Hey everyone,
We're thinking about going for 7 to 10 days to an all-inclusive resort over New Year's (no preference to which country at this point). We are married, early 30s, and not huge partiers- generally, we're looking for a place that wouldn't be too wild with loud obnoxious partiers until the wee hours of the morning (well, we'd enjoy a big party for New Year's Eve, but it would be nice to be able to relax the rest of the time).
We think our ideal place would have all meals & drinks, and scuba dives (not training, we're already certified) included. Also on a nice beach, or at least a great pool. Clean rooms, decent service go without saying. We don't mind paying a reasonable amount- especially considering it's new year's- but not something that will force us to take out a second mortgage! :-)
Any suggestions?
Oh, and I've heard that some people actually DON'T like all-inclusives. We've never been to one, but it sounds like the ideal vacation. Can anyone tell me why some people don't like them?
Thanks in advance!
I think one of the main reasons for people being negative about all-inclusives is that it seems guests are in a cocoon, cut off from the country they are visiting, and interacting mostly with people like themselves. A cab driver on St. Lucia gave us the figure of 70% of people who go to all-inclusives there who never leave the complex. It's like one never really went to St. Lucia, but to a sort of luxurious pod dropped down onto the landscape of St. Lucia.
It really depends on what a person is looking for in a vacation. I mean, what's wrong with being in a gorgeous place with everything taken care of? Nothing really. On the other hand, to take advantage of the fact that "travel is broadening," staying in a locally owned accommodation and eating at local restaurants and wandering the local places and chatting with local people gives that benefit. Some people alternate between the two experiences. Maybe that's you.
There is another issue, and that's that a large portion the money spent in all-inclusives ends up in the coffers of a multinational corporation, and just flits right past the local economy. And most of those economies are in trouble. So, local people lose a beautiful beach because the corporation offered so much money the powers that be couldn't resist, and the people don't get much in return. Think of it as a version of the Buy Local movement. The money that stays in the local economy generates jobs and other benefits.
And of course some of us are judgmental and holier than thou about it all. Oh well.
If you don't mind being a bit in the middle of nowhere, then Sunset Waters in Curaçao may be a good option for you. It is definitely quiet due to it's location (about 30 minutes from Willemstad, which in terms of island distance is "in the middle of nowhere").
They have a dive shop on the premises that offers unlimited dive packages (boat and/or shore dives). The boat dives are tops, since they are located close to some of the best dive spots, like the Blue Room and Mushroom Forrest.
We stayed there twice, and noticed that the place was mostly visited by divers that don't mind just diving and nothing else. There is not much entertainment, but the "booze cruise" and BBQ nights were quite nice indeed. Food is reasonble. The sea view rooms are quite spectacular on top of a high cliff with great balcony views.
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