All-inclusive resorts: The advantages and watch outs of these Spring vacation destinations

Warmer weather is coming and that means you are likely thinking about planning a spring getaway. The problem for many people is the pressure of making the right vacation choices. Between deciding the ideal destination, pleasing everyone in your travel group, and factoring in all the costs, vacation planning can be stressful.

When the burden of choices is too much to bear, an all-inclusive resort can be the perfect solution. The idea is as simple as the name: A relaxing place that will handle everything for you: lodging, food, drink and entertainment. According to one research study, about 14% of U.S. travelers stayed in an all-inclusive in 2012, compared to 8% in 2010. All-inclusive resorts are, not surprisingly, easy to find in popular destinations for winter and spring getaways. This means places like Cancun, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Mexico and Turks and Caicos. (Don’t forget to check the forecasts and keep in mind the rainy season and hurricane season.) Here are some things to consider when deciding if an all-inclusive is right for you, and tips to help you get the most out of your stay at an all-inclusive resort.

What an all-inclusive covers and what it does not

An all-inclusive covers everything, right? Well, not necessarily. While, most all-inclusive resorts include lodging, food, drink and entertainment. And the cost of an all-inclusive is often much cheaper than if you tried to pay for all of these things a la carte. But just because those basics are included doesn’t mean you will have access to everything at the resort. You may find that spa treatments, certain beach activities and off-site excursions come an additional cost. These extras will be enticing and also available to you for an additional fee, so it’s important to choose an all-inclusive with a basic package that suits your tastes and wishes before booking — especially if you are planning your vacation with a budget in mind. (If you make these choices while in “vacation mode” at the resort, the bill will start to add up fast.)

Also remember that an all-inclusive resort technically doesn’t cover the cost of your airfare. If you are researching online, you will likely see some packages that do include airfare, but these are technically defined as “all-inclusive vacations.” If that’s what you’re looking for, check the details carefully because black-out dates and carriers could be part of the deal and you might not have the flexibility and security you need when it comes to travel routes or in the event of unexpected cancellations.

What can you do for fun at an all-inclusive resort?

A lot! The whole point of an all-inclusive resort is to make it easy to pamper yourself. That means plenty of beach time with drinks and snacks brought right to you, even if you don’t order them. It also means the opportunity to sign up for tours of local attractions, classes to learn a water sport or to snorkel, and a first-rate workout facility to sweat away the stress and frustrations of every day life. If you are vacationing with children, most all-inclusive resorts offer places to drop off the kids where they can enjoy games, movies, crafts and sports. These child-focused facilities are on the grounds of the resort and are never too far away from you, so you have the flexibility to reunite at any time for meals and family bonding.

At night, there will be movie screenings and possibly even live performances that you can attend. There’s also likely to be a lounge with games and TVs, which is a great way to meet and make some vacation friends. A guest services desk, usually staffed at all hours, are your local experts. They know what’s going on at the resort, and usually have printed schedules so you can plan ahead for the next day’s activities or spontaneously try something new on a whim. In short, they want to help you have fun and relax. They can even recommend restaurants outside of the resort if you want to try something new — and they’ll make the reservations for you, too.

Look for what’s unique

While all-inclusive resorts take pride in covering all your needs, they usually focus on one or two things that make them unique. It could be a spa resort, a resort with great golfing, or famous for fine cuisine. It’s best to know that specialty before you book because you’ll be most comfortable in a place that matches your interests. For a good guide, check out TripAdvisor’s best all-inclusive resorts of 2020. The most important aspect of booking an all-inclusive resort is to have fun. Take your mind off of the things that may cause you stress and relax, because that is why you booked this vacation in the first place. If you do, you will truly have an experience to remember.

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