Cancun area AI for a family of 5?

[WendyS7272]

Hi,

I am looking to travel to the Cancun/Riviera Mayan area later this year. We are a family of 5, and I have found that a lot of the better resorts only allow 4 people per room and require us to have 2 rooms, or will make us pay for up to 4-6 adults to have a larger unit when my kids are 8, 9, and 3, which becomes much more expensive. Can someone recommend an RCI-affiliated resort with a great kids club, that has a reasonable AI fee and has a suite large enough for a family of 5? We have been to The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real, the Melia in Puerto Vallarta, and Beaches Resorts in the past. I would like to find a comparable resort in the cancun area. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

[DonnaD]

Why go all-inclusive??

With kids your children's ages, I would opt for a 2 bedroom and go to Walmart for groceries....the kids would be happy with cereal for breakfast, sandwiches & fruit for lunch, and then go to some of the restaurants so you aren't cooped up in one resort all day. it will be far cheaper. I know there are all-inclusives in area, but I would not choose to travel that way with kids who are more interested in the pools and beach. Just my thoughts as a grandmother who raised 3 children. I am more frugal, I guess.

 

[Carta]

I totally agree with Donna. If ur kids were teenagers I'd say ai would be fine. They could eat at anytime on their own. Your kids will need supervision.which becomes a pain... jmo

 

[Phydeaux]

This one is easy: The Royal Resorts

Personally, I'd choose either the Royal Caribbean or Royal Islander because they are situated next to each other, and the Royal Mayan. You are encouraged to use the facilities of all of the resorts, and when you add these up, it's a LOT, not to mention a lot of real estate at your complete use. Villa with kitchen accommodates 4 adults, and you could add on the lock off if you wanted even more space.

 

[capjak]

The Palace resorts are very nice (Moon Palace etc..) and usually include excursions. The Moon Palace has its own water purification as well.

 

[Carta]

Another plus for the Tri-Royals (Mayan, Caribbean, Islander), they have a free shuttle to the 2 other Royals. And you may use all amenities free...Wife and I will be at Islander; 3/10 to 3/24...2-bdrm; Beachfront...Accommodates 6

 

[pittle]

Palace Resorts are very nice. The Beach Palace and Cancun Palace are both in Cancun and Moon Palace is further north. If you stay at one, you can go to the others. We have done that in the past and enjoyed the different resorts. The Sun Palace is Adults Only, so you will not be able to go there.

We are not big on the AI ourselves as we do not normally eat and drink enough to justify the AI fees. We prefer a place like the Royals or Grupo Mayan resorts where we can have breakfast and snacks and drinks in our unit.

 

[WendyS7272]

Thanks for the suggestions. We prefer AI because we go with another family and our kids enjoy the kids club tremedously. They prefer to do those activites and swim. They don't even like to go with us to dinner at night! They prefer to do their own thing with a sitter! LOL The palace resorts usually only have a room for 4 people, and their AI fees are pretty pricey. Are the Royals AI? I will have to see if they have bigger units as well....

 

[BoaterMike]

Thanks for the suggestions. We prefer AI because we go with another family and our kids enjoy the kids club tremedously. They prefer to do those activites and swim. They don't even like to go with us to dinner at night! They prefer to do their own thing with a sitter! LOL The palace resorts usually only have a room for 4 people, and their AI fees are pretty pricey. Are the Royals AI? I will have to see if they have bigger units as well....

Royals have two br units that would accommodate your group. However, they are not AI and most trade through Interval International, not RCI as you indicated in your original post. (I recall some RCI involvement at one time, but someone else will have to fill in details.)

Personally, I would hate to limit my vacation to AI accommodations only.

Mike

 

[psubill78]

Thanks for the suggestions. We prefer AI because we go with another family and our kids enjoy the kids club tremedously. They prefer to do those activites and swim. They don't even like to go with us to dinner at night! They prefer to do their own thing with a sitter! LOL The palace resorts usually only have a room for 4 people, and their AI fees are pretty pricey. Are the Royals AI? I will have to see if they have bigger units as well....

Wendy, depending on which palace resort you go to - there are family rooms, that will hold more than 4 people.

We are Palace Members, so if you are interested in more detail, let me know!

 

[goodjobwm]

This one is easy: The Royal Resorts
You are encouraged to use the facilities of all of the resorts, and when you add these up, it's a LOT, not to mention a lot of real estate at your complete use.

I just got a week at ROYAL SAND from June 16-23. It'll be our first time ever to Mexico.

What different facilities from one ROYAL Resorts to another ? and why "when you add these up, it's a LOT" Thank you.

 

[jhac007]

I just got a week at ROYAL SAND from June 16-23. It'll be our first time ever to Mexico.

What different facilities from one ROYAL Resorts to another ? and why "when you add these up, it's a LOT" Thank you.

You will find the Royal Sands to be superb! Great rooms/views, restaurants on site and adjacent, free shuttle to other resorts/restaurants, great pool and beach.....................

Jim

 

[pjrose]

You can take the free shuttle over to the Tri Royals (Mayan, Caribbean, Islander) where you'll have three different huge pool areas (some with islands, one with waterfall, one with volleyball net), big beach, five restaurants..... big variety.

You can also take a bus or van (your "personal concierge" will likely invite you) over to The Royal Cancun (formerly VCI) and/or The Royal Haciendas for a tour (low pressure) and then spend the day; each of these is different compared to The Royal Sands and the Tris. There'll be a sales presentation, but you can just say "no thanks," hold your ground, and go out to enjoy the pools/beach. If you like them, you can buy resale on TUG and other sites. They'll likely treat you to brunch or lunch, but the Royals do not do big incentives.

 

[goodjobwm]

They'll likely treat you to brunch or lunch, but the Royals do not do big incentives.

I'm not sure what timeshare my sister went for a presentation. She had a full incentive package of zipline excursion for 4. That'd be over $400. Yet, she didn't buy more timeshare.

 

[Kel]

The Royal Sands and Royal Haciendas are going to a mandatory all-inclusive for exchangers starting on October 27, 2012. It sounds like the Tri Royals may go that way too at some point.