Photo courtesy of Divi Resorts
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Caribbean Beachside Bargains
By Laura Daily, March & April 2009
Live large and spend less on a Caribbean vacation
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An all-inclusive Caribbean resort used to mean three meals a day plus the three B's—beach, booze, and a bedroom—all for one low price. Now, thanks in part to increased competition, it's more like a land-based luxury cruise that doesn't charge extra for, well, almost anything, from in-room dining to free rounds of golf. And since you pay upfront, you don't get hit with surprise charges. All-inclusive resorts are available for every taste and wallet, so before you book, ask these four key questions.
What does all-inclusive include?
Ads use terms such as super-inclusive and ultra-inclusive—which can sometimes mean "sort of inclusive." A true all-inclusive should give you lodging, all meals and snacks, unlimited beverages (from sodas to liquor), all nonmotorized watersports and on-site activities, plus nightly entertainment. The various chains and resorts ratchet things up from there, so ask what you get for the price. Airfare? Premium wines? Unlimited tennis and golf? Sports such as kayaking and sailing are typically gratis, though industry leaders Sandals (888-726-3257) and SuperClubs (800-467-8737) also include scuba diving and water-skiing. Chains with multiple resorts within a destination—such as Iberostar (888-923-2722), which has five properties along the same stretch of Mexico's Riviera Maya—may offer reciprocity: stay at one property and you can use the facilities or dine at all or some of the others.
How much are the extras?
Even top all-inclusives ding you for add-ons. You'll typically pay for spa treatments, though the Grand Lido Negril and Grand Lido Braco (800-467-8737) throw in a manicure and pedicure. Golfers may find caddies and carts are mandatory but not included in the package price. Off-property excursions may also require a fee. Every all-inclusive says "No tipping," but the reality can be different: employees are paid well but may expect a tip, though you're not obligated to give one, says Fred Reed, an all-inclusive-resort specialist based in Asheville, North Carolina.
Whom does the resort cater to?
Some brands—including Beaches (800-232-2437), Club Med (800-258-2633), and most Breezes resorts (800-467-8737)—are family oriented; others, such as Couples (800-268-7537), cater to twosomes. If you love mile-long buffets and loathe dinner-jacket dress codes, you might prefer the more casual Riu (888-748-4990). Size makes a difference, too: a big property may mean crowded beaches and longer waits for popular watersports.
Are there discounts?
As more resorts open for business, expect competitors to boost value-added deals. Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort (800-367-3484) on Aruba offers free golf after 3:00 p.m. throughout 2009. A 30-minute massage awaits guests who book three nights at Antigua's Hermitage Bay (268-562-5500). Some of the best deals are in hurricane-prone September or October. The odds of being hit by a hurricane are low, but consider travel insurance and resorts that make guarantees. If a hurricane strikes a SuperClubs resort during your stay, for instance, you'll be reimbursed for disrupted nights and receive a voucher for a visit the same month the next year.
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