An all-inclusive resort stay is fun, easy, and usually includes everything a traveler could want when it comes to a resort holiday. Meals can be included in the price, excursions are often available for free or at a discount, and the amenities are worth paying for. All-inclusive hotels also open up a whole world of possibilities for choosing a holiday destination: the traveler doesn’t have to lift a finger to find individual restaurants, lodging, spa services or other amenities, informs the portal The Travel.
However, what is the unspoken protocol of staying at an all inclusive hotel? Are there certain rules or code of etiquette that guests must follow, or is it essentially freedom for everyone?
Here are a few mistakes newcomers to the all inclusive business should avoid.
Stop expecting everything, including the unexpected
By “unexpected” we mean the expectation that everything is included, although this is most likely not the case. Just because a resort is advertised as “all inclusive” doesn’t mean everything is included in the price, which is why the fine print is so important. With that said, the term “all inclusive” is somewhat misleading. It implies that everything is included in the final price that guests pay when booking, which is usually not the case.
For example, while meals may be included, especially high-end meals such as lobster or selected cuts of meat may not be included in the overall meal plan. In addition, alcoholic beverages may not be included or limited to a certain amount per day or week. For resort-specific services, spa treatments may be available at a special rate depending on the package purchased by guests. Or there may be free services that include basic services, with the possibility of paying extra for additional options. Recreational activities such as golf, snorkeling, diving, on-site activities, etc. may be paid or not included in the package at all.
Pro tip: Always read the fine print and ask for extras when it comes to food, services, and activities. Find out what is included in the package before leaving the hotel to avoid surprises.
The big question: To tip or not to tip?
There are many things to consider when it comes to tipping at an all-inclusive resort. While each country has its own views on tipping, each resort also has its own recommendations. Some resorts, such as Couples, do not encourage guests to tip staff. The reason for this is that instead of leaving a tip in cash, guests pay for these services, which are included in the room rate. However, this does not mean that all resorts follow the same guidelines, and such naivety certainly indicates that a person is new to the all-inclusive industry.
In addition, many guests may see staff tipping, including bartenders, pool staff, housekeeping staff, tour guides, tour guide staff, and so on. A good rule of thumb is to remember to bring cash in the form of one and five and pay attention to whether other guests are tipping. Alternatively, guests can take the safest route and contact the resort itself to inquire about tipping rules.
Pro tip: Guests should plan to bring a few small bills with them, especially for resorts outside of the US. Tipping taxi drivers and restaurants is still important, and just about anything outside of a resort can be considered tipping territory.
Avoid timeshare and club presentations
One thing that all-inclusive hotels do well is trying to lure guests into an enticing timeshare or club membership workshop. If this is really what the guests are interested in, then this is a moot point. However, if participating in a timeshare or membership in a “members-only” club at the listed all-inclusive hotel is not something interesting, don’t fall for it. In many cases, the incentives associated with attending such meetings may seem worth the time, but this is usually not the case.
If an offer sounds too good to be free, it probably is. While a $100 gift card might be tempting for an hour and a half timeshare presentation, attendees are expected to seriously consider the offer. In some cases, the selective selling behind these offers is simply not worth the effort of trying to get rid of it. Especially when those hour and a half can be spent on the back seat of a jet ski or snorkelling on the beach!
Pro Tip: Explore timeshare in your spare time and avoid anything that comes with “free” perks or incentives.
For those who care about a healthy lifestyle, we recommend reading: “The doctor named the main products for cleansing the body.”