I've been a travel planner for years. Here are the 9 biggest mistakes people make while booking all-inclusive vacations.
Booking the cheapest room at the cheapest resort
In all-inclusive travel, you truly get what you pay for.
Value properties often struggle to provide quality food options, comfortable accommodations, and adequate service. I recommend focusing searches on properties with a rating of at least 4.5.
Although entry-level rooms are the least expensive, booking them can also come at a price.
The cheapest rooms can have views of the parking lot or construction sites. Or they're located on the ground floor, which can get musty in humid, tropical climates.
You can often upgrade to a better room for a minimal extra cost, and I think it's more than worth it. If you're really on a strict budget, shorten your trip by a day or two to allow for a higher-quality experience.
Forgetting to research the food
One of the best parts of an all-inclusive vacation is enjoying the all-you-can-eat cuisine and top-shelf drink selections.
Spending up to a week at a luxury resort with mediocre food can be an unenjoyable experience. When reading reviews, pay close attention to comments about food quality.
I love the food and drinks at Palace, Sandals, and Beaches resorts and often recommend them to my clients.
Trusting your friends' recommendations implicitly
Your friend might have impeccable taste, but that doesn't mean their favorite resort meets your style or needs.
One of my clients might love a resort, but another may not enjoy the experience at all. For example, your friend may love lounging by the pool, but you prefer beachfront activities. Maybe they'd rather have mindblowing cocktails, while your priority is being served first-class dinners with bites from around the globe.
Remember, finding the resort that's right for you is a very personal process.
