The all inclusive holiday has never been more popular, with travelers from all age groups taking advantage of the ease of this way of having a holiday. However, this kind of holiday is not for everyone so it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of an all inclusive holiday before making a booking. It may seem like the easy option with all the hard work taken out for you but there are some important things you will want to consider before going ahead.
Pros
- When you book an all inclusive holiday you generally get your board, food, evening entertainment, flights and any transfers included in the price. However if you shop around you may find that you can get activities and sports thrown into the package too. This is great for people and families that like to be active on holiday. With many people needing to stick to tight budgets at the moment this can be reassuring as it generally means that there will be no unpleasant financial surprises later on.
- Having all your meals paid for means that you know what you are getting, no disappointing expensive meals at restaurants you aren’t familiar with. The stress of finding a place to eat every day is taken away and this can be particularly helpful for families where the children are young – you can eat and drink as much or as little as you like.
- If you choose an all inclusive package that is protected by ATOL you will be protected from losing out if your holiday firm folds. In the present economic times this has been a problem so this is another way to take out some of the stress planning your holiday.
- In the past all inclusive holidays have received bad press for being boozy and rowdy but their image has been much improved in recent years. It is now possible to get an all inclusive to long haul destinations making them a much more affordable option for people who would like to travel to destinations that are further afield.
- In recent years the cost of living in many popular European tourist destinations has soared meaning that it has become more expensive simply to eat out and buy a few drinks when abroad. With an all-inclusive deal you won’t be affected by the higher cost for your food and drink in local bars and restaurants.
Cons
- You need to check out the location of your all-inclusive package, some of these may be miles away from the nearest town or city and you may have to shell out on taxi fees. If you are happy to stay put for the duration of your holiday this won’t be a problem but if you like to explore this could be a deal breaker for you.
- Make sure you check out exactly what you will be getting for your money when it comes to the food and drink included in your all inclusive. Some hotels offer a choice of restaurants but others only have one buffet style restaurant to eat at. Be prepared for the possibility that you may have a somewhat narrow choice. Try to find out if you will also have a choice of international beers and wines – your deal may only include locally produced drinks.
- The final thing to consider is whether you really are the type of person who will enjoy the all inclusive experience. For some people having all the hassle taken away is the perfect recipe for a relaxing holiday in the sun. For other people they will find the terms and conditions too restrictive. If you are the type of person who prefers to be more spontaneous on holiday then this kind of holiday may not be the one for you.