Baltrum

why are all-inclusive resorts looked down on?

I am planning a trip to possibly Ibiza or the like... We have a group of girls who can REALLY drink, and have all sorts of incomes (high and low)... I figured an all inclusive would be the best bet but after reading reviews ( on Ibiza hotels in particular) people say they are looked down upon. I have done all inclusive in Jamaica (5 star) and the US Virgin Islands (5 star) and they were reccomended by my travel agent. So I am not sure what the problem is overseas? Is this a british thing (I know Ibiza is a hot spot for the British)? I know there are not many all inclusives in the UK..... THANKS! after seeing some responses let me add...we fully plan on eating off the resort as much as possible, but the all inclusive includes free drinks, food (for the stragglers who dont go out) and peace of mind for the people who don't have a ton of money.

Public Comments

1. Most people probably think they are too expensive. I highly recommend them.
2. Probably because people think all-inclusive is for those who don't really want to get immersed in the culture. You have everything provided for you and they may perceive that as being "snobby." But if you and your drinking buddies plan on getting sh*tfaced, then I would say do the all-inclusive thing
3. There are two reasons for are all-inclusive resorts to be looked down on IMO. * They shut out a lot of the local economy from getting some of the tourist money. * They shut the tourist out from the local culture with "safe" hotel rooms. If you want to vacation in a sheltered eniviroment, that is your call. Some just want to cut a check, relax and not care about the local culture and scene. Honestly, whenever I vacation, I like to live in a private residence of the area with a local family. To me, that is really getting to know the place. However, if all you want to do is show up, get your tan and show off your bikini figure to other tourists, that is your call.
4. I have never been to a resort, but I think it may just be because they don't give you a chance to experience the authenticity of the area. If you never leave your booze-filled resort, you'll never see what native life is like and you'll never see the extreme poverty that also exists in a place like Jamaica.
5. One BIG problem with all-inclusive resorts is that none of your tourism dollar goes into the larger vommunity. FOr example, Jamaica is a poor country, and tourism is a large source of revenue. But when you stay at an all-inclusive resort, all your money goes to the big hotel chain that owns it: no money to the nice local restaurants or shops. Which brings up the second point: staying in an all-inclusive resort means you will not experience much of the local culture. If that's the case, why bother flying all the way to Ibiza? You'll see the same corporate McResort as you would in the Bahamas.... About the only place al all-inclusive resort makes sense is the Maldives, but bring lots of money!
6. When I think of all-inclusive resorts in Ibiza I think of people drinking without any control and partying like crazy. Especially british people and scandinavians....