Paleokastritsa, Corfu
Ross Hogben explains why it can often work out more cost-effective to book an all-inclusive holiday, and which destinations offer the best value all-inclusive prices.
We’ve conducted some research using the Post Office Travel Money Survey to find out where you get the most for your money when going all-inclusive, and where you should go room only or B&B because the cost of everyday items while in the destination are low.
While all-inclusive is often seen as the ‘luxury’ board option, it can in fact offer excellent value for money. It is particularly good for those who like to spend the majority of their time at the hotel – with all food and drink included in the price of the package you will not need to spend a penny.
The odd days out where you may go to the beach or explore the nearest town will be the only time you put your hand in your pocket, and the costs involved are negligible.
Celebrity Cuba – follow Beyonce and Jay Z | Six Mediterranean destinations for early summer sun | Cyprus still a perfect package destination
Many all-inclusive advocates say they like the ease this type of holiday provides. Never having to think about money is one of the main reasons cited, as is the reduced choice available-resulting in less stress. You don’t need to worry about where to eat or what to eat – it’s all sorted out for you.
Of course these are exactly the same reasons that some people may not be so keen on going all-inclusive. If you are the sort of person who enjoys eating out at a different place you’ve found by yourself every night, you may find the routine of an all-inclusive hotel a little restrictive.
Be willing to compromise on the level of choice offered however and you will often benefit from a host of additional perks – many all-inclusive hotels will offer free access to spa and massage treatments, or free use of watersports equipment. These added bonuses are not to be sniffed at, as paying for them out of your own pocket just a few times over the course of your holiday can insidiously bump up your holiday spending money.
To help you get a better idea of which destinations provide the best value for all-inclusive holidays, we’ve conducted some research. Consulting the annual Post Office® Travel Money Worldwide Holiday Cost Barometer published in January 2013, we looked at how the cost of booking an all-inclusive break, with three meals a day and drink, compares against room-only or bed and breakfast accommodation with a local meal and drinks at a range of destinations.
Europe
If you are planning a break in Greece or Turkey, booking all-inclusive is one of the most cost-effective options. The price of food and drink in these destinations is relatively high, so you can save a lot of money having all meals included in your package rather than eating out at expensive restaurants every night.
Conversely, if you’re travelling to destinations like Croatia or Thailand the opposite applies- you might want to go for a half board or self-catering option to take advantage of the relatively cheap food and drink prices in these countries.
Spain remains the best value destination overall across the all board ranges, from room-only to half board, while all-inclusive also compared favourably to many other short haul destinations.
If you have your heart set on going to destinations such as Croatia and Spain where the cost of living is generally low, all-inclusive can still work out to excellent value by booking a late deal. Check our late deals calendar to see if you can nab yourself a bargain.
At the time of writing for example, we have holidays all-inclusive to the Costa Brava for 7 nights in May for as low as £220pp, or Majorca in April from £217. At prices that low, you may as well book all-inclusive and take advantage of the meals included regardless of whether you intend to spend most of your time around the pool or not.
Similarly, Croatia may not always be the most cost-effective place to book an all-inclusive holiday, but look at one of the neighbouring Balkan countries and you can get some fantastic deals. Sunny Bulgaria offers an alternative to Croatia, and right now our late deals calendar is showing prices from £297 for 7 days in May – a great deal for all drinks and meals included.
North Africa
North Africa has long been catering for the all-inclusive market, with some fantastic, well-established resorts that offer both value for money and luxury surroundings. One of the best reasons for going all-inclusive in these countries is that alcohol is often difficult to get hold of outside the main tourist centres, and may even be banned in some regions. In an all-inclusive hotel however, you don’t need to worry about it – the drinks flow freely throughout the day.
Egypt
The undisputed champion of all-inclusive in Egypt, if not all of North Africa, has to be Sharm el Sheikh. This resort on the Red Sea’s north-eastern coast consists almost entirely of all-inclusive complexes, with the competitive prices associated with a swamped market. This is a great destination for those looking to try their hand at scuba diving-with the Red Sea regarded as one of the best dive spots in the world. It also boasts some fantastic sandy beaches and an incendiary nightlife scene. You can also find some great value all-inclusive resorts in the Hurghahda region of the Red Sea’s north west coast. Hurghada itself is a huge, bustling resort of bars, restaurants and hotels of all types which provides a good cheap and cheerful option. Or for a more upmarket experience, visit the elegant resort of Soma 27 miles south with its classy spas and fine dining.
Tunisia
Tunisia is another great destination to book an all-inclusive break. Outside of the all-inclusive resorts, alcohol is generally restricted to a few licenced restaurants and Magasin General shops, as well as some of the larger supermarkets.
Skanes is one of the most popular all-inclusive resorts in Tunisia. Overlooking the Mediterranean, you’ll find an attractive sandy beach here and a host of attractions to keep you entertained, including golf, watersports, camel rides, traditional folklore displays and nightclubs. The attractive town of Monastir, with its Roman battlements, minarets and mosques is found just a few miles away.
Another top resort for an all-inclusive break in Tunisia is Hammamet Yasmine. This is a modern, bustling tourist town with a marina, casino, waterpark, faux medina and an abundance of nightclubs. Many of the beaches here are private and belong to the large all-inclusive hotels that line the seafront. The older, more historical town of Hammamet is just a few miles away for those looking for a cultural day out.
Caribbean
The Caribbean has become synonymous with all-inclusive luxury. Most people visiting the Caribbean will expect to stay in one of the vast, gated resort communities that line the coast of the most popular islands. Not only do these complexes provide a feeling of safety, they also offer some of the best all-inclusive packages you can buy in terms of quality. For a start, places like Cuba and Jamaica produce the world’s finest rum – so the local spirits served in your hotel should be top notch.
Cuba
Cuba is arguably one of the most fascinating of the Caribbean countries to visit. While some Caribbean islands offer superb beaches but little else, Cuba has an added layer of depth that means there is so much more to experience than just sunbathing here. A tumultuous history, atmospheric colonial towns, colourful streetlife, legendary nightlife and an all-pervading joy de vivre make holidays here unforgettable.
Cuba has some superb all-inclusive resorts located on its glorious coastline, which invariably offer access to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean – be sure to take a few day trips out of your resort however to get the most out of a holiday here.
Mexico
Offering a dizzying combination of lively resorts, spectacular natural beauty and awe-inspiring ancient ruins, Mexico is another great destination for those looking for something more than just lazing on the beach. Cancun is the country’s most famous tourist resort with something for everyone, old or young.
There are an abundance of top quality all-inclusive resorts here. Those interested in day trips to the spectacular Mayan ruins of Tulum and Xel-Ha should consider staying in Playa del Carmen – a more laid back resort than Cancun boasting miles of glorious sandy beaches.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is one of our most popular Caribbean holiday destinations due to its stunning beaches and the excellent value for money it offers. Our late deals calendar consistently shows the Dominican Republic as one of the cheapest Caribbean destinations you can visit.
Punta Cana is the main tourist area, with an abundance of large and small resorts, the majority of which are all-inclusive. Punta Can beach stretches for a staggering 50km – so there is no risk of overcrowding. Playa Dorada is another popular resort – the largest beach town on the north coast – with hotels dotted around a spectacular landscape of gardens and lakes
