Free Alcohol: What All-Inclusive Resorts Really Offer

When you hear free alcohol, complimentary drinks included in your resort package. Also known as unlimited drinks, it sounds like a dream—until you realize most places don’t mean what you think they do. The idea is simple: pay one price, and drinks are on the house. But in practice, all-inclusive resorts, vacation packages that bundle meals, activities, and beverages rarely hand out open bars with no strings attached. They control the flow—not out of greed, but because running a resort isn’t a charity. You won’t find unlimited premium scotch or craft cocktails at every turn. What you get is often house brands, standard pours, and quiet caps on how much you can consume in a day.

Here’s the truth: drink limits, unofficial or stated boundaries on alcohol consumption at resorts are everywhere. Some resorts say six drinks per day. Others don’t say anything—but bartenders stop serving after a certain point. Why? Because they’ve seen guests turn a relaxing vacation into a hospital visit. And because they’re not legally allowed to serve someone who’s clearly intoxicated. It’s not about punishing you. It’s about keeping you safe, and keeping the resort from getting sued. The myth of unlimited alcohol exists because it sells. But the reality? You’ll get plenty to drink—just not without limits.

What’s included varies wildly. At some places, you’ll get beer, wine, and basic spirits. At others, you might get soda, coffee, and even bottled water included—but not the fancy tequila. Some resorts charge extra for drinks served poolside or after 10 PM. Others let you sip all day but won’t refill your glass every 20 minutes. The key isn’t how many drinks you can have—it’s how much you actually want. Most guests don’t need 10 cocktails a day. They want a couple of cold beers after a hike, a glass of wine with dinner, maybe a margarita at sunset. That’s easy to get. What’s hard is finding a resort that’s honest about what’s really in the package.

If you’re looking for resort beverage policy, the official and unofficial rules around alcohol service at vacation properties, you won’t find it on the website. You’ll find it in guest reviews, in quiet conversations with staff, in the way the bartender smiles when you ask for your third drink. The best resorts don’t hide their rules—they make them clear upfront. The worst ones let you assume, then surprise you with a "sorry, that’s outside the limit" when you’re already halfway through your vacation.

So is free alcohol worth it? Yes—if you know what you’re getting. Skip the resorts that scream "UNLIMITED!" in giant letters. Look for ones that say "house beverages included" and mean it. Ask about drink types, timing, and serving sizes before you book. And remember: the goal isn’t to drink as much as possible. It’s to relax, enjoy the view, and wake up without a hangover. That’s the real luxury.

Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve been there—what they got, what they didn’t, and how to make sure you don’t get burned. No fluff. Just what actually happens when you walk up to the bar with a smile and a room key.