December 1-2 weeks beach and all inclusive
Discussion
The last few years we have slinked off to Cornwall for Christmas. We have not been away for a proper beach holiday since we got married back in Dec 09.
Its our 10 year wedding anniversary in December plus we are both 40 within a couple of months and I want to surprise the mrs with a nice trip away. Had a quick look online and way, way too many options.
Do people rate Sandals?
Mexico seems to have a lot of all inclusive places?
Any other places I should be looking?
I have seen a couple of places in Greece that rate highly but unsure if the weather will be good?
Max flight time 10 hours really. 25-30c and no rain would be the ideal. Want all inclusive assuming I don't need to mortgage my soul for the pleasure...
Its our 10 year wedding anniversary in December plus we are both 40 within a couple of months and I want to surprise the mrs with a nice trip away. Had a quick look online and way, way too many options.
Do people rate Sandals?
Mexico seems to have a lot of all inclusive places?
Any other places I should be looking?
I have seen a couple of places in Greece that rate highly but unsure if the weather will be good?
Max flight time 10 hours really. 25-30c and no rain would be the ideal. Want all inclusive assuming I don't need to mortgage my soul for the pleasure...
red_slr said:
Thanks, which one did you go too?
No worries. We had about 9 nights or so here:https://www.sandals.co.uk/grande-antigua/
I am already a qualified scuba diver, so just had to do half an hour in the pool to prove I wasn't a liability, then I could join them on the (included) dives. I did maybe 2 or 3 mornings, each with two dives, and was back for lunch with the missus.
She did the introduction to scuba for a small fee, and we did two dives together. (Shallower, in the afternoon, still went close to a small wreck and saw turtles and a huge grouper.)
We also had a go at the little sailing catamarans one afternoon, which was easy and quite fun with my (limited) sailing experience. Also included in the price. We did an organised tour to the rain forest Go-Ape style thing, but it would have been easier just to hire a car and go yourself.
We did hire a car for a day to go have a look round the island. Falmouth Harbour and English Harbour were worth getting off resort for a day. I wouldn't expect you'd need a car for more than a couple of days though.
Food was good and varied, no kids there was nice too. Lots of honeymooners and older couples who's kids had grown up. Pleasant, friendly staff.
I've done Sandals 3 times in the last 4 years. Done Ocho Rios in Jamaica, St Lucia La Toc & Grenada. In the other year we went to small AI in Antigua,
Sandals seems expensive but actually I think it's not too bad value, when you look at what is included. There is a lot of choice of food, the drinks are decent not local stuff. Your room is fully stocked with whatever you want. Scuba diving if it's your thing is free. I would pick the smaller Sandals resorts as the bigger bigger ones can be a bit how shall I say..... full of very loud young americans hell bent on getting pissed on the cheap.
La Source in Grenada was altogether a league above Ocho Rios. Much more compact, better in every respect. The AI in Antigua was not part of a chain just a small family run place, very quiet. Good food but no choice of restaurants like Sandals, drinks were all local stuff & no stocked bar in room (suite).
Went to the Seychelles a few weeks back, has a feel of the Carribean to it, but pricey, very pricey. Consider Costa Rica too, went last year and thought it was great.
Sandals seems expensive but actually I think it's not too bad value, when you look at what is included. There is a lot of choice of food, the drinks are decent not local stuff. Your room is fully stocked with whatever you want. Scuba diving if it's your thing is free. I would pick the smaller Sandals resorts as the bigger bigger ones can be a bit how shall I say..... full of very loud young americans hell bent on getting pissed on the cheap.
La Source in Grenada was altogether a league above Ocho Rios. Much more compact, better in every respect. The AI in Antigua was not part of a chain just a small family run place, very quiet. Good food but no choice of restaurants like Sandals, drinks were all local stuff & no stocked bar in room (suite).
Went to the Seychelles a few weeks back, has a feel of the Carribean to it, but pricey, very pricey. Consider Costa Rica too, went last year and thought it was great.
Edited by GT03ROB on Wednesday 17th April 14:47
Try Veligandu or Gangehi islands
Veligandu is best but both have a lot to offer.
You need to work out if you need AI, only really big drinkers will come out anywhere near evens.
Snorkelling, food and trips are great but you probably won’t get overwater villa if on a budget.
If you do go to any other island make sure you get a seaplane transfer, great iconic experience.
Veligandu is best but both have a lot to offer.
You need to work out if you need AI, only really big drinkers will come out anywhere near evens.
Snorkelling, food and trips are great but you probably won’t get overwater villa if on a budget.
If you do go to any other island make sure you get a seaplane transfer, great iconic experience.
red_slr said:
I am leaning that way now. Flights from UK to Doha then onward to Maldives.
Just trying to find somewhere that's reasonable cost wise as it seems £1000 a night is not uncommon!!!
Just be aware that while Doha is a nice airport, it is still a pain to do the flight change & really stretches out the journey. Your journey time will really increase from the 10hrs you quoted. We did the Seychelles via Doha in business, I wouldn't go as far as to say never again, but would say go non-stop if possible even at higher cost. Just trying to find somewhere that's reasonable cost wise as it seems £1000 a night is not uncommon!!!
I would want to fly from our local airport, there are no regular direct flights to anywhere long haul other than Florida, Jamaica, Cancun, Dubai, Doha, Singapore and that's about it.
There are occasional flights to places like Barbados but when you actually drill down into it there might be a direct flight every 3-4 weeks and the rest of the time its a flight to New York then a connection and sometimes a stop in Jamaica too.
I think its going to be Mexico or the Maldives having more of a look round last night.
There are occasional flights to places like Barbados but when you actually drill down into it there might be a direct flight every 3-4 weeks and the rest of the time its a flight to New York then a connection and sometimes a stop in Jamaica too.
I think its going to be Mexico or the Maldives having more of a look round last night.
I would recommend Sandals. Have been to 2, Antigua and the Grande St Lucia in the last year. No complaints whatsoever and the fully inclusive is just that. You could check in without a dollar in your pocket and if you stay on site never need to put your hand in your pocket. Food and drink excellent.
We've been to Sandals in Jamaica 3 times. Royal Caribbean is my favourite, it's smaller and a little more intimate. Have also stayed at Ocho Rios which is much bigger and was still great. Sandals staff are excellent. Have looked to try St Lucia and Barbados but I can't get back to where I live (US Midwest) in one day so we always end up going to Jamaica out of laziness.
Just had a week at Excellence Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. That was also very good.
Just had a week at Excellence Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. That was also very good.
GT03ROB said:
red_slr said:
I am leaning that way now. Flights from UK to Doha then onward to Maldives.
Just trying to find somewhere that's reasonable cost wise as it seems £1000 a night is not uncommon!!!
Just be aware that while Doha is a nice airport, it is still a pain to do the flight change & really stretches out the journey. Your journey time will really increase from the 10hrs you quoted. We did the Seychelles via Doha in business, I wouldn't go as far as to say never again, but would say go non-stop if possible even at higher cost. Just trying to find somewhere that's reasonable cost wise as it seems £1000 a night is not uncommon!!!
louiebaby said:
GT03ROB said:
red_slr said:
I am leaning that way now. Flights from UK to Doha then onward to Maldives.
Just trying to find somewhere that's reasonable cost wise as it seems £1000 a night is not uncommon!!!
Just be aware that while Doha is a nice airport, it is still a pain to do the flight change & really stretches out the journey. Your journey time will really increase from the 10hrs you quoted. We did the Seychelles via Doha in business, I wouldn't go as far as to say never again, but would say go non-stop if possible even at higher cost. Just trying to find somewhere that's reasonable cost wise as it seems £1000 a night is not uncommon!!!
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