All inclusive?

*Lees*

I've been thinking about booking an all inclusive hotel for a 2 week holiday in July. I have never experienced an all inclusive holiday so I am a bit worried about some things, mainly food!!
Has anyone here been away all inclusive? Was the food ok or did you end up having to go elsewhere to get food? Also I know in all these places the drink is all local brands and you usually have to pay for any imported drinks, what was the selection of local drink like? I know everywhere is going to be different but I haven't decided where we are going yet and may end up booking our holiday based on the actual hotel as we need to cut back on our budget as we will be going on an expensive trip later this year!
What i would mainly like to know I suppose is if it's worth spending extra money on all inclusive!! Does is save you money or do you end up having to pay for things you didnt expect? Or even having to eat outside the hotel due to lack of choice in food??
Any advice greatly appreciated, thanks in advance!

mikedragon32

The only time I've ever done AI was with Sandals and it was "ultra" AI. You had a choice of 5 restaurants (four of them Al la Carte, one buffet) and premium branded beers and spirits.

I've stayed in AI hotels on room only basis in the Canaries and was so glad I hadn't opted for the AI option. There didn't seem to be much by way of variety with the food on offer and it was always local spirits (ie taste like petrol) and local beer. If you want anything decent you're still paying full price.

My view would be, if you're looking to holiday on a budget and have kids, then go for it. Kids are most likely going to eat chips and ice-cream every day and parents can relax knowing they don't have to dip into their pockets...

As a couple I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole!

Gran Hermano

I've stayed in about a dozen AI resorts, (Cuba, Mexico, Dom Rep, Canaries, Maldives) and what they offer ranges from bad to very good.
I've been to several where I found the quality and service excellent.

With AI, you get what you pay for. An AI resort with a decent buffet, a selection of on-site al la carte alternatives, including premium/brand name
drinks 24/7, 'free' minibar and also offering water sports etc will cost you.

My advice is if going AI to not go for the cheapest option, you do not want to be stuck somewhere with horrid food for a week or two.

It's a great feeling leaving your hotel room in the morning and knowing
you dont need to carry cash or worry about how much you've charged
to your room over the course of the holiday.

Check the Riu chain, they are on of the better operators.

If you're budgeting for kids I'd recommend AI as you're not worrying about
all those icecreams and soft drinks during the day adding up.

Fratton Fred

I would say it depends on where you are going and what you like doing.

Both times I've done it the food has more plentiful, but for two weeks it gets a bit monotonous. A lot of places have "Pay" restaurants that you get to eat in once a week as part of the package, it is worth taking advantage of these.

If you are staying in a big resort in the middle of nowhere then i would say it is worth it, otherwise, possibly not.

Dodge

Went AI once in St Lucia. Main food option was a large buffet that served breakfast (6-10), lunch (12-2.30) and dinner (5-10). Always plenty of options and quality quite high. There were two a la carte restarents (one Italian and one Chinese) that needed booking but were included. There was also a snack bar thingy that served burgers, paninis and the like. Drinks were premium* brands but not a great selsction (Beer was Heineken, Corona and local brand).

*Premium brands generally mean standard. Vodka was smirnoff rather than grey goose.