Why it pays to join the all-inclusive club
MAJOR holiday companies are reporting soaring demand for stays in all-inclusive hotels.
The trigger appears to be the pound’s fall against currencies such as the euro and dollar since the EU referendum. Going all-inclusive means you pay upfront for key holiday costs and will be largely unaffected by higher prices for meals and drinks in restaurants and bars.
Moreover, if you’ve booked an all-inclusive break and the pound slumps further, you won’t end up out of pocket as you will have locked down the cost.
But going all-inclusive can be a false economy if the hotel is not up to scratch and you end up wanting to escape the buffet bar and eat out elsewhere.
Higher-quality all-inclusives offering better food and drink, more dining choices and more activities covered in the rates are increasingly common. But do check the following:
Are there alternative à la carte dining options to the main buffet restaurant? If so, are meals in them covered under the all-in rates, and how many?
Are reservations needed? A la carte restaurants are often heavily booked, forcing guests to eat in the buffet restaurant.
With drinks, do the pre-paid rates cover international brands or just local ones? Will you end up paying extra for drinkable wines? Is there a cut-off time each night for free drinks? And what about mini-bars? Better all-inclusives provide free soft drinks, beers and sometimes even spirits in your room.
What activities are included in the rates? At a basic allinclusive, that might be just a few non-motorised watersports and tennis (without tuition). Superior all-inclusives can cover a wider range at no extra charge – maybe diving in the Caribbean, golf in Mauritius, or a fishing excursion in the Maldives.
While participation in kids’ clubs is almost always included for older children, putting your baby or toddler in the nursery usually costs extra.
Be cautious about booking into an all-inclusive compound miles from anywhere. You could find you’re feeling trapped.
FIVE OF THE BEST ALL-INCLUSIVES
Prices given are per person for one week all-inclusive, based on two sharing and including flights and transfers.
Ikos Olivia is a stylish beachfront hotel in Halkidiki, but it is the food that stands out. At its à la carte restaurants (Greek, Italian, Asian, French), menus have been created by Michelin-starred chefs, and you can eat at a local taverna at no extra cost. Booked through First Choice (firstchoice.co.uk, 0871 200 7799), from £1,140.
Iberostar Anthelia in Tenerife is great for couples and families. The five-star property in Costa Adeje lays on gourmet cuisine in a choice of restaurants, and has a huge pool. Thomas Cook (thomascook.com, 0844 412 5970), from £1,355.
Tamassa, a highly-rated four-star hotel in Mauritius, offers good value. The rates cover waterskiing and trips in a glass-bottom boat. Hayes & Jarvis (hayesandjarvis. co.uk, 01293 762404), from £1,315.
At BodyHoliday on St Lucia, activities include a daily spa treatment, fitness classes and tennis lessons. Tropical Sky (tropicalsky. co.uk, 01342 886941), from £1,999.
Sandals bills its romantic, adultsonly all-inclusive Caribbean hotels ‘luxury included’. At the beautifully designed Sandals LaSource Grenada, rates cover unrestricted access to ten top restaurants. Virgin Holidays (virginholidays.co.uk, 0344 739 6332), from £2,024.