Gone are the days when an all-inclusive holiday meant a sub-standard resort and rubbery buffet food. Up market all-inclusive holidays are the new trend in travel with lavish comforts, delicious cuisine and stunning locations. However, you may be wondering how different they can be to the old ones. Well, as you will see, very…
Moving from Butlins to Bali, the destinations in which all-inclusive holidays are offered are simply the tip of the iceberg in terms of differences. According to research by firm GfK, the UK market for this kind of holiday has grown 32% in the past 5 years, with the premium all-inclusive sector growing at twice the rate of the ordinary holiday option, pushing luxury resorts to increase the true value and range of their offerings. Some far flung destinations, like St Lucia, include delectable food in sumptuous comfort, further distancing the words 'all inclusive' from previous connotations such as cheap and tacky. Quality and value is no longer a necessary trade-off, as the best of both worlds can now be enjoyed.
The food included at these luxury healthy holiday resorts is a world away from the stone-like boiled eggs and chewy streaky bacon that you might initially expect. Nowadays at all-inclusive resorts, you're more likely to discover the numerous benefits of a delicious and healthy wheatgrass shot, green smoothie and a yoga class. A variety of daily menus, cooked by world-class chefs, are not dissimilar from those discovered by venturing to an excellent restaurant, giving you an easy choice of where to go for a guaranteed mouth-watering meal. A rise in gastronomic expectations by the ever-changing consumer has led to this remarkable evolution of fine dining to merge with the all-inclusive holiday.
The discrepancies don't stop there; how we define all-inclusive has begun to develop into something completely unique. Lounging on the beach is not considered by most to be a necessity nowadays, with an increasing trend towards an active and healthy holiday including a variety of health and fitness classes and/or spa treatments. Not only is food and accommodation included but also the state-of-the-art facilities, along with expert practitioners, which allow the guests to explore a whole new world of treatments, exercises and activities; all at no extra cost! Striking a balance between relaxation and rejuvenation, the numerous activities and pampering allow you to truly escape from the strains of daily life. This is just another example of the increasing value and distinctiveness of a modern luxury all-inclusive holidays, a far cry from classic and dated perceptions.
So, now you've heard about the new kind of all-inclusive, you may be wondering where do they actually exist. Ranging from Thailand to Antigua, here are our top five luxury all-inclusive holidays; combine the sophistication of an amazing resort with great all-inclusive value:
