To All-Inclusive or Not To All-Inclusive – That IS The Question!!!
So, you’re planning your next big getaway, and the question arises – all-inclusive hotel or not?
Most people will have heard of the all-inclusive concept where everything is included from food to entertainment. There has been a huge rise in travellers looking for all-inclusive getaways over the last few years. This is a way of controlling their holiday budget and keeping an eye on that spending. I would say around 80% of my enquiries are now looking for all-inclusive breaks. With something for every budget, from family hotels to more luxury offerings, you can see why people choose to travel all-inclusive.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of staying in an all-inclusive resort. Something to consider before your next holiday…
The Perks:
Budget Control
Possibly the main advantage of booking an all-inclusive holiday is you’re in control of the cost of your break. You pay for everything up front! Although the option is still there to eat out or grab a quick drink at the local beach bar, you don’t have to spend more money while on holiday if you don’t want to. This has huge advantages for those people travelling on a tight budget. Need a bottle of water because it’s hot, kids want ice cream, fancy an extra cocktail after dinner – no problem. You don’t have to check how much currency you have left, or what your bank balance is. You can get that ice cream or extra drink without worrying. All-inclusive hotels can seem more expensive up front, however, they can often provide more value for the services offered.
Convenience and Relaxation
Some people find all-inclusive hotels much more convenient and relaxing. There’s no worrying about what you’re having for breakfast or where you’re having dinner that evening. It’s all there for you. You don’t have to think about cooking for your family, so you really can relax for every minute of your break. Well unless you’re travelling with kids! With entertainment on site, you don’t have to stray far from your room or sunbed to have a great time.
Range of Activities
All-inclusive hotels usually have everything you need to stay entertained during your stay. Kids clubs to keep the kids entertained for an hour or two. Fitness classes, water sports, pool parties, or a spa for some serious R&R. Throw in some evening entertainment, and you’ll find everything you need to stop you from getting bored. Many all-inclusive hotels are really upping their game when it comes to providing facilities such as waterparks and splash parks to cater for families. Some hotels in destinations such as Turkey have added their own theme parks and stand-alone waterparks. These are located close to the hotel but are more of an added day out, included in the cost of your holiday.
Wide Range of Destinations
Pretty much wherever you go in the world – there will be all-inclusive options. In some destinations such as Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic etc, these make up the majority of accommodation options available. In other destinations such as Spain, Greece, Turkey etc there will be more of a mix of hotel types available. So if you’re looking for an all-inclusive experience – you’ll find one for you almost anywhere that takes your fancy!
Social Opportunities
All-inclusive hotels attract a wide range of travellers. With lots of families on-site, it will make it easy for your children to make friends whilst on holiday. They’ll have someone to hang out in the kid’s club or play in the pool with. Some all-inclusive hotels attract solo travellers who choose them for convenience and not having to find somewhere to eat alone. If you’re travelling on your own you can strike up a conversation with someone at the pool bar. Or head to a fitness class or out on a group excursion for a bit of company.
The Flip Side of All-Inclusive:
Limited Exploration
One of the main downsides of an all-inclusive resort is that they can potentially limit exposure to local culture. Although the option to head out and try local restaurants and bars is still there, you may feel with everything available on-site, you don’t want to or need to head out into the resort. Some of the larger all-inclusive resorts may be on the outskirts of a destination. This can limit your opportunity to explore the area, without potentially long bus rides or expensive taxis. Some hotels will offer free shuttles to local beaches or towns, so this could be something to check out.
Lack of Authenticity
Critics of all-inclusive resorts sometimes argue that they lack authenticity. The resorts are set up to appeal to a broad range of guests. So sometimes the uniqueness of the culture and character of the destination may be diluted. Some people feel this is especially the case where the all-inclusive resort is part of a chain. Often the hotel chain is trying to provide a consistent experience across different properties and destinations which can be difficult. Some chains such as Domes and Iberostar work hard to make sure the quality is consistent in each property. However, they ensure local culture and flavours are also a huge part of the individual hotel’s offerings.
Environmental Impact
All-inclusive hotels often operate on a large scale, consuming significant resources in an area. They also generate huge amounts of waste – especially food waste. The infrastructure required to cater to guests from food prep to providing water and energy contributes to a higher carbon footprint. This can be a concern for more conscious travellers who like to try and minimise their carbon footprint and support sustainable travel. There are many hotels now trying to address this by introducing initiatives to reduce waste, especially food waste. They are also working to minimise their impact on the local community. Many hotel chains are reducing their use of single-use plastics and growing their own vegetables in hotel gardens. They are also educating children about nature and sustainability at their kids’ clubs.
Lack of Flexibility
If you’re someone who enjoys not having plans and doing things spontaneously, some all-inclusive hotels can feel like they limit the flexibility of your holiday. You may feel confined to stick to set meal times and dining venues. This can leave little room for changes in plans. Many larger resorts with multiple dining options such as snack bars, cafes and afternoon teas are addressing this. They have more options available to guests throughout the day, some even offer 24/7 room service. This means you’re not necessarily confined to eating in the main restaurant at three set times during the day. You may also feel stuck if you’re not a fan of the hotel entertainment, or are looking for something a bit more chilled. Many hotels usually have an area reserved for a quiet drink or two. You are limited to what the hotel chooses to put on each day.
Limited Culinary Options
All-inclusive hotels can limit the culinary options available to you. Hotel buffets have come a very long way since the days of beige, but they still limit opportunities to try the local cuisine. There are many hotels which offer multiple restaurants, usually one of which is based on the local cuisine. There are some hotels which will have a whole section dedicated to the local cuisine. But guests are still limited to what the hotel chooses to serve. This generally tends to be a more mainstream, popular option to ensure it is not wasted. This can be an advantage to those of us who are not adventurous eaters or have children who have a limited diet.
On the flip side, if an all-inclusive hotel does not cater to specific dietary requirements well, or the standard of food is not great, you’re kind of stuck with it. It’s always best to check the reviews or contact the hotel to check whether specific dietary needs can be catered for. Your travel agent can do this for you!
There is also the argument that all-inclusive resorts prevent money from going into the local economy. Yes, guests staying in an all-inclusive hotel are less likely to spend money in local shops, bars and restaurants. However, these hotels also employ local staff, providing employment and wages which will go back into the economy. It’s a tricky balance which some countries have struggled with in the past.
Places like Malta allowed over development of big all-inclusive hotels. This killed off some of the local businesses in resorts on the island, closing down bars and restaurants. The government have since worked to reverse this. The island now has a good balance of all-inclusive resorts which there will always be a market. They also offer a range of self-catering and B&B accommodations so guests are spending money in the resorts. I think a good balance of both is the best way for many destinations to keep attracting new guests. But it is a tricky balance to meet.
In Conclusion…
Whether to choose an all-inclusive hotel is something I struggle with. I like getting out and about and experiencing a destination, trying the local food and exploring the local area. However, you can’t deny that the all-inclusive hotel really does offer relaxation and an easy option. I’ve done it twice – once in Tunisia where we stayed in a lovely hotel. I felt here we weren’t missing out on much locally. We did it again in Corfu. I didn’t enjoy this as much as I did miss getting out to all the little local tavernas. Although we did go out to eat twice. I would never discount an all-inclusive holiday! I just think it would very much depend on where I was going in the world.
Of course, there are always in-between options such as Bed and Breakfast and Half Board. These give you the option of controlling the cost of your break, whilst also giving you the flexibility of eating out. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s all about what you want from your holiday. Whether it’s important for you to be able to go and explore the local culture and food, or whether pure relaxation is top of your list.
What do you think of the all-inclusive concept? If you need any help weighing up your options for your next getaway, just get in touch here. Let me help you find your perfect holiday!
