There’s a great deal of appeal in an all-inclusive resort.
No surprises, no patting down your pockets to make sure you have your wallet with you. Just one less thing to stress about on your holiday, right?
Well, maybe. There are a few things you should tick off your planning list before you confirm your booking.
Check the fine print
All-inclusive doesn’t always mean all-inclusive. There are many things the resort could slug you for. Laundry, drinks, room service, transfers and spa treatments may not be included.
And there may even be charges for upgrading any of the basic goods and services offered.
You may have bought a drinks package, but it could only be for house wines and basic beers. A couple of cocktails a night could come as a rude shock when you go to check out.
And there is a sneaky charge out there called the ‘resort fee’ that can add hundreds to your bill. Basically it’s a charge for existing. I’m sure they dress it up as something else, but it seems to be a set fee per day, per room for no other reason than they can.
Make sure you read all the terms and conditions before doing your holiday budget. It may not be as simple as it seems.
Do you need it?
Check if the package is a good match for your expectations.
Some packages come with added extras you may not need. I hate going to hotel spas, so any spa ‘extras’ are lost on me. Try to find the package that best suits your aspirations so you don’t waste money.
Tips
If you are going overseas, particularly to the US, make sure you budget for tips.
If you are in the US, carry a lot of US$5 notes. Be aware that tipping your waitstaff is now 20 per cent of the meal. Previously you could get away with 10 or 15 per cent.
This also applies for cruise ships. If tipping is part of the cruise culture on that particular ship there will be suggestions on how much to tip the staff.
All for one, and I’m the one
Attempt to be sensible around all that all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink atmosphere.
Eating and drinking just because you can is not great for your health.
Like all good things in life, moderation is the key.
It should be noted that I fail at this at every opportunity. Crimes against dieting are committed on a regular basis.
The great outdoors
It’s mighty tempting with the all-inclusive resort to just stay where you are.
Everything’s at your fingertips, no surprises, and there is all the amenities you know and love.
But you are doing yourself a disservice by not going out and experiencing the world around you, especially if you are overseas.
It’s a bit of a waste if you spend your whole holiday inside the resort. You could be missing out on some of the best bits.
If you are somewhat risk averse, it doesn’t have to be about dancing with wolves or bungee jumping. Generally hotels have access to a range of tours to suit any level of thrill-seeking or otherwise.
It also spreads a bit of cash around to the locals, unlike the no doubt internationally owned resort you are staying at.
Seasons in the sun
Research your destination before you book. If you are planning on staying in an all-inclusive resort and not travelling too much away from there, then the weather and amenities become more important.
Don’t book a tropical holiday during the hurricane season for instance. But you probably shouldn’t do that anyway.
Have you ever stayed at an all-inclusive resort? Did you enjoy it? Why not share your experience in the comments section below?
Also read: Don’t give in to jet lag
