We’ve been to 16 All-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana as of the writing of this post, and it’s easy to forget not everyone is as familiar as us with the concept of an all-inclusive hotel.
We get many questions about what’s included and what’s not, so we wrote this post to help you better understand the all-inclusive concept and plan your Punta Cana vacation.
Let’s start with the basics; since the food and beverages in an all-inclusive resort are all you can eat and drink, prices are calculated per person per night. VIP status upgrades and room type will affect your cost per person.
Included: The Room
The most obvious thing included in the price you pay is the room. There are several room types at different price points.
Still, even the cheapest one will most likely have standard amenities like a safe, iron with an ironing board or a steamer, and an umbrella; some will also include bath robes and slippers.
You can expect basic toiletries like hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion in the bathroom.
Coffee Station & Minibar
There is also a coffee station and a minibar. Depending on the hotel’s price point and your room type, these amenities can go from basic to fancy.
The basic coffee stations usually consist of a coffee maker and sometimes a kettle for tea, while the fancier ones include a Nespresso machine with different flavored coffee pods. Basic minibars have soft drinks like juice, soda, water, and local beer.
The more complete ones, like the one at Falcon’s Resort by Meliá, include fancy water like Perrier, different beer brands, coconut water, chocolate milk, and snacks like chips, chocolate bars, and cookies.
Room Service
Most all-inclusive hotels have 24-hour room service. Simply call and order from the menu if you want to eat in your room. However, one of the most common complaints is that room service could be faster, so keep that in mind.
Wifi
Most hotels offer free wifi in the room and most hotel areas. It’s usually not the fastest nor the most stable, but it’s there if you need it. Of course, these wifi networks are public access, so their security is significantly compromised.
Butler
The most expensive rooms sometimes include a concierge or butler service. They can assist you with restaurant reservations where needed and other simple requests. Don’t expect a butler Downton Abbey style but rather more personalized assistance during your stay.
Included: The Food
Buffet
The most well-known aspect of an all-inclusive hotel is that it’s all-you-can-eat. There is always a buffet-style restaurant open for all three meals, although some resorts don’t open it for dinner or, some days, even close it for lunch, depending on occupancy.
Specialty Restaurants
There are also a la carte restaurants where you order from a menu. These restaurants offer different cuisine options, the most common being Italian, Mexican, Japanese, Pan-Asian, French, American, and Peruvian.
The bigger the hotel, the more restaurant options you’ll find. The menu consists of an entrée, the main course, and dessert. You can order more than just one of the options available, for example, two different entrée options, a main, and two desserts.
Some hotels require you to make a reservation for the a la carte restaurants to secure your table, and you can book more than one restaurant per night if you wish. You may also dine at a restaurant and then hit the buffet or vice-versa.
Coffee Shops & Snack Bars
Between meals, there are options available for snacking. The most common are BBQ grills offering hot dogs, burgers, and nachos.
Coffee shops are also popular for coffee, cold savory snacks such as wraps and sandwiches, and sweet options like cake, cookies, and ice cream.
Included: The Drinks
Unlimited drinks are also a popular feature of all-inlcusives. There are several bars across the resorts where you can order soft drinks like soda or water and, of course, alcoholic drinks.
The most famous bars are the pool bars, you can order drinks without leaving the pool. Bartenders will prepare your desired cocktail.
The more high-end the hotel, the better bartenders they’ll have; they’ll know how to prepare a wider selection of cocktails.
You can order as many drinks as you want, as many times as you wish. A pro tip is to pack a tumbler or isolated cup that takes more liquid than the cups the hotel offers; this way, you don’t have to make as many trips to the bar.
Most resorts also have a sports bar where you can drink and grab something to eat.
Included: The Pools
Depending on the hotel size, you’ll have several pools to choose from. Some pools might be off-limits, but we’ll discuss them later in this video.
There could also be pools for adults only, while others are for families with kids or just for children.
Included: The Beach
The beach use is included; however, certain seating areas at the beach might be off-limits, but more on that later.
You may also borrow equipment for use at the beach, such as kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkeling equipment. Many hotels also offer a free scuba lesson in the pool as a way to upsell you on paid scuba lessons.
