Does even the thought of booking an All Inclusive vacation make you choke? It’s no laughing matter when it comes to holidays for allergy sufferers.
From feather pillows, to down quilts, pollen, certain textiles or even just plain old dust, a vacation room can be full of unseen hazards for those of us with allergies, and health problems.
Allergies are increasing. They affect as many as 30 percent of adults and 40 percent of children in the United States according to the AAFA.
Even a luxurious and well-appointed room at an All Inclusive can potentially be a nightmare for sufferers, and parents of children with allergy issues such as asthma. Not to mention a cornucopia of food allergies, one of the most dangerous and difficult to avoid is a nut allergy.
So, what can we do? Staying at home is one option, but that’s no fun at all. Let’s take a deep breath, and explore the All Inclusive resorts that give you a little extra, and provide sweet dreams for allergy sufferers.
Also, we’ll take a look at preventative steps that can be taken before booking, and some allergy friendly tips to make travel – and that well deserved vacation – a whole lot easier.
Choosing a resort
Browsing the resort websites, full of promised sunshine, long white sandy beaches, and smiling, tanned families is the easy part. The hard bit is tailoring the holiday to you, and a serious allergy might be top of your concerns.
So, which are the best all-inclusive resorts to choose?
If you’re allergic to pollens and scents…
If breathing allergies plague you, the Hard Rock chain of All Inclusive resorts incorporate “Pure Rooms” as part of their approach, enabling you to leave your allergies at the door and enjoy your holiday, worry-free.
Both the Hard Rock Cancun and Hard Rock Riviera Maya offer access to unbelievable all-inclusive amenities, and provide a vacation to remember, sneeze-free! Rather than feel confined to your Pure Room, you may never want to actually leave! But that would mean missing out on fun, fine dining and amazing activities – so following an allergy-free sleep, enjoy the fun!
If you’re allergic to foods…
A number of high-end all-inclusives, such as Karisma Resorts (Azul Hotels and El Dorado Resorts) take great pride in offering a gourmet cuisine experience and have trained all food services staff — from the chefs to the hostesses — on how to appropriately handle food allergies while still providing fresh, tasty dishes.
Preparatory checklist
There are several measures you could take before you travel, indeed before you even book. These will make the job easier for you, and leave you reassured that you have chosen well.
Consider the following tips:
- If you have specific food requirements, ask ahead to speak with the chef, and alleviate any possible problems.
- A small refrigerator in your room is essential in a hot climate if you’re travelling with medication such as insulin, and most resorts provide one (aka the ‘minibar’) but again, do ask in advance to be sure.
- Ask if a resort has a doctor or nurse on-site, or on-call. Make a note of the distance to nearby hospitals and/or clinics in the event of a necessary visit.
- If you use an inhaler, or take medications or supplements, be sure to pack them in your carry-on bag
Don’t forget to ensure your trip!
Finally, things can still go wrong, no matter how well prepared a vacation is. So, always take adequate and correct travel insurance, and if you have an ongoing policy check that it is up to date. Crossing the ‘t’s and dotting the ‘i’s might seem a tad laborious, but it’s worth it if or when things take a sudden or unexpected downturn due to your allergies.
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Medical bills and hospital stays can be a costly affair, and are not something you should have to factor into your holiday spending. Plus, you’ll be far happier if you’re flying off to a well earned vacation, knowing that you have done everything possible beforehand.
Have you had any experience of travelling with – or perhaps you are – someone with severe allergies? Did you find it hampered your trip? Perhaps you have some great tips we could use – we’d love to hear your stories, so do let us know!
