First, let's define our terms. So, all inclusive, or "everything included," is a system of services provided free of charge and without limit on the hotel's premises for a certain period of time. In some beach countries, they like to add enticing prefixes to this phrase, such as ultra inclusive, all inclusive excellent, all inclusive superior, all inclusive VIP class. This is nothing more than improvisation, and in most cases such labels are just a marketing gimmick.
Nevertheless, there are several varieties of the "all inclusive" system accepted in the world. There is mini all inclusive - a customer service system that operates not until midnight as usual, but from ten in the morning to nine in the evening. And max inclusive - when the tour price includes not only local but also imported soft drinks, as well as free restocking of the mini-bar in the room.
Thus, hotels operating on the all inclusive basis are essentially obliged to provide their guests with only one thing - full board. And all the details depend on the specific place, and the variety and quantity of services provided directly depend on the hotel's star rating. So, if you buy an all inclusive tour to a two- or three-star hotel, the difference from full board will be only that you will be given free drinks for the entire vacation. However, in most cases you should not count even on diluted juices: from soft drinks you will most likely be offered soda and a drink made from chemical concentrate, and all alcohol will definitely be local. If you are not a fan of alcoholic experiments, you will have to pay for imported drinks. You also usually cannot count on special culinary delights in such hotels. You are, of course, guaranteed a buffet, but the menu will be regularly repeated. Also free of charge, you will be provided with sun loungers, umbrellas, and some innocent entertainment in the form of ping-pong or a catamaran. Well, you will certainly feel the shortcomings of two-star service in the infrequent, not too thorough cleanings and sluggish staff.
In four-star hotels, the all inclusive system implies that a late breakfast or another dinner will be added to the three meals. Moreover, the choice of dishes will be an order of magnitude greater, and free drinks will be offered from seven in the morning until midnight. In the 24-hour bar, they will mix you cocktails, but again they will be made from local spirits.
The names of the dishes offered for lunch at an average five-star hotel can be listed for a quarter of an hour. Local soft and alcoholic drinks are poured from ten in the morning until midnight, and in some places until two or three in the morning. Hotels of the highest class even give their clients imported drinks, organize snack bars and bars on the beach and by the pool. Your children will be looked after all day, and you yourself are guaranteed a rich program. If you buy a tour to a fairly large hotel, you will be offered a free gym, courts, darts, billiards, basketball and volleyball courts, shooting ranges, water sports, bowling, and in some places even a sauna or a Turkish bath.
Thus, since this type of holiday involves free use of the entire hotel infrastructure, the conclusion is obvious: it is profitable to buy an all inclusive tour only to a large hotel with many entertainment options. Only in this case will you feel all the delights of this unique system and sense its differences from the usual half board.
The main thing is to be sure that these differences matter to you. After all, in essence, such a holiday is suitable only for a special category of tourists - those who do not mind spending a week or two in a "reservation" and do not seek to see the sights or take long walks. Initially, all inclusive hotels were created in beach countries where a vacationer has nowhere special to go outside the hotel grounds. To vacation, for example, in France or Italy and not leave the hotel is at least strange, which is why Europeans consider all inclusive an unnecessary excess. And if you are a curious tourist and prefer to fill your vacation with a cultural program, then it is more advisable to purchase a tour on a half board or bed and breakfast basis.
Another feature of the all inclusive system is mediocre service. Managers of European hotels say that all inclusive undermines the foundations of any service - the personal interest of the staff. In hotels with regular service, the staff is accustomed to expecting tips for their work, so they strive to do it better. Here, tourists have already paid for everything and do not intend to spend extra money on tips. Therefore, you usually cannot expect excellent service in hotels operating on the all inclusive principle.