uncomfortable even) can really help you look at yourself in a different light.

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 18): trekking in the Simien Moutains

Trekking is just a fluffy bio-tourism word for "walking a long way on bad roads carrying your own luggage". I prefer to wait for a bus.  

Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 20): Trekking is just a fluffy bio-tourism word for "walking a long way on bad roads carrying your own luggage". I prefer to wait for a bus.

In this case it should hopefully be more "hiking" than "schlepping".

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 21): more "hiking" than "schlepping".

The terms are synonymous.

Quoting ScarletHarlot (Reply 16): To me, an all-inclusive resort sounds like hell. I do not want to be in a compound with everything someone thinks I might want to do in one place

There are differences, BTW. Club Med tries to give you everything you want. The one we went to only had all meals and drinks included, even the ones in the minibar at the room! It was fantastic. And since it was right in the city, we did not feel excluded from the population.

But this was in the South of Cancun (Riviera Maya). Cancun has the Hotel Zone, actually an island, and the actual town is located on the mainland. Getting from the hotels to the actual town can take a while. But who cares? We are not going back to Cancun. We love the areas outside of it.

If you are only a couple, all-inclusive may not work. But for us with little ones, going to the beach means just that, we are going to hang out at the beach practically for the entirety of the vacation. Easier than trying to lug the kids around.

Quoting Kevi747 (Reply 19): They are boring "safe" places for lazy, unimaginative Westerners who are amateur travellers that lack a sense of adventure.

Or for people who want to be waited on hand and foot....But I guess some like to judge what others do....?

Quoting AA61Hvy (Reply 24): But I guess some like to judge what others do....?

Oh please, everyone judges others

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 25): Oh please, everyone judges others

True, but the way people do it on here-they come off like such assholes... Sad, but true 

Quoting AndesSMF (Reply 23): If you are only a couple, all-inclusive may not work. But for us with little ones, going to the beach means just that, we are going to hang out at the beach practically for the entirety of the vacation. Easier than trying to lug the kids around.

I could see how an all-inclusive resort could be a good thing when you have kidlets. They often have childcare as well, don't they?

Quoting ScarletHarlot (Reply 27): They often have childcare as well, don't they?

Two nights in a row when we had dinner by ourselves!!!!   

It was dining, wining, and then   ...  

I love All Inclusive resorts. Have been to quite a few in Cuba and Barbados/St Lucia/Antigua. You have to go for a 4* or 5* as the food can be bad even in some 4* resorts. Sandals are really nice. I tend to do a few tours also to see a bit of the place I'm visiting. No point just going in and locking yourself in the resort for 7 or 14 days . I like a bit of culture and relaxing. Cuba has to be the best place so far though and the tours they have really get you out into the heart of Cuba and to see the farmlands/cigar & Rum factories etc.... old Havana is pretty cool.

I've found that Cruises are the best compromise of value, relaxation, fun/adventure, and getting to see places...and in a way they're all-inclusive (minus shore excursions and drinks). Not the biggest fan of carnival though. I was surprised to learn that some of the newer ships have GE Jet Engine derivatives generating the electricity for propultion....learn something new every day!

Quoting Kevi747 (Reply 19): Eww!!! yuck They are boring "safe" places for lazy, unimaginative Westerners who are amateur travellers that lack a sense of adventure.

Or for people who want to get away, be pampered and simply rest. Is there something wrong with that?

Cruises work well too.

Quoting Luv2cattlecall (Reply 30): I've found that Cruises are the best compromise of value, relaxation, fun/adventure, and getting to see places...and in a way they're all-inclusive (minus shore excursions and drinks). Not the biggest fan of carnival though

Totally agree !!! I take cruise vacations at least twice a year and love them. I did trans atlantic last year and it was great. Spain to Florida .

My favourite is Celebrity and Royal Caribbean followed by NCL (new ships only). I was on the Gem and did a TR last month. Look out for Azamara cruises if you want pure luxury!!

Quoting Mham001 (Reply 31): Cruises work well too.

Only on very small ships though - being trapped on 100,000 ton gin-barge with 3500 overdressed blue-haired American pensioners in kitten t-shirts and white trainers, being barged off like D-Day every morning onto some poor defenceless Caribbean island for 8 hours of shopping in the duty free is my idea of hell.

I've done some small ship cruises in the Pacific and the Mediterranean, and they've been great - visiting smaller ports, fewer crowds and more interesting fellow-passengers.

Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 33): Only on very small ships though - being trapped on 100,000 ton gin-barge with 3500 overdressed blue-haired American pensioners in kitten t-shirts and white trainers, being barged off like D-Day every morning onto some poor defenceless Caribbean island for 8 hours of shopping in the duty free is my idea of hell. I've done some small ship cruises in the Pacific and the Mediterranean, and they've been great - visiting smaller ports, fewer crowds and more interesting fellow-passengers.

LOL....youve been going on the wrong cruise lines !!! I choose my cruises very carefully so theres a good mix on board. There are certain cruise lines I wouldnt go on if you paid me. You would like Silversea and Azamara if you like smaller ships.

Quoting OA260 (Reply 32): My favourite is Celebrity and Royal Caribbean followed by NCL (new ships only).

I agree 100% on the new ships only bit for NCL! Can't say I was huge fan of the Pride of Aloha though, the Star is quite nice on the other hand. Have you tried Disney? It's surprisingly good even for those with no kids, and I really like that their island wasn't too touristy feeling (even though it was 100% tourist) Azamara is good for those who like the small feel for sure, a little less adventure than I usually like but very luxurious (went on Journey). Have you tried Seabourn? You owe it to yourself if you haven't!

Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 33): Only on very small ships though - being trapped on 100,000 ton gin-barge with 3500 overdressed blue-haired American pensioners in kitten t-shirts and white trainers, being barged off like D-Day every morning onto some poor defenceless Caribbean island for 8 hours of shopping in the duty free is my idea of hell.

Princess, in my opinion, is by far the best as far as big ship amenities/small ship feel goes. QE2 is the same way.

Quoting Luv2cattlecall (Reply 35): QE2 is the same way.

Replace "blue-haired American pensioners" with "petit-bourgeois British pensioners in search of a vanished past" and my criticism of large US cruise ships applied to the QE2/QM2* as well.   

(* - which incidentally are owned by Carnival Cruise Lines - fantasy cruising, only the fantasy isn't "the Love Boat", it's "The Golden Age of Empire". Same difference).

[Edited 2007-11-17 07:41:32]

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 7): I'm definitely all for that but can't afford that currently. To add some perspective I'm nonreving to Ethiopia this weekend to stay for a week, with nothing more than a guide book, a backpack, some domestic flight reservations, and some vaccinations. I might hit Rwanda, Djibouti, or Somaliland too depending how the ET loads look

Rwanda is well worth the journey. The place is fascinating. and go and see the Mountain Gorillas while you're there.

As far as all inclusive resorts, I've stayed in one in Varadero Cuba, and it was good for getting pissed, but bad for fat germans, and lower class poms.

Quoting Luv2cattlecall (Reply 35): I agree 100% on the new ships only bit for NCL! Can't say I was huge fan of the Pride of Aloha though, the Star is quite nice on the other hand. Have you tried Disney? It's surprisingly good even for those with no kids, and I really like that their island wasn't too touristy feeling (even though it was 100% tourist) Azamara is good for those who like the small feel for sure, a little less adventure than I usually like but very luxurious (went on Journey). Have you tried Seabourn? You owe it to yourself if you haven't!

Well I only recently started getting interested in Azamara. The grand staircase caught my eye then I investigated further. It certainly looks to be my kind of vacation. Pure luxury !!! I have heard very good reports from Seaborn, a mate of mine was on them last year. If I was going with a mate I would go for a smaller more intimate ship but if I was going on my own I would go for the larger ships just for meeting people etc.... I was on the Voyager last year and I made so many new friends and we have booked again (50) of us for next year. My fav ship is Millenium by Celebrity. I had a great time on that. I havnt tried Disney, I like a kid free vacation .

Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 36): Replace "blue-haired American pensioners" with "petit-bourgeois British pensioners in search of a vanished past" and my criticism of large US cruise ships applied to the QE2/QM2* as well.

LOL...well I agree with you on Cunard and P&O , I wouldnt step foot on them . Too pompous and stuck up but Royal Caribbean and NCL are not like that at all and you would be pleasantly suprised.

See my Trip report ::::
DUB-AMS EI/New NCL Cruise Ship/LHR-DUB BD Pics+Vid (by OA260 Oct 7 2007 in Trip Reports)

My choices? It it floats, that's my all inclusive choice! The best of both worlds, a cruise. I took my first this past summer, a 3 night Carnival cruise. I'm hooked on cruising. All inclusive and you still travel to different ports of call. Here's a link to my review of my cruise. Hope this sheds some light for you.

http://www0.epinions.com/content_401970925188

I've been to an all-inclusive resort once, a couple of years ago in the Catalonian coast. As with everything, it depends on what you're looking for. It was full of lower-class Britons and Germans getting pissed with beer 24 hours a day, and there were also lots of Russians getting pissed with vodka 24 hours a day. This said, it was just accross the street from the beach, not far from Tarragona, which I found to be a very nice, small city, and the place itself was quite cool.

It's not my style of holiday, but I can see why some people might enjoy it.

Saludos,
Marambio

Quoting MaverickM11 (Thread starter): What Do You Think About "All Inclusive Resorts"?

I don't have a wholesale hatred of AI resorts like some here but they are not my preferred type of accomodation. I don't like the idea of financially committing myself to a single source of accomodations/dining/recreation for 5 days. Although the location of some AI resorts may provide options outside of the resort campus, I'd hate to spend a (typically) large amount of money on an AI package only to make little use of it. The other potential problem is that the food/beverage quality of the AI resort will be poor.

On the other hand, I flew to SXM in 2005 for an overnight trip with a coworker. We stayed at the Sonesta AI resort for a combined total of $270. In this case, I had no objection to spending $135 for accomodations, an afternoon on the beach, an adequate dinner, and an evening of drinks. I probably could have enjoyed the place for another day but would have grown tired of the place soon after. Due to the resort location, we were able to enjoy some of the famous beach scenes photographed on this site and also had the benefit of quick and easy ground transportation from the airport. SXM looked like a beautiful island but I'd rather do a good job of relaxing for a day than a poor job trying to accomplish something richer in the few hours I had available.

I've never taken a cruise to judge but I get the sense that I would be getting the "worst of all worlds" by cramming phony destination experiences into short island stays while being forced to rely on the boat for dining and activities. If I do take a cruise I would like to do so for the sake of appreciating a place like Alaska or Norway from a perspective that can't be enjoyed from land.

Although AI resorts are not my type of place, I don't scorn those who do enjoy them (so long as they realize they aren't "exploring Costa Rica" by going to an AI campus).

Quoting Zippyjet (Reply 39): My choices? It it floats, that's my all inclusive choice! The best of both worlds, a cruise. I took my first this past summer, a 3 night Carnival cruise. I'm hooked on cruising. All inclusive and you still travel to different ports of call. Here's a link to my review of my cruise. Hope this sheds some light for you. http://www0.epinions.com/content_401...25188

Thanks for the cruise review. I have always been hesitant to book a Carnival cruise as it seems more of a ''booze cruise party ship''. Their new ships look ok though . You should try Royal Caribbean next time , you will be amazed if you liked Fascination. Try Freedom of the Seas or Liberty of the Seas. They have surfing simulators and ice skating rinks,shopping mallls, hot tubs that hang over the side and alot more . The food is very good also.

With regards to the AI resorts you really need to go for the top ones. I have been to some and the food was like canteen food and thrown out. Melia 5* and Sandals are some of the best .

I like to go out and explore town whenever I'm on vacation, but I love All-Inclusives. After a day of driving around and getting to know a bit of the city that I'm in I love to go back to free drniks, free food, free snacks, (actually you pay for everything) and everything else that comes with the all-inclusives.
I liked the Divi in Aruba and the Grand Palladium Spa And Resort in Punta Cana.   

Quoting OA260 (Reply 42): Try Freedom of the Seas or Liberty of the Seas. They have surfing simulators and ice skating rinks,shopping mallls, hot tubs that hang over the side and alot more .

Wow, that's a real travel adventure !    Why not just stay home ? Travel is about doing things you don't get to do at home, like visit unusual places and see unusual things. A cruise is a great way to get around and see different places, but when it turns into a floating Mall of the Americas, it's just wrong, I'm sorry.

Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 44): Travel is about doing things you don't get to do at home, like visit unusual places and see unusual things. A cruise is a great way to get around and see different places, but when it turns into a floating Mall of the Americas, it's just wrong, I'm sorry.

Those are for days when you are at sea!!! You dont use them when your in port and sightseeing, unless the kids decide to stay onboard and use them. On my cruise last year I had 5 days solid at sea and it was great to have all these things.

Quoting OA260 (Reply 45): On my cruise last year I had 5 days solid at sea and it was great to have all these things.

Where were you going ? That's a long time at sea unless its transoceanic.

I much prefer very small ships, 100 or so passengers, and really unusual ports. I like the idea of clipper ships, maybe a trip around the islands off Panama or Costa Rica - just completely unspoilt. Big ships like that are just way too over the top.

Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 46): Where were you going ? That's a long time at sea unless its transoceanic.

Barcelona to Miami. Was 11 nights , stopped in Lisbon,Madeira etc.... was brilliant trip.

Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 46): I like the idea of clipper ships,

Too small for me . I have friends that did them and they said you would REALLY want to get on well with the other passengers because you literally live with them . Not for me .

I like the idea of seeing lots of places and would love to do Alaska and the Panama Canal but also I like the facilities and choice of good restaurants.

Quoting OA260 (Reply 47): I have friends that did them and they said you would REALLY want to get on well with the other passengers because you literally live with them

That's true - but you soon discover who the choice spirits are, and leave the low-level moaners to their own misery (this is a particular scourge amongst UK passengers   )

Quoting JGPH1A (Reply 48): That's true - but you soon discover who the choice spirits are, and leave the low-level moaners to their own misery (this is a particular scourge amongst UK passengers )

LOL..... Im thinking of trying out www.aida.de next time , they look quite nice .