We are planning on taking a vacation for our three year wedding anniversary this summer, and have picked the Caribbean, since neither of us have been there, and it is pretty close proximity now that we live on the east coast. We are also looking for an experience that we've really never had before: an all inclusive resort.
In 2009 we stayed for two nights at an all inclusive in Puerto Vallarta, as part of a longer trip, but didn't really get to take advantage of a lot of the amenities since we were there for such a short time. My husband likes the fact that an all inclusive would mean we would mainly stay in one place and have lots of beach lounging time (since I tend to plan more elaborate trips with multiple hotel switches and non-stop activity), and I like the fact that a lot of activities are already built into the price, so I can satisfy my desire for snorkeling and adventures while he can just lie around all day.
I started my research with Fodor's 10 Best Caribbean All Inclusives for 2012. I went to all of the resort's websites (as well as all of the runner up resorts) and priced out at least a one week stay. Sadly, pretty much all of them were out of our ~$5,000 budget with air fare. All but one resort, the runner up for Best Beach, Palm Island.
And while we've decided that for this next trip, we want to go some place with a little more entertainment/nightlife options, this place is definitely getting filed away for a future trip! Doesn't a 135 acre all inclusive resort on a private island near Barbados sound divine for an ultimate "do nothing but relax on the beach" vacation?
Just look at these photos!
