10 Things All-Inclusive Resorts Won't Tell You
Updated and adapted from the book '1,001 Things They Won't Tell You: An Insider's Guide to Spending, Saving, and Living Wisely,' by Jonathan Dahl and the editors of SmartMoney.
One reason all-inclusive resorts are so appealing is the promise of going on vacation and not having to pull out your wallet. But the term “all-inclusive” means different things to different people. “‘All’ suggests that all activities, all food and beverages, the entire stay is part of a package price,” says Scott Berman, principal and U.S. industry leader of hospitality and leisure practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers. But many packages really are semi-inclusive. That means you could have to pay extra for certain requests, like top-shelf liquor, lobster for dinner or for motorized water sports.
At Beaches resorts, which calls itself a “luxury included family resort brand,” most activities are covered by the all-inclusive price, but there are additional charges for deep-sea fishing, spa treatments and off-property excursions, says a spokesperson. Club Med touts itself as all-inclusive, too, but the promotional pricing doesn't cover the resort's mandatory membership fees -- $60 per adult and $30 per child under age 16. A spokesperson for Club Med says that the fee is annual and that it includes travel insurance – however, it doesn’t allow you to use the facilities and dine at other Club Med resorts.
2. “There’s a lot to know about our service before you arrive.”
The service offered at all-inclusives greatly varies from one resort to another, much like with non-inclusive hotels. But in this case, consumers may need to manage their expectations.
Ask if food and drinks are available on the premises 24 hours a day. “Some resorts will have specific operating hours for their restaurants so they may not be available to you all day long,” says Rebecca Torres, a reservation agent for Friendly Planet Travel, a travel agency. Also, find out if room service is included and if it’s a limited menu. It’s common for resorts to not offer room service, especially for the lower-priced packages, she says.
One standout service feature typically is the ratio of hotel employees to guests, which is generally more favorable at inclusive resorts, given the many activities and dining options on the premises, says Berman.
External Source - For the complete article click here. Source - Wall Street Journal
