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All-inclusive resorts

Choosing an all-inclusive resort

All-inclusive means one price covers your room, food and drink, and often more. The value depends on what "all" means at that resort.

What the price usually covers

There is no standard definition of all-inclusive, so each resort sets its own. Most packages include the room, meals at the main buffet, snacks and some drinks. Many add non-alcoholic drinks, house alcohol, some à la carte restaurants, daytime activities and evening shows. Some include Wi-Fi, non-motorized water sports and airport transfers.

Read the package terms rather than the marketing summary. The terms are where you find the hours drinks are served, the brands that count as premium, and limits such as "one specialty dinner per stay".

Extras that often cost more

  • Premium spirits, wine lists and room service
  • Specialty or chef's table restaurants, or more than a set number of visits
  • Spa treatments, and sometimes the spa's pools and saunas
  • Motorized water sports, diving, fishing trips and golf
  • Off-site excursions and transfers
  • Private cabanas, beach butlers and reserved loungers
  • Kids club hours beyond the standard schedule, or babysitting

Room level matters too. At many resorts, guests in higher room categories get extra restaurants, a private pool or a separate lounge. Two guests at the same resort can have very different packages.

Dining rules

Ask how many restaurants there are, which need reservations, how far ahead you can book, and whether there is a dress code for dinner. At busy times, à la carte restaurants can fill up early in the week, leaving the buffet as the only option on some nights. If anyone in your group has an allergy or a special diet, ask how the kitchen handles it and who to tell on arrival.

Tips and service charges

Tipping customs differ by country and by resort. Some all-inclusive resorts say tips are included. Others add a service charge, and some leave it to guests. Ask the resort directly for its policy, so you know what is expected and can plan for it.

Is it good value for you?

All-inclusive tends to suit guests who plan to stay on site, eat most meals there and drink during the day. It suits a budget that needs to be fixed up front. It suits less well if you want to explore, eat in local restaurants or drink very little.

A rough way to check: estimate what you would spend on food, drinks and activities over your stay if you paid as you went, using local prices from an official tourism site. Add that to a room-only rate at a similar resort, and compare it with the all-inclusive total for the same dates.

Questions to ask an all-inclusive resort

Money

What exactly does the package include, and what costs extra once I am there?

Inclusions differ between resorts and between room levels at the same resort.

Money

What is the policy on tips and service charges?

Some prices already include a service charge. Others expect tips on top.

Money

Which mandatory fees are added to the room rate, and are they charged per night or per stay?

Resort, facility and service fees can change the real price a lot. Ask for the total.

Access

Can the kitchen handle my allergy or diet, and who should I tell?

Buffets carry cross-contact risk. Ask how the kitchen manages it and who to speak to on site.

Family

What is the minimum guest age, and does it apply across the whole property?

Some resorts are adults-only in one section or one pool and open to families elsewhere.

Room

Is any construction or renovation planned during my dates?

Building work can close pools or restaurants and bring noise from early morning.

Food and drink safety

Standards for water, food handling and alcohol vary by country. If you are unsure about tap water or ice, ask the resort and check your government's travel health advice for the destination. Your doctor or a travel clinic can advise on vaccines and health precautions for the trip.