Caribbean/Faraway Holiday - Recommendations please

ManPants

Hi Summer,

Yes they did - Rui Karamboa - and had the best time. We've already booked for there now. Can't wait!

Stupotstu

System

Our friend stayed at the Rui Garopa, when do you go?
Well the Mexican trip might be in November as waiting for the hurrican season to be over..

Have done some research on TA and narrowed it down to Iberostar Tucan, EDSS & EDR (both Eldorado hotels) - all have good reviews so just need to pick one! I really like the look of EDSS but am wondering if the transfer will be tiring after the long fligh as it's the furthest away of the 3 hotels...

System

princessamy86 wrote: »

We went to El Dorado Seaside Suites in Riviera Maya in Mexico and it was absolutely fantastic. Hotel is adults only but there are similar resorts which allow children in the immediate area. There's loads to do in easy reach of the hotel, staff were really friendly and it's just a gorgeous area. Particularly recommend a trip to Xel-Ha, it's a huge natural lagoon that you can snorkel in and I didn't want to leave after 6 hours! We went in November, it was hot but not roasting. Summer is hurricane season, so late Sept-November should be a good time to go.

princessamy86 - I have decided on EDSS aswell and we'll be looking at November. Any tips that you have would be greatly appreciated! i.e. did you need plenty of misquito spray (Deet, is it??? or will Jungle Formula do). Also do you need to take plenty of change for tips? Do they have shampoo/conditioner/shower gel in the room which they keep refilled? Although I have always taken my own in the past..

princessamy86

Hi Summer I'm so jealous!! Take the strongest mosquito repellent you can find, they're horrible big !!!!!!s and I swear the bites itch more than European ones. They have shampoo and shower gel in the rooms which are refilled, tipping is expected because it is a mostly American clientele but we felt it was a bit OTT to tip every single night we ate a meal, only tipped if we felt the service was fab (and it's brilliant anyway so they really had to pull the stops out!). I tipped for room service each time, and left something for the maids.

Don't bother taking any towels, they take up space in your suitcase and they are readily available in the hotel, to the point where staff will swap them for you to make sure you have dry ones when you get out of the pool.

For a bit of MSE goodness, they might still be doing the offer they did last year, if you go to the Exotic Travel Club presentation you get a $100 voucher to use in the hotel or on a trip, it's just an hour long presentation with no obligation where you get some nice champagne and a ride around to look at the seriously posh suites. I spent my $100 on an entire day of spa treatments and a massage, which was lovely.

Definitely go to Xel Ha, it's beautiful. If you decide to go to Chichen Itza (mayan ruins), I would hire a car as it's a long way and not helped by the fact that you will spend 2 hours picking people up from other hotels.

Taxis are cheap, make sure you agree a price with the driver. If you go to reception they will call one for you and agree the price before you get in. We used the guy in the lobby for trips, after looking round he seemed competitive and the trips were well organised and insured.

If you're feeling very lazy, a $15 tip to one of the bar staff will keep you supplied in drink and sandwiches to your sun lounger all day! I wouldn't particularly recommend a trip to Playa Del Carmen, it's a bit like Blackpool, loads of shops full of tat and lots of people trying to sell you drugs.

I wish I was going! Hope you have a brilliant time, if you have any other questions just ask.

chatbug

Hi Summer 01 glad to see you have made your mind up where to go it looks great. You will have a great time. We have also made owe minds up booked to go to Koh Samui in Thailand in feb. Will be different hope we like it.

huskypup

Hi

We are planning a trip to Mexico - well I plan and Hb tags along :rotfl:. Prices seem very steep to me still - we usually cruise - which can be expensive because of the extra tipping added to your bill at the end.

Is it usual for mexico in Jan to still be showing prices of £1100 upwards. I thought it was just Mexico then I started looking for prices for Dom rep and Cuba, and they are quite expensive as well.

I want the best deal, but am to jumpy to leave it until a week before we go, when should we see the prices going down in the Caribean for mid Jan 10.

Thanks

System

chatbug wrote: »

Hi Summer 01 glad to see you have made your mind up where to go it looks great. You will have a great time. We have also made owe minds up booked to go to Koh Samui in Thailand in feb. Will be different hope we like it.

chatbug, I really want to go to Thailands so please let us know how it was when you return . Did you get a good deal?

chatbug

Summer01 wrote: »

chatbug, I really want to go to Thailands so please let us know how it was when you return . Did you get a good deal?

I will let you know what Thailand is like on my return.
Did i get a good deal, we booked with kuoni and flying with qantas. This was more expensive than flying with Thai Airways but you get seat back tvs with qantas not with thai airways. Only going for 8 nights, offer was stay 4 nights get extra 4 nights free only had to pay supplement for breakfast on the free nights. Just cannot wait until Feb. :j

SCAMPIDOODLE

huskypup wrote: »

Hi


Is it usual for mexico in Jan to still be showing prices of £1100 upwards. I thought it was just Mexico then I started looking for prices for Dom rep and Cuba, and they are quite expensive as well.

it's because IMO the best time to go for the wether, hurricane season over and wet season May onwards far off. I had my honeymoon at Rui tequila in playacar few years ago and have been back to same and sister hotels several times since, it is truly lovely place, though last time we went I was concerned about the beach erosion that seemed to be getting worse.

System

princessamy86 wrote: »

Hi Summer I'm so jealous!! Take the strongest mosquito repellent you can find, they're horrible big !!!!!!s and I swear the bites itch more than European ones. They have shampoo and shower gel in the rooms which are refilled,

We used the guy in the lobby for trips, after looking round he seemed competitive and the trips were well organised and insured.

Hi Princessamy86 - thanks for the tips above in your post, really appreciated!!

Do they have conditioner in the room aswell? I normally take all my own products when I go away but hoping to cut down on some of the shampoo/shower gel etc if they are good quality..

What type of mosquito repellent did you get, is jungle formula strong enough?? Can you get strong stuff from Boots etc?

When booking trips from guy in lobby can you pay on a credit card? I was thinking of using a Post Office CC as I think there is no charge on this. Wondered if they have a chip and pin or some form of machine?

Have no idea how much cash we'll need for tips and any trips out!!

The restaurants look fab! Are you allowed to wear jeans to dinner? Sometimes I dress up my tops, shoes etc with jeans when I go out somewhere.. I know their dress code is pretty strict..

Any other tips would be gratefully recieved :j