We recently stayed at the Riu Plaza Las Americas in Cancun. Direct, easy flight from Dulles. The food on the buffet was excellent and the dining space was open-air overlooking the ocean. We tried 2 of the themed restaurants and really enjoyed both. I wouldn't call the resort luxurious, but it was beautiful and very well equipped. Staff were all amazing. It has a lovely private beach, 3 pools, entertainment on site, spa available, and an option to take a free shuttle to a sister resort if you want a party. It was a super chill vibe, would recommend.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nah man. I'd rather have a nice hotel with a nice restaurant vs all inclusive crap food.

Gee, thanks for the opinion?
I'm watching this thread OP too see the actually recommendations.

What do you actually like about an AI? It makes no sense, as the vast majority of all resorts have multiple restaurants, water sports, etc. AI just means the cost of food included.

DP...it's the peace of mind that comes with paying once beforehand and then everything is covered. Once the vacation begins you don't have as many decisions to make. No conversations along the lines of "I'd like to do ... but it will cost ..." Some trips are for exploration and some are for relaxation. AIs are terrible for the former but great for the latter.

If you set a budget ahead of time, you should not have any issue with eating at the places at the resort.

Why is it so hard for some people to accept that some people like AI resorts?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nah man. I'd rather have a nice hotel with a nice restaurant vs all inclusive crap food.

Gee, thanks for the opinion?
I'm watching this thread OP too see the actually recommendations.

What do you actually like about an AI? It makes no sense, as the vast majority of all resorts have multiple restaurants, water sports, etc. AI just means the cost of food included.

DP...it's the peace of mind that comes with paying once beforehand and then everything is covered. Once the vacation begins you don't have as many decisions to make. No conversations along the lines of "I'd like to do ... but it will cost ..." Some trips are for exploration and some are for relaxation. AIs are terrible for the former but great for the latter.

If you set a budget ahead of time, you should not have any issue with eating at the places at the resort.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nah man. I'd rather have a nice hotel with a nice restaurant vs all inclusive crap food.

Gee, thanks for the opinion?
I'm watching this thread OP too see the actually recommendations.

What do you actually like about an AI? It makes no sense, as the vast majority of all resorts have multiple restaurants, water sports, etc. AI just means the cost of food included.

DP...it's the peace of mind that comes with paying once beforehand and then everything is covered. Once the vacation begins you don't have as many decisions to make. No conversations along the lines of "I'd like to do ... but it will cost ..." Some trips are for exploration and some are for relaxation. AIs are terrible for the former but great for the latter.

Agree. I find it much more relaxing to not even think about price factoring into what I order.

Anonymous wrote:Excellence Resorts in Cancun, direct flights from Dulles and BWI.

+1 on Excellence resorts. DH and I did a similar 3 nights at their resort in Punta Cana. The food and drinks were above average for all-inclusives, and no kids! We very much enjoyed the spa (although it was additional $). We had a villa with its own plunge pool.

Excellence Resorts in Cancun, direct flights from Dulles and BWI.

https://thehouseofaia.com/

It's AI vegan, but everything is ordered a la carte from their restaurant menus and it's truly gourmet, with the option to add on animal-based proteins.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nah man. I'd rather have a nice hotel with a nice restaurant vs all inclusive crap food.

Gee, thanks for the opinion?
I'm watching this thread OP too see the actually recommendations.

What do you actually like about an AI? It makes no sense, as the vast majority of all resorts have multiple restaurants, water sports, etc. AI just means the cost of food included.

DP...it's the peace of mind that comes with paying once beforehand and then everything is covered. Once the vacation begins you don't have as many decisions to make. No conversations along the lines of "I'd like to do ... but it will cost ..." Some trips are for exploration and some are for relaxation. AIs are terrible for the former but great for the latter.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nah man. I'd rather have a nice hotel with a nice restaurant vs all inclusive crap food.

Gee, thanks for the opinion?
I'm watching this thread OP too see the actually recommendations.

What do you actually like about an AI? It makes no sense, as the vast majority of all resorts have multiple restaurants, water sports, etc. AI just means the cost of food included.

Anonymous wrote:Nah man. I'd rather have a nice hotel with a nice restaurant vs all inclusive crap food.

Gee, thanks for the opinion?
I'm watching this thread OP too see the actually recommendations.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You still need to pick what to order even if it's only one restaurant. It's not like camp were there is just "dinner" and tonight it's....

OP. No sh!t. I’ve been to AI before. I don’t care for it but decision fatigue is real and why don’t care?

Anyway, now that Trump has INVADED Venezuela we won’t be going anywhere in the near future.

Yikes. You nasty! Sounds like Sandals would work.

OP. I was responding to a very unhelpful post telling me meals weren’t served like at a sleep away camp.

All I was looking for was options where I could go and relax and not have to make decisions. I am a parent of a special needs adult and I am exhausted so I thought something like AI would be easy.

Anyway, I think we’ll take up the Leesberg idea. We can’t take a chance of getting stuck on an island because Trump decides to do regime change in Cuba.

OP you deserve a break! It’s not all inclusive, but Miami has very nice hotels and plenty of restaurants everywhere. Picking a place to eat, or just eating room service or the hotel restaurant are easy and stress free. The weather is warm and it’s walkable. Nonstop flights and a quick cheap Uber ride from the airport.

We went to Sandals in Antigua , that was very nice.

Leesburg or you could also go to Gaylord’s.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You still need to pick what to order even if it's only one restaurant. It's not like camp were there is just "dinner" and tonight it's....

OP. No sh!t. I’ve been to AI before. I don’t care for it but decision fatigue is real and why don’t care?

Anyway, now that Trump has INVADED Venezuela we won’t be going anywhere in the near future.

Yikes. You nasty! Sounds like Sandals would work.

OP. I was responding to a very unhelpful post telling me meals weren’t served like at a sleep away camp.

All I was looking for was options where I could go and relax and not have to make decisions. I am a parent of a special needs adult and I am exhausted so I thought something like AI would be easy.

Anyway, I think we’ll take up the Leesberg idea. We can’t take a chance of getting stuck on an island because Trump decides to do regime change in Cuba.

Anonymous wrote:Take a 3 or 4 night cruise out of Fort Lauderdale or Tampa (or even Miami).

Cruises are the easiest vacations.

If you want quiet, just stay away from Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, and Margaritaville.

Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, etc. will be good. Virgin as well (adults only). Get a balcony cabin.

+1 to this suggestion. Celebrity or Virgin would be great! Yacht Club on MSC can be super mellow too. Look for a 4-day itinerary on Seashore with an Ocean Cay overnight.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There a million places in the caribbean

jeez, that’s helpful. Not. I was hoping for recommendations. I looked up breathless. Is it a party place? Looking for something on the quiet side.

We stayed at the place next door with kids (dreams onyx - they are connected but this one is not adults only like breathless). It didn’t seem like it - you could also check out where we stayed and just do the adults pool. It was lovely.