I’ll admit I’m a bit of a travel snob and have always avoided big all-inclusive resorts.
I assumed they’d be packed with people getting drunk on all-you-can-sip cocktails by 10 a.m. and crowding over buffets of subpar food.
However, when my family needed a hotel for a few days in Montego Bay, a large all-inclusive resort was my only option.
After staying at the Dreams Rose Hall Resort & Spa, my husband, sons (ages 13 and 16), and I all agreed: All-inclusives can be pretty great, and we wish we’d stayed at one sooner.
Decision fatigue basically disappears at an all-inclusive
All of our meals and activities were steps away from our accomodations, so I didn’t have to spend time researching where to go or mapping out routes to get there.
Ample quick-service options, such as jerk-chicken huts and well-staffed bars, meant more time having fun and less time researching restaurants and securing reservations.
With pools, beaches, and a variety of eateries nearby, we didn’t have to plan our day or negotiate with our kids over meal times and activities.
If one child is hungry but parents need a caffeine fix, no problem.
Though having limited choices was refreshing at times, I was admittedly skeptical about the resort’s preplanned activities. The thought of scheduled “nightly entertainment” initially gave me hives.
However, after dinner, my whole family hung out to watch everything from a PG dance-off (Matty from New Jersey won with his enthusiastic but uncoordinated twerking) to a performance by a unicyclist-contortionist.
We rarely stayed for the entirety of these shows, but they kept us together, off our phones, and laughing each night, which is a win in my book.
My kids got more independence — and I got peace
Since the resort felt like a bit of a secure bubble, I was comfortable allowing my teens to be extra independent and hang out without my husband and me.
They loved choosing how to spend their day, and we avoided the usual family debates over whether to go to the beach or one of the property’s pools by splitting up.
The all-inclusive’s lazy river, waterslides, and multiple swimming areas kept my boys entertained for hours. They also met a bunch of other teens to hang out with.
As long as our kids were on the property, I didn’t feel worried about where they were or what they were spending.
They could roam safely and grab a virgin piña colada at the swim-up bar … and I never received texts requesting money because everything was already paid for.
The food was a nice surprise
I had braced myself for soggy salads and buffets with gelatinous sauces, but was pleasantly surprised by the food options at our resort, which ranged from formal sit-down restaurants to international buffets.
Most of our meals weren’t exactly fine dining, but they didn’t have to be. I wanted local flavor, and the Jamaican buffet delivered with curried goat and grilled jackfruit. My kids were also more adventurous eaters than usual since they could try a few bites without committing to an entire plate.
Breakfast was easy, too. Teenagers notoriously sleep late, so my husband and I would bring plates of waffles and bacon back to the room, thus eliminating any stress about missing breakfast.
All-inclusive resorts can be great for families and groups, and we’d definitely stay at one again
Honestly, my biggest complaint is that I wish my family had gone to an all-inclusive sooner.
These types of resorts commonly offer reduced rates for children (usually under 12 or 13) and some even allow kids below a certain age to stay for free.
Our nightly rate was $724 for one room with two queen beds. If my kids had been younger, it would’ve been about $571 a night. Still, our stay was well worth the price we paid.
If you’re a family with ravenous teenagers or picky toddlers, a large all-inclusive resort can be surprisingly relaxing, with built-in value, easy food options, and just enough structure to make everyone happy.
All-inclusives are also ideal for taking small risks, whether it’s trying curried goat for the first time or hopping on a Hobie Cat when you’ve never sailed before.
After all, you may as well get your money’s worth.
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