Ultra all-inclusive: what's really included and how to avoid disappointment

Heard of 'ultra all-inclusive'? At first glance, it sounds like a dream: food and drinks around the clock, entertainment on the house, no hidden charges. The idea is simple — arrive, check in, and relax. But reality often looks different. More and more travelers say the flashy promises can disguise disappointments.

What exactly is 'ultra all-inclusive'?

It is a souped-up version of a standard all-inclusive plan. Supposedly, it includes imported alcohol, an expanded choice of food, complimentary services like a spa, and near 24/7 access to all of it. In theory, guests shouldn’t have to pay extra for anything.

In practice, though, each hotel decides for itself what that 'ultra' really covers. That’s where the trouble starts.

Big promises, thin delivery

Alcohol is where complaints crop up most often. Ads may suggest imported rum, liqueurs, and tequila at the bar, but upon arrival guests report finding only local spirits — and not the best-tasting ones. If imported drinks are available at all, travelers say they may be limited to a single bar and only at certain hours.

The story repeats with food. Marketing implies you can grab a bite any time, but after nine in the evening it may boil down to sandwiches and instant soup. Some hotels don’t serve food at night at all.

Then come the 'surprises' with paid extras. Even with an ultra plan, tourists sometimes end up paying for tennis court rental, the spa, or even coffee from a machine — items that weren’t flagged upfront.

What travelers report

One telling example appears in reviews of a hotel in the Turkish resort of Belek. Guests wrote that rooms were dirty, the menu hardly changed, and cocktails resembled sugary water with a trace of alcohol. They also said staff could not clearly explain what the ultra package actually included. Similar accounts are easy to find: people arrived expecting a smooth getaway and got something else entirely.

How to avoid a letdown

Rule one: don’t rely on marketing alone. Before booking, it pays to:

— Read recent reviews on independent platforms (for example, TripAdvisor).

— Ask your tour operator exactly what the package includes.

— Check which brands of alcohol the hotel serves.

— Find out if there is food available at night and which services are truly free.

And if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.

The bottom line

'Ultra all-inclusive' sounds impressive, but it can end up being a standard all-inclusive wrapped in fancy branding. There’s no fixed checklist for what must be included, so hotels set their own rules.

Double-check before you go. Otherwise the trip you pictured may turn into avoidable frustration. A few minutes spent on research beat spending your vacation hunting for the promised 'ultra'.