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Maybe you’ve already booked a trip to an all-inclusive resort, or you’re still searching.
Either way, you’ll have plenty to enjoy, from lazing on the beach with a cocktail in hand to sampling local cuisine in the hotel restaurant.
As a travel writer, I’ve stayed at nearly 40 all-inclusive resorts in places like Mexico, the Maldives, and the Caribbean. While many of my stays were dreamy, I also found a few that left something to be desired.
While no resort is perfect, some have red flags that can ruin your overall enjoyment. Here are some red flags I would look out for:
A sad buffet
Love it or hate it, buffets are often the main dining option at all-inclusive resorts, so the options must always be enticing and appetizing.
Beware of buffets where food isn’t replenished often or doesn’t look fresh, and beware of chefs who use the same utensils for raw and cooked meats and fish, which can lead to cross-contamination.
Before you start filling your plate, take the time to look around you, or stick to à la carte restaurants if possible. If you’re eating at a restaurant that offers both sit-down and buffet menus, remember that servers may also serve you food directly from the buffet.
The lounge chairs were full before breakfast
At all-inclusive resorts, you’ve probably seen guests wake up early to snatch up the best loungers on the beach or pool deck, leave for breakfast, and return a few hours later.
This is one of the things I hate most and have no rhyme or reason to predict when it will happen. I have seen it at large resorts and small resorts, adult only resorts and family resorts, budget resorts and luxury resorts.
If you’d like to get some sleep (you are on vacation, after all), unfortunately that’s often not an option.
If you’re at a pool and see rows of chairs with nothing but towels clipped to them, ask the pool attendant if it’s their facility’s policy to remove chairs that have been left there for a certain amount of time.
But unfortunately, as I learned, you might have to join the fight to get a seat, or arrive in the late afternoon when people start trickling back into the rooms to prepare for dinner.
Cheap, poor quality alcohol
The next time you go to a swim-up bar, take a look at the bottles on the shelves. If you see a bunch of unfamiliar brands, you might end up with a nasty hangover.
That said, depending on your resort’s location and your knowledge of alcohol, you might discover some great, lesser known local drinks. That’s where Google can help.
If an internet search proves your suspicion that the alcohol content served at your resort is below your standards, you may want to stick to mostly beer or low-alcohol spritzers (wine, club soda, syrup, citrus), with the occasional fruity frozen drink thrown in.
If you want to sip a tasty cocktail, look for a hotel bar that has premium drinks — lobby bars and bars in the resort’s fine restaurants are often good options.
Excessive surcharges
The term “all-inclusive” doesn’t mean the same thing it used to.
While it’s true that lodging and at least some meals, drinks, and activities are included in the price, some resorts that tout a “leave your wallet at home” ethos actually offer a bare-bones experience and require you to pay for everything else.
For example, a buffet may be included, but you may have to pay extra to eat at other restaurants, or even restaurants that are included in your package may charge extra for fine dishes like steak or lobster.
You may also be charged for premium drinks and wines other than the house white and red wines, and room service may incur an extra charge.
Before booking, find out what is automatically included in the package and decide if it is appealing enough to you or if the extra fees fit into your budget and you are happy to pay.
Major dietary restrictions
All-inclusive resorts may offer multiple dining concepts, with popular choices including steak houses, seafood restaurants, and spots serving local cuisine.
But before you get too carried away with restaurant hopping on your holiday, be aware that there is often a limit to the number of à la carte restaurants you can visit – the longer you stay, the more restaurants you can try.
Additionally, one or more restaurants or bars may be reserved for concierge or VIP-level guests or designated as adults only, so check the website before booking.
If you’re a foodie, you might want to choose a different resort as buffets seem to be the only option.
Reusable cups at bars don’t seem very clean
I appreciate resorts making efforts to reduce or eliminate single-use plastics, but I’ve also witnessed bartenders barely rinsing their cups, stacking them and reusing them even though they were visibly stained with lipstick or pina colada residue.
Not only is it gross, but it makes me wonder what other shortcuts they’re taking.
To avoid this unpleasant experience, bring a refillable travel mug and ask the bartender to refill it, look for disposable cups, or order something in a bottle or can.
Activities without safety protocols in place
The all-inclusive resort offers a variety of activities ranging from stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking to adrenaline-pumping activities like parasailing and scuba diving.
Before you head out on or in the water, do a bit of research about safety equipment and procedures, or lack thereof. Are life jackets provided or available for all guests taking part in the activity? Are the operators qualified and knowledgeable? Are clear instructions given, including what to do if something goes wrong?
Again, online reviews can be extremely helpful in deciding which hotel to book – if you feel the safety measures are a bit lax or something just doesn’t seem right, look elsewhere.
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