Great idea, BUT, for the average Joe Tourist, he gets fed all this misinformation from the resort that it's dangerous outside the resort and don't go out unless you are accompanied by someone in the resort.....its the only way the resort makes money $$$$ because of all those , as you call, great deals to come down here......
and just a couple other ways they make $$
1)- pushy and downright obnoxious Vacation Club / time sharing Scam salesmen who hound you if they have a table set up at that AI... huge cut goes to the AI.
2)-Wi Fi area you have to PAY for, which is usually FREE at almost any other Hotel
3)- "Romantic dinner/PAY Theme Restaurants" inside the AI, where they upsell you to better food and expensive wine.. so the "AI" does not really mean what it says
4)- Mini bar/refrigerator in the room where you can only take ONE bottle of water per day, and the rest they will ream you on the prices, eventhough the same soda is FREE at the bar and dinner etc.
5)-Overpriced Daily group Activity outside the AI, with tour guides, like Jungle tours or to see the Whales or whatever, which they get a Cut of, no different than the Motochoncho dudes on the street who show you where to go
6)- Daily fees for the Room Safe Key, usually like $3.. where electronic safes are usually FREE at many other hotels
7)- overpriced junk Gift Shops inside the AI, and try to buy like an Umbrella when its raining ( an item you actually NEED) .. Good luck with that..
thats is just a short short list.. and if there is a THEFT in your Room.. good luck with that.. security is no better than any other hotel if not worse. Might as well leave your door open when you leave the room.
I still use them, when the price is right... but do i prefer them ? never.. they are a last resort.