All-inclusive or not: what each kind of week was actually like for us

We have enjoyed both kinds of vacations. The main difference for us was how much of the week we spent at the resort and how often we went out to explore.

What the all-inclusive weeks were like for us

Our all-inclusive stays were at Sandals Negril, at the overwater property in Montego Bay, and at Beaches Turks & Caicos with the family.

What they had in common was that very little needed deciding. Meals, drinks and the cleaning were handled. On the mornings we wanted to stay in, Jamaican breakfast came to the room. Nobody looked at a bill in the middle of the afternoon, and with a family group nobody had to work out who was paying for what.

At the all-inclusive resorts where our room included butler service, our butler reserved beach chairs under a palapa and stocked a cooler with cold drinks, water and juice. We did not have to get up early or worry about saving a spot, which was especially convenient whether we were traveling with family or just the two of us.

What we enjoyed most was the convenience. We could eat when we wanted, order different dishes and spend less time organizing the day.

With so much already available at our all-inclusive resorts, we naturally spent more of those vacations enjoying the property. We could relax by the beach or pool, choose from the restaurants and enjoy the entertainment without needing to plan much outside the resort.

What the breakfast-only stay was like

Our stay at the Negril Tree House had a different rhythm. Breakfast was included, and we paid separately for lunch and dinner. That gave us a natural reason to experience more of Negril. We ate jerk chicken at Three Dives and enjoyed seafood at another local restaurant whose name I no longer remember.

Neither experience was better than the other. The all-inclusive stays gave us an easy vacation with most things already handled. The breakfast-only stay gave us more opportunities to leave the property, try local food and experience more of Negril. We enjoyed both for different reasons.

Which kind would we choose?

We would choose either one again, depending on the trip.

For our family week at Beaches Turks & Caicos, having meals, drinks and many daily details included made traveling with seven people easier. At the Negril Tree House, having breakfast included while choosing our own lunch and dinner gave us more opportunities to experience Negril and enjoy local restaurants.

If we wanted the easiest possible week, we would lean toward all-inclusive. If we wanted to spend more time eating and exploring away from the property, we would consider a breakfast-only or non-all-inclusive stay.