Tag Archives: All-inclusive resorts

Why all-inclusive resorts haven’t (and never will) take hold in USA

Posted on by alanwhitt

It’s a question I frequently get: Why are there no all-inclusive resorts in the United States?

Alan Whitt

First off, that’s not true. There is one all-inclusive resort in Florida – Club Med at Sandpiper Bay.

However, that’s the only one and don’t expect more anytime soon.

All-inclusive resorts have exploded around the world – especially in the Caribbean and Mexico. And not only are they taking off, but because of the client expectations the quality has been forced to keep up with the demand.

In the USA it’s just not happening. The No. 1 reason is labor costs. The United States has stringent labor laws that companies have to abide by or face federal intervention.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Hawaiian-branded NCL America is a classic example of how labor laws can impact the situation. When it was first created three ships were supposed to make Hawaii cruises something special. There was Pride of Aloha, Pride of Hawaii and Pride of America.

Today, only Pride of America remains. The other two were victims of the times and U.S. labor laws that mandates a large percentage of employees must be American citizens …. and work hours carefully regulated.

Everybody knows that one of the great parts of a cruise is the non-stop service and the willingness of crew to do your bidding with enthusiasm.

I saw first hand the lack of such when I sailed on Pride of Aloha in NCL America’s early days. The American staff just didn’t cut it … and unfortunately it was probably my worst cruise experience among my 36 voyages.

I know most of us don’t really care as long as we enjoy our vacation experience. But the staff on cruises and most resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico work ungodly hours for wages most Americans would laugh at.

The same problem would exist at an all-inclusive resort in the United States … making it cost prohibitive … and again, would draw the attention of the U.S. Labor Dept. Resorts on America soil just couldn’t compete price wise.

So if you want to try that all-inclusive … with all the food, drink and entertainment you can stand … you better order a passport and prepare to leave the country.

Check out Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, insightful videos, the latest travel news and vacations to book.

Popularity contest: Some of the best all-inclusive resorts on the planet

Posted on by alanwhitt

Top 10 most popular all-inclusive resorts as determined by Vacations To Go:

Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – The beach at this 5-star resort is protected by a coral reef, making for a calm sea that’s perfect for trying out the kayaks and snorkeling gear. Choose from 11 restaurants, including Japanese, French, Mexican and Italian venues and international and Dominican buffets. A 1,400-guest theater hosts live performances. The Barcy Water Park for kids has castles, slides and waterfalls, while the Xone Nightclub provides teens with music and nonalcoholic drinks.

 

Alan Whitt

Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa, Montego Bay, Jamaica – Five pools (including a kids-free pool) and a beautiful beach on Jamaica’s north coast beckon guests to unwind at this 4-star property. It shares facilities with neighboring Grand Palladium Lady Hamilton Resort & Spa, and guests are free to take advantage of the amenities at both properties. Three buffet restaurants are supplemented by seven a la carte eateries, and 13 bars are spread throughout the complex. Recreational features include catamarans, kayaks, paddle boats, tennis and basketball courts and, for kids ages 4 to 12, a supervised children’s club.

Melia Caribe Tropical, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – This is a family-friendly, 5-star resort, about 20 minutes from the Punta Cana airport. Flintstones-themed activities keep kids entertained, while parents can indulge in therapies at one of the two spas, which have indoor and outdoor treatment areas. There are three buffet-style restaurants and 10 specialty restaurants, like The Pagoda for Thai fusion, Capri for seafood and The Guarapo for traditional Dominican cuisine. Fourteen bars and 10 pools dot the property, and an 18-hole course and golf academy are across the street at the Cocotal Golf and Country Club.

Breezes Resort & Spa – Bahamas, Nassau, Bahamas – The sugar-white sands of Cable Beach are the star attraction of this property, but vacationers also have access to a 30-foot climbing wall, karaoke bar, a flying trapeze, “bouncy boxing” facilities and other unique attractions. This 4-star resort is just 10 minutes from the airport and five minutes from the duty-free shops of downtown. It’s open to guests ages 14 and up, though no guests under 18 are allowed from March through May, unless accompanied by an adult age 21 or older.

Hotel Riu Guanacaste, Guanacaste, Costa Rica – Surrounded by gardens and backed by lush, green hills, this 5-star Pacific Coast haven offers an array of land and water sports, like beach volleyball, tennis, snorkeling, kayaking and windsurfing. Take scuba diving lessons in the pool, or indulge in a hot stone or shiatsu massage in the Renova Spa. A kids’ program caters to young guests ages 4 to 12, and there are day-to-night activities scheduled for adults, too.

Excellence Punta Cana, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – A 5.5-star property that wraps dance lessons, archery, snorkeling, bicycle tours and yoga classes into its all-inclusive vacation package, the kids-free Excellence Punta Cana is a favorite among active couples looking for an engaging getaway. Two expansive pools, eight a la carte restaurants, 10 bars, a spa and cardio-conditioning facility round out the list of on-site amenities.

Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Montego Bay, Montego Bay, Jamaica – This 3-star, all-inclusive property is particularly family-friendly. The youth staff at the KidSpree Vacation Club organizes activities for ages 6 months to 3 years, ages 4 to 7 and ages 8 to 12. KidSuites feature a partially separated section for your young travelers, with bunk beds and a child’s desk or play table, providing children their own space and parents a bit of privacy. The buffet restaurant includes a kids’ corner and pizza bar.

Crown Paradise Club Cancun, Cancun, Mexico – With family suites that accommodate up to seven people, this 4-star, all-inclusive resort is another good choice for a vacation with the kids. Supervised activities are scheduled throughout the day for young guests in the children’s program, which is divided into three tiers: 18 months to 3 years, 4 to 12 years and 13 to 17 years. There are even nightly themed shows just for kids. Adults can indulge in the spa, play golf or tennis or enjoy the paddle boats, Hobie Cats and snorkeling gear.

Hotel Riu Santa Fe, Los Cabos, Mexico – This 4.5-star property is located just a couple of miles from downtown Cabo San Lucas on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. It’s a large resort, with 902 rooms, four specialty restaurants, seven bars, a spa, nightclub, conference rooms and gym. Daily activities and nightly shows entertain guests around the clock.

Iberostar Cancun, Cancun, Mexico – This sprawling, 5-star resort opened in December 2011 after a multimillion-dollar renovation and rebranding. Top draws include seven pools, an 18-hole championship golf course, a supervised children’s area with water playground, a teen club and a spa with a secluded relaxation garden. Suites have private hot tubs on their balconies. Dining options range from a casual poolside snack bar to four gourmet restaurants. Iberostar Cancun is about 15 minutes from the city’s airport.

Deal of the day: 3 nights on the cheap at luxurious Mexican resort

Posted on by alanwhitt

Three nights at the four and a half star Grand Palladium White Sands Resort & Spa at Riviera Maya for just $570 – and kids stay free!

This deal won’t last long – especially since it expires on on Thursday, may 3 for booking. But you’ll have until Sept. 6 to take advantage of this fantastic resort.

Don’t delay … call Allure Quest Travel Experience at 615-818-8241 or email alan@allurquest.com to book this deal.

Check out Allure Quest Travel Experience on the web for all your travel needs – including analysis of destinations, videos and the latest travel news.

Deal of the day! Get $350 airfare credit at Sandals, Beaches

Posted on by alanwhitt

All Sandals & Beaches properties are offering a $350.00 airfare credit for bookings of six nights or more, and can be combined with other promotional offers.

The sale is good for travel from August 20, 2012 through January 31, 2013 with limited blackout dates, must be booked by February 16, and is good from any city in the United States or Canada.

Sandals and Beaches resorts are top-of-the-line Caribbean resorts that pride themselves on having “more quality inclusions than any other resorts on the planet.”

Blackout dates for Sandals – with resorts in Jamaica, the Bahamas, St. Lucia and Antigua – are Dec. 26-Jan.1.

Beaches has blackout dates of Nov. 21-24 and Dec. 21-Jan. 1 for its resorts in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos.

Allure Quest Travel Experience agents are Certified Sandals Specialists. Call Alan Whitt at 615-818-8241 or Gloria Conley at 615-336-8580.

The perfect marriage begins with a perfect honeymoon

Posted on by alanwhitt

One of my top travel business mysteries involves honeymoon planning.

Alan Whitt

Why do some people wait so late to plan a honeymoon?

I’ve had people come to me a few weeks before a wedding months in the planning wanting to book a honeymoon. Well, I can do that … but why make what I believe is probably the most important part of a wedding – other than the actual vows – the equivalent of an afterthought?

Planning a wedding can be stressful. The bigger the wedding, the bigger the headache. The time and thought that goes into a wedding can be overwhelming, and when the deed is finally done … you’ll need that honeymoon to recharge your batteries and finally get to spend quality time with your new other half.

For me, honeymoon planning is also stressful for travel consultants. We’re charged with making sure a newly-married couple begins their life together in positive fashion. We help create good memories … or bad ones; and a honeymoon disaster can be a sign of things to come.

One pet peeve I have is people asking for a luxurious honeymoon … at a four- or five-star all-inclusive resort … with airfare included … and they want it all for $1,000.

Nope. Not happening. I usually suggest those folks seek out another travel agent willing to sell them anything. At We 2 R 1 Honeymoons by Allure Quest Travel Experience we sell dreams. Quality dreams.

Some folks never grasp the concept that cheap isn’t always the best. You’re only getting married once, and even if this is your second, third, fourth or even fifth trip to the alter, you treat it as if it will be your last.

If you’re planning a summer wedding, your travel consultant should be well on the way to having you sign off on the perfect honeymoon.

Perfection takes planning, and money … but not as much cash as you think.

You can get a week-long honeymoon at a first rate all-inclusive Caribbean resort such as Sandals for as little as $3,232 – and that price includes airfare, accommodations, food, drinks and entertainment. And if daddy wants to go all out in giving away his little girl, he can open up the wallet and get a one-bedroom suite, complete with the couple’s very own 24-hour butler, as well as a private pool overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

If you’re a little behind the honeymoon planning curve, don’t fret. You can call us at 615-818-8241 or 615-336-8580 to set up a consultation, or stop by our Allure Quest Travel Experience booth at The Perfect Wedding Guide Winter 2012 Show, at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center on Feb. 5 from noon-4 p.m., and meet travel specialist Gloria Conley.

Tickets are $10 each, and allow you to bring a guest for free. Even better, Allure Quest Travel Experience has tickets to give away for clients who begin planning their honeymoon with us.

Deal of the day! Introductory rate at new Secrets resort

Posted on by alanwhitt

New resorts are always looking for a way to get folks to sample their product. With no history, they must do something to intice you.

Probably the most effective way to do that is to reduce the strain on the pocketbook.

To celebrate the impending opening of its newest resort – Secrets The Vine in Cancun in August 2012 – AMResorts is offering a limited time pre-opening special of $160 per person per night based on double occupancy for travel between August 1 – October 28, 2012, and $175 per person per night for travel between October 29 – December 27, 2012.

If you’ve never heard of Secrets, it is a string of five-star, all-inclusive, adults-only resorts in Mexico that is top of the line.

Contact Allure Quest Travel Experience for more information – Alan 615-818-8241 or Gloria 615-336-8580.