Purse strings may well be tightening, but if there is one thing the great British public is loath to give up, it is their holiday in the sun. All-inclusive resorts are a one-stop-shop for keeping a grip on holiday budgets and are growing in popularity as the cost of living rises.
Though they’re often not cheap, if you choose carefully they offer value for money, the freedom to indulge and no hidden surprises on check-out – and there are some bargains out there, too.
“All-inclusive bookings for which there are no hidden extras have seen a marked increase, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of bookings for next year,” says Tui’s commercial director Richard Sofer. “And the two-week holiday is no longer the norm, with 10-night bookings up nearly 25 per cent since pre-pandemic.”
At Travel Republic, more than a third of all bookings are for all-inclusive, a 10 per cent increase since 2019. Top destinations include Turkey, Egypt, Mallorca, Benidorm, the Canary Islands, Greek islands, Maldives, Mexico and Caribbean. Turkey, Greece, Barbados and Bulgaria have seen the biggest growth in all-inclusive bookings.
Compared with half-board stays, all-inclusives generally make a more affordable option for the same standard of accommodation. Travel Republic offers five nights’ half-board at the four-star Hilton Dubai for £1,275pp or all inclusive at the four-star Riu Dubai for £1,151pp, both with Pegasus flights from Stansted later this month.
“It’s worth remembering that all-inclusive doesn’t just mean food and drink,” says Katie Flynn, head of customer experience at Luxtripper. “In many cases it will include spa treatments, watersports and excursions, so it is a sensible option for the savvy traveller this winter.”
Going all-inclusive doesn’t have to mean a sanitised experience that excludes the local economy either. Progressive all-inclusive brands are striving to showcase and share the tourist love with their local communities – as seen in the 14 properties that are ideal for half-term and winter sun escapes.
All-inclusive breaks for autumn and winter
Ikos Resorts, Greece & Spain
Local soul All five Ikos Resorts in Greece and Spain offer the “Local Drive Adventure”, which allows guests to explore the destination with a day’s complimentary car hire and tickets to attractions or museums. A “Dine Out” initiative means a meal at a local restaurant is included in the room rate. The resorts’ olive oil, honey and wine are all local and Ikos also offers support to four food producers in Halkidiki, Greece.
How much? Seven nights at Ikos Dassia from £1,499pp including flights, departing 23 October, britishairways.com/corfu
Iberostar Selection Jardín del Sol Suites Mallorca, Spain
Local soul This Spanish hotel chain, founded in Palma, aims to set a benchmark for responsibility among big hotel brands. It has eliminated single-use plastics, sources most of its fish locally and is using AI to reduce food waste from buffets. It aims to stop sending waste to landfill by 2025 and to be carbon neutral by the end of the decade. At this adults-only all-suite hotel on Santa Ponsa bay, Mallorquin, dishes are showcased in the restaurant while steps descend into the turquoise water of the bay.
How much? Seven nights from £1,405pp in a junior suite from 22 October, iberostar.com
Parga Beach Resort, Greece
Local soul This family-friendly five-star is very much a part of its namesake town (above) in north-western Greece. Set on the Blue-Flag Valtos Beach, it is a short walk to the cobbled town streets and even quicker by water taxi. Excursions to the Acheron River and kayaking around the island of Paxio are encouraged. The spa incorporates ancient Greek philosophies.
How much? Seven nights from £1,959 for a family of four (two adults and two under-12s) sharing a premium garden room from 22 October, with transfers but not flight, pargabeachresort.gr
Amada Colossos Faliraki, Rhodes
Local soul You can’t get more Greek than the on-site kafenion (coffee house) serving meze, home-made sweets and ouzo or tsipouro. Enjoy a cooking class with pastry chefs, and the concierge team will book you an immersive cultural tour of Rhodes. In this vast hotel with almost 700 rooms, some of the décor is made by the local community such as hand-made lamps in the suites and villas.
How much? Seven nights from £1,116pp including flights and transfers, departing 22 October, easyjet.com/holidays
Hillside Beach Club, Turkey
Local soul This all-singing, all-dancing all-inclusive on the Lycian coast has a Turkish night every Sunday with the chance for locals to present their art and handicrafts. Guests can sample Turkish cuisine in the main restaurant and are encouraged to get out of the resort and support the local economy, including walks around the abandoned “ghost town” of Kayaköy and shopping trips to Fethiye bazaar via the resort’s beautiful sailing boat. For the past 20 years, Hillside has worked with Turkey’s Ministry of Forestry to plant a tree for every new guest.
How much? Seven nights from £1,149pp including flights, britishairways.com/turkey
Tui Blue Riu Tikida Garden, Marrakech
Local soul The adult-only Tui Blue Riu Tikida Garden is 2.5 miles (4km) from the focal Jemaa el-Fna square and Koutoubia Mosque, making it easy to explore the city independently. The Culinarium à la carte restaurant serves traditional Moroccan dishes, and use of the traditional hammam in the spa is also included.
How much? Seven nights from £561pp with flights and transfers, departing 11 November, tui.co.uk
Veranda Tamarin, Mauritius
Local soul This west-coast hotel has an “Explorer Programme” for guests staying more than four nights. Credits are given for experiences such as a street-food tour to discover the gajak (confections) and small dishes of Mauritius, a coffee roasting tour or a trek in the Black River Gorges. The hotel’s eclectic music concept attracts locals to its Crazy Fish Bar.
How much? Seven nights from £2,723pp including flights, thomascook.com
Tekanda Lodge, Sri Lanka
Local soul Set in the island’s southern, low hill country, just 1.2 miles (2km) inland from Kabalana Beach, this lodge offers a week’s stay fully inclusive of meals, surfing and yoga. Guests are immersed in the jungle setting with a weekly cooking demonstration, guided nature walk and surf and yoga.
How much? Seven nights from £1,635pp for a solo stay. From £1,045pp for a couple sharing. Retreats run until May 2023, soulandsurf.com
Apsara Beachfront Resort and Villa, Thailand
Local soul This family-owned Khao Lak resort, north of phu*ket, is moments from the sand of Pakarang Beach and Andaman Sea. It has been recognised for its care of the local eco-system, which includes the protection of endangered species, such as sea turtles and hermit crabs. The restaurants use ingredients from the on-site organic garden and from local farmers.
How much? Seven nights from £1,799pp with flights and transfers in late November, thgholidays.co.uk
Turtle Beach by Elegant Hotels, Barbados
Local soul The Turtle Beach kids’ club at this luxury resort makes the effort to introduce children to Bajan culture, teaching them some language and cooking. The whole family is invited to participate in locally loved activities such as beach cricket, calypso dancing and domino challenges. Excursions take guests out and about to discover the island, plus there are pastry-making demonstrations of local treats and a Bajan pop-up bar.
How much? Seven nights for a family of four from £12,800 (£3,999 per adult, £2,399 per child), departing 11 February 2023, caribtours.co.uk
Sandals Royal Curaçao, Curacao
Local soul The new 351-room hotel offers the brand’s first off-site dining programme, “Island Inclusive”, to restaurants that include chic gastro-bars and international fusion restaurants for guests in “butler suites”. The Sandals Foundation partners with Dutch football team AFC Ajax to turn discarded fishing nets and ocean plastic into football goals for school children on the island.
How much? Seven nights from £2,759pp including flights via Amsterdam departing 7 December, sandals.com/royal-curacao
Royalton Splash Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Local soul At the Clubhouse Kids Club, children aged three to 12 are encouraged to discover the culture and environment of the Dominican Republic, engaging with local art, history, music, dance and landmarks. They can create a local dish and learn about local flora and fauna as well as endangered sea creatures including club mascot Turbo the Sea Turtle. A major draw at this east-coast resort is that it is home to one of the largest resort water parks in the Caribbean.
How much? Seven nights from £1,704pp including flights and transfers, departing 22 October, tui.co.uk
Anse Chastanet, St Lucia
Local soul It’s all about sense of place at Anse Chastanet, an extraordinary hotel in the south of St Lucia within view of the soaring green Pitons. Some rooms are even missing a wall to make the most of the epic view. Guests can roam the tropical gardens and the two bays, which are part of a marine reserve. Visits to the historic plantations of
Anse Mamin and Emerald Estate, where the resort grows organic produce including cacao, are available.
How much? Seven nights from £3,597pp for travel in March 2023, luxtripper.co.uk
True Blue Bay, Grenada
Local soul This low-key, colourful resort on a quiet bay on the south coast caters both to serious divers and families. There are several pools, a rustic waterside restaurant where you can enjoy Grenadian and Caribbean cuisine, and the owner runs Grenada’s annual Chocolate Festival. The resort also supports local schools through charitable initiatives.
How much? Seven nights from £2,157pp with flights, departing 13 November, kenwoodtravel.co.uk
