The rebirth of all-inclusive resorts

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This article was published 21/01/2012 (4990 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There was a time when staying at an all-inclusive sounded as appealing to me as volunteering for an unnecessary root canal.

However, savvy hoteliers have in recent years given the tired concept a much-needed facelift by introducing better food, more services and lots of amenities. And just in time for these tough economic times, too. Sound too good to be true? It isn’t.

All-inclusive have always seduced desperate travellers with the promise of a vacation at a surprisingly low price. But, even as recently as 10 years ago, what was included were insipid buffets, what-do-I-care-my-tip-is-already-covered service, poolside conga lines and rooms outfitted with sagging mattresses and furnishings procured circa 1985 (think floral bedspreads and matching curtains).

Keeping our suspicions in check, a friend and I booked a last-minute getaway to Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, where we would spend a long weekend away from the kids and husbands, the thought of mortgage payments and the stress of our demanding jobs.

Neither one of us had ever stayed at an all-inclusive but the idea of not having to find a spot for lunch or dinner every day, of having a beach butler serve us as many pina coladas as our hearts desired, and of knowing that everything was covered upon arrival certainly appealed to us.

Check-in at Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort took place at a comfortable sofa while we sipped a cocktail and refreshed our hands with a chilled towel.

Nary a flowered pillow in sight, our spacious suite was outfitted with an iPod docking station, flat screen TV, and simple but comfortable Balinese teak wood furniture and art. The marble bathroom featured separate glass encased shower and Jacuzzi tub. Not bad, we thought.

From our patio we gazed across the curvy swimming pool and the manicured tropical gardens to the azure water of Banderas Bay and, wasting not one second in putting our bikinis on, we headed down to the beach bar for chips and the best guacamole we’d ever had. Not bad, indeed.

We chose Frida, one of four a la carte gourmet restaurants, for our first dinner. The interior was tastefully decorated in hues of sand and auburn, with lots of candles everywhere and a striking candelabra hanging from the tall ceiling. Scripted onto one wall was a recipe lifted directly from Frida Kahlo’s journal.

The food was as colourful and exotic as one of her paintings and the barbecue duck with orange essence over grilled jicama, chipotle chili and cherry tomatoes was to die for. Clearly, all-inclusive resorts have finally realized that buffets can only go so far and that these days just about everyone considers himself a “foodie” — or at the very least can appreciate the allure of local cuisine.

We considered other hotels where good food was a focus, including Azul Beach Resort outside Cancun. The boutique hotel calls itself “Gourmet Inclusive” and features meals prepared la carte, a tequila bar and butlers that serve you on canopy beach beds.

Another one that appealed to us was Antigua’s Curtain Bluff Resort where the chef, who trained under Alain Ducasse, changes the menu nightly to reflect a variety of local flavours and specialties.

In the past, the biggest complaint with guests at all-inclusive resorts was the “hidden extras” come checkout time. You know, having to pay for that bottled water that was conveniently left on the bedside table.

But resorts like Grand Velas are finally getting it right: all-inclusive really means it’s all included. The mini-bar in our suite was stocked with all kinds of goodies that were replenished daily — free of charge, of course.

Gone with hidden fees are the insufferably bubbly activities directors who all but throw you in the pool for a water aerobics class or rouse you out of your lounge chair to play beach volleyball. Grand Velas offered plenty of things to keep guests busy: yoga and Pilates classes and workout programs with personal trainers.

And it’s not the only resort that offers activities people actually want included in the fee. Paradisus Resort in Costa Rica, for example, offers hiking, mountain biking and even a sushi-making class.

In the end, our stay at Grand Velas was exactly what we wanted: a hassle-free, chilled-out getaway where the attentive staff made us feel like we were staying at a five-star hotel.

— Postmedia News