We all know why clients choose all-inclusive holidays. Yes, it’s convenient. And yes, it helps them budget clearly before they go. But most of all, they choose all-inclusives because they offer great value for money.
As holidaymakers become increasingly aware of this, the popularity of all-inclusive holidays grows. Exclusive research carried out by market research company TNS for Travel Weekly shows that 23% of Britons intend to go all-inclusive on their main holiday this year.
But which of the mammoth spread of hotels offer the very best value for money? We asked a range of operators to nominate where they feel clients will get the best value.
Jebel Ali Hotel, Dubai
Andrea Loddo, Hayes & Jarvis’s lead regional product manager, recommends the four-star-plus Jebel Ali in Dubai.
“Of all of the all-inclusives we feature, Jebel Ali Hotel in Dubai stands out,” she says.
“In a country where alcohol is very expensive and the exchange rate doesn’t help UK travellers, this all-inclusive beachfront resort is a great option for holidaymakers who want to know where they stand before they travel. It won’t be as affordable as resorts in the Caribbean or Egypt but it certainly is great value.”
Sample product: Hayes & Jarvis offers seven nights for £1,499, including Emirates flights from Gatwick on June 8. 0871 200 2211, hayesandjarvis.co.uk/agents
Lily Beach Resort & Spa, Maldives
Beth Alcorn, Emirates Tours’ UK product and marketing manager, recommends Lily Beach Resort & Spa. “The resort’s ‘platinum plan’ brings a whole new meaning to the term all-inclusive,” she says.
“It includes food and soft drinks as per regular plans, but goes the extra mile by also covering the cost of unlimited alcoholic beverages including champagnes and cocktails, the use of snorkelling equipment, free minibar access, one activity per day, complimentary internet access and much more.”
Sample product: Emirates Tours offers seven nights in a beach villa, sea-plane transfers and Emirates flights from £2,085. Price valid for travel between May 1 and July 15. 0844 800 1400, emiratestours.co.uk
Aquis Agios Gordios, Corfu
Liz Garfield, national sales manager at Youhotels.com, thinks the Aquis Agios Gordios offers brilliant value for money, with a week at the hotel usually coming in at between £50 and £100 cheaper than nearby properties of a comparable standard.
She says: “All of the Aquis properties represent great value for money and have a wide range of facilities included in the price such as an on-site sushi bar and fitness centre.
“However the Aquis Agios Gordios in Corfu is adult-only, making it a haven for couples looking to get away from it all, plus its great cliff-top position offers stunning views and sunsets.”
Sample product: Youhotels.com offers seven nights at the Aquis Agios in May starting at £272. 0871 426 1681, youhotels.com
Beau Rivage, Mauritius
The majority of properties in the Indian Ocean offer all-inclusive options, but there are some that include more than others. Gold Medal’s Deborah Norris recommends the Beau Rivage Ile Maurice for those added extras.
The Pure Discovery Experience has a minimum five-night stay, but guests receive a cookery class and lunch with the chef, a massage, a facial, a full day excursion to Ile des Deux Cocos with a barbecue lunch, wine and drinks, a catamaran trip, and a signature dinner with wine at the L’Indochine restaurant, where French haute cuisine is fused with Asian influences.
Sample product: Gold Medal offers seven nights for £1,899 on the Pure Discovery package, including Emirates flights from Gatwick and transfers, valid for departures between June 1-10. Book by February 28. 0844 493 4444, goldmedal.co.uk
Sensatori Resort, Mexico
Robert Ansell, product executive at Thomson and First Choice, suggests this flagship Sensatori resort. “All-inclusive packages in Mexico are excellent value for money.
What really makes this property stand out from the rest is the dining, with six restaurants to choose from. There’s the Spoon buffet, Tapaz for seafood, Zocalo for Mexican, Siena for Italian, Zavaz for Caribbean and Le Chique.
Another big selling point are the luxurious rooms, which all have rainfall showers, an indoor Jacuzzi, flatscreen TV, iPod docking stations, DVD players, minibar restocked daily and 24-hour room service.”
Sample product: Thomson offers seven nights from £1,064, including flights from Gatwick and resort transfers. 0871 231 3234, thomson.co.uk
Baraza Resort & Spa, Zanzibar
Zanzibar is being hailed as an up-and-coming destination for 2011, and with its dazzling beaches and luxurious hotels it’s easy to see why.
Virgin Holidays product manager Nikki Mortimer recommends the five-star Baraza Resort & Spa. “It’s one of the most exclusive hotels on the island,” she says.
“With just 30 one and two-bedroom villas, the resort offers an intimate atmosphere in a beautiful location. It is quite rare for a hotel of this exceptionally high standard to offer an all-inclusive board basis, and comes as a welcome relief and alternative to the usual ‘all you can eat buffets’ and wristbands. For families sharing a two-bed villa or couples and friends travelling together, the resort is excellent value for money.”
Sample product: Virgin Holidays offers six nights from £2,912, including flights from Heathrow to Nairobi with Virgin Atlantic and from Nairobi to Zanzibar with Kenya Airways, and transfers, departing June 16. 0844 557 4011, vhols4agents.com
Hotel Bahia Principe, Tenerife
Cosmos product and commercial manager Jody Clapham says: “This four-star property really offers great value. It’s as competitively priced as a three-star on the island.
“It’s also a good bonus to book with a chain hotel as your customers will know exactly what to expect in terms of quality and amenities.”
Most of the hotel’s 220 rooms have lovely views of the Atlantic, and all-inclusive clients can dine free three times a week in the two themed restaurants – one Mexican, one Asian – giving them a choice beyond the buffet.
In addition to the hotel’s own facilities, guests also have access to nearby sister property Bahia Principe Costa Adeje, which has a spa and fitness centre.
Sample product: Cosmos offers seven nights from £529, departing from Luton on May 9. 0871 423 8518, cosmos-holidays.co.uk
