When you are considering which resort to stay at in Mexico, you generally have 2 resort options, a la carte, and all-inclusive. Previously, we shared Why We Like All-Inclusive Resorts. In this article we share what to expect when you stay at an all-inclusive resort. Resorts are not the same, but having stayed at many different all-inclusive resorts, we find the following commonalities.
Start Your Day With Breakfast
Breakfast is always offered at the buffet and sometimes another restaurant offers breakfast items a la carte. Even though it is a buffet restaurant, there will also be an omelet bar and pancake bar. Other breakfast items are available ranging from traditional Mexican dishes, casseroles, pastries, yogurt, and a variety of breads you can toast.
The waiter will bring you coffee or juice, or you can pick these up inside the buffet area. One of the things I love most is the variety of fresh fruit that is available. If you want to start your day early, you can ask for a mimosa or other alcoholic drink from the waiter at the restaurant, but other bars are typically not open until 10:00 am.
Lounging By The Pool
Chairs by the pool and ocean are first-come first-serve. The exception to this is if you have paid extra to have a reservation in a specially designated area or cabana. Assuming you have not, you will want to arrive early at the pool or beach area you plan to spend most of your day. Picking the best area depends entirely on your preference for shade, peaceful or lots of activity.
As long as you intend to come back to your chair within an hour, we recommend leaving a personal item or 2 on your chair, or else it will be considered “up for grabs”. We often leave a beach pillow and a book or magazine.
While we have not had issues with items being stolen, it is best not to invite temptation. If you do not plan to use the chair, however, please do not reserve a chair. Someone who will be sitting in the chair most of the day will appreciate your leaving them open.
Resort Activities
Most resorts have a team people whose sole job is to engage with the guests and keep them involved in activities. You can participate in any or all of the activities as you desire. A schedule of the weeks activities will either be delivered to your door, available on an app, or broadcast on a resort television channel.
Examples of activities include water volleyball, water aerobics, talent show, Spanish class, craft class, yoga, bicycle tours (with resort bikes), cooking class or just plain goofing around by the pool. You will learn very quickly where the active pool in the resort is located and that is usually where most of the activities take place. If you prefer quiet and relaxation to people watching or participating in activities, you probably will want to anchor a place away from that pool.
Service is Always Nearby
Poolside or oceanside waiters will circulate around the guests asking if they can get you anything. This is where a tip comes in very handy because tipping someone who brings you drinks or food (or the bartender at the swim up bar) can ensure you are paid attention to throughout the day. Lunch is often available at a poolside café or designated restaurants.
Eating near the Pool
You will be expected to be dry and have a swimsuit cover-up on in order to eat at a non-pool restaurant. The general buffet where you ate breakfast is also usually open for lunch. Some resorts will do a pop-up lunch by the pool for convenience (i.e. a taco bar, grilled chicken nachos, etc.). Valentin Imperial is one of the resorts that has food trucks by the pool so you can eat while wet. Most resorts do not want you to eat while in the pool although drinking is certainly welcome. Pools start to thin out in the late afternoon when guests head back to their rooms to get ready for dinner.
Dinner Restaurants
Check the clothing requirements before you leave to make sure you have packed the right things. Dinner often requires close-toed shoes for men and no pool clothing (coverups included). Some resorts require men to wear pants and women to wear dress shorts, pants, or skirts/dresses. You will be turned away from a restaurant that has a specific dress code if you do not follow it.
Some resorts require advance reservations that you schedule at a kiosk in the lobby. Others require you to schedule these at the restaurant itself. If you are at a resort with concierge staff buildings, they can make the reservations for you. You will want to plan out your restaurant choices when you first arrive because some are extra popular and hard to get in on short notice.
Nightly Entertainment
All of the resorts we have stayed at offer a late-night show. The shows can be very good and worth watching but certainly can also be passed if you are wiped out from the day in the sun. It is not uncommon for a resort to have live music after the show in a courtyard area if you love the nightlife.
We hope this has been helpful to know what to expect when you go to your first all-inclusive resort. As we have said, these type resorts are our favorite. In one beautiful resort you can be pampered, entertained, active, relaxed, and eat and drink all you care to.
Excursions
Whereas excursions take you away from a resort, they are an exciting and safe way to explore the area attractions. The type of excursions that are offered will depend on your resort’s destination but the way to reserve them is similar.
If you have already been, tell us what your first resort experience was like!
