Love em or hate em: competition heats up for all-inclusives

Greetings TE friends,

Isn’t it nice not being deluged with non-stop news coverage of the (predictable) summer travel hell? We like the break. It frees up time to think about nicer topics, like what’s next on our travel bucket list.

This week we look at one contender close to home with a preview of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next month. If you're not up for a last-minute trip for this year's event, it's not too late to start planning for next year. The best hotels sell out fast!

We also take a look at the growing competition in the on-fire, all-inclusive resort segment.

The next few weeks we’ll be back on the road, with Barb heading to Las Vegas and then Canada. Jeri will be off to Philadelphia, then Mexico and Costa Rica. So if you’re not signed up yet, subscribe now to get our travel reports sent directly to your inbox.

First, here's the news we've been following:

Clear expands beyond airports to hotels: The summer of chaos at airports turned out to be pretty good for biometric security firm Clear. “Never has having a frictionless experience been more valuable to travelers,” CEO Caryn Seidman-Becker told Wall Street analysts last month. “Just turn on any TV station or live streaming to see how challenging the travel experience is.” So why stop at airports? Clear’s trying to move into the hotel world, reports PhocusWire. Clear hopes to sell access to its identity platform to hotel owners, who could then use the service to let guests quickly check themselves in through a kiosk. People would also be able to sign up for Clear memberships at the kiosks, which Clear is launching in partnership with Virdee, a Texas hospitality startup.

October may be synonymous with balloons in Albuquerque, but in Germany it’s all about the beer. Oktoberfest is back in Germany after a two-year pandemic interruption. But as The Associated Press reports, brewers and visitors will feel the pressures of inflation. For one thing, the 1-liter mug of beer will cost between 12.60 and 13.80 euros ($12.84 and $14.07) this year, an increase of about 15% compared with 2019, according to the official Oktoberfest homepage.

Amsterdam airport CEO steps down on heels of summer chaos. While the airport drama has receded here in the states, the pain continues at Amsterdam Airport Schipol, prompting its CEO to step down. "I've done my very best, but we're not there yet. I do hope it gets better soon," CEO Dick Benschop said in a statement, according to The Associated Press. He said he was stepping down "to give Schiphol the space to make a new start. I do not want attention on me to become an obstacle for Schiphol." The busy European hub airport was plagued by huge lines and piles of unclaimed luggage over the summer.

Kimpton jumps into the high-end, all-inclusive resort race

All-inclusive resorts are like cruises – you either love them or hate them. But regardless of which side you’re on, we can’t ignore the race among the world’s biggest brands to gain a foothold in the higher-end world of all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico, Latin America, Europe and beyond. IHG this week became the latest to up its game in a modest but real way with its hip Kimpton brand.

The plan calls for converting an older, eco-friendly resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico, into a Kimpton, with its signature design and brand of “barefoot luxury” ethos, according to a press release. It’s slated to open in 2024 as the Kimpton Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort, Spa & Nature Park, after extensive renovations, including complete makeovers of its 255 rooms, suites and villas.

The race by big chains to enter this sector began about four years ago and escalated in 2019 when Marriott International announced a smattering of projects, including a few conversions in the Caribbean and a mega, new-build project in Riviera Nayarit that was to include a first-ever Ritz-Carlton all-inclusive resort. (No word on when that’s opening.) As of today, Marriott’s marketing 31 all-inclusive resorts mostly under independent or soft brands like Autograph Collection.

Hilton’s marketing 14 all-inclusive resorts under the Hilton and DoubleTree brands.

But Hyatt made the most significant splash. In November 2021, Hyatt gained about 100 all-inclusive resorts bearing names like Secrets Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas and Breathless Resorts & Spas through a nearly $3 billion acquisition of Apple Leisure Group (Hyatt release).

All-inclusive industry continues to expand and go upscale

To the uninitiated, all inclusive resorts began some 50 years ago as a budget-friendly vacation option mainly in sunny locations with child-friendly offerings that allow tired parents to take a break.

Traditionally, brands like Secrets, Club Med, Barcelo, Riu, Iberostar and Sandals have dominated the space. And as the sector has grown, so too have the upscale and and luxury offerings.

(If you missed Jeri’s visit in June to the new luxury Sandals Royal Curaçao, the brand’s 16th resort, here’s the link.)

While all-inclusives are not for everyone, like cruises, they have a strong following. Sandals Resorts International Executive Chairman Adam Stewart told the Jamaica Observer last month that his resorts have surpassed 2019 occupancy and rates, and that weddings and incentive travel are driving even-better business for September and October.

What does the trend mean for consumers?

Travel Essential caught up with David Camhi, an attorney with the firm Greenspoon Marder who specializes in hospitality transactions and has extensive experience with all-inclusive resorts, to discuss what the trend means amid today's economic uncertainties.

The major brands' expansion plans couldn't be timed better for people who are planning vacations with a recession looming, Camhi said.

"In economic downturns or periods marked by rising interest rates, consumers may become more price conscious," he said.

"So as the big brands add new or converted all-inclusive properties to their portfolios,” Camhi said, “consumers will have a better chance of getting the best of both worlds – vacationing with brands they love, trust and perhaps have loyalty status with, and booking a trip at a fixed price that fits their budget and will not come with a surprise price tag at the end."

Travel Essential readers: What’s your take on all-inclusive resorts? And did you change your opinion during Covid? Email us at [email protected].

October ushers in balloon season in Albuquerque

By Jeri Clausing

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Here in the Land of Enchantment, the early signs of fall are synonymous with one thing: the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

I’ve lived in the area for 11 years now, and I never tire of walking the dogs on those cool October mornings with hundreds of balloons flying overhead, and sometimes even landing in my path.

This year, the nine-day fiesta that opens Saturday will celebrate its 50th anniversary. And if you’ve never been, it’s definitely a must-add to your travel bucket list.

One of the largest balloon festivals in the world, it’s also one of the few where visitors are allowed to wander the field at the city’s massive Balloon Fiesta Park as the pilots fire up their burners to inflate the colorful balloons for morning mass ascensions that fill the Albuquerque skies.

Some nights they fire them up again, not for actual take off but so visitors can wander the field for “balloon glows.”

This year, some 600 balloons are expected. And between the balloonists and spectators who come from around the world for the nine-day event, the population of Albuquerque practically doubles.

If you’re thinking about a last-minute trip this year, lodging is always tight. And room rates are about triple normal rates.

Or come after. October is one the best months to visit Albuquerque as the heat gives way to crisp nights and mornings and generally moderate days under clear blue skies.

Here is general information about the Fiesta, as well as TE's recommendations on where to stay, eat and what to do in Albuquerque.

Balloon fiesta park

General admittance is $15, and there are shuttles that run throughout the event from various park-and-ride areas across Albuquerque. Unless you have VIP parking -- and even, in many cases, when you do -- the shuttles are the easiest and fastest way to get through traffic and into the park. There are also a few premium ticket packages that include VIP parking along with a variety of other perks ranging from $125 per person to $350.

Where to stay

On-site “Glamping." If you want to be in the heart of the action without the hassles of the traffic trying to get into the park each morning for the mass ascensions and again in the evening for different concerts, balloon glows, fireworks and other festival events, you can rent safari-style tents on the festival grounds. Calling it glamping may be a bit of stretch, though, as the tents don’t have private bathrooms. Still, for someone really intent on experiencing the festival at its fullest, this would be the way to go. Because traffic in and out of the park is horrendous. The cost is $1,500 for three nights.

Los Poblanos is our favorite hotel in the city. Its set on 25 acres of lavender fields and an organic farm in Albuquerque’s picturesque North Valley, just east of the Rio Grande and with sweeping views of the Sandia Mountains. The original hotel was developed in a historic Santa Fe-style hacienda. A few years ago it also added a number of suites separate from the original building. The design of the addition, with slanted tin roofs and white adobe, was inspired by the farm’s historic dairy buildings. For loyalty card holders, Los Poblanos is now part of IHG's system.

Sandia Resort & Casino is our second choice, simply because of its location. It’s an upscale property that is just across I-25 from the balloon park. And because it's situated on a swath of undeveloped Native land that rises above the river valley, you’ll get a bird’s eye views every morning of the mass ascensions and the skyline and river valley as the balloons fly throughout the morning. The resort also has a spa, pool and golf.

Another four-star resort with a spa and golf is Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort. It’s about 20 minutes from the balloon park in normal traffic. It would not have views of the morning liftoff. But it is a beautiful setting with amazing mountain views and walking trails to the Rio Grande.

After Los Poblanos, probably the nicest hotel in Albuquerque is Hotel Andaluz, a boutique hotel downtown with a Morrocan-inspired décor. It also has the best tapas bar in town. But to be honest, downtown can be a little rough at night so you have to be aware of that if walking around. Hotel Andaluz is also a historic landmark as it was the first hotel New Mexico native Conrad Hilton built outside of Texas. He frequented the hotel, and for years it was the place for Albuquerque society to be and be seen.

Hotel Chaco has a wonderful rooftop bar and restaurant that offer excellent views of Albuquerque’s river valley, meaning that like at Sandia you could enjoy some of the show from afar without battling the traffic every day. It’s just a few years old, so the contemporary rooms have all the amenities of a modern four-star. The architectural elements were inspired by those found at Chaco Canyon and in New Mexico’s nearly two dozen pueblos.

What to do

Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway to the top of the Sandia Mountains that tower over the city. You can spend an afternoon hiking the trails on the east side of the mountains, which in the winter is a ski area. Or have lunch or dinner (reservations required) at the new Ten 3 restaurant at the top of the mountain.

Take a stroll through Old Town, Albuquerque’s historic plaza. Old Town consists of about 10 blocks of historic adobe buildings housing shops, restaurants and art galleries. On the north side of the plaza is the San Felipe de Neri Church, the oldest building in the city, which was built in 1793.

Where to eat

There are a lot of great restaurants in Albuquerque’s featuring New Mexico’s unique cuisine. My favorite is Casa de Benavidez, which has a nice patio with a pond in the middle to keep things cool. Try their chile rellenos or the “old fashion,” which are traditional flat chicken enchiladas with a fried egg on top. New Mexico’s famed chile comes in red or green, with red usually being hotter. I always go with “Christmas,” which is a blend of both.

Campo at Los Poblanos is a casual fine-dining option with a farm-to-table menu. Featured as “Rio Grande Valley Cuisine,” the menu highlights seasonal, organic ingredients harvested from the on-site farm and other local farmers and herdsmen. A must try: the lavender margarita.

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