DEFINITION OF ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS

[Hal Segal]

>>>Here is the definition of all-inclusive resorts that will be used
>>>for purposes of this newsgroup:
>>>
>>>1. All meals and evening entertainment are included in the package
>>> price.
>>>
>>>2. There is no tipping, and the resort actively enforces this rule.
>>>
>>>3. All the guests at the resort are part of the inclusive plan.
>>>
>>>Questions and Answers:
>>>
>>>Q. Do drinks need to be included in order for the resort to be
>>>considered all-inclusive? A. No, but most resorts do include drinks.
>>>Three resort chains that do not include drinks are Club Med, Club
>>>Valtur, and Robinson Club. To our knowledge, all the others do.
>>>
>>>Q. What if a resort says that tipping is included in the package
>>>price but does nothing to discourage tipping. A. Tipping is a feature
>>>that many people hate, and they find that it distracts greatly
>>>from their vacation to constantly have staff hanging around waiting
>>>for tips. By our definition, a resort would not be considered
>>>all-inclusive if it tolerates this practice.
>>>
>>>Q. Many resorts offer packages that they claim are all-inclusive,
>>>side-by-side with regular hotel packages. Are these resorts included
>>>in this newsgroup's discussion? A. Yes, we do include them, but only
>>>to point out the differences. On our master list, they have an
>>>asterisk to indicate that they are only partially all-inclusive. They
>>>DON'T meet our definition of an all-inclusive resort -- they are
>>>really just regular hotels with an optional meal package, and they
>>>don't have the ambiance of a true all-inclusive resort.
>>>
>>>Q. What about extra cost excursions? A. It is common for all-
>>>inclusive resorts to offer some extra-cost items, like excursons,
>>>sunset cruises, and motorized watersports like water skiing.
>>>
>>>by Hal Segal, Moderator, rec.travel.resorts.all-inclusive

[Jojy P Abraham]

I called the CAESAR's Pocono resorts, and gratuities are included in the
price, EXCEPT for tips at the bar, since alcohol is not included in the
price. does this exclude the resorts from your all-inclusive list? If
no, may I post a message?

j.

(SEE THE MOST RECENT RESPONSE FROM MODERATOR AT BOTTOM)

On Sat, 13 Dec 1997, Hal Segal wrote:

> Kindly clarify the following point. It was our understanding that tipping is
> actively encouraged at all the resorts in the Poconos, which disqualifies those
> resorts from being classified as "all-inclusive" according to our definition. Am
> I wrong?
>
> Hal Segal, moderator
> rec.travel.resorts.all-inclusive
>
> >> >HI,
> >> >
> >> >Has anyone been to any of the four Caesar's Pocono Resorts? do you know
> >> >anything about it, other than what's said in their brochures? Any first or
> >> >second-hand reports? Is it a good honeymoon desination?
> >> >
> >> >J.

RESPONSE FROM MODERATOR:

This person brings up a very good point. Should we include resorts that allow
tipping for certain "optional items" to be included in our definition? I
personally find tipping to detract from the all-inclusive experience, and I'm
against expanding the definition, but I'd welcome other points of view on this
subject. It is not an easy question. Should we take the ski resort of Club Med
at Copper Mountain in Colorado off our list because many people feel obligated
to tip their ski instructors at the end of the week? Club Med seems to look the
other way in this case. Also, some people argue that because drinks cost extra
at Club Med, all the Club Med locations should be removed from our list. It is
ironic that Club Med, the originator of the all-inclusive concept, is not
keeping up with the times and still charges extra for drinks, while almost all
the other all-inclusive resorts now include drinks.

Hal Segal

[Steven Goodman]

Hal,

Even the "all-inclusive with drinks included" resorts often have a few things
they charge for. i.e. special wines, etc. I don't think there is ANY
all-inclusive resort that includes everything?

As to Club Med not including drinks, I know people who actively avoid the
all-inclusives that include alcohol, but are willing to go to Club Med. To
quote one, "I would have to drink a LOT of Diet Pepsi to make it worthwhile...".

And Club Med seems to have a better selection at their bars? i.e. since people
arepaying for it, they can afford to have imported beer, single malt scotches,
etc?

As to tipping at Club Med. It is often done "casually", i.e. no money. You
leave the GOs who were very helpful gifts, or you buy them drinks. I have even
taken them out to dinner. Part of this may be the difference in attitude at
Club Med? i.e. GOs feel more like your friends after a few days, not employees?

Steven Goodman
st...@ancore.com