Best all inclusive for a milestone trip

Actual client email

This week I got a great request from a couple in their late 30s wanting to celebrate a milestone:

We want to go somewhere warm, preferably tropical. We have been look at Turks and Caicos. St. Barts, ect.

We are going big for this one so I like the idea of a villa connected to an all inclusive. Food and alcohol are important to us. 

My first thought was the terrific over the water villas at several Sandals Caribbean resorts, El Dorado Maroma, or Royalton Antigua:

 

Another idea was to find some of the best suites that weren’t over the water villas. Even though it’s not their honeymoon, I think these suites will be perfect for a milestone trip.

A great way to make your vacation stretch a bit further is a split stay. Book part of the trip in a less expensive room. This lets you arrive, get settled, and get to the know the resort. Then, you can switch to the more expensive suite or villa.

What do you think of these options? Which do you like best? Are over the water villas overrated?