10 things you never thought would be included in an all-inclusive resort

Wanna get out of town without having to think too much about planning out every detail of your trip? One stress-free way to travel is to narrow your search to all-inclusive resorts. Primarily in the Caribbean, but also scattered across the globe, these types of hotels make vacationing as easy as packing your bag, boarding a flight and sitting tight.

Once you’re on the property, most all-inclusives offer everything you need for your stay: food, drinks, on-site activities, fitness options and entertainment. But some resorts include even more, offering up things you’d never expect to have included in an all-inclusive.  From cooking lessons and DJ classes to safari tours and dolphin swims, these resorts will take your all-inclusive stay to the next level.

RELATED: Check out these 7 incredibly romantic all-inclusive resorts

1. Pastry cooking classes, dialect lessons and more

When you’re stuck at a resort where everything’s included, it almost feels like a double-edged sword: Life couldn’t get any easier, but your type-A personality has you fidgety. For the best of both words, head to Tamarind by Elegant Hotels in Barbados. Here you can enjoy all the perks of a traditional all-inclusive (like booze and food), while also getting fully emerged into the local Bajan culture. From dialect lessons and pastry baking classes to beach cricket, which is the Barbadian sport of choice, you can spend your day as active or as relaxed as you fancy. Average rates begin at $475 a night.

2. Luxe meals

All-inclusives often get a bad rap for their so-so buffets. Not so at Guana Island in the British Virgin Islands. While super-fun things like an al fresco movie theater overlooking the ocean, local tours to orchards and land/sea sports are included, what stands out most here is the delicious cuisine. At Guana, three meals are included each day, all created by Chef Xavi, who trained at Nobu and El Bulli. His dishes source local ingredients—think coconuts, mangos and soursop—to create unique takes on Caribbean favorites. Another bonus: You won’t be dining with a mass crowd here—the resort can only host 32 guests at a time, making for an intimate experience. Rates start at $795 a night.

3. A swim with dolphins

If you’re planning a longer trip to Africa and need a relaxing break from your safari, consider booking a few nights at White Pearl Resort on the south coast of Mozambique. The incredibly gorgeous resort includes amenities beyond just food and drink, including once-in-a-lifetime opportunities such as ocean safaris, swimming with dolphins, turtle walks, whale watching, stargazing and more. Fair warning: You might never want to return home. Rates start at $625 a night.

4. Unlimited driving and walking safaris

Lions, cheetahs, elephants, zebras and many other species all call Kenya home. If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse, being part of a driving or walking safari is most likely your best bet. But if you’re not sure on how to get started or where to book, you can let your resort do the legwork for you—literally. At Angama Mara in Kenya’s Maasai Mara wilderness reserve, you can enjoy all the typical perks of an all-inclusive, but also can take unlimited safaris while you’re there. To add to your African escape, the resort also offers bush picnics, sundowner boma and an “Out of Africa” private romantic picnic, since ya know, the location is where the movie was filmed. Rates start at $850 per person, per night

5. Wellness Concierge Team

Not all vacations serve the same purpose. When you’re visiting Europe, you might wear yourself out checking out all of your must-see (and ahem, must-Instagram) sites. Meanwhile, a Miami trip might call for lounging by the pool for a few days for a more zen experience. If you’d like to quench your thirst for white sandy beaches and crystal waters with your workout goals, book a stay at Curtain Bluff in Antigua. Here, travelers are meant to get the most out of their getaway, all while staying fit, too. When you arrive, you can meet with the Wellness Concierge Team—included with your stay—who maps out a customized wellness program, based on their workout class and fitness options, as well as what spa treatments will balance out your aching muscles. You can expect everything from tennis and strength-training instructors to water sports guides and more. Rates start at $800 a night.

ALSO: What’s included with Orbitz Rewards? Instant earns towards your next hotel!

6. First-rate excursions

Ever dreamed of exploring Fiji’s famed Blue Lagoon Caves? While we can’t promise you’ll fall in love as madly as Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins did in the movie of the same name that was filmed here, we are pretty sure you will fall in love with everything that’s included at Yasawa Island Resort. Besides the expected meals, snacks and WiFi, you’re also treated to scheduled excursions such as half-day cave trips, visits to the local village, guided snorkeling trips and private beach picnics. Nightly rates begin at $909.

7. A hot springs soak

There’s nothing quite like the serenity and peace that a secluded cabin getaway gives you. Helping you to truly disconnect with the outside world, connect to nature and, well, exhale all that stress out, the mountains may be an ideal place to find your personal zen. Next time you hear them calling, book your stay at Dunton Hot Springs in the San Juan Mountains of the Colorado Rockies. In addition to the meals, liquors and vintage wines, you can also enjoy unlimited dips in the natural, on-site hot springs. If it’s a romantic trip you’re looking for, remember this: There are only 12 cabins, so there’s plenty of privacy, too. Rates start at $600 per cabin.

8. DJ lessons and Parkour classes

Part of the allure—if not the greatest reward—of seeing and visiting new countries is coming home with a new perspective. And maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll even learn a new skill you didn’t have before you earned that passport stamp. At Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya in Mexico, there’s an adventure (coming summer 2017) included in your nightly rate, no matter if you’re more into jam sessions or fitness. The resort’s “Music Lab” gives guests the opportunity to learn how to spin records like a DJ, play in a band or experience what it’s like to record in a studio, all on the property. If you can’t carry a tune (no judgment!), but you’re willing to try anything athletic, visit their Camp Woodward, opening summer 2017,  where you can try everything from BMX and Parkour to indoor skiing and snowboarding. Rates start a $400 a night.

9. Ziplines and pistol shooting

Though you might not be able to trade your office 9-5er for wrangling in the herd, or your business attire for cowboy boots, you can have an out-on-the-range experience in Wyoming. At the Red Reflet Ranch in Ten Sleep, your stay includes chef-prepared meals, more than 100 wines from around the world, 20 brands of beer, a spirits bar and—wait for it—skeet and pistol shooting, canyon zip lines, ATV tours and more. All part of their Cowboy Waterpark, this unique experience might leave you tempted to buy some cattle and rebuild your life in the Wild West. Average nightly rate starts at $700.

10. Unlimited scuba diving

If snorkeling feels way more cumbersome than enjoyable, and you really (really, really!) just want to dive under the surface and explore, the time to get scuba certified was yesterday. Once you get the seal of approval to breathe in the ocean, book a trip ASAP to Sandals Emerald Bay in Exumas, Bahamas, where unlimited scuba diving is included in your nightly rate. Yep, that’s right: Dive all you want, without having to worry about extra fees. From coral reefs and ship wreck sites to night-time diving, wall dives and two-tank dives, you can find something for every level of diver. Just make sure to pack a waterproof camera to capture the magic. Rates start at $269 a night.

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Tagged: Africa, Caribbean, Feature