The all-inclusive AMResorts are currently undergoing their growth plan in the Caribbean and Mexico.  This plan will double its number of resorts, and is investing over $80 million to renovations, expansions and improvements to its three brands – Secrets Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas and Sunscape Resorts & Spas. 

They are developing another seven Secrets Resorts, which will still offer the same adults-only experience, with rooms and suites will 24-hour concierge and room service, many a la carte restaurants and lounges and spa.  Opening in May 2008, the new Secrets Maroma Cancun will have 410 condo-style suites, with all of the ground-floor suites having direct swim-out access.  Also opening in 2008 is the 43,000-square-foot Secrets Silversands Riviera Cancun, which will consists of gardens, pools, tennis courts and fitness center, a wedding gazebo, seven restaurants, seven bars and a spa.  Mexico’s Secrets Huatulco will open winter 2009 with 215 ocean view suites with private balconies with Jacuzzis.  In fall of 2008 in the Dominican Republic, the Secrets Punta Cana and Secrets Casa del Mar will open.  And AMResorts will get their first hotels in Jamaica with the two Secrets Resorts in Montego Bay, that will offer 350-rooms, private concierge on each guest floor, 14 a la carte restaurants, 14 bars and lounges, a dance club, a spa, open-air theater and activities such as horseback riding, scuba lessons and snorkeling.

The five Dreams properties (located in Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Tulum ad Punta Cana) offer 24-hour concierges and room service, a la carte dining options, and full-service spas along with family-friendly amenities such as Explorers’ Clubs.  These are programs for children ages 3 to 12.  And the Dreams properties have staff members that are certified in Red Cross CPR, First Aid and Toddler CPR, supervising all childrens activities.  Some Dreams Resorts also offer nature-based activities.  Such as Dreams Cancun’s “dolphinarium,” where guests can swim with dolphins, and Dreams Puerto Vallarta, which operates a baby sea turtle release program.  Also added to the Dreams group is Dreams Riviera Cancun and Dreams Huatulco.

And the Sunscape Resorts and Spas, which offer the same amenities as Dreams Resorts will undergo renovations.

The words All-inclusive always make me nervous. No matter where you are in the world, when your at an All-inclusive you pretty much never need to leave and worst yet pretty much don’t know where your at (besides the staff typically being from that country/area). Over the years I’ve traveled to over 7 “Ultra All-Inclusive,” resorts from Punta Cana to Mexico to Latin America. The biggest problem with All-inclusive is the food. Too much of the same stuff across “3, 6, 10, 19,” restaurants on the property. But Iberostar took the experience to whole new level; side note: if you like cruises (I don’t) you should definitely try an All-inclusive trip.

Preface: On this trip we were a party of 8. My Mom, Dad, Brother, Childhood friend w/ his Girlfriend, Business Partner and myself/ my girlfriend. I believe the hotel is worth about $300 to $800 per person per night; depending on season, etc.

When you enter “Jurassic Park,” I mean Iberostar in Riveria Maya you are blown away by the life size Mayan Temple and the vastness of the complex. However, after getting your transfers from the airport via Tropical Travel.net, Apple Vacations, Funjet…etc and dropping the other passengers off at the Lindo, Mayan…etc (other Iberostars on the property) you’re ready to be dropped off at the Grand daddy. Upon entering the lobby you are greeted with a warm towel, champagne and drinks. Check in is less than 5 minutes and your off to your “junior suite.” When you enter the room and subsequently the balcony you should be pretty happy with the arrangement. The rooms do sometimes however smell like smoke but, come on, your in Mexico, and their (Iberostar grand) house keeping uses aroma therapy candles/oils to mitigate the stale smell. Within 2 minutes of entering your room there will be a knock at your door and the butler will introduce himself: Alonso, Victor…etc. First thing: Mini-Bar is Free and they will stock it any way you want. I recommend getting a bottle of Champagne and bottle of Absolut (for pre-dinner drinks and this should last you at least 4 days). The rooms are very well appointed so I imagine the bigger “Presidential/Honeymoon Suites,” are extremely nice (go for the upgrade if available and its your honeymoon). Iberostar Grand has a menu for pillows so order a lot. I personally ordered 12.

Once you unpack head over to the lunch buffet on the other side of the main pool (side note: the main pool is salt water! the Jacuzzis’ are not). The buffet is decent but once you get a taste of the lunch buffet one time may be enough. The next day eat your lunch in/around the pool bar. Order the Kobe Beef Hamburger and Nachos. The hotdog is not bad either. Once you have a nice buzz turn to the person next to you and ask, “So where are you from?” The connections you make at the pool/ Jacuzzi over drinks makes the rest of the trip pretty interesting especially if they drink a lot. The bartenders and Mexico in general love SPEEDY GONZALEZ so anything about Speedy is guaranteed to get you noticed and served quicker (its like Mickey Mouse for Americans).

Every night there are shows in a very nice setting with a bar and lounge seating. If you have been to other All-inclusive resorts the shows sometimes are known to be overly animated and comical. Again, however, the Iberostar Grand has done a great job of production quality and atmosphere. The show starts at 9pm and ends at 10pm.After the show you can head to the Karaoke Bar or the Lobby Bar, or both. At about 11:30pm/12am, if your still alive, head to the Disco called: Galaxy. The golf cart will take you and pick you up. There you will be thankful you have a better room than anyone else on the property especially when you see bridesmaids dancing in florescent dresses barefooted and YODA looking down on them (you’ll understand soon).

There are 4/5 restaurants and 19 if you include the WHOLE Iberostar mega complex.

Breakfast (best)/Buffet (okay)- breakfast and lunch (at the pool) are the best two meals you will eat everyday. The rest are below.

Italian (okay) - I didn’t care for this one too much
Gourmet (okay) - order two meals. One fish, one meat.
Surf and Turf (best) - order the steak/ lobster combo.
Japanese (better) - order the thing on the girl.

The beach at the resort is beautiful on our half (but rocky). You have to move toward the other Iberostars if you want to swim. There are typically about 2-3 weddings a day which is somewhat romantic (depending where it is on the beach) and fun to watch.

Overall for an MEGA JURASSIC ALL-INCLUSIVE I give the Iberostar 4 diamonds by AAA ratings (but I don’t think you can rate All-inclusive by AAA standards) and 6 golden apples by Tour Provider standards.

We had a great time and would most likely go back if the opportunity arises (same group of people too).

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If you don’t know this already….Bring a lot of $1s and never tip over $5 dollars per person per time of day. The staff works pretty much 14 hours straight. And they have about 2/3 costume changes. Daily tipping breaks down like this:

Morning Buffet Tip: $5.00 if server brings coffee, juice, jams…etc promptly (otherwise $3 will do).

At the Pool Bar for Drinks: $2.00 every 2 hours your at the bar. If you get buzzed and are still drinking at 5:30pm an extra $1.00 will grease them good (for tomorrow; but still tip).

Housekeeping: $5.00 a day and $5.00 at night. However, make sure you tip them directly leaving the money on the bed or nightstand may get taken by the person you restocks your bar.

Dinner: $5.00 unless they blow you away or if you’re with 6 or more people $10.00 and so on.

After-Dinner Drinks: same as pool bar.

Golf Cart Driver: At night taking you and picking you up from the Disco $2 each trip is more than enough.

Butler: On the last day depending on what he did for you between $10 to $20.00 or each time he does something for you throughout the trip.

So for a 4 day trip $200 - $250.00 should be more than enough. And your experience may be better than anyone else’s.

By Mark Michael

The 210-room Reef Playacar is an all-inclusive resort located within walking distance of Playa del Carmen, Mexico.  This small and comfortable “home away from home” allows guests to relax the second they get there, and many guests know each other on a first name basis by the end of their stay.  As one of the few privately-owned resorts in Playa del Carmen, they offer you a friendly and comfortable environment to escape to.  This resort surrounds a golf course, and as it is all-inclusive offers the drinks and entertainment free for all their guests.  The freedom to walk or take a short taxi ride to the city is one of the main attractions of the location of this resort.

The Reef Playacar offers amenities from relaxation to adventure.  At the small but completely private white sand beach, you can lounge under the thatched shelters that provide you shade, or use toys such as Hobie bats, kayaks, and windsurfers which are free for all guests.  You can also sign up for scuba with a helpful and knowledgeable crew taking you on dives around the beach, and if you are the first person to sign up for a given dive time, you get the tradition of choosing the destination for the dive.  Located down the same path as the Kid’s Club is the Spa, which allows you to drop off the kids on your way to relaxation and peace with a variety of massages, facials, aromatherapy and other spa services.  The free Kid’s Club is open to any child between four and ten years old.  Also, nightly entertainment in a theater with a roof garden starts around 9 nightly.

When swimming you can just go over to the swim-up bar where you can enjoy in a friendly atmosphere and meet new people.  When you finally leave the pool you can visit the Chula Vista buffet restaurant which serves made-to-order fruit whips in the morning, and meals focused on international cuisine.  Or you can visit one of the other two restaurants.  First of which is the Boticelli which serves Italian, and is located overlooking the pools and sea, and also offers a few health dishes and vegetarian choices.  Second of which is the Terraza Grill which serves grilled Mexican food.