The appeal of an all-inclusive stay is a predictable bill. Yet many guests at Grenada's all-inclusive resorts still find a page of charges at check-out. Most of these come from a short list of predictable extras that sit outside the standard package: premium drinks, motorised water sports, diving, spa treatments, excursions and a handful of in-room services.
Knowing these boundaries in advance lets you choose the right room category, budget sensibly and avoid awkward surprises. It also helps with one of the most confusing areas, tipping, where policies differ sharply between resort brands. This checklist sets out the extras that are most commonly charged at all-inclusive resorts in Grenada, how to check them for a specific booking and how to keep the final bill under control. Every resort sets its own rules, so confirm the details for your stay.
Drinks and dining extras
Food and drink are the heart of the package, but some items commonly fall outside it:
- Premium spirits: top-shelf whisky, cognac, aged rums and premium vodka may carry a charge unless your room category includes them.
- Wine by the bottle and champagne: house wine by the glass is standard; bottles from the wine list, sparkling wine and champagne are often extra.
- Specialty restaurants: some resorts charge a supplement for certain à la carte venues or reserve them for higher categories.
- Lobster and premium dishes: a few menus add a surcharge for lobster, premium steaks or special seafood platters.
- Room service: included in higher categories at some resorts, charged or unavailable in others.
- Private dining: a romantic beach dinner, a set-up on the pier or a chef's table usually carries a significant charge.
- Minibar restocking: some resorts restock soft drinks and beer daily at no cost; others charge for anything beyond a basic allowance.
Activities and water sports
Non-motorised sports. Kayaks, paddleboards, small sailing boats and snorkelling gear are usually included, often with short lessons. Check the hours and any booking system.
Motorised sports. Jet skis, waterskiing, parasailing and banana-boat rides are almost always extra, often run by an outside operator on the beach.
Scuba diving. Some brands include limited diving for certified divers; others charge for every dive. Courses, equipment rental, night dives and trips to sites such as the Bianca C wreck are usually extra everywhere.
Fishing. Deep-sea fishing charters are not included and are typically booked by the half day or full day per boat.
Golf and tennis. Tennis is usually included where courts exist. Grenada has limited golf, so check what the resort offers before assuming access.
Fitness. Gym use and group classes such as yoga or aqua aerobics are usually included; personal training is extra.
Spa, excursions and transport
Spa treatments are among the biggest extras on most bills. Massages, facials, body scrubs and couples' treatments are charged individually, usually with service and tax added. Some resorts include access to steam rooms or relaxation areas, and packages sometimes include a spa credit, but full treatments are almost never part of the standard rate. Booking in the green season or taking advantage of quieter weekday times can bring discounts.
Excursions off the resort are another major category. Island tours, catamaran cruises along the west coast, snorkelling trips to the Underwater Sculpture Park, rainforest hikes, chocolate and rum tours and day trips to Carriacou are booked through the tour desk or with independent operators, and none is covered by the package. Transport is the last category to check. Airport transfers are included at some resorts and on some packages but not others, and taxis for dinners or shopping trips are always extra. Taxi fares follow an official schedule for common routes, so ask the driver or the front desk for the rate before setting off.
Tipping: the most confusing extra
Tipping policies vary more than any other aspect of all-inclusive stays in Grenada. Some resort brands state that gratuities are included in the rate and that staff are not permitted to accept tips; Sandals, for example, has long promoted a no-tipping policy for most staff, though the rules around butlers and some other roles have differed and can change. Other resorts include a service charge in the price but leave additional tipping to the guest's discretion.
The safest approach is to read the resort's own policy before arrival or ask at check-in. Where tipping is allowed, it is entirely voluntary. Many guests choose to tip for exceptional service, such as a housekeeper who goes out of their way, a bartender who remembers preferences or a guide on an excursion. Outside the resort, taxi drivers, tour guides and boat crews generally appreciate a tip for good service, usually in cash in EC or US dollars. Small notes are useful, as change can be scarce in rural areas. If in doubt about local custom, around 10 percent for a guide or driver on a good tour is a common benchmark, though nobody will expect more than you feel comfortable giving.
Choosing the right room category
Because so many extras are tied to room categories, choosing the right one can be cheaper than paying for items individually. At resorts with tiered packages, the higher categories often bundle premium drinks, access to every restaurant, room service, a private lounge or pool, and sometimes airport transfers or butler service. For a guest who would order premium spirits every evening and book the specialty restaurant several times, the upgrade may cost less than the sum of those extras.
For others, the standard category is perfectly adequate. If you drink little, are happy with the main restaurants and plan to be out on excursions several days, paying for a top-tier package makes less sense. The useful exercise is to list what you would realistically use, price those items at the resort's rates, and compare that total with the difference between categories. Ask the resort for the inclusions of each tier in writing; marketing pages sometimes simplify what is actually included, and the details matter when hundreds of dollars separate the options.
Personal services and small charges
A collection of smaller charges can add up over a week. Laundry and pressing are charged per item at nearly every resort. Phone calls from the room can be expensive, so use Wi-Fi calling where possible. Gift shops, boutiques and the resort's own spa products are charged at retail prices. Photography packages, often offered by in-house photographers during dinners or on the beach, are not included and can be pricey.
Other services that are sometimes extra include babysitting, late check-out, early check-in, a day room before an evening flight, and in-room celebrations such as cakes, flowers and decorations. Weddings and vow renewals are a separate category altogether, with their own packages and fees. None of these is hidden, but they rarely appear on the booking page, so ask about any service you think you may want and get the price in writing.
How to keep the final bill under control
Most billing disputes at check-out come from misunderstandings rather than errors, and they are easy to avoid with a little attention during the stay. A few simple habits prevent surprises at check-out and keep the holiday relaxed to the last day:
- Read the inclusions list for your exact room category before booking, not just the resort's general description.
- Ask at check-in whether any outlets, drinks or services carry charges, and which.
- When ordering at a bar or restaurant, ask whether a specific drink or dish is included if unsure.
- Keep receipts for any items you sign for, and check the folio midway through the stay.
- Book excursions directly with licensed operators if the resort mark-up is significant, after comparing like for like.
- Settle the bill the evening before departure to avoid a rush and allow time to query any charge calmly.
Frequently asked questions
What is not included at an all-inclusive resort in Grenada?
Typical extras include premium spirits and wine by the bottle, some specialty restaurants, motorised water sports, scuba diving beyond any included dives, spa treatments, off-site excursions, laundry, and sometimes airport transfers and room service. Each resort and room category has its own list.
Is scuba diving included at Grenada all-inclusives?
Some brands include a limited number of dives for certified divers, while others charge for every dive. Courses, equipment rental and trips to special sites such as the Bianca C wreck are usually extra. Check the dive policy for your resort and room category.
Do you need to tip at Grenada all-inclusive resorts?
It depends on the resort. Some brands say gratuities are included and staff should not accept tips, while others leave extra tipping to guests. Read the resort's policy or ask at check-in. Tipping outside the resort, for taxis and tours, is customary for good service.
Are excursions included at all-inclusive resorts in Grenada?
No. Island tours, catamaran trips, rainforest hikes, chocolate and rum tours and Carriacou day trips are booked separately through the tour desk or independent operators. Compare prices and check what each tour includes, such as entrance fees and lunch.
Is room service included at Grenada all-inclusives?
Room service is included in some higher room categories but may be charged or unavailable in standard rooms. Some resorts also limit room service to certain hours. Check your booking details or ask at check-in.
How do you avoid extra charges at an all-inclusive?
Read the inclusions for your exact room category, ask at check-in about chargeable items, check before ordering premium drinks or dishes, and review your folio partway through the stay. Settling the bill the evening before departure leaves time to resolve any mistakes.
