All inclusive holidays

All Inclusive typically means that all your food, drinks and snacks are included at no extra cost. Often there will be a main buffet offering international favourites, and typically a selection of a la carte restaurants when you fancy a more formal dining experience. If located on the beach, your hotel may include watersport activities as part of your package. Cabanas and sun loungers will most likely be included, as will the free rental of sports equipment, if it’s on offer, such as for the tennis or basketball courts.

All Inclusive means you can totally de-stress without ever needing to leave the hotel. All your food, drinks and often entertainment are included as part of your stay. It’s a great way to unwind knowing that everything is taken care of. So, the only decision you have to make is whether you want orange juice or fresh coffee with your all-you-can-eat breakfast.

Full Board holidays included three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). There are no drinks or snacks included in the price of your holiday, so any drinks will incur a charge. However, some hotels may serve complimentary refreshments with your breakfast, such as tea, coffee and juice. If you don’t want to pay extra for drinks, we’d suggest opting for an All Inclusive holiday.

When it comes to what’s included in your All Inclusive holiday, it will vary from hotel to hotel. As standard, you can expect flights, accommodation, food (three meals a day plus snacks), as well as unlimited soft and local alcoholic drinks, usually for 12 hours a day. Most properties also offer free entertainment along with a choice of daily activities brought to you by their animation team. All Inclusive family holidays will also benefit from a mini club. While 4 and 5 star stays tend to throw in some fancy extras, such as cocktails or branded spirits, a pillow menu, themed a la carte restaurants and watersports.

Bars at many All Inclusive hotels serve regional or premium branded alcohol from the onsite bars and restaurants during set times. Some may serve cocktails as part of your package, or offer a supplementary menu for special orders. It’s also worth noting that a few Spanish islands, such as Majorca and Ibiza, now have a six-drink-a-day limit, of which can only be served during meals.

Some hotels offer an ultra All Inclusive programme with premium extras, such as 24-hour drinks. You may also benefit from a longer list of activities like archery and cooking classes. In terms of indulging, you can expect things like gourmet food from a line-up of a la carte restaurants, branded drinks and a fully stocked mini-bar in your room completely free of charge. Again, each programme will vary depending on your hotel.

There's tons of wallet-friendly All Inclusive resorts to choose from, such as budget-friendly options in Turkey and Spain, including bargains in Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca. Antalya and Dalaman offer a slice of luxury for less, while the Greek islands have beachfront bliss covered. The Canary Islands and Malta are premium choices for exotic year-round getaways. And for those who don’t mind travelling a little further afield should opt for Egypt or the Caribbean, both great picks for a cheap winter escape.

All Inclusive family holidays give groups the freedom to enjoy many of the benefits of a hotel without dipping into their pockets. Often, you have access to around-the-clock food and drink. This means your little ones can top up on things like ice cream or pizza, without having to find somewhere offsite that fits within your budget. Organised entertainment and activities are also usually included, meaning everything is taken care of, so you can relax and enjoy quality time away together.

You’ll certainly save money on the food. You can eat and drink to your heart’s content, often with snack bars serving up delicious treats in between meals. This makes budgeting for your time away much easier, especially on All Inclusive family holidays. Often activities are included as part of your All Inclusive stay. The access to free amenities and activities will depend on the resort you’re staying at, some may be set up for couples, whereas others might boast freebies such as waterparks for families. Often a host of daily activities such as aqua aerobics or yoga will be included, along with nightly entertainment.

Finding a cheap All Inclusive holiday is easy, as long as you’re flexible with your dates and destination. Try using our filtered search to see if things like departure airport make a difference to the overall cost of your trip. For those able to travel at short notice, a last-minute deal is another great way to keep the cost down. However, if you’ve got your heart set on a specific hotel or you’re travelling with more than one other person, it may be worth securing something a few months in advance. You can also check out these cheap All Inclusive holiday deals under £500pp!