Planning your next getaway but unsure whether to opt for self-catering or all-inclusive? There’s a lot of things to consider when you’re planning a holiday and your boarding options are just one them. Both self-catering and all-inclusive breaks have their pros and cons. So, how do you know which is right for you?

Here, we’ll compare self-catering and all-inclusive holidays to help you decide which is right for your next holiday.

What’s the difference?

Firstly, it helps to understand the difference between self-catering an all-inclusive. With a self-catering holiday through a company such as Villa Plus, you’ll have your accommodation included in the cost, but you’ll need to pay separately for your meals and entertainment. With an all-inclusive holiday, your meals, entertainment and accommodation are typically included in the cost.

It’s important to note here, that each all-inclusive deal will differ. Some won’t necessarily include entertainment in the cost, while others include everything, including excursions. So, you’ll need to research before choosing an all-inclusive getaway, just to be sure it includes everything you need.

The benefits of self-catering and all-inclusive holidays

As everything is usually included with an all-inclusive holiday, it’s logical to assume that would be your best option. However, it isn’t just the cost you need to consider.

Self-catering holidays come with a lot of benefits including flexibility, privacy, freedom and character. You aren’t restricted with what you can eat, and you’ll be able to come and go as you please, enjoying a more home-from-home experience. Self-catering accommodation also has a lot more character than generic hotel rooms. You can also take your favourite food and essentials with you. For example, our fave JM Posner waffle mix!

With all-inclusive holidays, they tend to be more family-friendly, you’ll get to meet new people, it’s a lot simpler than self-catering and can work out cheaper. So, as you can see, there are benefits to both options.

Figuring out what’s important to you

In order to decide whether you would be better off opting for self-catering or an all-inclusive break, it’s worth thinking about what’s important to you.

Do you prefer to have privacy and flexibility on your holiday? If so, self-catering would be the better option. However, if you’d prefer a simple, cost-effective holiday, all-inclusive might be the better choice. Think about what you want to do while you’re on holiday and what your overall budget is. This will help you to decide between self-catering or all-inclusive.

The truth is, both options can provide cost-saving benefits, so really it comes down to what you want from your holiday experience. Taking the time to compare the pros and cons and what is important to you, will ultimately help you to decide which type of holiday would work out better; both for you and your budget.