In my 20 years as a travel writer I’ve stayed in dozens of all-inclusive hotels, from bijou hideaways to massive family-friendly resorts with waterslides and kids clubs.
Most of the time, they are brilliant value. One price, of course, covers everything: accommodation, meals, drinks, entertainment and activities.
Not surprisingly, they’re booming in popularity. Last month the Advantage Travel Partnership reported 40 per cent of its bookings were for all-inclusive holidays while
Hotels.com noticed a 60 per cent increase in all-inclusive searches. Expedia has witnessed a similar trend. So what’s going on? Well, the stigma of going on an ‘all-inclusive’ holiday seems to be waning, partly due to tougher economic times and also because a new breed has upped its game, offering more stylish hotels with better food and a greater range of activities – ‘wellness’ being at the forefront of many programmes.
Gone are the days of endless high-rises serving the same buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Here are my tips on how to choose wisely, along with my pick of some of the best.
Watch out for annoying restrictions
Contrary to its name, ‘all-inclusive’ does not necessarily mean everything is.
Sometimes there are restrictions or supplements for drinks (particularly alcoholic beverages) or choice of restaurants. Or a la carte dining may be available – but not without a reservation.
Kids clubs and water sports are another thing to watch out for at large beach resorts. While non-motorised activities such as paddleboarding and using kayaks are usually part of packages, the likes of jet-skiing or water-skiing may well cost extra.
So reading the small print is essential. Know exactly what you are entitled to before booking to avoid costs mounting once there.
Checking online reviews and asking questions in relevant Facebook, and similar, groups are a helpful way of finding out more.
Check food and drink
One of the major draws of an all-inclusive holiday is being able to pile your plate high, go back for seconds (or thirds) and grab a pina colada whenever you fancy.
Just be aware that some hotels may have a surcharge for premium brands or cocktails as well as more exclusive dishes such as lobster or steak. Other hotels might not include alcoholic drinks at all or might charge for the minibar – which is a deeply misleading use of ‘all-inclusive’ in the way they are selling themselves.
Meanwhile, if you don’t fancy three buffets a day – and lots of resorts still have this set-up as standard – then make sure your hotel has an included a la carte alternative. If you do find yourself at a buffet, however, my big tip is always to go early, while most of the food has yet to be touched. It’s more appetising then – and still hot.
Carefully narrow down your search
Matching the right resort to your needs is imperative. For example, couples might want to steer well clear of a lively, family-focused resort. So carefully consider the type of holiday you’re after. For a romantic getaway a boutique property with upscale dining and a swimming pool for adults only would probably be best.
Multi-generational groups should look for resorts with dedicated kids clubs (a must for many parents) and waterslides.
Or perhaps you’re after a mix of beach and culture. If so, Rhodes and Cyprus are both excellent options.
Whatever your focus, check the precise location. How far is the hotel from key sights, the city centre, nightlife or the beach? Do a Google Maps search to check the real distances – not what you are told online by tour operators (who may sometimes shave off a few minutes to make places sound more enticing).
If wellness and fitness classes are a priority, be certain you find somewhere that doesn’t charge extra for these.
Lastly, and importantly, size matters. You may find service is not quite so on-the-ball at the larger resorts.
Don’t just go for the lowest prices
Who doesn’t love a bargain? Sometimes, however, the price might be too good to be true. Hotels are known to slash rates when they’re undergoing renovations – fine if you’re not bothered by builders – or a recent issue of some sort, perhaps a food poisoning outbreak, might have driven the price down.
Equally, if a property you love the look of costs a little more, it might be worthwhile taking it. You will be spending some of your most precious days of the year there, after all.
It is crucial to pay attention to reviews and to be sure to pick a room category that suits. If you’re unlikely to spend much time in your room, then the cheapest may well do. But if your own private plunge pool could be a holiday highlight, then it’s worth the splurge for an upgrade.
Time your getaway
Travel in the off season if you can. Your favourite hotel might cost half the price in January that it does in July. It’s a great way to escape the crowds and excessive heat and doesn’t necessarily mean compromising on the whole experience.
One of my favourite (and cheapest) family holidays was to Tunisia in early April, for example.
And if you’re not holidaying with children then avoid travelling during school holidays (whatever you do).
Our top budget picks…
Granada Luxury Belek, Turkey
This palace by the Med has marble floors, crystal chandeliers, white sand beaches and a mega aqua park.
Details: Seven nights from £849pp including flights (tropicalsky.co.uk).
Tui Suneo Royal Kenz, Tunisia
With five bars, three palm-fringed pools and two restaurants, this Arabic–inspired resort offers excellent value.
Details: Seven nights from £355pp including flights and transfers (tui.co.uk).
Sheraton Miramar Resort, El Gouna, Egypt
Spread across nine interconnecting islands, this Nubian-style Red Sea resort has five pools (two are adults only), kids clubs and private beaches. Guests can also dine at partner hotels.
Details: From £100pp per night (elgouna.com); Luton-Hurghada return flights from £212 (wizzair.com).
Best for families
MarBella, Corfu
This hotel set in landscaped gardens has its own water park, Ionian Sea beach and serves a superb Greek salad. Corfu’s delightful old town is a short bus ride away.
Details: From £212pp per night (marbella.gr); return Gatwick-Corfu flights from £77 (easyjet.com).
Amada Colossus Resort, Rhodes
The big appeal of this family-friendly hotel, with its excellent waterslides and kids clubs, is its location. The island’s old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as is the village of Lindos, where the Acropolis is quite spectacular.
Details: From £148pp per night (amadaco lossosresort.com); return Stansted-Rhodes flights from £54 (ryanair.com).
Vivosa Apulia Resort, Puglia, Italy
Set along a scenic stretch of coastline and surrounded by protected pine forest, this eco-resort has an organic spa and activities including treetop adventure and beekeeping.
Details: Seven nights from £3,110 for a family of four (vivosaresort.com); Stansted-Brindisi return flights from £34 (ryanair.com).
The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites, Dubai
Meet Dubai’s only top-class all-inclusive on a private beach. There’s a spa, kids clubs, 11 restaurants and luxury rooms overlooking the emirate’s skyline. There’s even ‘sound healing’ in the plush spa.
Details: Five nights cost from £2,526 per adult and £56 per infant including flights (kenwoodtravel.co.uk).
Chic and boutique
Sensoria Dolomites, Italy
This wellness-focused, adults-only hotel in the Italian Dolomites has a spa, spruce bathing house and yoga studio. Pair that with gourmet cuisine (including six-course evening meals) and 60km of hiking trails and you’ve got a winner.
Details: From £170pp per night (sensoriadolomites.com); Gatwick-Innsbruck returns from £49 (easyjet.com).
Rawah Ranch, Colorado, USA
Fill days with riding, hiking, fishing and mountain biking at this all-inclusive Colorado ranch (a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World) for an authentic slice of cowboy Wild West. Cocktail hour, bonfire nights and activities are included.
Details: From £628 per adult or £464 for under 16s (slh.com); fly to Denver.
Le Meridien Ile Maurice, Mauritius
Everyone’s treated like a VIP at this luxury five-star Indian Ocean resort. Discover vibrant marine life on a snorkel tour or enjoy cooking classes and fishing. The cuisine ranges from fine dining to beach barbecues.
Details: From £415pp per night (marriott.com); return flights from £906 (ba.com).
Siyam World, Maldives
Tripadvisor travellers voted this the best all-inclusive in Asia last year. Every villa has its own private pool with access to a 4km reef and shipwreck.
Details: Seven nights from £1,889pp, with two children under 12 years old staying free, including flights (travelbag.co.uk).
Zannier Sonop, Namib Desert, Namibia
Sleep under canvas at this luxury, all-inclusive wilderness mountaintop safari lodge. The glamping experience includes in-tent free-standing baths, scenic drives, horse riding, e-mountain biking, yoga and stargazing.
Details: From £592pp per night (zannierhotels.com); return flights from £727 (ethiopianairlines.com).
Sandals St Vincent and the Grenadines
Get off the beaten track at this less-visited Caribbean island which finally has an international airport. If you can tear yourself away from the beach there’s a nearby rainforest to explore or you can even kayak to bat caves.
Details: From £2,499pp including return flights and transfers (sandals.co.uk).
Carlisle Bay, Antigua and Barbuda
Tucked into a dramatic bay on the south coast of Antigua, Carlisle Bay offers a contemporary, design-led take on the usual Caribbean escape. Encased by untouched rainforest and fronted by a white-sand beach, the resort offers an unfussy, yet personalised, service.
Details: Seven nights from £2,529pp with return flights and transfers (britishairways.com).
Islas Secas, Panama
This private island off the rugged Pacific Coast offers scuba diving, watersports and yoga – all included within the rate.
Details: From £800pp a night, with flights from £600pp (islassecas.com).
One to watch out for…
Imperial Island Resort by Louis Hotels, Paphos, Cyprus
Sunny for 300 days a year, Paphos suits culture vultures and beach lovers alike. This five-star premium resort opening in May is the perfect base to explore Roman mosaics at Kato Paphos and the birthplace of Aphrodite. In 2027 there’ll be a water park here too.
Details: Seven nights from £1,284pp including flights (olympicholidays.com).
… And don’t forget cruises for unbeatable packages
The ultimate all-inclusive holidays float across water. On the biggest cruise ships the buffet can be open 24/7, with round-the-clock entertainment included, from West End-style shows to quizzes and Zumba classes.
Few cruise lines, however, include alcoholic beverages as part of their package, so here’s our pick of the best voyages which have everything thrown in… including the booze.
Best for solo travellers: Riviera Travel
It’s a constant source of frustration that solo travellers, more often than not, must pay a single person supplement for a double room/cabin. But in a refreshing move, British river cruise line Riviera Travel has announced that in 2027 its 132-passenger MS George Eliot will become a dedicated solo ship. For now, it is offering occasional solo voyages where all-inclusive fares also cover return flights, transfers, excursions, alcohol and wi-fi.
Details: Seven-night Rhine and Moselle solo river cruises visiting castles, gorges and the twin-spired Cologne Cathedral cost from £2,499 departing October 31 (rivieratravel.co.uk).
Best for budget: Marella Cruises
This great value British cruise line (part of the Tui group) has mid-size ships and is one of the few to include unlimited alcohol in its fare (though you’re restricted to certain house brands) as well as gratuities, transfers and flights.
No fancy toiletries in bathrooms or waterslides on deck, but the vibe is so friendly that most passengers are repeat customers who won’t sail with anyone else.
Details: Six-night Spanish Splendour 2 cruise from Gran Canaria on 1,912-passenger Marella Voyager calls at Lanzarote, Gibraltar and Malaga and costs from £941pp departing April 18, flights included (tui.co.uk).
Best for luxury: Viking Cruises
With 100-plus ships, this upmarket cruise company consistently wins awards and you can enjoy lectures by historians as well as free access to the Scandinavian spa. Fare includes premium beverages, flights, transfers, excursions and wi-fi.
Details: Seven nights costs from £2,495pp on Ancient Mediterranean Treasures cruise calling at Athens, Crete, Rhodes, Ephesus, Troy and Istanbul, departing on December 15 (viking.com).