All inclusive- first time!

[boatgirl81]

At the ripe old age of 40, we are doing our first A/i this year (hopefully). I know you can give me specifics but what does it tend to include? It's 3 meals a day plus drinks and snacks. Does ice cream tend to be the snack?

When we've been then it's included the icre cream bar but also snacks available in the pool bars such as Crisps and fruit, as well as freshly cooked stuff like local bakery items in the restaurant. Also included snacks in the mini bar which were topped up daily and included. So you aren't necessarily limited to 1 each

Each hotel will have their own, but in the main
7-10 breakfast
12-2 lunch
6-10 dinner
Plus some kind of snack bar.

The one we are just back from was in line with the above, but also
10.30am-6pm beach restaurant (with full buffet)
10.30pm-7am burger bar (not sure what they actually served).

Another had a 3pm-5pm coffee shop with crepes, pastries & ice cream.

Another had a beach pizza shack that did fresh pizza slices from 11am - 5pm.

That is great, thank you.

I’m thinking of booking our first all inclusive this year too! I’m always put off by the reviews but food is subjective so hard to know what to believe.

I’m not keen on luke-warm canteen style food…any tips on what to look out for in a good deal or what to avoid?

We've only done it once and it included literally everything at the hotel. All restaurants, buffets, breakfast, snack stations, bars etc. However we went out of season so it may change at the peak.

Places friends have gone to include non branded alcohol but branded and cocktails are extra. Most have set number of times you can dine in certain restaurants but I think that's more so everyone can have a turn.

Usually non branded alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, water etc all included. If you wanted eg a Bacardi rather than their rum you would usually have to pay extra for that.

Snacks during the day depends on the place, but things we have had included ice cream, pizza, sandwiches, fruit, chips, chicken nuggets, bread, cheese.

Sometimes there is extra restaurants in addition to the main buffet restaurant. Usually have to book these in advance. Sometimes these are fully included and sometimes they take x amount off the bill.

In my experience they usually are very good at making it clear if something isn't included so you should be fine. Last place we went was the hard rock in Tenerife, our wristband was a different colour so when we went to the restaurants they automatically brought the all inclusive menu.

It really depends how much you are paying for AI and what country in my experience. Places like Spain/Majorca seem to include less than places where food and drink is generally cheaper. At some AI hotels the snacks/icecreams included are not good and only available for a very limited time- other places have a much better selection. In my experience, the description on the booking websites etc doesn't give you a lot of information- but if you look through reviews on Tripadviser etc you can get a better idea of what is provided.

I think it depends completely where you book as to what is included. We pick great hotels where the all inclusive is 24 hrs (including 24 hr waiter service restaurants), branded drinks, branded ice creams from 10am - 6pm) patisserie serving coffee and cakes all day, multiple al a carte restaurants, they even have included funfairs, bowling alley and games arcades.

Obviously all that comes at a price but am too old to drink crappy drinks on holiday !

It very much depends where you are m and the specific hotel, as to what you get and the choice.

Dh and I are currently at an all inc hotel. First one we've done for years, but felt in covid times for long haul it was easier this year.

We have a choice of 8 restaurants and a number of bars and snack places.

Not all are open for every meal and not every day. All restaurants seem to have one closed day. One is reservation only but included in all inc. There are set me ha and al a carte but all is included. There isn't different tiers of all inc here so no costs in too or added extras ti access 'better' food. Our choices range from burgers and chips to lobster, sushi and live cooking tappenyaki.

All drinks inc premium brands are included. This is with all meals, waiter service at the pool, in your room and at the bars.

All snacks are included from cakes and biscuits to ice creams and crisps to mini chocolates and macrons etc. Available from snack cafes and bars.

In room we have a mini bar which is stocked daily. In a cupboard we have three full size bottles of spirits and wine. These are replaced when empty. The minibar also has chocolates and snacks.

Room service for meals and drinks 24 hours a day is included too.

Actives and entertainment is included. The water activities inc for free are non motorised sport, shirking equipment loan and the basic scuba lessons. Paid for you can have boat trips, accredited scuba lessons, and excursions.

When booking you can normally find out what it includes by visiting the hotels own website.

We did it once - so lovely for kids to be able to snack and get drinks during day. Food was good at our place but I've worked in some hotels abroad where food is bland, boring, repetitive.
We ended up spending loads more than we'd budgeted because I missed eating at the local tavernas, and the kids actually said 'can't we hire a car and go out exploring' - we've been self catering since

We are at a super cheap one in the Canaries right now. We hired a car very cheaply as we like to explore but can do that and still fit in meals etc. Breakfast is 8-10.30, huge buffet selection. There is a waterpark with snacks and drinks included. Lunch 1-3. Dinner 6-9.30. Snacks available in between times. There's also a sports bar where you can get burgers, chips etc at any time. Drinks available all day including cocktails. So easy with kids.