All-inclusive vs self-catering: which is better?
- All-inclusive is more convenient, with meals, trips and entertainment planned for you and included in your package but it can offer less flexibility
- Self-catering offers more flexibility, privacy and freedom, but typically requires more planning and organisation.
All-inclusive holidays and self-catering trips offer different experiences. An all-inclusive break can make things easier, with meals, activities and entertainment often included in the price. A self-catering trip gives you more freedom and privacy, but usually involves more planning.
So which option is right for your next holiday? Here is what to know about all-inclusive and self-catering trips.
What is a self-catering holiday?
On a self-catering holiday, you arrange your own meals. That means no breakfast buffets, lunch service or sit-down dinners in the hotel dining room.
Some travellers choose an apartment or holiday home with a kitchen. This lets you shop for ingredients and cook when it suits you. It can give you more flexibility and, in some cases, help keep costs down.
You can also choose self-catering accommodation without cooking facilities. In that case, you will need to eat in restaurants, cafés or bars for every meal. Depending on the destination, this can cost more, but it may suit travellers who enjoy eating out.
Pros and cons of a self-catering holiday
OA self-catering holiday lets you choose when, where and what to eat. That comes with clear benefits, along with a few drawbacks.
Here’s what you can expect on a self-catering trip.
Flexibility and freedom
One of the main advantages of self-catering is choice. You can decide what to eat for each meal, rather than sticking to whatever is included in your stay.
If you are not very hungry, you can keep things simple with a lighter meal instead of a full one.
You can also eat whenever and wherever you like, which gives you more freedom throughout your trip. This can work well for travellers who want to explore their destination at their own pace.
Experience the local culture
Self-catering holidays can also help you experience more of the local culture. Food is an important part of many destinations, from tapas in Spain to pasta dishes in Italy.
On a self-catering trip, you can explore local restaurants and try regional dishes away from the resort setting.
Save money
All-inclusive holidays often cost more upfront because meals and drinks are included in the total price. With self-catering, you pay for food as you go, which can make it easier to adjust spending during your trip.
More day-to-day tasks
One downside of a self-catering getaway is that you may find yourself doing more everyday housework than you would on an all-inclusive trip.
If your accommodation has a kitchen and you decide to cook, you will need to shop, prepare meals and clean up afterwards. Most self-catering stays also do not include room service, daily housekeeping or concierge support.
Planning your itinerary is also up to you. There are no resort-run activities or excursions to rely on, so you will need to organise your own plans. For some travellers, that is part of the appeal. It gives you more control over what you see and do.
What is an all-inclusive holiday?
With an all-inclusive holiday package, usually offered by larger full-service resorts, most major costs are covered in the upfront price.
All-inclusive packages often include:
breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks
soft drinks and alcoholic drinks
on-site entertainment, such as live shows, pools, sports facilities, fitness centres and kids' clubs
organised activities and excursions
Some packages include airport transfers, spa treatments, premium dining or tours. These are sometimes sold as upgraded all-inclusive packages.
Pros and cons of an all-inclusive holiday
On an all-inclusive trip, planning is typically taken care of for you. Many of the main parts of the trip are included in the total price.
No hidden costs
One reason all-inclusive holidays are popular is that the main costs are clear from the start. You know what you are paying before you travel, which can make budgeting easier.
Everything is arranged for you
If you want a more straightforward holiday, an all-inclusive resort may appeal. Meals, drinks and entertainment are usually available on site, so there is less to organise during your stay.
All you can eat
All-inclusive resorts usually serve food throughout the day. Buffets, snack bars, barbecues and à la carte restaurants are common, and these are often included in the package.
This can suit travellers who want the ease of having meals and drinks available without planning each one separately.
Try out new activities for ‘free’
Another benefit of an all-inclusive holiday is access to a range of activities at no extra cost. Children may also be able to join a kids' club.
Good fit for families and groups
All-inclusive resorts often cater to a range of age groups. There may be childcare, kids' clubs and family-friendly entertainment, along with games rooms, pools, spas and bars.
Less freedom and flexibility
If you want to make the most of your all-inclusive package, you may end up spending most of your time at the resort, apart from any planned excursions.
For travellers who want to switch off, that may be exactly what they are looking for. But if you want to explore more independently, an all-inclusive holiday can feel limiting.
Staying within a resort can also mean fewer chances to experience the local area, including its food, attractions and day-to-day life.
Some resorts also have set dining times or dress codes, which may feel restrictive.
Higher upfront costs
Although many expenses are covered once you arrive, the upfront cost of an all-inclusive holiday can be higher, especially during peak season or school holidays.
The difference between all-inclusive and self-catering holidays
Let’s take a closer look at the major differences between the two options.
1. Cost
As well as having a steeper upfront cost, all-inclusive holidays are typically more expensive overall than self-catering trips. This is generally because all-inclusives tend to encompass premium facilities and services, from housekeeping and babysitting to room service and entertainment, which aren’t typically included in self-catering trips.
However, this isn’t always the case. There are budget-friendly all-inclusive packages out there as well as premium self-catering accommodation. If you’re eating out in high-end restaurants every night and planning premium excursions and activities, you may well end up spending just as much or more on a self-catering trip as you would on an all-inclusive.
2. Accommodation type
Self-catering accommodation means private apartments, holiday homes, villas, cottages or chalets. These types of accommodation are typically more spacious than a hotel room, and generally feature a kitchen and dining area. Some properties have no staff on site , giving you plenty of privacy, while other properties may have a receptionist or concierge.
All-inclusive holidays are usually based in a hotel or resort. You will not have a private kitchen, and meals are generally served in the property's restaurants, cafés or bars. Staff are also more likely to be available throughout your stay.
3. Facilities and service
If having ready access to facilities and service is important to you, an all-inclusive holiday may be your option. These resorts are home to almost every facility you could imagine.
Depending on the resort, this can include:
restaurants
bars and cafés
housekeeping
room service
laundry services
airport transfers
childcare
kids' clubs
swimming pools
entertainment
activities and excursions
spa facilities
a gym
In many cases, self-catering accommodation won’t give you access to any of the above, although there are some exceptions (serviced apartments, for example, may have housekeeping and a gym). However, if you want to go for self-catering and want to make sure you have plenty of facilities nearby, simply choose accommodation close to shops, bars, restaurants, and attractions.
4. Location
All-inclusive accommodation is typically found in popular tourist areas such as resort towns and coastal areas, where everything is set up for convenience and ultimate relaxation. Popular all-inclusive destinations include the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Spain’s Canary Islands, Dubai and Cape Verde. At many all-inclusives, all your facilities will be on site, from restaurants and bars to pools and entertainment.
On a self-catering holiday, you have a lot more flexibility when it comes to location. Self-catering apartments exist almost everywhere, so you can choose your destination first and find your accommodation second. It’s also easier to have a more local experience, as you’ll be using community facilities. However, you may need to travel to get to the nearest restaurant, bar or shop. If you want to go for self-catering but facilities are important to you, make sure you book accommodation with restaurants, bars and shops nearby.
5. Dining options
On an all-inclusive holiday, meals are typically included in the price. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks are all served at on-site restaurants and bars, and there’s usually an ‘all you can eat’ aspect. However, all-inclusives often have set menus and usually the cuisine is crowd-pleasing rather than adventurous, so mealtimes can become repetitive if you’re staying for a while.
Meals on self-catering holidays are less convenient, but they can be more flexible and better suit your personal tastes. You’ll need to prepare your own meals, but this gives you more freedom and variety than at an-all inclusive resort.
6. Length of stay
Self-catering holidays can work well for both short and longer stays. It is often easier to move between different types of accommodation if you are travelling for an extended period.
All-inclusive holidays are more commonly designed for shorter breaks of one or two weeks.
7. Privacy
If privacy is a priority, self-catering may be the better option. You will often have your own apartment, villa or holiday home, with fewer shared spaces and less interaction with other guests.
On an all-inclusive holiday, accommodation is usually part of a hotel or resort with shared facilities, which means less privacy and more communal areas.
Self-catering or all-inclusive: which one to choose?
Both self-catering and all-inclusive holidays have their advantages. So which option works better for your next trip depends entirely on your needs and preferences.
If you want a more restful trip with less to organise, an all-inclusive resort may suit you.
If you would rather have more freedom, privacy and opportunities to explore the local area, self-catering may be a better match.
Options in between self-catering and all-inclusive holiday
If you are not sure which to choose, an option in between the two may be a better fit.
These include:
half board: usually includes breakfast and dinner, while leaving the rest of the day open
bed and breakfast: breakfast is included, but other meals are not
full board: meals are included, but drinks and snacks usually cost extra
serviced apartments: a self-catering option that may also include extras such as cleaning, laundry or room service