All-Inclusive Holidays from Gatwick
Gatwick opens up everything from beach resorts in Mallorca to riad-inspired hotels around Marrakech. The trick is not finding the longest list of inclusive amenities. It is choosing a hotel, resort area and departure date that deliver the holiday you actually want.
The Gatwick advantage: compare very different holidays for the same dates
One of Gatwick's strengths is its breadth of destinations. That does not mean every destination has an all-inclusive package on every date, but it gives you a useful opportunity: compare a Mediterranean beach hotel with a Canary Islands resort or a more cultural escape without changing departure airport. Browse the airport's destination directory to see the wider network, then verify flights and package availability for your dates.
That is also why TripsByDate is a useful starting point for finding a lower-priced holiday from Gatwick. Select Gatwick and scroll through advertised package holidays in departure-date order, rather than repeating a destination-led search for each country. You may spot a different departure day, resort or destination worth checking. Prices and inventory come from participating operators, not the entire market; the operator must confirm the final price, board basis and booking terms.
The question to ask before comparing hotels is simple: will you spend enough time at the property to benefit from paying for your meals and drinks there? If your perfect week is mostly beach, pool and relaxed meals, all-inclusive can make budgeting easier. If you plan long sightseeing days and dinners in local restaurants, half-board or breakfast-only may be a better fit. Our package versus separate-booking guide helps with the bigger booking decision.
What the all-inclusive label does not tell you
- Restaurants: Does the price cover only the buffet, or are à la carte meals included with booking limits? Is room service extra?
- Drinks: Check brands, cocktail lists, operating hours, bottled water and whether bars by the pool or beach have different rules.
- Children: A kids' club, waterpark and crèche are three different services; ask about ages, supervision, seasonal opening and fees.
- Room: A family room may be a double plus sofa bed. Check sleeping space, air conditioning and whether advertised sea views are guaranteed for your room category.
- Package extras: Airport transfers, checked bags, local taxes, spa facilities and speciality dining are not necessarily included just because the hotel board basis is all-inclusive.
Less obvious value tip: estimate how much you would actually spend on drinks and meals outside the hotel. A hotel that costs more but has the beach, town and cafés you want on its doorstep can be better value than a cheap remote all-inclusive where you pay for taxis and rarely use the buffet.
Explore Gatwick departures before choosing a resort
The packages below are general Gatwick departures, not an all-inclusive-only filter or a promise that each hotel offers this board basis. Use them to discover departure dates and alternative destinations, then inspect the final provider listing carefully.
LGW • 7 nights
SC · Broadway Travel
LGW • 7 nightsSC · Broadway Travel
LGW • 7 nightsRO · Broadway Travel
LGW • 7 nightsRO · Broadway TravelMallorca: the beach beside the hotel matters more than the star rating
Mallorca offers a wide range of all-inclusive hotels, but its resort areas are far from interchangeable. Playa de Muro and Alcúdia Bay suit people whose priority is a broad sandy beach and straightforward family days. The Balearic Islands tourism authority describes Playa de Muro's shallow water and extensive sandy sections, while noting that not every section has the same facilities: official Playa de Muro beach information.
Cala d'Or has a different appeal: picturesque coves, marina-area restaurants and a compact resort feel. But a small cove can fill up, and a hotel's photograph of turquoise water may conceal steps, rocks or a walk to reach it. Palma Nova is another option when a convenient resort layout matters more than a secluded setting.
Gatwick booking tip: a sea-view all-inclusive package on the opposite side of the island may be worse for your family than a simpler hotel directly beside a wide beach. Check walking routes, gradients, buggy access, the exact beach surface and which pools are open. If you plan to visit Palma or dine out regularly, compare a less inclusive board basis instead. For timing, see our Spain-by-season guide.
Crete: decide which part of this large island you want to see
Crete is a poor choice for selecting a hotel from a postcard alone. It is a substantial island, and a hotel described simply as “Crete” tells you very little about your transfer or excursions. Hersonissos and nearby resort areas are commonly used for hotel-focused holidays with beaches and entertainment; Agios Nikolaos and Elounda have a different, often more relaxed coastal character. Farther west, Chania and its surrounding coastal towns are attractive for their old harbour atmosphere, but may involve a very different airport journey.
The airport-code trap: check whether your package arrives at Heraklion (HER) or Chania (CHQ). A beautiful hotel on the other side of the island can turn a straightforward beach escape into a long coach journey. Confirm the exact hotel address and transfer, not just the island name.
A worthwhile alternative: if you are tempted to leave the resort every evening for tavernas, choose a walkable town base and compare half-board. If you want the convenience of all-inclusive but one memorable excursion, pick a property within sensible reach of a harbour, historic site or traditional village. A single well-planned day outside the hotel can be more rewarding than paying for a full week of organised excursions. See our guide to visiting Greece at different times of year.
Marrakech: an all-inclusive holiday without a beach
Marrakech is the standout wildcard in these six destinations. Unlike Mallorca or Crete, it is not a coastal resort. It appeals to people who want a pool, spa and hotel comfort combined with Moroccan food, gardens, architecture and the sensory experience of the medina. The Moroccan tourism guide to Marrakech highlights the contrast between the historic medina and modern districts such as Hivernage and Gueliz.
Choose the accommodation style carefully. A large all-inclusive hotel on the outskirts or in the Palmeraie can provide pools and facilities but may put the souks and Jemaa el-Fna a drive away. A traditional riad in the medina offers an entirely different experience, generally without the same large-resort all-inclusive format. If exploring the city is central to your trip, paying extra for a resort meal plan you rarely use may be a mistake.
Unusual alternative: look at an excursion into the rocky Agafay landscape for a change from city streets. It is not the Sahara's vast sand dunes, despite how some promotional photographs may appear. Morocco's tourism office describes Agafay as a nearby rocky desert experience. Compare excursion transport, meals and activity inclusions before booking them separately.
Seasonal reality: Marrakech can be extremely hot in summer. If you are booking primarily for pool time, confirm shade, air conditioning and whether you will realistically want to explore at midday. In cooler months, ask whether the outdoor pool is heated. Entry and passport requirements differ from European island trips; consult UK government advice for Morocco.
Antalya: compare the resort area before comparing waterparks
Antalya's coast includes some of the most facility-rich all-inclusive hotels in this selection, but distances and hotel layouts matter. Lara and Kundu can be convenient for large resort hotels relatively close to Antalya Airport. Belek appeals to people who want landscaped resorts, golf or extensive family facilities. Side can suit those who would like to combine resort time with a historic town and independent restaurants, while hotels around Alanya may involve a considerably longer journey depending on the arrival airport.
What experienced travellers check: a waterpark may be shown in the brochure while operating only at certain times or for particular height groups. Premium restaurants, branded drinks, à la carte reservations and beach cabanas can also be chargeable. Ask how far the family rooms are from the main pool and children's facilities. In a very large hotel, that daily walk can matter more than a marginally larger room.
Good alternative: pick a hotel near Side rather than a fully isolated resort if an occasional evening in a real town would improve the trip. Or choose the remote hotel deliberately if all you want is pools, food and rest: neither is wrong, but their value depends on how you spend your days. Look at our Türkiye seasonal guide before assuming the same facilities and weather experience apply year-round.
Cyprus: don't confuse a famous beach with a nearby hotel
“Cyprus” is too broad a destination label for choosing an all-inclusive hotel. Around Protaras, beach-focused family holidays are a natural fit, with areas such as Fig Tree Bay attracting visitors for the shore. Ayia Napa combines beaches with a livelier atmosphere in some neighbourhoods; family-friendly hotels exist, but location needs close attention. Paphos can provide archaeology, restaurants and a more sightseeing-led stay, while individual hotels may have very different beach access.
The beach-access test: look at satellite mapping and recent hotel photographs. “Beachfront” might mean rocks, a bathing platform or a hotel overlooking water, rather than a broad sandy beach. For a family that wants to walk straight into shallow sea water, the actual shoreline can matter more than the room's sea view. Also check whether the hotel has sheltered pools and the right facilities for the time of year.
Flight choice matters: confirm whether your holiday uses Larnaca (LCA) or Paphos (PFO) and how that airport connects to your resort. Travelling across the island after landing can consume a significant part of a short holiday. If your plan is sightseeing around Paphos, consider whether half-board would leave more freedom to sample local food; if your plan is pool-and-beach time around Protaras, all-inclusive may be worth the convenience.
Lanzarote: a year-round idea, but wind and pool warmth matter
Lanzarote offers a very different holiday from the Mediterranean islands: volcanic scenery, low-rise coastal towns and generally mild weather across much of the year. Playa Blanca has a more relaxed resort feel in many areas, Puerto del Carmen offers a long-established selection of beaches, restaurants and hotels, while Costa Teguise appeals to travellers who value a resort base with water activities and varied amenities.
Don't buy a winter all-inclusive on the basis of sunshine alone. Even when the air feels pleasant, wind, cooler evenings and unheated water can change the experience. Ask whether the pool is heated during your dates and whether there are sheltered sunbathing areas. A beautifully photographed outdoor restaurant may be less appealing on a breezy evening than a property with comfortable indoor dining.
Less obvious choice: if you want to visit Timanfaya, the volcanic landscapes and independent restaurants during your stay, a car-friendly base with half-board may outperform an isolated all-inclusive complex. If you genuinely want to stay by the pool with food and drinks taken care of, then the hotel itself should be the star. See our winter-sun timing guide and winter-sun holidays from Gatwick for broader alternatives.
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Explore holidays by dateThree tests that can expose a misleadingly cheap deal
1. The true price per usable resort day
Suppose a four-night package lands late on the first evening and departs before breakfast on the last morning. You may pay for four nights but enjoy only three full resort days. Compare that with a five- or seven-night option whose flight times give you more time to use the facilities. Do not assume the cheapest price per booking equals the cheapest price per enjoyable day.
2. The resort-to-beach journey
Check whether the sea is reached directly, via a public road, on steps, or by a hotel shuttle. This matters in Mallorca's coves, Cyprus's rocky sections and large Antalya hotel grounds. Also check whether loungers and beach bars are included, and if the advertised sandy beach is suitable for your group's swimming ability.
3. The board-basis comparison
Compare the same hotel, room, dates and flights on all-inclusive, half-board and breakfast-only terms wherever those options exist. Then allow for realistic lunches, drinks, coffees and evening meals. A cheaper upgrade to all-inclusive can be good value for a pool holiday; it can be poor value when you intend to eat out most nights. Our package-holiday comparison guide covers the wider method.
Getting to Gatwick: the small detail that can change your holiday value
North or South Terminal? Gatwick's railway station is at the South Terminal; travellers using the North Terminal take the free inter-terminal shuttle. If you are arriving by train with children and luggage, that final transfer is part of your real journey time. The official Gatwick train guide explains the station and connections, while the coach guide identifies stops at both terminals.
Not just London: Gatwick serves travellers from Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Brighton and the wider South East as well as the capital. Check whether a direct rail service or a change of train is best from your starting point. A tempting dawn departure can mean an expensive airport hotel or car park once you account for the last train or first service.
Security and baggage: Gatwick's official security advice sets out its current liquids and screening rules. Check again before travelling, and independently check the rules at the return airport. Hotel all-inclusive does not include airline hold luggage unless the provider says so; that cost can change the comparison between two otherwise similar packages.
For more options from this airport, compare cheap holidays from Gatwick and last-minute Gatwick departures. Choosing a different date may reveal a more suitable resort than compromising on the hotel just to meet an arbitrary budget.
Before paying: protection and practicalities
Check exactly what has been sold: an all-inclusive hotel board basis is not the same thing as a protected package including flights. Look for the booking provider's terms, airline and hotel details, and whether airport transfers are included. The UK Civil Aviation Authority explains ATOL protection. Insurance is a separate decision, and the relevant GOV.UK destination travel advice should be checked for passports, entry conditions and local guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Where is best for all-inclusive holidays from Gatwick?
For sandy family beaches, consider resort areas such as Playa de Muro in Mallorca or Protaras in Cyprus. For large hotel facilities, compare Antalya's Lara and Belek areas. Crete suits travellers wanting Greek food and sightseeing alongside pool time. Lanzarote is worth considering outside the main Mediterranean summer, while Marrakech is an unusual city-and-pool alternative rather than a beach holiday. The individual property and your travel dates are decisive.
Is Marrakech really suitable for an all-inclusive holiday?
Yes, if you want a hotel-focused pool or spa break with occasional trips into the city. It is less suitable if you expect a beach or plan to spend most days exploring the medina and eating locally. Compare the hotel's location and meal plan before paying.
Are Gatwick airport transfers included in all-inclusive packages?
Not automatically. Hotel all-inclusive refers to meals and other hotel inclusions; airport-to-hotel transfers depend on the package. Check whether they are included, shared or private and how long the journey is likely to take.
Is all-inclusive always the cheapest option?
No. It can be cost-effective when you use the hotel restaurants and bars regularly. Half-board or breakfast-only may be cheaper for travellers who prefer excursions and local restaurants. Compare identical flight, room and hotel choices with realistic spending added.
Can TripsByDate help me find a cheap all-inclusive holiday from Gatwick?
TripsByDate lets you browse participating providers' advertised holiday packages from Gatwick by departure date, making it easier to spot lower advertised prices, alternative destinations and different departure days. Not all listings are all-inclusive, and not every provider is covered. Verify each deal's board basis, final price and availability with the travel provider.
Find the right all-inclusive holiday from Gatwick
Start with when you can travel, then look for a resort that fits how you spend your days. Compare the hotel, board basis, location, beach, flight times and transfer rather than the headline price alone. Explore holidays from London Gatwick, read our airport holiday guides or find unexpected destinations using the TripsByDate map.
A good all-inclusive deal is one you will enjoy using, not just one with an impressive list of things supposedly included.
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Choose Gatwick, browse advertised holiday departures by date and find an all-inclusive resort or alternative escape that suits you.
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