This 658-room resort in Punta Cana
gives you a lot of choices for how to spend your evening: There are
eight restaurants, plus nine bars, including a piano bar and a sports
bar. See more photos of the resorts at BudgetTravel.com
HIDE CAPTION
Majestic Colonial, Dominican Republic
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- These resorts offer views and amenities without the caveats of many all-inclusives
- Some of these getaways start at just $100 per person, per night
- Options range from 1,000-room mega resorts to more intimate properties
Though it wasn't easy,
Budget Travel found 10 affordable beachfront all-inclusive resorts in
the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America (plus one Mediterranean resort
so charming we couldn't resist including it) starting at $100 per
person, per night.
And they really are
all-inclusive: a double room, three meals a day, drinks (from soda to
cocktails), and lots of activities. And each one has an added bonus,
too, from tennis lessons to scuba instructions. The only thing not
included? Caveats.
Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
This 658-room resort in
Punta Cana gives you a lot of choice for how to spend your evening:
there are eight restaurants, plus nine bars including a piano bar and a
sports bar.
Not that there aren't
choices during the day as well: The main pool is more than 1,300 feet
long (there is also a children's pool and a whirlpool) and catamarans
and windsurfers are available on the beach. The snorkeling right off the
beach is top-notch, and all the equipment you need is also included.
Bonus: Every room at the resort is a suite with a terrace or balcony (and a Jacuzzi tub).
Playa Bavaro, Punta Cana, 809/221-9898, majestic-resorts.com. From $150 per person, per night.
Krystal Cancun, Mexico
This Riviera Maya resort
makes the most of its location: the pool runs lengthwise along the
sand, and there's even a beachfront infinity whirlpool.
The Krystal, which is in
the heart of the Hotel Zone on Punta Cancun, has 453 rooms, and each
one has a view of either the Caribbean Sea or Cancun Lagoon. The rooms
were also renovated in December 2011 with updates like marble floors,
flat-screen TVs, and rain showers -- perfect for washing off all that
sand.
Bonus: One of the
downsides of an all-inclusive resort is that you have to eat every meal
on-site. Krystal includes a Discover Cancun pass that covers one dinner
at a local restaurant.
Paseo Kukulcan Km 9.5, Cancun, 800/437-9605, krystal-hotels.com. From $100 per person, per night.
Iberostar Costa Dorada, Puerta Plata, Dominican Republic
Iberostar operates six
hotels in the Dominican Republic, but this resort 10 minutes from Puerto
Plata gives you the most for your money. The 516 rooms (which all have
either a terrace or balcony) are located in thatch-roof buildings
painted cheerful shades of yellow and purple. The entire property
underwent a full renovation in 2011 resulting in completely remodeled
rooms, a new lobby and a renovated kids' club.
There are three a la
carte restaurants (Brazilian, Mexican and seafood from the local waters)
plus a buffet restaurant. If you aren't content to just sit on the
beach or the massive pool, there are activities all around the resort,
from archery to merengue lessons.
Bonus: While some
all-inclusive resorts only serve house-brand liquor, bartenders at Costa
Dorada pour from imported names as well (Tanqueray, Stoli, etc.).
Carretera de Luperon Km 4, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, 888/923-2722, iberostar.com. From $100 per person, per night (three-night minimum).
ClubHotel Riu Negril, Jamaica
Head out to the far
western tip of Jamaica and you'll find this lively beachfront resort in
Negril. It is right on the beach, but the place to be is by one of the
umbrella-shaded loungers around the two gigantic pools (both are well
over 3,000 square feet).
There is a party
atmosphere here, and the complimentary mini bars and liquor dispensers
in the 420 guest rooms are regularly restocked. If you want to go all
out, head to the Pacha nightclub, where reggae is sure to be spinning.
If you are looking for quiet, try the solarium terrace.
Bonus: The resort often
adds credits to the Renova Spa in the all-inclusive packages, such as
$20 per person toward a 50-minute massage (massages start at $100).
Norman Manley Blvd., Negril, Jamaica, 888/748-4990, riu.com. From $101 per person, per night.
Royal Decameron Golf Beach Resort & Villas, Farallón, Panama
This 1,170-room mega
resort does things big from its spot on a mile of secluded beach. There
are eight pools, 10 restaurants and 11 bars (including one swim-up),
which means you'll rarely do or see the same thing twice.
Play in the Pacific with
free paddleboards, kayaks or windsurfers, or check out the local
underwater residents with the provided snorkel gear. The nightlife is
also big here and the party goes long after the sun sets (which probably
has something to do with the open bar).
Bonus: Though the base-rate is for a garden-view room, each one has a terrace or balcony overlooking the tropical foliage.
Avenida Principal Farallón, Km 115, 011-507/993-2255, decameron.com. From $106 per person, per night.
Coral Beach Hotel & Resort, Paphos, Cyprus
While the other resorts
listed here are close to the U.S., this all-inclusive trades the
Caribbean for the Mediterranean -- and it's worth the trip. The 420-room
resort is located on the edge of the UNESCO-protected Akamas Peninsula
on Cyprus's western coast.
The beach is lined with
blue loungers, as is the 164-foot pool (keep an eye out for members of
the British Olympic swim team; they use the pool for training). Have
dinner overlooking the boats bobbing in the harbor from the terrace
where blue-and-white-checked tablecloths flap in the sea breeze. Then
watch some local folk dancing. Who knows, after a glass or two of
zivania, you might join in.
Bonus: If the scenic surrounding inspires your creative side, the resort offers free art classes in pottery and glass-painting.
Coral Bay, Paphos, 011-357/26-88-10-00, coral.com.cy. From $144 per person, per night.
Sunscape Dorado Pacifico Ixtapa, Mexico
The Sunscape's budget
friendly price makes it a deal, but most people travel here for the
location on a sandy beach on quiet Playa del Palmar. The resort
re-opened in November 2011 after a $10 million upgrade to all the rooms
(including new furniture, flat-screen TVs and fully renovated bathrooms)
and restaurants as well as the addition of a new spa (alas, massages
aren't covered in the all-inclusive rate and start at $68).
There are only 285
rooms, but you'll find the choices typical of a much larger resort.
There are four bars plus eight restaurants ranging from seafood to
Italian to Mexican (and the small size means no reservations are
required).
Bonus: Embrace your inner Serena Williams or Roger Federer and perfect your serve at the free tennis clinics.
Paseo de Ixtapa S/N Lote 3-A, Ixtapa, 800/087-4890, sunscaperesorts.com. From $151 per person, per night.
Jolly Beach Resort & Spa, Antigua
Set on 40 acres
(including a mile of white sand), the Jolly Beach Resort & Spa is
great for those who want to get out on the turquoise water. Kayaks,
Hobie Cats and paddleboats are all at the ready and there are also two
pools.
Would you rather just
take in the view of the waves? The 464 rooms all have at least partial
ocean views. The resort also has five restaurants, ranging from a casual
beach take-out place to the Italian Bocciolo.
Bonus: A proper
afternoon tea with scones and cucumber sandwiches is also offered every
day in the courtyard -- a nod to the island's British roots.
Bolans Village, Antigua, 866/905-6559, jollybeachresort.com. From $171 per person, per night.
Barceló Langosta Beach, Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Staying here affords
travelers the best of both worlds: The resort is on a secluded beach
surrounded by rainforests and a national park, but is less than a mile
from the popular town of Tamarindo.
This is a low-key
resort, with just one buffet restaurant and one a la carte restaurant
serving Mediterranean cuisine (there is an additional $36-$42 fee for
the a la carte restaurant) and one bar, plus a small casino and an
amphitheater with daily entertainment. But the 134 rooms have views of
the Pacific Ocean or the estuary of Las Baulas (part of the national
park).
Bonus: Tipping for the staff is included in the rate, so no need to reach for your wallet every time you order another round.
El Robledal, Tamarindo, 800/227-2356, barcelo.com. From $180 per person, per night.
Paradise Island Harbour Resort, Bahamas
At just 246 rooms, this
family friendly resort is a fraction of the size of the 4,000-room
Atlantis next door. But it's also a fraction of the price for the
all-inclusive option. Paradise Island is on a private beach and has a
large pool and three places to dine (a pool-side grill, a buffet, and a
steak and seafood a la carte restaurant).
Unwinding is the first
order of business here, so you won't find the same 24/7 whirl of
activity here as at the mega resorts. But that doesn't mean anyone in
your family will be bored. The kids' camp keeps them busy with sand
castle building and craft making, plus sports like pool volleyball and
beach bowling.
Bonus: If you've ever
wanted to learn how to dive, this is the place: the resort offers a
complimentary scuba lesson in the pool.
Harbor Dr., Paradise Island, Nassau, 888/582-0192, paradiseislandbahama.com. From $200 per person, per night.
No comments:
Post a Comment