The idea of an all-inclusive holiday may sound to some like an extravagant affair, a privilege reserved only for those with bottomless pockets and a surplus of holiday time. However, increasing competition among travel agents and a greater variety of properties have led to more affordable prices, meaning this “dream” holiday can be a reality for everyone.

An all-inclusive package makes sense on a number of levels, as highlighted in a recent article. This rings especially true when it comes to family holidays; instead of having to worry about a million different travel niggles on top of the everyday headaches of managing your beloved rugrats, why not delegate that task to the professionals? Here are 15 reasons why all-inclusive family holidays make sense.

1) STRESS FREE HOLIDAYS

The number one reason why people choose all-inclusive packages is that they want their holiday to be exactly that: a holiday. That means disengaging the brain and giving the central nervous system a rest for a change. No worrying about what to eat, what to do, where to go, or how to get there. With all-inclusive, it’s all included (the clue is in the name)… so there’s no worrying, full stop.

2) SAVE TIME AND EFFORT

As well as reducing stress levels on the holiday itself, booking an all-inclusive is an easy and quick process. This means you won’t have to spend hours shopping around the Internet for the best flights, best hotel deals and best amenities. Especially for the inexperienced traveller, it can be difficult to know where to start looking… or how good a deal that promotion really is. With all-inclusive, this is all taken care of for you.

3) UNBEATABLE VALUE

Indeed, prices have been driven down to such an extent these days that going it solo and booking everything individually may not even be cheaper after all. Furthermore, budgeting couldn’t be easier, since you won’t have to worry about extra expenses like food, drink and such, which can be difficult to gauge the cost of before you have set off (of course, checking in with your provider to learn exactly what is included in the package).

4) RELIABLE QUALITY

Another disadvantage of going it alone is that without actually seeing the place for yourself, no amount of research can guarantee that you will like where you are staying. Generally, all-inclusive resorts have been thoroughly vetted by travel agents and it’s easy to find those that have a reputation for fantastic quality.

5) OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM

The competitive nature of the all-inclusive market means that there are a wide variety of options to choose from – particularly for the family sector, where you’re looking for activities for all ages. This allows for satisfaction of all tastes and budgets, as well, meaning that you and your family will be certain to find the holiday that’s right for you.

6) ACTIVITIES

Most resorts will offer a full schedule of activities to keep you and your family occupied and some even have a plethora of amenities on site, no matter what the season. For the indecisive traveller, having options right on your doorstep makes things so much easier.

7) SIMILAR CROWD

There’s nothing worse than arriving at your destination with family in tow, only to find a gaggle of drunken backpackers making an ungainly din at all hours. When you book an all-inclusive family holiday at a reputable resort, you will have peace of mind that the vast majority of your fellow holiday-makers will be looking for a similar experience to yourself.

8) LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

All-inclusive resorts often have the prime location in town. In fact, many have private beach access, and if you choose to go it alone, you run the risk of being denied the privilege of frequenting the beach closest to you. Furthermore, transport to and from the airport or port – as well as pretty much anywhere else you would like to go – can be more easily organised when you have a hotel fleet accessible to you.

9) SAFETY FIRST

The world is a beautiful and incredible place – but it’s unfortunately not always a safe one. Because of resorts’ usually prime locations, you can generally rest assured that you will be in a safe environment. This is especially important for feeling at ease when you’re branching out to visit new countries and regions you may not know well—all-inclusives can be a great way to get your feet wet in a new place.

10) FINE DINING

The menu available at many all-inclusive resorts may surprise you in its innovation and range – gone are the days of aeroplane-standard cuisine. By their definition, buffets tend to offer a wide choice, and many places are specialising in gourmet excellence – Basque chef Martín Berasategui, holder of seven Michelin stars (more than any other Spaniard) currently has an award-winning restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Abama in Tenerife.

11) FUSSY EATERS

Kids can often be a nightmare when it comes to food – and all-inclusive family resorts are well aware of this and well-used to dealing with it. Of course, this extends to the older members of your group as well; you’ll find that many resorts are more than happy to bend over backward to meet dietary requirements, allergies or simple tastes.

12) NANNY ON DEMAND

It might sound cruel, but while on holiday, you might want some time away from your children. Indeed, they’ll probably sleep even less away from their own bed than they would in it, and chasing them around a resort for a week solid might leave you more tired than before you left. Responsible day-care services can free up your time, so it’s a holiday for you, too.

13) BRILLIANT STAFF

Employees at all-inclusive resorts are typically trained to impeccable standards, offering the best in customer service and dedicating their time and energies to making sure your stay is as pleasant as you could hope for. This type of service often just doesn’t exist elsewhere.

14) INSURANCE INCLUDED

You’ll want to check the fine print, of course, but many packages often include comprehensive insurance along with all of the other benefits. This takes a load off your mind and ensures you don’t have one other thing to fret about.

15) LIFESTYLE OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS

The luxury and extravagance of an all-inclusive resort is something that most of us are not fortunate enough to encounter in our daily lives. But such a unique and enjoyable experience deserves to be enjoyed by everyone, at least once in your life. With an all-inclusive package, you can sample the life of luxury, at an affordable price.

It can be enough work to get all the family packed up and ready to go on holiday—even finding a time you’re all able to get away can feel like an exercise in staff management rather than a restful break. So next time you’ve gone to all that effort, consider giving yourself a break afterward at a family-friendly, all-inclusive resort.

Images under Creative Commons: Beach, Buffet, Staff, Resort