just got back 11-01,DONT DO ALL INCLUSIVE,the breakfast was the same every day,omlet station not bad.lunch,seabrease not bad,dinner,what a joke,if you want to go to the malimar,the only ala cart,you need to make reservations two days in advance......the food was not that good.the bar at the pool was closed the whole week,but opened for the buffet dinners,i forgot to tell you about the buffets.it was like nothing i have eaten in my life.the bartenders were good but,DO THEY WATER DOWN THE LICQUOR????IM NOT A DRINKER AND IF I DRANK THERE WHAT I DRINK HOME I WOULD HAVE BEEN DRUNK.the room was nice,clean and had no mold smell.if i were to stay there again would only get the room,pay for the drinks,and go out for dinner,o yes we did go out for diner,i couldnt eat at the buffet.overall......great weather,one day it rained in the morning.just remember its THE HOLIDAY INN.cant wait to return in april.

Going to the Holiday Inn over Christmas with two teenagers-16 and 18. Their friends are all staying at the Marriott or Hyatt. I couldn't get reservations there so I took Holiday Inn. Will my kids be able to go back and forth between the other hotels? At night I hear all the kids go to the Hyatt. I am concerned about them getting there and especially back. How close are they- Will they see their friends on the beach, or does each hotel have its own? Any info will help. I am not reading very good things about the Holiday Inn but I took it because I thought it was near the others. I hope I won't be sorry. It will be an expensive mistake!!

marriott is to right of h.i.yes is walking distance beaches very close,hyatt is to the left of h.i. walking distance also beach very close.the rooms in the main building of the h.i were nice and clean.just remember its a holiday inn not the hyatt.go and have a great time you are not going to be in your room that long.

Been several times - going back in spring - not 4-star but quite family oriented.

Food great for kids

Service and employees great

At end of "boardwalk" between Holiday Inn and Wyndham - great for walks especially at night - Marriott a bit north and isolated

Very safe area -

Have employment opportunity that may be hard to resist

Downside - not much variety in weather - sun sun sun sun sun sun sun

your kids will have no problems going back and forth to the other hotels. There is a sidewalk on the beach between the hotels. The marriott is right next door and the Hyatt is only a couple hotels the other day.

All the hotels are on the same beach in that area. there is nothing to divide them, but the "chair areas" are slightly seperated just because they are in front of each main hotel area. They'll see their friends on the beach, they just might have to walk down 30-100 yard to find them.

Caryl, All the beaches are public, just not the lounge chairs etc. You'll be fine. Enjoy!

Hi I am also traveling to the Holiday Inn December 28-Jan2. It will be my first time there and I am nervious too. I stayed at the Allegro Occidental last time at easter. Don't worry about the kids. This is why we are going back. My three boys ages 15, 14 and 12 could walk all over. The people there are so nice and speak english. I feel safer there then in USA. There is a boardwalk (Small walkway) that runs along the beach and goes infront of all the hotels. Real easy for kids to walk back and fourth to hotels and always people around so Please have "NO WORRIES" leave all them behind and enjoy!

Thanks for the info everyone! I feel much better. As long as the rooms are clean, I am more concerned with location and cleanliness this time around. It is all about the kids(Isn't it always!) I will be fine anywhere. I didn't thake the all inclusive but am considering buying a breakfast plan. If we eat a big breakfast buffet, it should go a long way into the day, I jsut don't know if it would be cheaper or the same price withouth the committment to pay as we go. They said the option is available upon check-in. Is there any special location or building I should request? I am a priority club member- for whatever that will get me.