The All-Inclusive Holiday

The all-inclusive holiday has many benefits for holidaymakers. Lisa de Silva examines the options available and choosing the right package for you.

Superb value for money and offering the ultimate in convenience, all-inclusive holidays are a popular choice for British holidaymakers. In fact, over 50% of us choose an all-inclusive break. Here we take a closer look at what to expect and what to consider when deciding on this type of package holiday.

What is an all-inclusive holiday?

All-inclusive holidays are designed to take much of the stress and logistics out of the travel experience. Holidaymakers pay one price which usually covers flights, airport transfers, meals, drinks, onsite facilities and activities, as well as evening entertainment. With no complicated logistics to navigate and no surprise bills to pay, holidaymakers can start to relax even before they arrive.

What isn’t included?

When researching an all-inclusive break, you will find that what is and what is not included can vary, so it pays to do your research. Things which may not be covered in the cost can include some of the following:

• Premium alcohol

• Premium or speciality dining venues

• Airport transfers

• Hold luggage

• Full range of water sports and onsite activities

• Spa treatments

• Kid’s Club

• Full range of children’s activities

Assess how important certain elements are to the enjoyment of your holiday and then shop around. For example, if you would like some child-free time, look for resorts which include a Kid’s Club, or if food is an important part of your holiday, select a resort with a variety of dining venues included in the cost.

The benefits of an all-inclusive holiday

Against a backdrop of rising prices and low wage growth, the main benefit of an all-inclusive holiday is value for money. Holidaymakers can relax knowing that everything is paid for up front, leaving them free to enjoy their time away without worrying about additional bills racking up.

Holidaymakers also rank convenience as an important benefit. Once the initial booking is made, there is no need to spend time and stress organising flights and airport transfers beforehand, or to worry about restaurant bookings, activities, and entertainment while you’re away.

This type of holiday has many advantages for families and groups of friends, providing Kid’s Clubs, a wide range of activities and entertainment, along with an extensive choice of food and drink. This means an all-inclusive can cater for a broad spectrum of ages, interests and appetites.

The choice and variety of the cuisine and activities on offer are another plus. With no additional costs involved, it can be a great chance to try something new in terms of foods, sports, relaxation and cultural activities.

Resort-based all-inclusive breaks

Most all-inclusive holidays are resort-based, offering a range of accommodation such as couple and family guestrooms, large villas, luxurious suites and self- contained lodges. Many enjoy a beachfront location providing loungers, beach bars, beach games and water sports for guests to enjoy.

In recent years, there has been a strong demand for upscale resorts suited to more affluent holidaymakers and families. These resorts offer a variety of dining venues, including fine dining options, premium wines and spirits, best-in-class Kid’s Clubs, a wide range of onsite activities and water sports, spa treatments and even offsite cultural excursions and experiences. Personal training and sports coaching, particularly for tennis and golf, may also be included.

Other types of all-inclusive options

While the all-inclusive holiday has become synonymous with European beach resorts, there are now many more unusual and immersive travel experiences that provide all-inclusive benefits. These include luxury train journeys such as Rovos Rail in South Africa, offering luxurious private carriages, gourmet dining and all excursions. Similarly, the Belmond Andean Explorer travels through the Peruvian Andes, while guests enjoy all-inclusive fine dining and onboard spa treatments.

Cruising has always had an element of all-inclusive, providing a base cost that includes accommodation, food and entertainment, although speciality dining, alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, excursions and tips were rarely included. Yet, as cruising grows in popularity, particularly with more families and a younger demographic holidaying at sea, many operators are now offering full value for money all- inclusive packages.

Both Arctic and Antarctic cruises can also provide an all-inclusive experience, with food, drink, and polar activities included. On a warmer note, most desert and safari camps

are based on one price which includes all board and lodgings, trekking, boat safaris, game drives and wildlife viewing activities.

For those looking to stay closer to home, all-inclusive UK options include holiday parks and specific hotel packages, in popular locations such as the West Country and the Lake District.