The One Accommodation I Still Never Book After Visiting 100+ Countries

Throughout my adventures visiting over 100 countries, I’ve stayed in luxury hotels that grace magazine covers, cramped hostels, family-run bed and breakfasts, and even treehouses.

However, there’s one type of accommodation I avoid: an all-inclusive resort.

Though millions of travelers swear by the convenience and value of all-inclusives, I think they can rob you of the very experiences that make travel worthwhile.

The “already paid for” mindset keeps most guests resort-bound, whether they want to ensure they’re getting their money’s worth or are just afraid to venture out and explore what makes each destination unique.

In my opinion, why visit Thailand if you’re going to eat the same Caesar salad there that you could get at home?

Many resorts follow the same playbook, but I prefer more authentic and unique experiences

Walk into most all-inclusive resorts and you’ll find the same formula: massive pools, international restaurants, tropical drinks, and scheduled activities that could happen most anywhere.

None of that’s bad, but it can make for a stay that just doesn’t feel particularly memorable or unique — qualities I look for when booking accommodations abroad.

Instead, I’ve stayed in a cave hotel carved into volcanic rock in Morocco, where the ancient stone walls kept my room naturally cool despite the desert heat outside.

In Costa Rica, I slept in a treehouse suspended in the jungle canopy, falling asleep to the sounds of the rainforest. Each place reflected its location’s character in ways no resort chain could replicate.

Besides, a cave hotel makes for a much better Instagram post than another generic pool shot.

When I choose local places to stay, I find I also have genuine interactions that no resort can manufacture.

In Sri Lanka, my group stayed in an apartment attached to a local family’s home. The entire family joined us for breakfast, welcoming us into their kitchen to teach us cooking techniques and try new dishes.

We learned how to make hoppers, a bowl-shaped pancake that’s a breakfast staple there, and heard stories about living in Sri Lanka that we’d never find in a guidebook.

That breakfast beat any awkward small talk with other tourists over heat-lamp eggs at a resort buffet.

It’s hard to truly experience a place’s cuisine when you’re limited to buffets and resort food

Resort food is designed to please all guests, which usually means it offends no one and excites no one either. In many cases, local dishes get watered down, authentic flavors disappear, and you miss the culinary adventures that define great travel.

When staying somewhere without all-inclusive dining, you’re freer to discover the local food scene. The real hidden gems (and best advice) can be found when you seek out local recommendations.

One of my most memorable examples was in El Salvador, when a local friend took me to try the national dish, pupusas (corn-dough discs with fillings like beans and cheese), at his favorite spot.

Those three pupusas cost me just $6 and beat any dishes I’ve had at resort buffets. I’m pretty sure I was the only tourist there, surrounded by locals enjoying their national dish.

Thankfully, my friend warned me about the biggest faux pas: Never use a knife and fork. Pupusas are meant to be eaten with your hands, and I was grateful to avoid becoming a Salvadoran meme.

Authentic experiences just can’t be manufactured

I’ve found the most memorable travel moments and lessons aren’t scheduled classes or experiences; they happen through unexpected connections you can’t easily make at a large resort.

By booking smaller accommodations or staying with locals, I’ve gotten insider advice and invitations that no concierge could match.

For example, on a trip to South Africa, I booked boutique hotels through a local company. After chatting with the booking agent during trip planning, she invited my group to a braai (South Africa’s answer to a barbecue) at her house to watch a rugby match.

We spent the evening learning about braai culture and picking up local phrases while cheering on a rugby team we’d never heard of.

None of us cared who won, but we found ourselves shouting along with our hosts anyway. It’s moments like these that stick with me.

There’s a reason many adore all-inclusives, but they just don’t align with my travel goals

I get the appeal of all-inclusives. They offer security, convenience, and predictability, and can be the best option for families or those who simply want a stress-free break.

But when I travel, I like to embrace the local culture and cuisine and meet new people while giving myself the flexibility for new adventures and discoveries.

If you’ve only ever stayed at lush resorts, I encourage you to consider stepping outside the bubble on your next trip.

You never know whose kitchen you’ll end up in or what traditions you’ll stumble into — and those are the kinds of stories you’ll actually tell when you get home.