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All-inclusive resorts promise relaxation, but a few smart tips will help you stretch your dollars and truly savor every moment of your stay.
As easy-breezy as all-inclusive resorts purport to be—and actually are—you should still know how to get the most bang for your buck during your stay, even before you even check in. Nightly rates at an all-inclusive are higher than at a hotel that doesn’t fold in meals and drinks, so why not maximize your experience? Whether it’s fully enjoying the array of dining facilities and watering holes, or finagling your way into the spa pool, we’ve got some tips to get the most of your vacation, along with key pointers on what not to do. Understanding the social norms at an all-inclusive resort is a great place to start, leaving you more time to relax in your lounge chair or build in another beach walk, instead of stressing about what’s included and what’s not, or how to avoid sticking out like an unseasoned, prickly traveler in paradise.
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Assume the Spa Is Free
At check-in, you’ll be handed a map and activities calendar and hear the word “included” over and over again. But if you think this includes a hot-stone massage, or any spa service, this is simply not true. That said, definitely inquire about specials, such as mid-week price reductions, and if it’s possible to book a day pass or maybe all resort guests can experience the spa’s pools and lounges at no cost, even without booking a treatment. These spaces tend to be free of children and much more relaxed, albeit quiet, so no chit-chatting with your besties.
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Only Eat at the Buffet
We get it: sometimes you want to go all in at meal time and eat one of every sweet and savory thing on the buffet, or you just don’t have the patience for table service. But don’t go to the buffet for all of your meals. Part of the allure of an all-inclusive is that you don’t need to pay more at the fine-dining restaurant on-site. That sushi restaurant or steakhouse you’ve been eyeing, where the service is bound to be more elevated than at the buffet, and the food likely of higher quality, is literally the same price as the buffet—it’s literally included in the nightly rate.
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Pass on Room Service
There isn’t a hotel out there that offers room service at a price cheaper than at its on-site restaurant—because of delivery fees and 20%-minimum gratuities—but don’t let that stop you at an all-inclusive, which will include room service in some room rates. Often, the menu items are the same ones served at restaurants, cafes, and the buffet because, again, it’s all included. Wake up to waffles with a knock at the door or close the night with a slice of cheesecake and a glass of wine while you binge your favorite show. Another perk? Room service tends to be offered 24 hours.
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Skip Fitness Classes
At most all-inclusive resorts, fitness classes won’t cost extra, although it’s important to read the fine print so you don’t get a surprise charge on your credit card. In addition to this caveat, there are nearly always a few free classes on an all-inclusive resort’s activities calendar, with upcharges for certain sessions. Know that these do fill up, however, so if you’re at all interested, sign up in advance and be a kind person by adhering to the facility’s cancellation policy. A bonus is that because all-inclusive resorts are not typically in a tight, urban environment, you might get to practice yoga on the beach or participate in a HIIT workout with waves lapping at your feet.
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Walk Into a Restaurant Without Reservations
Don’t be fooled by the number of towers and buildings that comprise your all-inclusive resort, or that there are at least a dozen restaurants to choose from. The good ones will fill up fast and if you wait until your second or third night to decide, “Hey, let’s check out that seafood restaurant and try to get a 7 o’clock reservation on the outdoor terrace … for tonight,” you will likely be disappointed. Take some time your first night to make reservations for your entire stay, or even when you check-in, as staff are typically more than happy to assist.
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Only Stay on the Property
There’s a reason that the all-inclusive you’re visiting is where it’s at: the surrounding locale is gorgeous. While you can see the beach, the mountains or the waterfront from your room and other public spaces, if you feel the itch to explore beyond, do it. This is as easy as visiting the concierge desk to learn about recommended tour operators for guided day trips. Many pick you up and drop you off at your resort, so it’s not like you need to rent a car or figure out how to get to the meeting place. Never leaving the property means missing out on local culture because, no, a margarita-making class by the pool does not count as an immersion into Mexico.
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Not Researching the Resort’s Vibe
Everyone has their own idea of utopia at a resort: maybe it’s a pool for the kids to splash and play in, or maybe it’s not hearing children at all. Most all-inclusives market themselves as family-friendly (look for a waterpark or smiling kids on the website or social media) while others are for romantic vacations or honeymoons (again, examine the marketing photos: are couples cuddled up together and taking beach strolls hand-in-hand?). Once you’re at the all-inclusive, you’re definitely spending time there, as the entire point is to stay on property as much as possible, and switching properties means paying steep last-minute rates. Or, if you want a little bit of both, choose your room wisely: all-inclusive resorts are, more and more, dedicating some towers or corridors just for families and others for adults, for a hotel-within-a-resort vibe.
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Not Tipping Staff
Double-check the fine print in your reservation because chances are that your all-inclusive rate does not include gratuities and it’s important, of course, to reward excellence and also do your part to ensure employees get a fair wage for bringing you all those poolside cocktails. Rooms will often have an envelope in a desk drawer for you to leave bills in or sometimes a QR code if you don’t have cash and want to tip housekeeping via a digital platform. Tacking tips onto any restaurant bills you sign (while meals are paid for, resorts do this as record keeping) is considered good behavior as well. Just be sure to research tipping customs in that country. If hospitality venues don’t suggest tipping, per the local culture, then don’t feel any pressure. You can always ask at check-in for guidance.
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Say No to Watersports Equipment
At most beachfront hotels that are not offering all-inclusive rates, checking out equipment such as a kayak, snorkeling gear, or stand-up paddleboard is an additional fee. Since all-inclusives’ mantras on the water are to provide a convenient beachfront locale that incorporates a little bit of everything, without leaving the property to have fun, they want you to use their equipment. Some watersports equipment, such as a catamaran, may cost more or require a guide, so it’s best to inquire about the options and prices when you check in. If you’re at all nervous about, say, snorkeling or kayaking on your own or for the first time, there may be a group activity you can join.
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Drink Too Much on the First Night
After a day of crowded planes, airports, and shuttles, a cocktail as you’re checking in sure sounds great, and then why not have another one as you unpack and before happy hour? Before you know it, you’re pretty much toast. Pace yourself. Drinks are free but that doesn’t mean you need to be a drunk. That first night is a sweet time to take everything in, preferably while still sober or experiencing only a slight buzz.
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Not Consulting the Daily Schedule
All-inclusives strive to offer enrichment that isn’t just about yoga or aerobics. There are craft classes, cultural demonstrations (like hulu dancing in Hawaii) and glimpses into the local culture. Most activities are advertised in a daily schedule, through the resort’s app, digital screens throughout the property, or on your television. But keep your eyes open everywhere you go, including signage in restaurants, because you might also learn about a cocktail class when the eatery is closed to service, or a sound-healing bath on the lawn on a Sunday morning while everyone else is still sleeping.