The popularity of all-inclusive resorts among
vacationing couples is at an all-time high. At face value, they are the epitome of
stress-free travel. Who wouldn’t want a travel package that covers all the fun
parts of travel including entry fees, dining and accommodations? Not many
people would resist the offer.
With all its advantages, all-inclusive resorts
also have some downside. Before you book with an all-inclusive resort, you need
to evaluate if the pros outweigh the cons. Here are some of the typical pros
and cons of staying at an all-inclusive resort as a couple.
The Good
Specifically Designed to Be
Stress-Free
Mexico and the Caribbean have mastered the art
of the all-inclusive resort.
Usually, the target market for these resorts
is couples looking for an easy and stress-free vacation where everything is
taken care of. Usually
all the inclusions in an all-inclusive vacation are listed on the
resort’s website, so you know exactly what you’re getting before you book.
These packages usually include a listing of
food, drink, spa access, accommodations, activities, and more.
Better for Budgeting
With an all-inclusive resort handling your
vacation, you can basically leave your wallet at home. An all-inclusive price
allows you to know how much your trip will cost in totality even before you
leave your home.
There’s no better way to stay within your
budget than to decide how much you are going to spend. If you spend your money
upfront and then pay nothing else going forward, you’ll know exactly the cost.
This arrangement will also help you avoid arguments surrounding the topic of
money with your partner during the trip.
Everything is Grown Up
Choose an all-inclusive that caters to adults,
and it will be more peaceful than your average hotel or resort that takes kids.
If you are traveling as a couple with no kids, keep off the destinations that
are marketed as specifically as family-friendly resorts. You won’t want a
romantic vacation to be ruined with the cries of upset children.
A Beach, Pools and Endless Drinks
Nothing gives you the license to be lazy as an
all-inclusive resort with beach access, a pool and the offer of an unlimited
supply of drinks. You can be as lazy and as gluttonous as you want and no one
will judge you. This is the promise of all-inclusive resorts, after all.
The Bad
Feeling as if Your Freedom Is
Limited
After paying for an all-inclusive vacation,
your vacation activities are pretty much limited to the offers specified in the
package, unless you fork out more money.
Since you will have already paid for the lined
up activities, you will be reluctant to skip them in favor of other activities
that you may have to pay extra for, even if they seem more enjoyable.
Given the nature of most pre-packaged
all-inclusive resort vacations, you will probably miss out on impromptu tours
and may not get a chance to escape to the local streets to try out authentic
cuisines. The majority of your vacation will probably be spent at one resort.
This means that your experience of the destination will depend on your host’s
accommodation and not on the choices you make day-to-day.
May Not Be Value For Money
Pricing is a tricky subject to navigate as
different people value things and experiences differently. Further, when
booking an all-inclusive vacation, you might be paying for services you will
probably not take advantage of.
Resorts may be priced differently based on
differences in star rating, location, experience of staff, celebrity value,
brand recognition, and various other intangible factors. While researching for
a place to stay, you and your partner should sit down and take the time to find
a resort that meets all the factors that are important to you and at a fair
price.
Expensive does not always mean better. You can
find a very good all-inclusive resort at affordable prices.
Resort Life is Not for Everyone
The typical all-inclusive resort is miles away
from most inland attractions, offer limited opportunities to meet different
people every day, and have a list of designated activities. If you are used to
a fast paced life and want several options every day, an all-inclusive resort
may start to become boring the longer you stay.
The cure for this problem is to spend more
money to experience other things outside of the offered menu. This contravenes
the first principle of an all-inclusive resort that promises that everything
you could probably want is included in your package.
Upsells and the Lure of Extras
No matter what all-inclusive resort you go to,
there will always be some services that are not included in your package. These
services could be in-land excursions or basic on-site services such as spa
treatments.
You will probably be tempted to fork over more
money to enjoy these services and the decision may lead to your budget to get
out of control. Just do your research before you book and know what you’re
getting. If there’s anything extra you can do, it will almost definitely be
listed on the website and you can budget for that beforehand as well.
What are your biggest questions regarding all-inclusive resorts?
Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Sandals Resorts.
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