The Good and the Bad of All-Inclusive Resorts for Couples

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. 

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What are your biggest questions regarding all-inclusive resorts?

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Sandals Resorts.

10 Things I Take On Every Trip

I travel mostly the same way every time I go anywhere, no matter where I go. I have perfected my packing list and having a packing plan that works for me makes life so much easier. Part of my plan is taking the same things every trip, because it's familiar and it works. Here are the things I'm always packing, wherever I go.

Ziploc bags

You  never know when you'll need to separate something from something else, but also when you want to take a bag of cookies with you or keep your wet bathing suit from getting your rental car seats soggy or have an emergency diaper situation. I bring a handful of zipper bags with me anywhere I go. I've used them for snacks, for dirty clothes, for leftovers and for receipts and brochures. They are multipurpose and take up almost no room in your bag.

Back-up bag

Usually when you go on a trip, you buy stuff. That means you may not have room to pack it on your way home. Well, I try not to overpack my carry-on, but it's still just a carry-on. Because of that, I bring along a back-up bag to use for all my overage. I have this one and this one and they are both awesome. Just depends on how much you are willing to spend, but also how much you're restricting yourself on souvenirs when you travel. Sometimes I know I will be buying gifts, so I bring a bigger bag than normal.

Mesh pop-up hamper (laundry detergent)

Whether or not I'm on a long trip, I don't like living out of my suitcase and I don't like mixing my clean and dirty clothes. I have a great pop-up hamper that also works as a laundry bag that I put in the corner of my room to throw all my dirties. Then, before I go home, I can schlep it to the laundry room (or just drag it to the washing machine). I always have a small bag of dry detergent and a stash of quarters, so I'm ready for whatever the situation calls for. I have this one, which has really sturdy handles and four pockets, so you can even take along a book or game to pass the time. It's served me well for at least a decade so far.

Reusable grocery bag

I am a grocery shopper. I don't go out for every meal if I can help it. I generally show up at my destination and take a trip to the store on the first day to shop for breakfast foods, because that's the easiest meal to make and the least exciting to me to eat out. If you want to skip the back-up bag above, you can definitely use your grocery bag to bring back items from you trip. You can also use it as a laundry bag if you don't have that much. I've used it for both of these things before, since they usually have sturdy handles and nice flat bottoms.

Packable rain jacket

One time I didn't pack my rain jacket and it was a mistake. I've since learned that I should never leave it at home, even if I'm going to Vegas or Orlando. In fact, when it rains in places where it rarely rains, it often pours harder than you're used to, which sucks hard. I know lots of people like to bring umbrellas, but I don't, because a rain jacket is multipurpose. It doesn't take up as much room as an umbrella, but you can pack it down into your day bag and also use it if you happen to get chilly. You never know when a cold snap will present itself, even when it comes in the form of really insistent air conditioning. This is also why I always bring a scarf or wrap with me on the plane.

Sunglasses

The sun can really wreak havoc on your eyes. Even when it's not super sunny, you need protection from its rays. While you probably don't forget the sunscreen, but make sure you don't leave your sunglasses at home, because you don't want to have to pay 3 times as much as usual by purchasing them at your destination, or looking squinty in all your pics.

Snacks

Do you get hangry? I know I do! I always have snacks in my bag, because sometimes things don't go as planned and you aren't always in a place where you can get into a restaurant to sate your hunger. Toss a couple of granola bars or a piece of fruit or a bag of trail mix into your bag, just in case. You'll be happy if you have need it and sad if you do and didn't pack it. I also suggest a reusable water bottle, which I also count as a snack. We use this one.

Compression socks

Walking is hard on your feet, not to mention your ankles and legs. Most of us walk a lot more on vacation than we do at home, which can make our ankles swell and really hurt us at the end of each day. I pack a really good pair of compression socks in my bag that I can either wear under pants during the day or put on the second I get back to the room. I've been known to sleep in them when I've had sad, swollen ankles, and they help immensely. I swear by these Zensah socks.

Tablet

I don't always bring my laptop, and when I do, I only use it in my room. I always bring along my iPad Mini though, because I can read on it, take notes, listen to music and podcasts, play games and even check and answer emails. It's perfect for finding directions for your sightseeing before you leave the hotel and great for watching Netflix when there's nothing good on TV and you need to just unwind.

Back-up battery

Nothing sucks worse than when your phone battery dies as you're trying to call the hotel or get an Uber or take a picture of something awesome. You need a back-up battery. I have this one that will recharge my phone 2 1/2 times before it needs to be recharged. We actually have two, and we each carry one. This way Eric can play games on his phone all day and I can take all the pics I want and text with my mom. Because I can use any cord with this one, I can also use it to charge my camera or share with someone else to charge both our devices at once.

There you have it. The 10 things I don't leave on vacation without. I keep a lot of these things in my carry-on all the time, so my bag is halfway packed with all the things I know I'll always need. 

What do you never leave home without on your trips?

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links.

The First Swago: Shopping Edition of 2018!

Still recovering from all of your holiday shopping? The online rewards site Swagbucks has a smart and fun way for you to earn and save when you spend.

Swagbucks is hosting another round of Shopping Swago! What is SWAGO you ask? It's a bingo-inspired promotion run by Swagbucks, a website that rewards you with points (called SB) for completing everyday online activities. You can redeem those SB for free gift cards. If you've never used Swagbucks, participating in SWAGO is a great introduction to the site and an easy way to earn a good amount of points quickly.  

Click here to get started! 

Here’s what you need to know to get your 300 SB Bonus (and don’t worry, you don’t have to make a purchase to complete a pattern):

• Go to the Swag page and make sure you hit “Join” otherwise you won’t get credit for completing the action items. Each square on your Swago Board will contain an action item to complete.
• Once you complete the action item in a particular square the square will change color signifying the action item is complete.
• You have a limited amount of time to mark off as many squares as possible so use your time wisely.
• Be mindful of the patterns and their corresponding bonuses located on the right of your Swago Board. The patterns will vary in difficulty and bonus value - up to 300 SB - enough for your first $3 gift card.
• Once you’ve achieved a pattern the corresponding “Submit” button will light up. You can have multiple patterns available for submission, however, you can only submit ONE pattern so choose wisely.
• The game ends Friday, January 26th at 12pm PDT/3pm EDT. So make sure to hit “Submit” on the pattern you wish to submit. If you don’t hit “Submit” before the game ends you won’t receive your SB bonus. 
  
  
  Also, if you sign up through me this month, you'll get a $10 rebate when you make your first purchase via Swagbucks Shopping! You can activate it in the "Swag Ups" area of "My Account"