A beginner’s guide to all-inclusive holidays

Holidays are all about relaxing and enjoying yourself. However, the same cannot always be said about actually booking your getaway. From organising transport and places to eat to booking activities and entertainment, planning a holiday can take a lot of work. One way to reduce the organisational load and remove all stress associated with planning a holiday is to book a luxury all-inclusive.

However, what is an all-inclusive? What destinations are best suited to this type of holiday? What are the major benefits of all-inclusives? And what is actually included in these deals? This beginners’ guide will answer all of these questions and more as we take a deep dive into luxury all-inclusive holidays

What is an all-inclusive holiday?

As the name suggests, all-inclusive holidays refer to travel packages where the majority – if not all – of your costs are covered in advance. Although the definition of ‘all-inclusive’ differs from operator to operator, as a rule this term is used to describe holidays in which, in addition to your accommodation, your meals, beverages and some forms of entertainment/activities are included in the initial cost. They can allow you to enjoy a stress-free, luxury getaway without having to worry about constatally tallying up expenses throughout the duration of your trip.

What is included in an all-inclusive?

The limit to inclusions of all-inclusive holidays can vary significantly depending on a range of things, including the resort, the time of year, and the specific package you opt for. However, there are a number of very common all-inclusive components that make up a typical package. These include:

• • Accommodation

This is the very minimum you can expect. By definition, an all-inclusive holiday package will include your stay at your chosen hotel/resort accommodation. However, the spec, size and location of the accommodation in question may be impacted by the specific package you opt for.

• • Food and drink

A staple of most all-inclusive holidays, food and drink is typically included in these getaway packages. More often than not, this will cover three meals a day, along with a specified amount of snacks and alcoholic beverages. While many all-inclusive resorts make use of buffet-style dining to deliver this, others offer access to in-house restaurants with à la carte menus

• • Entertainment and activities

On top of accommodation, food and drink, a certain level of entertainment is typically included in these packages. This can range from evening entertainment events such as live music and themed parties to activities such as water sports, spa and wellness sessions and fitness classes. Family-friendly resorts may also provide supervised kids’ clubs and activities. This gives parents the chance to enjoy some downtime without their children, while the kids are kept engaged and entertained.

What are the benefits of all-inclusive holidays?

Planning a holiday can be time-consuming and overwhelming. Fortunately, all-inclusive holidays can take a good deal of stress out of the equation. This is because, when you opt for an all inclusive, you won’t need to worry about researching and booking things like restaurants, activities, kids’ clubs and other extras separately. However, convenience is not the only advantage of all-inclusives. They are also:

• • Easy to budget for

One of the largest benefits of all-inclusives lies in the fact that they are easy to accurately budget for. As the vast majority of your holiday expenses are paid for upfront, you can enjoy your getaway without having to worry about overspending.

• • Full of variety

In order to cater for everyone, all-inclusive resorts tend to offer a wide range of both dining and entertainment/activity options. This means you and your family can typically enjoy a varied holiday experience without having to do any of the planning yourself.

• • Value for money

As well as being easy to budget for, the actual cost of all-inclusive holidays also typically represents fantastic value for money. Although the initial price tag of an all-inclusive might seem high, it’s important to consider the potential savings you are going to make on meals, beverages and activities. Indeed, in many scenarios, going all-inclusive can represent the most cost-effective way to visit even some of the most luxurious resorts and destinations in the world.

Best all-inclusive destinations

While all-inclusive packages are not the best option for all destinations, others are made for this type of travel. To give you an idea of some of the fantastic destinations you can visit as part of an all-inclusive package, below we look at four of the best. Whether you’re after a romantic getaway or a family-friendly adventure, these all-inclusive destinations can all offer a range of options to suit your specific needs and wants.

1. 1. Barbados

Renowned for its white sand beaches, serene Caribbean waters, and laid-back atmosphere, Barbados boasts a range of all-inclusive resorts that perfectly capture the essence of the island’s charm. Whether you are looking for a relaxing beach-based holiday or an adventurous vacation spent scuba diving, waterfall exploring and rum tasting, there’s something for everyone here. By going all-inclusive, the stress of totting up holiday expenses as you go is totally removed, leaving you to enjoy your Caribbean adventure to the fullest.

1. 2. The Maldives

No matter whether you’re after an indulgent romantic getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime family holiday, an all-inclusive package in the Maldives could be the perfect solution. With idyllic overwater bungalows and crystal-clear waters perfect for water sports, this tropical paradise has something for everyone. However, while booking flights and a resort can be relatively easy, the cost of a Maldives getaway can shoot up when it comes to booking activities and budgeting for food and drink. An all-inclusive package can ensure you pay for everything you want to do while in this island setting upfront, meaning you can sit back and enjoy a stress-free holiday.

1. 3. Dubai

There is a misconception that all-inclusive holidays only involve beach-based destinations. This is not the case. Take Dubai for example. All-inclusive deals in this popular Emirate can allow you to stick to a strict budget while still enjoying the modern opulence and desert charm of this luxury destination.

1. 4. Bali

An exotic Indonesian island located in the Indian Ocean, Bali offers a captivating all-inclusive holiday experience. With its stunning beaches, rich cultural heritage, lush landscapes and vibrant nightlife, this popular island can cater for everyone. Although a relatively inexpensive destination, all-inclusive packages in Bali can allow you to unwind in luxurious resorts, enjoy varied cuisine and indulge in traditional spa treatments without having to worry about creeping costs.

To find out more about the all-inclusive packages we offer here at Away Holidays, or to book your getaway, get in touch with one of our friendly team members today.