- All-inclusive resorts started opening in the 1950s and promise accommodations and meals for a flat rate.
- While some resorts do provide complimentary luxury services, others can include crowded buffets, long wait lines, and frustrating hidden fees.
- Oftentimes, it is cheaper to pay as you go, though many vacationers find that the convenience of paying once is appealing enough to offset the higher costs.
The "all" in "all-inclusive" might have more exceptions than you expect.
Drinks, WiFi, and beach activities are just a few examples of the ways hidden fees can sneak into vacation packages.
Originating with the Club Med chain in 1950s, the all-inclusive model now applies to both mountain ski resorts and island destinations. In addition, cruise ships often drop passengers at these tropical locations, while offering all-inclusive packages themselves.
While some luxury locations offer packages that cater to their guests' individual interests, it is usually cheaper to book the lowest room rate and pay for your own dinners. An undercover test by NBC News TODAY proved that a pay-as-you-go practice actually saved guests close to $400.
Keep reading for a deeper look at all-inclusive resorts, which include long wait lines everywhere from Caribbean buffets to ski lifts in Colorado.