all-inclusive vs. not
 

For my honeymoon we have thought of going all inclusive, yet comparable resorts tend to run hundreds and thousands of dollars more than regular ones. At a 4 star resort in St. Lucia, what can someone expect to pay for food and drink? Any response is helpful.

I can't help you with the price of food and drink, but I can tell you that my wife and I spent a week at the Wyndham Morgan Bay in St. Lucia in March. This is an all-inclusive resort, which I prefer because it is nice to not have to be concerned about anything. I did figure that we could have probably spent about the same amount of money if we didn't go all-inclusive. The Wyndham's food was very good (our friends told us, as good as a Sandals resort, which are more expensive). One word of caution, the ocean bottom at the beach is VERY rocky and hard to walk on).

Thanks for your help. Yeah, Sandals anywhere was averaging about $2000 more per week. Never thought about the Wyndham though, thanks.

I vote for non all-inclusive. People tend to not want to leave the property of an all-inclusive because they have already paid for all meals and such. You are spending big dollars and really seeing nothing of your destination. Only when you get out do you get a taste of a different culture and its people. If you stay on the property you may as well go to an all-inclusive in the states.

I vote for all-inclusive resorts altho I will admit my bias - as a single woman who often travels alone, I find all-inclusive resorts safer. I don't have to worry about finding a cab, walking or driving strange streets after dark, etc. Beyond the included meals, these resorts most always included DRINKS (alcohol and non). It isn't unusual in a high class resort to have pop run 2 dollars and mixed drinks 4-6 dollars. Dependent on your consumption, a bar tab can run up quick. I also enjoy the convenience of having paid for everything up front. I have gone to Jamaica with as little as 15 bucks cash, because everything is already paid for - the less you carry, the less you can lose or have stolen. All-inclusives generally prohibit tipping too (another big hidden expense-most cruise lines total 5-10 dollars per day per person in tips). If you're interested in St Lucia, try LeSport - it's an all-inclusive SPA. The spa treatments (massages, scrubs, etc) are also included in your price. Nice beach, decent rooms, fine meals and close to Castries if you do want to get out.