All Inclusive Packages
Pay one price and leave your wallet behind. It’s an appealing and very tempting idea. Knowing you’ve settled all that needs to be paid before leaving for the trip takes aways a lot of burden. But how exactly does it work? And is it always worth it?
There is no such thing as an entirely all-inclusive rate. And more importantly, each vacation spot interprets the idea differently. Here’s what you can count on wherever you go. Your rate will include your room and three meals per day with drinks. Beyond that, it simply depends on the place. A basic, but by no means, universal rule of thumb is that activities located on the premises tend to be included in the package rate, whereas those outside the resort are generally not. You’ll usually be charged for special services like babysitting, and spa treatments. Resorts that specifically cater to families, throw in those activities with the base price.
With all these, if you find yourself paying for extras, you’re probably getting a better value. Why is this so? Amenities are never really free; you’re paying for them in the form of your room rate. The vacation places that throw in ever single activity are only worth the price if you’re actually going to take advantage of most of the perks. In those cases, get ready to be busy with all the tennis lessons, sea kayaks, yoga classes, buffets, drinks, scuba diving lessons, and hiking tours among others.
You can expect food to be decent and abundant. The numbers of choices vary widely, some up to a dozen courses to as few as three for others, depending on how big the resort is. At least, this is one thing sure about all-inclusive packages; you’re never going to starve.
All-inclusive rates indicate that there’s no tipping allowed. The official policy on this is that tipping is discouraged but, unofficially, if you feel like giving, you can do it. There are certain situations wherein tipping is definitely appropriate. Going for bird watching or outdoor photography tour while on a safari holidays, will definitely entitle the masseuse or guide to receive a tip from you.
Lastly, the concept of all inclusive packaging works best in destinations where guests want to stay put. You’ve paid for your meals and activities, so the way to get the most for your money is to never leave the resort for all the days you’ve booked there. If you’re going to a place where you want to get out and explore or have safari holidays in South Africa wherein you spend most of the time on adventures, all inclusive rates are not very practical.
The bottomline is: all-inclusives are most attractive in places where your primary goal is to lie down in bed all day and get up only to eat buffet meals or have some activity right within the resort. It can become boring, though but that’s what some people precisely take a vacation for. That’s why the experience can be so relaxing. It’s all about what you’re looking for.
There is no such thing as an entirely all-inclusive rate. And more importantly, each vacation spot interprets the idea differently. Here’s what you can count on wherever you go. Your rate will include your room and three meals per day with drinks. Beyond that, it simply depends on the place. A basic, but by no means, universal rule of thumb is that activities located on the premises tend to be included in the package rate, whereas those outside the resort are generally not. You’ll usually be charged for special services like babysitting, and spa treatments. Resorts that specifically cater to families, throw in those activities with the base price.
With all these, if you find yourself paying for extras, you’re probably getting a better value. Why is this so? Amenities are never really free; you’re paying for them in the form of your room rate. The vacation places that throw in ever single activity are only worth the price if you’re actually going to take advantage of most of the perks. In those cases, get ready to be busy with all the tennis lessons, sea kayaks, yoga classes, buffets, drinks, scuba diving lessons, and hiking tours among others.
You can expect food to be decent and abundant. The numbers of choices vary widely, some up to a dozen courses to as few as three for others, depending on how big the resort is. At least, this is one thing sure about all-inclusive packages; you’re never going to starve.
All-inclusive rates indicate that there’s no tipping allowed. The official policy on this is that tipping is discouraged but, unofficially, if you feel like giving, you can do it. There are certain situations wherein tipping is definitely appropriate. Going for bird watching or outdoor photography tour while on a safari holidays, will definitely entitle the masseuse or guide to receive a tip from you.
Lastly, the concept of all inclusive packaging works best in destinations where guests want to stay put. You’ve paid for your meals and activities, so the way to get the most for your money is to never leave the resort for all the days you’ve booked there. If you’re going to a place where you want to get out and explore or have safari holidays in South Africa wherein you spend most of the time on adventures, all inclusive rates are not very practical.
The bottomline is: all-inclusives are most attractive in places where your primary goal is to lie down in bed all day and get up only to eat buffet meals or have some activity right within the resort. It can become boring, though but that’s what some people precisely take a vacation for. That’s why the experience can be so relaxing. It’s all about what you’re looking for.
