St.Lucia, Caribbean
Photo Credit: Weststock
All-inclusive resorts are a traveler’s panacea to the logistical headaches that can ruin any vacation (ever-escalating meal budget, expensive rentals or tours, frustrating ground transportation). Instead of sweating the details, chill under the Caribbean sun while sipping gratis cocktails, take a free sushi-cooking class, enjoy day trips to nearby Mayan ruins, or just know that the kids will be happily playing (and grazing) from dawn to dusk while you catch up on the latest pulp fiction. And isn’t that the allure of taking a vacation?
Photo credits: (left) Comstock; (middle) Mexico Tourism
- Round-trip airfare from major gateways
- Complimentary ground transportation and daily shuttles
- Complimentary on-property lodging, food, drink, and entertainment
- Access to on-site facilities (eg. pools, spa, fitness centers, golf courses, tennis courts), equipment (eg. sailboats, snorkeling gear, windsurfs), and instruction
- Complimentary off-site tours, excursions, or classes
- Beach and sun
- Theme-park affiliated
- Golf and tennis
- Skiing
- Romantic escapes
- Adults-only
- Family-focused
- Families (no need to worry about keeping the kids fed!)
- Travelers on a fixed budget
- Travelers seeking no-hassle, logistics-free escape
- Couples yearning for privacy, relaxation, and romance
- Adults seeking a kid-free sanctuary
- Do your research ahead of time to make sure the location is really what the brochure or website claims
- Find out ahead of time whether or not all tips are part of the deal
- If you want to travel independently off-property, make sure you know about costs for local transportation or additional activities, as well as any restrictions on inclusive transportation options
- Don't expect a wholly immersive experience if your interaction with the local community and culture is restricted to tours and excursions