What is all inclusive

Differences from similar systems

Many people confuse all inclusive with half board and bed and breakfast. Half board gives only two meals, and drinks are almost always paid. The bed and breakfast system leaves the tourist free to eat outside the hotel. All inclusive is more profitable when the hotel is far from cafes and shops. At resorts with expensive restaurants, this format pays off faster.

For a short trip of three nights, the difference in price is not always justified. Count how many times you will actually have dinner at the hotel.

Seasons by the sea

In summer, all inclusive is popular at Mediterranean resorts, where charters from Almaty fly. In autumn, tourists choose Egypt and UAE, when it is already cold at home. In winter, all inclusive works in hotels in Thailand and Vietnam. In spring, demand shifts to Turkey and Cyprus. In high season, the price of such a holiday is noticeably higher than in the shoulder season.

It is better to book several months in advance, while the choice of rooms is wider.

What to take with you

For a holiday on the all inclusive system, light clothes and a swimsuit are enough. Take sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent. A first aid kit with the usual medicines and cold remedies will come in handy. Keep money in the room safe, not in a beach bag. Check in advance whether an adapter for sockets is needed in the country of your holiday. A warm item is worth taking if it is cool by the sea in the evening.

Do not take too much: all inclusive saves you from the need to bring food with you.

Flight from Almaty

From Almaty there are direct flights, but not to all resorts; some routes go with a connection. The journey to Turkey takes about five hours, to Egypt longer. The time difference with popular destinations is small, acclimatization is easy. Take water and a light snack in your hand luggage for the flight. Check the baggage allowance with the carrier in advance so as not to pay for excess weight.

All inclusive at the hotel does not save you from paid meals on the plane.

Who this kind of holiday suits

For families with children, all inclusive is convenient because of the meal schedule and animation. For tourists who do not want to look for cafes, this format also suits. For those who like to explore the city and eat in local places, it may not appeal. For a large company of friends, all inclusive simplifies splitting bills. For couples planning a quiet holiday, it is worth choosing a hotel without noisy animation.

Assess your travel style before overpaying for the full package.

Prices in high and low season

In July and August, packages with all inclusive meals in Turkey and Egypt are 30–50 percent more expensive than in May or October. The difference is explained by school holidays and peak demand among families. A tourist from Almaty who is ready to shift their vacation to late spring or early autumn saves noticeably.

At the same time, the set of services at the hotel hardly changes: pools, restaurants and animation work the same way. In low season, some hotels close certain dining outlets, and this should be clarified before payment. It is most profitable to book a trip when all inclusive is offered at the price of bed and breakfast.

Weather and resort occupancy by month

The most comfortable way to holiday on an all inclusive basis in Turkey is in May, June and September: the sea is warm, and the heat is either not yet or no longer tolerable. In July and August in Antalya, the air warms above 35 degrees, and time by the pool is best planned before noon. Egypt in winter offers stable 22–25 degrees, but in the evening it is cool by the sea.

Sharm El Sheikh welcomes tourists all year round, but in summer it is too hot there for long walks. Occupancy of hotels with the all inclusive format reaches its maximum during holiday weeks, and available rooms disappear quickly. Therefore, it is better to choose dates in advance, and not a couple of weeks before departure.

Direct charters and their seasonality

From Almaty, direct charters to Antalya fly from May to October, and to Sharm El Sheikh all year round, although there are fewer flights in winter. It is logistics that determines where the all inclusive system is available to a tourist from Almaty without long layovers. In summer, the choice of flights to Turkey is wider, so there are also more hotels with full board.

In winter, Egypt becomes the main destination, where the all inclusive format is offered by almost all resort hotels. Tunisia and Morocco also operate on this system in resort areas, but there are few direct flights from Almaty, and the choice of hotels narrows. It is worth planning the trip around a specific flight, and not the other way around.

Where the concept is rarely found

In the UAE, the all inclusive format is found less often than in Turkey or Egypt, and often means only bed and breakfast and dinner. A tourist from Almaty who is used to full board in the Emirates may be surprised by the bill for lunch. In Europe and at city resorts, such a system is also rare: there it is customary to eat outside the hotel.

In Southeast Asia, the format exists, but more often in the form of bed and breakfast or half board. If the trip is planned specifically for the sake of an all inclusive holiday, it is better to choose hotels in Turkey, Egypt or Tunisia. In other cases, meals will have to be planned and paid for separately.

Deposit and resort fee on site

When checking into an all inclusive hotel, the reception often asks for a deposit in cash or by card. It is better to clarify this before departure, so as not to look for an ATM at the airport. A tourist from Almaty who has no cash left risks a delay at the desk. Keep a small amount in local currency or dollars for such expenses.

À la carte reservations and children's requests

If the hotel has several à la carte restaurants, dinner there often requires prior reservation and may be limited to one visit per trip. Children's meals and a crib in all inclusive hotels are usually provided on request, which must be confirmed before departure. A tourist from Almaty with a small child benefits if they clarify the menu and the availability of a stroller in advance.

Some hotels provide children's items free of charge, others for a fee. It is better to have all agreements in written confirmation from the hotel.

Booking deadlines for holidays

It is better to book an all inclusive hotel for the May holidays from Almaty 2–3 months in advance: charters and popular family hotels are snapped up early. The same applies to New Year dates and school holidays. A tourist from Almaty who postpones the decision until the last week gets either a high price or a hotel farther from the sea. In low season, a month is enough, and sometimes a couple of weeks is enough.

The earlier the date is chosen, the wider the choice of rooms and buildings. Early booking is almost always cheaper, even taking into account prepayment.

Drinks, alcohol and water in the room

Alcohol in the all inclusive system in Turkey and Egypt is usually locally produced and served at certain hours, while imported alcohol is available for an extra fee. Cocktails by the pool are free, but the quality depends on the hotel. Bottled water in the room is often not included in the basic package, even if drinks by the pool are free.

A tourist from Almaty accustomed to drinking a lot of water clarifies this point at the reception. Sometimes a bottle is brought upon request, sometimes they charge for it. Coffee and fresh juices are also often paid.

Tipping, excursions and Ramadan hours

Tipping at all inclusive hotels in Turkey and Egypt is not mandatory, but 1–2 dollars per service noticeably improves the service. Excursions outside the hotel (Pamukkale, the pyramids, safari) are not included in the package price and are paid separately on site or to the guide. A tourist from Almaty can compare prices from different guides and choose calmly.

During Ramadan in the UAE and Turkey, the operating hours of hotel restaurants and bars change, and during the day food may not be served on open terraces. This does not interfere with the holiday, but requires flexibility in plans. Check with the hotel in advance how dining works on these dates.