All-Inclusive Explained

The all-inclusive format was designed so that guests don’t have to think about money while at the hotel. Breakfast, the beach, a snack, a juice by the pool, dinner, and it’s all already paid for. But the details vary from hotel to hotel, and that’s where the difference between a great holiday and a disappointing one lies.

What’s Usually Included

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the main buffet restaurant.
• Snacks throughout the day: a snack bar, pastries, ice cream, fruit.
• Drinks at the bars: juice, soft drinks, tea, coffee, water and often local alcohol.
• Some entertainment: the entertainment programme, pools, sun loungers and beach towels.

But each item may come with limits: bars close at a certain hour, some drinks cost extra, and beach loungers are free only in a certain area.

All-Inclusive Levels

Hotels use different names: all-inclusive, ultra all-inclusive, extended all-inclusive and others. There’s no single standard. Extended versions usually add:

• imported drinks;
• some bars open around the clock;
• visits to à la carte restaurants;
• an in-room minibar;
• late dinner and night-time snacks.

Compare what’s actually included in the hotel description or with our manager, not the name.

What Often Costs Extra

• à la carte restaurants beyond the included visits;
• freshly squeezed juices and premium drinks;
• spa, massage and sauna;
• some water sports;
• room service;
• kids’ club activities charged separately.

Who It Suits

Families with Children

Whenever a child gets hungry, there’s food. Ice cream and juice by the pool without paying each time. This is the main reason the format is so popular with families. For tips on choosing a family hotel, see our guide to a family holiday in Turkey.

Those Not Planning Trips Out

If you want to spend a week by the sea and the pool, all-inclusive is convenient and keeps your budget predictable.

Remote Resorts

In the Maldives and other isolated resorts, you can only eat at the hotel, so a meal package is often better value than ordering from the menu.

Who It Doesn’t Suit

• Those who spend most days on excursions: the lunches go to waste.
• Those who love trying local restaurants and street food.
• City stays, where life happens mostly outside the hotel.

In these cases, breakfast only or half board is better value.

Where the Format Is Popular

All-inclusive is especially widespread in Turkey and Egypt, which have large resort hotels and a long tradition of the format. In the UAE and Thailand, breakfast and half board are more common, but there are resort hotels with all-inclusive too. In the Maldives the format is common but has a big impact on the price.

What to Check Before Booking

1. The opening hours of the main restaurant and bars.
2. How many à la carte restaurant visits are included and whether you need to book.
3. Which drinks are included and which cost extra.
4. Whether there’s a children’s menu and high chairs.
5. Whether special diets are catered for: vegetarian, gluten-free, allergies.
6. How lunch works if you’re on a beach far from the restaurant.

For more things to check, see our guide on how to choose a hotel.

How Not to Overeat or Get Bored

With all-inclusive, it’s easy to spend your whole holiday between the restaurant and the sun lounger. To vary things, plan one or two excursions or walks outside the hotel. Many hotels let you take a packed lunch on an excursion instead of having lunch at the hotel.

How to Compare Two Hotels

If you’re choosing between two all-inclusive hotels, compare not just the price but the number of restaurants, bar hours, the quality of the beach and recent reviews of the food. A difference of a few dollars a day can mean a completely different holiday.

Want an all-inclusive hotel where everything really is good? Send a request or message us on Telegram @GlobalDestination1, or call +998 99 760-82-88. Our manager will find options and tell you honestly what’s included in the meal plan at each one.