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ABR Alternative? - 12/3/2012 1:16:50 PM
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lovetheislands
Posts: 56
Joined: 1/30/2011
From: Niagara Falls, NY
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Ok...I'll start it....without going into all the rants, let me just say I don't see ABR fitting my needs at this point in time. What is a viable alternative to ABR. We still want to do an AI this upcoming year since we'll be travelling with older teens, that have there own schedule and don't want the hassle of rounding everyone up for dinners and such. I really like the acessiblity of having a nice littel town near by for distraction and the odd meal out. A nice calm beach is also a must with close snorkling.
We only have been to this region 3 times and gave up searching after we found ABR/Akumal, so our knowledge is limited as to other resorts.
Any advice is much appreciated.
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RE: ABR Alternative? - 12/3/2012 3:27:09 PM
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sealex
Posts: 85
Joined: 1/2/2008
From: California
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Grand Paladium is close. Rooms & restaurants are better... beach and snorkeling are good but not as good as ABR
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RE: ABR Alternative? - 12/4/2012 7:49:03 AM
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LocoDuk
Posts: 271
Joined: 1/10/2012
From: St.Albert, Alberta, Canada
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Although, I myself am done with all inclusives, I have been to many. 
A decent one is Grand Sirenis. They have a little bay there with a very nice beach. Snorkelling is right there. And to go anywhere is a short taxi ride.  I haven't been there for a few years, but been there twice and was ok. Only thing I found there was food could be better but was something there for everyone and the place was very nice. Great value still in going there. Check it out. May be a good alternative for you. Last AI I went to was the Barcelo, was good too. Good snorkeling out front also, well ok anyways, lol.
Cheers!
Doug 
And I forgot an awesome part of Grand Sirenis, the lazy river. Awesomer!!!! Take your own tubes, lotsa fun for everyone!!!
< Message edited by LocoDuk -- 12/4/2012 7:56:32 AM >
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RE: ABR Alternative? - 12/4/2012 11:37:40 AM
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Bren
Posts: 341
Joined: 7/12/2007
From: Nova Scotia
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I have been reading the news about the ABR. It should be interesting to see how it all turns out when the constructions is finished. We were at the ABR in October 2007 and April 2008. That was the first time we ever went to the same resort twice. Since then we have stayed at the Barcelo, Occidental Grand Xcaret, two trips to Cozumel and we just got home three weeks ago from the Grand Sirenis.
The snorkeling out in front of the Grand Sirenis is pretty darn good. The corals are healthy and there are lots of them. Lots of different fish, even some turtles and rays. We really liked the resort. The food was really good. Room always clean and no damp smells.
We actually started going to the 4+ star resorts when we discovered we could stay there cheaper than at the ABR! We always come back to Akumal bay for a day trip when we are in the area. This last trip, I went away feeling that the bay is starting to show major signs of over population of the two legged variety. I actually told my hubby that the next trip we wouldn't be going to Akumal Bay.
The Grand Sirenis is a pretty big resort, but you can still find your quiet places. There is actually a really nice secluded beach that even the turtles find good enough to lay their eggs.
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Occ Gr Coz, Occ Gr Xcaret, Barcelo Palace, El Coz, ABR, Palladium
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RE: ABR Alternative? - 12/4/2012 7:51:42 PM
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CallMeFrank
Posts: 3104
Joined: 10/11/2009
From: St. Charles, Mo.
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I personally don't think you'll find free snorkelling as good as Akumal anywhere along the coast. I hear Puerto Morales' National Marine Park is very good but you have to pay to be taken out to the reef. Heard of decent snorkelling off Oasis Tulum and Grand Palladium. Been to the area where Grand Sirenis is before the hotel was there. OK but not as good as Akumal. Also there is suppose to be a nice reef close to CRT but it is a good swim out to it. Good luck and like I said, this is just my opinion!
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RE: ABR Alternative? - 12/4/2012 10:15:21 PM
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Vancouver Sundog
Posts: 5923
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From: North Vancouver
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quote:
I hear Puerto Morales' National Marine Park is very good but you have to pay to be taken out to the reef. Heard of decent snorkelling off Oasis Tulum and Grand Palladium.
latest Oasis Tulum reports mention too many sea urchants / beach oroded since the last little tropical storm
Palladium - more $ and when the wind blows , snorkeling not great
PM: Just did it 2 days ago - the best althougth $$ to take you out by boat out though rough when the wind
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RE: ABR Alternative? - 12/5/2012 12:10:56 AM
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CallMeFrank
Posts: 3104
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From: St. Charles, Mo.
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Sundog--Was the PM marine park better than Akumal? I've heard it was fantastic. Last I heard it was $25 for a couple hours. What's the overall approximatel depth? Details would be appreciated!
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RE: ABR Alternative? - 12/5/2012 10:18:23 AM
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Bren
Posts: 341
Joined: 7/12/2007
From: Nova Scotia
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I don't think there are many ocean view rooms in Barcelo, Grand Sirenis or Xcaret. There is one building at Sirenis on the Mayan side that would have a lot of ocean view, but that is the building used by the vacation club. I think there is another building that has ocean view on the other side of the resort. There are lots of pool view rooms.
From what I remember of the Barcelo layout, only the rooms at the ocean end of the building have ocean view, some rooms might have pool but I think the majority have garden view.
I think pretty well all the Xcaret room are either pool or garden view. My room at the Xcaret was a ground floor garden view. I looked out one day to see a Mexican Raccoon cut through our patio. Another day I saw two deer eating grass.
When we were at the Palladium there were only two sections to that resort, Kantena (sp) and Colonial. Most were garden view. Not sure about the new sections.
< Message edited by Bren -- 12/5/2012 10:20:03 AM >
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Occ Gr Coz, Occ Gr Xcaret, Barcelo Palace, El Coz, ABR, Palladium
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RE: ABR Alternative? - 12/5/2012 11:31:50 AM
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lovetheislands
Posts: 56
Joined: 1/30/2011
From: Niagara Falls, NY
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Reading, looking and getting frustrated. ABR seemed so right just the way it was, but change is inevidable and I do welcome it...just not at an inconvience to me..lol..I'm drawing to the conclusion that we just may be back at ABR this May, but maybe only for 7 days instead of the 12 planned. I do have some interest in Puerto Morelos. It has that certain Akumal look to it. Any recommentions for this area???
Also... any laid back casual feeling AI places in the caribbean that any can recommend? We've been to Anguilla (too $$$ for this trip with teens), Jamaica (once was enough), Bahamas ...yuck ...(not the out islands) and St Martins (never again). We really enjoy Mexico, it's people and culture but not the mega resorts.
Thanks
Hope I didn't offend any mega-AI folks here. I'm just not that into taking a tram down to see the ocean.
ABR building 5 is OK but I think I like 6 and 7 better because of that beautiful ocean view and the gentle lapping of the waves at night.
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RE: ABR Alternative? - 12/5/2012 11:50:24 AM
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ulle trautvag
Posts: 378
Joined: 3/28/2008
From: Manhattan/nyc
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Check out the Gran Bahia Principe Portillo in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic. I've read it has very good off the beach snorkeling. A new airport in La Samana is quite close.
< Message edited by ulle trautvag -- 12/5/2012 11:51:16 AM >
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RE: ABR Alternative? - 12/5/2012 1:48:52 PM
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PamF
Posts: 376
Joined: 1/30/2012
From: Chicago Illinois
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Seagoat
quote:
ORIGINAL: lovetheislands
We've been to Anguilla (too $$$ for this trip with teens), Jamaica (once was enough), Bahamas ...yuck ...(not the out islands) and St Martins (never again). We really enjoy Mexico, it's people and culture but not the mega resorts.
Can you elaborate a little on why you disliked those other destinations? Just curious, as I'd like to try some other tropical beachy places, but seem to be hooked on the Roo. :) Thanks.
Seagoat
For us, this past April was our first Mexico trip as a couple. Before that, we went to Negril, Jamaica every February. The beach in Negril reminds me very much of the beach area in Tulum. White sands, low rise buildings (Negril does not allow any building to be taller than the palm trees), lots of little places (although the AI's are killing off a lot of the mom & pop places these days). The locals are great people and the higglers are annoying at times. You have to be ready to say 'no thank you' is all!
We are set to return to the Roos in February again, but my heart still belongs to Jamaica.
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RE: ABR Alternative? - 12/5/2012 2:20:48 PM
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Vancouver Sundog
Posts: 5923
Joined: 10/1/2006
From: North Vancouver
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quote:
Was the PM marine park better than Akumal? I've heard it was fantastic. Last I heard it was $25 for a couple hours. What's the overall approximatel depth?
$25 FOR 90 MINUTES - fantastic - wait for our photos
Great reef , 4- 8 feet depth, condos right on the wide sandy beach
Some parts have a strong current though
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AASB 13 Done it - AAFB in the planning
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RE: ABR Alternative? - 12/5/2012 2:31:01 PM
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Seagoat
Posts: 4265
Joined: 11/13/2007
From: Sunny Alberta
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quote:
ORIGINAL: PamF
quote:
ORIGINAL: Seagoat
quote:
ORIGINAL: lovetheislands
We've been to Anguilla (too $$$ for this trip with teens), Jamaica (once was enough), Bahamas ...yuck ...(not the out islands) and St Martins (never again). We really enjoy Mexico, it's people and culture but not the mega resorts.
Can you elaborate a little on why you disliked those other destinations? Just curious, as I'd like to try some other tropical beachy places, but seem to be hooked on the Roo. :) Thanks.
Seagoat
For us, this past April was our first Mexico trip as a couple. Before that, we went to Negril, Jamaica every February. The beach in Negril reminds me very much of the beach area in Tulum. White sands, low rise buildings (Negril does not allow any building to be taller than the palm trees), lots of little places (although the AI's are killing off a lot of the mom & pop places these days). The locals are great people and the higglers are annoying at times. You have to be ready to say 'no thank you' is all!
We are set to return to the Roos in February again, but my heart still belongs to Jamaica.
Thanks Pamf. Is there snorkelling in Negril? Not sure if I could stand just hanging out on the beach without being able to snorkel.
Cheers,
SG
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RE: ABR Alternative? - 12/5/2012 4:35:26 PM
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KAFOKA
Posts: 4658
Joined: 4/1/2005
From: MASS
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VS - tell me more about the snorkeling - I am staying in PM in April and can't wait !
Did you walk up to a boat or.... any recommendations and advice is appreciated -
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