When choosing a tour, many travelers are interested in what does the designation “all inclusive” mean in hotels? What is really included in this?
For the first time, the all inclusive system was introduced by the French international travel operator Club Med, which owns a hotel chain worldwide. Such a concept denotes a tourist service system, in which 3 meals a day and drinks are included in the payment for the tour on the hotel territory. At the same time, ice cream and freshly squeezed juices, imported alcohol are usually given for a fee.
Tourists liked this system so much that many hotels began to introduce even wider options for competing purposes. Indeed, it is very convenient, having paid money for a tour in your own country, on vacation do not care about how much it all costs.
The all-inclusive concept, the letter designation of which is ALL, is mainly distributed in Turkey and Egypt and includes accommodation in a paid category room, meals in the main restaurants and bars, local drinks, towels and sun loungers with umbrellas by the pools and on the beaches hotel, entertainment and some additional services. All inclusive systems in different countries and hotels of different categories are different.
Key features of the all-inclusive system
There are no strict rules about what should be included in the all-inclusive system. It depends largely on the class of the hotel, traditions, competition. So, in the same country, in neighboring hotels, with one “all inclusive” system, in one of them ice cream will be offered only once a day to the beach bar for children, in the other - for lunch and dinner for all residents. Use of the gym and sauna in some hotels is included in the system, while in others they are not.
All inclusive (designation ALL) includes:
• accommodation in a room of a paid category;
• meals in the main restaurants of the hotel (usually a buffet);
• drinks produced by the host country in restaurants and bars at the designated time;
• the ability to use the beach and hotel pools;
• animation services;
• use of children's rooms and playgrounds;
• gym services, sports games on the beach.
Sometimes the all inclusive concept includes the use of a Turkish bath and sauna. Drinks and snacks in minibars are often paid. In addition, after a certain time (usually 24 hours) drinks are served only for an additional fee. Use of some restaurants in the territory (most often fish) is allowed for a fee or by reservation once a week. Drinks at the hotel discos will also not be free.
Differences between all-inclusive and ultra all-inclusive systems
An extended and therefore even more popular version of the all unclusive system is the ultra all inclusive concept. The designation "ultra all inclusive" means that in addition to the services of the all-inclusive system, the hotel provides some more privileges.
This includes imported alcoholic drinks, espresso, fresh juices, ice cream, service in the bars and restaurants of the hotel almost round the clock, free use of the minibar. Often includes certain times for free catamaran riding, tennis, squash, surfing, diving, free massage sessions, hair styling at the hotel’s hairdresser and many other bonuses that depend on the rules of this hotel.
When choosing a ticket, you can come across the concept of “premium all inclusive”, the designation of which is premium all, as well as elegance, super, imperial and many other varieties of the familiar ALL, which differ in the number of free services offered.
Some hotels distribute this list to sessions in spa centers and smoking hookah.
Following Turkey and Egypt, other countries such as Thailand, Tunisia, Spain began to adopt the popular ALL system.
When should I choose the Ultra All Inclusive concept?
If you are going to a hotel with children who find it difficult to cater for food and drinks and are planning to spend the majority of the time in the complex or on the beach, it is most convenient to choose “ultra all inclusive”.
The UALL designation on the hotel’s bracelet will mean that you can feed and drink your child at any time in a restaurant, beach bar, pizzeria or lobby.
If you like to relax in a fun company with an unlimited amount of alcohol, it will be cheaper for you to pay for one of the ALL systems at home than to buy expensive drinks at the hotel or outside. An important reason to choose this type of food is the remoteness of the hotel from shopping centers and cafes.
When not to choose the all-inclusive concept?
If you plan to spend most of the time on excursions outside the complex, or when your hotel is located directly in the shopping and entertainment part of the city, it is worth choosing a simpler system, which will save you money on visiting interesting places.
In any case, before the trip, you must ask the tour operator or on the hotel’s website what is included in the all-inclusive food system, the designation of which will appear in your voucher. After arriving at the place of rest, the features of the concept will be explained to you by the guide of the host company or the hotel staff for working with guests.