Travel to an All-Inclusive is Smart for the Entire Family

Keywords: all-inclusive, travel

By Meryl D. Pearlstein

While all-inclusive resorts offer a one-stop alternative to vacation planning, the range of activities, dining choices and accommodations can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips to make the process an easy and memorable one for each member of the family:

• Research the property before you arrive. Think of it like approaching going to Disney World. There’s always going to more to do than you can fit in during any given day. So have a plan. And prioritize. Ask yourself which activities can you not live without, which ones would be nice if you had time to do them. Apply this strategy to your thoughts for accommodations and dining as well.

• For example, for dining, figure out which restaurants require advance reservations, which are appropriate for dining earlier with smaller kids, which are good for teenagers and grownups, etc. Then plan your schedule. Of course, spontaneity is always nice on vacation, but you may miss out on the one type of cuisine that you really had your heart set on.

• For accommodations, again know your options. Do you want to be near the swimming pool or as far away from it as possible? Is it going to be difficult for you to go long distances with a stroller? Do you want to be near the Children’s program (or, again, far away from the scampering of little feet?) And what size accommodations will be suitable for your group? Are you comfortable with side-by-side rooms for older children or is a larger suite or adjoining rooms more your taste?

• Does your all-inclusive truly include everything? What are the expected extras? Are tips included for everything, or should you allot a budget for tips for excursions and other special programs? If you’re not sure, contact the resort before you arrive so you’re prepared with small bills as most people prefer tips in cash. If you decide to go off-property, what might be the costs you’ll encounter? Plan for everything: taxis, meals, drinks, tour guides, car rentals, other transportation rentals, sports equipment, fishing equipment and so on. You’ll feel more comfortable if you have a budget set.

• Make sure that the all-inclusive you select is appropriate for all members of your group. Some are really just for families with toddlers and babies. Others are not equipped to handle younger children which means that you’ll end up doing that. If the resort has a nanny program that will give you free time, does the resort have enough programming to entertain you at an adult level? And, if you have older kids with you that might have “aged out” of group, will there be enough to keep them busy?

• In a way, selecting an all-inclusive resort is like picking a college…. For everyone. You’ll want to be nourished, catered to, entertained, stimulated, refreshed, and come home with something that you’ll always remember: memories of one of the best times of your life.

Traveling with her two sons and husband has given Meryl Pearlstein a chance to “live” all over the world, something she’s always longed to do. Meryl has been a writer from her earliest days on her junior high school newspaper,then working in marketing and advertising, and later as a travel publicist and travel writer. Meryl also drags her clan to restaurants throughout Manhattan where she critiques the ever-changing NYC food scene for Gayot.com. A Bostonian who remains true to the Red Sox despite her NYC residence, Meryl also writes for Fodor’s Guide to New York, and has written for www.ClubMom.com, the Boston Herald, Global Traveler, Fortune Small Business online, GQ, and New York Magazine.