All-inclusive resorts for hip young swinger types?

January 11, 2009 8:15 AM

Caribbean-filter: Gorgeous, all-inclusive, adults only, non-touristy and cheap resorts? Can it be done?

Twenty-something married couple who have an interest in but little experience with traveling. What we really want right now is to lay, relaxing, on a picturesque beach sipping a fruity girl drink. But due to work responsibilities, the soonest we can do this is beginning of June and only for four or five nights.

Things we'd like:
- 21+ only, but with plenty of people our age
- All-inclusive (booze, meals and tips included)
- Decent quality rooms and local food, if possible
- Hip, party atmosphere
- Clothing optional (we are in the lifestyle, hence the anonymous question, and love the idea of a swinger resort as well)

Things we'd like to avoid at all costs:
- Timeshare presentations (or any other classic signs of tourist traps)
- Getting mugged/kidnapped/scammed
- Too many irritating, touristy Americans (i.e., no fannypacks)
- Spending way too much money

We're also not too sure how much we should be paying for this stuff, so I'm worried about being taken for a ride and want to avoid that if possible. Any advice or anecdotes are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

posted by anonymous to travel & transportation (4 comments total)

Hedonism is probably the most well known. (That link may be NSFW if your company is very strict.)
posted by dzot at 9:12 AM on January 11

The definition of "hip" may vary from resort to resort...here's a funny review of the Hedonism spot in Jamaica.
posted by availablelight at 9:26 AM on January 11

Dominican Republic, hands down. It's easily the cheapest and most beautiful destination in the Caribbean, imo. There are TONS of all-inclusive, very luxurious resorts - we got married at the Paradisus Punta Cana last summer and our entire family came with us - it was that affordable. I believe you can get the basic room (which is more than adequate) for about $250/night. It is not adult only, but I found the majority of the guests were 25-40, and we as Americans were definitely in the minority.

We got the chance to drive by some of the other resorts in Punta Cana and talk to some other travelers, and I definitely think the Paradisus PC is the nicest place there other than Paradisus Palma Real (slightly more swanky and more expensive). I can't begin to explain how amazing this resort was. Feel free to pm me for pictures/more details.

Happy vacation hunting!
posted by tryniti at 10:14 AM on January 11 [2 favorites has favorites]

Echoing tryniti regarding the Dominican Republic. We just returned from getting married there and stayed at Grand Bahia Principe Ambar. We stayed in the adults-only section which was so nice. As tryniti said, it was very affordable. I agree with the age of the guests and we were probably the only Americans there - mostly Europeans and Canadians, and I found it to be top-optional at least. No one blinked that I was topless and many other women were, too. I don't know about the swinging thing at all and am a dork and wouldn't have noticed if it were going on.

Pros:
-Inexpensive
-At least as beautiful as any place in the Caribbean I've been
-Resorts are tourist-focused
-Other guests seem friendly
-Swim-up bars!
-Dominicans are incredibly warm and friendly
-No money was needed AT ALL, including tips, nor was it expected. I think tips may not be allowed.

Cons:
-As with every all-inclusive, the food is fair-to-middlin'
-The DR is relatively new on the Caribbean tourist circuit and they have some customer-service issues to work out
-It is a 3rd world country; we had someone take us into a town and the poverty is heart-wrenching. Also, I would not eat off of the resort.
-Per your criteria, I do not think this place had a "party atmosphere" in general, though groups of people were, indeed, getting smashed at the pool and having a great time. There was a "disco" on the resort but it had mostly younger kids (college age) that had come to the other, kid-friendly part of the resort with their parents.

Good luck!
posted by Punctual at 6:07 AM on January 12