Explain ‘All Inclusive’ to me?

[Harrumphhhh]

I know this is going to sound stupid, but please can someone explain how All Inclusive holidays work?

I’m going on one for the first time and am not sure what to expect.

Firstly, surely it’s not all inclusive? I mean, I can’t go ordering the Bollinger? So how do I know what is included?

Then, the place I’m going to have buffet restaurants, but also an a la carte. Is that included? Or do I have to pay if I go there?

Finally (though I’m sure I’ll think of more!), I’ve been told not to drink the water / ice. Does that also include the sodas? If they come off a ‘tap’, are they drawn off local water supply?

Thank you!!

It should state specifically whats included in the terms and conditions.

Show us the holiday and the terms and conditions and I'll tell you whats included.

Usually there’s a bar list which shows you what’s included and what’s payable. Depending on the type of hotel there’s usually local beer/wine/spirits, some random cocktails, soft drinks etc. In the hotels I’ve been to it also ended at a set time and after that you pay for drinks.

If you look on tripadvisor often people take photos of the bar lists so you can see beforehand what’s included. On my last holiday the wine was garbage but it was about €5 a bottle at the nearby shop and we had a fridge in the room so I drank that and just had beer or G&T from the bar.

Do you have a link to the hotel? It won’t be outing 1000s of people will be going over the next few months.

Thank you. I’d not thought of terms and conditions. I’ll check them now. I don’t really mind what is or isn’t, just don’t want to get it wrong!

It completely depends on the place you’re going to. Some only have a free set number of drinks, some put time limits on when / where you can drink, even no water bottles given out after 10pm for example. Some ultra exclusive ones have a selection of single malt whiskies to choose from. See what it’s like when you get there, and ask when you check in!

Hope you have a great holiday!

You wear a wristband. The bar lists show what is and isn’t included and you can usually get a variety of cocktails and basic spirits plus mixers. Premium spirits are usually extra.

The buffet will be available for every meal. Usually a massive selection with different specialities each night. A lot of places allow you one night a la carte included but you have to book it in advance.

Usually a pool snack bar too so you can have a snack lunch instead of the buffet. Often a freezer full of simple ice creams to help yourself.

You will be fine to drink any drinks they offer, just don’t drink from your bathroom taps.

the one we just came back from had serve-yourself sangria and beer taps.

Differs from hotel to hotel - some are fully inclusive, others you pay extra for top shelf drinks etc.

www.tui.co.uk/destinations/europe/spain/fuerteventura/corralejo/hotels/riu-oliva-beach-resort.html

If there are other restaurants, you may have one visit included in your stay. In my experience, they’ll explain at check in if that’s the case.

Have you got DCs? There are often options to spend money on chocolate bars/branded ice creams etc in some sort of on site shop. Decide what you’re willing to spend as extras and explain it to them on day one. (We spent almost nothing in the hotel last time.)

You’re not going to get it wrong. It’s always really clear if anything is an extra charge.

Agree with that. They are not out to fleece you into paying for extras.

www.riu.com/en/hotel/spain/fuerteventura/clubhotel-riu-oliva-beach-resort/index.jsp?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD5ycjLYtXKuxZWB7UjW8L7P7rhKZ&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzva1BhD3ARIsADQuPnUV1GZxVrOVHQkWAvygdWQpjMTbJQyn3yBXNrkg4yJFoKma-AnrIXQaAtehEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#servicios

Thank you!!

This is what it says under the "About" section of your link if you click "show more" next to the "Your board basis - All inclusive"

"Your board basis
All Inclusive
Show Less
Breakfast
Lunch
Evening Meal
Drinks
Snacks
Buffet restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Optional dining at the Canarian restaurant or Asian restaurant – reservation required for these two. Light meals and snacks, cakes and coffee at the poolside snack bar – between 3.30pm and 5pm.Selected local-brand alcohol, soft drinks, tea and coffee until midnight. Drinks at the disco until 2am."

It's not clear to me if the "optional" restaurants are included. So I'd ask about that when you arrive. The bars will have lists making it clear what drinks are included but as PP have said, it's local alcohol only and note the time restrictions (although the times are pretty decent and probably due to licensing requirements rather than them trying to catch you out).

If you are on Facebook. There is a group for the hotel. Usually people will have posted the drinks menus on there and give a good idea of any extras specific to that hotel.

Trip advisor has some pics of the menu but I can’t read them on my phone but if you have time to flick through you will probably find one that’s readable.

If you're on Facebook see if there's an unofficial group for the hotel and join it. I did this for a recent holiday and found out loads of info and saw loads of pics taken by normal people (not just press photos) which really helped before we got there.

If there's an extra charge for something it will be very clear. It all differs between hotels though, this is just a general sense of what to expect.

For example, ice cream soft-serve cones and little tubs were included in the AI but the magnums and Calypso's were locked behind the bar with a price list.

There are different levels of AI depending on the class of hotel, it will usually be for example 'two visits per week to the al a carte included' usually you need to pre-book these when you arrive. But if you're 5 star+ then all al a carte restaurants might be included.

Sodas will be absolutely fine to drink. In the canaries for example all ice in hotels will be made from bottled water or bought in.
Most hotels above 3 stars will provide free bottled water for your room.

Usually it's local branded spirits and wine and a supplement charge if you want branded, but again of your 4/5 stars branded will be included. 3 stars there might be one AI cocktail a day but 4 stars they'll be a cocktail menu.

Activities most things will be included but you might have a refundable deposit for some things, for example to borrow mini golf clubs, or an additional charge for chocolate party at kids club.

Download the RIU app, it’s brilliant. You are able to view the bar menu, restaurant menu, activities programme and facilities for each of their hotels. You can also set up a RIU class account, which allows you to collect points each time you stay - just remember to tell reception about this when you check in.

Enjoy your holiday!

P.s, I have always found staff at RIU resorts to be really friendly and will often make different cocktails for you, even if they aren’t on the menu. 🙂

Rius are usually really good.
You'll have such a good time.
You won't accidentally order stuff that's not included and should be able to book the a la carte at least once.

Read the reviews, people like to point out the extras that cost money. We’ve been in a few all inclusives and they do vary but they tend to have local beer wine sangria and spirits included plus selected cocktails and you can pay extra for other drinks. The buffet and snack bar will be included.

Thank you so much (particularly for not making me feel foolish!) This is all really helpful.

Any other top tips for AI? I’ve been told to take my own beaker as the plastic cups can be tiny 😂

I always take an insulated cup or two and metal straws.
People on Mumsnet hate this but if you want a pool day, be prepared to go early for loungers. A Riu should have enough but if you want a good spot you need to be proactive.

What's your usual tipple? You should have cava included.

At worst, AI involves wrist bands, watered down drinks, loads of excluded drinks, food and activities. Think buffets serving semi warm slop versus going to the a la carte restaurants on site. Wine self served from a tap.

The best I’ve seen it done is at any of the IKOS resorts (which have ruined me for the rest of my holiday life). You don’t have to spend a penny more on anything except spa treatments and laundry service. Even private transfers are included if booked direct (or through jet2 deluxe or whatever they call it).

Ikos includes tennis, bike hire, day out in a Tesla, drinks, a la carte food, wine, cocktails, aqua, yoga, Pilates.

Go out of season for really amazing value for money (if kids permit).

My top tip - to make sure you keep hydrated every time you order a coffee or a glass of wine, get a water at the same time.

The beach there is fabulous 😊
Lovely sand, no seaweed ime and no rocks
Have a super time