Going away for several days and not having to think about money or what to do is a definite benefit to all-inclusive resorts, where one price is paid for much of the entire experience — but one important item all-inclusive resorts should include is something about which most guests are typically concerned.
One Important Item All-Inclusive Resorts Should Include Is…
The entire experience of an all-inclusive resort typically includes the room itself, an unlimited amount of food and beverages, unlimited use of the facilities and amenities that are on site, taxes, fees, and participation of activities at the resort — all at no extra cost…
…but transportation to and from the airport should be included in the rate as well. The last thing about which a guest should be concerned is choosing a reliable mode of transportation at a price that is cost effective and of value — especially when operators of transportation services may be unscrupulous as based on reviews that were rated by customers: older vehicles that may not operate properly; transportation which is significantly delayed and either detracts from time at the resort or causes the customer to miss a flight; or the operator not showing up altogether and yet keeping the money paid by the customer for the service.
My Experience as One Example
Because I booked a reservation at the Hilton La Romana, an All-Inclusive Adult Only Resort in the Dominican Republic some years ago and was going to stay there exclusively for the few days I was in the country, I first sought a shuttle or bus service between Punta Cana International Airport and the resort property. One operator wanted to charge almost $43.00 round trip for me to ride on a bus with a maximum of ten stops; and I would have to abide by its schedule…
…so I quickly looked up my alternatives; and I found that I was able rent a car from SIXT Rent a Car for three days for a grand total of $34.21 if I pay for the reservation in advance. Even with the $16.25 in fuel and $6.36 in tolls to drive on La Autopista del Coral, renting a car for a grand total cost of $56.82 was not even a second thought for me.
Renting a vehicle in the Dominican Republic was not an issue for me; but renting a vehicle in countries such as Mexico can be considerably more daunting — especially with insurance issues.
Final Boarding Call
The experience of an all-inclusive resort should begin when the customer arrives at the airport — especially in a country in which that customer is considered a foreigner. Local people rarely are customers of all-inclusive resorts, which should have a proprietary operator of transportation conduct the service to and from the airport; and they should accordingly increase the daily rate to cover that transportation. The overall experience would significantly improve, in my opinion.
Some all-inclusive resorts supposedly already include transportation as part of the rate and the experience; but I have not been to one of them as yet…
All photographs ©2019 by Brian Cohen.
