we didnt vacation as a family growing up but i always had friends who did. they would come back from these awesome trips to beaches with cool hair, tanned skin, awesome pictures and some souvenirs for close friends/teachers. the adults would talk about their “all inclusive” time off but i didnt ever know what that meant.
fast forward decades (i am 31f lol) and my husband (39m) and i are planning our first international vacation together. i am thinking hawaii or somewhere in europe. he and his family visit mexico every christmas (well, he hasnt been in years because we moved across the country) and he convinces me to do mexico this time around.
he says “lets do an all inclusive! itll be great!” i guess i always thought it meant airlines give you a discount because hotel, airfare, and a cab ride to and from the resort are taken care of. and resort is just a fancy word for the pool area in the hotel.
let me know just say… I AM STOKED to be a lazy bitch after all these months of hard work. eating and drinking and sleeping and dancing for 7 days? yes please.
you guys ever been? how was it? where did you go?
edit: just wanted to add a thought that i just had.. these are like adult playgrounds!
I’ve never been a fan of all-inclusive resorts, because it doesn’t feel like you’re in the are you’re visiting; it’s like being on a cruise ship.
Finding places to eat and trying out different beaches are the best part of vacationing. I also like to go to grocery stores and get local fruits and vegetables for snacks.
You can do all that from an all-inclusive resort, but then you’re paying for services you aren’t using.
If you are going to Mexico try the Desire Resort.
I stayed at one in Aruba a few years back. It was heaven to me since I’d never been on a real vacation. The food was 10/10, all you can eat. All these different tables with fruit mountains and breads and desserts. The staff were so friendly and just the overall vibe was awesome. Our resort was adult only so that added to it also. I didn’t want to leave and was near tears on the way back to the states lol hope you have lots of fun!
I wouldn’t call them much of a playground. It’s just a warm place to go do nothing. I have friends that are all turned off by Mexico all inclusive, like it is some kids thing to do. I’m like “Well have fun in Hawaii spending 3/4’s of your day cooking meals and cleaning up”. That to me is the single best benefit, I walk into a buffet or restaurant, wolf down a meal, then go enjoy my vacation time. Especially now that I have a kid, he can make a mess and eat whatever he wants, I just leave a good tip and walk out.
Been to All inclusives every year since 2007, and twice one year because we got invited to a wedding. Generally it’s been Mayan Riviera/Cancun, but I’ve also been to Cabo, Jamaica, and Dominican Republic. Just got back from The Royalton in Mayan again last week. Planning to likely do Costa Rica next year.