I admit that prior to the COVID pandemic, I was not a big
fan of the all-inclusive
resort. And to be honest, the idea of an all-inclusive can be a bit
polarizing.
On our vacations with family and friends, traveling to a destination
always meant exploring all that the destination had to offer. This included
history, culture and, of course, the local cuisine. The idea of having all our
meals at one resort wasn’t something we were really interested in, and it
didn’t hold much appeal.
At the time, it seemed that only “certain types of
travelers” benefited from an all-inclusive.
Then came COVID. When travel began to open up again, I
stayed at my first all-inclusive resort
in Mexico. If nothing else, safety played a huge factor in opening my eyes
to the benefits of an all-inclusive, especially with my background in nursing.
The experience was positive and since that visit, I and my
family and friends have chosen to book some of our vacations in an
all-inclusive. But “some” is definitely the operative word here.
And it still begs the question, are all-inclusives worth the
cost? The answer is “it depends.”
Working with a handful of travel agents who book both
all-inclusive and non-inclusive travel, we discussed the pros and cons of the
all-inclusive and the type of traveler most likely to book this type of
vacation.
Here are the benefits of an all-inclusive:
- Great fit for families and groups
- An overall stress-free vacation in places
designed to feel like paradise
- Opportunity to relax, unplug and truly enjoy a
vacation experience
- A staff more fluent in English, making for
easier communication
- Comprehensive packages that include meals,
drinks, alcoholic beverages and activities
- Way to break into an unfamiliar destination in a
safe, secure way
- Cost effective and the ability to stay more “on
budget”
- Numerous on-site activities for those who love
to stay busy ranging from fitness classes to tennis and beach volleyball
- May eliminate the need for your own personal
transportation
Now, let’s look at the cons:
- Not a good fit for the non-alcohol drinker or
one that’s only a casual imbiber
- The food may be pedestrian, catering more to the
North American traveler with options to include pizza, burgers, hot dogs,
spaghetti and meatballs. This isn’t a criticism of the menu options, but when
you’re in Mexico or the Dominican Republic, do you really want the cuisine you
can get anywhere in the U.S.?
- Restaurant choices may be limited. Some
all-inclusives offer several differently-med dining venues. Others may not. And
non-resort dining in the local economy could be considerably less expensive.
- Inability to authentically experience local
culture and cuisine.
- Not a good fit for the adventure traveler who
may easily be bored after a few days at the resort
- Negative impact on the local community as some
all-inclusives have come under fire for low wages, poor working conditions for
local staff and not being environmentally conscious.
- Hidden charges that include higher prices for premium
alcohol or other menu items to include lobster and certain cuts of high-quality
meats not included in the program.
So, what should travelers look for in an all-inclusive?
It’s wise to work with a seasoned travel agent who has
visited the resort or has in-depth knowledge of the destination. There’s
nothing more disappointing than spending money on a vacation that doesn’t meet
your expectations.
“Know before you go” and be sure to read the fine print of a
package before you arrive (though ideally before you book).
Travelers should look for a variety of dining options which
encompass a range of venues while still embracing the local food culture. Dining
is one of the highlights of a vacation and should be satisfying and enjoyable.
Most all-inclusive resorts are in stunning locations known
for their weather, culture and picturesque surroundings. While some travelers
may want to just chill at their resort, it’s great to research off-property
options that may include Mayan ruins, eco-tourism and other unique adventure
opportunities should you decide to do some exploring.
Finding the right all-inclusive resort in the right
destination with the perfect balance of food, culture and activities that meet
your needs and budget makes all the difference on how you’ll view and value
your vacation experience.
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