Advice in choosing the best All Inclusive resort.
If you don’t include Butlins, the first proper all-inclusive resort was opened by Club-Med in Alcudia, Spain, in 1950. Guests stayed in tents on the beach. Over the years, all-inclusive holidays have changed dramatically and now offer many different variations on the theme, so choosing the right venue for your needs is even more important.
For many people, an all-inclusive hotel or resort provides the ideal solution when deciding where to go on holiday, spanning a wide range of destinations, from ski lodges in the Alps to beach-front resorts in the Caribbean to wellness retreats in the hills of India, the all-inclusive resort now caters to every taste. An all-inclusive holiday includes accommodation, a range of attached services such as meals and drinks, plus various recreational activities, all for one bundled price. Many hotels and resorts also include childcare services such as kids clubs and babysitting, airport transfers, gratuities and spa facilities, which tick off more areas of possible expenditure. So, with some planning or advice from your travel agent, you can avoid incurring additional and unexpected costs. This allows a stress-free holiday without concern about carrying cash or building up a large credit card bill to greet you on arrival home.
However, the definition of all-inclusive can be interpreted differently by different resorts. The guests’ understanding of the resort’s offerings may be at odds with each other without prior research. Is an all-inclusive holiday right for you, or do they seem to offer the illusion of convenience and financial certainty? This especially relates to meals and drinks. Some packages may only include cheaper local unknown brands with an additional premium to pay for internationally recognised offerings. Other resorts may only offer buffet-style meals at an inclusive price, with guests being charged supplements for choosing one of the on-site restaurants. Anyone who has been on a cruise will recognise the format that permeates much of the land-based all-inclusive holidays, so you must get the right advice for the right destination.
Other things to look out for include:-
Budgeting – When budgeting, consider when the holiday balance is required before you travel, especially if it is to be paid many weeks ahead, as the upfront costs will be more significant than a standard holiday.
Families – For families, make sure the all-inclusive resort has enough activities suitable for all the family, including appropriate entertainment and meals tailored for younger guests.
Menus – Check out the menus in the hotel or resort to ensure the type of dishes are suitable for your needs. Some all-inclusive places provide more diverse food options than others, including local cuisine.
Dietary Requirements – with the variety of options available in the many outlets within a resort, there are few issues in finding appropriate food; however, if you have particular dietary requirements, then check before you book.
Room Service – Most resorts provide room service, but you may find there is a cover charge applied by certain properties. This isn’t usually an issue for the odd breakfast, but if you want a meal delivered throughout your time in the resort, make sure you are aware of what the room service fee is.
Cups or Mugs – Many all-inclusive resorts utilise relatively small containers for soft, alcoholic and hot drinks, so it can be worth taking your cup, mug or beaker to save on trips to the bar, especially for water in warm climates. Some properties also restrict the number of drinks included in the price on any day, so it’s worth checking before booking.
Adult Only – For solo travellers and those travelling without children then adult-only resorts maybe the answer. Again, what they offer varies considerably. In Spain, the government has classified adult-only advertising as illegal due to discrimination laws, so most resorts now advertise that they are recommended for 18 years and over but can’t refuse guests who are under that age.
Explore – Since all basic meals and drinks are paid for, it sometimes limits your need to explore local bars, restaurants, and other activities away from the resort as you’ve already paid for your food and entertainment. At some point you may want a break from the resort or hotel especially if situated in an isolated area, so budget for some additional costs just in case.
Tipping – Many guests are surprised to learn that although gratuities have been included in the price of an all-inclusive holiday, small tips are still expected in some resorts by bar and restaurant staff. This is sometimes driven by guests hoping for favoured treatment from the staff they interact with, or it can be just normal practice in that particular property. It’s wise to be armed with extra cash should you wish to tip staff in the resort.
Where To Go – All-inclusive resorts are now found around the world, and since the name originated in Spain, it is still the king of all-inclusive resorts, where all types of accommodation can be found. Cheap and cheerful, ultra-luxury or somewhere in between, most of them are well-known and well-loved for their own particular offerings. Portugal’s Algarve continues the theme with a plethora of resorts along the coast from Lagos to Quarteira. More family-orientated all-inclusive resorts are found near Albufeira or Alvor. Turkey competes with Spain in the all-inclusive market with perhaps better value for money, whereas Bodrum is the place for upmarket resorts with pretty coves and stunning beaches. More kid-friendly places are found near Antalya, where the sun-drenched coastline offers dozens of resorts. Cyprus is also well-served for the all-inclusive market, with Limassol, Ayia Napa, Larnaca and Protaras leading the way.
Madeira, the Azores and the Canary Islands are not left behind when it comes to all-inclusive holidays, and while the choices may be more limited, the quality is not compromised on these beautiful islands. Even Cape Verde gets in on the act with islands like busy Sal providing several resorts while the laidback and unspoilt quieter beaches of Boa Vista offer additional properties.
Greece has resorts to suit all budgets peppered around the islands of Rhodes, which also has many UNESCO-listed archaeological sites. Crete is for nature and scenery, while Corfu is for legendary nightlife, and Zante is for stunning beaches.
Further afield in Mexico, Cancun rules the all-inclusive world with ultra-luxurious hotels and miles of pristine sands and should you want a change of scenery, then a host of restaurants are available for every taste bud. Cozumel and Playa del Carmen have alternative options on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, while on the Pacific Coast crowds are less noticeable in Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco.
It seems the Dominican Republic is set up as an all-inclusive paradise in Punta Cana and Bavaro, with palm trees, white sandy beaches, and turquoise waters. Offering sprawling family and luxury hotels with swim-up bars to adult-only stays and on-site waterparks, this coastline has it all. There are a further host of islands in the Caribbean that re-defined the standard offerings that we see in all-inclusive resorts around the world today.
Around the other side of the world in the Maldives, it’s difficult to find accommodation that is not all-inclusive. In fact, the Maldives are an all-inclusive luxurious heaven, as many of the country’s scattered atolls are secluded and autonomous with few other distractions. On larger islands, it’s worth checking the dining options outside the resort for variety, although you may find sticking to all-inclusive tends to be the best value for money.
India and Thailand are synonymous with relaxation and wellness. Most all-inclusive resorts feature on-site spas where you can indulge in traditional massages, yoga classes and a myriad of other treatments.
These are just a few of the destinations available as all-inclusive resorts, and hotels can be found all over the world, although the definition of the phrase “all-inclusive” is wide-ranging. Filtering your requirements and checking small but important details beforehand will make sure you or your travel agent choose the best possible destination for your requirements. CHOOSING THE RIGHT ALL-INCLUSIVE HOLIDAY
If you don’t include Butlins, the first proper all-inclusive resort was opened by Club-Med in Alcudia, Spain in 1950 where guests stayed in tents on the beach. Over the years, all-inclusive resorts have changed dramatically and now offer many different variations on the theme, so it is even more essential to choose the right venue for your needs.
For many people, an all-inclusive hotel or resort provides the ideal solution when deciding where to go on holiday, spanning a wide range of destinations, from ski lodges in the Alps to beach-front resorts in the Caribbean to wellness retreats in the hills of India, the all-inclusive resort now caters to every taste. An all-inclusive holiday includes accommodation, a range of attached services such as meals and drinks, plus various recreational activities, all for one bundled price. Many hotels and resorts also include childcare services such as kids clubs and babysitting as well as airport transfers, gratuities and spa facilities, which tick off more areas of possible expenditure. So, with a bit of planning or advice from your travel agent, you can avoid incurring additional and unexpected costs. This allows a stress-free holiday without concern about carrying cash or building up a large credit card bill to greet you on arrival home.
However, the definition of all-inclusive can be interpreted differently by different resorts. The guests’ understanding of the resort’s offerings may be at odds with each other without prior research. Is an all-inclusive holiday right for you, or do they just seem to offer the illusion of convenience and financial certainty? This especially relates to meals and drinks. Some packages may only include cheaper local unknown brands with an additional premium to pay for internationally recognised offerings. Other resorts may only offer buffet-style meals at an inclusive price, with guests being charged supplements for choosing one of the on-site restaurants. Anyone who has been on a cruise will recognise the format that permeates much of the land-based all-inclusive industry, so you must get the right advice for the right destination.
Other things to look out for include:-
Budgeting – When budgeting, consider when the holiday balance is required before you travel, especially if it is to be paid many weeks ahead, as the upfront costs will be larger than a standard holiday.
Families – For families, make sure the all-inclusive resort has enough activities suitable for all the family, including appropriate entertainment and meals tailored for younger guests.
Menus – Check out the menus in the hotel or resort to ensure the type of dishes are suitable for your needs. Some all-inclusive places provide more diverse food options than others, including local cuisine.
Dietary Requirements – with the variety of options available in the many outlets within a resort, there are few issues in finding appropriate food; however if you have particular and specific dietary requirements, then check before you book.
Room Service – Most resorts provide room service, but you may find there is a cover charge applied by certain properties. This isn’t usually an issue for the odd breakfast, but if you want a meal delivered throughout your time in the resort, make sure you are aware of what the room service fee is.
Cups or Mugs – Many all-inclusive resorts utilise relatively small containers for soft and alcoholic and hot drinks, so it can be worth taking your own cup, mug or beaker to save on trips to the bar, especially for water in warm climates. Some properties also restrict the number of drinks included in the price on any day, so it’s worth checking before booking.
Adult Only – For solo travellers and those travelling without children then adult-only resorts maybe the answer. Again, what they offer varies considerably. In Spain, the government has classified adult-only advertising as illegal due to discrimination laws, so most resorts now advertise that they are recommended for 18 years and over but can’t refuse guests who are under that age.
Explore – Since all basic meals and drinks are paid for, it sometimes limits your need to explore local bars, restaurants, and other activities away from the resort as you’ve already paid for your food and entertainment. At some point you may want a break from the resort or hotel especially if situated in an isolated area, so budget for some additional costs just in case.
Tipping – Many guests are surprised to learn that although gratuities have been included in the price of an all-inclusive holiday, small tips are still expected in some resorts by bar and restaurant staff. This is sometimes driven by guests hoping for favoured treatment from the staff they interact with, or it can be just normal practice in that particular property. It’s wise to be armed with extra cash should you wish to tip staff in the resort.
Where To Go – All-inclusive resorts are now found around the world, and since the name originated in Spain, it is still the king of all-inclusive resorts, where all types of accommodation can be found. Cheap and cheerful, ultra-luxury or somewhere in between, most of them are well-known and well-loved for their own particular offerings. Portugal’s Algarve continues the theme with a plethora of resorts along the coast from Lagos to Quarteira. More family-orientated all-inclusive resorts are found near Albufeira or Alvor. Turkey competes with Spain in the all-inclusive market with perhaps better value for money, whereas Bodrum is the place for upmarket resorts with pretty coves and stunning beaches. More kid-friendly places are found near Antalya, where the sun-drenched coastline offers dozens of resorts. Cyprus is also well-served for the all-inclusive market, with Limassol, Ayia Napa, Larnaca and Protaras leading the way.
Madeira, the Azores and the Canary Islands are not left behind when it comes to all-inclusive holidays, and while the choices may be more limited, the quality is not compromised on these beautiful islands. Even Cape Verde gets in on the act with islands like busy Sal providing several resorts while the laidback and unspoilt quieter beaches of Boa Vista offer additional properties.
Greece has resorts to suit all budgets peppered around the islands of Rhodes, which also has many UNESCO-listed archaeological sites. Crete is for nature and scenery, while Corfu is for legendary nightlife, and Zante is for stunning beaches.
Further afield in Mexico, Cancun rules the all-inclusive world with ultra-luxurious hotels and miles of pristine sands, and should you want a change of scenery, then a host of restaurants are available for every taste bud. Cozumel and Playa del Carmen have alternative options on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, while on the Pacific Coast crowds are less noticeable in Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco.
It seems the Dominican Republic is set up as an all-inclusive paradise in Punta Cana and Bavaro, with palm trees, white sandy beaches, and turquoise waters. Offering sprawling family and luxury hotels with swim-up bars to adult-only stays and on-site waterparks, this coastline has it all. There are a further host of islands in the Caribbean that re-defined the standard offerings that we see in all-inclusive resorts around the world today.
Around the other side of the world in the Maldives, it’s difficult to find accommodation that is not all-inclusive. In fact, the Maldives are an all-inclusive luxurious heaven, as many of the country’s scattered atolls are secluded and autonomous with few other distractions. On larger islands, it’s worth checking the dining options outside the resort for variety, although you may find sticking to all-inclusive tends to be the best value for money.
India and Thailand are synonymous with relaxation and wellness. Most all-inclusive resorts feature on-site spas where you can indulge in traditional massages, yoga classes and a myriad of other treatments.
These are just a few of the destinations available as all-inclusive resorts, and hotels can be found all over the world, although the definition of the phrase “all-inclusive” is wide-ranging. Filtering your requirements and checking small but important details beforehand will ensure you or your travel agent choose the best possible destination for your requirements.
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