How to choose an All-Inclusive Resort
How to choose an
All-Inclusive Resort
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When choosing an all-inclusive package, you can expect that besides accommodation, you will have food, drinks, activities and entertainment to be included in the price.
So many choices
Sounds good so far, but how can you decide which type of all-inclusive resort suits you, because they can vary from 3 to 5 stars, from mid-range to extreme luxury, from kids’ paradise to adults only, or something in the middle?
For a much-structured comparison, I will explain the star rating system, the “all-inclusive” packages differences, the kids/no kids resort types and what type of holiday you are looking for.
The star rating system is following a general guideline internationally, with some additions or not. In general, more stars mean better hotel.
| 3 Stars | 4 Stars | 5 Stars |
| room options | room/suites options | all luxury accommodations with many room/suites options |
| restaurant | restaurant and bar | restaurants and bars |
| gym | gym | gym and spa |
| conference/business facilities | conference/business facilities | conference/business facilities and congress halls |
| n/a | swimming pool | swimming pool inside and outside and much more |
Resort in Antalya
Resort in Hurghada
Resort in Punta Cana
Resort in Antalya
The All-Inclusive Resorts are not just All-Inclusive, there are also some subcategories:
· All-Inclusive Light: all meals included (generally served at the main restaurant as a buffet), all non-alcoholic drinks are included in the price (alcohol can be found, but with extra price), some of the activities are also included in the price. I think that this can be an option for more budged friendly families, that travel with children and do not care about sipping cocktails poolside.
· All-Inclusive: all meals included; some of them also have A La Carte Restaurants (included or extra charge) to food taste local or specific cuisine; all drink types are included, but only local beverages are served, as well as only local snacks; free minibar in room option, activities and entertainment.
Ultra-All-Inclusive: a big difference from all-inclusive is that alcohol is much much better. They serve imported drinks and snacks and in particular, you can taste the difference in alcoholic beverages, but also in food. The quality is better, the minibar is free and most of the time, a one time visit to an A La Carte Restaurant is included in the price. As a remark, in Egypt, they have a strange system for classifications and at ultra-all-inclusive, they serve local alcohol, but international snacks.
· Luxury All-Inclusive: food, beverages, towels and bathroom amenities are fancier and much better quality.
· A La Carte All-Inclusive: the meals will continue to be served at the main restaurant, but it will no longer be a self-service buffet, instead someone will attend and serve you at the table. They also provide other A La Carte restaurants for specific cuisine types.
What kind of holiday do you want to have?
After deciding on the number of stars and what type of meal plan is suitable for you, now you need to think about what kind of holiday do you want to have.
- The Kids Concept Resorts – they have massive aquaparks, amusement parks, mini-kids club, activities for kids. For parents travelling with children under 16, this is the right choice, but for adults without children, this is like check-in in the elementary school.
- Kids allowed, but not kids concept – this is suitable for young parents and also for childless travelers. They have some little slides and some child friendly activities, but in a more relaxed manner. This is where you shouldn’t worry about being water splashed near the pool or hearing someone’s child screaming.
- 16+ Concept – no aquaparks at all, but they concentrate on watersports and everything that could amuse both adults and teenagers.
- Adults Only – this could be fun or super relaxed. It goes two ways:
- Everything is about getting drunk and party hard: foam parties, night clubbing
- Super relaxed – very chill resort, music at perfect Ambiental volume, no big parties, no drunk people, yoga, Pilates etc.
In my personal opinion, as two young adults with no child, we would choose a 5 * ultra-all-inclusive, but we would be undecisive between the “16+ Concept” and the “Kids allowed” one.
We have experienced all the above-mentioned scenarios and either way it was very good for us. As a tie breaking point, I would choose after reading their scores on Google, Booking.com and Tripadvisor.com, and also checking the last reviews posted.
We choose once a year or every two years to have an all-inclusive holiday, especially when we really feel the need to relax and don’t care about other things.
So going all-inclusive is…
Travelicious.