All-inclusive resorts…….Okay, let’s just get this out of the way — when I used to hear the words “all-inclusive resort,” I’d picture overcooked buffet pasta, watered-down drinks, and some dude in a neon polo trying to get everyone to do the Macarena at 3 p.m.
But, plot twist: that’s not the reality anymore. Turns out, “all-inclusive” doesn’t have to mean “ordinary.” (Or “ugh, this again.”)
I learned this the fun way — and by “fun,” I mean slightly chaotic, very sunburned, and one tequila shot away from singing karaoke to “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
The Day I Accidentally Became an All-Inclusive Snob
So, a few summers ago, my friends and I decided to do one of those “we deserve this” trips. You know, after surviving a year of questionable decisions, endless Zoom meetings, and way too many takeout nights.
We landed in Cancun. I had low expectations and a carry-on stuffed with SPF, three swimsuits, and exactly zero plans.
But here’s what hit me: the resort wasn’t anything like the all-inclusive spots from those corny commercials where everyone’s wearing matching Hawaiian shirts. It was artsy. There was a rooftop bar that served sushi (good sushi!), an adults-only pool with a DJ that somehow made chill house music sound like a religion, and rooms that smelled like eucalyptus and self-worth.
And I thought, “Wait… is this allowed?”
1. The Unapologetically Cool One – UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya (Mexico)
If you’re the kind of person who wants your all-inclusive resort to feel like a Spotify playlist titled ‘Effortlessly Cool Vibes’, this place is it.
The staff remember your name — not in a creepy, “we’re tracking your every move” way, but in a “hey, we actually care” kind of way. You get personalized cocktails, curated art tours, and spa treatments that make you question if your entire personality is just stress.
Also, the food? Not buffet. Not even close. Think farm-to-table Mexican cuisine that makes you forget you ever willingly ate hotel pizza at 2 a.m.
2. The Jungle Escape – Nayara Springs, Costa Rica
Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever had a sloth stare directly into your soul while you’re in a private plunge pool, but… 10/10 recommend.
Nayara Springs is the kind of all-inclusive resort where you start whispering because the rainforest around you feels sacred. You’ve got luxury villas tucked between trees, outdoor showers that make you feel like Tarzan (in a five-star way), and spa treatments using volcanic mud that sound like a joke but feel like a miracle.
I met a honeymooning couple there who said they were extending their stay “because reality could wait.” Honestly, I respected that.
3. The “Is This Heaven?” Spot – Jade Mountain, St. Lucia
This one. Oh, man.
Imagine waking up and realizing there are no walls in your room — just open air, a private infinity pool, and the Piton Mountains staring back like, “Good morning, peasant.”
Everything’s open-concept and wild, and the service is so next-level that it almost makes you uncomfortable (in the best way).
I remember thinking, “I should probably start tipping better back home.”
And get this — it’s all-inclusive without feeling all-inclusive. Like, you never see a wristband, never hear “buffet closes at 9,” never feel like you’re being herded through vacation cattle lines.
4. The “Bring the Whole Chaos Crew” One – Beaches Turks & Caicos
Okay, for the families, or anyone who travels with actual humans under 12 (God bless you).
This place is wildly fun. I brought my cousins’ kids once — which means I spent half the trip saying “don’t touch that” — but still had a blast.
They’ve got a 45,000-square-foot waterpark (yes, really), endless food options (including a legit sushi bar), and babysitting services that make parents cry tears of gratitude.
Plus, the beach? Unreal. Like powdered sugar sand and the kind of water that looks Photoshopped.
5. The Hidden Gem – Hermitage Bay, Antigua
This one feels like a secret you only tell people you really like.
It’s small, tucked away, and totally zen. No huge parties, no screaming pool games, just peace. Each suite has its own plunge pool, and the views? Straight-up poetry.
There’s yoga at sunrise, farm-to-table food from their own organic garden, and an open-air spa where the ocean breeze literally rocks you to sleep.
I once met a couple there who said they hadn’t turned their phones on in three days — and they looked… like glowing forest elves.
Why “All-Inclusive” Deserves a Rebrand
So here’s the thing: somewhere along the line, all-inclusive resorts got a bad rep. People thought it meant cheap drinks and bland buffets. But now? It’s all about personalization.
You can get a butler who draws your bath with rose petals (yep, that’s a thing), or join a chef for a private cooking class with ingredients picked right from the resort garden.
It’s like the hospitality industry collectively decided, “We’re tired of being basic.”
Okay But… Are They Worth It?
Short answer: sometimes yes, sometimes no.
If you’re the type who just wants to chill, not think about tabs, and eat until you forget your last name — go for it.
If you’re more of a “let’s explore every inch of this island” type, maybe find one that mixes both — like one of those hybrid places where you can go zip-lining in the morning and have champagne by the pool at night.
For me, it’s the freedom. No wallet juggling, no awkward tipping math, no surprise “resort fees” that feel like highway robbery. Just pure, glorious indulgence.
A Little Life Hack (Because You Know I Love Those): all-inclusive resorts
If you ever book an all-inclusive, ask this: “What’s actually included?”
Some places will include everything except the stuff you actually want (massages, premium liquor, jet skis, the good WiFi). Others throw it all in and make you feel like royalty.
Also — if they offer airport transfers, take them. It’s one less thing to think about, and you can start vacationing the second you land.
Final Thoughts about all-inclusive resorts
You know that feeling when you’re sipping a drink on the beach, and for once, your brain just… shuts up? That’s what the good all-inclusives do. They trick you into slowing down.
And sometimes, that’s the real luxury — not the champagne, not the five-course meals, not even the infinity pool (though that doesn’t hurt).
It’s just being there, fully, without worrying about what comes next.
So yeah, all-inclusive doesn’t have to mean ordinary. Not anymore.
Sometimes, it means finally feeling like your out-of-office reply isn’t a lie.
Suggested Outbound Links:
- The Blonde Abroad’s guide to luxury all-inclusives – fun, personal travel stories.
- Conde Nast Traveler: Best All-Inclusive Resorts 2025 – for those who like their research fancy.
