Eight mistakes to avoid when booking an all-inclusive holiday

Make sure you are aware of what your resort offers and what surrounds it to avoid feeling bored on your holiday - Levente Bodo/Moment RF

In tough economic times, the appeal of an all-inclusive holiday is obvious – especially for families and those in search of winter sun.

While going all-inclusive may cost more than a half-board deal, it removes a huge chunk of financial stress while you are on holiday. You can simply relax and forget about money altogether, safe in the knowledge that everything has already been paid for.

It’s a holiday choice that’s booming in popularity too. In 2024, Abta’s annual Holiday Habits survey reported that 32 per cent of people who booked a package holiday opted for an all-inclusive deal – up from 15 per cent in 2018. And, according to Expedia’s 2025 Travel Trends report, the concept is even gaining popularity among younger generations. “Gen Zers” say that their perception of all-inclusives has “changed for the better”, and some 42 per cent of them say that an all-inclusive resort would be their preferred hotel type. Meanwhile, searches on Hotels.com using the website’s “all-inclusive” filter jumped 60 per cent year on year.

But not all all-inclusives are alike. Not only are there huge differences in the character and culture of different resorts, but the interpretation of the words “all-inclusive” can vary widely. So it’s important to tread carefully, especially when booking for the first time. Here are eight mistakes you would be wise to avoid.

Note that this advice focuses on all-inclusive deals at resort hotels, but remember, it isn’t just beach holidays that are sold in this way. Many cruises have a similar offering, as do traditional ski chalet holidays and some escorted tours.

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1. Booking the wrong size … and type

Size matters in all-inclusives. For some people, the bigger the resort the better. A large hotel is likely to have several different restaurants, a lot more facilities, and the evenings may be dominated by a party atmosphere and live entertainment. But all that might come at a cost to a sense of character and intimacy.

There’s a wide variety of all-inclusive resorts also for couples, for example Sandals in the Caribbean

Make sure you know how many rooms there are in the resort and what sort of vibe to expect. This will also be affected by any particular policies towards adults or children. Sandals Caribbean properties, for example, are strictly adults-only and aimed at couples. Beaches in Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos is very much family-oriented.

2. Ignoring the location

Many all-inclusive resorts were established in relatively isolated locations. Those in the Maldives and on some parts of the Egyptian Red Sea coast are obvious examples. They have to offer you everything you need because there is nowhere else you can feasibly go to eat and drink.

That is fine if isolation is what you are after, and you have a fully inclusive deal so that you don’t get stung with unavoidable extra charges. But you won’t like it if you are looking to make the occasional foray into a nearby town to absorb some local culture.

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3. Getting stuck with the same old buffet

Let’s face it, the very phrase “all-inclusive” refers primarily to the food and drink on offer. But exactly what is “inclusive” varies hugely from resort to resort and operator to operator.

At the cheaper end of the market, the inclusive rate often only covers meals in the main dining room – and these will normally be buffets. Fine if they are of good quality, but a bit monotonous after a week or two. And you don’t want to end up having to pay extra to eat somewhere else, because you are disappointed with your hotel’s offering.

When it comes to food, you need to know what exactly is being offered to be sure you are getting the best value - Getty

Some resorts may have a separate à la carte restaurant, but you may only be allowed to eat a certain number of meals here or have to pay a supplement to do so. In some resorts, especially at the top end, you may be entitled to eat in any of the restaurants.

Similarly, the policy on drinks also varies hugely and is nearly always reflected in the overall price. Cheaper deals, which include alcoholic drinks, usually offer local brands of beers and spirits and very ordinary wines; more expensive holidays might serve international brands, much better wines and free soft drinks, beer and snacks in your room minibar. You need to know what exactly is being offered to be sure you are getting the best value.

4. Missing out on activities

After food and drink, the other main differentiator is the activities and facilities that are included in your upfront price. These vary considerably.

Often the use of non-motorised water sports equipment – for example, kayaks, windsurfers and paddle-boards – is included, though remember that there will only be a certain number available. Meanwhile, usually, you will have to pay extra for motorised water sports – such as waterskiing or jet-skis – or you may be rationed as to how many sessions you can have.

The use of non-motorised water sports equipment is often included in the price of an all-inclusive break - iStockphoto

Spa treatments and excursions will nearly always cost extra. Be sure to know what is and what isn’t included, and how much extra you will have to pay to fill your days with activities.

6. Forgetting the children

All-inclusive family deals will normally include access to children’s clubs and activities as part of the holiday cost. But check the age at which free clubs start. You may well have to pay for nursery care for babies and toddlers. And you will nearly always have to pay for babysitting in the evenings, whatever age your children are.

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7. Forgetting the ethics

Obviously, the ethics of any kind of travel can be complicated and controversial. All-inclusives are no exception. Some argue that the very concept of the all-inclusive is alienating for local communities and funnels spending away from smaller businesses; others say that they offer employment opportunities and can benefit local suppliers. If it is a subject which interests you, there is a certification programme operated by Travelife, a subsidiary of Abta, which assesses the environmental and social policies of accommodation providers around the world.

8. Not booking a package

Many, if not most, all-inclusive holidays are exclusive to individual tour operators, so you will automatically be booking them as a package holiday. But some hotels and resorts can be booked independently, leaving you to make the travel arrangements yourself.

This might or might not work out more cheaply, but be wary before committing to the independent option. Package holidays offer far more financial and legal protection, and they are also usually more convenient to book. For mainstream all-inclusive holidays, especially those for families, try Jet 2 and Tui. At the luxury end of the market, and especially for long-haul and winter sun, try Sovereign, Hayes & Jarvis, Kuoni and Trailfinders.

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