Unless you’ve been hibernating for the past year, you can’t have failed to notice that all-inclusive resorts are all the rage, particularly for the family market.
As a result, more all-inclusive properties than ever before are being featured in operators’ programmes for summer 2010, and with all the competition around, established all-inclusive properties are upping their game.
Four and five-star all-inclusives are now better value than ever. So where does that put those in the three-star category?
Although some clients are upgrading to higher categories, the extra demand for all-inclusives this year means three-star options will still have a good season.
Olympic Holidays commercial director Photis Lambrianides says: “All-inclusives make good financial sense and will continue to do well in the present economic climate.
“This is likely to be the case in Turkey, with people becoming more aware of the excellent value on offer. Well under £400 will buy a week in a three-star all-inclusive.”
The eastern Med specialist has boosted its selection of three-star all-inclusives in Turkey, with new additions in Gumbet, Marmaris, Ovacik Hisaronu, Olu Deniz and Side, which is featured for the first time.
Turkish three-star all-inclusives new to Olympic Holidays include the Riviera Guler Resort in Gumbet, Club Armor and Noa Hotels’ Nergis Select Hotel in Marmaris, and Club Sun City in Olu Deniz.
Hayes and Jarvis commercial director Niel Alobaidi says: “There are some excellent value three-star properties, providing a sensible budget option for cash-strapped families.”
Cosmos product manager Jody Clapham says: “We are definitely not seeing a decline in demand for three-star all-inclusive. On the contrary, we’ve just put another unit on sale, the Ola Club Panama in Palma Nova, Majorca.
“In the current climate the three-star properties will cater for those looking for the more affordable option, especially those who still prefer the western Mediterranean destinations such as Spain and its islands.”
Here’s a selection of great value three-star options to suggest to clients.
Almond Beach Village, Barbados
Thomson Tailormade recommends this family favourite, which has daily activities for kids aged up to 15, and a free nursery. There’s also a child-free section of the resort with three pools and an adult-only restaurant. Facilities include a golf course, spa, watersports and a cooking school.
Katie Parson, Caribbean product manager, says: “If you’re looking for a friendly Barbados resort with plenty to offer, from fabulous restaurants to a range of sports, then this is the hotel for you.
“The property is set within 32 acres of colourful tropical gardens and with the longest beach frontage of any hotel in Barbados.”
Prices start at £1,599 per adult and £949 per child for seven nights in July, including flights. thomsonworldwide.com, 0871 664 0273
Biyadhoo, South Male Atoll, Maldives
This recommendation from Hayes and Jarvis makes the grade because it offers excellent value in one of tourism’s most sought-after regions.
Indian Ocean product and contracts manager Glenn McCool says: “People think the Maldives is all about five-star luxury, but there is excellent value all-inclusive accommodation on the islands and this is what increasing numbers of our customers are looking for. Biyadhoo is simple and quiet but there are plenty of watersports and diving options.”
Seven nights cost £999 per person, including flights, in May. hayesandjarvis.com, 0871 664 0246
Papillon Lagoon Reef, Kenya
Hayes and Jarvis Africa product and contracts manager Beverley Pridmore says this is the best-priced all-inclusive in Mombasa.
“When it comes to sheer value, we have no hesitation in recommending the Papillon Lagoon Reef,” she says.
“It has so many benefits: good-sized rooms, traditional Swahili-style decor, a location on Diani Beach, arguably Kenya’s best beach, and great all-inclusive value. It is definitely family-friendly.”
Seven nights cost £899 per person, including flights, in April. hayesandjarvis.com, 0871 664 0246
Hotel Jupiter and Saturno, Alcudia, Majorca
This is Cosmos’s top-selling all-inclusive property.
Product manager Jody Clapham says: “Guests return year after year as it offers everything for the family all-inclusive holiday.
“It has a kids’ village with playground, mini-club, mini-train, circus events, entertainment zone and mini-disco. There’s also an ice-cream bar, three kids’ pools, two lakes and a leisure river.”
For adults, the resort offers a wellness activity programme, including t’ai chi, aqua fitness, jogging circuits, trampolines, body fitness, massage, breathing techniques and Pilates.
Seven nights cost £369 per adult and £229 per child, in October, including flights. cosmos-holidays.co.uk, 0871 423 8518
Jolly Beach Resort, Antigua
This popular all-inclusive is offering free nights for clients who book stays of more than 21 days. For every seven nights booked, two are free, in an exclusive deal offered through Thomas Cook.
Kelly Jones, Thomas Cook Signature’s Caribbean product manager, says: “The Jolly Beach is one of our best-selling properties, offering superb value in a great location, with a fantastic beach and excellent facilities.
“With the exchange rate making dollar-based destinations an attractive option for long-stay clients, we were keen to offer a Caribbean property with a long-stay incentive, and the Jolly Beach is an ideal option for this with its all-round appeal, great choice of restaurants and facilities and activities.”
Prices start from £1,999 per person for 21 nights (pay for 15, get six free) including flights and transfers, in April and July. thomascookgroupagent.com, 0844 871 6650
Bay Hotel and Fistral Spa, Cornwall
With growing demand for domestic holidays, more options in the UK are being offered on an all-inclusive basis.
The Bay Hotel, near Newquay, is officially a three-star property, but its luxurious spa is the premier one in the area, with facilities to rival some of the most luxurious hotels in the world.
It is offering all-inclusive spa holidays, as well as all-inclusive weekend yoga breaks, throughout 2010, where guests get a champagne reception on arrival. Yoga clients are entitled to 10% off treatments at the Fistral Spa.
Prices start at £260 per person in April, including two nights in a sea-view room and four 90-minute yoga sessions. newquay-hotels.co.uk, 01637 852221
Sonesta Club, Sharm el-Sheikh
This may be a three-star property, but service levels are on a par with four-star hotels in the area, according to Thomas Cook product manager Mark Littlefair.
The operator is offering free child prices on selected departures at this resort, built in the traditional Nubian style just over a mile from Naama Bay.
The hotel has a private beach, five pools, three waterslides, and a choice of restaurants and bars.
Seven nights cost £709 per adult and £365 per child, including flights, in May. thomascookworld.com, 0871 230 2399
