UPSCALE ALL-INCLUSIVES

[omegaet]

Noticed an interesting article by Jay Clarke (a well respected travel writer with almost 40 years of experience) in The Miami Herald, Sunday, March 22, 2009 regarding upscale all-inclusives.There appears to be a trend moving in this direction by affluent travelers.



Many of you may recognize or have been guests at several of the properties.



btw.the Sales Manager for Winvian has an active travel blog here in the community. Surprised The Cliffs in Chile was not mentioned as it too seems to meet and exceed all of the standards mentioned in the article....



http://www.miamiherald.com/382/story/955411.html


Le Blanc Spa Resort www.leblancsparesort.com was featured here on LL at one time.Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall in Jamaica could be fun as an AIGrand Velas Riviera Maya www.grandvelas.com is currently being offered here at LL.ROVOS certainly has appeal if headed to South Africa http://www.rovos.co.za/rovos-map.html

[kapper]

My family had the pleasure of spending4 night at Explora Lodge in Patagonia latelast year following a cruise around South America. I found this Miami Herald article interesting but really would not categorize Explora as an all-inclusive, at least not in the sense most would use the term. Mr. Clarke may have a crystal ball as to the future of upscale travel.

[travel2fun]

OK, here's a question for both of you. Don't you feel somewhat restricted, no matter how exclusive and upscale, when you have no alternatives for dining or entertainment? I guess you might have alternatives, but if you have already paid a premium to stay at one of these exclusive and upscale properties, would you really want to dig in your pockets to dine at another location?

[kapper]

travel2fun, let me respond to your question.



In the case of Explora Lodge in Torres del Paine, which isthe only Upscale All-Inclusive mentioned in the travel article, at which I have stayed,we really had no other viable choices for our meals. I don't recall anyof us ever feeling restricted.



The lodge is extremely isolated and as such, going out for a meal was out of the question. However, during our stay, we were always offered several entree selections at every meal, including ala carte ordering for breakfast, as well as a extensive buffet.



We didn't feel slighted by the options offered orservices rendered. The food was always excellent, even though not true 5 star dining, no one could call it second-tier or mass cruise fare.



If I were to stay at a different type of Upscale All-Inclusive, with other nearby restaurant alternatives which caught my fancy, I might consider paying out of pocket, if I just had to try the other place.