Bargain hunters ride the Mexican wave...

HOLIDAY HERO

EVERY week our Holiday Hero NEIL SIMPSON takes an in-depth look at a brilliant holiday topic, doing all the legwork so you don’t have to. This week: all-inclusive holidays in Mexico.

MEXICO is tipped to be a longhaul sunshine holiday hit, thanks to some brilliant all-inclusive deals that are locked in at today’s prices.

Holiday money experts at Post Office Travel Services say that early-bird prices for top-rated Mexican resorts such as Cancun are lower than comparable deals in the likes of Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbados.

And Kirsten Hughes, managing director of the Travel Counsellors network of independent travel agents, says if you are ready to book this autumn, her staff can find discounts of up to 50 per cent on standard prices.

Deals can be found at a wide range of large and often luxurious all-inclusive resorts. Some have enough restaurants to offer a new place to eat each night for a week, plus a different pool to swim in every day.

A top tip from Travel Counsellors is the Dreams Sapphire Resort, an easy 15-minute transfer from Cancun International Airport. There are a dozen restaurants and bars, plus waiter service on the beach and by the pool.

Book soon and discounts of up to 50 per cent are on offer, taking costs down to about £1,435pp for all-inclusive weeks, including direct flights (travelcounsellors. co.uk).

A touch of luxury is available in Tui’s Platinum Collection of fourand five-star hotels, including the Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya Resort & Spa. Enjoy a swim in the long, curved main pool or relax on a sunken lounge around the edge.

Like most of Mexico’s best allinclusive hotels, you’re beachside, and nearby there’s a cove that is perfect for snorkelling.

Seven nights costs £1,245pp, including flights (tui.co.uk).

There’s a super all-inclusive offer from Virgin Holidays at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya.

It has a ‘Heaven’ half of the hotel for adults, and a ‘Hacienda’ half for families. Each section has a number of restaurants and bars, and there’s also a big Rock Spa for treatments and massages.

Seven nights costs from £1,340pp, including flights (virginholidays. co.uk).

Discounts and a range of resorts are also on offer with Dial-a-Flight. For a peaceful atmosphere, they suggest the adults-only, all-suites Atelier Playa Mujeres resort.

Meals can be taken at any of seven restaurants with drinks from a swim-up bar, a sky bar and more. There’s an 18-hole, Greg Normandesigned golf course (green fees aren’t included but are discounted), plus an infinity pool and complimentary beach activities that include kayaks and beach tennis rackets. Seven-night breaks from £2,425pp (dialaflight.com).

A great value family favourite from British Airways Holidays is the four-star Allegro Playacar hotel, where there’s a kids’ club, paddling pool in the shape of Mickey Mouse and extensive tropical gardens to explore. Parents can take aerobics classes or relax in the hammocks on each balcony.

There are four restaurants and a snack bar for meals.

The current BA sale is offering seven nights in May from just £699pp including flights (britishairways.com/cancun).