We all know that when it comes to vacation travel, the All-Inclusive resorts remain a very popular choice. All-Inclusive resorts offer some of the best value for your money; the choices are vast and there is a resort out there to suite any traveler interested. The all-inclusive resorts of today cover a wide variety of styles, budget, and clientele. When choosing your resort, it is important to understand the differences and options available.
All-Inclusive resorts are located in many of the sun-drenched islands and countries of the Caribbean and Mexico. The largest concentrations of all-inclusive resorts are in Mexico, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic. There are many others scattered throughout the Caribbean – such as St Lucia, Antigua, The Bahamas, and Costa Rica, to name a few.
There are 3 main types of All-Inclusive Resorts:
- Couples Only
Cater to the romance and celebration clients – think honeymoon, destination weddings, and anniversaries. Of course no special occasion is required to enjoy the adult only atmosphere.
Most often 4 star properties and above
- Adults Only
Restricted to adults only, but not couples only.
Great for destination weddings, couples, groups of couples, girlfriend getaways, or the “guys trip / mancation”
Most often 4 star properties and above
- Family Friendly
Large range of family friendly dining, entertainment, and activities
Many have adult only areas or sections
Great option for destination weddings if children are on the guest list
Many are great for couples, girlfriend getaways, or the “guy’s trip / mancation”.
Available in all budget ranges
Inclusions are as varied as the resorts themselves – some questions to consider:
- How important is dining? Do you prefer buffet or A’ la carte dining (think traditional sit down restaurant style dining with a menu)? Are you willing to make reservations?
- Is room service important to you? Butler service? Concierge service?
- Do you prefer premium brands of alcohol or domestic brands (consider the country you will be in!)?
- Are you a beach bum or a pool person?
- What type of activities do you enjoy on vacation? Do you like water sports?
- Do you like a large mega-resort, smaller boutique resorts, or something in between?
- Do you want to stay mostly on the resort or do you want to enjoy the area and local culture?
When it comes to budget, as a general rule, resorts fall in to the following categories:
- Budget – usually 2-3 star properties, primarily buffet options for dining and reservations required for A’ la carte dining. Availability of reservations can be dependent on your length of stay and room category.
- Moderate – usually 3-4 star properties, good mix of buffet and A’ la carte dining. Some will still require reservations for A’ la carte dining but with less restrictions than most budget resorts.
- Luxury – usually 4.5 -5 start properties, primarily A’ la carte dining with generally only buffet option for breakfast or breakfast and lunch.
- Exceptional Luxury – usually 5 star +, primarily A’ la carte dining with generally only buffet for breakfast, but A’ la carte options for breakfast as well.
As a Couples Travel Concierge and Travel Professional, I can help you sort out all of your options. It is important to work with a travel professional that has been to and experienced the resorts they are recommending. I work with you based on your personal preferences, not just some data you type in to a website. Don’t hesitate to contact me when you are ready to book your All-Inclusive Resort Honeymoon, Destination Wedding, or vacation!
Happy Travels!