Best All Inclusive Resorts for Families (2022)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 recently gone, rather excitingly, 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 pay-as-you-go, i.e. they 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 (this is Cancun after all!), 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 READ MORE

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

Bahia Principe Grand Tulum is a lively upper range all inclusive, part of a giant four resort complex 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 venues, though 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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