When it comes to writing a story about a past trip, I usually start by taking a breath and transporting myself back to the destination. What did it feel like? What were the smells? What were the sounds? What were the locals like? I reach back in time to when I was in a different place and am able to draw out of the memories emotions and vivid images of that local culture to share with my readers. Ask me about any trip I’ve taken in my past and chances are I’ll get this “faraway” look in my eyes and speak fondly of street vendors and local markets like I’m reminiscing about an old lover. I have never had trouble writing about a destination, that is until right now.
Picture this: I am at a Starbucks in New York City with my empty holiday red cup by my computer. I am trying to start a story about a recent press trip I took to the Dominican Republic but am at an utter loss for words. Any blogger and journalist knows that the currency for press trips is editorial exposure, so whether I’m inspired or not doesn’t make a different; I have to write a story about the trip-but what to write? How does one write about a country when they never set foot outside of the hotel? How does one describe the cuisine when everything served was from a resort buffet? How does one speak to the culture when the only interaction with locals was through the wait staff? I have my work cut out for me.
Staying at an all-inclusive resort is not my usual mode of travel but when an opportunity to cover culinary week in the Dominican Republic comes across your inbox, you tend to overlook details like accommodations in lieu of images of beaches and coconut cocktails. With ample free time kindly built into my itinerary, I naively figured I would find a way to leave the resort and explore the local culture. As it would turn out, I would not leave the resort until check out time and would learn some lessons about all-inclusive resorts and why I’d never again choose to stay at one.
Lesson #1: All-Inclusive resorts tend to be isolated.
As soon as I arrived with my boyfriend at the all-inclusive resort we were staying at, I eagerly looked at excursions we could take. I figured we could easily find a half day trip beyond the resort that would allow us to see the culture and bring us back in time for the culinary week dinners planned for this trip. Instead, I quickly found that our resort was very far from everything. It seems that isolation is key when it comes to resorts and this one was no exception.
Lesson #2: The “sprawling resort” becomes small, fast.
When I first arrived on my college campus years ago, I remember being overwhelmed by the sheer size of the school as I wondered how I’d ever learn to navigate the campus with the same ease the upper class students did. When I moved to New York City after college, I remember feeling the same way about the subway system-how would I ever master this winding mass of colorful lines without getting lost? Sure enough, I got to the point I could navigate both with a blindfold. When I arrived at the all-inclusive resort, I was similarly impressed and daunted by the size of it. When our bellhop led us to our room, it felt like we has been walking for an hour by the time we reached it. The resort was so large they offered a small train to take guests around! Of course, after two days that sprawling feeling was replaced with the sense the resort was too small. I had walked by each restaurant, had seemingly explored every nook and cranny of the place-from the mini golf to the water slides to the beach. I was ready to leave.
Lesson #3: The guests are a…certain type of traveler.
Now let me tread with caution here as I would hate to offend any readers who may be a fan of all-inclusive resorts. This is by no means meant to be a sweeping statement about all resort guests, only those I came across on my trip. The fact is that the people I saw at my resort seemed to prioritize two things: drinking to capacity and then passing out on the beach. My fellow guests seemed to have no interest in exploring the Dominican Republic beyond the rum cocktails served to them by the local waitstaff. Many of the guests proved loud and obnoxious as they hung around the casinos, marinated by the pool and pounded tequila shots at 11am in the morning before lining up outside the buffet to eat their fourth meal of the day. While I can respect the coveted relaxation that comes with an all-inclusive resort, I cannot understand the point of visiting another country only to drink and pass out pool side (unless of course, you’re a college student on Spring Break in Cancun).
Lesson #4: The food is good but forgettable.
Before I became a travel writer, my focus of writing was food. Food is such an integral part to travel and the discovery of a culture as it’s reflective of the local customs. My favorite meals while traveling are always found in the most humble of places-a local choripan joint in Buenos Aires, a street cart selling arepas in Colombia, a no-name cafe selling Croque Monsieur outside Notre Dame in Paris. In the all-inclusive resort, food was good but sadly forgettable. There is no context to a great meal when it is served from a buffet line. No authenticity, no local flavor-the resort food was simply manufactured to meet the presumed wants and needs of its Western guests.
Lesson #5: Visiting and leaving a country without ever seeing it.
When my boyfriend and I were getting ready to leave the Dominican Republic he told me how his sister had asked him how the DR had been. His answer? He quite honestly did not know what to say. He had seen the same stretch of beach, the same resort water slides, the same room service meals every day. He could tell her how the resort had been but could not speak to the country itself. I remember being struck by this simple exchange because it seemed to sum up everything wrong with staying at an all-inclusive in my eyes. As a travel writer, I had visited a country and had absolutely nothing more to show for it than a few beach snapshots and souvenirs from the resort gift shop.
On those lazy beach days in the DR, I thought a lot about travel and what had initially drawn me to it. I thought about the perspective and inspiration I’ve gained from being abroad, the adventures I’ve had and the memories I’ve shared by meeting other travelers and locals on my journeys. I had strayed far from that mode of travel with this all-inclusive trip and left feeling a sense of urgency to plan another trip for my boyfriend and I that would give us an experience to remember. Travel is objective and while all-inclusive resorts may not be my cup of tea, it does not reflect poorly on anyone who prefers them. As for me? Well, I’m now in the process of planning three trips for early next year through Central America that will take me far from the all-inclusive and put me back in the way of culture and beauty.
What are your thoughts on all-inclusive resorts? Love them or hate them? Join the conversation and share your thoughts below!
Elizabeth @Something Saturdays says
Very interesting. I’ve never been to an all-inclusive resort before but have stayed in a couple of towns with resorts here and there but they haven’t been all that isolated from the community (I’m talking walking distance to other resorts and local restaurants). Mind you, these towns themselves don’t necessarily show the authentic *insert country here* experience; they’re very tourist-centric regardless and I’d much rather stay somewhere else.
Although your experience sounds a little worse than most because I feel like lots of all-inclusives are at least near a touristy community and have reasonable excursions. Eeeek!
I was surprised by how removed this particular resort was from everything! I was hoping to take an excursion into Santo Domingo and it was over two hours away! It is definitely the type of spot people come to for just beach and golf, which is absolutely okay but very different from the sort of travel I’m used to. Thanks for reading and sharing your comment!
The only time I ever stay all inclusive is when my ultimate intent is to relax. I’ve stayed all inclusive in Mexico a few times (usually through Riu because I feel like these resorts offer slightly more in terms of cultural experience) but I always plan ahead of time to take local transportation into a non-touristy area nearby so that I can get an actual feel for what the culture is like. But, I agree, I don’t tend to opt for all inclusive when I’m traveling purely to enjoy culture rather than to take a “vacation”.
Would never stay at an all inclusive resort, even if traveling with small kids. We never have in the past when we travelled with babies, toddlers and now young kids. This article sums up why 🙂
I’ve had mixed experiences with all-inclusive resorts. While not my favourite way to travel, I think all-inclusive resorts are good in certain situations (traveling with large groups, etc.) They can definitely be isolated, but sometimes the long trek into town can be really enjoyable and worth it.
Allyn Cutts says
Sounds like you were in Punta Cana… That’s not really the DR. Punta Cana was totally developed for tourist. Visit Sosua, Cabarete and Puerto Plata areas of the Dominican Republic, or go to the other side of the island and try Santo Domingo… And there are some small boutique all-inclusive resorts, if you want to try that again.
Sarah Yekinni says
Nikki,
I think your post perfectly highlights the differences between “traveling” and “vacationing”. I dare say there are people who have vacationed around the world and still have yet to travel. For me, traveling requires active engagement, exploration and interaction with a city and its people. If done right, you return home changed and enlightened by your experience. Vacationing on the other hand is a more passive, sheltered and indulgent activity, where the most common transformation is over-tanned skin!
I personally prefer a healthy mix of both. As you know, traveling can be exhausting at times, so it’s nice every now and then to jet off to a far away place and just simply be.
I totally relate to feeling isolated and disconnected from the country you’re in if you’re stuck in an all inclusive. But I do think it’s important to escape and relax from time to time without the pressure of having to see and do everything that comes with active travel.
Definitely agree! I can see the benefits to both sides and as I get older I definitely like to find that balance between exploring and traveling and also relaxing. Which pretty much means I’ve graduated from staying at hostels for the most part to staying in hotels or apartment rentals when traveling. Thanks for reading!
Would definitely love to explore the DR and come back to see the culture!
I think it comes down to what you’re looking to get out of your trip. I know some people are looking just to relax and not worry about details and planning, and for that all-inclusives are definitely great! I can see the benefits to both.
I can see why people with small kids would stay at an all-inclusive-they seemed to have plenty of child-distraction amenities so parents could relax while their kids are playing. But yes, I do think the cons of staying at a resort can out weigh the pros.
I think it’s an interesting distinction-the line between traveling and a vacation. As I mentioned in my above responses, I can see the benefits to staying at a resort (the relaxation, ease, etc.) but I think you do give up some of the benefits of traveling when you book an all-inclusive resort.
Katie MacLeod says
I’m sorry to hear it wasn’t as enjoyable as you hoped, Nikki! I used to be really wary of all-inclusive resorts, until I stayed at one in Kenya last year. I actually really enjoyed the mix of complete and utter relaxation where I had nothing at all to worry about, and taking trips outside the resort to see more of the country (using local travel companies instead of the resort tours). Like you, I would definitely have struggled if I hadn’t seen outside the resort - our day in Mombasa was an absolute highlight of my travels so far!
Traveolani says
I have been once to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun and I loved it! The purpose of our trip was a beach vacation and we enjoyed spending the day around the pool and at the beach. Thank God there were no loud guests, the hotel had a very quiet and relaxing atmosphere.
The resort wasn’t isolated at all and the food was amazing.
I agree with you that this way you can’t see anything from the country itself. However lots of day trips were offered at the hotel. We went to ChichenItza. I wished to go on another one but not my husband :).
Gloria says
I love this blog post!
This was a great read. So far my husband and I have only done all inclusive resort travel. Most recently to the DR. I found myself bored on day 2. We have a busy family and home life and really needed a relaxing vacation which is why we decided to do an all inclusive again, but it left me feeling really empty by the end of it. I’m definitely beyond the drink and crash stage in my life. Also still super nervous about traveling without a safety net. Hopefully I’ll get there.
www.SantoDomingoTaxi.com says
This article is spot on and how I have traveled my whole life. While you can’t really be a part of the place you are visiting in short amount of time most of us visit a location you still try and get something from the local culture. Sometimes people are a little nervous about visiting a place and enjoy the ease a security that an all-inclusive offers. My advice, if really want to stay at one just try and find one with in a city or community so that you can wonder outside of the walls of isolation known as the all-inclusive. If you visit the Dominican Republic, stay away from Punta Cana and find the “Real Dominican Republic”. You can read more about the Real Dominican Republic and how to find all-inclusive hotels close to a town and other options to an all-inclusive in the DR here - http://www.santodomingotaxi.com/discover-real-dominican-republic/
Kel says
I hate all inclusives. I stayed at two…one in veradero and an all adult one on Santa Maria. It was isolated and felt like i was in the middle of no where. It was country. No malls , no local shops when you walk out the resort all you see is a long stretch road and beaches that’s it. I wanted to go home on day 2. The food is nasty I rarely ate and I don’t drink. You’re right all people do is drink a lot there. I saw too many soft porn at the pool these nasty people have no shame.first time all inclusive never again. When I travel I usually book my own hotel near downtown areas so I can wonder about and explore shops and culture. One major point you made was truth that what’s the point in travel if your not able to experience culture?
Sheritta Woodruff Taylor says
Honestly, I’ve never understood the argument that all-inclusive vacations are more relaxing. Is it simply because all expenses are paid for in advance? I’d rather an exclusive, high-end resort (Four Seasons, One and Only, Rosewood) any day compared to the cattle call buffets, so-so restaurants, questionable guests, and thinly veiled appearance of luxury found at even the “best” all-inclusive resorts.
Could not agree more! I think people just want to avoid the whole planning part of travel, which can definitely be stressful.
I will never forget that trip I had to the DR and how I left the island knowing NOTHING about the culture, food or destination. Never again.