Most of the non AI places will have room fridges, and stocking up is really inexpensive. I saw one board member that actually had a blender in her room for her frozen drinks.

The non-AI route is actually cheaper than couples/sandals (i am considering the cost of drinks/meals here as well) We are doing a week at a non AI resort where I will have an entire two bedroom 2 bath house and it is cheaper than my second week at couples in a fairly standard room. Even dinners, lunch, etc is not that expensive if you are not hitting places like ricks and the like.

Give the cliffs a shot for a real change of vacation pace. No beach to walk, but it is an entirely different experience.