Taking on New Adventures

Have you seen an increase in posts from the “content creator” and “influencer” community across social media? I’ve been intrigued by the posts across those who do this on the travel side. While I consider myself a Light Content Creator, at best, I most definitely make zero dollars off of it. I do it for fun, as a way to document my travels for me and my friends.

However, I’ve recently seen some conversations around the all inclusive resorts, specifically in the Caribbean and Mexico. I’m no expert, having only done two trips on the All Inclusive plans. But there were two other trips where I wish I would have done the plan instead of the European one.

I do travel often, more than the average person, and after my most recent experience at the Sonesta Ocean Point Resort in Sint Maarten, I can confidently say I will do an all inclusive resort again, as long as I make sure I’ve done sufficient research before booking.

First, and this is a non-negotiable for me and my husband, the resort must have an all-adult option. I don’t have kids and I don’t find vacationing next to kids that aren’t in my family enjoyable. At all. I don’t care how much the family resort is cheaper than the all-adult one is. There is a price to pay for peace and if I cannot pay it, I just will wait until I can.

My only other all inclusive was in Cancun and adult only as well. While there was not a family option at this resort since it was so small, I do find the attention to detail at both resorts to be on great food and beverage experiences as well as adult-themed fun.

Having the family resort adjacent at the Sonesta gave my husband and I insights into what they did for the families there. Lots of focus on events to keep the kids busy and the food options were vast, but we found the food in the family area to be a little more basic. Not sure if it’s like that at other family resorts but it would make sense because of the nature of picky-eaters and trying to please a more diverse group of people with food. It’s easier to add spice and flavor than take it away.

Another thing I noticed at the two resorts I stayed at compared to the other Caribbean resorts that were not all inclusive was the feeling like I got a lot of bang for my buck. I found that food options were more expensive in and around the resorts and it would’ve been more economical to do an all inclusive package and eat on property than to do what we normally like to do, which is explore the area. Often by the time I got transportation to another area of an island, or walked to another resort, to do lunch or dinner, then paid for a lunch or dinner and had a drink, it ended up being the same cost, at minimum, as what I would’ve spent for the day rate where I was staying or at a comparable resort nearby. Plus, they had a lot of fitness options on the properties that would’ve cost extra at the non-all inclusive properties. Add in the additional musical options and other entertainment events that may have been extra costs at other resorts, you really do get a good value at these resorts. Although not every offering was something we wanted to do, it was nice to have those options.

The first time I did an all inclusive, the resort was small, it was 2000 and there was only one restaurant on property outside of the buffet option. However, I do remember the buffet always having a lot of local and regional options outside of the basics for breakfast and lunch. Every night was a different theme, so it wasn’t as if we were eating the same exact thing every day.

The resort also set up a shuttle to a local nightclub every day, which was an extra cost, but gave us a chance to get off property and do something a bit different. My friend an I took advantage of this and had a blast. It was nice, too, being able to go out and have fun with people from the property and feel a little safer than if we tried to do this on our own. An overall win in our book!

The Sonesta had exclusive restaurants for the adult area that we could use, and one changed the menu daily, which was quite nice. They had a couple of other restaurants that alternated days and times they were opened, which gave some variety. The cool bonus was the BBQ at the main pool a couple of times a week. Jerk chicken, local sausage, burgers and more were on the menu and weeks later, I still want some of the wings they had. Delicious!

Obviously each decision on what to do on your travels should be made for what works best for you and your travel companion(s), but don’t sleep on the all inclusive experience. If you find something that is a great value, you probably won’t mind venturing off property to explore the island or area as well, which could enhance your tropical vacation experience even more!