What does "all inclusive" (designation ALL) actually mean?

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

When choosing a tour, many travelers are wondering what does the designation "all inclusive" mean in hotels? What is really included?

For the first time, the all inclusive system was introduced by the French international travel operator Club Med, which owns a network of hotels around the world. This concept refers to a tourist service system, in which 3 meals a day and drinks are included in the payment for the tour on the territory of the hotel. 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 implement even wider variants of it for competing purposes. Indeed, it is very convenient, having paid money for a tour in your country, on vacation not to worry about how much it all costs.

The all-inclusive concept, whose letter designation is ALL, is mainly distributed in Turkey and Egypt and includes accommodation in a paid room category, meals in main restaurants and bars, local drinks, towels andsun loungers with umbrellas by the pools and on the beaches of the hotel, entertainment and some additional services. All inclusive systems in different countries and hotels of different categories are different.

Highlights 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, tradition, 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 in a beach bar for children, in the other - for lunch and dinner to all residents. Use of the gym and sauna is included in some hotels and not in others.

All inclusive (designation ALL) includes:

• accommodation in a room of a paid category;

• meals at the main hotel restaurants (usually buffet);

• drinks produced in the host country in restaurants and bars at designated times;

• access to 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 on the territory (most often - fish)allowed for a fee or by prior reservation once a week. Drinks at the hotel discos will also not be free.

Differences between All Inclusive and Ultra All Inclusive

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 coffee, fresh juices, ice cream, service in the bars and restaurants of the hotel almost around the clock, free use of the minibar. Often includes free catamaran ride times, tennis, squash, surf lessons, diving lessons, free massages, hotel hairstyling, and many other perks depending on hotel policies.

When choosing a tour, 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 usual ALL, which differ in the number of free services offered.

Some hotels extend this list to spa sessions and hookah smoking.

Following Turkey and Egypt, other countries, such as Thailand, Tunisia, Spain, began to adopt the popular ALL system.

When Should You Choose Ultra All Inclusive?

If you are going to a hotel with children who are difficult to please in food and drink, andIf you are going to spend most of your time on the territory of the complex or on the beach, it is most convenient to choose "ultra all inclusive".

UALL designation on the hotel wristband will mean that at any time you can feed and water your child in a restaurant, beach bar, pizzeria or in the lobby.

If you like to relax in a fun company with unlimited alcohol, it will cost you less 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 go all inclusive?

If you plan to spend most of your time on excursions, outside the complex, or when your hotel is located directly in the shopping and entertainment part of the city, you should choose a simpler system that will save you money on visiting interesting places.

In any case, before the trip, you need to ask the tour operator or on the hotel website what is included in the all-inclusive meal plan, the designation of which will be on your voucher. After arriving at the place of rest, the specifics of the concept will be explained to you by the guide of the host company or the hotel's guest relations staff.