Planning a family vacation to Mexico often conjures images of sun-drenched beaches, vibrant culture, and hassle-free experiences, especially when considering all-inclusive resorts. For many families, the allure of having meals, drinks, and entertainment bundled into one price is incredibly appealing. The promise of a relaxing getaway where everything is taken care of can be particularly attractive when traveling with a large family group. However, as one family discovered during their recent trip to Playa del Carmen, the reality of an all-inclusive experience might not always align perfectly with expectations, especially when traveling with a bigger party. This is their story, highlighting the crucial factors to consider when booking Family Hotels Mexico All Inclusive, ensuring your dream vacation doesn’t turn into a logistical challenge.
For a UK family of eight, a return trip to The Fives Beach Hotel & Residences in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, was meant to be a joyous occasion. Having previously enjoyed a fantastic vacation at the same resort in 2016, they decided to return for a special 60th birthday celebration. The resort, boasting five pools, 11 restaurants, and a spa, seemed like the ideal setting for a large family seeking an effortless and luxurious escape. They collectively spent a significant amount, approximately $25,434 for a two-week package vacation, flights included, believing they were investing in a stress-free and memorable experience. However, this time around, their experience revealed some crucial shortcomings, prompting them to reconsider the appeal of family hotels Mexico all inclusive, particularly for large groups.
One of the initial hiccups arose from a room mix-up. Upon arrival, the author and her partner found themselves in a room with two single beds instead of the king-size bed they had booked. While this was promptly rectified with a complimentary upgrade to a suite the next day, it set the stage for a vacation that was not entirely seamless. The upgraded suite, mirroring the one booked by the author’s parents at an additional cost of around $652, was a welcome improvement. It featured a king-size bed, an open-plan living area and kitchen, two flatscreen TVs, and a balcony overlooking the pool. This swift resolution to the initial room issue was appreciated and initially suggested that the resort was attentive to guest needs.
However, the most significant challenge encountered by the family revolved around dining. During their previous visit in 2016, the resort had a reservation system for dinner, which worked efficiently even for their group of nine. Returning with a slightly smaller group of eight in August, they were surprised to find that the booking system had been eliminated. Guests were now expected to simply show up at the restaurants without prior reservations. This change presented a considerable obstacle, especially for a larger family.
The absence of a reservation system led to significant dining disruptions. The family often faced long waits, sometimes being asked to return later, and on one occasion, they endured a two-hour wait to secure a dinner table. Lunch was slightly less problematic, but often required the family to split up and dine at separate tables of four. The only meal that consistently ran smoothly was the breakfast buffet, held in a large venue with ample seating and staff. This chaotic dining situation became a major source of frustration, overshadowing the celebratory atmosphere of their vacation. Despite having invested a substantial amount of money for this trip, the family felt like an inconvenience due to the resort’s inability to effectively accommodate their large group for dining. This experience highlights a critical consideration for families when choosing family hotels Mexico all inclusive: the resort’s capacity and systems for managing dining, particularly for larger parties.
Midway through their two-week stay, the family voiced their dining frustrations to a staff member, who surprisingly offered a solution. For the remaining week, the resort made an exception and allowed the family to make dinner reservations. A schedule with pre-booked dinner times was provided, which initially seemed like a positive turnaround. However, even with this arrangement in place, two restaurants still managed to overlook their reservations, leading to further confusion and disappointment. Room service offered a convenient alternative on a couple of occasions, with options like pizza and nachos. However, the limited menu and the desire to experience the resort’s diverse restaurants made room service an unsustainable nightly solution.
The experience raises questions about the suitability of some family hotels Mexico all inclusive for large groups. All-inclusive resorts frequently cater to wedding parties, bachelor/bachelorette groups, and large families, yet this particular resort seemed ill-equipped to handle a family of eight when it came to dining arrangements. This is particularly noteworthy considering the booming tourism industry in Mexico. Visit Mexico reported in June that Mexico is among the top 10 most popular tourist destinations globally, and the tourism sector saw robust growth. Duncan Greenfield-Turk, CEO of Global Travel Moments, noted the continued popularity of all-inclusive resorts and a trend towards luxury-focused properties with major brands expanding in Mexico. However, he also suggests considering private rentals in areas like Puerto Vallarta or Tulum for groups seeking more space and personalized services. These alternatives can offer a more tailored experience, especially for larger families who might find the standard all-inclusive model restrictive.
Despite the dining challenges, the family acknowledged that they still had an overall enjoyable vacation, and they appreciated the resort’s attempt to address their concerns during the second week. However, the experience has made them hesitant to return to this resort or any other family hotels Mexico all inclusive that lack a reliable booking system, particularly for dining. For future large family trips, they are inclined to explore alternatives like private property rentals, aligning with the recommendation for more personalized and spacious accommodations. This experience serves as a valuable lesson for families planning all-inclusive vacations in Mexico: inquire about dining reservation policies and consider the resort’s ability to comfortably accommodate large groups before booking. While Mexico all-inclusive family hotels offer undeniable convenience, ensuring they can meet the specific needs of your family size is crucial for a truly relaxing and enjoyable vacation.
