How to Pick an All-Inclusive Resort: Experts Weigh In

While traditional hotels and vacation condos can be ideal for certain trips, it's hard to beat the convenience and peace of mind you get when you book an all-inclusive resort. Properties in this category include your lodging, activities, meals and drinks at a single nightly rate, making an all-inclusive vacation easier to plan and budget for. Beyond that, not getting a bill (or wondering how much you'll spend) makes it easier to actually enjoy a vacation, which is one of the main reasons to jet off somewhere new in the first place.

But, all-inclusive vacation offerings can be all over the place, and there are tiers of properties within every travel budget you can imagine. Once you go down the rabbit hole of all-inclusives, you'll find everything from budget options to beachfront luxury resorts, dude ranches and high-end mountain escapes. Some all-inclusive resorts are also geared toward families, whereas others are for adults only and geared to romance and more mature tastes.

How can you decide on the best all-inclusive resort? The fact is, there are plenty of moves you can make to nail down the best property for your specific needs and how much you can afford to pay. We reached out to some of the nation's top travel advisors to hear their tips on planning an ideal all-inclusive getaway, and here's what they said.

Focus on Destination First, then "Vibe"

Denise Ambrusko-Maida of Travel Brilliant says one of her tips for finding the right all-inclusive is first narrowing down locations that align with your interests. From there, you can compare available all-inclusive properties based on their "vibe," encompassing the resort's aesthetic, activities, dining experiences and entertainment offerings.

"Consider whether you're looking for an action-packed resort filled with vibrant nightlife, excursions and activities, or a more tranquil, luxurious environment focused on relaxation and wellness," she said. "Each resort has its own unique energy, so identifying what kind of experience you want will help ensure you pick the one that best suits your vacation style."

With these tips in mind, Ambrusko-Maida says some of her favorite all-inclusive resorts include Hotel Xcaret Mexico, Secrets Moxche in Playa del Carmen, Mexico and Sandals La Toc in St. Lucia.

Decide On Beach vs. Resort

If you're looking at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean, you may find yourself choosing between superior resorts or properties on better beaches. And if you want a hotel that sits on a beach with the calm, crystal-clear waters you've been dreaming of, you'll need to keep that factor in mind.

Troylynn Harvey of Travel With Troylynn, LLC says beach lovers, in particular, should start the process by searching for destinations renowned for their beautiful, swimmable beaches. 

"Think places like Playa del Carmen in Mexico or the spectacular stretches in the Dominican Republic," she said. "Ensure the resort is located directly on or very near to these perfect shores."

You can also find a more limited number of all-inclusive properties in destinations with some of the best beaches in the world, although you'll pay more for your stay. For example, there are all-inclusive properties along the Platinum Coast in Barbados, Grace Bay in Turks and Caicos, and Palm Beach in Aruba.

Consider Off-the-Beaten Path All-Inclusives

Also, remember the many all-inclusive resorts that aren't near the beach. Off-the-beaten-path vacation options include everything from opulent farm resorts to ranch-style luxury digs in states like Montana and Wyoming.

Travel agent Greg Johnson of TravelBlueBook points to Alpine Falls Ranch in Montana as an example of this niche. This luxury property offers all-inclusive packages with dining and on-site activities like horseback riding, fly fishing, river rafting and hiking included.

"This kind of resort may not be what you think of when it comes to all-inclusives, but that's exactly what makes it special," said Johnson. "Not everyone wants to do a beach resort all the time, and properties like this one let people vacation in a brand new way."

Dig Into the Details

Travelers should also consider some less obvious factors that apply to all-inclusive stays, including where resorts are located and what amenities they have.  

Marianne Deiulio of Just Travelin’ Destinations LLC[1]  says travelers should ask themselves a handful of questions to narrow down options. For example, do they want to stay in a larger resort with every amenity under the sun or a quieter boutique property with a more intimate feel? Do they mind a longer drive from the airport to the resort or prefer to be closer?

Sonia Bhagwan of Dreaming of Sun - Dream Vacations also says to begin your search by looking for properties with specific features that are important to you and your family, rather than just searching for "the best resort."

"If a water park or oceanfront room is important to you, include those terms in your search parameters," she said.

Be Flexible With Price

When it comes to all-inclusive resorts, you often get what you pay for. When you book a budget property, you may find that some corners are cut when it comes to room quality, food quality or both.

That said, Bhagwan cautions against choosing a property based on price alone. 

"There could be several reasons why a popular resort is showing a less expensive price than expected," she said. "Research whether the resort is undergoing renovations, or has had recent issues, driving the price down."

If you're looking at a property you love and it costs slightly more than the others, there could be a reason why in that direction, too. The best properties can often charge a premium due to their excellent service, incredible location, delectable dining or all of the above.

Pay Attention to Reviews

Finally, Kaitlyn Motley of 4 Seven Travel says you shouldn't ignore property reviews before you book an all-inclusive stay. Many travelers take the time to review their trip on major platforms after the fact, and you can use their insights to decide if the property is right for you or not.

"My go-to is TripAdvisor followed by Google Reviews," she said. "If many of the people who have gone there recently have said negative things, maybe you reconsider."

When asked about this, Motley said that some of her favorite all-inclusive properties of all time include Le Blanc Los Cabos, Secrets Moxche, and Hotel Xcaret Mexico. And yes, these are all properties that have mostly positive reviews online.

In addition to reading reviews, you can get a lot of information about hotels by joining their "fan groups" on Facebook. Most of the best all-inclusive properties have several active fan groups you can join, with people asking and answering questions about the property. If a resort you're considering doesn't have one, that's probably a bad sign.

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