I was asked by an editor if I would like to do an article on all-inclusive resorts. “Of course” I exclaimed. I was then faced with a challenge. I have never been to an all-inclusive resort. After we made the decision to go to Malta, an all-inclusive resort kept popping up in our search for accommodation, so we took it as a sign and followed our inspiration. The Seabank Resort and Spa in Mellieha, Malta was our first (of hopefully many) all-inclusive resort experience.
In February, Malta is to the United Kingdom what Florida is to those who live in the Northeast. Our resort was full of snowbirds with foil sun mats and blended drinks (also included). There was also, thankfully, a smattering of lovely children from Austria, Germany, and Malta that populated the kids club and gave our children companions they won’t soon forget.
The resort felt like a beached cruise liner. Everything from the nautical decor to the live cabaret shows screamed cruise. As a mother, the idea of not thinking about preparing a meal or snack or pouring a glass of milk for seven days gave me goosebumps. Add daily maid service to that, an in-house Mary Poppins team at the kid’s club, and unobstructed sun and you have a winning combination.
I left feeling a bit like I had a love/hate relationship with our resort. I hated the plastic wristband that said, “I can eat all I want this week.” I hated the towel deposits and the hangers that don’t detach from the rod, but mostly I hated how they thought of everything I might need at the resort, so much so that I didn’t want to leave. I loved the kid’s club because our children learned words from three languages, ate lunch with kids from four countries, and had time to learn from other adults which is wonderful when you are homeschooling. I loved that our meals were prepared with care and the flavors were influenced by the strategic location of Malta wedged between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. I loved that we were in a beautiful, inspiring country and we could walk out of the hotel and down a dimly lit boardwalk as the Mediterranean pounded the powdery sand. I loved that I didn’t want to leave, even though I was returning to the stunning country of Italy.
It was an amazing exercise in living a life of abundance to have everything ready before I even knew I wanted it. Late breakfast, sure, it’s served in the Laguna Room. Gone for lunch? No problem! We put cold cuts and bread out for breakfast so you can pack a little something. Afternoon tea by the pool? Certainly, feel free to take your tea where you please. I am not sure at what point I would be ready to leave such a place, but I do know that after seven days, we were all ready for seven more.
