When it comes to choosing a holiday, do you go all-inclusive or self-catering? We weigh up the pros and cons of each, allowing you to decide the type of holiday that’s best for you.
All-inclusive
Pro – Huge savings
There are so many cost benefits to an all-inclusive holiday. Although you pay more upfront for an all-inclusive than for self-catering, you don’t have to worry about splashing out for food and drink while on holiday.
A family of four eats 84 meals over a week’s holiday, plus numerous snacks and drinks. All-inclusive holidays cover the cost of all meals and some alcoholic drinks, saving you hundreds of pounds.
Pro – Stress free
Holidays are about relaxing. You don’t want to be shopping for groceries and cooking meals – there’s enough of that to do at home. On an all-inclusive holiday, you can kick back with a cocktail on the beach, lounge by the pool or explore the local area without worrying about anything.
Pro – Easier to plan
Once you’ve booked your all-inclusive package, that’s your holiday planning done. You’ll get picked up from the airport and transferred from your hotel, and from there everything will be provided. If you want to go on an excursion, you’ll be able to book it through your hotel.
Much more planning is required for a self-catering holiday, especially if you’re travelling independently. Flights and airport transfers need to be booked, as well as attractions and activities in the local area.
Con – Eating at the hotel can be restrictive
If you choose an all-inclusive deal, you’ll feel obliged to eat three meals a day at your hotel. Because of this, you might miss out on trying the local cuisine. It also means that if you go out exploring, you’ll have to come back for lunch or dinner.
Con – Limited accommodation choice
Not all hotels offer all-inclusive options. Those that do are often located in areas that see a lot of tourist traffic, such as the Costa del Sol in Spain. Most all-inclusive holidays involve staying in large resorts, which are often located outside city limits – these locations may not appeal to everyone.
Self-catering
Pro – Greater destination and accommodation choice
If you choose self-catered accommodation, you have a greater choice of booking websites and destinations. From a villa in the heart of Tuscany, to a cabin by a Norwegian fjord, the world’s your oyster.
Pro – More privacy
If you’re staying in self-catered accommodation, chances are you’ll have more privacy than at an all-inclusive resort as you’ll have a living and eating area all to yourself. This is especially true if you’ve found an off-the-beaten-track destination for your holiday.
Pro – Choosing when and where you eat
Choosing self-catering means you’ll have the freedom to eat when, where and what you want. This gives you the freedom to try different restaurants and experience the local cuisine. It also gives you the chance to prepare your own meals, which is useful if you have strict dietary requirements.
Con – Costs can spiral
When you choose a self-catering holiday, none of your food or drinks are included. Neither are airport transfers or activities. The costs of all this can soon add up, making your holiday increasingly expensive.
Con – Harder to budget
It can be hard to know how much everything costs at your chosen destination until you arrive. There might be a range of restaurants with varying prices, and groceries might be unexpectedly expensive. This can make it hard to budget for your holiday.
Con – You’re on holiday, but you’re still cooking and cleaning
Holidays should be about relaxing. But if you’re the one stuck in the kitchen cooking family dinner while everyone else is by the pool, then it’s not much of a break at all. With all the cooking and cleaning, self-catering holidays can prove stressful, especially if you’re going on a family holiday.
Summary
If you’re a couple looking for privacy, or are keen to get off the beaten track, then an independently planned self-catering holiday is for you. But if you want a holiday with your every need taken care of, we recommend an all-inclusive break.
All-inclusive breaks are often located near beaches, and are perfect for people wanting to relax. If it’s peace and quiet you’re looking for, simply make sure you travel outside the peak months of July and August.
We especially recommend all-inclusive breaks for families, as they will reap massive savings by choosing this option. Holiday Hypermarket has a wide range of all-inclusive holidays available at destinations across the world.
