All inclusive is a board type where meals and, normally, selected drinks are included in the room price. But the scope is not the same everywhere, and the difference usually shows up mid-holiday rather than on the invoice.
What does all inclusive mean?
Booking systems use the code AI. The standard definition is: accommodation, daily meals and the drinks the property specifies are covered by one price. Everything beyond that is the property’s own decision — there is no legally or industry-mandated list of what must be included.
Usually included
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, most often buffet style
- Snacks at set times
- Local alcoholic and soft drinks
- Pool and beach use, sunbeds and parasols
- Entertainment and evening shows
Usually NOT included
This is where the surprises come from:
- À la carte restaurants: at most properties they need a reservation and cost extra, or a limited number of free visits per stay
- Imported drinks and premium wine lists
- Spa, massage, hammam — the sauna is sometimes included, treatments almost never
- Water sports: motorised ones are chargeable as a rule
- The in-room minibar — restocking frequency and contents vary
- Late check-out, parking, laundry, doctor
- Accommodation tax — the property may collect it separately
“Ultra all inclusive” is not a standard
The phrase is a marketing label, not a classification. It has no official definition: at one property it covers imported drinks and à la carte visits, at another it simply means longer service hours. The only reliable check is the inclusion list on the room page.
Who is it right for?
All inclusive is strong when you want your budget fixed up front: no running tab during the holiday. The advantage grows with families and longer stays.
If you plan to spend most of the day away from the property, eat in local restaurants, or you are staying in a city centre, bed and breakfast is often the better maths — you would be paying for meals you do not use.
Frequently asked questions
Are alcoholic drinks included?
Local brands usually are; imported ones usually are not. The property’s drinks list is stated on the booking page.
Do children pay separately?
Most properties offer free or discounted stays up to a certain age. Enter the age correctly at booking — an incorrect entry turns into a payment at the desk.
Is all inclusive always cheaper?
No. It usually pays off if you stay on site and use the meals; if you eat out, bed and breakfast can cost less overall.
See prices side by side for your dates, and read the cancellation terms before you book.
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