The holiday season is upon us, and while camping, a week at an Airbnb or a few nights at a communal shop all have their merits, there’s nothing like an all-inclusive resort to unwind and relax. whether you’re traveling alone, looking for a trip as a couple, or have the kids in tow, not having to think too much about your spending is a luxury that’s not going to be missed.
Before you book, it’s worth asking yourself a few key questions. What size complex are you looking for? Do you mind staying in a beachfront juggernaut, or are you looking for a more compact resort? Are you satisfied with the buffet food or do you want to indulge in an a la carte menu? If you have kids, are they relatively self sufficient when it comes to poolside entertainment, or would they (and you) benefit from a kids club?
We’ve rounded up the best all-inclusive resorts you can visit now in locations around the world, offering a range of USPs including boutique ambience, family friendliness, value for money and pure indulgence. . Read on for our selection of getaway paradises – and how to choose the right one for you.
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Best all-inclusive resorts: at a glance
How to choose the best all-inclusive resort for you
What does “all inclusive” really mean?
The term “all-inclusive” can be a bit misleading. This rarely means that everything under the sun is free once you enter the hallowed walls of the resort. Instead, the bulk of the holiday is paid for in advance, including board, meals, snacks, drinks and many activities, with guests only having to pay for additional extras, such as motorized water sports, premium alcoholic beverages and babysitting services.
When booking an all-inclusive resort, it can be difficult to navigate the fine print. It is worth considering the following factors before booking and inquiring with the resort to see if your particular wants and needs can be accommodated.
Best All-Inclusive Resorts: Food and Drinks
Food at all-inclusive resorts is usually served buffet style, with multiple dishes and cuisines from around the world. The advantage here is range and immediacy – just help yourself to an assortment of dishes, sit down and go inside. However, for those in the mood for a more unique or finely crafted dish – not to mention the accompanying table service – you’ll want to check out this is à la carte meals are available and included in the price of the stay. Otherwise, look at the prices of on-site restaurants or neighboring establishments; you don’t want to be surprised by sky-high prices if you opt out of the buffet one night.
Likewise, it’s common for all-inclusive resorts to include all non-alcoholic beverages, and even some alcoholic beverages on top of that. Guests generally have to pay extra for premium alcoholic beverages such as cocktails and premium spirits. If you’re someone who likes a rum punch or three on the lounger, find out if alcohol – and if so, what alcohol – is included in your bill, to avoid a big bar bill at the end. of the week.
Best All-Inclusive Resorts: Activities
Another important consideration is the range of activities on offer, and whether – and how much – you’ll be charged for them. Many all-inclusive resorts offer swimming pools, often several, which guests can use for free, with additional fees for activities such as jet-skiing, tennis, or scuba diving. If you’re someone who likes to lay by the pool with a pocket book, this type of clean plan is for you, so you’re not paying for services you don’t actually use.
However, for adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies, look for an all-inclusive resort where at least some activities are included. Whether it’s kitesurfing or macrame, it makes all the difference knowing that you have a number of activities included in the price of your holiday. Rare gems will have unlimited water sports included and are often a great way to immerse yourself in the nature surrounding the resort.
Best All-Inclusive Resorts: Tips
Another thing to consider is whether tips are included in the price of your stay, or whether you should have cash on hand when the time arises. Often, the resort rate includes a daily resort fee that covers tipping for everyone from concierge to bartenders. However, this varies from resort to resort, and especially country to country, so be sure to check the policy or custom wherever you are staying.
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The best all-inclusive resorts in 2022
1. Sundia Exclusive by Liberty, Fethiye, Turkey: The Best All-Inclusive Resort with a Boutique Vibe
Price: From £1,805 for two | Book now on Booking.com
Sundia by Liberty is that rare breed of all-inclusive hotel, with the look and feel of a small boutique joint. This charming hotel on Turkey’s southwest coast — the nearest airport is Dalaman — is decorated with colorful plants and artwork. Despite its relatively compact size, there are six restaurants and bars on-site, including the Blue Restaurant, which features seasonal produce, has sea views, and serves Ottoman, Turkish, and international cuisines; Italian a la carte restaurant Dia Teras for fresh fish and more; plus The Vertex, for sipping cocktails while enjoying panoramic sunset views. If you want to spend your time strolling rather than scoffing, the beach is just a minute’s walk away – perfect for a sunset meander.
Prices start at £1,805 for a week in August, based on a couple sharing a small double room with a balcony. The price includes all meals and selected beverages.
Key specs – Wireless? Yes; Friendly and family? Yes; Disabled facilities? Yes; swimming pools)? Yes; Spa? Yes
Book now on Booking.com
2. Bahia Principe Fantasia, Tenerife, Spain: Best All-Inclusive Resort for Kids
Price: From £2,317 for a family of four | Book now on Booking.com
This hotel is a paradise for all children. With a fairytale castle to rival Disneyland Paris and an assortment of pools to cool off in, your little ones will get tired in no time, leaving you free to relax with a glass of wine and a good book on the balcony. The price includes many food options, as well as drinks. Although the resort does not have a private beach, a one kilometer walk along the beachfront will take you to the local town, where you can enjoy several restaurants.
The real highlight of this hotel – other than the aforementioned castle – is the delightful service. The staff is especially child-friendly, showing patience at the bucket load, which is ideal for those times when your little ones need to be coaxed into kids’ club activities. If you’re worried about getting some respite from your family, don’t be — there’s an adults-only pool, a spa with a hydrotherapy area, and a well-equipped gym.
Prices for a week in September start at £2,317, based on a family of four – including two under the age of 10 – sharing an all-inclusive family suite.
Key specs – Wireless? Yes; Friendly and family? Yes; Disabled facilities? Yes; swimming pools)? Yes; Spa? Yes
Book now on Booking.com
3. Jade Mountain, St. Lucia: The Best All-Inclusive Resort for Absolute Luxury
Price: From £9,080 pp including flights | Book now with Virgin
If you’re looking for pure, unadulterated indulgence in a James Bond-esque setting, look no further than Jade Mountain on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. This all-inclusive oasis offers views of the iconic Petit and Gros Piton mountains, and you can enjoy the jurassic parkstylish beauty from one of its many infinity pools. It’s not a cookie-cutter resort paradise, though: Jade Mountain’s unique colorful and contemporary design sets it apart from the crowd.
There are 600 acres of tropical gardens to enjoy on-site (no, that’s not a wandering extra zero), with plenty of nature to soak up. The Jade Mountain Club is open for breakfast, lunch or dinner, with a menu concocted by award-winning chef James Beard Allen Susser – widely recognized as one of the inventors of new world cuisine (a fusion of flavors from North and South America and the Caribbean). The romantic Terrasse Céleste, meanwhile, is a dream setting for a cocktail. The rooms are rightly called “shrines”. If the shoe fits…
Prices start at £9,080 pp for a week in November, based on two people sharing an all-inclusive Sun Sanctuary room with private pool (additional cost for snorkeling and diving).
Key specs – Wireless? Yes; Friendly and family? Children aged 16 and over only; Disabled facilities? Limit; swimming pools)? Yes; Spa? Yes
Book now with Virgin
4. Michelangelo Resort & Spa, Kos, Greece: The Best Value All-Inclusive Resort
Price: From £1,240 for two | Book now on Booking.com
This Greek oasis on the southeastern island of Kos is not only breathtakingly beautiful – there are five pools, including an infinity pool overlooking the shimmering Aegean Sea – but it’s a fantastic all-rounder. For spa-heads, there’s a heated indoor pool, sauna, and steam room, with a host of massages available. For partiers, there are three bars, including a pool bar and a beach bar – and if you still have the energy in the tank, there’s Kos Town, teeming with bars and clubs, just 10 minutes by bus. There’s even a kids’ pool for those with toddlers, but make no mistake — this sleek, ultra-modern hotel doesn’t skimp on understated elegance. Fitness fanatics, meanwhile, can take advantage of the tennis and basketball courts, as well as mini-football and a fitness center.
While not a budget destination per se, the value offered by this resort is phenomenal – you get five-star service and surroundings for three-star prices. Prices for a week in September start at £1,240 based on two people sharing, which equates to £88 per person per night. It’s not strictly all-inclusive, but all the important things are included, namely breakfast and dinner, and for lunch you can stroll through the selection of tavernas in Agios Fokas.
Prices start at £1,784 for a week in August based on two people sharing a double room with side sea view. Breakfast and dinner included.
Key specs – Wireless? Yes; Friendly and family? Yes; Disabled facilities? Yes; swimming pools)? Yes; Spa? Yes
Book now on Booking.com
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