5 Things to Pay Attention to When Choosing an All Inclusive Resort
With plethora of all inclusive resorts to choose from in Mexico, the Caribbean, and even in some European markets, it may be extremely overwhelming when trying to narrow down the choices and pick the right property for your next all inclusive vacation. Whether you’re working with a travel advisor, or planning your own vacation, there are some things you need to pay attention to (or discuss with your travel advisor) when trying to choose the right resort.
If you have been to all inclusive resorts before, you know that no 2 resorts are the same… They not only look different, but they offer different accommodation types, dining options, they are layed out differently, and have completely different vibes. It’s not as simple as looking at some pictures, and reading a few reviews to find that perfect resort for your next stay. When reading reviews, you don’t know what the person writing that review imagined their vacation would be like. You don’t know what their expectations were, and what was important for them when planning their trip. That’s why it’s necessary to take a deeper look at your expectations, and your wants and needs, prior to deciding on the all inclusive resort.
Below are 5 important things you MUST consider when reviewing your resort choices.
1. Location, Location, Location
There are a few aspects to consider here:
What destination is the resort in? How easy is it to get to from your home town? Is there a nonstop flight that will get you there, or will you need to change planes, hence dedicate more time to arrive at your location?
How far is the resort from the airport? How long will the transfer take from the airport to the resort and back? It doesn’t make sense to pick a resort that’s 2 hours from the airport when you’re only going for 3-4 nights… but it may be fine if you’re staying a full week.
Is the resort close to any local towns or activities you may want to do while on vacation? If you’re a person that likes to get out and explore while in destination, you need to pay attention to where the resort is located at as far as access to town and activities. For example, staying n Costa Mujeres, Mexico, but wanting to swim in cenotes, and visit Tulum ruins will not be the best idea, as it could take you over 2 hours to get to your excursions. It’s important to know what activities you may want to do, prior to securing your resort.
Is the resort on or off the beach? Depending on the destination, it may be ok to be across the street from the beach, or even in town, while in most cases you will want to be right on the water. Or maybe the resort is not across the street, but behind another property, so the walk to the beach will be long… You have to consider how important being right on the beach is to you.
If the resort is on the beach, is the beach swimmable? Does it tend to get a lot of sargassum? Is the beach walkable or small? is it a public beach or private to the resort?
Consider what’s really important to you on vacation, as far as activities and beach, etc. and map out those things in proximity to the resort you’re interested in, before you commit to a reservation. Or better yet, discuss all this with your travel advisor, and they will be able to advise on the best location for your trip.
2. Dining & Drink Options
I think I’m correct when I say that when you decide on a vacation at an all inclusive resort, you’re doing so for the convenience of having your food and drinks included. Let’s be honest here, food and beverage are a huge part of all inclusive vacation, and you should pay attention, close attention, to what dining options are offered at the resorts you’re interested in.
Besides the number and the variety of restaurants and bars, consider any restrictions the resort may have on how many times you can dine at the specialty restaurants during the length of your stay. Yes, it’s a pretty common practice among, usually, those more budget-friendly resorts. Some resorts will only allow you to eat at specialty restaurants 2-3 times over a weeklong stay. Additionally, not all the restaurants may be open every night. In some cases, the resort may have 11 restaurants listed, but only 4-5 may be open at once (this can also vary based on hotel occupancy at the time of your stay, so it may not always be predicted, but it’s something you should be aware of as a possibility).
Also, are all the restaurants included in the all inclusive plan, or are some extra? Do the reservations require reservations, or is it first-come, first serve type of situation? Which option do you prefer?
Next thing to check is room service. Make sure to review the availability and rules… Is it included for every room category or only the upgraded ones? Is room service 24-hours a day, or only during certain hours? Or maybe room service is always at an additional cost?
And what about a late snack? Is there a 24-hour spot on the property that will be open when you’re craving that midnight snack after a day of drinking and laying out in the sun?
Most all inclusive resorts these days are pretty good with any food allergies you may have, but make sure to mention those when making your reservations, and then before each meal as well. If you have any less common allergies, or ones that require specialty diet, it’s something that may need to be discussed with the resorts prior to booking.
Lastly, what about drinks? Are premium drinks only available to club level rooms, or is the same alcohol served all over the resort? Is there an upcharge for mini bar in the room? Is there a bar that’s open extra late? Are the drinks in the disco included? How many bars are open at the same time on the property?
I hope this helps you narrow down your resort choices next time you’re planning an all inclusive stay.
3. Entertainment + Amenities + Activities in the area
While sometimes, all we want to do when going to an all inclusive resort is sit by the beach with a drink in our hand, and not do a thing, most times, we’ll need some kind of entertainment, at least in the evenings. Because once the pools close around 6 pm (usually), what are you going to be doing for the rest of the evening? You’ll spend couple of hours at dinner, then hop over to the bar for a nightcap, but then what? Check the entertainment options at the resort you’re interested in, before you commit to it. Is there anything to do during the day, especially if the weather isn’t great? Are there any classes with local artists, or maybe some indoor activities for the kids in case they need a break from the sun? Are there any shows or concerts in the evening?
Additionally, look at what amenities does this property provide… do they have a spa? Waterpark? Swim up bar? Game room or a Casino? How about a disco, or bowling? Do they provide any extras for babies? But also, is there an elevator, or will you need to climb 4 flights of stairs every day?
I’ve mentioned this in point 1, but what about any activities or tours outside of the resort? What’s available? How far is it? How are you getting there? Can you visit the sites on your own, or do you need a tour?
It may not seem important at first, when you’re looking at different resorts, but trust me, it will all matter once you’re in destination.
4. Layout and size of the property
I think this is very often an ignored part of resort research, especially if you’re a first-timer to the all inclusive game. You’ll look at some pictures of the resort, maybe read some reviews, and all seems good. But have you considered how big the resort is? Some resorts, especially in Dominican Republic and some in Riviera Maya, can be ginormous (even 2,000 rooms!). That’s a huge property that will have a completely different vibe than a 400-room property. Chances are that the bigger property will not only be more spread out, so you’ll be walking more, but it will also have more amenities, more pools, more restaurants etc. The smaller one will be more intimate, and it maybe better for a shorter stay. Also, ask yourself if you want a tropical-themed resort, or maybe a Vegas-style high-rise is more your vibe?
5. Renovations
Obviously, nobody wants to be at a resort that’s in the middle of a huge renovation, and I would never send a client to one, knowing that they’re undergoing some majors repairs. While resorts usually tend to limit renovations to only certain parts of the property at a time, as to not to inconvenience guests too much, it’s never fun to be there during repairs. While a lot of time, the resorts will notify us of upcoming repairs in advance, often they wait until the very last minute before they’re about to start. I always try to keep an eye out on any renovation announcements, and if something pops up, even after client is already booked there, I will see what options we have to get them moved to another resort (that’s why I don’t ever recommend booking nonrefundable rates - you’re stuck). Make sure you do your due diligence, and try to verify any current or upcoming renovations. If you do decide to go during renos, make sure you’re ok with possible closures of different amenities, pools, restaurants, construction noise and views, and you better be getting an unreal deal to put up with that.
There you have it, friends, 5 things to pay attention to when choosing an all inclusive resort. All these things are important for a successful vacation experience, especially if you already have multiple resort stays behind your belt, and know what you like and dislike in a resort. Whether you’re a repeat offender or a novice to an all inclusive game, I hope this list gives you something to think about when you’re trying to decide where to stay during your vacation.
And please consider working with a travel advisor for your next stay, as we have first hand experience with these resorts, we have contacts on site, at these properties, and we can provide you with a lot more value than you can get online. I promise you that.
If I can be of any assistance, I would love to chat with you, and see how I can elevate your vacation experience. As a travel advisor with almost 15 years of experience, I think I know a thing or two about all inclusive market. Let’s talk!
Questions? Comments? Need help planning your all inclusive vacation? Find me on socials, send me an email, or start by filling out a Travel Request Form under Plan Your Trip tab at the top of this page.
