When picking your perfect package holiday, you’re given a number of options when it comes to board basis. While there are plenty of options to suit everyone’s needs, All Inclusive is one of the most popular choices, and for good reason! But, if you’re new to package holidays, or have never booked an All Inclusive before, then you may not know what it entails, or why it could be the best choice for you.
We’re here to give you the low down on everything All Inclusive, and how you can make the most of it!
What Is All Inclusive?
All Inclusive is the name for a board basis option when booking a package holiday. While not all hotels may offer All Inclusive, the vast majority of places around the world do. As the name suggests, All Inclusive means that once you touchdown and arrive at your hotel, everything is included! Three meals a day, drinks and snacks – bliss. Sometimes, hotels do have optional add ons like premium drinks or a la carte restaurants but you’ll find all the information you need on each hotel page or at your hotel reception.
Along with your accommodation and meals, another advantage of staying at an All Inclusive hotel is that a long list of activities and entertainment are included in your package. This means that finding ways to keep yourself and the kids, or whoever you’ve travelled with, busy during the day and evening has never been easier! You can try your hand at a range of sports, maybe get stuck into some crafty classes at the kids club or take to the main stage at night to enjoy a show or interactive games.
What Are The Benefits Of All Inclusive?
When you choose an All Inclusive package holiday, you can pay in full upfront, or pay a deposit then instalments at a later date. This means that, by the time it gets to your holiday, everything is paid for! So you can jet off without a care in the world, and not needing to take any more money with you, if you don’t want to. Of course, we always recommend having a little ‘just in case’ fund…or a ‘accidental shopping’ fund if you’re us!
As well as being easy to budget for, the actual cost of an All Inclusive holiday is usually fantastic value for money. Although the initial price tag of an All Inclusive might seem higher than a DIY package, it’s definitely worth considering the potential savings you’ll make on meals, drinks and activities. So actually, in many cases, going All Inclusive can be the most cost-effective way to visit even some of the most luxurious resorts and destinations in the world! Girl math…
All Inclusive holidays often offer a lot more variety too, plus it makes planning a breeze! In order to cater for everyone, All Inclusive resorts tend to offer a wide range of both dining and entertainment/activity options. This means you and your family can typically enjoy a varied holiday experience without having to do any of the planning yourself.
Our Top Tips
There are so many ways to make the most of your All Inclusive holiday with us, but here are some of our favourite ‘top tips’ to help you maximise your holiday potential!
- Research! – This goes for all holidaymakers whether you’ve been on an All Inclusive holiday before or not…research is key! Our handy search functions on our site can help you really refine your search so you can find the perfect spot to enjoy a break. Once you’ve found your dream holiday, make sure you check what’s included like baggage allowance and your type of transfer so you know exactly what to expect.
- Added Extras! – No matter what you’re into, we can bet there’s a hotel for you. If you’re a big foodie and prefer a table service meal as opposed to a buffet, don’t worry! We have an A La Carte collection waiting to be discovered. If you fancy treating yourself to a trip to the spa, why not opt for a hotel that gives you spa access during your break? Need to keep the kids busy? Make sure to book a hotel with a kids’ club!
- Take A Tour! – On your first day, we definitely recommend exploring your hotel and everything it has to offer. Head to every little corner to make sure you don’t miss anything and you manage to take everything in. This way you can really plan your days to perfection and make the most of the facilities you have to hand.
- Spread The Cost! – Thanks to our low deposits and instalment plans, you can spread the cost of your holiday so you don’t need to pay all in one go! Your holiday will be paid off in plenty of time before your break and once you’re there, you won’t need to make any additional payments unless you want to bring yourself a little bit of spending money.
- Meet New People! – Holidays are a great place to meet people, particularly if you’re a solo traveller. Get yourself signed up to plenty of activities so you can make new friends and have some fun. All Inclusive holidays are the perfect place to enjoy your first solo holiday too, as all the facilities you could need are all in one place.
- Busy Kids, Happy Parents! – Plenty of All Inclusive hotels have fantastic facilities for kids, whether that be hotel-run kids’ clubs, an on-site waterpark, playgrounds or kids’ activities. Some even have exciting extras like a cinema or games consoles! Make sure to check out all the information on your hotel’s facilities so you can choose the best place to keep your family entertained.
- Try Something New! – As your holiday is all paid for, including your meals and drinks, it means you can be a bit more adventurous! Always wanted to try a Bloody Mary, then go for it! Wonder what jerk chicken tastes like? Try a bite! Just remember to be respectful and never wasteful, it’s great to try new things but don’t pile plates high with no intention of finishing them.
- Out And About! – Did you know, some hotels will make you a packed lunch if you’d like to enjoy a bite to eat? Once you’ve got a day out or excursion planned, head to your hotel reception and make your request. The more notice you give them, the easier it’ll be for them to accommodate you!
- Make It Fun! – As you won’t need to worry about your budget too much, you can really get to know the hotel’s cocktail list and food selection. Why not try giving the ‘rainbow cocktail challenge’ a go, or ‘eating the food alphabet’!
All Inclusive Myths
There are many myths when it comes to All Inclusive holidays, often people have one not great experience and tarnish all package holidays but we’re here to put those myths to bed! Here’s some common misconceptions around All Inclusive holidays and the truth…
- Limited Buffet Selection – Depending on the size of the hotel you’re staying in will determine the size of the restaurant. Of course, if you’re staying in a vast resort, the restaurant is going to be much bigger than one of our small and friendly hotels, but it doesn’t mean that you don’t get as much variety!
- Only Buffets – this is another myth as, though some hotels do only have a buffet restaurant option, this isn’t the case for them all. There are lots of hotels listed in our A La Carte collection that have table service restaurants, which are perfect when you’re craving a specific cuisine or would prefer a more relaxed, waited on evening.
- Not Much To Do – For someone who hasn’t been on an All Inclusive holiday, it may be hard to comprehend how a hotel can offer so much to its guests, but we really mean it when we say, you don’t need to leave the grounds if you don’t want to! Spa, beauty salon, sports, activities, entertainment…the list is endless!
- Just For Families – Although there are fabulous All Inclusive hotels that are geared towards families and focus on ensuring their facilities are child-friendly, there are also many hotels that are adults only. Yep, that’s right, if you’re hoping for a peaceful, child free getaway, you can still enjoy All Inclusive but with no little ones in sight.
- You Won’t Experience The Destination – It’s a common myth that going on an all inclusive holiday means you’ll spend all your time at the hotel, but that’s not the case. You’ll often get the chance to get a real feel for the destination. Outdoor adventures with local guides, cooking classes, craft workshops and visits to top attractions are just a few things on the list.
- Too Expensive – The great news is, all inclusive getaways don’t have to break the bank! With thousands of holidays to choose from worldwide, we’re sure to have something that suits your budget. While the initial cost may be a little higher than a B&B or Self Catering break, it often works out cheaper in the long run as you won’t need to bring much spending money.
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