Save Up to 50% at All-Inclusive Occidental Resorts in Aruba, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic

Stay at the Gold List-rated Royal Hideaway Playacar this winter and save up to 30%

Let's face it: Once the December holiday fervor has died down, you'll be ready for an extended warm-weather vacation. And that's where today's Deal of the Day comes in handy.

Occidental Hotels and Resorts, whose all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, Costa Rica, and Mexico, include dining, drinks (alcohol included), use of the Kids' Club, and a myriad of both water and land activities in its rates, is offering a Winter Special sale on its 13 resorts in Aruba, Costa Rica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, with savings ranging from 20% to 50% for stays from January 4 through April 30, 2010.

We test-booked the Occidental Grand Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, where a four-night stay January 28-February 1, 2010 came to $898.56—or $224.64 per night, including all meals.
 
For something more luxurious and romantic, one of the best resorts in Mexico's Riviera Maya—all-inclusive or otherwise—is the Royal Hideaway Playacar, a perennial Condé Nast Traveler Gold List property. We test-booked the same four nights, January 28-February 4, 2010, and got a villa accommodation for $2,536.54, or $654.14 per night. It sounds steep until you realize that includes all dining (at seven excellent restaurants), all drinks (including alcohol), water sports, and use of tennis courts and bicycles. Typically golf and spa services cost extra, but through the Winter Special, each guest can also get a free round of golf at the Playacar Golf Club when staying a minimum of four nights—a value of $380 per couple. 

For the full list of participating resorts, click here.

Dates: Book by December 30, 2009 for stays from January 4-April 30, 2010.

How to book: Go to Occidental's Winter Special Web site or call 800-858-2258.