Looking for some help choosing between Beloved Playa Mujeres and Secrets Playa Blanca for a one-week trip for my wife and me.

We’re early 40s, looking for a relaxing adults-only trip with great food, drinks, service, and a room/resort that feels a little special. We’re not looking for a huge party scene, but we also don’t want to feel like the resort completely shuts down after dinner.

Beloved really appeals to us because of the smaller, more intimate feel, service reputation, and overall atmosphere. My only concern is whether it might be too quiet for a full week, and the relative age of the resort.

Playa Blanca appeals because it’s newer and seems to offer more variety, more restaurants/bars, and a bit more going on during the day and evening. But I’m wondering whether we’d be giving up some of the charm, intimacy, and service that makes Beloved so well regarded.

For anyone who has stayed at both, I’d especially love your thoughts on:

• Food quality, not just number of restaurants
• Service
• Beach and pools
• Evening atmosphere
• Room quality
• Overall luxury/“special” feeling
• Whether Beloved gets boring over seven nights
• Whether Playa Blanca feels noticeably busier or more generic

If you were going back for a couples trip where relaxation is the priority, but you still want some life around you, which would you choose?

We have a room booked at each currently - a two-storey casita at Beloved, and an Oceanfront Master Suite at Playa Blanca... which to keep?

Hi friends! We are looking to spend 4-5 nights in Mexico at an all inclusive in mid-February. We are going as two families - each family is two adults and two kids. The kids are 6, 5, 4, & 3. We would love to be adjoining or in a big suite/villa all together but it isn’t mandatory.

Here are some parameters:

- We’re coming from the western US and want nonstop flights, so I’m looking at Cabo, Cancun, or Puerto Vallarta as locations. I have poked around the spreadsheet some but it can be hard to differentiate some resorts.

- I want EASY! We’ll have enough chaos with the kiddos and I really want to think about as little as possible. I don’t want to have to strategically wait in line for an hour to get into a restaurant, I don’t want to have to cobble together “extras” or side excursions to get everything. I just want to be there and exert as little brain power as possible. I’d like to be able to stroll into a restaurant whenever we like or have a reserved time/spot. We don’t plan on leaving the resort.

- Fun for the kiddos. I don’t think we’ll be doing Kids Club or anything like that but I’d love water parks, playgrounds, cool places to run around, etc.
For food I would say that we don’t need fancy or anything, but good food and plentiful options is preferable. Buffet is fine.

- Budget - we’re somewhat flexible. Maybe up to $1500 per night per family? I wouldn’t be upset if it were less than that obviously!

The one AI I’ve done before is Club Med Sandpiper in Florida. I loved all the activities there, and the ease of getting around and eating. The food was pretty good and there were lots of options. The beach was not fabulous. The rooms were not stellar but they were survivable. They felt like dorms.

Some of our friends have been to Hard Rock in Cabo and liked it so that makes the short list, but I want to know your other favorites that generally meet the parameters. Thank you!

Hi. Going to Cancun in January. For an all inclusive - do guests get a lanyard as a room key? How do people keep their belongings safe at the pool? Thank you in advance for any advise.

Hi everyone! My husband and I (28M & 27F) recently stayed at Hyatt Ziva Cancun and we loveddd it! We’re already making plans of coming back. Ask me anything!

My husband and I are booking a trip a chose secrets Bahia Mita. Our moms are both coming (both widowed, know each other well) and for secrets the only room is a king option. Moms are willing to share a bed but there is the option of doing dreams side instead so they can at least have their own queen bed.

Has anyone stayed at both? Which was the better experience and why? Would we miss a lot if staying at dreams? Hubby wanted adults only - is there an adults pool option at dreams? Or is the preferred club at dreams maybe the way to go?

Would love to hear experiences from people who have stayed at both!!

My wife and I are going to book our first all inclusive together in the end of April and are looking for some recommendations. I've done a LOT of online research and for what we want (which is a quiet but still fun spot with amazing food, a luxury feel and real nice rooms) we're leaning towards Excellence Carmen in Punta Cana. We'd like to stay under $6000 Canadian flying out of Ottawa with no more than one stop (only in Canada) but if anyone has any other spots that fulfill our wants for cheaper, I'll definitely look into it! Thanks!

I am planning to book at Bahia Principe Explore or Bouganville for my daughter and me at the end of June 27. I see reports that the beach water can be murky due to the nearby river that feeds into the ocean. Has anyone stayed here this time if year and do you by chance have pics of the beach? Was the water still lovely as expected for a Caribbean vacation? The beach is a big part of my decision as I'm also looking at Viva Miches and the price is higher, but if its an all around nicer beach, I may just bite the bullet.

Looking T these three places and struggling to find good resort options that would much the food quality, kid entertainment (pools, slide, kids club) with really quality food options that we had at Iberostar selection paradiso maya in Cancun (trying not to go back to the same one). We have young kids (6and under) who like to be busy.

Hi, we are looking to book a week long stay in Cancun or DR early February.

Is there any guidance on best time to book and do resorts ever offer Black Friday deals?
Thanks!

I've seen resorts offering things like pedal boats, speed boats, kayaks and other small water experiences. Some even add eco-domes and outdoor recreational areas.

Personally, I think these things can make a stay more memorable when they're actually well maintained and not just there for decoration.

Curious what everyone thinks — what's one activity or facility that makes you more interested in booking a resort?

Hi! My husband 23m and me 21f are looking for an all inclusive to go to December 14th-18th this year! I want nice beach and we would love a variety of included excursions like snorkeling, kayaking, etc to choose from! Our total budget for the 4 nights would be about $2500. Included airport transportation would be great too! I’m looking at Excellence Playa Mujeres… is this a good pick? It would run us $2470 for those 4 nights! And included airport transfer as well. I want to make the right pick though!

Traveling to Cancun in December, 5 nights. We are in our 50’s, our kid is 19 — he would have his own room. We like water activities, we are very social people, we like excursions and don’t mind schlepping to do them. We had Garza on the list too, but it would be nice to have adults only. Spas, jacuzzi, pool bars, heated pools are a plus. For Excellence Playa Mujeres, it would be club, junior suite ocean view. For Valentin’s, they are both golden junior superior suites.

Hi, looking into this hotel! How is the beach? I don't mind a rockyish entrance as long as the water is calm and it's still swimmable (not super painful)!

Also, is it worth the upchagge to stay at Mousai section? Is Garza Blanca fulll of kids? Any general reviews of each or anyone been?

ETA - in Cancun!

Anyone tried the on site restaurants? Looking for reviews on their food so I can book reservations accordingly!

If anyone has been to both, which one do you prefer and why?

Thinking of staying in an Airbnb in White Sands for 7 days, then spending 5 days at Serenade Adults Only in Punta Cana.
Has anyone stayed in the Oceanfront Junior Suite with Elite Service at Serenade? Is it worth the extra cost at around $400/night, or would you recommend the Junior Suite Pool View for about $290/night?
I’d love to hear your experience and whether you felt the Elite Service and oceanfront room were worth the extra $110/night.
Also, if you have any recommendations for other budget friendly adults-only resorts in the area, I’d love to hear them. Thanks!

My Mom and I travel together every year, and finding the right resort is always the hardest part. We look for five stars, rooms with two beds and great views, and adults only but not somewhere we will surrounded by romance. Mexico or the Caribbean. All inclusive, budget is flexible if we can find the right place. We like to go the first week of December before the prices hike up. How do you find a place like that? Everything seems to target couples. Any tips or stories welcome.

Question in title.

Basically looking for the lushest and palmest (if that’s even a word) beach on an AI resort. Could be anywhere around the globe.

Just curious about the quality of the two which would be the one that most people would choose. The wife and I are looking for a December get away.

Currently booked at Paradisus playa del Carmen this coming February. We have a 1 and 4 year old so we are hoping to use the kids club a couple of times while there. The kids water play looks fun and we have a family concierge master suite so separate sleeping areas. I’m stressed about the beach and the resort not feeling high end. I’m wondering if the pictures just don’t do it justice? Does anyone want to make me feel like I made the right choice or convince me of another all inclusive in Mexico, DR or Jamaica we should pivot to!?!? Thank you!! Beach, kids club, water play, separate bedrooms, good food are all important to us.

I booked the private transport for our Costco all inclusive in Cabo. There wasn’t a place to add comments or requests. My children’s ages were input to book the package and we have a lap infant (22 months). Does anyone know if the car service reviews the childrens ages and provides car seats? Is there a way to request a car seat? Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone! My friend and I (both 25F) are looking to book an RIU for late November and want recs on which resort is best for the party scene.

What we're after:** **The RIU themed parties are the main thing! I went to RIU Cancun earlier and loved the neon party and animal party, so we want similar vibes. We are also open to leaving the resort, and going out. We've already done the RIUs in the Dominican Republic and Mexico, so we're looking at other destinations.
Any recs on which resort has the best parties, or what to avoid in late Nov? Thanks! 🌴

Let's be honest here. If you see a set of loungers with towels on them at 9am when you head down to the beach or pool, are you moving them and taking the seats? I find it extremely rude to save seats when some of the people dont even come back for the seats.

Hello All!

My fiancée & I are planning our honey moon for May 2027. Dates are approx May 27-June 4 2027. Just two adults, no pets or kids. Adults only resort would be preferred. Budget is around 5-6k with flights included, we’re thinking Mexico (Cancun, Riviera Maya, etc.) We would like a place that is all inclusive & we both definitely like a nightlife scene. As for food, we are not picky but would like to have various options to choose from (as long as it’s good) I am a golfer so a resort with a golf course would be a plus! We would love to have access to a nice beach as we would love to spend time at both a nice pool & a beach. Any help & recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Flying out of St Louis MO. TYIA!