Part one: Challenging My Own Advice: Putting All-Inclusive to the Test
I answered a question a few months ago about all-inclusive resorts and, to put it mildly, my post was not an endorsement. My friend Leana at Miles for Family presented the opposing view and challenged me to a deal-off. I didn’t respond at the time because I realized I didn’t have enough information, having never actually visited an all-inclusive resort.
Well, next week I’m headed down to Beaches Turks and Caicos for a conference. While I did receive a discounted conference rate, I’m still paying for the trip out of pocket. Beaches is going to present itself in the best possible light, of course, but I still have some concerns about the value of all-inclusives. Here are the items I’ll be especially eyeing while soaking up the sun:
- Room quality and size: one of my main complaints against all-inclusives is that you could rent a much larger condo for the same rate. I want to see the rooms to judge my perception.
- Food and drink quality: I know that a main selling point is “all you can eat and drink”, but is it food and alcohol you want to eat and drink?
- Service: This one is a make or break. When you’re traveling independently, indifferent staff isn’t as big of a deal. If you’re not leaving the resort, it’s a vacation killer.
- Kid’s clubs for all ages: Beaches works with Sesame Street and that program looks great,but what about tweens and teens? Babies?
- Activities: Specifically how easy is it to get what you want to do, when you want to do it? Saying you have tons to do is one thing, having it is another. What is actually included and what costs extra?
Part two: My thoughts on All-Inclusives
Now that dreary rain has replaced warm Beaches I’m ready to share my thoughts. This post is about my impressions of all-inclusives in general. Of course I’m viewing AI resorts through the lens of Beaches Turks and Caicos but I think I have a pretty good idea what is specific to Beaches and what is AI across the board. I’ll approach Beaches in another post. I also want to make sure to address your questions about AI because you had some great ones. If I miss any, please let me know in the comments.
- All-Inclusive is for those times when you want “vacation”. If you want any sort of culture, AI is not for you. Your most involved decision will be choosing which pool to visit next.
- If you like cruises, you’ll like all-inclusives. I heard a guest describe it as a “cruise ship on land” and I agree.
- Location is pretty much irrelevant; I would choose the nicest resort in the easiest to get to location. You’re really going for the sand, sea and babysitter. Don’t make it too complicated.
- Activities are probably a lot less important than you think. It’s hot. The beach and pools are lovely. You’re on vacation. Waiters come by with mai tais on a regular basis. Chances are you’ll do 1/2 the kayaking, surfing, and trekking you think you’ll do.
- I would go high-end or not at all, especially when kids are involved. Luxury AI vs Lower scale AI is not Vendoming because you never leave the resort. Your entire experience: food, daycare, customer service, etc. is raised or lowered based on the resort you choose. For couples I think the calculation is a bit different. I’m thinking as much about childcare as some of the other elements. I MIGHT be willing to downscale food, etc., but I won’t scrimp on the quality of the kid’s program.
- I’ve never had a worse case of Gilded Cage Syndrome. GCS, or Affluenza, is the strange affliction that scrubs your brain of all motivation to do anything but stay in the Most. Amazing. Spot. Ever.
- That said, I would choose the lowest level room possible. I would never say that on a cruise, but it’s so easy to walk to the nearest coffee bar and grab a chair facing the ocean that I don’t see paying for the upgrades.
- Even the lowest room possible is going to be pricier than you will possibly imagine. I’ll go into Beaches’ pricing during the specific review, but you pay to play.
- Diversity might be an issue. I notice the staff disparity on cruise ships too but think it’s worth noting. It seems the management at many cruise lines and all-inclusives is almost entirely European and the staff is almost entirely Caribbean and Asian. I wondered if it was just me so asked a friend of color and before I could get my question out she answered “yes”. No one noticed any ill treatment at all, but the optics are there.
I’m sure you’re going to ask the bottom line question: would you go again or, more importantly, would you recommend it?
Would I recommend All Inclusive Resorts? Yes, with qualifications. I think all-inclusive can actually be good value for a few specific groups of people, which is a post of its own.
Would I go again? Surprisingly, I would (again, with qualifications). Not the answer I was expecting to give when I left.
Part three: Beaches Turks and Caicos skeptical review
This is the Beaches Turks and Caicos review you’ll see nowhere else as it’s based in clear eyed reality. The topic of me visiting Beaches generated some interesting questions and a constructive discussion that I want to address. Now that I’ve discussed my biased point of view before visiting and given my birds-eye view of all-inclusive resorts I’m ready to share my thoughts on Beaches Turks and Caicos. Today’s review will focus on the resort experience. Part 2 focuses on the dollars and cents. Make sure you take a good look at the dollars and cents!
Beaches Turks and Caicos Review: Physical Setting
In a word: stunning. We had a chance to chat with Adam Stewart, CEO of Sandals/Beaches, where he mentioned the company’s ability to scout locations that stand out and “Sandalize” the properties. Based on Beaches T&C, I believe it! The sand was powder-fine, the water transparent and the entire area completely unpolluted. I didn’t see a single cigarette butt, bottle cap, or even a piece of seaweed.
Beaches Turks and Caicos Review: Resort Setting
Also excellent. Beaches is much larger than I expected with 4 distinct “Villages”, each with its own pools, restaurants, and amenities. Constant upkeep shows and I didn’t see any peeling paint or rust, which in the tropics can be a constant battle. They hit the marks on my pet peeves:
- Garden view rooms really do face “gardens”, not parking lots.
- Beach and pool chairs are of high quality, with padding, and during my visit were plentiful. I’d be curious to see how they get in high season.
- The loudest areas of the resort (waterpark, disco) are kept in an area apart from guest rooms.
Beaches Turks and Caicos Review: Room Quality
My experience with the rooms is a bit biased as I was upgraded to a 1 bedroom suite in the newest village (see picture). The suites also come with washer/dryers and fully stocked fridges. I spoke with others in the Italian Village who enjoyed their rooms as well. The Caribbean Village rooms are the oldest in the resort and tend to be tied with the French as the least expensive. With what I saw of upkeep in the public areas I’d have no problem with an older room. The French Village is a bit farther back from the beach and is nearest the waterpark and disco so I’d probably stick to the Caribbean.
One of my questions was room quality and I was pleasantly surprised that so many categories of rooms were available all the way up to 4 bedrooms (I saw one, it was incredible). They also got right another pet peeve: high thread count sheets.
Beaches Turks and Caicos Review: Service
In general, excellent. Check-in is personalized and deskless. The transfer process to and from the airport is seamless. The waiters had me saying “Thank you, Linus” before my diet cokes were drained. Rooms are refreshed twice a day. Special shout-outs to the singing chefs at Kimono’s steakhouse and the DJ at Cricketeer’s Pub for the most rockin’ game of Bingo I’ve ever played.
Reader Mike asked about how the staff was treated. While I can’t be sure, I think you can judge how service industry employees are treated by how they treat their guests and by how stringently they adopt company policy. By that mark, Beaches employees must be treated well as I tried 4 times to tip 4 separate staff members and was politely rebuffed each time.
Also notable is the large number of employees I met worked for the company 10, 15, even 20 years. I find turnover to be rampant in the service industry so think that’s also an accurate gauge. I did mention that the optics surrounding diversity can be a challenge, but I find that to be industry wide and not specific to Beaches.
Beaches Turks and Caicos Review: Food
First the great: Neptune’s restaurant in Key West Village was my favorite for every meal of the day- and I tried all three. Between the low-key atmosphere (see top photo) to the fresh seafood to the terrific gazpacho, I didn’t eat anything at Neptune’s I didn’t want again.
Another good choice was sushi, either from Soy in the French Village at dinner or from Bayside at Key West at lunch. Bayside is a buffet which would prepare “to go” plates for your room or the beach: another bonus.
Kimono’s hibachi grill Japanese steakhouse is an absolute must do, as much for the presentation as the food. I won’t spoil it for you.
Others I didn’t have time to sample but heard especially good things: Cafe de Paris for crepes and croissants at breakfast, Barefoot at the Beach for super-fresh grilled fish.
The big miss for me (and others): Mario’s. The good news is that being all-inclusive you don’t have to finish any given meal and can just go somewhere else. The bad news is that I left one meal to find a different one!
Beaches Turks and Caicos Review: Drink
Beaches serves good alcohol and is generous with the pours. Brands include Appleton 5-12 year rums, Tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire Gins, and Absolut flavored vodkas. You have to request your specific brand in a mixed drink- as in “Sapphire and tonic” or “Appleton (oldest you have) rum punch”- or you will end up with some random bottle you don’t recognize. Lots of good beers to choose from. I’d skip wine as Sandals has a partnership with Beringer. I’d call their house wine at about $7 a bottle.
A reader asked if unlimited alcohol led to a “drinking culture”. I saw absolutely no evidence that guests went crazy when the tab was lifted.
Beaches Turks and Caicos Review: Activities
Availability of activities was one of my pre-trip concerns. I found it a lot less important once I got there. The beach and 10 pools including a huge waterpark will keep most plenty busy, not to mention that all-important afternoon nap.
However, I was right to have my warning flags raised. You have to get to the activities desk early to reserve what you want to do or risk missing out on the boat tours and other capacity controlled items. Another concern, especially on a shorter trip, is that the tides may not cooperate even though the weather looks fine. I was unable to snorkel because of murkiness under the sea although it was all sunshine above.
That said, they have a strong scuba program with full PADI backing. When my kids learn how to dive (and Deal Dad and I want to refresh since we haven’t been down since Deal Kid was born) I would definitely let the Beaches instructors teach. Also noteworthy is the special scuba program developed for kids as young as 8. Certification is extra ($90), but reasonable as the dives for certified divers are included.
Beaches Turks and Caicos Review: Kids Clubs
The Kids Camp options at Beaches may be the #1 selling point, especially is you have kids under 6. They have certified nannies and take kids literally from birth–which I find amazing. Kids over 4 have camp open till 8 or 9 so the grownups can even have dinner after dark without hiring an in-room nanny. If you have an under-4, camp is open till 6. Might I suggest a long lunch?
The Sesame Street partnership could be huge if you have kids in the right demo. They even bring (extra but worth it) Grover to your room to come tuck you in at night! Included is the Sesame Street parade so even you will have plenty of chances to tickle Elmo.
Tweens and teens own their own set-aside X-box lounge and disco. However, I see the allure of camp fading about age 7 or so. By then they’ll be all about the waterpark.
I don’t mean this as a joke: if you have post partum depression, spend whatever it takes and get yourself to Beaches for a few days, even if it’s just you and the baby. You’ll get some sun and rest, the baby will be well taken care of during the day, and a light just might appear more quickly at the end of the tunnel.
Final Thoughts
I’m going to wrap up this Beaches Turks and Caicos review with a statistic. I mentioned earlier the impressive tenure of the staff. Equally impressive is the tenure of the guests: 40% have stayed at a Beaches/Sandals property. I arrived at Beaches a skeptic and even if I’ve not completely succumbed to the siren song of the 4 corner hammock yet, it’s clear they’re doing something right.
Part four: Beaches Turks and Caicos dollars and sense
$800.
A night.
Before airfare.
There. I ripped off the band-aid. $800/night is the lowest low season price for 4 in the lowest level room at Beaches Turks and Caicos. There’s just no way I can make $800/night seem like a bargain without losing all of you. So I’m not gonna. This is not that kind of Beaches Turks and Caicos Review: frankly there are too many pieces of fluff out there already.
Here’s what I am going to do…and frankly I’m surprised I can go this far. I didn’t think I would until I saw the place. I am going to lay out some specific scenarios where I can see value in a Beaches vacation. Note I didn’t say “deal”, I said “value”. Big difference.
Beaches Turks and Caicos Review: When It Makes Sense
1. If you are accustomed to paying for luxury cruises, Beaches is a viable alternative that may actually cost less.
Having now cruised and visited Beaches, I’d rank the Beaches experience equal to or higher in every category (with the exception of being mobile). I’d especially note the kids’ activities and their ages. If you have kids under 3 expect to pay $6/hour for daytime freedom. If your baby is under 6 months, you’re out of luck. Not cheap by any stretch, but if you’re already paying for a cruise…
2. If you are traveling with an infant and want to know you have a qualified nanny available during the day.
I mentioned post-partum depression in my property review but any couple who is desperate for a break from new parenting or who has an older child who needs attention while the younger is cared for might seriously consider Beaches an option- at any price. I’ll be creative on a lot of areas in travel to save money but I won’t flex on the quality of the kids’ programs, especially with a baby. I would feel that my kids were safe at Beaches and I always felt safe myself.
3. If the inmates run the asylum, especially if most of the inmates are under 7.
Because Beaches has so many types of rooms, you won’t have to get 2 or more to fit a large family-and there’s no limit to how many you can put into camp. Scaling up and maybe even traveling as a group might help defray the cost per person as kids are much cheaper than the 1st 2 grownups.
4. If you are having a blended family destination wedding or vow renewal with your kids.
I got to see a couple of vow renewals while at Beaches and even the base (as in free) package was lovely. I could totally see how a destination wedding might help smooth the transition for the kids of two families coming together.
5. If your tweens/teens want to learn to scuba dive with you.
In a past life, Deal Dad and I got certified in scuba. Neither of us has been down since Deal Kid was born 11 years ago and we’re both looking forward to the kids being able to join us. However, scuba is not an activity I’d let my kids do at any random resort. Beaches has an exclusive partnership with PADI (1 of 2 international diving associations and the one I used). I’d feel totally comfortable letting their instructors in the water with my kids. My suggestion would to be to get certified before you go so the kids are comfortable with the equipment- you can start at age 10 if your kid is ready. Beaches then offers scuba included- and diving expenses can add up. Getting certified on resort (with a limited certification) is extra but not crazy expensive ($90).
Is Beaches a no-brainer?
Well, if money were no object, sure! However, living in the real world, costs matter. I’m not going to give you some snow job about “making memories” or “family bonding”. Anytime you step out of your daily routine and travel with your kids you make memories. However, sometimes it’s nice to delegate the decisions and just stop. And Beaches lets you do that in spades.
Would I return to Beaches on my own dime?
I paid for full airfare this last trip but did receive a heavily discounted conference rate at Beaches. At $800/night? I can think of 1 instance I would return. A milestone anniversary and vow renewal with the kids…where we all scuba.
