Recommended resort chain | Debbie's Caribbean Resort Reviews Forums

	We have been to Riu resorts in Mexico, Dominican and Jamaica and loved them all but we would like to try a different resort chain on our next trip. I would appreciate recommendations and comments from travellers who frequent other resort chains.

Resort chains have very different styles as well as quality levels.For activities and socializing, overall casual but good food and drinks, the Club Meds are fantastic. They are real different in atmosphere though if you go to one that is family-oriented (e.g., Punta Cana, Cancun, Ixtapa) or one that offers essentially no kiddie activities (Turks & Caicos?, Bahamas?). Their 4-trident rated resorts are close to 4.5 or 5 stars elsewhere although again they tend to be more casual, and considerably lower are their 3-trident resorts (still fantastic activities, but a big jump down in room and food quality. If you are looking for a real change and are not looking for a just an intimate couch potato experience, this would be the chain I’d recommend. The other Spanish chains are all pretty similar to the Rius, and about as good or better. – Iberostars sometimes have more spectacular designs than Rius and their regular ones are probably a small step up from the regular Rius (their top ones are like the Riu Palaces), although I think they don’t make you reserve and eat at specific times and they generally don’t put booze in your room.- Bahia Principes and Melias too are real nice – along the lines of Rius (again I think without imposed eating times and booze in the room). Lastly, Dreams too has a good reputation but often also is pretty family-oriented. The Puerto Vallarta one is supposed to be real good and has a fantastic location; the one in Cancun has about the best location in town (the possible exception being the Club Med), but I wouldn’t recommend it because they also have on site a nasty swim-with-captive-dolphin outfit (why do I say that? – do a google search on captive swim with dolphins and see why all these places should be shut down IMHO).

We have been pleased with the Melia resorts we have visited. The service and the amenities seem to be above average. The most pampered we have ever felt at a resort (like we were honoured guests) was at the Melia Cozumel. I can only hope that it would be the same if we returned tomorrow!

Northgal

As you haven’t really specified what you are looking for in a resort, I’m sure that you will be given various opinions on various chains. As far as our recommendation, we prefer adult only properties. We are approaching our 60’s and love our grandchildren dearly, but this is our time and we prefer an adult only surrounding. We enjoy being pampered a little more and this is precisely what we have found at Secrets. They have properties in the DR, Jamaica, Mayan Riviera, and others. We have just found, what we call, a :great deal" at Secrets Maroma and Secrets Silversands. These are two new properties not yet open but the rates are fantastic. We went to the the Secrets Capri under the same circumstances, a couple of years ago and we were very pleased with our package. We have booked a 9 day vacation, just before Christmas, at one of these new properties, and, including airfare from Toronto, transportation to and from the Cancun airport, we are getting change back from $4000.00! Actually, the number is under $3800.00, taxes in.
I hope this will be of some assistance.

Thanks for your input everyone. I guess I should have been more specific in stating what we’re looking for. We have only stayed at 5 star Riu’s and want the same level at any other resort we try. The food quality is important as is the quality of the beach. We’re looking mainly for rest and relaxation with maybe one daytrip off the resort. We also don’t like a lot of small children around.

We are in the beginning planning/selecting stages for a week away to celebrate a week without our children. We are male (51)and female (49), drinkers and smokers. Looking for a week of pamper and R & R. At this point in time do not even know which city we should choose and company. We are open to hear hear all thoughts on Sandals, Breezes, Couples or any other suggestions. We have even thought about a cruise, but due to bar tabs, we are thinking AI instead. Would love to do the top of the line at Sandals, but with 4 kids in college that is not happening at this time. We liked that water sports, horseback riding and such are included at some spots. All suggestions welcomed!
The Excellence Punta Cana, is an AI, Adults only property. We stayed there 3 or 4 years ago, at which time it was a Secrets. Since then new ownership has occurred and we were told that they will be taking the property from a "Cadillac" to a "Mazoratti" status. They will have to do some "body work" to keep up with Secrets in Mexico. The Mexico Secrets are first class, all the way. My wife dropped a fork and before it hit the floor, a replacement was lying next to her plate, (actually, she thought so but in fact, there was a second fork already beside her plate). But really, you don’t feel out of place or uncomfortable, no matter what your life style may be. The food and recreation are excellent.

We too, were going to take a cruise, but the booze cost and extras where going to make our vacation almost twice as costly as our AI resort. Frankly, for R & R, an adult only resort is the only way to go. These are our thoughts. You did not say where you are from but I suggest CheapCarribean.com will give you the best rate. We are using them coming out of Toronto as we found the Canadian Tour Operators to be too expensive. Good Luck

	My preference are the Bahia resorts! Excellent everything. And the Excellence resorts, and the Paradisis resorts. Sorry, I like a few chains.

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