With a baby, the friction-cost of leaving the hotel for meals is high: you have to pack baby food, time it around naps, find somewhere with a high chair, navigate strollers in restaurant doorways. All-inclusive eliminates all of that. You eat 50 metres from your room, the staff know you, and if your baby has a meltdown halfway through dinner you walk back.
All-inclusive also typically includes baby food (purées and basic meals for under-2s), which removes another logistics layer. Premium all-inclusive properties like Ikos resorts include Michelin-trained chefs and à la carte dining, so you're not stuck at a buffet.
Half-board makes more sense for older children who can sit through a 90-minute restaurant meal, parents who want to explore the local area's food scene, and anyone in destinations with strong local cuisine within walking distance (Puglia, parts of the Algarve, Mallorca's Cala d'Or).
Cost-wise, all-inclusive at the luxury end is rarely cheaper than half-board, but the value calculation should include the cost of car hire, taxis to dinner, and the strollers-in-doorways tax.
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More from the FAQ
What is the youngest age for a hotel kids club in Europe?
Several luxury European resorts accept babies from 4 to 6 months in supervised childcare; a handful in Austria take infants from as young as 7 days.
Are hotel baby clubs safe?
The best are very safe; the worst are essentially unsupervised playrooms. Look for published staff ratios, dedicated baby carers, and recognised qualifications.
When is the best time to travel to the Mediterranean with a baby?
May to mid-June and September to mid-October. Warm enough to swim, cool enough to nap, and quieter than peak July-August.
Are hotel kids clubs free?
It depends. All-inclusive resorts usually include kids club; many luxury non-inclusives charge €20 to €50 per session for under-2s.