The Best All Inclusive Resorts (2023)

The Sands Barbados is nicely low key, all inclusive resort offering condo type accommodation by one of the Barbados’ most beautiful beaches: Worthing Beach. It is also just ten minutes drive from the main international airport, so is about as convenient as it gets. Accommodation: They have a range of one, two and three bedroom suites, divided between Ocean View and Garden View, with the Ocean Views, not surprisingly, being the more expensive. All come with air-con, cable TV, tea/coffee stations, safe, WiFi, mini-bar, iPod docks, irons and bathrobes amongst other modern conveniences. Bathrooms come with showers but not bathtubs. All though have balconies or, if on the ground floor, patios. The suites are spacious and comfortably furnished with plenty of seating and lounging space. They are basically apartments but without kitchens (for obvious reasons!). Individual rooms within the suites all come with queen size bed, or twin beds if preferred. Prices: Check out all price details at Expedia.com here and at Hotels.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: The resort is generally relaxed and quiet, even though it is all inclusive, and though it sees a number of families. The two restaurants and especially the lovely beach bar can get lively in the evenings though and the atmosphere throughout the resort is very friendly and welcoming. Worthing Beach is one of the finest on the island and there, beyond swimming and sunbathing, you can enjoy complimentary water sports such as kayaking, paddle boards, body boarding and snorkeling. The usual motorized water-sports, plus scuba diving lessons, are also available but for an extra (reasonable) fee. The food at the resort has seen mixed reviews. They do serve a good and broad mix of Caribbean and international food, both buffet and a la carte, but it can be hit or miss sometimes it seems. It is a very new resort though, being unlucky enough to have opened just before the pandemic, and so we imagine they might have had some teething problems. More recent reviews have been better. All food and drink is included in the rate, apart from some champagne and premium wines, and the cocktails particularly are excellent here. As READ MORE

Updated on October 4, 2022. One of two Sonesta all inclusive resorts in Sint Maarten, Sonesta Ocean Point sits right beside its larger neighbor, Sonesta Maho Beach. Sonesta Ocean Point differs quite a bit from Sonesta Maho Beach though. It is adults only, a lot more luxurious, 5 Star even, and has a much more sedate, refined atmosphere. Guests here though have full access to all the facilities of its more lively neighbor. Ocean Point is also therefore by the famous Maho Beach, where planes landing at Princess Juliana Airport fly over seemingly just meters above visitor’s heads: a classic photo opportunity. Accommodation: They have 129 spacious suites at Sonesta Ocean Point Resort. All of them firmly in the luxury category. Your most basic option here is a 460 square feet Junior Suite with king size bed, separate seating area and furnished balcony or patio. The ground floor Junior Suites are swim up while the upper floors have sea views. The accommodation then goes up in size, and price, until the cream of the crop: the Rooftop Butler Suites. They cover 785 sq. ft. and come with a large sofa and good sized terrace outside with the best views of all. The bathrooms come with a soaking tub and twin vanities. Facilities across all the accommodation include mini bars with premium drinks including full bottles of liquor like Ballantine’s scotch and Beefeater gin, espresso machines, satellite TVs, blackout curtains, Molton Brown toiletries and very comfortable, 400 thread cotton bedding. Prices: Check out all the details and compare prices at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: Sonesta Ocean Point is the quieter, more upscale partner of Sonesta Maho Beach with the latter having a huge array of facilities which Ocean Point guests can access freely. There you have five restaurants, a number of bars and pubs, one of Sint Maarten’s most well known nightclubs Tantra, a shopping mall, a casino, a fitness center and spa facilities. Ocean Point is far more low key but it does have facilities of its own, and the food for one thing is generally better here than at Maho Beach. READ MORE

Right on what is generally considered Grenada’s best beach, Grand Anse, is what many consider the country’s best resort–the elegant Spice Island Beach Resort. It has 64 high class suites which grace the quieter southern end of the beach and though it is a luxury resort it has a laid back, relaxed charm. The staff here are excellent, and the food equally so. It has very nice spa facilities and a host of land and sea activities on offer. No single demographic dominates — honeymoon couples, elderly retirees and young families are all at home here. The clientele, though certainly upmarket, is not showy. One of Spice Island’s marketing slogans is Unpretentious Luxury, and that fits well. Accommodation: They have 64 suites in total, 32 of which, the ‘Seagrape Beach Suites’, open right up onto the golden sands of the beach. Those of you who would prefer more privacy can go for some of their Garden Suites or, for a little extra, the likes of the Almond Pool Suites or Anthurium Pool Suites which are secluded in the gardens and come with private terraces and pools. The most impressive of all is perhaps the Royal Villa, it covers 1500 square feet and along with a swimming pool has its own private sauna. Prices: Check out all the price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: The gorgeous beach is the main focus here though there is also a nice large, curved pool at the center of the resort. On land facilities, all of which are included in your rate, include tennis courts, a gym, yoga pavilion, golf (nearby) and their highly rated spa facilities. Water-sports are of course at your disposal too and you can help yourself to kayaks, paddle boards, hobie cats and more. Grenada’s best shopping mall is within walking distance but you also have two designer boutiques within the resort as well as souvenir shops. Kids are welcomed at Spice Island and have their own, well kitted out and staffed, Nutmeg Pod Kid’s Club. It is open from 9am to 5pm daily. There are two excellent restaurants at Spice Island: The READ MORE

Sandals Grenada Resort & Spa is an adults only (couples only), 5 Star luxury all inclusive less than five minutes drive from Grenada (Maurice Bishop) International Airport. It lies on a 17 acre estate beside the scenic (though small, it must be said) Pink Gin Beach. It has 10 restaurants and bars, five pools, spa facilities and a whole host of water and land based activities to enjoy. The service is consistently good, the atmosphere relaxed and friendly, and though it is a romantic getaway for couples the bars can get pretty lively. Accommodation: There are 225 rooms & suites in total here, within a wide range of categories and price ranges, and set over four different sections: Pink Gin Village, South Seas Village, Italian Village and Lover’s Lagoon Hideaway. These sections, though stylistically somewhat different, are broadly similar and so there probably won’t be any important reason to prefer one ‘village’ over the other. Most of the top level suites are to be found in the Italian Village and South Seas Village, though the Pink Gin Village is closer to the beach. Internally all rooms are classy, luxurious and beautifully furnished and fitted. Some come with spacious living areas, terraces with soaking tubs, spa bathrooms, private, infinity edge plunge pools, stunning views and 24 hour butler service. Take a look at all your options on the Sandals own website here. The top suites may not be within everyone’s budget of course, but even the most basic of rooms at Sandals Grenada will make you feel pampered. Pick of the bunch though at Sandals Grenada we think are their ‘Italian Oceanview Skypool Butler Suite with Balcony & Tranquility Soaking Tub,’ These are plush one bedroom apartments with sweeping sea views and private infinity plunge pools, accessible both from the balcony and the bedroom. The living area offers a comfortable sofa, dining table for four, study desk, balcony with sun loungers, smart TV and wet bar with top brand liquors. Their bathrooms are opulent and stylish, clad in Carrera marble and ivory patika travertine stone, they come with Kohler claw foot bathtubs and luxury, Sandals Red Lane, toiletries. Prices: Check out READ MORE

Bermuda’s only all inclusive is the classy, family friendly, Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa. It has a lot to offer and for surprisingly reasonable prices. It also has a gorgeous setting which includes its own private beach and a small network of caves in which the spa facilities are located, surely one of the world’s most unique settings for a spa treatment. There are a whole host of activities to enjoy (mainly water based), a good choice of bars and restaurants where the food and drink are of a very high quality, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Last but not least it has an extremely convenient location, being no more than five minutes drive from Bermuda’s international airport. Accommodation: The have over 200 rooms in total but the resort still feels somehow intimate and personable. All rooms have, as far as we could see, ocean views, with the pick of the bunch being the Ocean Front Deluxe category which are closest to the sea and offer the best views. The other class of rooms though differ very little but, as there is only a marginal difference in price, we feel the Ocean Front Deluxe are worth the small extra spend. The style of all the rooms is very much that of a modern, upscale city hotel. There’s nothing unique here, no trying to impress with clever design features, but they are spacious clean and super comfortable. Prices: Check out all the details and compare prices at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: Guests have no shortage of activities here, most but not all being water based. Their all inclusive package has all non-motorised water sports – Sunfish sailboats, kayaks and paddle boards for eg., included, as well as things like tennis court rental and racquet hire on land. Their on-site Dive Center is sadly not included in the package but offers some great wreck diving, and more, for an extra fee. You can also rent out sailboats and catamarans direct from the resort, and on dry land; bikes. They have a large swimming pool and swim up bar, a gym, tennis READ MORE

The very first Sandals, Sandals Montego Bay, is still among the most well known and popular all inclusives in Montego Bay and ın Jamaica. Its 26 acre estate sits by a long, lovely stretch of beach just minutes from Sangster International Airport and is a busy, lively place with a typically Sandals range of 5 Star facilities including nine quality restaurants, a spa center, six pools, three whirlpools and numerous sports facilities. Accommodation: The 272 rooms and suites are divided into 27 categories, from basic entry level rooms to some very lovely swim up butler serviced suites They are all modern style, bright and sleek with the exception of the Caribbean category rooms which are more old colonial style. Most have four poster king size beds and all, as is typical with Sandals, have very nice marble bathrooms with bathtub and shower. All but the entry level rooms also come with a whirlpool on their terrace or balcony. Check out all your options on the Sandals Website here. Club-level rooms grant access to the Club Sandals private lounge plus extra perks such as a dedicated concierge and round-trip private BMW airport transfers from Sangster or Norman Manley Airports. The Butler Elite shares the same perks but with a private butler and 24-hour in-room dining menus. Prices: Check out price details at the Sandals website here or at Expedia here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: There are nine quality restaurants at Sandals Montego Bay. The main one, Bayside, does the enormous buffet breakfasts and lunches then goes for a la carte French menu for dinner. You have food from all around the world here: Asian, Italian, Mexican Jamaican and Caribbean are all represented and the food quality is consistently very high. Two need reservations and are semi-formal: the Jamaican eatery Oleander, and the Italian Cucina Romana. There are four fun bars at Sandals Montego Bay, include a swim up bar, a chic piano bar and an English style pub, The Cricketer’s Pint. There is live daily and nightly entertainment around the resort – theme parties, talent shows, live music etc. Guests at this resort can also access, via free shuttle, READ MORE

The wonderful Couples Sans Souci is a five star adults only all-inclusive resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Though the resort is large it has only 150 suites so never feels crowded, and the atmosphere is warm and personable. What we particularly like about Couples San Souci is the idyllic natural setting – much of the grounds are left almost entirely to nature with narrow walkways and footbridges through thick jungle. Mountain bikes are provided by the resort. There you can spot all sorts of tropical flora and fauna and the resort has two private beaches (one of which is nude), a freshwater lake, a waterfall and a natural mineral grotto and mineral spring pool. At Couples Sans Souci you’ll also find three swimming pools, three jacuzzis, fitness, sports and spa facilities, seven bars and five restaurants. Accommodation: The suites at Couples Sans Souci are generally spacious and well furnished but here more than in most resorts there is value to be had in spending a little extra. The price difference between the Garden Suites and higher level suites isn’t too much but you’ll appreciate the extra space, facilities such as jacuzzis, and better views though there are no full ocean views as the jungle trees partially block it. Check out all your options here at Expedia.com.  Note: there is a three night minimum stay. All suites have nice balconies though and other facilities include satellite TV, daily restocked minibars, king size beds, coffeemakers, air-con and luxury bath products. Prices: Enter dates and compare prices at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: Couples Sans Souci has five dining venues: The casual Sunset Beach does buffet lunches and international standards – burgers, fries, nachos, sandwiches, salads etc. Palazzina is a slightly more formal bistro open for breakfast lunch and dinner both buffet style and a la carte. Ristorante Casanova is a, more formal again, fine dining venue open for dinner only. Both serve something of a fusion – Italian standards but with much Caribbean influence. Bella Vista is an open air beachfront grill, open for lunch, dinner and late night snacks until 6am. The food is READ MORE

Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa is a luxury all inclusive on a gorgeous stretch of white sand beach just north of Tulum and 90 minutes from Cancun Airport. Built in a semi-colonial style and with beautifully designed and landscaped grounds, it has much of the look and feel of an old hacienda property, making it a little more charming than most modern style all inclusives. It sees a generally well-heeled but eclectic crowd: families with children, couples, groups of friends etc. And all ages mix happily here. It has two pools, six restaurants, five bars, a holistic spa and a kid’s club among its facilities. Accommodation: Dreams has 432 rooms & suites, to sleep up to seven guests in total, with one section being for adults only. All are spacious, well appointed and comfortable though the odd bit of wear and tear can sometimes be found. The accommodation ranges from swim out rooms and deluxe suites to large family rooms and a stunning 1948 square feet, hacienda style Presidential Suite. They all have either a balcony or a patio and you’ll have a choice of garden or ocean view, with the ocean view being naturally the more expensive. In-room amenities across the board include generously stocked minibars, satellite TVs, coffee makers, study desks and seating. All bathrooms have both showers and baths with some having whirlpool tubs, and luxury toiletries. Prices: Check out all the details and compare prices at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: You have a choice of six main buffet and a la carte restaurants at Dreams Tulum, with international staples and cuisine from Mexico, Japan, Italy, France, and a US style steakhouse. Then there is the Poolside Bar, the Barefoot Grille and the Sky Sports Bar where, as well as alcohol, you can order pizzas, burgers and the like in a more casual atmosphere. Other bars include a swim up bar, the Sugar Reef Beach Bar, The Rendezvous Bar, a non alcoholic smoothie bar and a cafe. The choice of drinks and the cocktails here are generally very good though some guests have found the food to be inconsistent READ MORE

Bahia Principe Grand Tulum is a lively upper range all inclusive, part of a giant four resort complex in Akumal, near Tulum, Mexico. It has two pools, a spa, fitness center, twelve restaurants & bars, a PADI diving center, a stunning stretch of white sand beach and, just off-site, access to an 18 hole golf course and a casino. It is child friendly, and can be enjoyable for families – they have a great kid’s club for example, though the crowd seems to be more youngish adults. Its prices are reasonable too and Bahia Principe Grand Tulum is to our mind one of the best value all inclusives in the Riviera Maya. Accommodation: Grand Bahia Principe Tulum has nearly a thousand rooms and suites in total and so you’ll have choice. Space is plentiful, even the most basic rooms are a minimum 330 sq. ft. and all have a seating area with at least a study desk and some chairs. They all come with some outside space too, usually a furnished balcony, and though they are in general un-excitingly decorated, they are well furnished, comfortable and clean. Amenities include minibar, satellite TV, coffeemakers and ice buckets, and the suites come with hydromassage tubs and sofas. Prices: Check out all the price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: Bahia Principe Grand Tulum is at the very heart of the enormous four resort, Bahia Principe All Inclusive complex and feels younger and livelier than the other three. It has a spa, a scuba diving center, thirteen restaurants, six bars, and two swimming pools among its facilities and has the widest stretch of beach among the four resorts. The resort’s main restaurant is The Yucatan which serves huge buffets of international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then there is Burger Andrade which serves up burgers, salads etc. and The Food Truck – great Mexican street food with more than a touch of haute cuisine. There are ten relatively formal a la carte restaurants offering a huge range of world cuisines – including Japan, Italian, Peruvian, Indian and Mexican. The food is excellent in all READ MORE

Privilege Aluxes is a luxury all inclusive at Playa Norte, Isla Mujeres’ best beach, that receives consistently great reviews, particularly for its staff. It is a small and intimate resort, and can be seen something of an antidote to the many larger, busier all inclusives in Cancun. It has three restaurants and three bars, one a swim-up bar in the main pool, a large, full-service beach club on Playa Norte and a spa and gym. It is adults only, couples mainly, and a solid choice for our list of the best adults only all inclusives in Cancun. Accommodation: They have 124 contemporary rooms and suites at Privilege Aluxes, from entry level double rooms to premium suites with jacuzzis on the terrace and ocean views. Standard features include king size beds, minibars well stocked with complimentary liquor, 40 inch smart TVs, blackout curtains, AC, 24 hour room service, coffee & tea makers, bathtubs and luxury bathroom niceties like bath salts and vanity kits. Prices: Check out all the price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: You have a choice of three food places at Privilege Aluxes: Sabor, their main international buffet restaurant (which also does a la carte lunches), the Beach Club restaurant, a pool snack bar and then the Satay restaurant for Thai & Oriental cuisine, the latter requesting reservations. The food is good overall though some guests have been disappointed by the buffet. Their a la carte is almost always highly rated though. There are different themed dinner buffets each night at Sabor and, every few days, Mexican barbecue nights down on the beach. All food is included in the all inclusive except for the odd premium item, such as lobster, which will be listed on the menu as such. All drink, except some premium wines, is also all inclusive. The two main drinking spots are the pool swim up bar, which is open until 8pm, and the Beach Club, open until 11. Privilege Aluxes is not a place for nightlife but guests often start their evening here then take the very short walk to Isla Mujers’ bar district for a lively READ MORE

Hideaway at Royalton All Inclusive Saint Lucia is the swanky adults only section of the huge Royalton St. Lucia resort complex. Guests here have access to the myriad facilities of the broader resort along with Hideaway’s exclusive facilities – a very nice infinity pool, section of private beach, restaurant and bar. The Royalton is part of the Marriott hotel group’s foray into the all inclusive market and you’ll find standards very high on all fronts. Accommodation: Standards at the Hideaway are particularly high on the accommodation front, more so than The Royalton resort in general. Their entry level accommodation is the Junior Suite, some of them swim up with semi-private pools. At 600 sq ft they are spacious and come with seating areas/work areas, sofa beds, balconies or terraces and beautiful bathrooms. Then your choices go straight to the Presidential Suite and Penthouse level which might be some of the best accommodation on St. Lucia. They share the same amenities as the Junior Suites, though some also come with jacuzzis, but they are larger obviously, more than double the size in fact. They also come with the best views. All the accommodation is kitted out with the best of modern amenities: bluetooth sound systems, smart TVs, Royalton’s signature DreamBeds, minibars, coffee makers, aromatherapy menus, and in the opulent bathrooms: bathtubs, double sinks, rainfall showers and luxury bath products. The accommodation also has a choice of Diamond Club or not. Going for the upgrade allows access to VIP lounges, pools, a section of beach (and beach bar), and enhanced room service including the services of a butler for the duration of your stay. Prices: Check out all the price details on tat Booking.com here, at Expedia.com here or on the Marriott website here.  Food, Facilities & Things to Do: This is a luxury all inclusive and the food here is excellent. As mentioned guests at the Hideaway have access to all venues of Royalton Saint Lucia, all but one a la carte, and, very happily, none of them require reservations. These include Armadillo which serves Tex-Mex, Marché the all day buffet restaurant. Zen does Japanese sushi and teppanyaki. Grazie is an READ MORE

Brand new in 2022 is Sandals Royal Curaçao. The company has taken the former Santa Barbara Resort and transformed it into an adults only, 5 Star playground which first opened to guests on April 14, 2022. All of the hallmarks of a Sandals vacation can be found on the 3000 acre Santa Barbara Estate, plus (a first for the company) a giant, two level infinity pool at its center, and two on-site marinas. It is also, very conveniently, just 15 minutes away from Curaçao International Airport. Accommodation: Sandals Royal Curaçao has 350 luxury units in total in a variety of categories and price ranges. All are as opulent as you might expect from a Sandals resort, with vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, custom made furniture including comfy king-size beds, and the latest in modern tech features. The bathrooms will have his & hers sinks with large backlit mirrors, walk-in rain showers, soaking tubs and premium, Red Lane bath products. All rooms also come with private bars that include premium liquors and all feature either 24 hour room or private butler service. Top Rooms & Suites: The pick of the accommodation are the Awa Seaside Butler Bungalows with Private Pool, lined up right on the shore they have private patios with infinity pools overlooking the ocean, over 1,100 square feet of space in total, and personal butler service. The Kurason Island Poolside Butler Bungalows, though less private, are another terrific choice, and slightly cheaper. These bungalows back onto a semi-private heart shaped pool with a small private island garden, shared by just another small number of units. Guests at both the Kurason Island and Awa Seaside Bungalows get a few extra perks such as free use of a stylish Sandal’s branded Mini Cooper to explore the island at their leisure. Prices: Check out all price details at the Sandals Royal Curacao website here, at Booking.com here and at Expedia here.  Food, Facilities & Things to Do: A Sandals hallmark is great dining, of a standard difficult to find in the vast majority of all-inclusive resorts. Sandals Royal Curaçao is a culinary journey too, with 12 unique dining and drinking options including Sandals first ever floating restaurant–The Duchess–and READ MORE

Sandals Royal Bahamian is a relatively small, adults only 5 Star resort in Nassau, Bahamas with an illustrious history going right back to the 1940s. Back then it was the swanky Balmoral Club one of the leading lights in the dawn of luxury Caribbean travel, and one which saw a steady stream of famous guests from Richard Nixon to The Beatles. It became a Sandals in 1995 and received a major re-fit in 2022. It now has three levels of accommodation, twelve dining options, eight bars, two large pools, a private offshore island with two very beautiful stretches of golden sand and the usual Sandals’ generous selection of free activities and events on land and water. Accommodation: Rooms are divided into three price levels with the private butler suites being the most expensive. In many Sandals’ resorts the entry levels can offer good value in comparison to other rooms, at Sandals Royal Bahamian less so we feel. They are smaller and set farthest away from the beach in a low rise building by the tennis courts. Some of these rooms also don’t allow in-room dining via room service, something generally seen as standard at all Sandals resorts. Still though you can’t fault the decor and design. They all smartly furnished and very comfortable, with solid mahogany four-poster beds, nice sitting areas and elegant bathrooms with bathtubs and fancy Red Lane toiletries. Moving up a notch you have the Club Level Rooms. Guests here have private, preferential check-in, a dedicated concierge service (useful for arranging excursions and activities, and for reservations at some of the restaurants), free airport transfers and access to the Club Lounge facilities. They are also generally more spacious and in a more appealing location – near the beach, facing out towards the sea. More spacious again are the Butler Suites, the highest room class at Sandals Royal Bahamian. They can range from swim up suites to entire villas with private pools and outdoor soak tubs. They have all the perks of the Club Level too but with little extras such as the airport transport being in a luxury vehicle (Mercedes or Rolls Royce) and on top of READ MORE

The Royal Sands is a consistently highly rated, upper mid range all inclusive in the middle of Cancun, Mexico’s Hotel Zone. It is part timeshare, part all inclusive and sees a nice mixture of guests of all ages, with families being possibly in the majority. Facilities include two large swimming pools, a kid’s pool, tennis courts, a fitness center, full-service spa and complimentary bicycles. There is a lot of entertainment for kids, and for adults, but mainly during the day–things tend to wind down relatively early here compared to other Cancun all inclusives. Nightlife is therefore not a major focus at this resort, but there are three fine bars and restaurants on-site, and guests also benefit from discounts at certain restaurants in neighboring partner resorts and at some local restaurants in the city. Accommodation: There are 340 spacious, soundproofed suites to sleep up to six across two bedrooms. Aesthetically they may not have much Wow Factor but are certainly comfortable and clean, spacious and well equipped.. Even the more basic level suites have comfortable king size beds with premium bedding, study desks, seating, balconies with ocean views, 24 hour room service and kitchenettes or full kitchens–something you really don’t see in many all inclusives. Satellite TVs are in every suite as are coffee makers and WiFi. Bathrooms are huge, have both baths and showers, and are supplied with quality toiletries. Prices: Check out all the price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: You have three very good restaurants & bars to choose from, with both buffet and a la carte food, and drink, available every day. All of it is part of your all-inclusive package. Hacienda Sisal is an upscale hacienda style restaurant with traditional decor and some highly rated Mexican cuisine including local fresh seafood. It’s a la carte and a semi formal venue but can be lively and fun, with live mariachi performances in the evenings for example. Then there is La Veranda, the main buffet restaurant which has a whole range of beautifully cooked and presented international food to be sampled. Sand Dollar, overlooking the ocean, has some of READ MORE

Sandals Royal Plantation, Jamaica is a very elegant, colonial era estate near Ocho Rios’ resort zone, that is now a Sandals adults only, all inclusive, one which differs somewhat from most Sandals in its relatively low key, refined atmosphere. With just 74 suites in total (plus one private villa) it is intimate and personable too, and it is Sandals’s only All Butler Resort, i.e. all accommodation options come with private butler service. The food at the restaurants is entirely a la carte too, another rarity in all inclusive resorts. With it being much smaller it doesn’t have the same breath of choice in restaurants and bars of course but guests at Royal Plantation are granted access to all the facilities at the much larger Sandals Ochi next door. The private beach here is absolutely gorgeous, and though small it never feels crowded due to the size of the resort. Accommodation: The suites at Sandals Plantation look and feel as elegant and as stately as the property in general. All have four-poster king-size beds, comfy seating areas, grand looking wood furniture pieces and spacious bathrooms with double sinks and bathtubs or jacuzzis. They also all have ocean views and come with either a terrace, balcony or Juliet balcony. There isn’t a huge divide between entry level suites and the rest at Royal Plantation though the top choice, the Governor General Oceanfront is a stunning space with the best views in the place. They have a private villa here too that’s definitely worth a look if you’re traveling with a small group or you and your partner just want to hit the highest level of VIP. Villa Plantana sits by itself over the calmer East Beach. It has three bedrooms in total, lots of space inside and out, its own pool and a team of private staff. Prices: Check out all price details at the Sandals website here or at Expedia here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: Sandals Royal Plantation has five eateries, and guests here have also full access to sixteen further restaurants at the much larger Sandals Ochi next door. All of Plantation’s restaurants are a la carte (though there READ MORE

The swanky, 175 room, Cozumel Palace All Inclusive lies near the center of San Miguel de Cozumel less than a mile from the ferry port. The stretch of beach is small here but the resort has a large pool area with wonderful open sea views. Their food is a highlight, rooms are spacious and comfortable, service is legendary, water based activities are numerous and overall Cozumel Palace offers a very enjoyable vacation. The resort is family friendly but doesn’t have too much specifically for kids – though they do have a small kid’s play area and pool – most guests are seemingly couples on romantic breaks. Accommodation: Rooms are a step above most Riviera Maya all inclusives. They are spacious (minimum 581 sq ft), bright and clean and all come with large spa baths in the bedrooms and some outside space – balcony, patio or terrace – with sea views. Their top of the range is the 829 sq ft Presidential Suite which has two bedrooms, a lounge area and a large outside terrace. Standards are high across the board though and their entry level rooms aren’t that much less impressive. Check out your room options at Expedia here. Standard facilities include mini bars and a drinks bar with four bottles of premium brand spirits, large cable TVs, coffeemakers and marble bathrooms with CHI or L’Occidental bath products, and 24 hour room service. Prices: Check out all the price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: Turquesa is the main restaurant and the venue for their breakfast buffet while also offering fresh waffles, pancakes and various egg dishes a la carte. It then turns in to a classy Italian venue come evening time. Other venues include Bugambilias Mexican Restaurant, Flamingos which does pizzas and other fast food plus an al fresco dinner buffet, Momo does pan Asian including sushi and Agra does classic Indian. The food in all the above is generally very good. The beach here is quite small but you have two large pools, one is infinity style and the other has a swim up bar. Both have lovely open sea READ MORE

Crystal Cove by Marriott is a boutique luxury all inclusive on Barbados’ Platinum West Coast. Sitting high on a cliff it comes with some stunning views over the Caribbean. Its grounds are lush, green and beautifully kept too, and among its notable amenities is a rather special freshwater three-tier pool complex, complete with waterfall and a swim-up cave bar. Accommodation: It has just 88 rooms and suites in total across three classifications: Basic Rooms, Junior Suites and One Bedroom Suites. The interiors are cosy, comfortable and homely, and display lots of the resort’s hallmark color scheme of bright, happy oranges and reds. Facilities include satellite TVs, iPod docks, coffee and tea stations, desks and seating areas, well stocked mini bars and luxury pampering products in the bathrooms which all come with double sinks and bathtubs. All rooms have balconies, or patios if ground level. Top Rooms & Suites: Those after the ultimate experience at this resort should consider the One Bedroom Suite with Ocean View. The Junior Suites too, some of which also have ocean views, will offer most of the same features, but with a smaller amount of space. Prices: Check out all price details at the Crystal Cove website (Marriott) here, at Booking.com here or at Expedia here.  Food, Facilities & Things to Do: The resort’s most famous feature is its unique three-tiered pool and waterfall complex, with the top level hosting the very nicely designed, and atmospheric, Cave Bar. You have two main restaurants at Crystal Cove: the more formal (smart causal) of the two being Reflections which has international food, both a la carte and buffet, in an outdoor setting with sweeping sea views. The also outdoors, Drifter’s Beach Restaurant and Bar is a more casual offering, and does mainly Caribbean food, again both a la carte and buffet. Along with its award winning Cave Bar, Crystal Cove has a relaxed, cool beach bar plus you can enjoy some drinks and/or coffee at the Vista Coffee & Wine Bar. On the beach during the day guests can participate in a wide range of water sports and activities, including tubing, snorkeling, banana boating, water-skiing, boogie boarding and others. All, including READ MORE

The 5 Star Sandals Ochi is a large and lively, adults only all inclusive in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The setting is beautiful – a lush, hundred acre estate overlooking the ocean – and it has a tremendous array of facilities including sixteen restaurants and eleven bars. It also has two spa centers, dozens of pools and whirlpools and, among its many sports facilities, one of Jamaica’s best golf courses and the largest climbing wall in the Caribbean. Accommodation: They have 529 rooms, suites and villas at Sandals Ochi in ninteen different categories. All are spacious, well equipped and nicely decked out in old colonial style – four poster beds and regal looking dark wood furniture pieces. Facilities include 40 inch cable TVs, mini bars, mini fridges, coffee makers, microwaves, marble bathrooms with bathtubs and Red Lane pampering products. They all have some outside space too in the form of a patio or balcony, and their splendid villas come with a private pool. Check out all your room options on the Sandals own website here. Club Level and Butler Suite rooms have extra perks like in-room bars, access to the Club Sandals lounge and a dedicated concierge. Butler level are a step above that and come with, as you may guess, the services of a private butler. Prices: Check out all price details at the Sandals website here or at Expedia here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: You have sixteen dining venues at Sandals Ochi and food can be ordered to your room at any time. The food choices are pretty much everything you can think of: Asian, Caribbean, French, Tuscan, seafood, tapas, pizza, steakhouse and plenty more. Some of the restaurants have a smart casual dress code i.e. no shorts or sandals. There are eleven bars at Sandals Ochi, including swim up bars and, with the size of the resort and the relatively young clientele, they can get very lively. All food and drink including premium liquors and wines are included in the all inclusive package. There are dozens of pools here and the main pool is enormous, has a swim up bar and is a very popular place to READ MORE

Waves is an all inclusive, boutique luxury resort in Prospect Bay, between Holetown and Bridgetown, Barbados. It has gone through a few ownership changes over the years but remains solidly popular with well-heeled visitors to the island. It has three quality restaurants, a casual coffee shop, two swimming pools, one of which is for adults only, a highly rated spa and overall a strong emphasis on wellness. The resort’s only offering is all inclusive, which includes, along with all food and drink, all spa services and water sports, including motorized water sports. Accommodation: Guests will stay in one of 70 rooms spread out across two buildings. The Ocean House is located on the beach along with the family section, and just across the street the appropriately named Spa Building is where the resort spa and adults only pool can be found. All rooms at the resort will remind you that you’re at the beach, with a relaxed but modern feel that incorporates light colors and an inviting balcony overlooking either the ocean or the resort. None of the rooms on offer are particularly large but the modern amenities will make your stay comfortable no matter what room you end up in: Flat-screen TVs, chargers for your electronics, bluetooth speakers, a fully stocked bar and tea/coffee station etc. While the accommodation is quite consistent across the resort, if you’d like separate sleeping and living quarters they also have split level/duplex rooms. Bathrooms are sleek and contemporary, but guests looking for a long soak should be aware that a walk-in shower is all that is available. Top Rooms & Suites: Those looking for luxury and privacy could do worse than the Ocean Front Duplex with its panoramic views and separate sleeping and living areas. Next in line, and also with great sea views, would be the Ocean Front Junior Suite. The resort never gets too riotous by any means but if you want to guaranteed more peace and quiet two good options are the Pool View Spa One Bedroom Suite and the Pool View Spa Guest Room. Both of these are adults only and are situated in the adults only section of READ MORE

Zoetry Curaçao is the smaller, classier sister resort of Dreams Curaçao whose facilities and beach Zoetry guests have full access to. It has very high quality food and drink, and superb accommodation, things that place it firmly in the luxury resort category. It has great spa services (one spa treatment free per guest per stay) and, as most of the (potentially noisy) entertainment is across the road at Dreams, is very much a place to relax and unwind. Other on-site facilities include a swimming pool, two full restaurants and three bars. Its location, by the lovely Piscadera Bay is, rather happily, just ten minutes away from the airport, while Willemstad city center is no more than fifteen minutes’ drive away. Zoetry is family friendly though it doesn’t have much on-site for kids. They can though of course use the many child friendly facilities at Dreams which includes a kid’s club. Accommodation: They have 72 elegant suites at Zoetry, divided between Junior and Master Suites and where they look out on – the pool, the gardens or what they refer to as a ‘tropical’ view, i.e. lush jungle like foliage. The pool suites at both suite levels come with a slight premium, making their Master Suite Pool View the most expensive and their Junior Suite, 1 King Bed, Garden View the cheapest. We believe many guests may not see the point of paying extra to be facing the pool, especially when the garden and tropical views are charming in their own right. None will disappoint though we’re sure. They are all beautifully furnished, super comfortable and feel spacious and airy, with their plush bathrooms being a particular highlight. The Master Suites are particularly spacious at 753 sq. ft. with the Juniors having 430. Prices: Check out all the price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: There are two main restaurants on site at Zoetry both of which have extremely good food by any standards not just those of an all inclusive. Both are semi-formal, their indoor Bloom Restaurant slightly more so. It serves broadly international food alongside some local Curaçaoan dishes. There is READ MORE

Bolongo Bay Beach is a family owned, pleasantly low key inclusive in the south coast of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. It comes with two very nice open-air restaurants, a pool deck with swim-up bar and a beautiful stretch of beach. It’s a relatively small, friendly, relaxed place but with plenty of activities, mainly water sports including scuba diving, and live entertainment in the evenings. The accommodation could be described as a bit dated but it, and the property in general, are well kept and clean. Accommodation: They have 74 rooms in total at Bolongo Bay either ground floor facing the beach and with a small patio, or on the upper floors  with a balcony and sea views. They are all fairly straightforward hotel rooms, no fancy touches or design features, but they are spacious (371 square feet) and comfortable, and along with the all inclusive package offer good value. They all come with WiFi, cable TV, air-con & ceiling fan, mini bars, coffee makers and Sealy Posturepedic mattresses. The bathrooms are uninspiring at Bolongo Bay: relative to the rooms they are small and rather dreary. Prices: Check out all the price details at Expedia.com here and at Booking.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: The hotel has two quality restaurants, both of which are mostly open air and fairly informal. The largest of the two, The Oasis, serves the breakfast buffet as well as a la carte menus for lunch and dinner. The choice is good: international standards plus local Caribbean dishes, with the dinner menu featuring sea food particularly. Iggie’s Bar & Grill has a relaxed beach bar vibe and an all day la carte menu. It has live music in the evenings too and can be quite fun. There is also a nice swim up bar at the pool by the Oasis, and in general the food at Bolongi Bay is consistently very good. The beach at the resort stretches for nearly 1000 feet and is clean and inviting. You’ll have a choice of water-sports in your all inclusive package: kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing and paddle boarding for example as well as catamaran sailing trips and an introductory scuba diving READ MORE

Sandos Finisterra in Cabo San Lucas is a very impressive looking, 250 room clifftop resort with arguably the best views of any resort in Los Cabos. It is an upmarket affair but offers a choice of reasonably priced rooms alongside plush VIP suites. The crowd is well heeled and mature but can certainly let its hair down, so nightlife should’t disappoint. The resort is also family friendly though and has a good kid’s club. Other facilities include four swimming pools, a lovely stretch of beach, a spa center, fitness center, two tennis courts and a choice of quality food and drink venues. Accommodation: The resort has 250 rooms in total all of which are spacious and clean though can also be somewhat dated looking at the lower end. The categories are many, from reasonably priced doubles to 924 sq ft.,top of the range Finisterra Master Suites which can sleep up to 6 on two double beds and one sofa bed. Check out all your options at Expedia here. The Finisterra Suites, both junior and master suites, are in a separate, more modern section, built right in to the cliff. The decor here is much more appealing and seems more fitting for such a well regarded luxury resort. They also have extra facilities like free standing jetted bath tubs and Nespresso machines, and Finisterra Suite guests are granted access to the resort’s VIP area which includes the nicest pool in the complex. Prices: Check out all the price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: With 250 rooms the resort is relatively small so there isn’t a huge choice of eateries, but you can be assured of some quality and a lack of queues and crowds. The large Don Diego Restaurant is the main food venue and offers international buffet as well as some a a la carte extras in a prime position with indoor and outdoor space. The resort’s main a la carte restaurants then are Turtuga Beach, the Mexican Agave and the Italian Osteria de Emiliano. All require reservations. Their Cupcake Cafe has a scenic outdoor terrace and serves various coffees, teas READ MORE

The family friendly Jewel Grande is a luxury all inclusive in Montego Bay with an emphasis on wellness. It has relatively few rooms for an all inclusive which means it is more personable than most and rarely feels crowded. Likewise though it’s family friendly it still feels laid back and relaxed, and sees lots of couples on romantic breaks as well as singles, groups of friends and families. It has seven restaurants, two bars including a swim up, three cafes, two scenic pools sitting high above the ocean, a nice long stretch of beach below, a kids’ club, excellent spa treatments (extra fee), plus wellness classes & yoga, and a full gym among its facilities. Non motorized water sports are all inclusive, as are green fees at two local golf courses. There is private butler service in all suites and 24 hour in-room dining. Accommodation: They have a total of 129 rooms at Jewel Grande in 16 different categories and sizes from one bedroom suites to gorgeous three bedroom penthouse suites and villas equipped with kitchens and washing machines. Check out all your options here at Expedia.com. The style is modern and bright, you’ll have plenty of space and a sitting/lounging and some outside space as standard. Some of the penthouse suites utilize this best with outdoor hot tubs, wrap-around balconies and breathtaking views. Standard facilities across the board include daily restocked mini bars, air con, Wifi, bluetooth speakers, coffee makers and luxury bathroom toiletries. All also come with private butler services. These services could include unpacking your luggage, pouring you a bath, showing you around the resort and making dinner and spa reservations. They are generally tipped at the end of your stay. Prices: Enter dates and compare prices at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: The food and drink, both buffet and a la carte, at Jewel Grande is very highly rated and includes casual comfort food, sea-food, Jamaican, Tex-Mex, steakhouse, Italian and teppanyaki-style Asian fusion. Reservations are required at the latter, the Pier Side Restaurant. The main bar is the Lobby Bar and seems to be the evening social center of READ MORE

Palmaïa, The House of AïA, is a very highly rated wellness retreat in a private corner of Playacar Beach, Playa del Carmen. It only opened its doors in late 2019 but, despite this woefully unlucky timing, it has quickly created a buzz on the Riviera Maya and beyond. Eco-friendly vegan wellness might seem a tricky thing for an all inclusive resort to pull off, and vice versa, but Palmaïa, The House of AïA has married the two to great effect. It offers ‘holistic activities and healing experiences based on ancestral rituals and practices, promoting balance and reconnection between oneself and Nature,‘ something they summarize as ‘Progressive Wellness.’ Palmaïa has 314 guest rooms, so neither too big nor too small, four restaurants, a food truck, a beach bar (on its fully private beach), four outdoor pools, a wonderful jungle spa and a 24-hour fitness center. Holistic activities are a huge focus here and the whole experience can be quite magical. More conventional resort activities  are also available (and guests can also use the facilities of the larger Sandos Playacar Resort next door). The food here is exceptional, and mainly, though not entirely, vegan. It has undoubtedly among the best vegan food on the Riviera Maya, and remember again that it’s an all inclusive. Palmaïa attracts a well heeled, hippie chic crowd–more Tulum than Cancun–and a mix of couples, families, groups of friends and single people. You’ll find much higher proportion of the latter here than in most resorts in Riviera Maya, and a higher proportion of younger people in general. Those with a sensitive stomach for Bobo pretentiousness though should be warned that private butlers are referred to as ‘Nomadic Guides’, and that’s just one example! Accommodation: Accommodation is in the form of luxury suites, spread across four fairly conventional looking, five-story buildings, to sleep from one adult to a maximum of two adults and three kids. These include on the swim up suites at ground level (obviously!), and some stunning ocean view master suites on the top floor. All suites are spacious, stylish and well appointed, Palmaïa is a luxury resort after all. Standards include King or Queen size beds, READ MORE

Mia Reef is a fabulous, family friendly 5 Star all inclusive on a private island just off Isla Mujeres. Its location makes it feel rather exclusive and it has an absolutely pristine stretch of private beach. As the islet is small and is surrounded on almost all sides by open water many rooms come with lovely sea views. It’s a friendly, sociable place and, due to the limited size of the islet, can sometimes feel busy, but the atmosphere is somewhat laid back and with just two bars it’s certainly not a place for wild nightlife. Accommodation: They have 164 rooms, suites and villas at Mia Reef. Though not particularly spacious all of them are bright and colorful, and display nice touches of pop-art styling. They range from what they term Basic or Deluxe Double Rooms, through Superior Oceanfront Doubles and Deluxe Ocean View Rooms, and then on to their Beach Front Villas. The Basic Doubles are good value and pretty similar to the Deluxe and Superior Ocean Views internally, but they lack a view of the sea. In Mia Reef this is definitely worth the extra. In a lot of resorts an ocean view can means an ocean view in the distance and a bunch of other stuff in between but here no. For not a lot extra you can have a Superior Ocean View room or, better still – what we see as the best value – the more spacious Deluxe Ocean View rooms (they can sleep up to 4 if required in two double beds), and see almost nothing but sea and sky from your balcony. There are larger, more independent villa type units along the beachfront too. These are more spacious and can sleep up to five in a studio room with two double beds and a sofa bed. They are the most expensive but with them being at ground level the views are of course not too impressive. Facilities in all of the above include AC, digital safes, coffeemakers, well stocked minibars and mini fridges, cable TV and blackout blinds. Bathrooms are surprisingly ordinary for such a top class resort it must be said. Functional READ MORE

It’s not cheap by any means but the decidedly swanky Le Blanc Spa Resort is to our minds the finest adults only all inclusive in Cancun. It’s a gorgeously chic property with opulent spa facilities, fabulous bars and restaurants (all but one of which don’t require reservations), and levels of service and pampering unmatched by almost any other resort in Cancun. Accommodation: Their rooms and suites are bright, spacious and very well appointed, and generally come with views of the lagoon or the ocean. Only some have proper furnished balconies though, most are just small Juliet-style, which is definitely a negative, though in fairness probably the only one. The one bedroom units will either have a king bed or two double beds to sleep up to four. Then there are larger two room units with two king beds. The largest and most opulent at Le Blanc is the Two Bedroom Presidential Suite, a gorgeous, and enormous space with a whirlpool on its large balcony amongst other impressive features. Standard features of all the rooms include satellite TVs with Netflix, iTunes, Apple TV  etc. generously stocked minibars, premium liquor dispensers (Johnnie Walker Black, Absolut Vodka, Bacardi etc.), wine, Lavazza coffee-makers, aromatherapy & pillow menus, and 24 hour room service. Their opulent marble bathrooms are as nice as you might expect and come with TVs, showers, bathtubs, Bulgari toiletries and your personal butler can prepare a bath for you with customized bath salts and rose petals. Some suites have whirlpool baths too, either in the bathroom or in the main room by the window. Prices: Check out all the price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: The food and drink at Le Blanc Resort Cancun win consistently great reviews, quite a feat for an all inclusive, and all fine dining and premium drinks are included in the all inclusive package. Blanc is the main buffet venue and has tremendous spreads during the day. It also serves Mexican and steakhouse a la carte in the evenings Some excellent Italian and Asian a la carte cuisine is also available in two other chic venues, and all READ MORE

Majestic Mirage Punta Cana is a luxury all inclusive resort on Bavaro Beach, widely considered the Dominican Republic’s, and one of the Caribbean’s, most beautiful beaches. It has eight restaurants, six of them a la carte, a range of bars, at least one of which is usually open 24 hours, daily & nightly entertainment, numerous free activities, an enormous lazy river style, swimming pool, a lovely stretch of beach (though the beach can get busy), spa facilities and access to the nearby Punta Cana Golf Course and the Majestic Resort’s own casino. It is a relatively calm resort with a more upscale, classy vibe. If feels more mature, and more exclusive, than most Punta Cana all inclusives, which can be quite raucous affairs. Families are welcome but it doesn’t have many child focused facilities or activities on-site. All guests though have access to Majestic Mirage’s more child friendly, and more lively, sister resort, Majestic Colonial Punta Cana. This resort is more suited to adults overall we feel, but even so it also has a separate 18+ only ‘Mirage Club’ section, which is a little more expensive and exclusive with its own pool, lounge areas and butler service. Accommodation: The accommodation is comprised entirely of suites, 511 in total. They are spacious and luxurious and come kitted out with all sorts of modern hotel amenities: large screen satellite TVs, Nespresso machines, mini bars, 24 hour room service etc. They also all come with some nice outdoor space, be it terrace or balcony, with a jacuzzi/hot tub. They range in size from the huge Family Suites which can house up to six to more romantic, intimate one bedroom suites, including swim up. Intimate or not, all of the suites are notably spacious, and elegant and chic. They definitely feel a cut above most all inclusives in Punta Cana, or anywhere else for that matter. They are divided into Standard and Club accommodation. Club gives access to separate VIP pool and lounge areas which serve a la carte food and drink and have their own live entertainment, plus some extra perks like personal butler service and unlimited free golf at the Punta Cana READ MORE

Hotel Riu Palace is a high end, adults only all-inclusive next door to the infamous Atlantis casino, hotel and nightclub complex on The Bahamas’ Paradise Island. It’s a relatively small resort but one which gets lively, especially around the pool bars, and it can be seen as a party resort though spring break groups are not allowed. Accommodation: Their suites, which range in size from entry level 334 sq. ft. doubles to 753 sq ft two bedroom units, are comfortable and spacious. They are also nicely furnished with impressive looking dark wood pieces including in some cases four poster beds. All suites look crisp, clean and bright, with pale wood floors, white walls and floor to ceiling windows. All also have either terraces or balconies and some come with excellent sea views. Check out all your room options at Expedia here. Standard facilities include free daily restocked minibars with dispensers, air con, coffeemakers, study desks, electronic safes, luxury toiletries, balconies or terraces and 24 hour room service. Prices: Check out all the price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: The main restaurant at Riu Palace is Atlantic which serves buffet food all day. The buffet choices can vary slightly but there is always a wide variety of both international and local favorites, and the quality as far as we could see is very good. Every couple of nights, to add some extra flavor, they have themed food events and there is a traditional jerk chicken stand just outside open throughout the day. Beyond that there are four la carte restaurants: the Tengoku for Japanese, the Sir Alexander for French fine dining, Krystal Fusion for a variety of contemporary cuisine, and the Bahamas Grill and Steakhouse. All have high standards of food and service and have an a smart casual dress code, though no reservations are required. Don’t be surprised to have to endure a short wait for a table at peak dinner times though. Though it’s a fairly boozy resort there are no dedicated pubs. The main nightlife action is centered around the pool bars which go on late and can get READ MORE

Certainly one of the classiest all inclusives in Cancun, and indeed in Mexico, Excellence Playa Mujeres is an adults only, luxury resort in a secluded location just north of the city with its own private marina. It has 450 rooms and suites, seven pools, ten restaurants, eleven bars, top of the range spa facilities, sporting activities, daily and nightly entertainment, and even a theater. It attracts an upmarket crowd, majority of them couples, of all ages. It can be lively and fun but the relatively sophisticated crowd means it never gets too rowdy. Accommodation: They have a total of 450 suites at Excellence Playa Mujeres, all of which, even the entry level Junior Suites, are spacious and beautifully appointed, and all of which come with 24 hour room service. All too have furnished outside space–balconies or terraces on the upper floors and patios at ground level. Swim Up Suites are also available. Their top suites are the two story, Rooftop Terrace Suites with Ocean View. They have private plunge pools and the best views in the resort. Other identical Rooftop Terrace Suites are also available but with views over the gardens or the pools. Overall every suite at Excellence has a veritable touch of class with standard features such as king-size beds, large satellite TVs, iPod docks, comfortable seating areas, generous complimentary mini bar with premium liquors, and coffee and tea stations. The marble bathrooms come with double vanities, both rainfall showers and bathtubs, and luxury toiletries. Above the level of Junior Suite, whirlpool baths are also present. Prices: Check out all the price details at Hotels.com here or at Expedia.com here. You will note on the booking page that some suites have the appendage ‘Excellence Club’. Guests who reserve these receive extra perks such as a private concierge desk, access to a private lounge with buffet and bar service, and two private heated pools and whirlpools. And finally they also receive extra-premium drinks in the mini-bar and luxury Bulgari toiletries in the bathroom.  (Our take is that unless you’re planning a very special trip, and/or you want to really spoil a special someone, you might find the Excellence Club READ MORE

Iberostar Grand Rose Hall is a very impressive 5 Star, adults-only all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay, the most upscale of three adjacent Iberostar resorts in Montego Bay. A stay here allows full access to the facilities of these two other resorts – Iberostar Rose Hall Beach & Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites – but not vice versa, making Grand Rose Hall feel extra exclusive. The clientele here is also upmarket, and of varying ages, with many couples, and there is much less raucousness than at most of other local all inclusives. Accommodation: Iberostar Grand Rose Hall has 293 spacious, nicely designed and nicely furnished suites, including swim up suites. They mostly have one king bed though some may come with two queen beds. They also come with lounging areas, coffee makers, safes, satellite TV, generous minibars, a pillow menu and 24 hour room service. They all have outside space, some with lovely sea views. These balconies or terraces are also nicely furnished with swing chairs, sofas and coffee tables. Across the board the bathrooms are particularly nice, and particularly spacious. Decked out in marble they have whirlpools, double sinks and double showers, and luxury toiletries. You also have the services of a butler throughout your stay. They can help you unpack, and customize your experience in things like your choice of pillows and your minibar stock. They can also draw you a bath, recommend aromatherapy essences and even shine your shoes. Prices: Enter dates and compare prices at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: Iberostar Rose Hall has 7 quality restaurants, serving both buffet and a la carte. Reservations are generally required for dinner in the a la cartes. The Surf and Turf Gallleon serves charcoal-grilled meats and seafood. La Toscana has a range of well known and not so well known Tuscan and Italian paired with fine wines. Teppanyaki Kiniro serves Japanese and has a teppanyaki tasting menu while Port Maria does a range Jamaican classics such as jerk barbecue and coconut shrimp. Then finally there is the gourmet showpiece Es Palau Restaurant which serves French haute cuisine. During the day most of READ MORE

On Tortola, British Virgin Islands, Sugar Mill is an upscale boutique hotel surrounded by tropical gardens on the site of a 17th century era sugar plantation. With just 24 rooms and more than a whiff of colonial opulence it feels exclusive, but it’s also decidedly personable and friendly. Sugar Mill is family friendly too but would be more suited to couples on romantic getaways. The main bar can get lively in the evenings but the nightlife is generally low key. With a resort this size you can’t expect a wide range of facilities–it’s a place to relax and enjoy a different pace of life in beautifully exotic surroundings. And the food here is exceptional. Sugar Mill is in fact known for having some of the best food in BVI. Accommodation: The rooms are housed in an old colonial building that is charming and romantic. The rooms are certainly nicely decorated and furnished but somewhat unremarkable it can be said. Little in the way of wall art for eg. or decorative features. They have a distinct elegance though and are bright, clean and airy. And all have balconies too with quite lovely views. Prices: Check out all the details on the Booking page here. Note: The prices displayed will be the standard price for B&B. The all inclusive package can be bought (if you choose to go all inclusive) before or during your stay for an extra 350 usd extra per day, or 300 usd per day if staying for a week or more.  Food, Facilities & Things to Do: Sugar Mill has made quite a reputation for itself when it comes to food, being home to the restaurant of the same name which is seen as one of the British Virgin Island’s finest. It is set in the original 17th century mill building which has many of its original features intact and is a terrifically atmospheric, romantic place to spend an evening. There is an adjacent al fresco, terrace section too which has nice views over the coast. It is a fine dining venue featuring to give you some examples: fresh lobster, steak, tournedos Rossini, scallops in champagne sauce, escargots, duck, READ MORE

Valentin Imperial Maya is a 5 Star, adults-only all inclusive in Playa del Carmen’s exclusive Playa del Secreto. A resort we judge to be the best value adults only resort in Playa del Carmen. This beach it sits beside is gorgeous–Playa del Secreto is one of the most beautiful sand beaches in Mexico. The resort also has, among its attractions, three pools, including one of the largest resort pools in the country, a lazy river, seven restaurants (none of which require reservations), seven bars (with premium alcohol all inclusive) including two swim up bars, a theater and a full service spa and gym. It’s a luxury resort and attracts an upmarket crowd. The atmosphere is one of relaxed contentment, the food and drink are great, and the service levels fantastic. Accommodation: They have 540 suites in various price levels and ranging in size from 516 square feet to 1,032 square feet. Many have lovely ocean views, some look out over the jungle or pools, and some are ground floor swim-up. The main market at Valentin Imperial is couples and so almost all the suites come with a single king-size bed. Some though do have a choice of one king-size, or two doubles to sleep four. All have seating/lounging areas inside and furnished balconies, patios or terraces. The bathrooms are spacious and luxurious looking, and well equipped–all come with large jetted bathtubs and separate showers for example. Some of the top suites also feature whirlpool baths on their private terraces. Overall the furniture and fittings are nice but could in some cases do with updating. We are pleased to report that as of February 2022 the process has already begun. Other hotel perks include satellite smart TV, coffee/tea stations (either filter coffee machines or Nespresso) mini bars, and Valentin Imperial Maya own brand own brand luxury toiletries. Prices: Check out all the price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: The food is excellent at Valentin Imperial Maya. The main buffet venue is Le Marche for breakfast and lunch, with the casual beachfront Mar & Tierra also having buffet selections. There are also a READ MORE

Why We Like it: This particular Marriott is a huge, luxury all inclusive in St. Kitts’ Frigate Bay, with nearly 400 rooms and suites. It can be lively and fun but the grounds are so large that you can also fairly easily avoid the crowds. They have a very impressive range of facilities here: three large pools & three whirlpools, a gorgeous white sandy beach, a casino, a spa, a golf course, four tennis courts, eight dining venues and a great number of activities both on and off-site. It is family friendly though the focus seems to be much more for adults. It doesn’t have a kid’s club for example, and the vast majority of guests are adults. Accommodation: They have a mix of rooms, suites and villas. All are spacious, clean and bright and have a modern, minimalist style. Many have balconies and views of the ocean, though the accommodation is set back a bit from the sea. You can check out all your options at Expedia.com here. Prices: Enter dates and compare prices at Marriott’s own website here, at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: The food at St. Kitts Marriott is well received by guests. Some food choices here include seafood at Blu, Fire, for more seafood and also steakhouse, La Cucina, and the venue for the buffet breakfast, Calypso. You’ll find Café Calypso by the lobby, it serves great coffee plus sweet and savory snacks. Then there is their Pizza Shack, good tapas and sushi can be had in the resort’s lobby bar Arwee, plus fast food, salads and a full range of drinks at the Bohemia Pool Bar. The Bohemia, the swim up bar and the pool area in general, get busy early and stays that way pretty much all day. In terms of activities you have a host of water-sports, volleyball and tennis courts, a 24 hour fitness center with many free classes. Personal training is also available for an extra fee. The resort’s spa has nine treatment rooms, steam rooms, therapy baths, plunge pools etc. plus a beauty salon. Massages can also be requested in your own READ MORE

Royal Hideaway Playacar is a 5 Star all inclusive for adults only in Playa del Carmen that is a low key, classy antidote to the many high energy all inclusives of the Riviera Maya. It has 6 gourmet restaurants, all a la carte, 3 bars, 6 pools, a full service spa, fitness center, numerous land and water sports facilities and a gorgeous stretch of white sand beach among its attractions. It can get lively but it’s not a party resort. The upmarket clientele are mainly looking to relax and the atmosphere is laid back friendly. Accommodation: Royal Hideaway Playacar has 201 old colonial style rooms in various semi-identical low rise buildings surrounded by lush foliage. Check out all your options here at Expedia.com.  All are elegant, beautifully furnished and with luxury hotel amenities like cable TV, free minibars, safes, coffeemakers, music stations, air-con. None are supremely spacious though all come with some outside space – a patio or balcony, and have very plush marble bathrooms with spa baths. Prices: Enter dates and compare prices at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: The food at Royal Hideaway Playacar is very highly rated. It’s a 5 Star hotel with a fairly sophisticated clientele so expectations may be high from the start but few people come away disappointed. There are no buffets here, all is a la carte. The one drawback to this here it seems is that the restaurants are busy and reservations are required for all except one, though you have 24 hour room service and the bars serve food too. Most have quite formal dining areas and three have formal dress codes – Las Ventanas, Azia and Palazzo. Las Ventanas is open for dinner only and has a chef’s table where guests have front row seats at the cooking station and can chat with the chef. There is an extra charge for this and it will need to be booked in advance. Palazzo is another stylish venue serving Italian, again for dinner only. The award winning Azia does Asian fusion – Thai and Japanese mainly. Spices does some great Mexican and in a lovely READ MORE

Opened in late 2018, Riu Palace Baja is the third Riu resort in its huge Los Cabos complex, joining Hotel Riu Santa Fe and Hotel Riu Palace Cabo San Lucas. All three are of course are all-inclusive but only Riu Palace Baja is adults only, and is also a tad more upscale, and more expensive, than the other two. It sees a nice mixture of couples on romantic breaks and groups of friends of all ages. It’s a popular resort so book well in advance if possible, and note that there is a minimum stay of three nights. Accommodation: The 602 rooms at Riu Baja are all in suite form, starting with 430 sq ft Junior Suites, some of which come with views, some of which don’t, then slightly larger Junior Suites then their top of the range 764 sq ft Full Suites which come with tremendous open ocean views. They sleep a maximum of four, on two double beds, in the case of the larger Junior Suites, or on one king bed and one sofa bed in the case of the Full Suites. All are bright, airy and nicely furnished, and come with some outside space – a balcony or patio. Their bathrooms are particularly luxurious and all suites have a free standing bathtub in the room. Other facilities include bathrobes, minibar, air-con, blackout curtains or drapes, satellite TV, WiFi, safes, tea/coffee makers, drinks dispensers and 24 hour room service. Prices: Check out all the price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: You have some great buffet spreads at Riu Baja which also involve live cooking shows, and you also have a la carte Steakhouse grill, Japanese, Italian and Indian. The latter three are fairly formal affairs, men are obliged to wear long trousers and shirts for dinner for example, and their Krystal Restaurant is more formal again. It’s a fine dining venue specializing in what it terms fusion gourmet. Snacks and casual fast food are available at the bars though. There is a snack bar open 24 hours too and of course you have 24 hour room service. All food READ MORE

Right in the middle the sublime Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos (voted beast beach in the Caribbean on numerous occasions), Alexandra Resort has a tremendous location. It is a relaxed, easy going, mid-range resort that offer excellent value compared to most around the notoriously expensive Grace Bay Beach area. You have five very good restaurants and four bars, and guests can take a shuttle bus to sample the restaurants at their more upscale sister resort Blue Haven. There is a small spa and gym area and a whole host of activities to be enjoyed all inclusive: hobie cat sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, cycling, tennis etc. For an extra fee you can also arrange motorized water-sports, scuba diving, sailing trips and all sorts of tours and excursions. If you want to get some shopping in then you’re just steps away from one of the island’s main commercial & touristic strips: Grace Bay Road. Guests are a mixed bunch: couples, families and groups of friends of all ages, and the atmosphere is lively and very friendly. Accommodation: Alexandra Resort has a nice range of very spacious studio, one and two-bedroom suites plus, the cream of the crop, their jaw dropping 3800 sq ft. four bedroom penthouse. The studios come with kitchenettes but the suites feature have full kitchens with washing machines. Suites also have large living rooms with dining tables and satellite TV in both the lounge and the bedrooms. All have nice furnished balconies or terraces. Some have direct ocean views but most have views of the gardens with a partial view of the ocean to the side. The bathrooms are large and come with separate showers and bathtubs or, in the case of the studios, shower/bath combos. Extra bathrooms in the two and four bedroom suites are smaller and have shower only. The decor is rather unexciting but overall the accommodation is comfortable, spacious and well appointed. Prices: Check out all price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia here. Note: there is a four night minimum stay. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: You have five all inclusive food venues at Alexandra Resort: Asú is their main international buffet restaurant by the READ MORE

Zoëtry Villa Rolandi is a boutique 5 Star all inclusive on Cancun’s Isla Mujeres built in 2015 to compliment one of The Riviera Maya’s most esteemed restaurants: the Swiss Italian Casa Rolandi. It attracts a barefoot chic, upmarket crowd and the atmosphere is quiet and calm – people very much come here to relax and unwind. With only 35 suites it is also remarkably small for an all inclusive resort making it feel even more exclusive still. Among its facilities are three pools, the famous Casa Rolandi restaurant and one other, French Mexican fusion, eatery, a cozy bar, an extensive wine cellar, a made-to-order jewelry center, spa facilities and a fitness center. Zoëtry Villa Rolandi is technically family friendly but really doesn’t seem to have much in the way of children’s activities. The overwhelming majority of guests are adults anyway, and the majority of them couples on romantic breaks. Accommodation: It has 35 suites of various categories, all of them with ocean views. They are broadly similar in all but size, ranging from 450 square feet to over 2000 square feet in the case of their fabulous Presidential Suite, and the vast majority of them are doubles. At the ground floor you have the Junior Suite Veranda Oceanfronts. Just upstairs are the Junior Suite Oceanfronts and, above them again and with better views again, are the Junior Suite Superior Oceanfronts. The latter two have a hot tub on their private terrace. The multi level Presidential Suite then sits at the very top. It has an enormous terrace and extra amenities such as a sauna, an outdoor shower and a bar. Check out your options here at Expedia. The top level suites are of course lovely, as they are in most resorts, at Zoetry Casa Rolandi but remember that minimum standards are very high: All accommodation comes with canopied king size beds, opulent bathrooms with jacuzzis, steam showers and Bvlgari bath products, indoor lounging areas and, in all but the Veranda Suites, private terraces with outdoor hot tubs, satellite TV, 24 hour room service, pillow menus, black out curtains/blinds, free mini bars and coffee makers as standard. Prices: Check out all READ MORE

Renaissance Wind Creek offers 5 Star luxury accommodation, and an on-site casino, in the heart of Curacao’s tourist district. It is a fabulous resort, ran by Marriott, that attracts a well-heeled international clientele. It is not fully all-inclusive it must be noted though, rather it offers all-inclusive packages alongside pay as you go. To see details of what is and isn’t included in their current all-inclusive package go here. Though Renaissance Wind Creek is family friendly, the majority of guests will be adults. Accommodation: Their 237 rooms and suites vary wildly, from windowless internal rooms (the cheapest obviously!) to top of the range suites with king size beds, lounge areas, whirlpool baths and wrap-around balconies. Your two most luxurious options at Renaissance Wind Creek are the Majestic Suite and the Imperial Suite. All rooms and suites are tastefully though not extravagantly set up in light colors with some reds and oranges mixed in. Amenities are standard across most rooms except for the higher end ones that have their own whirlpool baths for example. Expect cable TV, tea & coffee makers etc. plus bathrooms with luxury bath products and lighted make-up mirrors. Prices: Check out all price details at the Marriott website here, at Booking.com here and at Expedia here.  Food, Facilities & Things to Do: There are two main dining options on the resort. The lively Nautilus serves a range of Caribbean and international food including some extravagant buffets while Xquisit is the higher end option offering a la carte steakhouse style cuisine in a more formal atmosphere. The lively casino adjacent to the resort has options for every level of gambler, though non-gambling guests have sometimes cited the noise from the casino as a downside. The resort is right on the coast, and though there is no natural beach here, they built a small sand beach around the stunning infinity pool looking down over the ocean. Their Infinity Beach Club, right by the pool, is a popular place to hang out with a cocktail, and can get fun in the evenings. Other facilities include a top of the range fitness center and the adjacent Natural Blends Esthetics Spa. Massage therapy can also be READ MORE

In a nice spot overlooking Nassau Harbour on the island’s southern shore, Warwick Paradise Island, Bahamas is an upscale adults only all inclusive (16+) that, with 250 rooms, is smaller, more intimate and more manageable than other local resorts. Facilities include a large pool complex, a nice clean stretch of beach, fitness center, spa facilities, tennis and basketball courts, and seven dining and drinking venues. The atmosphere is laid back and relatively mature. It’s not so much a party resort but like all good all inclusives it can in its own way be lively and fun. Accommodation: There aren’t a lot of room categories at Warwick so choosing is a relatively easy task. The standard rooms are double or twin, around 300 sq. ft., and have a view of either Nassau Harbour, the land (of the island) or the sea. The Water View and Island View Rooms lack balconies for some reason though they do have floor to ceiling windows and the views can be very good. Harbour View Rooms all have private furnished balconies and feel like something a step above generally though they are only marginally larger. Their One Bedroom Harbourfront Suites are larger though and have second balconies along with a lounge room and separate bedroom. The max occupancy there in two on one king size bed. Their Double Double rooms on the other hand, though smaller, have, as the name suggests two double beds to sleep up to four. Check out all your room options at Expedia here. The large windows allow lots of natural light and there is also nice light touch to the decor across the board with cheerful art pieces and colorful soft furnishings. The bathrooms are sleek and modern though perhaps relatively small and come with combined shower and bath. Their One Bedroom Harbourfront Suites though, being top of the range have larger bathrooms which come with separate showers and bathtubs. In room facilities include mini bars, coffee makers, digital safes, air-con, study desks, cable TVs and 24 hour room service. Prices: Check out all the price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: The largest READ MORE

On the lovely Uvero Alto Beach lies a fairly new addition to Dominican Republic’s collection of resorts – the adults only Live Aqua Resort. It is a 5 Star Punta Cana all inclusive that is more than a step ahead of the competition in this ever popular Caribbean vacation hotspot. The food, the service, the facilities, and the design and decor all consistently impress and, with it being a relatively small resort, the atmosphere is more personable than most. It sits on the lovely Uvero Alto Beach, a quieter more relaxed stretch of golden sand than those nearer the center of Punta Cana. Accommodation: Aqua Live has a broad range of very elegant rooms and suites including swim up, with luxury amenities that include private infinity pools and jacuzzis. All have some outside space, either a terrace or balcony, and they are generous in general with space – their smallest rooms are around 500 square feet, not all that much less than the largest suites which are around 860 sq ft. Check all your options out on the booking page here (Expedia). Each has a choice of view, either garden, pool or beach, with the beach views, not surprisingly, being the more expensive. Prices: Enter dates and compare prices at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: It must be said the food at Live Aqua is exceptionally good for an all inclusive resort, or for any resort for that matter, in Punta Cana or anywhere else. Live Aqua is a reasonably small resort but you have a very good selection of quality food venues. Your choices include Liberi, their main restaurant and breakfast spot, it serves a broad range of international dishes both buffet and a la carte. Then there’s Sospiro, their relatively casual Italian a la carte. Huzur has dishes from right across Mediterranean, Seishin does Asian Fusion, Atl does some great Mexican while Miraflores does a range of ceviche and other seafood. All of their venues have a reasonably casual atmosphere except for their French traditional Chez Rose Restaurant which is undoubtedly formal. Room service can deliver food from any of these venues READ MORE

Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos is a luxury all inclusive near San Jose del Cabo, Los Cabos, which is popular with just about everyone – families, young couples, older couples, groups of friends. The resort can be busy and lively but, apart from the odd pocket here and there, it’s not a party resort by any means. Facilities include a luxury spa a great choice of restaurants and bars, many pools including an infinity pool, kids-only and adults-only pools, a theater and daily and nightly entertainment. Accommodation: There are 591 rooms and suites in total. None are particularly spectacular, luxurious or stylish – even their highest level suites – but all of them have minimum standards and these standards are very high. The furniture is quality, the beds extremely comfortable and all come with plush bathrooms, some of which have whirlpool baths. Other facilities include air-con, Nespresso coffee makers, iPod docks, minibars, seating areas and spacious balconies, some with ocean views, and 24 hour room service. Some suites are swim up, and some have separate bedrooms and lounges to sleep a maximum of six per unit. Club Room guests have free access to the laid back exclusive Club Lounge which is supplied with premium liquors, light bites, snacks and desserts. Prices: Check out all the price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos has a great variety of food on offer from casual street food to high end fine dining, only two of which are buffet and one which opens 24 hours. All food and drink is all inclusive and none of the restaurants need a reservation. Highlights include Bon Vivant, their upscale French offering and DoZo their Japanese. Drinking venues include a swanky piano bar, a lively sports bar and pool bars. There are nightly theater performances as well as live music and other daily entertainment. The resort is family friendly and there have a constantly busy kid’s club and a separate club for and teens. The Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos Zen Spa is a particular highlight. They have 18 treatment rooms, and hydrotherapy pools, though all treatments are READ MORE

Blue Haven Turks & Caicos is an upscale all inclusive with its own IGY marina on Providenciales’ north-eastern, Leeward coast. It is child friendly (and has a small kid’s club) but mainly sees adults, and is very much a place to relax and unwind. It is a small resort but has a range of spacious, luxury accommodation, a small beach and a spectacular infinity pool with a swim up (and walk up) bar is at its core. Three restaurants and bars, a cafe, a small market, a spa and fitness center round off the facilities plus you can enjoy a whole host of complimentary water-sports, and on shore: beach volleyball for example. It attracts a well-heeled crowd, and feels more exclusive and sophisticated than most all inclusives in the Caribbean.   Accommodation: Their accommodation is luxurious and far more spacious than most. It ranges from studios to two and three-bedroom apartments, with kitchens and living rooms, to sleep up to eight. All are beautifully appointed with standard features that include sleek wood furniture pieces, king size beds, satellite TVs (in all bedrooms too), mini fridge & bars, coffee makers, and luxury bathrooms. The larger apartments have much the studios don’t have. Wrap around balconies as standard for example plus large walk-in wardrobes, and in some cases full kitchens, with washing machines and dryers. Their bathrooms too are a step up, some have jetted tubs, while the studios in all cases just have showers. Top Rooms & Suites: Our pick of the bunch at Blue Haven are the penthouses. Both are a similar size at over 3,000 square feet but one has three bedrooms and the other two bedrooms. Both are gorgeous open and airy spaces with huge roof terraces that offer the best views in the resort.  Prices: Check out all price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia here. Note: there is a four night minimum stay. Note 2: The All-Inclusive package does not include room service, retail store purchases, spa treatments or massages, motorized water sports or scuba diving, though in most cases discounts are offered.  Food, Facilities & Things to Do: Fire and Ice is the resort’s main restaurant, right across from READ MORE

St. Martin’s & Sint Maarten Island’s largest resort is the Sonesta Maho Beach, a solidly good value choice located conveniently beside the airport on the Dutch side. So close to the airport in fact that, quite famously, the planes landing at Princess Juliana Airport overfly Maho Beach seemingly just meters above tourists’ heads. A classic photo opportunity for most visitors to Sint Maarten. Sonesta Maho Beach is an energetic all inclusive resort with a clientele that includes a lot of families but with also lots to keep adults entertained. Among the many things at guests’s disposal are that famous stretch of beach, a large pool section, fitness center, spa, theater, golf course and casino. The resort houses a great number of shops, restaurants and lively bars and clubs, and is right beside Maho Promenade which has even more of the same. Accommodation: There are a total of 420 rooms and suites at the resort, the largest of which can host up to four adults and three children. They come in various price categories mainly related to their size and capacity of course but also to which view they offer, with the sea views, as expected, needing an extra premium. Check out your options on the booking page here. All rooms have furnished balconies and all are comfortable and particularly spacious, even the standard room choices. The suites are a step ahead though of course and come with a separate, spacious, living area. Furniture and fittings are that of a standard upper mid range city hotel – you’ll have a large TV, a work desk, dining table, coffee makers, daily refilled minibars and sofa beds in some. All in all they are far more functional than fancy – some might find them a little soulless but will have to admit they provide good value. Prices: Check out all the details and compare prices at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: Where to begin? Sonesta Maho Beach is, as mentioned previously, the island’s largest resort and is something of a destination within a destination. That is can easily attract both families and childless couples alike is READ MORE

The all inclusive, adults only, Sandals Grande St. Lucian is another solidly good Sandals resort with a range of accommodation from top of the range overwater bungalows to decent value more basic suites. The overwater bungalows, the only ones on St. Lucia and one of just a few in the entire Caribbean, take center stage here. They are a honeymoon favorite and, with only nine of them, they get booked up long before the other suites and rooms. The service throughout this resort is excellent: professional but personable. Their food and drink are of the highest order and there is a great range of all inclusive activities on offer. Accommodation: They have a nice range of accommodation at the resort from, at the top of the price range, the Overwater Bungalows, Beach and Presidential Suites to a number of very good value lower level suites. Their gorgeous overwater bungalows are very special of course but also, despite their price, incredibly popular. If you’re interested and you see one free for your dates you’d be wise to book it immediately. We like the beach suites a lot too though. They might not have the same novelty value but they are pretty special in their own right. They are just steps from the beach but nicely positioned to feel private and relatively secluded. Lower down the scale you can, depending on your dates, you can find some very good value at Sandals St Lucian. Even their lowest level of suite seem pretty indulgent. All will be spacious and airy and come with hardwood floors, comfortable king-size beds, large smart TVs and generously stocked free mini bar etc. etc. Some suites have large, spa style bathrooms with soaking tubs for two. You’ll have 24 hour room service, and in some suites you have the services of a personal butler. Prices: Check out all price details at the Sandals website here, at Booking.com here and at Expedia here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: Sandals Grande St. Lucian has twelve restaurants and bars which include a British style pub and a very lively swim-up pool bar. Check them all out here. The quality of the food and drink is READ MORE

Sandals Emerald Bay is an adults only 5 Star resort on Great Exuma, one of two Sandals’ resorts in The Bahamas. It’s a 245 room property with a lovely, mile long stretch of beach and 500 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. It’s a friendly, sociable place but with more than enough space for couples to find as much alone time as they wish. Amongst other things it has seven different restaurants, a good social scene, numerous pools, tennis courts, spa facilities and a scenic, 18-hole, Greg Norman designed golf course with green fees all inclusive. Accommodation: Their 245 rooms are divided into various categories and price points, from solidly good entry level choices to their most expensive option: the very impressive, two story detached, beachfront One Bedroom Butler Villa Suites. Mini mansions you could say, they offer loads of space indoors and out, private plunge pools and broad, unobstructed views over the sand and sea. Entry level rooms are very good value at this resort though, with their most basic choice lacking very little except large amounts of space maybe. Check out your options on the Sandals website here. They all have a nice old colonial feel with impressive mahogany furniture including poster beds. All have some degree of outside space – balcony or patio – and some kind of sea view. There are two levels of service to choose from at Sandals Emerald Bay: Club Level, their entry level offering, and Butler Level. The Butler Level has of course a personal butler service, but also perks such as premium liquor in the mini bar, pillow menus and separate bedrooms and living rooms. All bathrooms are plush and spacious with marble vanity units, bath tubs, luxury bathrobes and the usual opulent Red Lane Spa toiletries. Prices: You can check out price details on the Sandals website here Food Facilities & Things to Do: The large, two-level Bahama Bay is the resort’s main restaurant and serves international buffet spreads for breakfast and lunch, and a la carte, mainly Caribbean dishes, for dinner. Cafe de Paris is the main coffee shop and also serves up pastries, snacks, desserts and smoothies all day. READ MORE

Breathless Resort is an adults only all inclusive on Punta Cana’s Uvero Alto Beach that has been a very popular choice with young visitors since its inception in 2013. It’s a luxury resort – though technically a 4 Star it can certainly outdo many 5 Star resorts – and it has the consistently strong reviews to back that up. There have 750 bright and colorful suites here in total but even in high season it really never feels too packed. The resort covers a large area so everyone has plenty of space and its stretch of beach at Uvero Alto is nicely uncrowded. Among its many facilities are various swimming pools, whirlpools and a lazy river, full spa and gym facilities, numerous bars and restaurants, both buffet and a la carte, a theater, a casino and daily and nightly entertainment. Accommodation: Your accommodation choices at Breathless Punta Cana are between swim up suites, junior suites and master suites. The junior suites come with a view of either the gardens, the pool or at least a partial ocean view, while the master suites are all oceanfront. They are all spacious and very nicely furnished and decorated, and all have balconies (or terraces in the case of the swim ups) kitted out with a hot tub/jacuzzi. You can check all your options here at Expedia.com. Upon booking you’ll be given a choice between the standard all inclusive package or Xhale Club Membership. The club package is nearly 100 dollars extra a day but you get the VIP treatment, described as follows by resort management: Personalized check-in and check-out with concierge. Daily continental breakfast service. Afternoon hot and cold hors d’oeuvres. Exquisite desserts and premium liquors. VIP host service. Private restaurant for breakfast and lunch. Access to exclusive private lounges and pools. Pool concierge and bar service. Upgraded mini-bar. Upgraded bath amenities. Pillow menu. Prices: Enter dates and compare prices at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: They have eleven dining venues at Breathless Punta Cana, eight of them a la carte. Food choices include Pan-Asian, Italian, French, Mexican, Criollo, Middle Eastern, steakhouse and good ol burgers READ MORE

One of five Pueblo Bonito resorts in Los Cabos, Pueblo Bonito Pacifica is a luxury (4.5 star), adults only all inclusive ten minutes from downtown Cabo San Lucas. There are five fine restaurants at the resort and four bars. It’s an upscale place and far more tranquil than most adults only resorts but there are free shuttles to and from the other Pueblo Pacifica resorts which have more of a night life scene. Other facilities include two swimming pools, a hot tub, nice gym facilities, 24 hour room service (and butler service in some suites), a spa and access to the adjacent Jack Nicklaus designed Quivira Golf Club. Accommodation: Pueblo Bonito Pacifica has 201 rooms in total, 47 of which are in two separate VIP buildings called The Towers, which are more upscale with some having private plunge pools, and all having extra perks like 24 hour butler service, a VIP lounge and private beach cabanas. The rest of the rooms and suites aren’t much of a step below though. All are spacious and elegantly furnished and decorated, all have balconies or patios and many have spa baths. Check out your options at Expedia.com here. Standard amenities include premium cable TV, air-con, mini bars with some premium liquors, coffeemakers, bathrobes, luxury toiletries and 24 hour room service. Prices: Check out all the price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: Open for breakfast are the Siempre and Peninsula Restaurants, the latter offering a la carte, the former a la carte and buffet, both offering international but with a strong Mexican slant. Peninsula is open for lunch too and you have food all day at the Aire Restaurant and Bocados Deli, both casual poolside eateries with a whole range of snacks, sandwiches, fast food, salads etc. For some classy evening dining try Pescados. The menu has a lot of Asian – sushi, sashimi and Asian fusion, and the views are lovely, especially at sunset. Siempre is another chic venue with Mediterranean cuisine. The dress code for dinner is formal for both and reservations can be required. All food and drink across the resort is included in the READ MORE

Updated October 4, 2022 Bungalows Key Largo is an adults only, luxury beach oasis that is also the Florida Keys’ only fully all inclusive resort. It is a classy place with a lovely secluded location, very private accommodation, particularly good food and drink, and friendly staff who really go out of their way to help. The clientele at Bungalows Key Largo is mainly, though not exclusively, couples. Accommodation: The accommodation is entirely in the form of private bungalows. All of them are broadly similar, spanning nearly 1000 square feet, their airy interiors come with either a large double bed and a sofa bed or two large double beds and very plush bathrooms. The private outside space is nicely crafted, and you may find yourself spending more of your time there where you’ll find seating and lounging furniture, a soaking tub and an outdoor shower. Other little niceties at the bungalows include 60 inch Smart TVs, Coffee makers, mini bar, fridge, microwave, work desk and 24 hour room service. They also have complimentary bicycles parked outside for guests to go exploring with. Prices: Check out all the details and compare prices at Booking.com here and Agoda here.  (Note: There is a 3 night minimum stay at Bungalows Key Largo) Food, Facilities & Things to Do: The resort has its own stretch of private beach plus two outdoor swimming pools and jacuzzis, four great restaurants, a fitness center and a full service spa. Their Zen Spa offers luxurious treatments in what they refer to as the Zen Garden. Asian themed, it has five outdoor treatment cabanas, waterfront treatment tiki, a Himalayan salt room, a steam room and various spaces for just relaxation and meditation. There are also daily yoga sessions on the beach. Water-sports can be enjoyed at the resort with all non-motorized sports such as kayaking and paddle boarding being complimentary. The food and drink here is nothing short of excellent and all inclusive with the exception of a few premium wines and Bogie & Bacall, their showpiece steak restaurant where guests are just allowed one complimentary reservation per four night stay. Beyond that it costs $300 per two-person reservation. The READ MORE

Sugar Bay Barbados is a 4-star, relatively low-key all inclusive near the Garrison Historic Area that is popular with both families and couples. It has 150 meters of picture perfect beach, two swimming pools, four quality restaurants, a spa and a host of recreational facilities for both kids and adults. Accommodation: Guests have a choice of 138 rooms divided into what they term Signature rooms (ie. entry level) and Oceanfront rooms. They also have a number of larger Family Rooms in both categories that can host up to seven guests. All come with a semi-separate lounge area, or at least some seating, and a balcony, though only the Oceanfront category is guaranteed a sea view. All are quite spacious, and very comfortable indeed. Color schemes are mainly pale and light with occasional bursts of brightness. Expect modern amenities including flat-screen TVs, charging docks and portals for a range of electronics, and coffee and tea stations in each room. Prices: Check out all price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia here.  Food, Facilities & Things to Do: Non motorized water-sports such as kayaking, boogie-boarding and snorkeling are all complimentary at Sugar Bay, plus other on land sports: beach volleyball, fuss-ball, billiards/pool etc. They also have a broad range of spa treatments on offer at the Karma Spa, there is also a beauty salon and a gym. You have two swimming pools to choose from too, one with a swim-up bar. There is a creche, a kid’s club and a ‘teen clubhouse’ at the resort, as well as an in-house activities team to organize activities and entertainment for guests of all ages. The four restaurants spread across the resort offer enough of a range of dining experiences to appeal to most. Buffets for breakfast and dinner with light meals the rest of the day are on offer at Reef, while Colin’s Beach Bar and Grill dishes out Caribbean cuisine and a good selection of premium cocktails and other drinks. The final two are more upscale and semi-formal. UMI offers Asian while a fine steak dinner can be enjoyed at Sizzle. Driftwood Café has excellent coffee and then there is the Lazy Mongoose, a cosy, quaint, British READ MORE

One of the Dominican Republic’s most well known all inclusives, Grand Bavaro Princess is a 5 Star resort in Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana, one of the Caribbean’s most lovely stretches of sand and water. It is a huge resort with two swimming pools, a full-service spa and a wide selection of restaurants, bars, sports and entertainment zones. It is very family friendly, kids are very well taken care of, but it’s also a place where grown ups can let their hair down. It generally sees a good mixture of nationalities – Americans, Canadians, Europeans and Latin Americans. Grand Bavaro Princess has its honeymoon suites and they are popular, though we feel it’s pretty much not the place for a peaceful, relaxing romantic getaway. Accommodation: They have 1290 luxury suites in total at Grand Bavaro Princess, spread out across a large area near Bavaro Beach. The suites are sleek and modern with good sized lounge with sofa or sofa bed, dining table, work desk, 50″ cable TV and well stocked free minibar, bedrooms with very comfortable king size beds (can also be two doubles if required for extra guests) and nice bathrooms with bathtubs. Outside space will be a furnished patio or balcony. They are all broadly identical, in terms of size and design, though the Honeymoon Suites are well, just that bit more lavish with pillars by the bedroom entrance, round beds, mirrors and smooth lighting. Their bathrooms also come with a whirlpool bath/jacuzzi. You can choose to pay a bit extra to go ‘Platinum’ and be granted perks like table reservations at the restaurants and access to a VIP type private pool and beach area. Prices: Check out all the price details at Booking.com here and at Expedia.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: It’s a large resort and you”ll have plenty of all inclusive food to choose from. The a la carte choices include steakhouse, seafood, Japanese and Italian. The food is very good across the board though you sometimes have to wait to get a table. Having a Platinum room here will come in handy as you can make reservations in advance. There are buffets for READ MORE

The fabulous Sandals Grande Antigua is another adults only, & couples only, mega resort that delivers on the company slogan of 5 Star luxury included. It has nearly 400 rooms and suites on its 27 acre estate which sits by what is seen as Antigua’s loveliest beach, Dickenson Bay Beach. Facilities include six pools, a spa and fitness center, eleven restaurants and seven bars and a whole lot of activities and sports, particularly water sports including complimentary scuba diving, a rarity in all inclusives but a standard at Sandals. Accommodation: Accommodation is divided into two distinct sections, the larger, busier faux-European Mediterranean Village and the smaller more laid back Caribbean Beachfront Village. Both have an equal share of the most impressive, and expensive accommodation though The Mediterranean Village is all suites while the Caribbean also has some entry level, and really good value, rooms. Check out all your options on the Sandals website here. Though you can of course really take it up a notch though with some of the highest level suites, villas and penthouses, all the accommodation shares common features: four-poster beds, private terraces and those typically impressive Sandals’ marble bathrooms with bath tubs. Club Sandals’ rates offers a personal concierge service, while Butler level rates come with just that – your own personal butler. Both also include premium liquors in your mini bars and other small perks. Prices: Check out price details at the Sandals website here, at Expedia here or at Booking.com here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: There is certainly no shortage of quality eating venues at Sandals Antigua. You have eleven eateries to choose from and eight bars, some of which also do at least snacks. Highlights include the Tex Mex at O.K. Corral, Teppanyaki at Kimonos, and three romantic beachfront venues, Bayside, Eleanors and Barefoot by the Sea, doing gourmet Caribbean, seafood and international. They also have sushi bar and there are two Italian venues, one of them a pizza joint the other specializing in Lombard cuisine. There are bars all around the resort with the main gathering spots being around the lobby, the English themed Drunken Duck Pub, and the pool READ MORE

Sandals Barbados is an adults only, 5 star luxury all inclusive resort on Dover Beach, a short drive from the island’s international airport and many other local attractions. Sandals is very much considered one of the most luxurious resorts in Barbados, and includes 13 restaurants and 7 bars that span a wide range of global cuisine. Accommodation: The resort has 280 rooms that come in 14 different styles and layouts, and three different service levels. The most basic unit is a Deluxe Suite with Garden Views. If you want something a bit different, try booking the ground floor of Crystal Lagoon and you will be able to swim right from your patio door. If you are looking for a truly luxurious experience though, consider the Ocean Side Villas that come with around-the-clock butler service, your own bar and outdoor tub. The rooms and suites are all broadly similar in style. Expect turquoise and white color patterns with classy mahogany furniture and finishings, and 4-poster, king sized beds in many. Built in 2015, the resort also has all the best modern conveniences and amenities. Top Rooms & Suites: It’s not hard to identify the cream of the crop at Sandals: the Beachfront Penthouse One Bedroom Butler Suite is the ultimate in luxury, but be warned – it gets booked up well in advance.. There are plenty of other options though, from standard Deluxe Suites to Honeymoon Suites and other oceanfront options. To the average vacationer some may seem only a little less extravagant than the Penthouse Butler Suite, but at a less premium price. Bathrooms feature a double basin vanity, dual control walk in shower and separate bath tub. Luxury suites include other luxury upgrades like a Kohler claw foot bath tub.  Prices: Check out all price details at the Sandals website here, at Booking.com here and at Expedia here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: With the many pools and a river (known as Lagoon Pool) winding through the resort, there’s plenty of place for couples to hang out apart from the beach. There is also a luxury spa with a good range of fully complimentary treatments. For those who like to be center of READ MORE

Don’t be mislead by the somewhat tacky sounding name, Grand Fiesta American Coral Beach has long been one of Cancun’s most sophisticated luxury resorts. One which has just recently gone all-inclusive. It occupies a prime position in the heart of the city’s hotel district but remains somewhat elegant, refined and surprisingly peaceful. It also has possibly the best stretch of beach and water in the city and all rooms have ocean views. Its enormous Gem Spa is well known in Cancun for its great array of modern facilities including a 10-step hydrotherapy circuit (treatments though are not included in your all inclusive package). Food and drink are excellent, and varied, at Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach, both buffet and a la carte. It sees an eclectic mix of tourist: families with children, couples of all ages, singles and groups of friends. It is a fun, friendly resort but, relatively speaking, not a place for rowdy nightlife. Accommodation: They have a nice variety of suites here and the accommodation is designed so that all have balconies and ocean views. All are very spacious too, with entry level suites being a generous 560 sq. ft., and have king or queen size beds as standard. There also come with seating, study desks and sofas, as well as table and chairs on the balcony. Bathrooms are a major highlight across the accommodation. They are spacious and elegant and come with double vanity sinks and deep soak bathtubs and, in the Master Suites, whirlpool baths. All have air-conditioning, minibars, coffeemakers, toiletries, TVs with premium channels, and free Wi-Fi. Unlike many all inclusive resorts there isn’t a huge amount of difference here between their entry level and top level accommodation. Not enough reason to splash out more we’d say. If you’re a couple on a special romantic break though you could take a look at their ‘Infinite Ocean Front Honeymoon Master Suite. It’s not the largest suite in the resort, some family suites are larger, but it is the most impressive with a giant private terrace and, as the name suggests, unrivaled views of the ocean and Isla Mujeres. Prices: Check out all the price details READ MORE

Beaches Turks & Caicos is a sprawling, 65 acre all inclusive resort on Providenciales with a water park, a shopping center, a spa complex, ten pools, twelve bars, twenty restaurants and more. It’s family friendly and constantly busy and lively, so if it’s a peaceful break you’re after this is not the place! Once that’s accepted though Beaches Turks & Caicos can offer an enormously enjoyable vacation. Accommodation: You have four semi-distinct zones, or villages, at Beaches: The Caribbean Village, French Village, Key West Village and Italian Village. Overall Key West Village is our favorite. It feels a little more exclusive and is generally quieter and more relaxed than the other three. There is an enormous choice of rooms in all villages with the most expensive suites being generally in the Key West and Italian. The cheapest rooms in the French and Caribbean sections may be a disappointment. Splashing out more on your room is worth it at this Beaches, more so than in most all inclusives. Top Rooms & Suites: The top suites in the entire resort are the Four Bedroom Beachfront Butler Villas in Key West Village. These are three floor luxury detached villas, with plunge pools, right on the beach. They offer plenty of privacy, and feel in many ways like a vacation home, they’ve even got a kitchen for example, not something you’ve come to expect of an all inclusive. Prices: Check out all price details at the Beaches website here, at Booking.com here and at Expedia here. Food, Facilities & Things to Do: Where to begin with this? You’d almost forget you were just steps away from one of the loveliest beaches in Turks and Caicos here. There is so much going on at this resort. It’s a huge estate with six pools, five of which have swim up bars and three of which are for kids, and four whirlpools. There is a large sauna complex which includes a beauty salon, nail bar, hairdresser etc. Providenciales’ largest fitness center is also here. It has everything you can think of in a gym and then some more. Sports include soccer, volleyball, tennis, shuffleboard, basketball, billiards and table tennis, and then on READ MORE