What Is an All-Inclusive Resort?
(Complete Guide)
An all-inclusive resort bundles your room, meals, drinks, entertainment, and onsite activities into one upfront price. Most family-friendly resorts also include kids’ clubs, room service, airport transfers, and nightly shows. The biggest benefit is simple budgeting — you know exactly what your vacation will cost before you arrive.
All-inclusive vacations used to be simple: buffet + beach + basic drinks. Today, they’ve grown into full-on immersive experiences with gourmet dining, world-class entertainment, and huge flexibility for families, couples, and groups.
This guide breaks down exactly how all-inclusive resorts work and what to expect.
What’s Typically Included
Most all-inclusive resorts cover:
Your room
All meals (buffet + à la carte)
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
Kids’ clubs
Non-motorized water sports
Nightly entertainment
Pools, gyms, lounges
Tips and taxes (varies by brand)
What’s NOT Included
These items often cost extra:
Spa services
Motorized water sports
Private dinners
Upgraded wine/spirits
Off-property excursions
Cabanas
Airport transfers (some include them)
Why Travelers Choose All-Inclusive Resorts
Easy budgeting
No surprise bills
Stress-free dining
Great for large groups
Safe environments for kids
Perfect for “do as much or as little” vacations
FAQs
Are tips included at all all-inclusive resorts?
Most include gratuities, but some expect extra tipping for bartenders, servers, and housekeeping.
Do all-inclusive resorts include room service?
Many do, but quality varies greatly by brand.
Is alcohol watered down?
At reputable resorts, no—major brands use real bottles.
Written by Michael Salazar, “Michael the Travel Guy,” a certified travel advisor based in Gilbert, Arizona specializing in all-inclusive resorts, cruises, and family travel.
