Discover Luxurious All-Inclusive Family Resort Vacations: Your Guide to Easy Booking

“You still haven’t come to visit us,” Adam Stewart, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International, reminds me over Zoom. I’ve been casually planning to take my family to an all-inclusive hotel in the Caribbean for over a year—a “set-it-and-forget-it” holiday to alleviate the stress of pandemic life with young kids.

As it turns out, now is an ideal time for this type of vacation. The everything-included model—where the price covers not only accommodation but also on-property food, drinks, and activities—has always had its devotees. However, all-inclusives are currently responding to demand for personalization, increased space, superior cuisine, and modern comforts.

A series of renovations and new projects from Sandals and Beaches, including a $55 million upgrade of the 404-room Sandals Royal Bahamian (doubles from $429 per person) and the 351-room Sandals Royal Curaçao (doubles from $393 per person), offers guests a bespoke experience with swim-up suites, private pools, and what Stewart describes as “a more luxurious take on casual Caribbean.”

“People want a diversity of choice and experiences,” says Josh Alexander, a luxury travel advisor at Protravel International. His clients are increasingly booking all-inclusive properties, responding positively to broader restaurant options and amenities like butler service and plunge pools, which are more relevant in the post-COVID era.

Dining quality has often been a primary concern in the all-inclusive sector. Fortunately, hotel brands are recognizing the appreciation guests have for upscale, reservation-only venues with focused menus, such as teppanyaki or tapas. Consequently, all-inclusives are continuously refining and broadening their culinary offerings.

The new 715-key all-inclusive Hilton Cancun (doubles from $538) highlights this ambition with a sushi bar, steak house, taqueria, and a trattoria serving “phenomenal homemade-dough pizzas,” according to Juan Corvinos, a senior vice president at Hilton.

The brand has heeded the growing demand for all-inclusive accommodations, especially in Mexico, by adding properties to its portfolio, including the 444-room Hilton Vallarta Riviera (doubles from $353) and the recently opened 735-room Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya.

The luxury extends beyond dining. I envision my kids enjoying time at Marriott’s 117-room Delta Hotels Riviera Nayarit (doubles from $259), which opened in August 2021 and is aimed at families. This resort features a beach club and is building a waterpark with a lazy river and cascading pools.

For weary parents like me, all-inclusives are also incorporating wellness trends, according to Diana Plazas-Trowbridge, Marriott International’s chief sales and marketing officer for the Caribbean and Latin America. The 164-room Westin Porto de Galinhas (doubles from $483), opening this month in Porto de Galinhas, Brazil, will offer spa treatments as enhancements to daily rates.

While many large hotel brands instituted rate-matching policies years ago to encourage direct reservations, smaller chains have also increasingly adopted this policy. For instance, Palace Resorts’ 731-room Moon Palace Jamaica (doubles from $436) guarantees it will meet any published rate from any U.S.-based booking company.

In terms of finding the best room at the best price, brand loyalty is significant. Marriott’s Bonvoy points can be utilized to unlock a more customized all-inclusive experience, states Plazas-Trowbridge. Other loyalty programs—like World of Hyatt—offer similar opportunities for category upgrades and various perks.

One pivotal aspect, according to Stewart, is to communicate with a person whenever possible—be it a representative at your preferred hotel or a travel advisor. These professionals often have access to special packages and last-minute deals that may not be visible online. As the all-inclusive sector expands and appeals to a broader audience of travelers, it’s wise to plan early to secure the best prices and your preferred dates.

It’s evident that it’s time to make the move towards planning our trip.

A version of this story originally appeared in the May 2022 issue of iBestTravel under the headline A Better All-Inclusive.