I've been to 35 all-inclusive resorts. I always watch out for these 7 red flags.

02.08.2024 - 13:46 / insider.com

You may already have a trip to an all-inclusive resort on the books, or perhaps you're still browsing.

Either way, you have lots to look forward to, from lazing on the beach with a cocktail in hand to trying local cuisine at the hotel's restaurants.

As a travel writer, I've stayed at almost 40 all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, the Maldives, the Caribbean, and more. Many of my stays have been dreamy, but I've also uncovered some inadequacies.

Although no resort is perfect, some have their share of red flags that can take away from your overall enjoyment. Here are the ones I look out for:

Love them or hate them, buffets are often a major dining feature at an all-inclusive resort — and the options should always look enticing and appetizing.

Watch out for buffets where the food isn't replenished frequently or just doesn't look fresh. Also, be on the lookout for chefs who use the same utensils for raw and cooked meat or fish, which can lead to cross-contamination.

Take a good look around before you start piling things on your plate, or stick to the à la carte restaurants if that's an option. If you're dining at a restaurant that offers both sit-down and buffet menus, remember that servers sometimes pull food straight from the buffet.

At all-inclusive resorts, I've seen guests wake up early to stake their claim on the best loungers on the beach or pool deck, only to leave for breakfast and return hours later.

This is one of my biggest pet peeves, and I can't find any rhyme or reason to predict when it occurs. I've seen it at large and small resorts, those that cater to only adults versus families, and budget to luxury properties.

If you want to sleep in a bit (you're on vacation, after all), you're often out of luck.

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If you show up and see rows of seats with nothing more than clipped-on towels, ask the pool attendant if the property enforces a policy of removing unattended chairs after a certain time period.

But as I've learned, unfortunately, you might need to join the fray of seat savers — or arrive late afternoon when people start trickling back to their rooms to get ready for dinner.

When you make your way to the swim-up bar, take a look at the bottles on the shelf. If all you see are unrecognizable brands, you could be in for a killer hangover.

That being said, depending on where your resort is located and your booze knowledge, there might be some great locally-produced spirits that are just unfamiliar to you. Google is your friend here.

If your internet search proves what you suspected — that the resort is serving spirits below your standards — you might want to stick mostly to beer or low-ABV spritzers (wine, club soda, simple syrup, and citrus), with the occasionally fruity frozen