The best all-inclusive hotels around the world

All-year sun and beautiful beaches beside blue seas have made Mexico and the Caribbean islands some of the world’s most popular all-inclusive destinations. Direct flights from the UK, delicious cuisines, and signature cocktails have all added to the appeal.

Two of the best all-inclusive hotels in Mexico are Le Blanc Spa Resort, a luxurious adults-only accommodation where wellness and indulgence are balanced perfectly, and Secrets Maroma Beach, which focuses on romantic luxury, keeping active, and enjoying the finer things. Every guest receives a full butler service at Le Blanc and can enjoy restaurants serving Mexican, French, Italian, and Japanese flavours. Secrets Maroma invites you to unlimited gourmet dining with premium spirits alongside watersports, diving, sailing, and an array of land-based activities, from tennis and volleyball to archery. For families, Moon Palace Cancun is a world of activities. Hotel Xcaret gives free access to seven adventure parks, and the twin resorts of Dreams Tulum and Dreams Riviera Cancun invite all ages to play together with their activity-inclusive Unlimited-Luxury® concept.

Island life is no less blissful with all-inclusive highlights such as Sandals Royal Bahamian and its private offshore island, or Curtain Bluff in Antigua with a PADI dive centre, Cee Bee Kids Club, and 4,000 bottle wine cellar.

The Dominican Republic is home to Casa de Campo, where a village of sporting facilities sits on 7,000 acres with a three-screen cinema and yacht-filled marina. Barbados’ O2 Beach Club attracts couples and families for limitless dining beside a white sand beach. Looking for a holiday that will leave you feeling truly rejuvenated, inside and out? BodyHoliday on the paradise island of St. Lucia is a complete wellness and relaxation experience like no other.

Another destination tailor-made for all-inclusive is the Indian Ocean. More specifically, the castaway atolls of the Maldives and the green isle of Mauritius. Here, among a picture-perfect paradise, are some of the world’s most amazing all-inclusive hotels and resorts.

The best all-inclusive private island properties in the Maldives include the stunning Hurawalhi Island, home to the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant and the overwater Kashibo Bar & Restaurant, serving street food, teppanyaki, and more than 300 international wines. For barefoot luxury with an eco-friendly philosophy, it’s tough to beat Constance Moofushi, where a house reef and 32 local dive sites introduce you to a captivating submarine world. Above the waves, guests enjoy an overwater spa, four restaurants and bars, and opportunities for candlelit dining on a private sandbank. For families, Centara Grand Island serves both simple and gourmet food menus while watersports, diving, a kids club, and duplex rooms provide all the comfort and convenience a family could need.

On the larger island of Mauritius, two of the most exciting resorts are Constance Prince Maurice and the recently launched Anantara Iko. Constance, with its floating bar and restaurant, includes á la carte dining across all three outlets alongside spa access for adults, a kids club for guests aged four to eleven, and unlimited green fees on two golf courses. Anantara Iko brings Thai-inspired hospitality to a wellness resort in one of the island’s most beautiful locations beside the Blue Bay Marine Park. For a completely different Indian Ocean all-inclusive experience, try the extraordinary Uga Chena Huts Resort, where every room comes with a private pool on the fringes of Yala, Sri Lanka’s premier safari park.

Dubai is one of the hottest 21st-century destinations, literally and figuratively. While half board is still the most common option for holidaymakers in the jewel of the UAE, visitors can enjoy a choice of remarkable Dubai all-inclusive holidays.

The Westin and Le Meridien Mina Seyahi stand side-by-side in the established Jumeirah Beach area, offering two distinct hotels with one combined all-inclusive encompassing 20 restaurants and bars. Further along the coast, close to Dubai Parks, the all-suite JA Palm Tree Court and the family-friendly JA Beach Hotel form an exclusive resort where all-inclusive covers up to 28 restaurants, cafés, lounges, and bars.

Just an hour from the city, the more laidback coastal resort of Ras Al Khaimah is home to the DoubleTree by Hilton Resort and Spa at Marjan Island, the Ritz-Carlton Al Hamra Beach, and Rixos Bab Al Bahr, some of the Middle East’s best all-inclusive hotels. Dubai also opens up easy opportunities for multi-centre holidays when you combine it with the Indian Ocean, Africa, or even the Far East.

Of course, you don’t need to cross continents to enjoy amazing all-inclusive experiences.

Everyone will have their favourite, but we believe three of the best all-inclusive hotels in Europe are Corfu’s Ikos Dassia, NG Phaselis Bay on the Turkish Riviera, and Gran Castillo Tagoro in Lanzarote. Ikos Dassia offers luxury at the edge of the Ionian Sea with seven à la carte restaurants serving Michelin-starred menus and the finest local cuisine. NG Phaselis Bay is all about entertainment with circus acts and live music every night, a children’s aquapark, and two resort beaches. On the island of Lanzarote, all-inclusive travellers will find the perfect family holiday at Gran Castillo Tagoro, where Castleland Kids’ Park and a 5D cinema sit just the right distance from a tranquil adult-only pool and the Vitanova Spa & Wellness Centre.

Mexico, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, Dubai, and Southern Europe are some of the best all-inclusive destinations in the world, but the options don’t end there. Africa invites you to its beaches with sweeping island views at The Royal Zanzibar in Tanzania and Anantara Bazaruto in Mozambique. Rwanda offers luxury all-inclusive in the jungle at One&Only Nyungwe House and One&Only Gorilla’s Nest. And, of course, you’ll find the ultimate in wildlife all-inclusive when you visit five-star safari resorts in South Africa, such as the Sabi Sabi lodges in Kruger Park or Shamwari on the Eastern Cape.

If you’re looking to step outside the norm, consider the ultra-luxurious Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in the mountain rainforest of Northern Thailand, the spectacular Lizard Island Resort at Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, or French Polynesia’s movie-star-built, The Brando.