Does Lounge Access Matter At All Inclusive Resorts?
The short answer to the does lounge access matter at all inclusive resorts question is – Yes! Actually, a resounding yes for our family. At least that was the case on our recent trip to Dreams Karibana Cartagena Golf & Spa Resort. To be honest, I was not even sure I was going to attach a lounge access certificate to the reservation because everything is “free” at an AI resort anyway. Boy, am I glad I did (which caused its own issues once I did). It made our stay substantially better, and I think that would be the case at a lot of all inclusive resorts. Here are 8 reasons why you will want lounge access for your next all inclusive trip.
Easier Check In
First up is the obvious one, there is a preferred members check in area. This is usually located in the lounge itself. There is nothing worse than getting off a long flight and then having to wait 30-45 minutes in line to check in to your hotel. I absolutely HATE that. Lounge access gives you a shorter line, better service and usually a drink or two while you are going through the process. That alone may be reason enough for many.
You Likely Will Receive A Room Upgrade
A lounge access certificate will often come with an unintended pay-off, a room upgrade. That is because a lot of times they end up moving you into a lounge access room on a specific floor. This will often come with a better view, more space or something like that. While it isn’t guaranteed, it happens more often than you would think.
Does Lounge Access Matter At All Inclusive Resorts: Extra Perks In The Room
Another reason that lounge access matters at all inclusive resorts is that you will usually get extra perks in the room. On our trip this included some chips, candy and a bottle of rum that you did not see in a normal room. This was in addition to the stocked mini fridge that everyone gets. The snacks could be refilled throughout the week too.
A Low Key Breakfast Option
We ended up going to the lounge for breakfast pretty much every day. Breakfast can be a chaotic experience at all inclusive resorts because of limited options in the mornings. Having everyone descend upon the same place at once is anything but relaxing.
When we went into the lounge there were maybe two to three other people in there. The food, while having a fraction of the options of the buffet, was actually better overall too. I will note that they also had evening snacks, which were a great option for hungry kids a few hours before dinner.
Exclusive Pools & Hotel Amenities
There was a members only pool right next to the pool bar (pictured above). This was for adults only, but it was only supposed to be for premium guests too. Drink service was much quicker here, especially since the bar was right off the pool. It was a more tranquil atmosphere overall too.
A Place To Meet Up With Friends
There were board games, a TV and space you didn’t really find elsewhere to hang out. We ended up in there pretty much every evening before dinner to grab a drink while the kids played chess or a card game etc.
Premium Alcohol & Better Service
My favorite reason that lounge access matters at an all inclusive resort is the premium alcohol access. Sometimes this comes in the form of a wristband that allows you to get it free everywhere around the resort. At the Dreams in Cartagena you still needed to pay for premium spirits on property, except for in the lounge.
There was also no wait for a drink here as there was one bartender on duty at all times, and never more than a handful of people in the lounge. They were willing to make pretty much any drink we wanted as well. We would even run up there to grab a drink, head back down to the activities and would still get drinks before others at the main bar. The lounge at the all inclusive had a better selection of beer available too.
Bonus: The Only Air Conditioned Place To Have Drinks
A huge bonus on why lounge access mattered at our all inclusive hotel was the air conditioning. Most of the dining areas were open air, and Colombia is freaking HOT! The only place on property to hang out, grab food whenever and have some drinks was the lounge. It was honestly a life saver during our stay.
Does Lounge Access Matter At All Inclusive Resorts? Final Thoughts
If you were wondering if you should use that lounge access certificate on your next all inclusive stay, the answer is a resounding yes. I just gave you 8 great reasons on why that is the case. I am sure there are another couple that I am not even thinking about too. Hopefully you guys will let me know what I am missing down below, or over in the MTM Facebook Group.
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Most club pool bars will also have the premium/expanded assortment of alcohol and beer located there as well, which as you noted is a step up in variety and quality to what’s being poured elsewhere.
One other benefit to getting a Club Room I found out by pure luck on a recent trip to Mexico….if you are there on election day, there is NO stand alone bar service allowed. Alcohol is only served at restaurants, which is why on my last visit, the line to the pool-side restaurant was so long b/c they were the only bar serving drinks. That is except for the Preferred Club lounge…the bar was open as normal with no restrictions. The loophole was that they also served food in there (the snack buffet). So while everyone else sitting around me at the pool could only get ‘virgin’ drinks from the bar, I walked out to my chair with any drink I wanted WITH alcohol.
That is an awesome flex on a trip haha
There’s no alcohol in any of the drinks, just flavored water. That’s why no one ever gets drunk at an AI even after downing tons of drinks.
Interesting. Previously I’d have thought that lounge access was of very little value.
That is what I thought but did it since I knew my friend would have access and wanted to have it just in case it was useful. Pleasantly surprised overall by it.