Budget
What's Actually Included in an “All-Inclusive” Resort?
"All-inclusive" sounds like it means everything is covered — in the Maldives, it rarely means quite that much. Here's what's typically included, and what usually isn't.
Usually included
- All meals at the main restaurant(s)
- Soft drinks, water, and often house wine, beer, and select spirits
- Some non-motorized water sports (kayaks, snorkeling gear)
Often NOT included, even in "all-inclusive"
- Premium or imported alcohol brands
- Specialty a la carte restaurants (usually limited visits or an extra charge)
- Spa treatments
- Excursions — diving, sandbank trips, sunset cruises
- Motorized water sports
- Minibar restocking
Two resorts can both say "all-inclusive" and mean genuinely different things. Always ask for the exclusion list, not just the inclusion list.
Standard AI vs. Premium/Ultra AI
| Tier | Typical difference |
|---|---|
| Standard all-inclusive | House-brand drinks, buffet-focused dining, limited specialty restaurant visits |
| Premium/ultra all-inclusive | Wider drink selection, unlimited a la carte access, sometimes select excursions included |
Our advice
Don't book on the word "all-inclusive" alone. We'll get you the specific inclusion and exclusion list for any resort before you commit, so your on-island spending matches what you actually expected.
Want the real inclusion list for a specific resort, not just the marketing summary?
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