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Sandals
| Sandals Resorts International runs couples-only Sandals (minimum ages 18 or 21, depending on the property) and family-friendly Beaches. In an effort to give back to the island communities, the Caribbean family that owns the company requires each property to adopt a local project, such as working with local schools or farmers. | Sandals has seven properties in Jamaica, three in St. Lucia, one in the Bahamas and one in Antigua. Beaches has three Jamaican resorts and one in Turks and Caicos. | Sandals has stepped up the luxury quotient, introducing butler service and expanding its number of suites. In addition, dinner is a la carte only, rather than buffets, and liquor comes from the top shelf.... For a more intimate setting, the 52-room Sandals Inn in Montego Bay, Jamaica, is more guesthouse than impersonal behemoth.... The Stay at One, Play at Seven exchange program allows guests in Jamaica to sample other properties' amenities and restaurants.... Sandals' new Everlasting Honeymoon program grants couples who spend their honeymoon at a Sandals resort a free anniversarynight stay for the rest of their betrothed lives.... Beaches entertains kids with free Xbox; Sesame Street activities; Pirates Island water parks (Turks and Caicos, and Ocho Rios and Negril in Jamaica); and teen scuba. | Couples whose last stop before the airport was David's Bridal. Pairs still celebrating their honeymoon years after their tin anniversary. Families who want to spend precious family time without actually seeing their rug rats. |
Riu Hotels and Resorts
| The Riu family opened their fi rst hotel in 1953; the grandkids now run the shop. The company's 100-plus properties cover the map, zigzagging across Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. Indeed, if you ever need a place to stay in Cyprus or Bulgaria . . . | Three in Jamaica, three in Cancun, one in Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), six in Riviera Maya (Mexico), three in Puerto Vallarta (Mexico), fi ve in Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), three in Puerto Plata (Dominican Republic) and one each in the Bahamas and Aruba. | Riu Resorts offers an exclusive exchange of privileges dependent on your level of accommodations. For example, guests at the Riu Palace Las Americas in Cancun have access to Riu Cancun and Riu Caribe, while visitors at the latter hotels can only hop between the two. Destinations with no Riu Palace resorts but just standard Riu hotels also offer exchange benefi ts.... At most properties, food and drink are available 24-7.... Rooms have daily refi lled minibars that are more "Cocktail" than college fridge.... Riu plans to open its largest resort in November, the 902-room Riu Santa Fe in Cabo San Lucas. | Americans who like a twist of Europe in their all-inclusives. Families and couples who feel claustrophobic at one resort. |
Iberostar
| The family-run Spanish corporation, which owns properties from South America to Africa, shows its European colors by dispensing with such Yankee necessities as the in-room coffeemaker. On the bright side, the chain has won numerous awards from the hospitality industry, such as the best staff and service award for Iberostar Paraiso Lindo in Riviera Maya from Apple Vacations. | Seven in Riviera Maya, one in Cozumel (Mexico), three in Punta Cana, one in Puerto Plata, one in Bayahibe (Domican Republic), one in Jamaica. | Some of Iberostar's properties are structured like Riu's, with mini-resorts inhabiting the same real estate and offering guests exchange privileges. For example, guests at Punta Cana's Iberostar Bavaro can also hang out at Iberostar Punta Cana and Iberostar Dominican (but guests at the latter two can visit only each other). For properties not on-site yet in the exchange network, guests receive a day pass.... The Playa Paraiso Golf Club in Riviera Maya features an 18-hole course.... The company recently introduced its "Grand" product in Riveria Maya, which offers fi ve-star service (personal butler, pillow menu, customized mini-bar, etc.) and is adults-only. | Discerning guests who know their Maine lobster from their Caribbean spiny variety. Families and couples who want Mediterranean fl avor without the jet lag. |
Barcelo
| Barcelo Hotels and Resorts is run by a Spanish family who turned a transportation business into a hospitality concern now ranked as one of the world's major brands. To date, the fi rm runs 150 hotels in 15 countries, though only a small fraction are allinclusives. | Five in Riviera Maya, two in Cancun, one in Puerto Vallarta, one in Huatulco (Mexico), one in Ixtapa (Mexico), one in Manzanillo (Mexico), two in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic), fi ve in Punta Cana, one in Puerto Plata. | Barcelo properties sit on some of the Caribbean's best beaches, such as the Barcelo Maya Beach Resort's mile-plus-long strand.... Barcelo Maya recently opened a spa with traditional Mayan treatments.... The Puerto Vallarta property was once the legendary La Jolla de Mismaloya, where "The Night of the Iguana" was fi lmed.... The fi ve-hotel Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort in Punta Cana includes a 24-hour casino and an 18-hole golf course; guests have exchange privileges.... The Barcelo Ixtapa Beach received a Green Globe award for its eco-sound practices. | Families who don't spoil their kids at home but want to treat them like little princes (and princesses) on a Caribbean vacation. Couples who can fi nd romance even at a crowded buffet table. |
SuperClubs
| SuperClubs, based in Jamaica, was responsible for bringing the all-inclusive to that island. The company's brands range from the G-rated Breezes to the G-string Hedonism, in addition to couple-y Grand Lido and family-friendly Starfi sh Trelawny. | Breezes: one in the Bahamas, two in Jamaica, one in Curacao, one in Puerto Plata. Grand Lido: two in Jamaica. Adults-only Hedonism: two in Jamaica. Starfi sh Trelawny: one in Jamaica. | Breezes Bahamas is within walking distance of the Crystal Palace casino.... All adults-only properties have nude beaches, pools and whirlpools. Hedonism II and III up the X-factor with a glass-bottomed whirlpool and transparent waterslides.... At select resorts, non-motorized sports include a circus school, fl ying trapeze and ice skating rink.... In Jamaica, practice your swing with no greens fees at the SuperClubs golf course.... With the SuperSurprise, you pay fi rst and then fi nd out what resort you're staying at.... Tailor your tastes with the SuperSurprise Prude or the SuperSurprise Plus. | Families whose kids suffer from water-defi cit disorder. Adults who like to fl aunt their tan lines -- or lack thereof. |
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Not All Buffets Are Created Equal
BY ANDREA SACHS | OCTOBER 28, 2007
All-inclusives are not all the same, especially among the major players. By definition, each resort package includes accommodations, food, beverages, non-motorized sports and gratuities. Yet, on closer inspection, telling differences arise -- essential to knowing whether you're a Sandals or a Breezes type.
To help you match your AI style to the appropriate brand, we talked to experts, including Bob Schweikert of Travel by Bob in Pennsylvania, about some distinguishing features of the Big Five. Choose wisely, though, because you don't want to feel excluded on your tropical vacation.
WEB EDITOR: Christian Pelusi - washingtonpost.com
© 2007 The Washington Post Company
