Over the years I’ve heard my fair share of mixed-reviews about all-inclusive resort vacations. There seem to be two-camps of thought here: love them or hate them. Some people view it as a fake vacation, because you don’t get to experience the culture. And some view it as a perfect getaway to disconnect from their busy lives. What it really boils down to is travel preferences, and there are definitely pros and cons to all-inclusive vacations.
Do you like adventure? Or do you prefer to have some rest and relaxation? I’ve been on a number of all-inclusive vacations and it is possible to have the best of both worlds! A little bit of adventure and relaxation can co-exist on your itinerary. Here are the top 8 things I consider when picking my all-inclusive resort vacation – hopefully they can help you if you’re planning an upcoming all-inclusive resort vacation.
8 Tips to Book an All-Inclusive Resort Vacation
1. Destination:
The first thing I think about is where I want to go. Do I want to visit a specific country? Or am I just looking for the best deal? There’s no right or wrong answer here, just go with your own preferences. A tip here is to not get your heart set on a destination, unless you are prepared to pay the price! Some tropical destinations are far more expensive than others, and some are much more affordable. There’s something for everyone.
2. Time of Year:
When I’m booking an all-inclusive vacation, I typically prefer to go during the Canadian winter months. Any time between October to February is a great time to go to escape the cooler weather. Avoid peak-times when prices are raised. These include Christmas, New Year’s Eve, all of March (due to various March-break schedules) and most holiday weekends.
3. Weather Forecast:
I like to check the average weather forecast for the destination and also look at the previous years’ historical weather data. This can help you avoid rainy seasons, and find the average temperature you’re looking for. Mind you, weather is completely out of your control and forecasts can often be wrong. This is a general consideration, but not what I base my entire selection on.
4. Distance from Airport:
When selecting a resort, I try to find something that is 30 minutes (or so) away from the airport. This is usually far enough that you can’t hear the planes, but close enough that you don’t need to waste precious vacation time driving to and from the resort.
5. Price & Star Rating:
I’m not a luxury traveler, but when picking a resort I keep my star rating at 4.5-stars or higher. I know what I like when I travel, and find that tropical destinations’ star-ratings are just not the same as in Canada or the USA. If you prefer a certain kind of comfort when you travel, you’ll have to adjust your price range and star-rating accordingly.
6. Pools & Ocean:
I want to stay at a resort on the beach, but one that also has a few pools. A girl needs options. When looking at the pool and beach area, I also like to see that they have umbrellas, trees or some sort of shade so that we don’t have to spend the entire day in the sun.
7. Distance to Urban Centre or Activities:
When booking a resort I also like to try to be close to a major urban centre or activities. If the resort is a close distance, you can leave the resort to experience some of the local culture and attractions. Alternatively, if the resort is in a less-populated/urban area, most resorts will offer excursions or tours organized through the hotel.
8. Reviews:
Once I find a few resorts that look decent (based on my above-criteria) I head to TripAdvisor to read the reviews. I like to know the overall traveler rating, look at traveler photos and see if there are any major deal-breakers. Cleanliness, food quality, comfort and service are the main things I’m looking for.
There are many other factors you could consider when booking your vacation, but these are the top 8 things I do consistently for all-inclusive resort vacations. Do you have any other tips for selecting an all-inclusive resort? Let me know in the comments below!
6 comments
I’ve never stayed at an all-inclusive property for a variety of reasons, but I do understand the appeal of them. These are great suggestions! Especially about staying near areas where you can go and explore. I don’t know how many people ever leave their resort when they go to these destinations. To me, getting away from the lodging is the point of travel! 🙂 To each their own.
This is great! I don’t normally stay at all inclusives, but lately I’ve been thinking it would be really nice to have everything taken care of and all in one place!
The only time I’ve ever booked all-inclusive was Cuba 1992 because there was no other possibility. And even then, I escaped from the hotel and took local buses to see more of the island. I understand that people book such holidays when they don’t have a lot of time or may feel insecure because they don’t speak the language or are in the country for the first time but it’s not my cup of tea.
I believe these are really great tips that you have shared. Sometimes for staycations with my partner, I prefer to book an all inclusive resort. That’s not always the case. There are pros and cons of it. But usually I mix both styles of travel. Like in Kenya, I explored the country and at end spent two nights in Swahili Beach Resort in Mombasa which was an all-inclusive resort. I chilled there before leaving the country.
Great tips! Shoulder season is usually the most affordable option, so time of year is really important if you have a travel budget. I definitely agree you should be close to an urban center. If you don’t get off of the resort you really haven’t experienced the country at all.
As a traveller, I am open to all sorts of vacation. Once in a while, we do like to indulge in staycations and opt for an all-inclusive resort where we get the best of both. The tips you shared are really useful for choosing the vacation. The destination and time of the year do matter a lot and we pay a lot of attention to them.