Looks gorgeous, doesn’t it? Can’t wait to check it out up close!
I answered a Dear Deal Mommy question a few months ago about all-inclusive resorts and, to put it mildly, my post was not an endorsement. My friend Leana at Miles for Family presented the opposing view and challenged me to a deal-off. I didn’t respond at the time because I realized I didn’t have enough information, having never actually visited an all-inclusive resort.
Well, next week I’m headed down to Beaches Turks and Caicos for a conference. While I did receive a discounted conference rate, I’m still paying for the trip out of pocket. Beaches is going to present itself in the best possible light, of course, but I still have some concerns about the value of all-inclusives. Here are the items I’ll be especially eyeing while soaking up the sun:
- Room quality and size: one of my main complaints against all-inclusives is that you could rent a much larger condo for the same rate. I want to see the rooms to judge my perception.
- Food and drink quality: I know that a main selling point is “all you can eat and drink”, but is it food and alcohol you want to eat and drink?
- Service: This one is a make or break. When you’re traveling independently, indifferent staff isn’t as big of a deal. If you’re not leaving the resort, it’s a vacation killer.
- Kid’s clubs for all ages: Beaches works with Sesame Street and that program looks great, but what about tweens and teens? Babies?
- Activities: Specifically how easy is it to get what you want to do, when you want to do it? Saying you have tons to do is one thing, having it is another. What is actually included and what costs extra?
What other questions do you have about all-inclusives? If you’ve visited one or more, are there any areas I’ve missed? Are you a fan? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
My problem with all-inclusives is that I can’t stop eating tons and tons of crappy food 🙂
Ding ding ding! That’s what I’m afraid of!
The problem with beaches, sandals etc. is that these companies treats their employees like crap (underpaid and overworked). Often times workers come from different islands in the Caribbean and work as a modern day indentured servant. Beaches is overpriced for the product and in the T&C there are so many good restaurants that you are missing out if you eat at the hotel
Mike, Thanks for your comment. Reminds me of a cruise ship in that way. I’ll make a point of chatting up the staff and will share my impressions.
I think that all-inclusives can be as different from one another as any other hotel. Some will have great service, and other won’t. Same goes for the food and drinks. I love AIs for a certain type of trip (relaxing). I don’t go in expecting the best food I’ve ever had in my life. I’m also not super high maintenance though. As long as they have some vegetarian food and chocolate, I’m good to go.
As far as not eating too much….commit to a plan to pick one or more ‘rules’ like one small dessert per day…or nothing fried…no bread…no sugar, etc. Anything that you can mentally pre-plan ahead of time to avoid certain things. And you can eat as many vegetables as you want:)
As far as the drinks go, my best advice there is to look on the shelf & ask for the specific brand (if they have them displayed). And either keep it simple (ie your specific alcohol brand & your specific mixer)…OR just order something really sweet and frozen (mudslides…yum). If you just say something like ‘vodka cranberry’ they are going to give you the unlabeled bottle and it very well may be rubbing alcohol;) or moonshine:)
Have fun!!! I’ve heard great things about that place. Friends of ours (who can afford to go almost anywhere) choose to go there every year.
Thanks! Good tips. I intend to seek out fresh seafood and good dark rum.
Look forward to your analysis! I’m very skeptical of all-inclusive resorts too.
Thanks! I can’t help but wonder if I’m shooting myself in the foot by admitting my bias, but my readers would see an in-the tank write up from a mile away.
For GOOD all inclusives with very high food standards and excellent activities and kids (of all ages) programs look at Club Med.
Thanks, Russ. I’ve heard good things and am curious about the non-American clientele angle.
It is club dependent. For example Columbus Isle (Bahamas) has a lot of French Canadians, Cancun is a mix and Ixtapa (Mexican West coast) is mostly Americans (very convenient for US West coast). Sandpiper (Florida) is mostly US and so on. You do get a mix of of International guests, but most are very geared up towards US clientele. Club languages are English, Spanish and French (and Portuguese for the Brazil clubs). For anyone with kids I really recommend them. Take a look at some of the reviews on TripAdvisor and you’ll probably get a pretty good picture.
You know I love clubmed cancun! Nice mix of american and Mexican and other Latin American. DR all French and French canadian.
Glad to hear. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Friends went to that resort and rave about it! I am curious about the ‘drinking culture’ – is everywhere full of adults drinking a bunch and ignoring their kids? or more low key, one drink at lunch, one in the afternoon type of thing? I have experienced both….
That’s a great question! I’ll definitely keep an eye out.
I’ve never stayed at one but several people in my network have. Here is the advice I hear most often:
Bring a stack of $1 bills. A small tip will improve your service greatly. However if you are in any way used to high quality CS lower expectations.
Avoid rooms near the pool.
Make reservations for any of the on site offerings as soon as they will let you (some place it is only after check in).
Find out what is not included, what is upgradable for a fee.
Talk to the staff about what to do and where to eat. If you get the time try a small local resteraunt, even though your food is included you aren’t forced to eat every meal on site.
Great advice, and I wouldn’t have thought of the $1 bills. Thanks!
IME you have to go ultra-high end to get a quality experience. Food is better at adults only AIs ( like LeBlanc) and resorts that are not exclusively AI but have it as an option (Las Brisas Ixtapa & Westin Playa Conchal). And for goodness sake tip! The employees work hard and get paid very little.
Thanks, Linda. I was just discussing the new Hyatt A/I with a friend and was thinking they might be another good option. Definitely bringing more cash for tips now. BTW, I see Las Brisas on Luxury Link from time to time at what seems like very good prices.
You will love Beaches at Turks! Went there 3 years ago at Thanksgiving. Activities for all ages, never felt drinking was out of control. So much to do!
Thanks, LeeAnn! I’m looking forward to it.
The problem I have with AIs is that they’re AIs. Yes, you are in a warmer spot, most likely, than at home. But why fly all the way the Caribbean, just to stay in one, very USA/Euro-centric location for the whole time?
There is something so freeing about setting off on your own two feet into a town, in a place you’ve never been, and learning that with a smile, and the good sense to realize that anyone who speaks your language is doing you a favor, you can have the time of your life. One of my favorite memories is sitting, eating my lunch by the Trevi Fountain, after visiting my daughter, and being asked directions. In Italian! The fact that I had no idea where the gentleman wanted to go, notwithstanding, it was so cool.
If the totality, or even the majority of my travels had been to AIs, no matter where, I never would have felt comfortable about spending the day walking around Rome by myself. I’ll be interested to see your conclusions.
MickiSue, and that is also my travel style in a nutshell…in fact my last trip was 2 weeks solo Italy in August. I’m wondering if AI will chafe, too.
Beaches Turks and Caicos is insanely expensive. Unless there was a huge discount (which they never have at these resorts), I would never dream of spending so much. All-inclusive is for people who don’t travel often and aren’t interested in what traveling actually means and getting out of your comfort zone. If you just want to be pampered, why go all the way across the world to do so. I’d bet you’ll come back even more convinced that AIs suck and are way too expensive for the average folk.
Laura,
I’m very skeptical. Doing my research, I so far only see 1 group that might get value: hard core scuba divers. Beaches includes scuba and tank fees add up.
Lol! Maybe you’ll take up scuba to make it worth your while… 😉
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The first and last time I stayed at an all inclusive resort was about a decade ago at a similar upscale property in the Caribbean. I learned real quick that the all inclusive scene was / is not for me. When I’m on vacation, especially in the islands, all I want to do is relax. Relaxing to me is not being around a lot of people, “having the beach to myself” where I can lay out and read a book in the sun and unwind. In my opinion, all-inclusives attract a certain type of traveler, ones who need constant stimulation. From what I’ve seen, they tend to be the highly social types who are there mainly for the drinks and to have a good time – nothing wrong with that – just not my style. That said, you won’t ever find an all-inclusive wrist-band on me again.
I hear you. At least after going I got what others enjoy, but agree it’s not generally how I roll.