What to Look For When Choosing an All-Inclusive
While there are not options domestically for all-inclusive resorts, there are a ton of options available for all-inclusives all over the Caribbean and beyond. But, if you’ve never been, you may feel picking one is a little daunting. So, let’s take some time to explore things you should consider when picking your all-inclusive resort and remember, using a travel planner, like Magical Memories by Casey, can take that stress away!
Location
Where your all-inclusive is located matters. Not just a proximity perspective either – but from a safety perspective too. Remember, you ARE traveling out of the country which means the politics of that particular country WILL play a role in your overall safety. Moreover, if you are a minority of any type, be sure to read up on the country you plan to travel to to make sure that should anything not go as planned, you’ll still be safe. Your travel advisor can help you with this.
Cleanliness & Upkeep
Don’t just rely on the photos that the resort provides on their website. Remember that even low-cost hotel chains can look fantastic in web photos. Instead, do some digging. Look what past guest have posted in their reviews and even ask around. Consider how often your bedding is changed, does your room have a working air conditioner, are the public areas kept clean and up to date, and is the pool cleans to keep it sparkling clean? These all matter because if you’re staying in a filthy all-inclusive, it’s difficult to enjoy it.
Reviews
Reviews can be touch and go, but the reality is they are essential. Keep in mind though that no one review should be your guide. Instead, look at the aggregate. I have a system that hasn’t let me down yet: I look at the overall aggregate and then I look for outliers, especially if there are outliers around the same time period. Once I get a general sense of overall ratings, I then take a deep dive into the comments of the last 6 months to a year. I look for commonalities. Are there multiple guests saying the same thing – no air conditioning, bad views, bad customer service, odd smells, etc. I also look in the opposite direction – are there commonalities that are positive? From there, I’m able to form an opinion. But, I don’t just look at one place – I look at multiple and start to form a good, better, and best narrative based on experiences and what is included.
Basic Amenities
The whole point of an “all-inclusive” is that everything is included. Or, at least you would think. The reality is, all-inclusives don’t include EVERYTHING. Sure, your basic food options and usually drink options are part of it. But there’s a lot of room within just those two things that can make or break and experience. Drinks, for example – is it beer and wine and well liquor, or is it the more expensive options? Food – how many options are available? How long do you have to wait to get your food? When is it available? What type? These are all questions you should ask and know about before making your choice.
Moreover, an all-inclusive isn’t just about eating, drinking, and swimming – though for some it may be close. But what about other activities? Excursions?
Extra Amenities
Those extra amenities could include things like greens fees for golfing, sea excursions, ATV adventures, videos games for the kids, child club activities, and more. What differentiates a “good” all-inclusive from a really “great” all-inclusive are the things beyond just your food, drink, and water area. Work with your travel advisor to really find out what you want to accomplish while visiting the resort so that they can pick the right options for you. And, beware of “over” promises. For example – many all-inclusives may offer you credits our coupons to use towards amenities when you are there. But, beware, they oftentimes have very tight restrictions on when and how you can use them. And, almost always, they’re nothing more than a discount off of a service – basically a sales technique to make it seem more valuable than it really is. It’s similar to those “resort fees” that hotels charge so that you have snack credits, pool access, or WIFI access. Be sure there is clarity before you book.
Tipping
This one might seem like a no-brainer, but think twice. Not every all-inclusive expects its guests to tip. For example, Sandals and Beaches have a strict no-tipping policy. They pay their staff for you and tipping is already included in the cost of the vacation. If you attempt to tip, you’ll be rejected. Other all-inclusives – not so much or it’s vague on purpose. Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against tipping, but you should know, before going into a vacation, whether tipping is going to be required or not. 20% of a $5000 vacation is still $1000, so it’s good be aware.
Ground Transportation
If every destination could operate like Walt Disney World or Universal Studios where getting to and from the airport was a simple phone call or schedule for a relatively cheap price – life would be grand. But, that’s not the case. And ground transportation rates from the hotel to the airport and vice versa can hover in the area of $75 to $100 per person one way. Pay attention to how your all-inclusive handles this. You must ensure that the transportation is legit, just for safety purposes. Avoid taking rideshare when you’re in another country. Moreover, many of the luxury all-inclusives include this as part of their services. Again, Sandals and Beaches, this is a huge selling point! And, depending on the room type, you may even get private transfer in a Rolls Royce!
Summary
So, what does all this mean? It means that not all all-inclusives are created equal. It requires some homework both by you and especially your travel advisor. Remember, when you use an authorized and certified travel planner like Magical Memories by Casey, we’ll do the digging for you and it doesn’t cost you anything extra. I’m proud to say that I am a Sandals and Beaches Certified Specialist. When it comes to top of the line all-inclusive vacations, THEY ARE IT. Nobody beats them. If you’re interested in talking about planning a trip, message me or fill out one of my planning blueprints.
Planning a Trip?
So, are you ready for a trip? Then let Magical Memories by Casey help you! Visit www.caseywooley.com and fill out a planning blueprint or email me at caseywooley@mainstreetandmoretravel.com and we can start planning today!
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