I just got back from my girls trip in Cancun, and it had me thinking. Why was that resort so perfect for our getaway?
Because it matched the exact vibe we were going for – good food and relaxation.
It is important to keep in mind that most every all-inclusive looks amazing in photos. Turquoise water, infinity pool, a plate of food shot from directly above. That tells you almost nothing about whether it will be the experience you are looking for.
The three questions I ask before I recommend a single resort
When someone books a complimentary consultation with me, I don’t start by rattling off a list of resorts. I start with three questions.
1. How do you want to feel on vacation, relaxed or energized?
Those are two completely different trips. A quiet, spa-forward, early-to-bed kind of place feels nothing like a resort with pool music cranked up and cocktails that turn into late dinners. Neither one is wrong. But one of them is what you are looking for, and it’s worth being honest about which.
2. Are you a pool person or a beach person?
Some people need a heated pool or a great swim up bar to feel like they’re on vacation. Others want calm, swimmable water and long walks on the sand. Here’s what surprises people: not every beach is actually swimmable, and not every pool is heated. Small detail, huge impact on whether your trip feels like the one you pictured.
3. Are there any mobility concerns?
Some resorts sprawl across a huge property and mean a lot of walking to get anywhere. Others are compact and easy to navigate start to finish. This one question alone can completely change what I recommend.
Why this matters more than the star rating
These three questions tell me more about your perfect vacation than any resort review ever could. It’s the difference between booking a resort that looks good online and booking one that actually fits how you want to spend your week.
My girls trip was perfection because it matched exactly what we wanted: relaxed energy, great food, pools at the right temperature, a beautiful beach, and zero surprises once we got there.
If you’re starting to think about your next vacation, let’s make sure it’s built around what you actually want, not just what photographs well.