All-Inclusive vs Ultra All-Inclusive: What's the Difference?

Browsing Turkey holidays, you'll see both "all-inclusive" and "ultra all-inclusive" — and a price gap between them. So what do you actually get for the extra? In short: ultra all-inclusive adds imported drinks, à la carte dining and longer service hours on top of the standard package. Whether that's worth paying for depends on how you'll holiday — and on one important catch: "ultra" is partly a marketing label, so it pays to look past the name. Here's the honest comparison.

Standard all-inclusive: the basics covered

Standard all-inclusive typically gives you room, buffet meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), snacks, soft drinks and local alcoholic drinks, plus pools, beach and entertainment — often within set hours. It's the easy, predictable package that suits most holidays. Full detail: all-inclusive in Turkey explained.

Ultra all-inclusive: what it adds

"Ultra" generally piles more on top:

• Imported & branded drinks — not just local beer and spirits, but recognised brands.
• À la carte & specialty restaurants — included (or more visits included), not just the buffet.
• Longer or 24-hour service — food and drink available around the clock, not only set hours.
• Extra touches — wider snack options, minibar, premium bits and pieces.

At a good hotel, that can genuinely elevate the holiday — especially if you like a branded drink and the freedom to eat and drink whenever.

The catch: "ultra" is partly marketing

Here's the honest bit. "Ultra all-inclusive" isn't a strictly defined standard — hotels use it loosely, so what it includes varies a lot. At a quality five-star, ultra can mean a real step up. At a budget hotel, "ultra" might add surprisingly little beyond the name. So a strong standard all-inclusive at a great hotel can easily beat "ultra" at a mediocre one. Judge the details and the hotel, not the label.

Is ultra worth the extra?

Ask yourself:

• Do you drink imported/branded spirits? If yes, ultra's value jumps. If you're happy with local beer and wine, standard is plenty.
• Will you use à la carte dining? If you'll mostly do the buffet, you're paying for something you won't use.
• Do you want food/drink at all hours? Great for night owls; irrelevant if you keep normal hours.
• Is the hotel itself good? Ultra only shines at a hotel that does it well — check reviews.

If you mostly want sun, buffet meals and local drinks, standard all-inclusive is usually the smarter spend. If imported drinks and à la carte matter to you, ultra can be worth it — at the right hotel.

How to check what you're really getting

• Read the hotel factsheet — the only reliable source of what's included.
• Check drinks specifically — local vs imported, and the hours.
• Look at recent reviews — they reveal whether "ultra" delivers in practice.
• Compare total price — sometimes standard + paying for the odd extra beats ultra.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between all-inclusive and ultra all-inclusive?
Ultra generally adds imported and branded drinks, à la carte and specialty restaurants, longer or 24-hour service, and sometimes extra snacks and minibar. Standard covers meals, local drinks and the basics.

Is ultra all-inclusive worth it?
Sometimes. If you'll use imported drinks, à la carte dining and round-the-clock service, it can be great value. But "ultra" is partly marketing, and at budget hotels may add little — check the factsheet, not the name.

Does ultra all-inclusive mean imported drinks?
Usually yes — imported and branded spirits are a main upgrade, which standard often excludes in favour of local drinks. Confirm on the factsheet, as packages vary.

Is ultra all-inclusive always better?
No. A good standard all-inclusive at a quality hotel can beat "ultra" at a budget one. The label matters less than what's actually included and the hotel's quality — judge the details and reviews.

For more on choosing your stay, see our Alanya hotels & accommodation guide and all-inclusive explained. Questions about a deal? Message us on WhatsApp — we're local and happy to help.