We aren't going to the Omni until September so can't answer most of your questions on the AI.

I can however answer your question on the restaurant credit. I also read this on docancun dot com so I emailed the hotel to obtain additional information. I received a reply back this morning stating that option was discontinued last year. If you hear anything different could you let me know?

Thanks - Rita

There are very few limits to the Omni's AI. I think if you order lobster you have to pay extra for that. Also, you may only eat at DaVinci's, the fancy Italian restaurant, three times in one week. Presumably this is to ensure that all guests get a chance to eat there during their stay. (I never did as I don't go to Mexico for Italian food!)

Beyond those limits, all your food and beverages, including all alcoholic drinks, are included. One caveat - while room service is included, they normally will not let you order drinks through room service unless you also order food.

When you order something in any of the bars or restaurants, you will be asked for your room number. (Tip: Learn how to say the room number in Spanish. You always get good service when you show you are trying to speak their language.) Then you sign the bill and it is charged to your room - however, since you're on the AI, it doesn't end up costing you extra because you've essentially pre-paid.

I never heard of the "restaurant credit" you mentioned. However, I would encourage you to venture out at least once and try a restauarant off the property. The Omni's restaurants are good, but you can get some really exceptional meals in Cancun and it's worth trying at least one place.

I hope you have a great time. Let me know if you have more questions about the Omni. I think it's a good choice for you and your kids. If they're planning on visiting the nightclubs, they will want to get to know Guil-T and Gonzo, the entertainment directors, who can be found by the main pool during the day.

I was there last summer and if nothing has changed, which I don't believe it has, here is the deal.

You will have to sign for everything at the bars and restaurants as if you are charging it to your room. When you get your bill, you will not be charged for anything. It is a little annoying having to wait to sign for a bottle of water but you will get used to it.

The only restrictictions I recall are the following:

You are limited on the number of times you can eat at their nice restaurant - Davinci's. For a 7 night stay, you can eat there 3 times. For a 5 night stay, I think it is twice. I could be wrong. They have to restrict this because would would probably be tempted to eat there every night. It is hands down the best restaurant I have ever been to at an all-inclusive.

The second restriction is for room service. They will not allow you to order drinks only. You have to order food as well. If you want a few beers, you will need to order some chips and salsa or a pizza.

These are the only restrictions that I am aware of. At the buffet, you can ask for a menu and order al la carte. At the beach restaurant, we ordered triple orders (for one person) of their garlic shrimp with no problem. You can sit under a palapa on the beach and have them shuttle plates of garlic shrimp and of beer on ice all day. It is all included.

That is one of the best things about the Omni. They will bring you actual cans of beer on ice. Every other all-inclusive hotel I have been to will only give you a beer on tap in a small plastic cup.

Don't worry about a thing. One negative is since this is your first all-inclusive experience in Cancun, you will spoiled. You will always compare their all-inclusive program to others and frankly, even the more expensive hotels won't measure up.

Oh, if you do eat out, Laguna Grill is accross the street. We had a great meal there last month. It was a little pricey but it was worth it.

stratton,

I have read several reviews from different sights recently and am concerned that quests are having break ins to their in room safes and then managment seems not concerned. Have you heard anything about this? If anyone has any comments I would appreciate hearing them. We would hate to carry all our cash with us.

The servi bar in the room is not part of the AI plan and very pricy for candy bars and soda's. The room we had last month was a electronic safe which you set your own combo. I don't think all the rooms have these yet and the others still have the manual lock. We've stayed several times and never had a problem with theft, but I did notice on our last visit that anytime an item was left out, even small change there was always a little hotel printed note with it after the maid came by stating the hotel is not responsible for items left unattended and please put them in a safe place, this happened the first day when I left my rented cell phone on the charger so then I just dropped it in a drawer.

I think you will really enjoy the AI option especially with your kids. The food at the Omni is expensive if you aren't doing AI. We've always found the food and drinks there very good quality compared to many other resorts in Cancun, and I really like being able to order off a menu at all the restaurants instead of having to eat off buffets constantly.

Hi,

We've stayed at the Omni several times and loved it each time. Most of the time we ate at the buffet, but some trips we ate in the restaurants. You just have to make reservations. Room service is included in the all inclusive late at night we'd order club sandwiches or pizza. There's a lady by the pool who has pottery that you can paint. I always look forward to sitting by the pool and painting. There are different prices and they are very reasonable. Then she does detail work and glazes them and they are just beautiful. We're going to Cancun on Wed. and staying at the Gran Caribe Real with a group of friends. I think it will be very nice, but the Omni is always our favorite place to stay. The restaurants are air conditioned, and the lobby is as well. When we go to Cancun we usually scuba dive so we don't do a lot of other things. This trip I'm going with our daughter, her boy friend, his mom, a girl friend and her mom, and 3 18 year old guy friends of the other teens. My daughter's boy friend just got certified in diving so she and I will probably dive a couple of days with him. The jet boat ocean adventure thing sounds like fun. I've always wanted to spend a day at Isla Mujere and might try to do that this time. the Garraffon park there has a zip line. We just got back from Costa Rica and zIp lines are a big thing there and TONS of fun! Last time we went Cancun my husband and daughter swam with the dolphins at the park on the south end of Cancun's hotel zone. I can't think of the name of it off the top of my head, but they had a wonderful time. It's pretty expensive, about $120 apiece I think. If you have a week or two before you go you should go to the web site www.mapchick.com Laura and her husband have maps they make of Cancun, Isla, Playa del Carmen and a couple of other places. Those maps are the best source of information about what to do and how to go about it that I've found. The bus system is great too and only about 6 pesos to ride. You have to have pesos though, and they don't make change. If you have any questions you can email me at silerj@prodigy.net