An all inclusive resort is usually the most economical choice when planning a vacation. These resorts usually include all your meals and snacks, all your beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages), entertainment, amenities, and airport transfers. Having everything included in one price lets you plan out your travel budget and know in advance how much your trip will cost. Of course, if you leave the property you have to pay for whatever you do. The all inclusive benefits only apply onsite. Some resorts have agreements with other nearby resorts and allow their guests the use of any of the facilities and restaurants. This is true for Sandals Resorts. In Jamaica they offer many different properties and you can stay at one and play at any of them, making it an extra special deal.
Some all inclusive resorts will only include non-alcoholic beverages. If you do not drink a lot then this could work out for you, otherwise it could cost you much more than expected as drink prices vary and are hard to estimate. Club Med Resorts are like this. While we are talking about beverages you should know that some resorts may only offer bottom shelf liquors as part of the all inclusive plan. If you only drink Jameson or Chivas Regal then paying for something your will not use would be a waste of money.
When researching all inclusive resorts, be sure to check whether it is a couple’s only or family resort. If you are going on your honeymoon you might want to pay a little more to know that there won’t be tons of screaming children by the pool or in the restaurant. Likewise, if you are traveling with children you would want to check to see if they offer a kids club or babysitting services. Many all inclusive resorts will keep your children busy so you can relax and have fun while on vacation. Hyatt Resorts and Beaches resorts offer great kids camp programs. Finding an all inclusive on the beach or with a waterslide and game room can help keep the older kids busy and out of your hair.
Some all inclusive resorts only have one restaurant and seating is much like a cruise where you share tables. Others offer specialty restaurants where you might have to make your reservations right after you book your trip. You would not want to arrive to find that the only times they have open for your romantic dinner is at 10pm. Plan each step of your vacation and you will not have surprises waiting when you arrive at your resort. After you book your stay, call the Concierge desk at the all inclusive resort and make your reservations and ask about the amenities and special activities that might have limited space. They might offer free snorkeling but limit it to 40 people per day. Knowing in advance what can be booked ahead of time can save you from stressing out about it when you arrive at the resort.
What people do not like about all inclusive resorts is that since everything is included while you are onsite, they hardly ever leave the property. This means that while you may have taken a vacation to the Caribbean, you really only saw the airport and your all inclusive resort. Leaving the resort means you have to pay for what you do, see, and eat so many people decide against it. Some people feel trapped while on vacation, this can be especially true if you find that you do not care for the nightly entertainment or if the food is not what you expected it to be.
You will not know if all inclusive vacations are for you unless you try one. Many people become hooked and will only stay at all inclusive resorts if they have the option when they travel. Other people see it as a learning experience and will never stay at one again. Only you can be the judge of what you like, try it, you might ask yourself what took you so long to experience one.
