And the best all-inclusive resort is...?

[DubaiSis]

Those are good choices listed above. Secrets is adults only, but it sounds like that will work out fine for you. I LOVED the Secrets in Cabo, actually more than Zoetry which is one of the most luxury properties there. Secrets was definitely luxury without being stuffy.

Riu isn't going to be as deluxe as Secrets, but what you will get with them is absolute consistency. Everything would be just fine there, and maybe more affordable if that's an issue for everyone involved.

One thing to keep in mind about the Dominican Republic is that it is still pretty developing. You may not feel completely comfortable whenever you are outside the property, as opposed to the areas in Mexico (Cancun and Playa for example) you shouldn't have any hesitation walking around town, shopping on your own, etc. And if you want lovely, tropical, lush, you might look at St. Lucia, which is probably on the top of my Caribbean bucket list, along with St. Bart's. But St. Bart's is a challenge both by geography and wallet.

Feel free to contact me with specific questions. It is my job, after all!

[lovespink88]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

Feel free to contact me with specific questions. It is my job, after all!

I was going to say paging DubaiSis, but I see you already made it!

[ASTalumna06]

Thanks, everyone! Keep the suggestions coming!

I would love to go to Punta Cana, but the flight is the main problem. There are no direct flights from Houston, and all of the layovers for the weeks we could potentially be going seem to be overnight. It's not a COMPLETE deal breaker, only because a lot of the connecting flights are out of Newark, and my bf and I could just stay with my parents overnight and go back to the airport with them the next morning. Still, it doesn't make things easy.

Originally Posted by KKGCaroline

Grand Palladium Colonial Resort & Spa

DH & I would definitely recommend the Grand Palladium in Riviera Maya, we went in November with both sets of our parents, and everyone had a great time. The resort is a family resort, but it wasn't overrun with kids, the beach is amazing and the choice of restaurants entertainment at the hotel was fabulous.

The Royal Suites Yucatán by Palladium

The Royal Suites is on the same complex, but it is adults only, a little bit more of a boutique resort, we took a tour around in our first week and its gorgeous, definitely worth the extra dollar if you can afford it!

Just down the road from Playa del Carmen (about 20 mins) one way, and in the other direction Tulum ruins (well worth a visit the history is good but the beach is phenomenal - about 15 mins)

All of us actually went to the Grand Palladium about 6 years ago for my mom's birthday, and we stayed in the Royal Suites. It was nice being in the adults only area, but still having access to the rest of the resort. DEFINITELY worth the little extra money.. we loved it! I was actually thinking about going back for my birthday, but then my cousins (they're triplets) turned 40 this past March, and that's where they all went with their spouses and kids and my aunt and uncle. Of course, I wouldn't want them to have to go AGAIN. This is why I'm in this predicament!

[aephi alum]

I've stayed at a few different Sandals resorts, and I've always enjoyed my stays. Most, if not all, of them have swim-up bars, and you can get food (even if it's just snack-type food) 24 hours a day.

The only thing is, it's couples only, and from your description it sounds like your brothers are single. I don't think they'd be allowed to share a room (Sandals had a long-standing policy that two people of the same sex couldn't share a room - I'm not sure if that's still in place, as it discriminates against same-sex couples). I did once stay at a Sandals where I met a family that was doing a destination wedding and had booked four rooms - one for the couple getting married, one for the bride's parents, one for the groom's parents, and one for the bride's brother, who was single (they had to pay for his nonexistent partner). Something like that might be an option.

If your brothers are single, though, you're probably better off with an adults-only, rather than couples-only, resort. Be warned, though - some of the adults-only resorts can get a little ... wild ... at night.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

I've stayed at a few different Sandals resorts, and I've always enjoyed my stays. Most, if not all, of them have swim-up bars, and you can get food (even if it's just snack-type food) 24 hours a day.

The only thing is, it's couples only, and from your description it sounds like your brothers are single. I don't think they'd be allowed to share a room (Sandals had a long-standing policy that two people of the same sex couldn't share a room - I'm not sure if that's still in place, as it discriminates against same-sex couples). I did once stay at a Sandals where I met a family that was doing a destination wedding and had booked four rooms - one for the couple getting married, one for the bride's parents, one for the groom's parents, and one for the bride's brother, who was single (they had to pay for his nonexistent partner). Something like that might be an option.

My mom and I were talking about this, and I said that if we ended up at a couples-only resort, we could just say that my brothers are in a relationship together. They could totally pull it off.. in a weird, hilarious type way. LOL.

If your brothers are single, though, you're probably better off with an adults-only, rather than couples-only, resort. Be warned, though - some of the adults-only resorts can get a little ... wild ... at night.

Really? I was afraid that if we went to an adults-only resort, it might be a little too boring! I guess it probably all depends on the type of crowd to which the resort caters.

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Really? I was afraid that if we went to an adults-only resort, it might be a little too boring! I guess it probably all depends on the type of crowd to which the resort caters.

I'm thinking of places like Hedonism ... nude beaches and the like ...