The second my seven-day forecast shows more warmer days than not, I immediately start dreaming of beach vacations, and Iβm sure many of you do, too! Nothing says summer like a warm, sandy beach and a nice cocktail, right?
Iβm sure many of you rent beach houses or condos thinking they are the most affordable, easiest way to enjoy a beach vacation. But can I tell you a little secret? They aren’t.
I know, I know. Beach rentals are really popular and seemingly affordable, but after you factor in the cost of eating out and buying groceries (who wants to cook on vacation, anyway?!); the price of entertainment (those go-cart rides and mini-golf games add up!); and the hassle of walking to and from the beach with a ton of gear (how does mom always end up carrying everything??), a beach rental vacation might seem more expensive (and require more work!) after all.
If you’re looking for travel deals this summer, may I suggest a possibly surprising option?Β An all inclusive resort!Β TheseΒ are often times very affordable and family friendly, and once youβre there, the work is done. No cooking, no cleaning, and no planning required.
Here are my top three reasons to consider an all inclusive over a traditional beach-rental:
No Work Required
Moms, come closer and let me tell you a secret. Ready? Vacations are supposed to be relaxing. Did you really relax on your last beach-rental vacation? Or did you find yourself buying toilet paper, lunchmeat, and frozen lasagnas 20 minutes after you dropped your bags?
At all-inclusive resorts, everything is covered. You donβt have to worry about cooking, cleaning, or even beach towels. And the walking distance from your room to the beach is often times much shorter than what youβd find at a beach-rental, meaning you (and your gear) wonβt be taking a long walk to the oceanΒ everyday. (Many resorts even have open-air shuttles!)
At an all inclusive, you can sit back, relax, and ask your husband to put sunscreen on the kids. You have a cocktail to enjoy, after all.
Entertainment
If youβve ever been to a beach with kids, you know that after about 2-3 hours, theyβre ready to move on to something else. At all-inclusive resorts, the entertainment is built-in, meaning you wonβt be googling, βThings to do in [insert beach name here.]β And this isnβt you average entertainment! Your kids will find themselves dancing with Dora or playing beach volleyball with Elmo. Plus, many all-inclusive resorts have kids clubs, so parents can spend some alone time together doing adult things such as sipping cocktails by the pool or getting hot-stone massages!
Cost
Believe it or not, all-inclusives can be just as affordableβif not, more affordableβ than your average beach rental. It can cost between $1,000-4,000 to rent an ocean-front beach house or condo for a week for a family of four, and that doesnβt include entertainment, food/groceries, and transportation/gas. On the other hand, the average cost for round-trip airfare and seven nights in an all-inclusive room for a family of four (with insurance and transfers!) is about $4,500.
So, have I convinced you yet? If so, check out aΒ few of my favorite all-inclusive properties! Let me know if I can help you plan your most memorable family vacation yet!
Azul Beach, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Bitter End Yacht Club, British Virgin Islands
Beaches Turks & CaicosΒ **Great for families with severe food allergies
What a fun article! We are planning a trip to Cabo and I will keep these tips in mind, Thank you!