Many hotels are redefining what it means to be an all inclusive property. With five-star restaurants, pristine beaches, and impeccable service, these resorts are most certainly worthy of their luxury reputation. This being said, all inclusive hotels aren’t perfect for every couple. It all comes down to the destination and the type of experience you are wanting.Here are some things to consider when you are deciding whether to stay at an all inclusive resort:
-Budget: Are you wanting to know ahead of time exactly how much you will be spending on meals and drinks during your honeymoon? Then an all inclusive hotel would definitely be great for you. This way everything is pre-paid: food, drinks, taxes, gratuities, and usually some activities.
-The Experience: Do you see your honeymoon spent mostly at your hotel, enjoying their beaches and restaurants? Or do you see your days spent visiting the local towns and doing adventurous activities outside of your hotel? It only makes sense to stay at an all inclusive hotel if you plan to spend a vast majority of your time there.
-Destination: Not every destination in the world has all inclusive hotels. There are plenty in Mexico, the Caribbean and Costa Rica. In Fiji many resorts include meals but not beverages. In destinations like Hawaii and Europe all inclusive hotels are not an option.
While most people think all inclusive hotels are just large mega resorts, there are also small boutique properties. So don’t be deterred from staying at an all inclusive hotel just because you want to stay at a smaller resort.
I hope this helps with deciding whether to stay at an all inclusive hotel for your honeymoon. Contact us at hello{at}everafterhoneymoons.com if you would like help finding the right hotel!
Images courtesy of Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita – Riviera Maya, Coco’s Hotel – Antigua, & Namale Resort & Spa – Fiji
A lot of my clients have a tough time when it comes to making decisions about their honeymoon, whether this means picking the right destination or the perfect resort. The good news is that you really can’t go wrong! Regardless of where you go you will have an amazing time enjoying your newlywed bliss. But if you are still having trouble with making a decision, here are a few tips to help with the decision making process.
1. If you are trying to decide between two destinations, decide to visit both! Go to one destination for your honeymoon and then visit the other destination for an anniversary trip.
2. When trying to decide between two different destinations or resorts, talk about what you each like about each place. Discuss what you would do at each spot, and what your perfect days would be like. Don’t just look through “must see” lists by other people- what would YOU want to do? Look through pictures and really imagine yourselves in each place- where are you most excited about?
3. If the travel time is significantly different, go with the destination with the shorter travel time. This way you will spend less time on airplanes and more time enjoying your honeymoon!
With all of this being said, don’t put too much pressure on your honeymoon! Your honeymoon is not just about where you go or what you do. Your honeymoon is about enjoying the beginning of the rest of your lives together. A lot of couples think that their honeymoon has to be the best vacation of their lives. Well that doesn’t give you a lot to look forward to! You can (and hopefully will!) take more luxurious trips in your life.
I hope this helps! If you need advise for planning your honeymoon we would love to help! Contact us at hello{at}everafterhoneymoons.com.
With heat waves sweeping the country, taking a dip in one of these unique and exotic pools never sounded so good!
First up we have the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. Take a break from the casino action and the Vegas-style shows of the Sands in the SkyPark Pool, the world’s largest infinity pool at over 650 feet in the air. The Marina Bay Sands is a perfect stop on your way to or from Bali.
Next, we have one a little closer to home. The Amangiri at Canyon Point, Utah features, as it’s centerpiece, a breathtaking pool that blends with the landscape of the desert. If you’re looking for a chlorine-free dip, the resort is located near Lake Powell and the Colorado River.
This third pool had us doing a double take. Carved into the natural beauty of of Punta del Este, Uruguay, the pool at Fasano Las Piedras is the perfect way to unwind after a round at the resort’s Arnold Palmer designed golf course.
Not only does each ultra-luxurious, glass-fronted suite at the Madikwe Hills Private Game Lodge afford stunning views of the majestic flora and fauna of South Africa, they each feature a private plunge pool. There’s no better way to end a day of observing Lions, Elephants, Giraffes, and Rhinos than floating beneath the unadulterated, star-filled African sky.
Lastly, we have a private plunge pool at the fairytale luxury resort Wildflower Hall at Shimla in the Himalayan Mountains. Bask in tranquility as you take in the awe inspiring beauty of the world’s highest mountains. The spa at the colonial era resort features the best of eastern and western holistic treatments to make this a truly tranquil sanctuary.
Are you ready to take the plunge in one of these incredible pools? Email us! hello{at}everafterhoneymoons.com
Good morning everyone! Today, I am excited about letting you all in on some secrets of snagging airline upgrades. When you are traveling for your honeymoon, sitting in First Class makes it all the more fun! So here are a few tips:
Be Timely: Arrive at the airport early so that you are among the first passengers to check in for your flight. This is key to being at the top of the upgrade list.
Be Polite: Airline personnel have to deal with pushy and impolite passengers day in and day out. Approaching the ticket counter with a smile can be all it takes for a ticket agent to want to help you. Ask about their day, tell them you just got married, and be extra friendly.
Be Persistent: Sometimes airlines decide to bump people up to First Class at the very last minute. It’s very possible that while the agent at the ticket counter was unable to provide you with an upgrade, the agent at the gate has the capabilities.
Be Cute: Skip your typical flying attire of sweats and a t-shirt and throw on a casual summer dress or a cute top and flats. Although no airline personnel will ever admit it, they will probably be more likely to give you an upgrade if you dress the part of a First Class passenger.
Be Realistic: Unfortunately, just because you are a happy honeymoon couple doesn’t mean you are automatically going to get an upgrade. If you are flying to Tahiti and hoping for an upgrade, using “it’s our honeymoon” it most likely won’t work, seeing as the majority of the other passengers are probably on their honeymoon as well!
Be Smart: Always make sure to mention if you are a frequent flyer with that particular airline or a partnering airline, or if you have a credit card with that airline. These are always a plus!
So those are a few tricks I (and past clients) have found to be very effective when trying to snag upgrades. What works best for you?
Happy Friday everyone! Today, I want to spill some secrets to taking full advantage of all-inclusive resorts. Now when I say “all-inclusive,” I’m not talking the ginormous resorts that offers all-inclusive packages for college spring breakers. I am referring to the more high-end all inclusive properties, consisting of only a small number of rooms (usually under 100), excellent food and drinks, and with outstanding service. Some of my personal favorites include Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita in Riviera Maya and Hermitage Bay located in Antigua.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you are staying at an all-inclusive paradise:
- Dress Code
- Always check the hotel’s dress codes for their restaurants before you leave home.
- For example, I know most guys when traveling to a beach resort typically pack a total of two pairs of shoes: flip-flops and tennis shoes. However, some of the restaurants in your hotel may require closed toe dress shoes for guys.
- Plan Ahead
- When you arrive, check to see if any restaurants require reservations. Also sometimes restaurants are only open on certain nights, so ask to see a schedule.
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| Be sure to order the Coco Loco at Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita! |
- Ask for what you want
- Don’t assume that because it is an all-inclusive, you only get cheap alcohol. With most all-inclusive resorts, you can ask for specific brands of alcohol and it will be included.
- Take advantage of room service
- Most people write off room service when traveling because it is known to be so pricey, but it is included at most all-inclusive resorts. So take advantage of breakfast in bed, dessert in your suite or an afternoon order of margaritas and guacamole!
- Gratuities
- Almost every all-inclusive resort will include gratuities. But if someone goes out of their way to provide excellent service it is nice to tip them.
- Be sure to travel with small bills for those times you want to slip a helpful staff member a tip. Nothing is worse than scrambling through your wallet in search of a little tip and finding only plastic or big bills.
I hope these tips were helpful! Do you have any advice I left out? Where is your favorite all-inclusive resort? If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check back soon for our post on the pros and cons of all-inclusive resorts!
