A Guide to Booking All-Inclusive Hotels and Holidays

At Classic Collection Holidays we understand the want for high standards of service, luxury accommodation and an excellent choice of facilities. In the past few years the travel industry has seen all-inclusive holidays becoming more popular as holiday-makers look for hassle-free holidays at a set price. With so many fantastic destinations, hotels, rooms and dining options to choose from we’ve looked into the appeal of all-inclusive and how it can add to your holiday experience.

Initially booking all-inclusive is a fantastic way to pay one cost for a holiday which will limit your spending whilst you are away. Guests staying at hotels which offer an all-inclusive option will usually pay a set supplement for the duration of their stay and most will include breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks and drinks throughout the day. Each meal may or may not be taken in a buffet style restaurant and there is usually an extra charge (payable locally) to eat in an a la carte restaurant. We always recommend checking what the all-inclusive option includes before you book, to make sure it offers you exactly what you are hoping for.

All-inclusive options are also great for those looking at resort hotels with fantastic facilities who are not intending to advance into the surrounding area for any excursions or dining. Equally, all-inclusive hotels are a recommended option for those staying in resorts which are located miles from the nearest town or where there are few alternative places to dine.

If you are wondering what the difference between boards offered by hotels we’ve outlined the five main options below:

Room only/Self-catering: Occasionally hotels will offer rooms on a room only basis. This does not however always mean that the room will have facilities to prepare your own meals. Rooms which do have these facilities are usually described as Self Catering and more often than not are an apartment style room.

Bed and breakfast: stays in hotels on a bed and breakfast will receive breakfast each morning.

Half board: stays in hotels on a half board basis will receive breakfast and dinner for the duration of their stay.

Full board: full board guests will receive breakfast, lunch and dinner during their stay.

All-inclusive: guests will receive breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks throughout the day and drinks (local beers, wines and soft drinks unless otherwise stated).

Each hotel is often based on a certain board and you may need to pay an extra supplement to upgrade to the next board type if it is offered. It is also worth noting that depending on which board basis you have chosen, certain meals may be served at certain times and only in selected restaurants. Usually children will be charged a supplement however it is often less than an adults but this will vary between hotels. Some hotels may also include use of certain facilities within this supplement.

The four-star deluxe Constantinou Bros Athena Beach Hotel goes the extra mile for its guests and offers an Ultra All Inclusive option to add that something special to their stay. This exceptional hotel is ideal for both families and couples alike and boasts fantastic amenities including; three outdoor pools, two paddling pools and two Jacuzzis, a floodlit tennis court, the superb Elixir Spa Centre and access to a sand and shingle beach. The hotel also offers a brilliant range of restaurants from buffet breakfast to delicious a la carte dining in the evening. With four a la carte restaurants (including Italian and Mediterranean cuisine) and the excellent Atrium main restaurant, guests have a great range to choose from.

Constantinou Bros Athena Beach Hotel is now offering Premium Packages (Ultra All Inclusive option) for its guests. These guests will receive a mini bar stocked upon arrival, full board meals, snacks/ice-cream throughout the day, local and international alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and hot beverages all available from all bars and restaurants (excludes special quality brands). Please note that these options are only available during the summer season (April – October).

Guests staying in standard rooms will receive breakfast (enriched buffet in main restaurant), lunch (buffet and light from a choice of two restaurants) and, dinner (buffet or set meal in the Atrium restaurant). Guests staying in superior rooms and suites will receive breakfast (enriched buffet in a choice of two restaurants), lunch (buffet and light from a choice of two restaurants) and, dinner (either buffet or set menu in the Atrium restaurant or a choice between the a la carte restaurants). Guests staying in Superior and suite rooms will also be offered a bottle of champagne the day before their departure. For further information on these Premium Packages click here.

Choosing an all-inclusive option can be a hassle free way to spend your holiday, allowing you to arrive in your luxury hotel with no need to worry about where to eat or what to do. Hotels offering an all-inclusive option also tend to understand that their guests may not choose to venture further afield so often have top amenities on site.

Our top tip for making the most out of your all-inclusive stay is to check when booking what the board basis specifically includes to save being charged for any additional extras. These can be for example, eating in a la carte restaurants, brand alcoholic drinks and excursions or activities. For further information or any queries regarding board options and special offers contact our reservations team.