Year-end rates can come with extra lines: a compulsory gala dinner, a peak supplement and a minimum stay. The room price on the first page is not the price you pay. Ask for one total for two, in writing, with every line shown.
This guide sits in our season timing topic, where we explain what changes the price of the same room.
What is a gala dinner surcharge?
A gala dinner is a set menu held at the resort on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve. Some resorts add it to the booking as a compulsory charge per person. Others offer it as an option.
You are billed whether you attend or not when it is compulsory. So treat it as part of the room price when you compare.
What is a peak supplement?
A peak supplement is an extra nightly charge on certain dates, around Christmas and New Year. It may be shown as a separate line or folded into the room rate.
Ask the resort which dates carry it. A stay that starts one day later may avoid part of it.
What does a minimum stay mean?
Some resorts only sell year-end dates in blocks, for example a minimum number of nights across the festive period. If your leave is shorter, you may be unable to book at all.
Do the sum before you fall in love with a room. Our usable holiday days calculator shows the number of nights your leave really allows.
How do we compare two year-end quotes?
Put both quotes in the same table. Include the same lines each time.
| Line | Resort A | Resort B |
|---|---|---|
| Room rate for all nights | ||
| Peak supplement | ||
| Gala dinner, per person, compulsory or optional | ||
| Minimum stay | ||
| Transfers | ||
| Taxes and service charge | ||
| Total for two |
Our quote brief builder helps you ask for these lines in one message.
Is a year-end honeymoon worth it?
It is best suited for couples whose only leave falls at year-end, or who want the festive atmosphere. It can feel special, and the dinner can be a highlight.
If you have flexible dates, a week just outside the peak dates may suit you better. Read whether a peak-season honeymoon is worth the price before you decide.
What else should we check in writing?
Some items are easy to miss. Confirm them with the resort in writing:
- Which nights the surcharge covers.
- Whether the dinner is halal-certified or pork-free, and in what wording.
- Whether kids are excluded or priced separately, if relevant.
- Cancellation rules, which are stricter at year-end.
- Whether a honeymoon perk still applies on peak dates.
Our package extras checklist covers more items worth asking.
What should we do next?
- Write down the dates you can travel, including a quieter alternative.
- Ask each resort for the full total for two in writing.
- Fill in the comparison table above.
- Send us the quotes, and we will check them with you before any payment. Book early if the dates are fixed, as our early booking guide explains.