All-inclusive deals

All-inclusive holidays have been around for a while - but do they offer good value for money compared with for example; half-board or bed and breakfast? The quick answer is that some deals are more likely to be cost-effective, but you will need to look carefully at exactly what is included.
At the top-end of the scale resorts like Sandals can save you a lot of money as they often include such pursuits as scuba-diving and water-skiing, the sort of add-on which can otherwise turn your holiday into a very expensive indulgence. Kuoni have a resort in Mauritius which includes free golf, diving and even spa treatments.
At the other end of the scale, the apparent 'all' inclusive is somewhat limited, often only including local alcoholic drinks with imported drinks carrying a premium price. Time limits are common, meaning that you can only take advantage of pre-paid food and drinks during specific times of the day.
In short paying for all-inclusive can work really well if the deal is truly inclusive and you want to stick to an overall budget for the holiday. Before deciding on a deal, it is worthwhile comparing the added cost to typical meal costs in your chosen destination. Compare the quality of the meals on offer with the cost of similar meals available locally that might offer a wider range or better value. For example, Cyprus is one of those destinations where you can pay over £2 for local beer, and £3.50 for imported beer, and consequently all-inclusive is fairly popular here.
In the days of uncertain exchange rates, all-inclusive can also insulate you against currency fluctuations which might otherwise send you looking for ATM's half-way through your holiday.