Mexican All Inclusives....which one would you choose?

We're trying to keep our budget at 5,000 max (flights/stay/food) so opting for all inclusive. And want a private pool (preferably a decent size) and LOTS of privacy (no little munchkins running around).

Also liked viceroy zihuatanejo (was actually #1 for us for a while) until we realized it's not all inclusive..

We are going to the Excellence Riviera Cancun for our honeymoon. We've heard amazing things about if from three different couple. Can't wait!

ETA: The food reviews are what sold us on Excellence.

Unfortunately I have not been to any of these but we are also looking into some of the ones you listed to have our actual wedding. On another note, while I have not specifically been to Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana, FW and I have been to two of the Secrets chain resorts: Secrets Vallarta Bay and Secrets Capri, and we have nothing but GREAT things to say about both. I have nothing but love for the Secrets chain and will definitely visit more of them. The quality at their resorts is exceptional.

You can have an oceanview at Dreams Las Mareas in Costa Rica, 7 days, for $3,000. It's a new resort. Check it out.

@missy: yeah I had heard good things about the secrets resorts so we were excited, especially given the price but the reviews (the most recent ones in the past month are all 1's) really turned us off.

@anne: we're looking for something with a private plunge pool + ocean view but I had looked at that place and liked it!

Thank you! i will definitely check it out.

If you want to try a secrets resort and would like to go to punta cana, try Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana. The reviews for this one are much better!

Or if you prefer mexico over the dominican, i would recommend Secrets Maroma, or the two we have been to, Secrets Capri or Secrets Vallarta Bay

I normally don't comment on anything, but I have been to two of these! Maroma is beautiful! Less restaurants and bars than el dorado casitas ( they are sister resorts) but have more water activities ( scuba diving, parasailing) on site or at the family resort next door. And it is a very romantic resort. El dorado/Casitas is a massive resort that really goes the extra mile on their rooms ( my brother was recently married there and stayed on the casitas side) if you are active that is the place to go because they have so many day activities and a fun night life. They have a ton of restaurants and bars. The service is a little so, so don't expect speedy anything ( tip bartenders well and you will always have a drink). I have been there three times and one of them it rained literally the whole time and I still couldn't complain. If you have any questions about those two don't hesitate to ask me! Oh and Food is amazing at both!!

@kara: YES! I am having so much trouble deciding! Are both resorts TRUE all inclusives? We definitely want something more low key and relaxing but with the option of going and doing leisurely activities. We dont drink so the lack of bars/clubs at a place won't bother us. We were looking at places that do candlight dinners on the beach/go the extra mile for honeymooning couples and just wanted something very very romantic and as private as possible.

Food is good at both, you said?

What rooms did you guys stay in? any recommendations? have you stayed in the types of room that i mentioned? We want a larger plunge pool because I can't really go swimming in the main one.

Yes! I recommend tipping $2-3 breakfast $ 5 lunch $10 dinner. You want them to remember you. If you want low key and smaller, Maroma is it- their beach is prettier, and it's smaller so there is less people . You will pay for a candlelight dinner and activities like scuba, parasailing. If you snorkel off shore it's free. Neither are super private unless you go presidential ( you will have neighbors). Also Maroma will have significantly less people than royale/ casitas. In el dorado I Stayed on the royale side ( I liked the activities and bars) my bro and sil stayed in casitas and have an outdoor shower, big gorgeous rooms and a nice place to lounge ( depending on the floor/ room you pick you will either share with a neighbor or have your own) it's all couples that want a calm vacation. The nice thing about casitas is you can go to any restaurant (they have golf carts to take you places if you don't feel like walking) I haven't been to Maroma since 2012 ( my parents have timeshares so we travel around the resorts quite a bit) When I am on my computer tomorrow I'll try and post pictures here, my phone isn't letting me. If You pick either look at a map, call and book and request a room block that you like ( in royale I like the 40 or 42 room buildings). Food is amazing!!!!! I never found a meal I didn't like!!! The Tina turner at la isla in royale is heaven. Pure heaven.

Ohh and btw We are a swim up group so I may not be able to find pictures of individual m room pools but I will check

@Kara: Okay, we'll be sure to tip!

LOL my fiance can't make up his mind. He was in love with Maroma when I told him what you posted but now he's having second thoughts and likes the rooms at Excellence Playa Mujeres more.

The "all inclusive" packages at zoetry and excellence seem to be truly very all inclusive so that's what's making us like those. Maroma seems GORGEOUS though and an ocean view + plunge pool in an affordable all inclusive seems hard to pass up! How was the beach? Super crowded?

Thank you so much! You're giving me so much info and it's really helping!

Now we're basically between Excellence Playa Mujeres vs Maroma!

This is maromas room pool and a building. the general consensus is that this is a great small hotel. 3 restaurants, wonderful beach, a bit of an older crowd, you will have plenty of privacy here.

@kara: thanks ! yeah that looks gorgeous and smaller/intimate is definitely a win for me. fiance is unsure of there only being 3 restaurants but...considering we're only there for 5 nights, that should be okay!

This is an inside of a casitas (there is also an outdoor shower and tub) and the swim up. the individual pool size is similar to maroma. there will be significantly more people at this resort because of its size, if you are a foodie you wont have to repeat restaurants here. The beach is also slightly less pretty to look at.

Zoetry due to the Spa!

FH is obsessed with Excellence Playa mujeres (the rooftop pool/terrace thing sold him, I think)...so I think that's what we're doing...watch us change our mind again 91201x before july

I have been to the Excellence in Punta Cana and it was amazing.

Our travel agent recommended excellence or the el dorado resorts to us if that's any help!

All 4 are great resorts for different reasons.

1) Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita (Oceanfront 1 Bedroom Suite with Plunge Pool) -- AMAZING boutique resort with first class dining and a lot of extras. The rooms here are huge with each one being decorated differently by the owner. There are limited restaurants on property but you do have exchange privileges with the Secrets, Dreams, and Now resorts in the area (but you provide your own transportation). This resort is not adults only, however seeing children here is also very rare (no children's club and they would pay full adult rate). The beach here is nice but not the best out of your options.

2) El Dorado Maroma (Infinity Pool Jacuzzi Suite) -- This is another boutique sized resort that would be similar to Zoetry. This resort is part of the Gourmet Inclusive program that offers amazing gourmet food. The restaurant selection is also small but great choices. This is a true adults only all inclusive resort. The biggest draw for this resort is the beach -- Maroma beach is the best you will find in the Riviera Maya area of Mexico. It is spectacular!

3) El Dorado Casitas Royale (Infinity Pool Casita Suite) -- This resort is is part of the El Dorado Royale complex, the Casita section is separate from El Dorado Royale but all the restaurants are used by both resorts. The restaurants are all part of the Gourmet Inclusive program and they offer lots of restaurant options to choose from. The beach at the Casita section is better than the beach at the Royale section. This is also an adult only complex.

4) Excellence Playa Mujeres (2 Story Terrace with Pool) -- This resort is set in the beautiful Playa Mujeres resort area north of Cancun. The beaches here are very nice. This resort offers lots of great dining options. This room is great and will offer you a unique honeymoon experience. This is an adults only resort as well.