Sunday July 06, 2008

Several Virgin Islands invite travelers to all-inclusive resorts

'Include' Yourself

Although all-inclusive resorts are one of the Caribbean's own inventions, they are more popular in some regions than others. The Virgin Islands follow this same trend, and the availability of all-inclusive resorts varies from island to island.

Nearly all of the Virgin Islands' all-inclusive resorts are concentrated on the island of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are a few on St. John, and there may be some within the British Virgin Islands, but none of these other islands specialize in all-inclusives.

All-inclusive resorts offer guests just about everything they could want, from food and drink to activities. However, be aware of what exactly is covered in your all-inclusive plan, as some resorts do not offer literally everything without an extra fee. Higher-end amenities such as spa services often incur an additional charge. Ask the personnel at the front desk to find out exactly what is included in the flat rate.

One of the most popular aspects of an all-inclusive stay is the fact that most, if not all, of your expenses are included in one bill that you get to see upfront. This makes travel budgeting a breeze. Plus, paying a flat rate for accommodations and incidentals can often save you money as well.

Another popular aspect of all-inclusive resorts are the activities, from snorkeling and diving to exciting nightlife. Some travelers never have to leave the resort to experience everything they wanted to see in the Virgin Islands.

On the other hand, not everyone loves these resorts. There is some debate about the all-inclusive experience. While for some it seems like the perfect vacation - affordable and relaxing with everything you need right at your fingertips - others have a different opinion.

All-inclusives may be affordable and relaxing, but they do require guests to give up certain things. Some travelers bemoan the loss of freedom when staying at these resorts, not because guests are locked inside, but because staying there is so easy that travelers do not feel the need to explore the island on their own. To some, a vacation in the Caribbean just wouldn't be complete without exploration and cultural experiences.

Of course, this lack of freedom and exploration also leads to some complaints from local business owners, especially restaurateurs. They feel as though they lose out on important business from client�le who do not leave the resorts.

As always, the choices you make on this vacation are entirely your own. If staying at an all-inclusive sounds like the perfect vacation for you and your wallet, then look closely at the resort options available in the Virgin Islands.