All Inclusive Vs. Self Catering Vacations

Most people like to go on holiday at least once a year to get away from work and daily life. When booking a holiday, it is always important to consider all of your options. One of the main decisions to make when you have decided upon a destination is whether you will be going on an all inclusive package or on a self catering package.

To make a decision, it is a good idea to look at your situation, are you going alone, with friends, as a couple, or as a family? Which will save you money or would be most practical? Which will make your holiday experience both fun and relaxing?

The following is a breakdown of the pros and cons of both self catering and all inclusive packages;

Self Catering - when you go self catering you have a choice to stop in a hotel, villa or an apartment. Stopping in a hotel means that you may get half board or bed and breakfast. This can save a lot of money on eating out if you have gone away with your family.

If you choose to stop in a villa then you will normally get the advantage of your own private pool, so if you do not like sharing a pool with hundreds of other people and you prefer a little more privacy, this is the way to go.

With a self catering package you have the freedom to do as you wish. You can eat out every night or you can eat in, but mostly this will cost you a lot more than being all inclusive, especially if you are away with your family as you have to pay for all of your own food.

All Inclusive - all inclusive is really only available when you stay in a hotel, so you will have fairly small accommodation, less privacy and you will have to share a pool with the other people staying in the hotel. If you do not mind this then all inclusive is a fantastic way to spend your holiday. You have the freedom to eat in or out of the hotel but while you are in the hotel, you can eat and drink as much as you like throughout the day. This really does save you so much money just on drinks alone, if you are with your family. There is also entertainment most nights in the hotel and any trips you would like to go on are booked by your rep.

In conclusion, self catering allows you to have freedom, privacy and full home facilities, but you may have to pay quite a lot for your food and trips out. Whereas an all inclusive package could save you a lot of money on food, there is no cooking, and you have your whole holiday looked after, but you will have to compromise on sharing a pool and smaller accommodation.