With offerings like arts, crafts, swimming, and sailing, all-inclusive resorts are a bit like sleepaway camp.
By: Carrie Bell-AS SEEN IN BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE-
Photo: Excellence Oyster Bay
Sure, you could spend your whole honeymoon making googly eyes at each other over surf 'n' turf and bottomless glasses of pinot grigio, entwined in a single hammock, or ensconced in a British Colonial-appointed boudoir. No one would blame you, lovebirds. But if you do want a break from the bedroom Olympics, all-inclusives offer a wide range of complimentary ways to fill out your calendar, ranging from active or cultural to gastronomic and zen-inducing.
"A perfect honeymoon combines romantic time together, a sense of being somewhere truly special, and fun activities,” says Karen Bussen, the Weddings by Palladium exclusive designer who works across the Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts and TRS Hotels portfolio. "All-inclusive experiences take the stress out of planning every single detail, and allow you you to relax and take in all the resort and the destination have to offer." From learning the local arts, cuisine and language to taking in a Broadway-style show, here are some of our favorites:
Cooking Classes
Return home armed with new dinner ideas. Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa brings in local chefs to teach guests to prepare a destination-signature dish, ackee and saltfish, while you can plate up Puerto Rican mofongo at TRS Turquesa Hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Get Centered
Say ahhh at the spa. Zentropia is the Palladium branded oasis of wellness. Most offer steam, sauna, and wet areas in tropical open-air settings. At the Hilton Playa Del Carmen, guests can partake in temazcal, a Maya purification ritual that involves ancestral drums and healing herbal steam guided by a chanting shaman.
Non-Motorized Water Sports
Take advantage of the seaside setting with included use of kayaks, sailboats, SUPS, windsurfing, and snorkel gear. Check the fine print: A few resort chains may even include banana boat rides and introductory scuba lessons.
Dance Lessons
Take your new bachata (TRS Cap Cana Waterfront & Marina Hotel) or merengue (Turquesa Hilton La Romana Resort & Spa) moves to the club and/or theme parties (many have all-white parties).
See a Show
Let them entertain you with live bands, magic, and comedy presentations, burlesque performances, movie nights, and piano bars.
Learn a Language
Pick up a few key phrases to throw around when you head off campus for souvenir shopping or a tour.
Fitness
For those who ascribe to Matthew McConaughey’s "sweat every day" life philosophy, don't fret as there are plenty of ways to get moving from yoga, Pilates, golf, biking, and tennis. Some come with an added fee.
Concerts
Some resorts, like the Hard Rock properties, include tickets with a room night minimum.
