If you have never taken a vacation at an all-inclusive resort, you are truly missing out on the most relaxing vacation experience. And we all desperately need more of that in our lives... well, maybe that's just me. 

Often, vacation means at least one person in the family is still doing a good bit of work to take care of meals and tickets and outings (and in my experience, that person is usually called MOM). While that makes for a fun trip, it's not exactly a vacation. A true vacation means everyone gets a break from the responsibilities and stresses of everyday life. 

The one thing I love most about all-inclusive resorts is the absolute lack of thought and planning that needs to happen on a daily basis while you are there. You want to totally check out or escape from real life? Get yourself to an all inclusive resort! 

While not all resorts are created equal, the common thread is that most everyday needs and wants are taken care of for you and included in your vacation. No stress or budgeting required! Across the board, here is what you can expect to be included at an all-inclusive resort:

• accommodations
• meals and snacks
• beverages, including alcohol for adults
• pool and beach access
• entertainment
• resort activities
• basic wedding ceremony
• kids club (yep... that means free babysitting, mom and dad!)

Some resorts also offer resort credit for you to use for spa services, golf, excursions, and more. There is usually a service fee for using this credit. 

There are a lot of really wonderful all-inclusive options out there, but I really LOVE Sandals and Beaches resorts because of all the extras that are also included plus the level of care and service you'll experience at their resorts. Here is what is also included at Sandals and Beaches resorts:

• transportation to/from the resort and airport
• motorized water sports and instruction
• scuba diving
• golf (where available)
• fitness center
• spa access including sauna and steam rooms, plunge pools, and rain showers (spa services are extra)
• culinary concierge services - this is especially helpful for those with special dietary needs

Now THAT's all-inclusive! Since every resort has its own personality and culture, I'd love to help you select the perfect fit for your vacation. Please reach out to me and we can start planning your escape today! As always, my concierge travel planning services are always no cost to my travel clients. 

Even more than questions about destinations and vacation planning, the question I am most often asked is "How does this work?" It's absolutely a valid question! Because getting a free travel planner definitely seems too good to be true and we have all been well-trained to be extra skeptical in this digital age. So let me share with you how my services work and how I am able to offer them for free. Mutual trust is the key!

YOUR TRUST IN ME
I LOVE what I do! So much that I invest a lot of time, energy, and my own money in ongoing training, education, and personal experience. I want to make sure I always have the BEST options for you and the most current information and tips to share with you. I want you to know that my #1 priority is you and your vacation experience. Travel builds stronger connections and creates lifelong memories and I would never take that lightly. So I use my extensive knowledge and experience to personally match you to options I feel would be a great fit for you and your family. I'm not building MY dream vacation... I am building YOURS! This is why I ask lots of questions; I want to get to know you and your priorities. I feel so honored that you would trust me with your vacation and I hold that honor with the weight it deserves.

If you have questions, I answer them as quickly as I can. If you want advice, I will happily offer it. If you need to make changes, I handle that for you. I will take care of as many of the details of planning as you would like me to, from airport transfers to dining reservations and everything in between. If something is less than magical on your vacation, I step in and advocate for you so that things are turned around and the magic is restored. Essentially, you have a personal travel concierge! In fact, I often hear that my clients feel like they are my only clients because of the level of care they receive. That is always my goal!

And I never ask my clients for a single penny for my services; that is not my business model. But I do get paid!

MY TRUST IN YOU
My time and expertise are valuable and I deserve to be compensated for it. This is where my trust in my clients comes in. I am not paid for my consultation time. So the time I invest before you book your vacation is given on good faith. I get to know you and your vacation wishes, suggest some options, pull price quotes, and offer advice upfront with no compensation. 

I only get paid when you actually book your vacation through me. 

You see, the vacation destination pays me a small fee as a thank you for sending happy, well-prepared visitors to them. They know that when you work with me, it will be a good match and you will be confident in what your vacation experience should be. They also know I will step in if it's not. But we all want you to have an amazing vacation, because when you do you are more likely to return and to recommend not only the destination, but my travel planning services as well. 

It's a win-win-win situation. You get expert travel planning services for free, the vacation destination gets happy vacationers who make magical memories with them, and I can pay my bills. 

If you just need advice or resources, please be up front with me about that. I am always happy to help! But it honors me and my time if I know from the get-go that you will not be booking your vacation with me this time. 

MY PROMISES TO YOU
1. I will always honor your priorities. This is not my vacation... it's yours. 
2. I will always honor your budget. Being stressed about money is not a fun way to spend your vacation. I would never encourage you to spend more than you have budgeted for your vacation. 
3. I will always be available to you and if I am traveling, I will notify you with a direct contact of a colleague for you to call in my absence. I've got you covered 24/7. 
4. I will always be so grateful for every vacation you book with me and every referral you send my way. In fact, when your family or friends book their vacation with me, I will send you a Disney or Visa gift card as a thank you. 

Let's get started planning your magical vacation! Contact me here.

If you head to the beach every spring or summer, do you always go to the same place? This year, why not choose a different beach? In fact, why not choose an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas or Caribbean? 

In this post we compare the cost of a beach vacation at a nice resort in the U.S. to the cost of an all-inclusive resort in the Bahamas or the Caribbean. And we also talk about the perks of choosing an all-inclusive.