Any recent experiences with All Inclusive hotels in Caribbean?

[Quilter]

We're looking at a property in Barbados for next Winter. The reviews are 3 years old. I'm open to recommendations for any island except DR. Thank you.

 

[bucs0721]

Here's the most recent (March 24, 2025) info for Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba:

 

[Dean]

Aruba has a number of AI resorts however none of these fit our travel style. We like exploring, going out to eat, seeing local scenery. Thus I'd only look at an AI resort where I wanted to stay in a bubble like DR or MX. OTOH I've seen some resorts with meal plans that were a decent deal but those vary over time and I don't have any current ones to suggest. I've had friends stay at Riu in Aruba and they were happy with it. I've only seen one AI timeshare over the years that I felt was anywhere near reasonable and I've never seen it available as an exchange and I've looked at a lot of them comparing prices and options. In almost every case the AI fee was as much as one could have gotten the entire trip for including air and room. One has to drink a lot and use the available included options continually to make an AI work in every one I've looked.

 

[GrayFal]

We have stayed at Windjammer Landing in St Lucia which is optional AI.
Very nice resort in a beautiful setting, feels a bit like coastal Italy or Greece the way the villas cascade down the hill. I have stayed there with and without AI and ifyou just want to chill, the AI option is good one as getting around the island can be a challenge.
Not a Marriott but still nice. Traded thru II, also in RCI

Windjammer Landing | St. Lucia Luxury Villa Beach Resort

Experience unforgettable moments at Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences in Saint Lucia, nestled on a lush Caribbean hillside. Discover now!

www.windjammer-landing.com

One of if not my top stay in the Caribbean is The Crane Residence on Barbados. Gorgeous villas and a beautiful setting. I believe HGVC has taken over some of the TS units, I traded in thru RCI but certainly available for cash stays. Optional AI

https://www.thecrane.com/

Both of these resorts have options that include private pools and plunge pool with your unit.

Because these are optional AI, they do not have the party/drink all you can drink type of atmosphere Both are upscale and very nice.
I stayed at a Royalton Resort for a wedding ( now available thru Marriott dot com) and with AI mandatory AI, it’s a totally different feel. JMHO

 

[dioxide45]

Aruba has a number of AI resorts however none of these fit our travel style. We like exploring, going out to eat, seeing local scenery. Thus I'd only look at an AI resort where I wanted to stay in a bubble like DR or MX. OTOH I've seen some resorts with meal plans that were a decent deal but those vary over time and I don't have any current ones to suggest. I've had friends stay at Riu in Aruba and they were happy with it. I've only seen one AI timeshare over the years that I felt was anywhere near reasonable and I've never seen it available as an exchange and I've looked at a lot of them comparing prices and options. In almost every case the AI fee was as much as one could have gotten the entire trip for including air and room. One has to drink a lot and use the available included options continually to make an AI work in every one I've looked.

I would tend to agree. We would only do AI in DR, Mexico and also Jamaica. We've been to Aruba and Barbados and did self-catering as some call it. If one is willing to rent a car in Barbados, there is so much to see. You just have to be willing to learn to drive on the left with a right hand drive vehicle. It wasn't as hard as some make it out to be.

 

[dansimms]

We're looking at a property in Barbados for next Winter. The reviews are 3 years old. I'm open to recommendations for any island except DR. Thank you.

We really liked The House and used Bonvoy Points for a 5 night stay prior to a cruise . You can have meals and hang out at 5 different properties along the coast. Some are easy walks along the beach to get to and there is a free small water taxi to take you to the ones near and further. So it is a good mix of seeing the coast and relaxing. None are like a DR or Jamaica loud party and drinking vibe.
As far as Sandals, our favorite was Graneda, for the party vibe, but the island is so nice we did a combo trip , staying at La Luna for an additional 5 nights , when it was still associated with Marriott.
Our second favorite Sandals was the Sandals Grand on St Lucia , which give you access to the 2 other nearby Sandals on the island, so once again you can enjoy the party vibe and see aome more of the island easily with excursions and simply catching the resort bus to the other 2.
Sandals Exuma is the one we would not return to. Our room was a bit shabby and some of the staff were unmotivated . That resort is getting a much needed overhaul and will be rebranded as a Sandals Beaches. The saving grace of that locations is the beach is gorgeous.
Next winter we are trying Sandals Barbados, after an Emerald Cruise which starts and ends there. I hear that it compares favorably to some of the better Sandals. We shall see .
The other mellow AI we tried twice is on Abaco which the first time was branded as a Ritz Carlton and the second time as a Marriott. We loved it, but geared to relaxation and golf Very pretty beach with calm water. Nice for long walks. The northeast corner of that island had gorgeous wavy beaches after you take a short ferry ride to one of their barrier islands.

 

[Steve A]

We stayed at the Club Med in Miches DR. Beautiful but we found the food disappointing.