Rachael Davis
Nothing beats a- you know what, we’re not doing that. The memes can speak for themselves.
If you’re heading away on holiday this summer, there’s a good chance you’ve opted for an all-inclusive package holiday from the likes of Jet2 and TUI. Transfers, breakfast, lunch and dinner all sorted so you can properly enter power-saving mode by the pool, ideally while someone brings you a margarita. Lovely.
However, having the peace of mind of an all-inclusive set up doesn’t mean you should entirely switch your brain off. There are a few things you need to bear in mind before you jet off somewhere hot – although, if you’ve been basking in the UK’s summer heatwaves recently, you might wonder whether there’s much point in spending a week at a Spanish resort…
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Anyway, the advice comes courtesy of TUI, easyJet and Jet2 who’ve kindly put their differences aside to warn travellers about potential hotel pitfalls.
Essentially, don’t assume that every hotel or resort will have the same all-inclusive arrangements.
"Please check the property description for each hotel for details of what’s included, as this will vary from one hotel to another,” says the Jet2 website.
“All inclusive typically includes 3 buffet style meals in the hotel’s main restaurant, snacks and locally produced drinks (often during a specified timeframe) for a minimum of 12 hours per day but please note that in rare cases all inclusive may be available for less than 12 hours; where we are aware of this, it will be stated clearly in the property description.”
It adds: "Please be aware that in some properties, there may also be limits on the number of drinks or the facilities available."
A Jet2 package for Mallorca exemplifies the point, with the details noting: "A maximum of 3 alcoholic drinks per person (beer and wine) during lunch, and 3 alcoholic drinks per person (beer and wine) during dinner only. At all other times any alcoholic drinks are payable locally.”
Getting booze included in a package is a bit of a coup, as anyone who likes an open bar will know, but it’s likely there will be limits as noted above. Many all-inclusive packages will only cover food, too, so don’t expect drinks to come free as a standard.
Meanwhile, easyJet advises: "Every all inclusive hotel is different, however most do include alcohol as part of an all inclusive package. Most of the time local branded alcohol will be included, and you can often upgrade to include premium or international drinks if you want to.
"Check the description of the hotel you're interested in to find out exactly what is included."
And of course, the same goes for TUI.
"One buffet restaurant might take care of all your meals, or you could have a different restaurant to visit every night of the week,” says the TUI website. “Likewise, things like kids’ clubs and watersports can all come as part of the package, or you might need to pay a little extra.”
The essential part here is ‘can’ – always check the specific offer for the resort or hotel you’re looking to visit.