All-inclusive holidays. What to do and what not to do? 10 tips from an experienced traveler
Holidays at the All Inclusive Center are very attractive for many travelers and for a reason. The possibility of planning a budget before arrival and no need to carry cash or credit cards can relieve many holiday stress.
As an author of travel texts, I visited dozens of All Inclusive centers in the Caribbean, Mexico, Maldives and more. During my stays, I see that guests skip many details that could make their stay much more pleasant.
Regardless of whether you are planning your first journey to the All Inclusive center, or is your preferred holiday style, here are 10 mistakes to be avoided.
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Not getting information before making a reservation at the All Inclusive Center
Not every All Inclusive center is equally designed. Some have great pools and disappointing beaches others the opposite.
Some of them are intended for families, have clubs and classes dedicated to children and teenagers, others do not let guests under 18 years of age. The offer of resorts is very different.
The All Inclusive option itself is not necessarily a sufficient attraction. Think about what you are looking for during the holidays, do the insight and look beyond neat marketing and tuned, wide -angle photos on the center's website.
All inclusive resorts offer rooms for VIP with a butler
The term “all inclusive” no longer means what it used to be.
Nowadays, some centers offer rooms and apartments with a better standard and in specific areas of the facility, with additions that may include the supporter's service, as well as dedicated salons, restaurants, swimming pools or beach areas for these VIP guests.
Although spending a larger amount on these amenities is not for everyone, they can bring a sense of luxury and convenience, especially if you stop at a crowded resort, in which guests are forced to spread towels before breakfast to take deckchairs.
No meal booking during check -in
You can have access to many restaurants in your center, but this does not mean that you will automatically receive a table, especially during dinner peak hours (remember that everyone wants to eat at 19:30).
To avoid disappointment, book tables in popular places right after check -in or before arrival, if it is possible.
Remember that depending on the number of accommodation, you can only have the right to a limited number of reservations à la carte, so choose wisely.
My advice is to prioritize places that serve local cuisine. After all, a steak or pasta can be obtained almost everywhere.
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Filling the plate to the brim before seeing the full buffet offer
All inclusive centers are often known for their excessively stocked buffets at any time of the day or night. They offer sections of omelettes and freshly squeezed juices for breakfast and salad bars, local specialties, vegetable or fruit sculptures and various desserts at lunch and dinner.
Packing all these treats on a plate before looking at the whole buffet is a debut move that can lead to overeating and wasting food.
Every time you use the buffet, go through the whole room. Options can change not only from a meal to a meal, but also every day. Try to take a tablespoon of something you have never tried.
On vacation all inclusive, be sure to take a travel cup with you
Once I turned my eyes to the guests of the resort, who carried their travel cups to the bar to fill them with a chosen drink. I thought they were too halvan and using the concept of “all inclusive”. Now, however, I think there is something to it.
First of all, insulated cups keep drinks colder for a much longer time and reduce the number of trips to the bar.
They are also more environmentally friendly than all these disposable plastics. However, if you bring your Stanley and ask the bartender to fill him, give him a tip for doing you a favor.
No tips
Speaking of tips, I am well aware that some All Inclusive centers encourage guests to “leave your wallet at home”.
However, while the object in which you stop, there is no strict policy in this area, small tips can be of great importance. For example, a bartender tip in a crowded bar in the pool or lobby at the first order may result in faster service at the second and third rounds.
If you have great service during dinner, leaving them cash on the table is a nice gesture. Do not forget about the cleaning staff, which ensures that your room is clean from sand and equipped with fresh towels.
All inclusive resorts are not equal. Remember when ordering drinks
Not all drinks in all inclusive centers are the same. It is worth going to the bar where top -shelf liqueurs are available. Improve your piña colada, asking for a dark or old rum instead of white, which gives it much more taste.
If you see behind Aperol or Campari, you can be sure you'll get a decent Spritz. Prepare your own drink with a low alcohol content, asking for sauvignon blanc or rosé mixed with club soda and a little sugar syrup, decorated with a piece of lemon.
Also try local beer or wine if it is available.
… and go all out with fruity, frozen drinks
Piña Colada is definitely delicious – I like to drink one in the middle of the morning, which I call “breakfast smoothie”.
However, if you still approach the bar to order mixed mixtures, you will finish drinking a million calories and probably get stomach pain or a deadly hangover.
To maintain a good mood, it is better to mix alcohol with sodium water or a wine spitzer. Do not forget about irrigation with real water to counteract the effects of heat and sun.
Not using the comforts available in the sister objects of all inclusive resorts
Some centers are part of extensive complexes with several neighboring facilities served by the same parent company.
If your stay includes reciprocity (i.e. the policy “stay in one, have fun”), you will have access to other luxuries, such as additional pools, fitness centers, beaches and restaurants.
Using them is a great way to avoid boredom and give the impression that holidays include stays in many hotels.
All inclusive holidays? Do not avoid water sports
Although rentals of water scooters, water skateboard and parasailing equipment can be expensive, using simpler things, such as bicycles, kayaks, inflatable wheels and even catamarans, is often included in the price of all inclusive stay.
However, I often see them set on the beach all day, barely used.
Rent them, put on a life jacket and try. And if you are in a place where these water sports are popular, add your name to the waiting list in the morning.
The above text is a translation with American edition of Insiderprepared entirely by the local editorial office.
Translation: Dorota Salus
