How does all-inclusive food and alcohol work at UAE hotels?
From messages by 3 participants in 1 source · Last activity: 26 days ago
Under all-inclusive, the pool bar operates roughly from 11:00 to 18:00. After that, included drinks are available at the restaurant bar until 22:00; drinks later in the evening are charged separately.
31 days ago Pool bar 11:00–18:00; restaurant bar until 22:00
In the UAE there are two versions of all-inclusive: standard All and All Dine Around. Under the Dine Around option, à la carte dining is available, unlike the basic All package.
All Dine Around — includes à la carte
In-room water comes only in glass bottles on an exchange basis (taking the bottle costs a 40 AED fee); the main restaurant also uses glass bottles. Both meat and fish are available, portions aren't limited per person, and dishes are less spicy than at the Sofitel. Pastries are simple but tasty. On weekends the restaurant can get crowded with no seating. No sunscreen is provided at the beach or pool — bring your own.
Glass water bottles, 40 AED fee if taken
One guest noted the food is plain, home-style and gets repetitive quickly, with no real delicacies — more noticeable in the heat. However, alcohol under all-inclusive is fully stocked, including a wide variety of cocktails.
St.Regis runs a classic HB/FB system: fresh juices are available at breakfast, but for lunch/dinner only water, tea and coffee are included — everything else is extra. Plain water is free everywhere (room, beach, pool), refilled twice daily in rooms. There's a separate pastry shop where everything is paid: desserts from the display start at 55 AED, coffee from 40 AED.
St.Regis — HB/FB, pastry shop from 55 AED
At the self-service bar counter, in addition to water, you can pour iced tea, hibiscus (karkade) drink, and similar non-alcoholic options. Large bottles of sweet sodas are also available on the same counter.
Self-service bar counter — non-alcoholic drinks
Breakfast at L'Olivo restaurant combines a buffet with à la carte dishes. Drinks include fresh juices and a complimentary glass of champagne in the morning. Hotel sends schedule and concept updates via WhatsApp — worth monitoring to avoid closed venues.
L'Olivo restaurant — breakfast: buffet + à la carte + champagne
Whether you can order cocktails outside of meal times under all-inclusive depends on the hotel and package tier. Check with the hotel which bars serve alcohol independently of meals and during what hours — standard all-inclusive and ultra packages often have different rules.
When choosing between standard all-inclusive and an ultra package, request restaurant menus in advance to judge whether the upgrade is worth it. Also check if the pool is cooled during summer — relevant for September arrivals when temperatures are still very high.