Choosing Best All-Inclusive Resort in Dubai-5 Tips

All-inclusive – these are two magic words that can easily catch the eye of anyone planning a vacation. When you choose to stay at an all-inclusive resort in Dubai, the meals, drinks, and entertainment are already included in the nightly room rate. You can expect other perks and freebies as well.

Staying at an all-inclusive resort will allow you to stick to your vacation budget while still ensuring you’ll have access to everything you need to have an enjoyable and relaxing holiday.

To have a memorable stay at one of the all-inclusive luxury beach resorts in the UAE, and to get your money’s worth, follow these tips when choosing your accommodation:

1.   Start your search online

There are numerous resorts in Dubai that offer all-inclusive packages that you will have a hard time picking the best one. You can begin narrowing down your options by visiting hotel and resort review and rating websites to read first-hand descriptions and evaluations of people who have visited these places.

After finding the resorts that have the best reviews, check their websites. Click on the gallery to see the rooms, facilities, and everything else the resort has to offer. Check their rates so that you’ll know if their prices are within your budget.

2.   Consider the location of your preferred resorts

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, check each resort’s location. Consider the surrounding areas of each resort. Find out how close your possible accommodation is to other tourist attractions and places of interest in Dubai that you want to visit.

Keep in mind that if your selected all-inclusive resort is nearby some of the popular tourist destinations, this can be an added advantage to your vacation.

3.   Study the resort’s all-inclusive package

All-inclusive packages cover three important things you need to enjoy a great holiday: food, activities or entertainment, and services.

Food

Resorts that offer all-inclusive stays typically provide guests three meals a day and some beverages (a welcome drink, bottled water, coffee during breakfast, etc.) for free. But to make sure you won’t encounter any issues or be surprised whenever you sit down at the resort’s restaurant or call room service, know the following beforehand:

• The restaurant’s or café’s reservation policy (Do you have to make a reservation or can you walk in anytime?)
• Additional fees that you may have to pay at the resort’s dining and drinking establishments (Which menu items are included in your package and which are not?)
• Room service (Is it free?)
• Which items at the mini bar are free

Activities

To enjoy your stay at an all-inclusive resort, make a list of all the activities you want to do during your vacation and compare this with what the package offers.

Bear in mind that the typical activities included in the package will depend on the kind of resort you choose. If you choose a family-friendly resort, you will get unlimited access to the waterpark, playground, mini golf or golf course, etc. A resort that caters to couples and honeymooners will offer activities that appeal to lovers such as wine tasting, dance lessons, etc.

If you want to try some watersports, find out which ones are included in the package. Most all-inclusive resorts offer kayaking and paddleboarding free of charge for an hour per day. Other activities that require specialized equipment such as scuba diving and helmet-diving may require some additional fees.

Service

The services you will receive from a resort will also make or break your holiday. To enjoy your stay at a resort, choose one that is known for providing prompt and excellent service. It is important to remember though that the quality of service you can expect is typically related to the price: you get what you pay for. You can have a good idea about the kind of service you can expect from a resort by reading reviews and ratings online.

4.   Review the package rates

When looking at the packages and their rates, think about the services the resort provides and ask yourself if you need or will use them. For instance, free access to an open bar is a perk that will go to waste if you don’t drink.

However, numerous all-inclusive resort packages include airport transfers, use of water sports equipment, activities for kids, spa and massage services – services and perks that will increase the nightly rate.

Decide if you need all of these to have a great holiday. If not, look at other options or get in touch with the resort to find out if you can get a customized package at a lower price.

5.   Check the fine print

Lastly, many resorts claim to be all-inclusive but will charge extra if you use a certain facility or avail of a particular service. As such, before making your decision, request for an accommodation agreement or contract from the resort. Make sure this document states the details about what you’ll be getting from the package. This will help you avoid paying for any unexpected items and will go far in enabling you to stay within your budget.

An all-inclusive resort getaway will allow you to have a stress-free holiday in Dubai. You’ll also get to enjoy and partake in the activities you’re interested in without paying for any extra charges. But you need to select the right resort and study the package to avoid being surprised by unexpected fees and accommodation conditions.

AUTHOR BIO

 Thomas Grundner is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for JA Resorts & Hotels. He has more than 20 years of expertise in the hospitality and leisure industry – across international markets including Germany, Egypt and Spain. Grundner oversees all sales, marketing and revenue efforts as the company continues to build on its key growth and development strategies and further cultivates its unique blend of “Heartfelt Hospitality” and “Casual Luxury”.