The ideal holiday is a matter of preference. Some dream about all-inclusive holidays, where they can sip cocktails by the poolside and wonder about the dinner menu, without a worry in the world.
Others want a private villa with a kitchen and room for creativity, where they can buy local produce and put their own spin on Spanish cuisine.
Both all-inclusive holidays and self-catering accommodation have their pros and cons, and below is a comprehensive guide on what to expect from each type of holiday.
So which is for you – all-inclusive vs self-catering?
All-Inclusive – The Dreamland Where A Wristband Can Pay For Anything
All-inclusive holidays are the ultimate vacation for letting go of worries and having a good time.
The Spanish resorts give out bracelets to all their all-inclusive guests, which cover everything: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks. Since all of this is paid upfront, there is no need for budgeting and planning—the hotel takes care of everything.
The Tenerife and Majorca resorts are known for offering some of the best all-inclusive deals, with great food, plenty of Sangria, and rejuvenating sunshine.
All-Inclusive vs Self-Catering
Benefits Of An All-Inclusive Holiday:
All-inclusive holidays in Span’s hot spots, such as Majorca, Tenerife, Costa del Sol, or Lanzarote, offer an unforgettable experience. From the tasty food to the resort entertainment, which usually involves tap dancing and flamenco, guests get amazing value for money and a worry-free holiday.
- Ultimate relaxation (no cooking, cleaning, budgeting, or planning)
- Cost-effective (cheaper than eating out in restaurants)
- Great food and drinks (if there is a place where buffet food tastes like restaurant meals, that is Spain)
- Ultimate holiday feel (ordering foods and drinks by showing a wristband will feel nothing like home)
The downside of An All-Inclusive Holiday:
- Higher initial cost – although overall it’s likely to be cheaper, the initial booking payment will be higher.
- Restrictive – hotels tend to have strict hours for mealtime.
- Buffet food – usually lower quality than restaurant meals.
- Not inclusive of all drinks – usually only local brands are included and the rest are available at an extra charge
- Restricts all meals and drinks to the hotel – making holidaymakers less likely to explore local bars and restaurants
Self-Catering Holidays – The Taste Of A Spanish Home
Self-catering holidays give the ultimate taste of a Spanish home. Accommodation offers facilities to cook food in spacious environments such as studios, apartments, and villas.
This is ideal for couples and families who want to spend time together, cook, and enjoy a comfortable and private environment while on holiday.
The best Spanish resorts, found in Lanzarote, Majorca, Costa del Sol, or Tenerife, offer self-catered accommodation and access to all hotel facilities, such as swimming pools, game rooms, night entertainment, restaurants and bars, and even small shops on-site.
This means that holidaymakers can choose between cooking meals at home and enjoying a hospitable dinner at the hotel restaurant. It’s like an all-inclusive experience, with a choice of when to have the food and drinks and when to stay in.
Unfortunately, there won’t be a magic wristband with the self-catered accommodation.
Benefits Of A Self-Catered Holiday
- It is cheaper to book and able to set a different budget to spend in Spain.
- Cost-effective holiday – since holidaymakers can easily mix cooking at home with eating out).
- Great for longer holidays – as the self-catered accommodation gives the experience of a home abroad.
- More spacious than a hotel room – with a good choice of studios, apartments and villas.
- It encourages guests to explore local bars and restaurants outside the resort or buy produce from the local markets.
- Holidaymakers can set their own vacation timetable and not worry about meal times at the hotel.
- It is an excellent choice for guests with special dietary requirements.
The Downside of A Self-Catered Holiday
- Having to cook and clean will make everyone feel less like a holiday.
- Responsibility for budgeting and planning for eating and drinking.
- There is a risk of overspending at the supermarkets on food that needs to be thrown away at the end of the stay, especially if the holiday is too short.
What is the best choice – Is it all inclusive or self-catered?
There are certainly pros and cons to each type of holiday. All-inclusive holidays are the ultimate worry-free experience, and with the incredible holiday prices in Spain, they are also very affordable.
Sometimes, all-inclusive resorts are associated with cheap buffet food and a limited selection of drinks. However, that is never the case with the best Spanish resorts, found in the dreamy locations of Tenerife, Costa del Sol, Majorca, and Lanzarote. There, the sun shines brighter, the beaches are cleaner, and the chefs are talented.
When it comes to food, fresh Mediterranean produce stands out even in buffet dishes. From the seafood selection to the local delicacies such as paellas, churros with chocolate, or the sought-after sangria, they all come all-inclusive.
However, self-catering holidays are equally attractive in Spain. Since eating out is affordable and the groceries are incredibly cheap, this is the ideal choice for a Spanish food and drinks extravaganza on a budget.
A decent bottle of wine can be as cheap as 2 Euros (from the local supermarket, which will often be Mercadona or Carrefour). Food is also pretty cheap in supermarkets and local bars and restaurants.
For all-inclusive holidays, the budget is already set from the moment of booking, giving holidaymakers full control over their expenditures. With self-catered accommodation, the booking cost is low, but the holiday budget can vary. Even with the promising Spanish prices, eating out daily and grocery shopping can add up.
Both holiday options offer a fun, relaxing, and attractive experience, whether you spend your days at the hotel lavishing on an all-inclusive experience or in a villa sunbathing on their private balcony with some homemade tapas.
Also, the warm (rather hot in summer) Spanish sun, clean and lively beaches, and delicious Mediterranean cuisine will make the experience amazing, no matter which option you choose.
