All-inclusive resorts can be vacation life-savers. As the name suggests, these resorts typically include the room rate, all meals, unlimited drinks, activities, entertainment, airport transfers, and even tips and gratuities. Not being nickel-and-dimed at every turn of your vacation actually enables you to relax and enjoy your time off. And with these new offerings at top all-inclusive resorts, pressing the EASY button has never looked so good.
Just remember, all-inclusive resorts don’t include everything your heart desires. Be mindful of the meal and activities plan you select and know that going off the included plan may incur extra costs.
Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Golf and Spa Resort, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
This adults-only haven in Baja California opened a resort-within-a-resort (pictured above) in December known as The Towers at Pacifica. Two of the towers feature 47 all-new guest rooms and suites with glorious ocean views and which are serviced by extensively trained butlers who will check you in, unpack your bags, and make your dinner and spa reservations. A third tower holds a new oceanfront restaurant and lounge, exclusive to guests of The Towers, as well a fitness center overlooking the ocean. Rates start around $900 a night this spring.
www.pueblobonito.com/resorts/pacifica
This adults-only haven in Baja California opened a resort-within-a-resort (pictured above) in December known as The Towers at Pacifica. Two of the towers feature 47 all-new guest rooms and suites with glorious ocean views and which are serviced by extensively trained butlers who will check you in, unpack your bags, and make your dinner and spa reservations. A third tower holds a new oceanfront restaurant and lounge, exclusive to guests of The Towers, as well a fitness center overlooking the ocean. Rates start around $900 a night this spring.
www.pueblobonito.com/resorts/pacifica
Club Med Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Already a top vacation spot in the Caribbean for its Zen Oasis (an adults-only area) and its Creactive circus playground from Cirque du Soleil, this Club Med is now giving men a spa experience to call their own. The Men’s Lodge by L’Occitane is a new partnership with the L’Occitane skincare brand that offers men haircuts, hot shaves, “men-icures” and even grey blending highlights. Rates for a Zen Oasis room start at around $600 a night in March.
www.clubmed.us
Already a top vacation spot in the Caribbean for its Zen Oasis (an adults-only area) and its Creactive circus playground from Cirque du Soleil, this Club Med is now giving men a spa experience to call their own. The Men’s Lodge by L’Occitane is a new partnership with the L’Occitane skincare brand that offers men haircuts, hot shaves, “men-icures” and even grey blending highlights. Rates for a Zen Oasis room start at around $600 a night in March.
www.clubmed.us
Sandals Royal Caribbean, Montego Bay, Jamaica
The luxurious adults-only resort has taken a cue from French Polynesia and the Maldives by adding new over-the-water villas complete with see-through glass floors, private infinity pools, butler service, and even over-the-water hammocks. Word is the bungalows are positioned in a heart shape, which can be seen from the air when flying over the resort. Because of their novelty for the Caribbean, the over-the-water lodgings are in hot demand, but we did find a villa available in mid-November for about $2,000 a night. (Like we said, it's luxurious.)
www.sandals.com
The luxurious adults-only resort has taken a cue from French Polynesia and the Maldives by adding new over-the-water villas complete with see-through glass floors, private infinity pools, butler service, and even over-the-water hammocks. Word is the bungalows are positioned in a heart shape, which can be seen from the air when flying over the resort. Because of their novelty for the Caribbean, the over-the-water lodgings are in hot demand, but we did find a villa available in mid-November for about $2,000 a night. (Like we said, it's luxurious.)
www.sandals.com
UNICO 20°87°, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Eschewing a one-style-fits-all design, this new all-inclusive adults-only resort has gone the custom-designed route with 448 residential and rustic-style guest rooms accented with Mexican-made decor and artwork. Other in-room amenities include plunge pools, spa tubs, custom-scented toiletries, cocktail kits, and access to a local anfitrión, or host. Five restaurants, six bars and lounges, three pools, and a wellness center round out the offerings. Rates start at around $450 in March.
Eschewing a one-style-fits-all design, this new all-inclusive adults-only resort has gone the custom-designed route with 448 residential and rustic-style guest rooms accented with Mexican-made decor and artwork. Other in-room amenities include plunge pools, spa tubs, custom-scented toiletries, cocktail kits, and access to a local anfitrión, or host. Five restaurants, six bars and lounges, three pools, and a wellness center round out the offerings. Rates start at around $450 in March.
Royalton Saint Lucia
Royalton Resorts are proudly “All-in Luxury” resorts, as their tagline states, and their high-end all-inclusiveness extends to families as well. The newest Royalton resort in dreamy Saint Lucia is near a private cove and has both kids' and teen clubs, along with splash pads, waterslides, and even an all-day food truck. But couples in need of alone time should book the 104-room Hideaway at Royalton Saint Lucia, which has private infinity pools and offers five-minute massages at the beach and pool areas. Another Royalton resort also recently opened in Negril, Jamaica, with a Hideaway resort on-site there as well. Rates for the Royalton Saint Lucia start at around $625 in March for a luxury family suite with an ocean view.
www.royaltonresorts.com
Royalton Resorts are proudly “All-in Luxury” resorts, as their tagline states, and their high-end all-inclusiveness extends to families as well. The newest Royalton resort in dreamy Saint Lucia is near a private cove and has both kids' and teen clubs, along with splash pads, waterslides, and even an all-day food truck. But couples in need of alone time should book the 104-room Hideaway at Royalton Saint Lucia, which has private infinity pools and offers five-minute massages at the beach and pool areas. Another Royalton resort also recently opened in Negril, Jamaica, with a Hideaway resort on-site there as well. Rates for the Royalton Saint Lucia start at around $625 in March for a luxury family suite with an ocean view.
www.royaltonresorts.com
Azul Beach Resort Sensatori Jamaica by Karisma, Negril, Jamaica
If you can’t get away this winter, then save your all-inclusive vacation for May when the Azul Beach Resort Sensatori opens an additional 149 suites on Negril’s Seven Mile Beach. The resort's combined 285 suites all have ocean views, along with 10 restaurants, eight bars and lounges, and a Vassa Spa. For families, there’s an Azulitos Playhouse for kids ages 3–12 while My Gym Children’s Fitness Center (a popular brand of children's gyms) offers special adventures for kids ages 4 and older. Activities for adults include Aqua Reggae, margarita tastings, tai chi, and massage lessons. Rates start at $198 per adult, per night.
www.karismahotels.com
Swim-up Luxury Room (rendering), Azul Beach Resort Sensatori Jamaica by Karisma
If you can’t get away this winter, then save your all-inclusive vacation for May when the Azul Beach Resort Sensatori opens an additional 149 suites on Negril’s Seven Mile Beach. The resort's combined 285 suites all have ocean views, along with 10 restaurants, eight bars and lounges, and a Vassa Spa. For families, there’s an Azulitos Playhouse for kids ages 3–12 while My Gym Children’s Fitness Center (a popular brand of children's gyms) offers special adventures for kids ages 4 and older. Activities for adults include Aqua Reggae, margarita tastings, tai chi, and massage lessons. Rates start at $198 per adult, per night.
www.karismahotels.com
Swim-up Luxury Room (rendering), Azul Beach Resort Sensatori Jamaica by Karisma
Kokomo Island Resort and Luxury Villas
Even as far away as Fiji, you can find an all-inclusive resort to suit your fantasy, and this one is over the top. The Kokomo Island Resort and Luxury Villas will open in April on 140 acres of natural rainforest ringed by white sand beaches, all surrounded by the Great Astrolabe Reef. The 21 beachside luxury suites are designed to look like Fijian burres, huts made from wood and straws, and are outfitted with sustainable materials and traditional Fijian decor. However, modern conveniences such as air conditioning and Wi-Fi along with a complimentary mini-bar (replenished daily!) and videos-on-demand. Five more ultra-luxe residences are available to book, each with their own private pool. All meals in the four restaurants as well as room service, nanny service and a butler, are included in the room rate, which starts at around $2,000 a night—so start saving those pennies. Bicycles, tennis courts, and non-motorized water sports like paddle-boarding and kayaking are included too, along with a Kids Club. Not included? Seaplane transfers from Nadi Airport, 45 minutes away.
