Best all inclusive Mexico

[legoninja]

Just that really. We're thinking of heading to Mexico for Christmas. Two DS one 9, one 5. We've never gone all inclusive before, usually head to Europe in the Summer but can't get away until Christmas this year so looking to chase the sun. Have heard Tulum is good but totally clueless otherwise... any advice greatly appreciated! TIA

[legoninja]

Bump.

[celtiethree]

Think they are all much the same. We've stayed at the Royalton Riviera and the Hard Rock on Riviera Maya. Liked them both. Loads to do, really recommend swimming with Whale sharks.

[BurnTheBlackSuit]

Moon Palace in Cancun was lovely when we went, but was a few years ago. I'm not sure what it's like now though, hopefully still really good!

[readyforno2]

We were here last Christmas, it was amazing. I would go back in a heartbeat
http://www.bahia-principe.com/en/resorts-in-riviera-maya/resort-akumal/?utmsource=googlelocalbusiness&utmcampaign=mex-akumal&utm_medium=organic

[uncoolnn]

Grand Bahia Principe in Akumal. Amazing

[Chillidawg]

When you say Tulum, I think you might mean the Gran Bahia Principe which is a huge complex with 3 main sections named after local towns Tulum, Akumal and Coba. There's another section the other side of the highway but I Thi that's more adult oriented. I have been many times, including Xmas and NY. The pools may be a little chilly but swimmable. If I were going again, I'd only stay in the Akumal section which is a little more expensive but it has the best beach area and gives access to restaurants etc in the other sections. Remember, Mexico celebrates Xmas on Xmas Eve when there will be a big buffet, actual Xmas Day is quite low key. NY at the GBP is a large fiesta in the common shopping/village square area.
Don't fly on Xmas Eve as you will arrive in resort feeling rushed to get to the banquet. (It's about 1.5 hrs from the airport.)
Gosh I wish we could still afford the Caribbean.

[Chillidawg]

Ooooh, uncool, we cross posted.

[legoninja]

Well, three recommendations for the same resort sounds pretty promising! It's such a big investment I don't want to get all the way there and feel like we've chosen the wrong place!! It's so hard when they all sound so similar.... thanks everyone

[readyforno2]

Here's some photos..
there are wee bus things which take you all around the resort. The best thing about staying at Akumal was the fact that the all inclusive was for all of the restaurants in all of the hotels.
One pointer though, if you have dc with you don't give the hotel a present from Santa. He jumped out of an aeroplane which was pretty cool, my ds' loved watching him but it wasn't very well organised. We had to wait for ages to see him and almost missed our dinner slot.

[lorribaby]

Grand Bahia coba in Rivera Maya you get to use all the four hotel facilities anyway! Amazing holiday with the best choice of food ever

[londonpia]

Another recommendation for Grand Bahia. Can't remember which or we were at, but the food was amazing. We were there for two weeks so we were able to book four a la carte restaurants. They were really good. The buffet got a bit tiresome so we had a couple of trips out of the resort to eat which was great too as we got to eat proper Mexican food.

[Chillidawg]

I believe if you stay in the Tulum and Coba sections nowadays you don't get to eat at the other sections. This only comes if you book the Akumal section (or the more adulty Sian Kian section which is much quieter and across the highway anyway). I believe the Akumal section is classed as Don Pedro which is GBP speak for premier, which is why it's a bit dearer. Think this started last year.

[ihatethecold]

I'm looking for recommendations.

I stayed at the Rui Yucatan in Playacar this Easter which was really great, They have Monkeys that live wild on the resort, they also had fab food.

I would happily recommend there but id like to go back and stay somewhere else so the holiday feels a bit different.