I need a vacation

February 19, 2006 12:29 PM

I'm looking for beach, great service, and casual. Suggestions?

I'm looking to travel somewhere in April. One of the best vacations I have ever had was at a place in Cancun, formerly called the "Camino Real" - now called "Dreams." I'd go there again, but I hear its a mess there since the hurricanes.

What was so great about it?

Well, it was nice, not elegant, just very cool and comfortable.

There were great restaurants in walking distance, and you could wear shorts to all of them (not too dressy - very important).

Most importantly, when you laid out on the beach all day - you could order your drinks and your lunch right there, never having to leave the beach, and they just billed the room. The service was incredible at this place, kept the buckets of Negra Modelo full, served great burgers and stuff. I could take my top off and feel fine, there were no kids, no lurkers. Great drinks, cheap happy hour too.

The beach itself was private, with calm surf and great snorkeling. The people who worked there were friendly and on the ball (I met an Angel, a Moses, and a Jesus and they were all great waiters.)

I want a beach with blue water and to get away from it all for at least a week. If you had a vacation like this - please tell me where you went. I'll be going with a guy, no kids. Tell me where you went for the best, most relaxing tropical vacation ever.

Budget is loose - don't really want to go over $4000 for a week, would like to spend around $3000, leaving from Tampa, want to travel in April.

posted by mad_little_monkey to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

Are you a heterosexual couple (or, do you demographically look like one and can share a room and large bed?)

If so, consider the Sandals chain of all-inclusives. They're mostly in Jamaica (but if ultramarine blue water is your thing, they're on other islands as well), and if R&R is what you're after, complete with a limitless supply of fruity drinks brought to you beachside... it's hard to do better.

Also, much of Cancun has been rebuilt at this point, and because most people seem to think otherwise, there are some deals to be had there. You might want to investigate a little further before completely writing it off.
posted by toxic at 1:21 PM on February 19, 2006

The Grand Case Beach Club in St. Martin is exactly what you describe. Grand Case is the town furthest from the Dutch side, and has the island's best restaurants; this hotel is at one end of the town's long cove and has its private beach on a tiny adjacent cove - my Flickr set from a trip in November shows what I mean - with beach chairs next to little flags you can raise to order lunch.
posted by nicwolff at 1:32 PM on February 19, 2006 [1 favorite]

Club Seabourne, Culebra Island, off the coast of Puerto Rico.

It's a $20-ish air hop from the mainland. Rent a jeep and drive to a beach, or sun by the pool with a bar right there. Utterly gorgeous. The food at this particular hotel is beyond spectacular, and it's full of salty island locals so you won't be out of place in shorts at all.
posted by anjamu at 4:27 PM on February 19, 2006

Thank you both very much.
I'll take a look at Mexico again - and nicwolff, Grand Case looks perfect.
posted by mad_little_monkey at 4:31 PM on February 19, 2006

Friends whose opinions I trust have enjoyed staying at the all-inclusive Palace resorts on the Costa Maya (Yucatan south of Cancun). Of these, the Aventura Spa Palace is adults-only, but you can use the facilities at the others.
posted by rob511 at 5:50 PM on February 19, 2006

Cancun is a mess right now. The government is working hard to restablish it, but it wil be until late this year when they're done. You might want to consider other mexican beaches. I recommend the following:

1. Nuevo Vallarta. It's the new part of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, Mx. It is cheap to get there and I hear there is a great all-inclusive there. It is called the Grand Velas hotel. Supposedly. You can check out its web page www.grandvelas.com

2. Cabo. I went to my honeymoon there. We stayed at the Westin Regina hotel. It is not an all-inclusive but it is very spectacular. It has a golf course and other ammenities. www.starwoodhotels.com

3. Huatulco. Never been there but I hear it is really relaxing. I don't know any hotel there, but you can check it out on the web.

4. Punta Mita. Located in the state of Nayarit, the 4 seasons hotel there looks incredible! http://www.fourseasons.com/puntamita/index.html

I hope this is useful info.
posted by yugolplex at 9:23 PM on February 19, 2006

I second Sandals (heterosexual couples with no kids only); if you stay in Montego Bay, you're an easy shuttle ride to two properties in addition to your own with your complimentary exchange privileges. My wife and I have stayed at the Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay, and the Sandals Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios. Perfect setting, great food, great variety. You can do nothing, or you can fill your days with all sorts of activities. No PP, mon. (no pressure, no problem)
posted by Merdryn at 9:20 AM on February 20, 2006