All Inclusive for People Who Hate All Inclusives?

[Anonymous]

All-inclusives are amazingly relaxing and no you don't have to drink to get your money's worth. It's worth it tow to not have to worry about planning anything. In my experience good ones have no problem with dietary restrictions. I'd stick to mexico. Puerto Rico doesn't have all inclusives.

[Anonymous]

I know your kids are young but when they're teenagers an AI is the way to go. They can then eat whenever/whatever they want and you won't have to worry about it.

[Anonymous]

One advantage of a cruise is that you don’t have to get the drink package if you’re not being drinkers and there are endless activities for tweens. I hate crowds but I can always find a quiet place to sit with a book in the sea air. And they are great with dietary restrictions.

Otherwise, a resort with ala carte dining but activities onsite would be good. We liked bakers cay in the keys. Or a lot of resorts in the carribean or Mexico have options you can pay for at the resort like kayaks or snorkel gear or those mini sail boats. But you’d generally need to do them with your kids. But it is still much less stressful than planning a whole vacation with activities. The marriot arbuba surf club is right on beach and has nice pools and a lazy river. I would let the kids go to lazy river and pool by themselves but would accompany them to beach or otherwise off property.

[Anonymous]

I felt like this and needed a break. We did the Family vacation Center in Santa Barbara (but we live in CA) and it worked pretty well. We had to get up and out the door to get the kids to their activities.

Another trip that worked surprisingly well (not AI) was Coronado island / San Diego. Our hotel included a nice breakfast, enough activities that we could figure it out each day, bought lunch wherever and then did really easy dinners (Chipotle, Panera etc) with one restaurant night. I am generally the meal and activity planner on trips.

[Anonymous]

Jumby Bay Island

[Anonymous]

Honestly it sounds like what you need to do is change the way YOU approach vacations. I don’t think an all inclusive will be any more relaxing for you because you’ll still be stressed out about the rest of the family’s experience the entire time.

Let your husband and kids pick activities they want to do in advance and have a few back ups in case of weather, etc. Or travel with another family so your kids have friends to hang out with.

[Anonymous]

Maybe look at Club Med?

[Anonymous]

I don't have any suggestions for the OP but wanted to let them know that I can relate! I usually end up being the planner and it gets tiresome. DH says things like "we didn't plan a thing, it just all worked out perfectly!" Uh, no. It didn't magically happen!

The cruise idea mentioned by PP is a good suggestion in that it typically requires less decisions once you've narrowed down the time frame. Get settled in the room once and enjoy the trip. The children are old enough to be given a lot of freedom as they are relatively safe, contained on the ship.

[Anonymous]

I'm share my little secret OP - I hate AIs because typically the food sucks/it's selling all inclusive but note quality and I don't believe in a 1 size fits all thing on vacation - I like choices but am too lazy like most people to plan out every little facet of the trip to get the most enjoyment

What I am looking for in a vacation is how easily the planning can be done instead.

I love going to Tulemar Costa Rica. The reason is because while there are pools onsite there's also a private beach with kayaks to rent, etc. It's easy. The food is good on the resort but you can walk out and within 10 to 15 minutes hit 9-11 different places to dine - all of which are not expensive and delicious including the best home made ice cream place says my 11 year old

There is a concierge upon arrival who can help you get all the other tours/activities you want incl surfing lessons, rainforest activities, rafting.

It was the easiest I have come to over AI. The other place I really liked was Rosewood Mayakoba which I think may offer meals included with stay but if not, is my other favorite go to.

In general, I look for hotels or places to stay closer to food places. We are not big drinkers either and what I think AIs are good for are big drinkers in part. For food and activities it's all about proximity to food with enough choices and activities, it's about going to a destination you want to do 1-2 things typically. I just go out of my way to avoid a hotel where all you have is that 1 hotel restaurant. Activities are really not that big of a deal to plan if you're not looking to do 10 things on your trip Let's face it - there's easy planning and on some level if you don't want cookie cutter experiences, you do have to put forth some easy planning.

[Anonymous]

St Regis in Puerto Rico? It's not "all inclusive" I don't think but you certainly don't have to plan anything beyond signing up for activities you want and maybe making a reservation.

[Anonymous]

Look into Hyatt Zivas

[Anonymous]

Rosewood Mayakoba you can get an AI package but it's $$$$$. The resort in general is $$$$$. But nice experience.

We did a Club Med in DR when my kids were little and did their Trident space, which is a bit more private and exclusive. You get your own pool and a concierge and the rooms are nicer. Club Med you don't have to make reservations for meals. They have one venue where you can walk up anytime and be seated. That venue is not a buffet strictly but they'll have food stations where food is being prepared in real time. Tons of activities on site.

[Anonymous]

Grand Palladium in Costa Mujeres/Riviera Maya.

Beautiful resort, recently renovated, very nice facilities. Food was pretty decent for AI standards.

[Anonymous]

Most places allow scuba certification starting at age 13-14.
If your 8 year old is that great at swimming, the kid might not be mature enough to know what to do when things go bad under water.

Do snorkeling in deep water instead of shallow water. They will like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look into Hyatt Zivas

I came here to say this also. We stayed at one last year and it was very easy. The food was very good for an AI, they have kids activities, and obviously beaches and pools. We arranged for a few excursions, including Xcaret and my only regret was not staying a couple of days longer.