What does all inclusive mean?
Are you tired of planning every trip detail, from accommodation options to activities and meals? Look no further than an all-inclusive holiday. But what does all inclusive mean? Here, we will help you decide whether All Inclusive is right for you.
I love all-inclusive holidays, although I like to book a mix of holiday types.
What Does All Inclusive Mean?
An all-inclusive holiday is a package deal that includes everything you need for a relaxing and enjoyable trip. This typically includes accommodation, transfers, food and drink and sometimes even activities, all for one flat rate.
The specifics of each package can vary depending on the resort, but the main idea is that you won’t have to worry about any additional expenses once you arrive at your destination.
If you book a package holiday, this can include an all-inclusive hotel, transfers, and flights.
Why Choose an All-Inclusive Trip?
One of the biggest benefits of an all-inclusive vacation is the convenience factor. Everything is taken care of for you, so you can relax and enjoy your trip rather than worrying about planning meals or activities. This especially appeals to families or groups, as coordinating meals and activities can be a hassle.
Another benefit of all-inclusive vacations is that they offer excellent value for your money. By bundling everything together, you can often save money compared to booking each component of your vacation separately. Plus, you can budget more easily since you know the total cost upfront.
Are All Inclusive Resorts Worth it?
Whether an all-inclusive resort is worth it or not depends on personal preferences and travel style. All-inclusive resorts are an excellent value as they offer a convenient and stress-free vacation experience. The package includes all the meals, drinks, and activities, which can help you stick to a budget and avoid any unexpected expenses.
This can be especially appealing if you have kids or those who want to avoid planning and organizing every detail. All-inclusive resorts can be an excellent option if you want to relax and unwind. Sometimes all-inclusive packages include deals where kids go free and under 2’s are almost always free. This can save you even more money!
However, if you would prefer to explore and experience the local culture may find that all-inclusive resorts can be too insular and disconnected from the local community.
Some all-inclusive resorts may be too crowded and noisy or offer limited options for dining or activities. Regarding the cost of all-inclusive packages, they are often higher than if you were to book their accommodation and activities separately. Another option which I sometimes do is to book the all-inclusive hotel on Booking.com and then organise transfers and flights myself.
What’s Included in an All-Inclusive Package?
As mentioned, all-inclusive packages typically include accommodations, meals, drinks, and activities. Depending on the resort, accommodations can range from hotel rooms to private villas. Meals are usually served at on-site restaurants, including buffets, à la carte dining, and snacks throughout the day.
Drinks are also included and can range from non-alcoholic beverages to alcoholic drinks like beer, wine, and cocktails. Some resorts may have restrictions on which drinks are included, so it’s important to read the fine print.
Activities can vary widely depending on the resort and location. Some all-inclusive resorts offer water sports like snorkelling and kayaking, while others may have golf courses or spa treatments included in the package.
Cruises can also be all-inclusive. You will get flights and transfers plus unlimited food on the ship. Some cruises also have some excursions in the price, but you can almost always participate in things going on on the ship for free such as movie nights, shows and kids clubs.
Going ‘All Inclusive’ as a Family
All-inclusive holidays can be an excellent choice for families, as they offer a wide range of activities and amenities that cater to both children and adults.
Many all-inclusive resorts have kid’s clubs and activities, allowing parents to relax while their children are entertained. Plus, with meals included, families don’t have to worry about the hassle of finding kid-friendly restaurants or dealing with picky eaters.
Some all-inclusive resorts even offer babysitting services, giving parents a chance to enjoy a romantic meal or a walk.
When choosing an all-inclusive resort for a family vacation, make sure to look for one with plenty of family-friendly activities and accommodations. With the right choice, an all-inclusive holiday can be a stress-free and enjoyable experience for the whole family.
All Inclusive Vs Half Board
There is a big difference between all inclusive and half-board. Half board typically means you will get 2 meals a day (breakfast and dinner). Some resorts will also let you swap dinner for lunch. Drinks are not usually included in half-board packages, but at some resorts they are. All-inclusive means everything is included, including 3 meals a day, snacks and drinks.
Sometimes at resorts, you can choose what board breakfast you have from bed and breakfast to half board to full board and all inclusive.
All-Inclusive Vs Full Board
All inclusive and full board are different. Full board means you will be treated to 3 meals each day. This doesn’t normally include drinks but at some hotels and resorts it does. All inclusive means you will also get drinks and snacks throughout the day and at meal times.
All Inclusive City Breaks in Europe
All-inclusive city breaks in Europe are hard to come by unless it’s a city by the sea. All-inclusive City breaks to these coastal cities in Spain are common. With a city break, you’re more likely to get a package holiday including flights, transfers, a hotel and breakfast. EasyJet Holidays is my go-to for this and Tui has just started Tui city breaks!
Best All-Inclusive Holiday Companies in Europe for Families
TUI
TUI is a well-known travel company that offers a wide range of all-inclusive vacations across Europe.
TUI has something for everyone, with destinations including Spain, Greece, and Portugal.
Check out the company’s all-inclusive resorts in destinations like the Canary Islands and the Balearic Islands for a beach holiday. If you’re looking for a city break, TUI also offers all-inclusive options in popular cities like Barcelona. With TUI, you can relax and enjoy your vacation, knowing that everything is taken care of.
With Tui, I enjoyed my stay at the Poseidon Hotel in Zakynthos. I also loved the Atlantica Portobello Beach Hotel and Resort in Kos.
I enjoyed the half-board options at Fuerteventura Thalasso Spa and the Arenal Hotel in San Antonio Ibiza.
Club Med
Club Med is a luxury all-inclusive resort company with locations across Europe. From ski resorts in the French Alps to beach resorts in Greece, Club Med has something for every type of traveller.
The company’s all-inclusive packages include meals, drinks, activities, and accommodations, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable vacation. Plus, with amenities like pools, spas, and fitness centres, there’s plenty to keep you busy during your stay.
The Club Med St. Moritz Roi Soleil comes highly recommended as one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Switzerland.
Insotel
With seven hotels located in the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands, Insotel Hotels offers a range of options. All of their all-inclusive packages include unlimited food and drinks and various activities and entertainment options for all ages.
I LOVED the Club Maryland all inclusive resort in Formentera. It has amazing food, stunning food, beach access and even a kids waterpark.
First Choice
First Choice is another well-known travel company that offers all-inclusive holidays across Europe. From family-friendly resorts in Turkey to adult-only getaways in Spain, First Choice has a variety of options to choose from.
The company also offers city breaks in destinations like Rome and Budapest, allowing you to explore some of Europe’s most iconic cities without worrying about the details.
With First Choice, I loved my stay at Aqua Bay in Zakynthos which has an on-site waterpark.
Final Words
All-inclusive trips can be a great way to save money and reduce stress while on vacation. They offer convenience and peace of mind, allowing you to focus on relaxation and fun.
Just be sure to do your research and choose a reputable resort that meets your needs.
With a little bit of planning, you can enjoy an unforgettable all-inclusive vacation that you’ll remember for years to come.
FAQs
An all-inclusive resort is a type of vacation accommodation where the price of the stay includes everything from meals and drinks to activities and entertainment.
This means that guests can enjoy all the amenities and services of the resort without having to worry about any extra costs. In addition to meals and drinks, many all-inclusive resorts offer a variety of activities, such as water sports, fitness classes, and nightly entertainment.
Some resorts even include spa treatments and excursions as part of their all-inclusive packages.
However, some all inclusive resorts just include the things at the hotel and not flights and transfers, unless they are booked as a package holiday.
Full board is a type of vacation package that includes three meals a day as part of the accommodation. This means that guests staying on a full board basis will receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner, typically served at the hotel or resort’s restaurant.
All-inclusive plus, also known as ultra-all-inclusive or premium all-inclusive, is a vacation package that includes all the features of a standard all-inclusive package, plus additional benefits.
These benefits can vary depending on the resort or hotel, but may include upgraded room categories, premium drinks, access to exclusive areas or services, and additional activities or excursions. Some all-inclusive plus packages may also offer a wider variety of dining options, including à la carte restaurants and 24-hour room service.
Half board is a type of package that includes accommodation, breakfast, and dinner. This means that you will receive two meals a day, typically at the hotel or resort’s restaurant.
Yes, all-inclusive packages usually include unlimited drinks. This means that guests can enjoy an unlimited amount of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks, without any additional cost.
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Sylvie Simpson is the founder of European Cities with Kids. For the past 6 years, she has been travelling all over Europe whenever she has the chance, both solo, for work and with her daughter. Sylvie is on a mission to help people make the most of city breaks in Europe with kids and helps over 50,000 readers per month plan and make the most of their trips in Europe with kids.