22 Tips for Choosing the Right Resort

With so many resorts available in so many different locations how does one choose? Knowing what you want and doing research before booking are key elements, but even if you are already booked some fact finding can help you prepare for your trip allowing you to make the most of the resort and know what to bring.

Sometimes, what seems like a good deal at first can turn into a regrettable disappointment, and once you have landed in a distant place it’s hard to do much about it. We’ve experienced all of these things and it’s not fun to be in an area that isn’t safe, a resort that has become rundown, or having to put up with mediocre food or unclean conditions. Storms can also come and wipe out the beach leaving treacherous rocks behind and changing the landscape drastically from those marketing pictures in the brochure.

Most reputable agencies will stand by their product and won’t purposely try to deceive you, but it is good to be informed. With the multitude of social media sites available for travelers nowadays it is almost impossible NOT to find reviews for just about any resort you might be considering. Look beyond the hotel site reviews for unbiased ones on sites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, and others. Make sure that there are lots (typically in the 100s or more) of recent reviews.

Keep in mind also that there are some reviewers that are never satisfied, so some write-ups should be taken with a grain of salt. We have laughed at some that complain about how “they didn’t tell us about the wind” or that “there was too much sand on the beach“. It must take all you have to keep a straight face listening to some of these complaints at the hotel. We’ve stayed at more than fifty resorts over the years and our experience through trial and error has led us to compile the following list of points to consider.

1- Price isn’t everything. Consider a quality versus price ratio and base it on what is important to you. I would rather spend a little more to ensure a minimal level of comfort and cleanliness in the accommodation at the expense of unlimited drinks or free water sports, as these are not important to us. Of course, one has to respect a budget, but we have sometimes tried to skimp and then arrived only to be disappointed. We’ve even desperately tried to get an upgrade on site, but it was unavailable.

2- Cleanliness is important. We tend to avoid older resorts as many aren’t well maintained and don’t age well over the years. This is not always the case, but we’ve found that especially in third world countries maintenance and repairs are not always kept up with and the tendency is to put up new hotels instead of maintaining the older ones. Brochures will generally date the construction or the last major renovation, and we look for something that is 10 years or less, or give extra points for the most recent.

3- Dining Variety. Choosing a resort with a variety of food venues is preferable to one with a single main buffet restaurant. Many offer à la carte dining or themed restaurants, which may have a small charge or a limited number of free reservations. If you are staying for a week or two, you will appreciate not eating the same thing over and over during your stay. Getting served at the table is a nice touch also, but don’t forget that tips are generally appreciated so bring along some small bills. If you do have a buffet only, it is wise to avoid ‘trying a bit of everything’ and instead focus on a few things and change it up on subsequent days. Some kitchens will cycle through a variety of offerings on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule, but this may only apply to the main course.

4- Aim for the top in a multi-hotel group. Another thing we now try to avoid is staying at a resort that’s part of a group where you can stay at one and enjoy multiple resorts in one stay. We found that when we stayed at this type of resort in Punta Cana, unless you are at the top resort in the group you might end up with hand-me-downs. Even at our 4-star we were convinced that we were getting the day-old bread from the 5-star resort. Who knows what else was being passed down?

5- Consider the size of the hotel. A large resort isn’t always better than a small or midsized one. More amenities like pools and restaurants will be available but at the expense of a more intimate setting where everything is close by and easily accessible. We have stayed at mega resorts where it took us 20 minutes to get to the restaurant and another 20 minutes to the beach the other way. Some large resorts do have shuttles but even that took away from the experience for us.

6- How much time will you spend in the room? If you plan on spending a lot of time in the room, choose a more luxurious resort and splurge on an upgraded suite or a view. Amenities like a mini-bar or mini-fridge, a coffee machine, complimentary Wi-Fi and a safe would be things you could appreciate. These are generally listed in the brochure. Call the hotel directly if you are unsure and these are important to you. If you plan to be out on excursions all day, your money on an ocean view room might be better spent elsewhere.

7- Personal Toiletries. I like to use hair conditioner and have found that this is not always supplied even at luxurious resorts, so I bring my own. Many resorts will list popular or fancy products in their descriptions as a selling point so if not listed consider bringing what you need. Be sure to use travel size bottles and respect the TSA guidelines if you’re traveling only with a carry-on.

8- Looking for peace and quiet? Hotels further from the airport and away from the main drag full of bars and restaurants will be quieter. I you prefer a quiet spot choose a room located further from the pool area. For some hotels you can see the layout online and being armed with the facts can help you request what you like on check-in.

9- Activities. Figuring out how you want to spend your precious vacation time will also define what type of activities the resort you choose should offer. If you were planning on participating in water activities perhaps a resort with a good water sports center on site would be preferable. Is there good snorkeling right off the beach? Is there a scuba diving center? Are there motorized water sports or only non-motorized ones like kayaking, paddle boarding, wind surfing? Perhaps you are looking for a world class golf course or are hoping to play tennis…

10- Surf and water conditions. If you plan on spending most of your day at the beach, pick a resort directly on a nice sandy beach and see what you can find out about the ocean conditions. Water temperatures are available online and easy to find along with weather information for the time you plan to visit. Gentle surf would be wise if you’re traveling with young children or if you’re not a strong swimmer, but others may enjoy boogie boarding in waves or surfing. Keep in mind that some beaches can be dangerous with strong undercurrent and rip tides. We remember being in Acapulco where we saw a table get swept away and vanish into the ocean. We later found out that happens with people too! Unlike many public beaches in the United States, those in the Caribbean don’t have lifeguards. Where posted, always pay attention to the green, yellow, red or purple flags that are typically raised daily to warn of strong surf or dangerous conditions or dangerous sea life.

11- What is the condition of the beach? Has it been washed away by a past storm leaving behind a rocky shore? Do you need water shoes to go swimming? Does the resort keep it clean or is it full of seaweed and trash left behind by past tourists or locals? Does it have a seasonal problem with jellyfish? Finding glass in the sand like we saw in Puerto La Cruz and Acapulco will most certainly be a turn off to running around barefoot.

12- Is it a private or public beach? Generally private beaches tend to be cleaner and safer because resorts allocate staff to clean them up and post security guards at night. Public beaches will be easily accessible to anyone and don’t be surprised to be approached by vendors trying to sell you all kind of stuff from braiding your hair to excursions. No need to be rude, they’re only trying to make a living. Usually a simple “No, thank you!” or “No, gracias!” will suffice. Or better yet, take the opportunity to interact with the locals. Keep in mind that public beaches are also more accessible to petty thieves. Of course, this doesn’t mean that your stuff is 100% safe on a private beach. Better to leave the fancy jewelry at home or in the hotel safe.

13- Is there more than one pool? Some resorts have multiple pools including a kiddy pool, an activity pool and sometimes even an adult only pool (the quiet pool!). If you like to sit back and read a book, or just relax and doze off in the afternoon in the shade, this could make all the difference. You might like that secluded pool that keeps you safe from being recruited to join the next aerobics session or getting splashed by a competitive children’s water polo game. Remember to respect these designations yourself to make it more enjoyable for all guests.

14- Are there enough chairs to accommodate everyone at the pool or on the beach? Those ‘no reservation policies’ are rarely enforced, resulting in people not being able to find a lounge chair. We actually saw some tourists reserve as many as four chairs with a single flip-flop! We’ve also seen some of these ‘reserved’ chairs remain unused all day. Recent traveler reviews might be your best source for this information. Once, when we were staying in Jibacoa, Cuba where the ‘no reservation policy’ was enforced and chairs were always available, it was great! At the other end of the spectrum while staying in Cayo Guillermo, Cuba by the end of the week people were getting up at 5 am to go reserve a chair on the beach in pitch-black darkness. It was crazy! This is a pet peeve or ours, if you are leaving for an hour or more, give up the chair!

15- Are there lots of palapas or umbrellas scattered around the pool and on the beach to provide shade? Many times we’ve found that these were insufficient or non-existent. You can usually tell from the beach photos in the brochure. Keep in mind also that they are often reserved with the chairs, so if you have sensitive skin or must avoid the sun, look for a place with a lot of these or be prepared to get up early.

16- Does the resort supply beach towels in sufficient quantities for all guests? In some places like Cuba it’s not always easy for resorts to replace old towels or to buy new ones. Once we got to our resort and there were no more towels or chairs available. Disappointed at first, we ended-up buying some beach towels and that solved the problem and they also doubled as souvenirs.

17- Do you want to be entertained? If so, choose a resort with a good animation team, with daily activities like games, sports, dance classes, and so on. Some resorts even have elaborate evening entertainment like shows, dancing, or even casinos. If peace and quiet is what you’re looking for, pick a resort with minimal daily or nightly activities or get a room in a quite area of the resort to avoid the noise.

18- What about the kids? If traveling with young children look for a resort with a children’s play area and kiddy pool. Some even offer free stays or free meals for kids as well as day care, which might be nice for parents (or kids) in need of a break! Some resorts are adults only and this can be nice for those looking for peace and quiet.

19- Transfer time. Picking a resort closer to the airport will avoid a long transfer and give you extra time at the hotel. Choosing one a bit further would let you see more of the country you’re visiting, but there is no guarantee of a scenic route even if your transfer is during the day. We generally don’t mind an hour or two but once it gets to a 3+ hour bus ride we get discouraged, especially when the return flight is in the morning and they want to get you to the airport 3 hours early.

20- Ecotours and local culture. If you’re interested about learning more about the people, the local way of life, or the fauna, see if the resort offers cultural excursions and ecotours or even guided tours of the property. Venturing out on your own can be fun but make sure the area is safe or ask for a guide. A few dollars (often only a tip) will buy you a guided tour and allow you to learn more about what you see and avoid trouble. You will also be encouraging a local and helping them practice a foreign language perhaps.

We found that Cuba was very safe and felt comfortable exploring on our own. Some areas in the Dominican Republic are safer than others, and some change drastically after dark. We were told not to leave the resort area in Honduras and to avoid the back streets in Acapulco, Puerto La Cruz, Panama City and even downtown Cancun. It would be best to ask at the front desk or to check with the concierge.

21- Does the hotel offer an in-room safe? You may feel more at ease knowing your passport, return tickets, jewelry and extra cash are locked up while you are enjoying yourself at the beach. Some resorts have safes in the room while others offer a central safety deposit box system. This also works but it is more inconvenient to have to make the trip back and forth to reception. This is usually listed on the resort website.

22- Read the reviews and consider the source of information. I once had a work colleague recommend a certain resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica and when we got there we found out that the resort was under construction, far from everything, and understaffed. Had we done our own research and consulted recent reviews much of this would have been discovered. Doing this is so easy now with the help of travelers that post comments on sites like TripAdvisor, Yelp and various travel blogs. Make sure the comments are recent and that there are lots of them. Do your part and if you like a spot or have tips for fellow travelers about how to make the most of a place you have stayed at, please help the community and post a review on your return.

Well there you have it. I wish those fortunate enough to be traveling during this holiday period a fantastic trip whether it is to a resort or to visit family.

Happy and safe travels!

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