“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us” – Anonymous.
I have to admit, my first experience with an all-inclusive resort was pretty amazing! While traveling to one of the Dominican Republic’s newest all-inclusive facilities, we were enthralled by the luxury of having everything at our fingertips. I mean, I didn’t even need to carry a wallet around! I had my fancy bracelet that allowed me access to all the restaurant and bars. Unlimited food and drinks at my fingertips! To top it off, I even got to enjoy the water bar in the pool! However, not everyone has had this experience with all-inclusives. Unfortunately, there have been some recorded downfalls. Let’s check out the pros and cons of all-inclusive resorts, and you can see for yourself if you’d like to take this route on your next destination adventure!
The Pros of Booking an All-Inclusive Resort
- The food and drink! The number one reason most people choose an all-inclusive is that you have the luxury of dining experiences that surpass even that of cruise ships. The majority of all-inclusives have an abundance of bars and restaurants to choose from, ranging from Chinese to pizza. Or if you prefer, you can dine in the privacy of your own suite or balcony for no additional charge!
- You will find a humongous amount of activities to participate in from yoga on the beach, dance classes by the pool, live entertainment, and Broadway style shows. They keep you busy!
- The all-inclusive resorts are usually conveniently located close to a major airport and city, or provide transportation to and from. This makes traveling to the all-inclusive resorts very easy.
- The resorts are extremely secure and safe for families. They are often situated behind high walls, are gated, and have 24 hour security on the premises.
The Cons of Being Stuck at an All-Inclusive Resort
- You don’t get to experience the actual location and its culture outside of the boundaries that have been set by your resort. Unless you take a taxi or shuttle out, you are locked into your own private resort location.
- Unfortunately, although the food selection is of a wide variety, all-inclusives are not known for the quality and tastes of their foods. Not sure exactly why this is… hopefully with time it will improve. But as of now, the growing consent is to book the specialty restaurants OR ask what items are the native country’s, as they are usually better.
- Many of the good excursions cost extra such as the spa, horseback riding, and water activities. Usually, they are quite costly in comparison to what we are used to paying.
As with everything, there are pros and cons of all-inclusive resorts, and it’s really a matter of personal preference. . If you are looking for a vacation that does not require a lot of cost or planning, and you enjoy the beach setting with all-you-can eat buffets, and unending entertainment, this is the vacation style for you. If you do not like crowds, prefer an intimate setting with exquisite dining, and the opportunity to explore the native lands and meet the locals, this may not be the vacation choice for you.
