Is an All-Inclusive Maldives Holiday Really Worth It?

What are all-inclusive packages and meal plans?

An all-inclusive meal plan is a package you can book with your accommodation. It typically includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during your stay.

Some all-inclusive packages may include dine-around options at different restaurants, offering a la carte dining for lunch and dinner, a premium selection of beverages, and more benefits like excursions and additional services.

In this article, we will explore why so many guests are booking all-inclusive holidays and highlight the benefits and limitations of all-inclusive packages to help answer the question: Are all-inclusive holidays genuinely worth it?

Highlights and topics covered in the article

1. What are all-inclusive meal plans?
2. What are the different types of all-inclusive meal plans?
3. What are the benefits you get when you book an All-Inclusive package?
4. What are the drawbacks you should consider when you book an All-Inclusive package?
5. Is there any point to booking an all-inclusive package if you don’t consume alcohol?
6. How do you choose the best all-inclusive package?
7. Who benefits the most from an All-Inclusive holiday?
8. Our thoughts and opinions on all-inclusive
9. FAQs About All-Inclusive Holidays

What are the different types of all-inclusive meal plans?

Are all-inclusive packages worth the extra money, and do they truly include everything? There are several different types of all-inclusive packages, each containing different perks and benefits.

Standard all-inclusive meal plans include selected beers, wine, fizzy drinks, packet or canned juices, teas, and coffees as part of the meal plan.

Dine Around All-Inclusive meal plans allow you to dine at multiple restaurants. They are usually focused on food and beverage benefits.

Premium all-inclusive meal plans usually allow you to dine at multiple restaurants. They also come with a broader selection of beverages than standard all-inclusive meal plans. These additional beverages may include fresh juices, milkshakes, and premium spirits and wines, as well as a daily restocked in-villa minibar. You can also usually enjoy a selection of activities and excursion benefits by booking premium all-inclusive.

Soft all-inclusive meal plans offer non-alcoholic beverages in addition to three daily meals and do not include alcoholic drinks as part of the package. Essentially, this all-inclusive package is available at a few resorts and is typically offered to guests from Middle Eastern countries.

Resort-specific all-inclusive meal plans incorporate the best of standard and premium all-inclusive meal plans. These plans could include dine-around benefits along with unlimited beverages. They typically entitle you to more benefits the longer you stay, for example, a massage for every five nights stayed. Resort brand all-inclusive plans are usually the most attractive as they mix excursion, dining and benefits that are designed to appeal to guests looking for a worry-free holiday.

Luxury All-Inclusive meal plans allow guests to enjoy anything, anywhere, anytime. They can include dine-around options or unscripted dining with unlimited beverages, and a selection of benefits, including spa treatments, excursions, and activities.

It is always good to ask what is included or excluded from the all-inclusive meal plans so that you know what you will save and what you will need to spend more on.

What are the benefits you get when you book an All-Inclusive package?

The vast majority of travellers these days focus on booking an all-inclusive stay for a variety of reasons, ranging from the simplicity of checking out without extra bills to pay, to the fear of exorbitant additional costs.

Some all-inclusive packages allow you to dine at multiple restaurants.

Several resorts offer all-inclusive meal plans that include dine-around options. This allows you to dine at different restaurants for lunch and dinner, not just at the main buffet-style restaurant. You can always ask if you are unsure whether the resort you want to visit offers dine-around benefits as part of its meal plans. Resorts offering premium all-inclusive plans typically feature a broader range of dining options.

You can enjoy unlimited beverages during your stay.

Beverages are expensive in the Maldives. Imagine having to pay $5 for a glass of Coca-Cola, $10 for a beer, or $15 for a cocktail. When you book an all-inclusive stay, you can have as many drinks as you want, whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

Please note that depending on the all-inclusive plan, some drinks, such as premium spirits, fine wines, fresh fruit juices, fresh coconuts, milkshakes, and smoothies, might still be chargeable; this depends on the meal plan's listed inclusions. Resorts with premium all-inclusive plans usually offer a more extensive selection, including premium brands of spirits, fine wines, and fresh juices, among other beverages. Items not included in the all-inclusive meal plan will usually have a price or be marked as requiring a supplementary cost.

Select activities and excursions might also be included as part of the package.

As part of all-inclusive meal plans, you can usually enjoy non-motorised watersports, such as complimentary use of a kayak, stand-up paddleboard, windsurfing (excluding lessons), or free use of snorkelling equipment. Some plans also offer a choice of free excursions that you can enjoy during your stay.

Additional discounts and other benefits of an all-inclusive package.

An all-inclusive package might entitle you to discounts on activities and excursions not included in the package. You might also find discounts for other services, like free credit for your spa bill. You might also find more benefits tied to the length of your stay, like 5 pieces of laundry for every 7 nights stayed.

It is convenient and hassle-free

When you book all-inclusive, you can worry less about budgeting and focus more on enjoying your holiday. Plenty of incredible experiences do cost extra, such as a manta ray spotting excursion, visiting the spa, or scuba diving.

You save on excessive food and beverage costs.

Booking all-inclusive to save on costs makes sense, especially if you are coming for a family holiday. Many resorts offer cheaper meal packages for children, and you can occasionally find offers for children to stay and dine for free on the same plan as adults. This can lead to significant savings, making your holiday more affordable and enjoyable.

Also do note that the Maldives doesn’t have the arable land required to grow produce to meet the demands of the tourism industry let alone the local population. We also don’t export many products and require a lot of imported goods.

As a direct result of this, food and beverage costs in the Maldives are really expensive because we import most of the food you find at the resorts from around the world by sea and air.

What are the drawbacks you should consider when you book an All-Inclusive package?

Booking an all-inclusive holiday provides you with many benefits, but all-inclusive stays do not cover everything. This section will explore the potential drawbacks and limitations you need to consider when booking an all-inclusive holiday.

There is a lot to explore in the Maldives, but you might find it hard to leave the comfort of your resort.

If making the most of your all-inclusive stay is your priority, you can indulge in the luxury and comfort of your resort. The service, dining, and overall experience of a Maldives holiday are often exceptional. If you desire a relaxing holiday with great dining and time spent by the pool, an all-inclusive package can provide the perfect setting for your indulgent getaway.

Do keep in mind, however, that many guests end up missing out on experiences that highlight the amazing natural beauty and culture in this remote part of the world called the Maldives. Here, you can find plenty of nearby inhabited islands and reefs to explore, and while this might cost extra, it's worth it if you want to see the lifestyle of Maldivians and capture a glimpse of the culture of the Maldives.

You might end up overindulging while on an all-inclusive meal plan.

If you plan on dining well every mealtime and maximising your unlimited beverage package, you might feel bloated by the end of your vacation. Naturally, a holiday is a break from your daily life, but it shouldn’t have to be at the expense of your health and well-being.

To counter this, most resorts have a gym and offer fitness activities and classes to keep you in shape. Some resorts also have a holistic wellness program with healthy meals, exercise classes, wellness rituals, and therapies that can be tailored to your specific needs after a consultation. Snorkelling, watersports and scuba diving are also a great way to burn off the excess calories of last night's dessert while seeing something spectacular at the same time.

Exclusions and limitations of an All-Inclusive Package

• Most activities, excursions and experiences like spa treatments, scuba diving lessons, island tours are all available for an additional cost.
• In-villa dining, destination dining and premium menu items are often not included in all-inclusive packages and are chargeable.
• There are also some restaurants that are considered signature dining experiences which are excluded from the meal plan as well.
• There might also be beverages that are usually not included as part of a standard all-inclusive package such as premium spirits, coconuts, freshly squeezed juices, milkshakes, smoothies, premium wines, champagne and premium sparkling wines. You can check the inclusions and see what each resort’s all-inclusive meal plan contains it tends to vary across different resorts.

Booking your stay with an All-Inclusive package is an expensive upfront cost.

If it looks and feels expensive, is it really expensive? Committing to paying more for your all-inclusive stay can be daunting, especially if your holiday budget is limited. In these cases, it's always good to check with your booking provider about the benefits and limitations of booking all-inclusive.

Is there any point to booking an all-inclusive package if you don’t consume alcohol?

If you do not drink alcohol for health or religious reasons, you might question whether it's worth booking an all-inclusive package because alcohol is a component of the package. Do keep in mind that ordering a non alcoholic drink could still cost $5-$15, and those costs do add up over time if you are ordering a drink with every meal and at different points during the day.

In some instances, resorts offer a soft all-inclusive package that only entitles you to non-alcoholic beverages. However, this option is not available at every resort and often comes with restrictions, such as being only available to guests travelling to the Maldives from countries where the consumption of alcohol is similarly restricted.

Some resorts also offer half-board or full-board plus packages, which typically include a meal and a beverage to be consumed at the venue during mealtime only. Some resorts also provide dine-around options for half-board or full-board stays.

Additionally, note that in some resorts, full board and half board plans may not include the option to dine at other restaurants, whereas the all-inclusive plan typically features a dine-around component. In that sense, it may still be worth booking an all-inclusive option if you plan to dine out.

How do you choose the best all-inclusive package?

Find the resorts you like

There is plenty of information available online, including guest reviews, details about the services offered at the resort, and the types of restaurants the resort features. You can also ask our team to find holiday offers tailored to your preferences, and we will be happy to provide some options.

See what the package includes/excludes

As mentioned previously, the benefits and limitations of booking an all-inclusive package vary depending on which resort you choose. It's best to find out what is included. You can contact us to get a breakdown of the inclusions and learn more about the exclusions and added expenses you might want to consider.

Consider the experience as a whole and your preferences

The Maldives has over 180 resorts in operation, with plenty of international brands and local boutique chains worth considering. However, even though the resort looks good in photos and on paper, you might feel out of place or bored when you visit.

There are all-inclusive only resorts where every guest is on an all-inclusive meal plan; there tend to be many caveats and exclusions to their all-inclusive plans, but these tend to be more affordable resorts, priced around the budget of the average holidaymaker. Along with lower costs, you lose some of that personalised service, and these resorts tend to be crowded.

Premium all-inclusive resorts tend to offer more dine-around options at different restaurants, a longer list of beverage inclusions, and plenty of added perks and benefits to make your stay more enjoyable. The service also tends to be better, but there will be exclusions and limitations in most of these plans.

Some resorts offer a variety of meal plans, starting with bed and breakfast, half board, and full board, as well as all-inclusive and premium all-inclusive packages. These resorts are more expensive, but the service is usually much better.

Some resorts don’t have an all-inclusive plan, and by design, some clients might not choose to go there because of it. These are the more expensive and exclusive luxury resorts in the Maldives.

Who benefits the most from booking an All-Inclusive holiday?

In conclusion, choosing an all-inclusive package depends on how you plan on spending your holiday. For families, all-inclusive deals offer a welcome and predictable formula that saves money on dining à la carte, leaving you with a more precise budget for excursions, activities, the spa, or a professional family photography session. For Couples and groups of friends, an all-inclusive holiday is a more budget-friendly and worry-free option if you plan to have a relaxing vacation.

On the other hand, guests who value spontaneity, luxury and a more personalised experience might prefer not to book an all-inclusive holiday, as what they want might not be covered in an all-inclusive package. This includes things such as destination dining, in-villa dining, activities, excursions, and experiences. These are typically offered at an additional cost and are not included in an all-inclusive meal plan. If dining buffet-style at the same restaurant on a standard all-inclusive plan doesn't appeal to you, there may be a resort with dine-around meal plans that you would enjoy more.

Our thoughts and opinions on all-inclusive

Suppose you simply want a relaxing holiday without worrying about an additional expensive all-inclusive booking. In that case, it might be right for you, but look at the options and read the fine print to know what is included. If, on the other hand, you are coming for a very active holiday at a resort that does not typically offer a standard or premium all-inclusive plan, consider booking half board or full board at that resort instead of all-inclusive. It might provide you with more value for money and flexibility at the same time.

Contact us for a great deal

Our website has many offers and is regularly updated with new ones as they become available. You should check the page out to find some great all-inclusive deals.

FAQs About All-Inclusive Holidays

1. What’s typically included in an all-inclusive package?
1. A standard all-inclusive package may include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, usually buffet-style at the main restaurant, as well as a selection of unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
2. Are flights, accommodation, meals, drinks, and activities included in All-Inclusive?
1. International flights are not included in any all-inclusive meal plan. When you book a holiday on Maldives.com, we include the accommodation, resort transfers, and meals plan you choose as part of the package with all taxes and charges included in the price.
3. What meals are included with an all-inclusive meal plan, buffet style or a la carte?
1. Resorts with only one restaurant usually offer a buffet-style meal. Resorts without a dine-around all-inclusive meal plan typically offer only one restaurant. Resorts with more than one restaurant offer a la carte dining in the other restaurants, but whether a la carte dining is included in the meal plan will be specified in the inclusions/exclusions of the all-inclusive package.
4. Are specialty restaurants included in an all-inclusive package?
1. It depends. At certain resorts where dine-around options are available, the resort will indicate which restaurants you can dine at a la carte. Some speciality restaurants may have a supplementary charge, or the resort may offer credit to be used towards your food bill. Some restaurants that are classed as dining experiences may not be included in the all-inclusive meal plan. Please let us know the resort where you would like to stay, and we can provide a great offer for you.
5. What alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages are included?
1. Standard all-inclusive meal plans typically include selected beers, wine, fizzy drinks, packet/canned juices, teas and coffees in the meal plan.
2. Premium all-inclusive meal plans usually include a wide selection of beverages, including fresh juices, milkshakes, and selected premium wines and spirits.
3. Soft all-inclusive meal plans do not contain alcoholic beverages; essentially, they are non-alcoholic beverage packages available at selected resorts for guests from Middle Eastern countries.
6. What activities and entertainment are included with an all-inclusive package?
1. Most resorts offer selected non-motorised water sports, free use of the gym, free use of island sports, and a choice of resort-specific excursions as part of the plan. This tends to vary and could be different at the resort you choose
7. Are there any hidden fees or surcharges in an all-inclusive meal plan?
1. Please request and read the all-inclusive meal plan details; they will clearly indicate the inclusions and exclusions of the meal plan.
8. Is in-villa dining or room service included in all-inclusive?
1. Most all-inclusive meal plans do not include room service or in-villa dining. The exception is a resort with a luxury all-inclusive meal plan, where in-villa dining might be included.
9. Are airport transfers included?
1. Airport transfers are not included in meal plans, although some resorts offer free airport transfers as part of their packages. Regardless of whether or not the airport transfers are free, we always include them in the packages we sell through the Maldives.com website.
10. Is Wi-Fi included?
1. These days, in-villa WiFi is usually provided in all resorts. Quite a few resorts also have WiFi available in all their public areas. However, walkways, paths, and beaches do not usually have WiFi.
11. Are gratuities, service charges and taxes included?
1. All resort services include 17% T-GST and a 10% service charge; however, you may tip at your discretion.
12. What is the dress code for dining and events?
1. Guests are advised to cover up and not have dripping wet clothing at dining venues. The guidelines are more relaxed at resorts than on local islands. smart casual in the evenings and casual during the daytime our reccomendation.
13. How do I ensure I get the most out of my package?
1. Look at the free inclusions in your package and book them on arrival. While the free inclusions are great, don’t miss out on the fantastic paid experiences you can enjoy in the Maldives.