Joanna Booth matches clients with their perfect all-inclusive holiday
Choosing an all-inclusive package is a great way to cap your holiday spending before you depart. It’s long been popular with families looking for good value summer holidays, but you’re not limited to a boozy beach break – we’ve showcased the huge range of all-inclusive breaks on offer.
For 007 dreamers
The Estate House at Mount Hartman Bay in Grenada is an all-inclusive property that caters to anyone who dreams of being an international playboy.
It’s got a private helipad, a 43ft motor cruiser, a jet boat for wake-boarding and waterskiing, two underwater sea scooters, Shogun 4×4 jeeps and even a Bladerunner 51 superfast power yacht.
There’s room for 16 guests in eight double bedrooms, one built into a folly rising out of the swimming pool. This features an all-glass bathroom and a glass staircase, and an indoor waterfall that cascades from the bathroom down to the pool below.
Sample product: Seven nights in January 2009 costs from £5,340 with Worldwide Dream Villas.
Book it: 0845 026 09758 | agent site: worldwidedreamvillas.com
For sulky teenagers
Before they get chance to stomp off and slam the bedroom door, shouting that your holiday choice is ‘boring’, make sure your teens know what’s in store for them at Beaches Turks and Caicos.
Launching this January, the expanding teen programme includes a DJ academy, an Xbox games garage, a youth spa with specially designed treatments such as facials for troubled skin and pedicures to soothe tired feet – which they’ll suffer from after nights spent dancing in Liquid, a new under-21s nightclub.
During the day this transforms into a lounge with internet access, pool, table football and basketball.
Sample product: Beaches is offering seven nights for £1,729 on bookings made before February 15 2009.
Book it: 0800 742 7428 | agent site: sandals.com/tas/
For adventurers
The Atacama Desert in Chile is the driest desert on earth, with landscapes including geysers, mud pools and salt lakes.
The stunning boutique Tierra Atacama Hotel was designed to reflect local culture and architecture and has an amazing view across the desert. Guests can enjoy an outdoor rainforest shower, relax in the spa and sample exceptional Chilean cuisine.
Sample product: As part of Travel 2 ’s four-day package (from £649 excluding flights), you’ll be guided through the desert, discover volcanoes and cycle, trek and climb.
Book it: 0800 0224 182 | agent site: Travel 2
For self improvement
Active types should head to Legends Mauritius. The Pure Discovering Experience package won’t leave much time for lounging by the pool if you take advantage of all the courses on offer.
You can learn to cook, attend yoga or t’ai chi classes, be tutored in tennis or golf or learn more about the island by venturing out on excursions – these include a catamaran ride, a trip to the nearby Ile Des Deux Cocos and a visit to a textile factory.
After all that, you’ll be relieved that the massage treatments are included in the price.
Sample product:Gold Medal offers seven nights from £1,659 departing May 1 to June 30 2009.
Book it: 0844 493 44448
For history buffs
Discover Egypt’s new all-inclusive Nile Cruises allow you to see all the country’s sights on a set budget.
You’ll see the Valley of the Kings and the Temples of Karnak and Luxor, Abu Simbel, the Aswan Dam, Esna, Edfu and the Colossi of Memnon.
All meals, drinks and excursions are included on the Viking III ship.
Sample product: A one-week cruise in January 2009 starts from £649.
Book it: 0844 880 04628
For wilderness lovers
If you love the great outdoors, head to the coast of British Columbia in Canada and the tiny Discovery Islands in the gloomily titled Desolation Sound.
The five-star Sonora Resort should put a smile on your face, however. Each striking lodge is different, but you won’t spend long inside – there’s too much else to do.
Hiking, kayaking, tours by boat, helicopter and all-terrain vehicle, fly fishing, golf and even searching for the elusive grizzly bear should keep you pretty busy.
Sample product: Travel 2 offers five nights at the Sonora Resort from £1,278, excluding flights.
Book it: 0800 0224 1828
For kids
Enchant the children by taking them to the Royal Dragon Hotel in Side, Turkey.
This Antalyan resort has a full fairground and aqua park on site, with nine water slides, a wave pool, a merry-go-round, a carousel, and a trampoline.
As if that’s not enough, there’s also bowling, tennis lessons and a cinema and theatre too – not to mention plenty of sun, sea and sand.
Sample product:Cadogan offers a seven-night, ultra all-inclusive package from £831 per person.
Book it: 0845 615 43908 | agent site: Cadogan
For safari seekers
Known as the game lodge at the end of the world, &Beyond’s Ngorongoro Crater Lodge in Tanzania offers luxury African escapism.
On the highland eastern arm of the Rift Valley, the conservation area around the vast crater is well known for its diversity of landscapes and wildlife.
As well as spotting the big five on a game drive you can see Masai herdsmen and their cattle, and view the remains of some of mankind’s earliest ancestors.
Sample product: Three nights in March costs from £1,395 with Exsus, excluding flights.
Book it: 020 7292 50608
