All inclusive resorts are often seen as a one stop shop to deliver an amazing family vacation with minimal planning. I mean, the name says it all, right? However, I have found that not every all inclusive resort is created equal, and the differences can make or break your vacation. I’ve also found that certain types of people don’t do well at all inclusive resorts, which you should consider before spending your hard-earned dollars on a vacation.
I am one of those people who is not always looking for an all inclusive vacation. While it can provide the perfect family getaway if you are looking for a certain type of trip, or going to a specific destination, sometimes I prefer a more active vacation, or to experience more of the culture in a location. But, when I am just looking to relax, get away from the real world, and to have someone to take care of my every need, an all inclusive vacation is just what I want! My kids love to stay at all inclusive resorts too, and now that they are older, I love that they can have a certain amount of freedom and my husband and I can actually have some time to ourselves.
When to Choose an All Inclusive Resort
All inclusive resorts are perfect if you:
- Don’t want to worry about planning an extensive itinerary.
- Don’t want to worry about carrying around money.
- Are ok with doing (basically) the same thing for multiple days in a row.
- Are not extremely picky about food.
Also important to consider is where you want to go and who is going on the trip with you.
Location
Some locations make for a better all inclusive vacation than others. Destinations that are very popular with the all inclusive crowd include Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. In all of these countries you will find many options, from very high-end luxury resorts to more budget-friendly places.
If you are planning a trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, be sure to read my review of Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach resort.
Other locations may have a few all inclusive options, but not a huge variety of choices. One example is the Guanacaste Province in Costa Rica. While there are several options of all inclusive resorts in the area, I personally would pick a hotel or rental that encourages me to experience more of the culture in the county. Read more about my Costa Rica vacation recommendations.
Who You are Going With
The major appeal of all inclusive resorts is that there is a resort for every type of vacation. Whether you are looking to take a special trip with your partner and want to stay somewhere only adults are allowed, or three different generations of a family, there is a place for that. This is one of the reasons that destination weddings at all inclusive resorts are so popular.
If you are going on a trip with other adults, I encourage you to check out adults-only resorts. When a resort doesn’t need food options and amenities that appeal to all ages, often you will find there is a higher quality of food, alcohol, and amenities. This is not to say you can’t find high quality food at a family-friendly resort, but from my personal experience, it seems to be better at adults-only resorts. Another option is to check out the adults-only section of a resort, if you want to have some distance from kids splashing in the pool or taking all the brownies at the buffet.
How to Pick an All Inclusive Resort
When I am planning a vacation, I spend a lot of time reading reviews and researching. I tend to spend hours reading reviews that past travelers have written – both about a specific hotel and a destination.
HOT TIP: Don’t just trust what people have written on the hotel’s website, go to a third party site like Tripadvisor or Google to read reviews.
When looking at accommodations, it is especially important to make sure that the place you plan to stay at will satisfy your expectations and that it has the amenities that are important for your vacation. Here are a few areas that I consider when I am planning a vacation.
What’s Included in the Cost
Hands down, this is one of the top priorities for me when I am looking at an all inclusive resort. I know, doesn’t the term “all inclusive” mean that it includes everything? While it has always been common to pay additional fees for spa treatments or certain activities, I am finding more and more all inclusive resorts are now adding on charges for select restaurants, premium drinks, use of the kids club, fitness classes, etc. If you don’t pay careful attention to what is actually included with your stay, you might find yourself very disappointed when you get to the resort and find you still need to shell out a lot of money on things you thought were included. Some all inclusive resorts offer a premium experience that you can book that provides you a different level of service – in addition to a room upgrade, this can include special pool and/or beach access, restaurants, top shelf liquor, and more. If it is within your budget, this can be a worthwhile expense.
Customer Service
Did the hotel staff get rave reviews? Did people comment about how well they were treated, or did they have to wait forever for drink service? Was the hotel responsive to any issues that may have popped up? Since at an all inclusive resort you are not paying individually for food/drinks/etc, staff might not be extra motivated to deliver five star service (of course, tipping always helps… even if the hotel lists that gratuity is included). I have found that at a resort that treats its staff well, you will generally receive a much higher level of service – which can make the difference between an amazing vacation and one that’s just so-so.
Amenities
Does the resort have enough to do to keep your entire family entertained for the duration of your stay? If you like to spend time at the beach, is there a private beach or is it public access? If you prefer the pool, are people commenting on how hard it is to find a chair? Do you want the option of a spa?
HOT TIP: Photos in traveler reviews can be your best friend. Look at what other people have posted and not just the resort photos (where they pay to make it look good!).
For the sports and fitness enthusiasts, make sure the gym has your preferred equipment. The resort may or may not charge extra for fitness classes, so if that is something you require, be sure to know that up front. Some resorts may also charge extra for use of tennis and pickleball courts and the golf course. And don’t forget that you will need to rent a racket, golf clubs, and any other equipment you need. These additional costs can quickly add up.
Kids clubs can be an amazing option for both the kids and the parents on an all inclusive vacation. Often, they have fun activities planned to keep your kids active and entertained while you can enjoy your spa treatment or time by the pool. Many even offer evening babysitting so that you can enjoy alone time with your partner. If your kids are older, make sure there are activities at the kids club that are age appropriate and don’t involve sitting in front of a TV screen or video game all day. A word of warning, not all kids like a kids club or get anxious with strangers, so make sure to have a back up plan if your kids won’t stay!
Food and Drinks
I have had some really great meals at all inclusive resorts, but I have also found that this is one area where not every all inclusive resort shines. Is there a wide variety of food options? Especially if you are planning to stay for an entire week, if there are limited options, eating the same food might get old. I also personally am not a fan of buffets (but my husband loves them!), so I want to make sure that there are several a la carte options that I will enjoy. If you do find a resort that offers different types of cuisine, it is a great opportunity to try new foods, as well as introduce them to your children!
HOT TIP: Make sure you understand if you need reservations in advance for a la carte restaurants, and if you do, make your reservations at the beginning of your stay.
It is very common, even at all inclusive resorts, to have a surcharge for top shelf liquors, or for top shelf to only be included in a premium plan. If you are a wine connoisseur, it would not be fun to show up for vacation and realize that you only have one or two very mid-level options available.
If you have specific food allergies, make sure you understand how the food is prepared. Individual restaurants at a resort may share the same kitchen, which could cause concerns about food contamination.
Also be sure to check what is included with non-alcoholic drinks. If you are a regular premium coffee drinker, make sure that specialty coffees are included in the pricing, as well as milk shakes and any other specialty drinks that are available. I stayed at one all inclusive tea that charged extra for boba tea, which was a huge bummer!
Entertainment and Activities
Different all inclusive resorts cater to different crowds. Some offer free nightly, family-friendly shows, and some may have very little on-site entertainment. There could even be a nightclub to keep the party going after hours for the adult crowd. If you are not planning to leave the resort, make sure the resort has some sort of entertainment option or you might find yourself playing a lot of card games to pass time in the evening (which is totally fine if that’s what you want to do!). You should be able to find a resort’s activity calendar online, so take a look when you are doing your research and see if the types of entertainment scheduled will appeal to your family.
Many resorts have a concierge who can help you to book activities outside the resort. These can be a great option if you are worried about logistics and/or safety, because they usually take care of everything, including transportation to and from the activity.
Where to Book Your All Inclusive Trip
Fortunately, there are many options when it comes to booking your all inclusive vacation.
One word of caution before booking – be sure to understand the cancellation policy of the resort and/or purchase travel insurance so that if you unexpectedly need to change or cancel your plans, you can get a refund.
Travel Agent
You certainly don’t need to use a travel agent, but if you are looking for travel recommendations, a travel agent can be a valuable resource. An experienced travel agent should be able to find you a resort that meets your needs without doing all of the research mentioned here. Many agents don’t charge for their services (they are paid by the resort), but that trend is changing, so be sure to find out up front if the agent you are considering using charges additional fees.
Travel Website
Popular travel sites like Expedia and Orbitz allow you to search for all inclusive (and regular) hotel packages. You can often include flights in your search criteria, making it easy to see your total vacation price. There are also sites specific to all inclusive vacations, like All Inclusive Outlet.
Again, be sure to understand the cancellation policy because when you book through a third party site, it can be difficult to get your money back if there is no clear refund policy.
Hotel Website
If you are not trying to compare prices on hotels, and you know where you want to stay, check the pricing directly on the hotel website. Sometimes they will offer special incentives or discounts for booking directly on their site.
The Bottom Line
An all-inclusive resort can be a fantastic vacation option for those who want to pack their bags and relax without worry. On the flip side, if you stay at an all inclusive place, it can be hard to experience the real culture of a location, which may be a reason to not always choose the easy vacation. To avoid unexpected costs and surprises, be sure to research the resort you plan to stay at, understand exactly what is included in the price, and check the cancellation policy to protect your investment.
