As the rise of all-inclusive resorts continues, Joanna Booth checks out some great packages for clients watching the pennies – and some luxury alternatives for those who can afford to push the boat out
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Barbados
Escape at the Gap, St Lawrence
Clients can escape to this friendly 66-room three-star without breaking the bank. The location is excellent – right on the beautiful wide beach at St Lawrence Gap, and less than a five-minute walk to the many lively bars and restaurants in The Gap, the island’s main nightlife area.
The Seascape restaurant overlooks the beach and serves tasty à la carte food, while the main building has an open-air restaurant and bar serving buffets with a wide range of cuisine. There is also a kids’ club, so parents can drop the children off before sunbathing or trying the free water sports.
Sample package: Virgin Holidays offers seven nights from £1,045, including flights from Gatwick and transfers, departing June 7.
Book it:vhols4agents.com, 0844 557 4011
Cyprus
Makronissos Village Club, Ayia Napa
This is a great low-budget option for young families. There’s plenty of room around the pool and gardens for children to play, and the kids’ club, for four to 12-year-olds, is particularly good.
There’s a separate pool for kids, a play area, early meal times and highchairs. The entertainment programme keeps adults happy too, with aqua-aerobics and water polo, cabaret nights and quizzes. The beach and waterpark are a five-minute walk away.
Sample package: Olympic Holidays offers seven nights for £445 in July when four share a one-bedroom apartment, including flights from Glasgow.
Book it:olympicholidays.com, 0800 093 3322
Egypt
Ghazala Gardens, Sharm el-Sheikh
Only a five-minute walk from the centre of Na’ama Bay, this 280-room four-star is a great option for those who want proximity to the nightlife together with a good-value, all-inclusive service.
The private beach of sister property Ghazala Beach is only 300 metres away, with its own all-inclusive bar, and guests are provided with complimentary beach towels and a beach bag.
There are five restaurants, including buffet options and popular Brazilian and Italian choices, plus a cocktail bar and nightclub. Families will appreciate the children’s pool, kids’ club, playground and mini-disco.
Sample package: Red Sea Holidays offers seven nights from £459 including flights from Gatwick, departing April 29.
Book it:redseaholidays.co.uk, 0845 072 2477
Jamaica
Royal Decameron Club Caribbean, Runaway Bay
Most of the 180 rooms at this three-star located an hour’s drive from Montego Bay are in cottages, which are spread throughout the property’s gardens, and some have direct access to the 300-metre private beach.
Unlimited drinks for 12 hours a day, plus dining at all three restaurants is included in the plan, plus entertainment and a plethora of sports and leisure activities including pedaloes, snorkelling and wind-surfing. There’s an adult-only pool and a nightly disco for grown-ups, and a kid’s club and family pool for the little ones.
Sample package: Airtours offers seven nights from £907 including flights from Gatwick, departing May 22.
Book it:thomascookworld.com, 0870 230 2399
Mexico
Viva Wyndham Maya, Playa del Carmen
Four-star Viva Wyndham Maya is a long-established best-seller for Hayes & Jarvis due to the great value it offers. Guests can choose from a wide range of watersports including sailing, fishing, windsurfing, diving and snorkelling.
There’s entertainment every night, ranging from theme nights to live performances and dancing. Its 480 rooms are recently renovated, and there are seven restaurants.
Sitting right on the beachfront, it’s within the Playacar complex, which is more upmarket but still close to the resort facilities of Playa del Carmen.
Sample package: Hayes & Jarvis offers seven nights for £895 including BA flights from Gatwick, departing June 18.
Book it: hayesandjarvis.com, 0871 200 2211
Spain
Hotel Sol Pelicanos Ocas, Benidorm
Recognise this Sol Meliá property from somewhere? Much of the TV comedy series Benidorm is filmed at Hotel Sol Pelicanos Ocas, and while you can’t promise clients entertainment from the likes of Mike, Janice and Madge, they will enjoy the theme nights, evening shows and daytime activities including table tennis, mini-golf, pool games and keep fit.
There are five swimming pools, or guests can walk just 300 metres to the golden sands of Levante beach. Kids can attend the Flintstones Land kids’ clubs, and there’s a playground and children’s climbing wall as well as dedicated pools.
Sample price: Jet2holidays.com offers seven nights from £439, including flights and transfers.
Book it:jet2holidays.com, 0800 408 5599
Turkey
Club Viva, Marmaris
On the edge of Marmaris, within easy reach of the lively resort’s nightlife, cheerful three-star Club Viva is set in well-tended gardens – the sacrifice you make is you’re not near the beach.
However, the family facilities, with a small water slide, a children’s pool, outdoor play area and a kids’ club, are good. There’s a lively atmosphere, with free-flowing drinks, and special Turkish nights. The food is rather basic, but the low price means there’s no need to have every meal at the hotel.
Sample package: Cosmos offers seven nights from £250 including flights from Gatwick.
Book it:cosmos-holidays.co.uk, 0871 423 8518