We decided to book an all-inclusive, resort style vacation after a particularly stressful winter. Normally we love to plan our own trips, but this year we were really more inclined to pick a place, press a button, and have a ready-made relaxing trip. In hindsight, the all-inclusive route did just the trick.
However, I don’t think planning meals and activities from a central location is so difficult that an all-inclusive resort is the only way to have a relaxing vacation. Being in a secluded place has it’s perks, but it doesn’t feel like authentic travel to me. I couldn’t help feeling we were missing the real Mexico. My mind always wanders to that place where I worry we won’t ever get back to a destination again, so I was worried for a second this would be my only Mexico experience. I don’t want that to be the case, because the best parts of the trip were off-campus on day trips to Chichen Itza and Isla Mujeres.
I think these all-inclusives would be great for family vacations and reunions. We chose one that was adults only, Excellence Maya Riviera, partly because we scheduled the trip around spring break time and because it looked like a nicer property. I guess I didn’t quite realize how much of the culture around these is about drinking and hanging out at the bar. I spent most of my time alone at the beach instead of the pool because I can go to a pool at home. I really prefer the ocean, and there was also waiter service out on the beach.
The resort was beautiful, the food was all right. It reminded me a lot of the conferences I attend for work, which either means I get to do some nice business travelling, or it was only a so-so resort. Unfortunately, all-inclusives do not seem to specialize in local or healthy food. While there were ways to eat healthy food, everything felt like a mass-production and I find that disappointing as a food lover.
I feel like we doubled our carbon footprint on this trip. Plastic water bottles are almost a necessity even in resorts with treated water, towels and sheets get washed and changed so often, and all the beach-side drinks are in plastic cups. This reminded me constantly that this trip didn’t agree with our travel ideals.
When we travel, we are usually pretty active, loving hiking, walks, and cultural activities. This beach bum vacation was great for catching up on my reading. I read 5 books in 7 days and I loved the uninterrupted reading time and space. (More about how I packed 5 books in another post!) I didn’t get antsy, but we did arrange two trips outside the hotel, and Rob also spent two other days diving. Activities were available through the hotel entertainment staff and we participated in some of that – a beach banquet and a pirate dance revue. The most active travellers would feel antsy even with the beach volleyball, free kayaking, swimming, and free pilates classes.
One of my favorite things about staying at a resort is usually the spa. Since I had to spend so much time without Rob on the two mornings he dove, I made sure there was a lovely spa. I think this was the nicest of any I’ve been to. We scheduled our most relaxing treatments for the morning of the day we left. Rob got a massage and I got a facial. It was a good way to spend the last few hours on the resort before rushing off to the airport.
Many people claim not having to tip is a benefit of the all-inclusive. I don’t believe in not tipping, and we had such nice service. We are privileged to have this kind of trip, and I couldn’t imagine not tipping.
I don’t think we’ll visit an all-inclusive again soon. We want to wander a bit more and immerse ourselves in local cultures when we can. If we do, we’ll find one that is environmentally friendly at least, and bring some friends.