Choosing an All-Inclusive Resort for Your Honeymoon

Note: - Thanks to Ariana G. Stecker who wrote this article for her blog Iris Fields Guide to Wedding and Event Planning 

Azul Beach Hotel

 There are so many options when it comes to planning your honeymoon.  Aside from location and budget, there’s also the debate over whether to go all-inclusive or not.

RIU Vallarta

One of the biggest advantages of going all-inclusive is that once you get there, in theory, you shouldn’t have to open your wallet.  Drinks, food, fun are all at your fingertips for no extra charge.  But, sometimes you show up and things aren’t at all what you expected.  There are non-inclusive restaurants, kids are splashing you in the pool, and you can’t get a drink before 11 o’clock in the morning.  Let’s face it—the only kind of surprise you want while on your honeymoon is a complimentary bottle of champagne waiting in your room.  Forget about unexpected financial woes.

To help you plan properly, we’ve put together a list of general things to keep in mind when choosing an all-inclusive resort.  If you do your homework ahead of time, your honeymoon will be everything you dream of!

Transportation. Getting to and from your hotel can be stressful, and you’d hate to start your honeymoon on a sour note.  So check with your hotel to see if they offer an airport transfer, and if they don’t, if they have a taxi company that they recommend.  Knowing a reliable taxi company ahead of time could save you a huge headache.

Food. Obviously food is one of the main factors in choosing an all-inclusive resort, so it better be good and plentiful.  When narrowing down your choices, be sure to find out how many restaurants are on the property and if they are all included in your rate.  Find out the hours of each restaurant and which one is better for breakfast as opposed to lunch or dinner.  Is there a restaurant close to the beach or pool where you’ll be spending your time, or do you have to trek across the resort to eat?  Something you may not think of during the day is dress code—can you wear your bathing suit to grab a quick snack?  Trust us, it’s torture to show up at a restaurant completely ready to eat and then be told that you have to cover up, and your sundress is all the way back at your chaise lounge.   Lastly, if you get tired of the all-inclusive food, are there any nearby restaurants outside of the resort?

Activities. If you get bored lying on the beach for hours, soaking in the sun, you should take advantage of the activities offered by the resort and which ones are included.  Most resorts have an activity calendar filled with volleyball games, belly flop contests, and dance-offs, so be sure to find that each day of your stay—they’re a great way to have fun, unwind, and meet your fellow travelers.  Many times you have to pay separately for sailing, windsurfing, parasailing, and other water sports—but double check with your resort before you shell out any cash. Likewise, if your hotel as an on-site spa, are there any included services, or do you have to pay for every massage and facial?  Also, check with the front desk to see if they can arrange for any off-site excursions, perhaps to see some nearby ruins or to head over to a neighboring island.

Alcohol. Like with the restaurants, you should ask plenty of questions about what beverages are included in your package—alcoholic, non-alcoholic only, or both.  Find out where the bars are located and if there are any poolside, which are always fun.  Also make sure that you can take beverages around the property and don’t have to finish a drink in the place where it was served.  Find out bar hours and if there are any specialty cocktails.  Finally, see if the all-inclusive price covers glasses and bottles of wine and champagne, of if you have to purchase them separately.

Sandals Grande Ocho Rios

The Resort Itself. Check as many visitor-generated sites as possible to try to get a true sense of any resort on your list.  These are often the best way to make sure that the resort in the brochure measures up to the real thing.  Also, check for any special honeymoon deals or perks—perhaps there’s a honeymoon suite or a free bottle of champagne up for grabs.  Make sure that the resort clientele is what you want—namely, is it family friendly, geared toward partying singles, or great for couples.  If it does encourage families to visit, find out if there are any designated “adult only” zones or pools.  Resorts sometimes offer non-all-inclusive packages as well, so make sure that if you did get the all-inclusive deal that you have the proper wristband or other credential to show that you are entitled to all of the perks.

As with any vacation, sit back and think about your ideal trip and make a list of your top priorities and all of the activities you’d like to do.  Then, go through your hotel options and choose the one that fulfills the most points on your list.  After all, the more you can get for your dollar, the better!

Happy planning!

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Muriel MacRae, owner of Del Sol Travel and Del Sol Destination Weddings, is a travel consultant and wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings and romantic getaways to tropical areas such as Hawaii, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. Located in Calgary, Alberta, she plans destination weddings and honeymoons for couples in and around the Calgary area and throughout North America. For more information about planning your destination wedding, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, please contact her at travelinfo@delsoltravel.ca or phone 403-477-0643.