The allure of all-inclusive resorts is undeniable. Picture yourself sipping a cocktail by a pristine beach, knowing every meal and drink has already been paid for. It sounds like vacation paradise, right? According to industry reports, nearly one-third of people booking package holidays now opt for all-inclusive deals, with travel booking sites reporting significant increases in searches for “all-inclusive” options in 2024.
Industry research suggests Gen Z travelers are particularly enthusiastic about all-inclusive resorts, and one-third report that their opinion of these resorts has improved in recent years. However, this surge in popularity means more first-time visitors are making costly mistakes that could have been easily avoided.
Assuming Everything Is Actually “All-Inclusive”
The biggest shock for newcomers comes at checkout when they discover their “all-inclusive” vacation includes several unexpected charges. Despite the title of “all-inclusive,” most all-inclusive resorts don’t include everything, with common exclusions including transportation to and from the airport, spa treatments, premium alcohol and Wi-Fi in your room.
You may incur extra charges at a resort for such things as select restaurants, tours, activities, spa offerings, Wi-Fi, premium alcohol and room service, with additional costs for airfare, baggage fees, airport transport and resort fees. While most all-inclusive resorts feature unlimited buffet-type food delivered to your room at no extra charge, they never include the expected gratuity for staff delivering said food, though tips for waitstaff and servers at on-site restaurants are almost always included.
Entering The Wrong Number Of Guests When Booking
This seemingly minor oversight can cost hundreds of dollars. One travel writer made a more than $600 mistake on their first booking because unlike most hotels where your room rate doesn’t fluctuate based on the number of guests, all-inclusive resorts charge more since the rate includes meals, drinks and amenities like water sports and child care.
Many all-inclusive resorts effectively charge more for each additional guest, including kids, even when you’re sharing the same room. While this traveler was aware of this difference, it wasn’t top of mind to adjust the number of guests because it’s not something typically paid close attention to at regular hotels, resulting in an embarrassing $600 oversight.
Rushing Into The Buffet Without Reconnaissance
Always scope out a buffet before diving in and loading up your plate, as all-inclusive resorts are often known for over-the-top buffets with omelet stations at breakfast and salad bars at lunch and dinner, but grabbing a plate before giving the area a look-see is a rookie move that can lead to overeating and wasting food.
Each time before tackling a buffet, take a walk around, as options can change not only from meal to meal but daily as well. This simple strategy helps you identify the freshest dishes and avoid filling up on mediocre options when spectacular local specialties might be waiting at the far end of the buffet.
Failing To Make Restaurant Reservations Immediately
To avoid disappointment, book tables for the popular spots right after you check in or before you arrive if that’s an option, keeping in mind that depending on how many nights you’re staying, you may be entitled to only a limited number of reservations for the à-la-carte concepts.
Some dining experiences are first-come, first-served, while others require a reservation, with certain activities like riverboat tours being fully booked by the time breakfast is over, so it’s important to note events that happen only once during your stay and prioritize booking those first. The advice is to prioritize places that serve local cuisine, since you can get steak or pasta just about anywhere.
Only Eating At The Main Buffet
Another mistake to avoid at an all-inclusive resort is eating only at the buffet, as most all-inclusive resorts have several themed or specialized restaurants on-site with exceptional food. Most all-inclusives have a buffet available any time of day, plus a variety of “specialty” restaurants usually only open for dinner with limited seatings, waiter service, and fancier atmosphere, but you usually need to reserve these in advance since they book up quickly, especially the higher-demand restaurants.
At the cheaper end of the market, the inclusive rate often only covers meals in the main dining room which will normally be buffets, fine if they are of good quality, but a bit monotonous after a week or two, and you don’t want to end up having to pay extra to eat somewhere else because you are disappointed with your hotel’s offering.
Not Researching What Activities Require Extra Fees
All-inclusive resorts tend to include a lot of activities and amenities you’d normally pay extra for at a normal resort, with room service potentially being complimentary and golf rounds possibly included, but most also include premium options available for additional cost, so it’s best to determine what’s included early in your stay.
Non-motorized watersports are sometimes included, like sailboating if you have your license, and kayaks, with some all-inclusives providing snorkeling gear, but motorized watersports like jet skiing, boat rides, scuba diving, and parasailing are sometimes available on-site for an extra expensive charge. The key is asking up front rather than discovering surprise charges later.
Ignoring The Daily Activity Schedule
The resort’s daily schedule tells you not only when things are happening but also what is happening, and it’s not uncommon for a resort to add shows, excursions or dining experiences, with some being first-come, first-served while others require an advance reservation.
Download the resort app and check it daily, first thing in the morning, as it’s a goldmine of information with schedules, tips, previews and menus, and many resorts offer special events or deals through it too. Check the schedule that is posted at the resort, sign up for daily emails or texts if possible, or read the printed daily itinerary delivered to your room.
Choosing The Wrong Resort Type For Your Group
The first mistake to avoid at all-inclusive resorts is not booking the right resort for you, as there are all kinds including adults only, young adults, and family-friendly resorts, and if you are looking for a child-free experience, not doing your research and ending up at a family-friendly resort can make a difference between what you expected versus what you get.
The biggest considerations are location, theme, and guest demographics. For example, if you’re looking for a romantic getaway, an adults-only resort like Sandals might be perfect, but it won’t be ideal for a family vacation. Size matters in all-inclusives, as for some people, the bigger the resort the better since a large hotel is likely to have several different restaurants and more facilities with party atmosphere and live entertainment, but all that might come at a cost to a sense of character and intimacy.
Not Building Relationships With Staff Members
Many guests are repeat visitors at specific resorts, and staff develop relationships with their favorites and will go out of their way to make sure you have everything you want and need, potentially providing little extras for free, like treats, drinks or early-access passes to shows.
The employees are also an incredible resource for what to try in the surrounding areas, local cultural norms, how to prepare for certain excursions and other site-specific tips, but they can only do that if you’ve already built a good relationship with them, and even if you’ll only ever be at the resort once, a little kindness goes a long way with all the staff, ensuring that your stay is pleasant and you feel taken care of, with kind guests finding themselves being treated like royalty.
Never Leaving The Resort Property
It’s easy to never leave an all-inclusive resort, but it’s usually worth leaving to explore a nearby town, take a hike, walk around the neighborhood or have lunch at a beach cafe. While subjective, it’s a huge mistake to avoid leaving all-inclusive resorts since these resorts are usually near beautiful destinations and amazing attractions, so spend at least one day out of the hotel, visiting an attraction or learning about the local culture, with tours usually arranged by the resort itself or booked through sites like Get Your Guide.
While you certainly can stay in your room and enjoy peace, the draw of an all-inclusive resort is that it offers far more than just a place to relax, yet many guests don’t take advantage of all the resort and the surrounding area have to offer, with most resorts located in places known for their beauty, culture, weather and opportunities for adventure.
The truth about all-inclusive resorts is that they can provide incredible value and unforgettable experiences when you know how to navigate them properly. Industry studies suggest that most travelers believe booking an all-inclusive trip is among the least stressful ways to travel, with leisure demand continuing to drive recovery in the hotel industry as travelers look for options that provide the best value for their money.
Learning from these common mistakes can transform your vacation from a series of missed opportunities into the relaxing, adventure-filled getaway you deserve. What surprised you most about these all-inclusive insights?