Booking an All Inclusive Resort Vacation

I am looking for an all inclusive vacation to the beach in Mexico. I do this every year sometimes twice a year. An all inclusive resort vacation on the beach in the Riviera Maya Mexico area is my ultimate vacation.

The picture above from our room where we stayed last year at the Secrets Silver Sands Resort Riviera Maya Mexico. It is beautiful and very high class. It had some of the most impressive restaurants of any all inclusive resort we have been to. It also had the best ocean view room. But it was a bit over our price range this year.

This year I look for all inclusive packages that  included the room and all the taxes and fees with that go with that, included your food and drinks, several options for non-motorized water activities, taxes, gratuities, and the airfare with in our budgeted price range. That way I can book it and then forget about worrying about anything or paying for anything else.

I am a picky traveler my criteria for an all inclusive resort is that it must have the following:

The Room:

• An Ocean view room
• Jetted tub
• A balcony
• Unlimited included mini-bar

Dining:

• 4 or more a la carte theme restaurants that include a Japanese restaurant (teppanyaki style) & Mexican restaurant
• A lunch option near the beach
• 24 hour room service
• A Ice Cream Parlor is a real plus

Daily activities that I like:

• Exercise Class
• Cooking Class
• Contest like: horse shoes, trivia, archery, ping pong
• Tennis
• Pool Games
• Archery
• Snorkeling from the beach
• Kayaking
• Bikes

Nightly entertainment:

• Theater style entertainment
• Rockin’ disco or nightclub

Other amenities:

• Free Wi-Fi in the room
• A fitness center or gym
• A spa that you can use the basics of spa for free

Is all that too much to ask? Well not for all resorts. I find so many that I have a difficult time deciding between them.

The biggest problem I am having this year is finding a resort that has enough rooms available in the ocean view category for my entire group. There are 10 of us going together.

It seems like that the Mexican Riviera All-Inclusive Resort Vacation has become very popular which makes it sell out quickly. Part of the reason for that is that there are more and more airlines that are now flying into Cancun.

Added to that Countries like the United States, Canada and the European countries are all freezing in January and February so they want to go somewhere warm on their vacations.  The all inclusive resort vacation has become popular because you pay once then don’t have to worry about money again. (some resort do charge for extra things)

Well my search is on and I will let you know what happens. Do I find a resort worthy of my picky criteria? What is the lucky resort?

A cruise on land is my description of an all-inclusive resort vacation. It is my favorite getaway. Everything is included even the drinks. Do you ever spend time on your vacation saying, “Where do you want to eat?” “How much can we spend?” and wondering if you have enough money to really enjoy the food you would like to have.  There won’t be any skipping meals trying to save money or staying in your room because of the cost of activities; everything is included. Unless you decide to take a day tour away from the resort you will have paid for everything in advance and know exactly what your trip will cost.

Even though the most widely accepted definition of an “all-inclusive resort is when all your meals, snacks, drinks and non-motorized sports are included with your vacation package make sure to check the packages that you look at so that you know what is included in the quote that you receive. Packages can even include the airfare, transfers, taxes and gratuities. Ask if it includes airfare, transfers, resort stay, tips, food, drinks, sports, activities, and entertainment? Other questions to ask if these are important to you; is it on the beach, is there free internet access, a gym, more than one swimming pool, several theme restaurants to choose from, adult’s only rules, and are there programs for children?

Following these travel tips will help you enjoy your trip to the fullest. Planning ahead with these 10 all-inclusive resort tips will make your trip to an all-inclusive resort more enjoyable.

1. After checking into the resort find out where to make reservations for the specialty restaurants as they fill up almost immediately. The number of evenings you can book a specialty restaurant are usually limited to 1 restaurant choice for every 3 night you stay.
2. Pre-sign up for the kids “club” or “camp.” If you can’t do it ahead of time do it as soon as you can when you get there and get a copy of the schedule.
3. Review the resort map and familiarize yourself with where the various parts are and where different activities are held.
4. If you are not given a list there is an activities/game/entertainment schedule posted on the activities and games board. Make a note of when and where the ones that you are interested in are taking place. Some activities you need to go early and sign up if required. Most sporting activities need to be signed up for. Reservations for using the canoes, sail boats, snorkeling equipment, ping pong tournaments, etc. fill up quickly.
5. One option if it is expensive to use your cell phones there is to take Walkie Talkies with you so that you can find each other easily if you separate or want to do separate activities.
6. Time slips away so take a watch so you know what time it is. There won’t be many clocks around. Co-ordinate your activities so that you can meet up after separate activities or get to your spouse’s activity in time to cheer for them.
7. There are so many food choices that you may want to walk around the buffet and see all the food choices before you start piling your plate. You will eat less and eat the things are you favorites.
8. Take your towel or sandals and reserve your chair on the beach early in the day. Go to the outer edges of the seating area to find seats when they all appear to be taken.
9. If drinks are included (usually are) enjoy but not so much that you are sick or lose control. It can be tempting when you don’t pay for them.
10. If you love snorkeling bring your own snorkels & fins in case they limit the amount of time you can have them checked out.

Hotels offer several different “Meal Plans” depending on the hotel or resort. Having some meals included can make a big difference in your overall vacation expenses.  Check to see what time of the day the meals are offered. There is no sense paying for something you won’t be there to eat. Find out how many people staying in the room the “Meal Plan” will include. Many times the room will hold more people than the “Meal Plan” will provide for so you may be required to pay for additional guests.

(AL) All inclusive Plan (also called Full Pension, or Full American Plan) Check what they mean by all inclusive it could be just 3 meals a day with drinks, dessert, snacks etc. or it may include some meals but not drinks

(EP) European Plan – No meals included

( CP) Continental Plan – Continental Breakfast: This varies by hotel. Usually it is pastries and coffee. I have been in several hotels where it includes fruit and cereal, tea, coffee, juices and hot chocolate so you will have to check with the hotel.

(AP) American Plan – Includes three meals daily

(MAP) Modified American Plan (sometimes called demi-pensions, half pension or half board depending where you are in the world) – Includes some meals

(B&B) Bed and Breakfast – Some sort of breakfast is included with your hotel night stay. The breakfast can range from a drink or coffee with a roll to a full breakfast buffet.

Each hotel, resort or accommodation may interpret the meaning of these terms differently so this is another reason to check exactly what is included before you book your hotel. We always try to have meals included as it usually costs more to purchase meals independently than to have them included in the room rate. It is always good to check and see if the meals that are included in the rate make it a better deal than booking a hotel without.