Riviera Maya or Aruba?

We have it down to 4 choices. We have not been to any of these places, except for me going to Cancun, and FH going to Cozumel, so it's not even close.

1. Secrets Excellence, Riviera Maya, Mexico
2. Royal Hideaway, Riviera Maya, Mexico
3. Aruba Stellaris Marriott
4. Hyatt Regency Aruba

Thanks in advance!!!

Message edited 10/9/2005 10:11:17 PM.

Re: Punta Cana, Riviera Maya or Aruba/Curacao?

I have never been to the excellence resorts, but I am not the biggest fan of mexico. I will say that I have heard good things about the resort.

I would go with Aruba/Curacao. I have heard great things about the island. We were originally going to Aruba for our HM, but changed are minds,(we really wanted to go to Hawaii). You can't beat Aruba weather, and I heard the people are really great!!

We were going to stay at the Radisson! Good Luck with your decision!

I read one of your other posts! Delta song has direct flights to Aruba on Saturdays only. I think you were talking about Curacao though. Also, in Aruba they have a thing called the dine around program. It is one set price for alot of different restaurants on the island. Here is the web site:www.aruba.com/aga/dinearound.html

Message edited 9/24/2005 3:52:33 AM.

Re: Punta Cana, Riviera Maya or Aruba/Curacao?

Thanks!!

Punta Cana is actually in the Dominican Republic, not Mexico. I should have clarified that.

I only mentioned the no direct flight thing to Curacao, because one of the reasons Hawaii was not an option for us, was that FH thought we should be spending more time on our HM than traveling, therefore any long flights involving connections was out of the picture.
Also we only have one week for our HM because of work obligations, so a shorter flight to a closer location is better.

Re: Punta Cana, Riviera Maya or Aruba/Curacao?

So why not stay in Aruba for a week. There is more then enough to do.
Take delta song Saturday to Saturday if you can. It is only about a 4 hour flight.

Did you look into The Royal hideaway in Mexico. I heard great things about it. I heard its the only 5 star all-inclusive.

Re: Punta Cana, Riviera Maya or Aruba/Curacao?

Janna,

We're going to Arbua for our HM. My friends went to Riviera Maya this past June and stayed at Secrets Excellence. They LOVED it there and had the most amazing time. Also check out Royal Hideaway. I got really good prices from Simplicity Travel.

Re: Punta Cana, Riviera Maya or Aruba/Curacao?

We stayed at Secrets in Punta Cana and loved it! Great food and the people are so freindly! I highly reccomend it!

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Re: Punta Cana, Riviera Maya or Aruba/Curacao?

We considered Royal Hideaway, but it's a little out of our price range. The only way we could get a room there would be to get a basic room and book it through this one particular website that I've never even heard of that had the lower rates. Needless to say, that makes me a little nervous!!!

I'm just wondering if we should just go to Aruba and Curacao, since FH and I have both been to Mexico before!!

Also is there any advantage to all-inclusive as opposed to not?

Re: Punta Cana, Riviera Maya or Aruba/Curacao?

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Posted by BKtoLI

We considered Royal Hideaway, but it's a little out of our price range. The only way we could get a room there would be to get a basic room and book it through this one particular website that I've never even heard of that had the lower rates. Needless to say, that makes me a little nervous!!!

I'm just wondering if we should just go to Aruba and Curacao, since FH and I have both been to Mexico before!!

Also is there any advantage to all-inclusive as opposed to not?

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Re: Punta Cana, Riviera Maya or Aruba/Curacao?

Whenever we can, we do try to go all-inclusive. Like previously mentioned, if you and FH are big drinkers, AI is the way to go. Many resorts charge between $5-10 for mixed drinks and if you plan on doing a lot of pool/beachside relaxing, those drinks can really add up.
Read reviews on tripadvisor to get a better idea of the resorts you're considering.

Re: Punta Cana, Riviera Maya or Aruba/Curacao?

Yeah, that's what I figured. We're not very big drinkers at all (I get tipsy after 2 drinks, FH is drunk after 1!!) although whose to say we won't become lushes on our HM??


My mom thinks we should go to Aruba simply because we can always go to Mexico. I'm still stumped!!!

And yes, I have done the extensive research of reviews on tripadvisor, I never travelled anywhere without consulting that site first!!! And travelocity also has some reviews.

Augh!! I wish this was easier!!

Re: Riviera Maya or Aruba?

Also for those that did the dine around program in Aruba, was it worth it???

Re: Riviera Maya or Aruba?

i've been to the royal hideaway in riviera maya twice and loved it! it is beautiful and the food is gourmet and so amazing!

Re: Riviera Maya or Aruba?

Look into Aruba, I know plenty of people who have been there and loved it. A lot of people I know go back every year. You should really look into the Radisson. It was a little cheaper then the Hyatt, and the rooms are nicer. FM for prices on both the Hyatt and Radisson.

I think you should go with the dine around program but only do 5 days, or do the option of lunch or dinners. This will give you the chance to dine at other restaurants that you may want to try that are not on the list.

I heard the best restaurants are:
El Gauchos
The Sunset Grill (In the Radisson)
Flying fishbone
Madame Janette

If you have both been to Mexico, why go back, try some place different. Especially for your HM. The best part is, you don't have to worry about Hurricanes.