Turkish Riviera
Antalya, Belek, Side, Kemer and Alanya offer a large selection of resorts with extensive dining, pools, entertainment and family facilities. Transfer times and the surrounding area vary considerably from one resort to another.
All-inclusive holidays: compare destinations, hotels and included services properly
All-inclusive holidays can make travel planning easier by allowing many everyday holiday costs to be considered before departure. However, the exact range of services is not standardised. Meals, drinks, snacks, sports, children’s facilities and beach services can vary considerably between hotels and rates. This guide helps you compare destinations and offers according to what really matters for your stay.
On early-booker.com, you can compare suitable all-inclusive hotels, check current availability for your travel dates and review the specific services and booking conditions that apply to each offer before you book.
What does all-inclusive mean?
With an all-inclusive rate, several meals and selected drinks are usually included in the price. Depending on the hotel, snacks and certain leisure activities may also be included. There is no single worldwide definition, however, and two hotels in the same resort can offer very different benefits under the same all-inclusive label.
For that reason, the rate description is more important than the label itself. Before booking, review the restaurants, drinks selection, service times, children’s facilities, sports activities and any possible supplements that apply to your exact dates.
Check the services, not just the labelAll-inclusive, All-inclusive Plus and Ultra All-inclusive are not defined in exactly the same way everywhere.
Consider the complete tripCompare flights, baggage, transfers, room type, meals and local charges together rather than separately.
Choose the right hotel styleFamily resorts, adults-only hotels and quieter properties are designed for very different types of stay.
Check service timesIncluded services may be restricted to specific bars, restaurants, times of day or products.
What is often included — and what may cost extra
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are often offered buffet-style. Speciality restaurants may require advance reservations or an additional charge.
Drinks
Selected local soft drinks and alcoholic drinks are often included. Premium brands, fresh juices, bottled wine or drinks after certain hours may cost extra.
Snacks
Depending on the hotel, ice cream, pastries or light meals may be available between main meal periods. The range, location and serving times vary widely.
Sports and entertainment
Entertainment programmes, fitness facilities and selected sports may be included. Motorised water sports, lessons or equipment hire are often charged separately.
Children’s facilities
Kids’ clubs, playgrounds and children’s pools may be available. Check age groups, operating hours, language and whether supervision is included.
Beach and wellness
Pool loungers may be included while beach loungers, spa treatments or premium wellness facilities may not be. Towel deposits or card systems may also apply.
Popular all-inclusive destinations
A good all-inclusive destination should match your travel period, preferred flight time, hotel style and the activities you want outside the resort. The destinations below are intentionally retained from the original selection because they cover a broad range of established all-inclusive holiday regions with very different climates, beaches, transfers and resort experiences.
Egypt
Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, Marsa Alam and Sharm el-Sheikh are strongly focused on resort holidays. Many hotels are located directly by the sea, but swimming access may be from a sandy beach, jetty or house reef.
Mallorca
Mallorca combines a large hotel selection with beaches, resorts and a wide range of excursions. All-inclusive can be especially practical when you plan to spend a significant amount of time at the hotel, while a more flexible meal plan may suit travellers staying in lively resort towns.
Canary Islands
Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote offer many all-inclusive properties and are particularly popular for winter travel. Climate, wind and beach conditions vary significantly between islands and even between different parts of the same island.
Crete
Crete offers family-oriented resorts, smaller hotels and a wide range of sightseeing opportunities. Because the island is large, the arrival airport, hotel region and transfer time should be considered together.
Rhodes and Kos
Both Greek islands have established resort areas and a strong selection of all-inclusive hotels. Coastal exposure, wind and beach material often have a greater effect on the swimming experience than the island name itself.
Cyprus
Cyprus combines a long warm season with beach resorts, coves and historic attractions. Paphos, Larnaca and the southeast differ considerably in beaches, nightlife and hotel choice.
Tunisia
Hammamet, Djerba, Sousse and other coastal resorts offer many all-inclusive hotels and long beach areas. The range of services and attractions outside the hotel varies significantly by location.
Morocco
Agadir and other coastal regions combine resort hotels with markets, culture and excursions. Atlantic water can be cooler and more exposed to waves than many Mediterranean destinations.
Bulgarian Black Sea Coast
Sunny Beach, Golden Sands and smaller coastal resorts offer many hotels with extensive meal plans during the summer season. The atmosphere ranges from lively nightlife areas to more family-oriented locations.
Croatia
All-inclusive is less widespread than in traditional resort regions, but it is available in Istria, Dalmatia and on selected islands. Many bathing areas consist of pebbles, rocks or purpose-built platforms rather than soft sand.
Caribbean and Dominican Republic
Large beachfront resorts often combine accommodation, meals and leisure facilities in one package-style stay. Because the journey is longer, the length of stay, season, transfer arrangements and travel insurance deserve particular attention.
Which type of all-inclusive holiday suits you?
Families with children
Short walking distances, suitable room occupancy, children’s pools, convenient meal times, shade and age-appropriate activities are particularly important.
Couples and adults-only stays
Quiet pool areas, good dining and a more relaxed atmosphere may matter more than having the largest possible range of organised activities.
Active travellers
Check which sports are genuinely included and whether excursions and local attractions can be reached without excessive time or additional expense.
Resort-focused holidays
Large properties can offer many facilities but may be far from the nearest town. Review the location and resort layout before booking.
Winter sun
The Canary Islands and Egypt are established choices. Check heated pools, wind protection and which outdoor facilities remain open during your travel period.
Value-conscious travellers
A low headline price is meaningful only when baggage, transfers, drinks, room type and likely extra charges are included in the comparison.
Breakfast, half board, full board and all-inclusive compared
| Meal plan | Typical inclusions | Often suitable for | Check before booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Breakfast included; other meals arranged independently | City stays, touring holidays and travellers who spend most of the day away from the hotel | Nearby restaurants and likely meal costs |
| Half board | Usually breakfast and dinner | Day trips and flexible daytime planning | Drinks, choice of second meal and serving times |
| Full board | Breakfast, lunch and dinner | Stays where you expect to spend a significant amount of time at the hotel | Whether drinks and snacks are included |
| All-inclusive | Main meals plus selected drinks and often snacks | Families, resorts and travellers who prefer more predictable food and drink costs | Brands, service times, bars, restaurants and excluded services |
| All-inclusive Plus or Ultra | May include a wider drinks selection, longer service hours or additional benefits | Travellers looking for a broader range of services and greater flexibility | There is no standard definition; the individual rate description is what matters |
All-inclusive with children: what families should check
- Room size and permitted occupancy for all children
- Kids’ clubs, age groups, opening times and language
- Shallow pool areas and safe routes around the resort
- Suitable food, high chairs and family-friendly meal times
- Drinks and snacks available between main meals
- Distances between room, restaurant, pool and beach
- Transfer time after arrival
- Access to a doctor, pharmacy and medical care
Important: “Family-friendly” is not a binding service category. Check every facility you need individually and confirm whether childcare, water slides or children’s areas are operating during your exact travel dates.
When does all-inclusive make sense — and when might another option be better?
Often a good fit
When you plan to spend a lot of time at the resort, travel with children, choose a more isolated property or want to estimate meal costs in advance.
Compare carefully
When you expect to take frequent day trips, have specific dietary requirements or mainly use the hotel as a place to sleep.
A more flexible alternative
In cities and lively resorts with a wide choice of restaurants, breakfast-only or half-board can offer more variety and independence.
Booking all-inclusive: four essential checks
1
Choose the destination
Compare climate, journey time, transfer, beach conditions and what you want to do outside the hotel.
2
Choose the hotel style
Decide deliberately between a family resort, adults-only property, quieter hotel or large activity-focused resort.
3
Read the rate details in full
Check meals, drinks, snacks, restaurants, service times, sports and children’s facilities.
4
Review the total price
Include flights, baggage, transfers, room type, insurance and mandatory local charges.
What to check before payment
- Travel dates, passenger names and required travel documents
- Room category, bed configuration and complete occupancy
- Exact all-inclusive services for the selected rate
- Flight times, checked baggage and any seat-related services
- Transfer between airport and hotel
- Payment schedule and cancellation or amendment rules
- Local taxes, charges or resort fees
- Entry requirements, health information and current travel advice
Frequently asked questions about all-inclusive holidays
What is normally included with all-inclusive?
Breakfast, lunch and dinner together with selected local drinks are often included. Snacks, sports and entertainment may also be available. The exact range is determined by the individual hotel and rate and should always be checked in the offer description.
Are all drinks included with all-inclusive?
Usually not. Only certain drinks, brands, bars and service times may be included. Imported spirits, bottled wine, fresh juices, room service or drinks in speciality restaurants may require additional payment.
What is the difference between all-inclusive and Ultra All-inclusive?
Ultra or Plus may mean longer service hours, a wider drinks selection or additional restaurants and services. Because these terms are not standardised, the specific inclusions of each rate must be compared directly.
Can all-inclusive be good value for families?
It can be, particularly where meals, drinks and snacks would otherwise create substantial additional costs. The overall value depends on the total price, child pricing, room occupancy and the services actually included. Compare the complete cost with other meal-plan options.
Are excursions and airport transfers included?
Excursions are generally separate services. Airport transfers may be included in some package-style arrangements but are often not included in a hotel-only booking. The booking summary should confirm both items explicitly.
Is all-inclusive available in adults-only hotels?
Yes. Many hotels are designed exclusively or primarily for adults. Check the minimum age, general atmosphere, entertainment programme and whether quieter areas are genuinely available.
How do I find a good all-inclusive hotel?
Do not rely on the overall guest rating alone. Review recent comments about food, cleanliness, rooms, service, beach, pools and the type of guests staying there. Also check the location, hotel size, refurbishment status and the exact rate conditions.
When can all-inclusive holidays be less expensive?
Demand can be lower outside school holidays, public holidays and the destination’s peak season. When comparing lower-demand periods, also consider weather, sea temperature, seasonal opening times and flight availability.
Compare all-inclusive hotels for your next trip
Choose your destination and travel dates, then compare the full range of included services, room options, location, guest reviews, total price and current availability. This helps you identify the offer that genuinely fits your trip rather than simply the one with the lowest headline price.