Of course, every business has to have its limits, but some things that all-inclusive resorts leave off the list are unexpected.
With cleverly constructed websites that hide all the information that makes potential guests want to click off, this is the realization that many people don’t have until they reach their destination. At that point, guests are stranded with half of their budget already expended.
The exclusion of optional luxuries is more annoying than anything. A few extra bucks won’t bankrupt anyone. However, unknown information about expensive food, transportation, and lodging can derail a trip if travelers aren’t prepared to pay up.
To avoid returning home with empty pockets, check out this list of 20 surprising things that will increase your all-inclusive resort bill.
20 Tipping staff
No matter how many fees a resort tacks on, there’s no guarantee that tips are included unless that information is stated. Ending up in an awkward standstill with an employee who’s expecting something more is a definite possibility. Workers outside of the resort also require tips.
19 Hidden Resort Fees
These fees are so sneaky, and arguably unethical, that courts are working to have them outlawed according to USA Today. In the meantime, keep a watchful eye on the price when paying online. At the final confirmation screen, the prices can rocket up right before you pay.
18 Water sports equipment
Swearing off water sports won’t save guests from the extra costs involved with our favorite underwater activities. Fees associated with non-motorized sports like snorkeling and paddleboarding aren’t quite as frightening, to be fair. Unless a tour is attached, it all comes down to inexpensive equipment rentals.
17 Getting into clubs
Similar to normal night clubs, the bouncer could request an entry fee at the door. Chances are that they’re not trying to scam guests out of a couple quick bucks to fund their own vacation — it’s just resort policy. Free drinks will make that unexpected cost hurt a lot less.
16 Connecting to the internet
Unfortunately for dedicated netizens, 2019 isn’t the year in which Wi-Fi will be declared a basic hotel amenity. Paying per minute will make bills soar. Packages purchased before the trip do less damage. For those who can’t get behind the idea of either, some resorts do include Wi-Fi.
15 Beach necessities
Beach blankets, pool toys, and standard sandcastle building tools are available at most big resorts but not all. It’s best to call in before packing any suitcases if these items sound important. Otherwise, these things will simply take up space while leaving others behind could really cost you.
14 Parking your car
Valet service is a luxury expected to add up due to labor costs and tipping. But at some all-inclusive resorts, doing the job yourself will only knock a couple of bucks off that fee. The decision between valet and self-parking comes down to a need for convenience.
13 Reaching locations of included activities
Certain resort packages include outings, tours, and activities at sister resorts, but guests may be held responsible for figuring out how to reach them. Depending on the sophistication of the transportation infrastructure in any given destination, this can be a small task or a dilemma that discourages exploration.
12 Airport shuttles
The journey doesn’t end once you’re finally able to escape that stuffy plane. Finding transportation to your resort can cost, and your all-inclusive resort won’t necessarily be paying. Check online before arriving in the middle of nowhere to know whether you should expect to pay for an airport shuttle.
11 Guided tours through town
Guests are free to do their own exploring outside of the resort, but guided tours aren’t part of the price for most packages. Deals that include tours tend to announce that feature in the title because it’s so unique. Other resorts work in tandem with companies specializing in excursions.
10 Luxury spa treatments
Chilling in the jacuzzi usually won’t cost you a dime, but treatments that require an employee to put in work like massages, acupuncture, and facials will cost you. Other resorts include treatments with the lowest time slots offered for free with a limit of one a day per guest.
9 Visiting the golf course
A well-kept course that overlooks exotic landscapes from within resort premises is an enticing invitation for golfing guests. However, being on resort property doesn’t mean it’s included. Careful selection can weed this fee out, but the expense tends to be reasonable relative to the resort’s overall cost.
8 Childcare
Plans to sneak away for a night out in a new city are made possible by resort babysitters hired to watch the kids back at the hotel. With an hourly rate, the cost can get high. Families on a budget will do best in cheaper destinations like Mexico or Jamaica.
7 Any water sport with a motorized vehicle
Banana tubing and waterski rides aren’t part of every package. Personal motorized vehicles like jet skis incur similar charges, but that price doesn't include the licenses most destinations require to drive them in the first place. Package selection should take into account what activities are integral to your resort experience.
6 Game Room Access
For indoor days that break up busy itineraries, a resort game room can entertain families and solo travelers hoping to make some friends. An entry fee opens up things like pool tables, pinball machines, and foosball. More advanced resorts have complete arcades for guests to use.
5 Gourmet restaurants
Luxury locales slipped in among average restaurants can coax guests out of their budget ranges. This isn’t always a bad thing as splurging on a few meals during a trip is a special treat worth indulging in. The only concern is limiting these lapses to avoid excessive spending.
4 Premium menu items in regular restaurants
Gobbling up limitless plates at the resort buffet and sticking to standard restaurants is certainly cheaper than wandering into gourmet spots. However, items known to up the price outside of resorts will do the same even in paradise. Imported ingredients and lobster typically have a place on that list.
3 Bringing along a friend
Squeezing into one bed to avoid doubling hotel costs won’t work at an all-inclusive resort. Each guest must fork up the appropriate cash for their stay. Since buffet plates, included amenities, and staff service also increase with every person present, this stipulation is a logical one.
2 Airfare there and back
Depending on the starting point, airfare can cost as much as the resort itself. Flying in from far away makes resorts more appealing since they take care of much of the organization that goes into visiting a foreign country. It’s an important factor to consider when deciding on a budget.
1 High-End Drinks
Drinks are typically included at all-inclusive resorts, and the glasses will keep coming as long as you keep asking. The catch is that premium labels come with a surcharge that can add up if you don’t watch the number of glasses that end up at your table.