The best all inclusive holiday destinations around the world (2024)

When it comes to a holiday, sometimes you just want to escape work life and relax in a beautiful resort, being treat like royalty with plenty of facilities, activities and foodie treats. That’s exactly where all inclusive resorts come in handy! Everything is included in the price you pay, including most resort activities and food, drinks and entertainment. Put your wallet away and indulge as much as you like! Specific regions of the world are better than others for these types of vacation and some countries don’t have many all-inclusive options at all. It’s a trend popular in Europe and The Caribbean/Central America.

Read on for a list of the best all-inclusive holiday destinations around the world. We’ve hand-selected popular all-inclusive holiday countries and have recommended hotel options for both families and couples.

Mexico

Mexico is the king of all-inclusive holiday destinations in North America. Its coastal regions are home to stunningly luxurious hotels and most of them have all-inclusive options. Choose from multiple dining options in one hotel, multiple swimming pools and plenty of activities. They’re huge and many hotels even have their own private beach area! An all-inclusive holiday in Mexico is all about relaxation in the hot sun, a vibrant nightlife and occasional day-trips. Ancient Mayan ruins, turquoise lagoons and beautiful islands are all waiting to be explored when you’re not kicking back by the pool.

The most popular area for all-inclusive holidays in Mexico is its Quintana Roo region on the Caribbean coast. Cancun offers a busy nightlife scene, whilst further south you have Playa Del Carmen and Tulum, which are more about quiet beach life with a sprinkle of culture. Mexico can be quite an affordable all-inclusive holiday destination once you’ve paid for the flights.

Recommended all-inclusive resort for families: Hotel Iberostar Tucan (Playa del Carmen)

Recommended all-inclusive resort for couples: Iberostar Grand Paraiso (Playa del Carmen)

The Caribbean Islands

Not one of the best all-inclusive holiday destinations but many, The Caribbean is a region where any island you pick will have some excellent all-inclusive resorts. A selection of the best in the world in fact! Some are quieter and more tranquil than others and range from giant palaces with 10 restaurants, to small boutique accommodation with private villa-style rooms. You could spend a full week entertained in a Caribbean resort without needing to leave your hotel.

See an outline on some of the best all-inclusive Caribbean islands below:

Dominica Republic – One of the most popular islands for all-inclusive, with a countless collection of affordable but luxurious hotels. Great for families!

St Lucia – The go-to Caribbean island for beautiful nature and luxury couples’ retreats. More expensive than neighbouring islands but unbeaten for romance.

Barbados – A classic Caribbean getaway that mixes luxury with low-key beach life. Find nice accommodation options for any budget and interest. It has a good nightlife scene too!

Bahamas – An action-packed island with everything you’d need. Plenty to see and do and some more remote beaches. Its main town Nassau is a melting pot of history and culture.

Aruba – A small and quiet island with a lot of colour and character. Recommended for those that want to escape reality for a week and enjoy some of the best beaches on earth.

This is only a small sample of the islands you can explore and we encourage you to do your own research to find a destination that suits you best! Some islands have a lot of activities, whereas others are all about relaxing in a secluded hotel.

Egypt

When you think of Egypt, the Pyramids of Giza and bustling city of Cairo come to mind. It’s a country that paved the way for modern civilization and still retains its historic roots and artefacts. You can also however, visit Egypt for an all-inclusive beach holiday. A hot North-African climate is the perfect setting to top up your tan, relax by the pool and head out to sea on a boat or snorkelling trip.

The three go-to all-inclusive holiday destinations in Egypt are Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh. All beach towns overlook the Red Sea and provide an excellent range of resorts and activities, with scuba diving being a top activity for those that want to escape the heat for a short while. It can soar to 40 degrees in the summer months! We actually recommend it as a place to visit outside of the summer as it can be too hot to enjoy. Prices are very affordable, however check reviews for the hotel before booking.

Recommended all-inclusive resort for families: Serenity Fun City (Hurghada)

Recommended all-inclusive resort for couples: SUNRISE Romance Resort -Grand Select (Hurghada)

Cape Verde

Cape Verde is one of our personal favourites for an all-inclusive beach holiday. When most of Europe drops below 20 degrees in the autumn and winter months, Cape Verde is still going strong with clear skies and sunny weather. Its location just of the west coast of Africa attracts a colourful mainland culture, combined its Portuguese colonial heritage. It feels very unique as a place to visit.

Being a small archipelago of islands, the main thing to do here is relax on its white-sand beaches, enjoy a luxurious all-inclusive hotel or sample food from one of the street markets. It’s quiet, low-key and excellent for any couple or family that wants a relaxing week away in the sun. We recommend Cape Verde as an all-inclusive holiday destination between September and March when you want to escape the colder weather of Europe. It’s only a 5hr30 minute flight from London too!

Recommended all-inclusive resort for families: Hotel Riu Funana

Recommended all-inclusive resort for couples: TUI SENSIMAR Cabo Verde Resort & Spa

Greece

The reason we love Greece as an all-inclusive holiday destination is that it combines a traditional beach holiday with some amazing historic sites and culture. Not many places have a history quite like Greece. Adapt to a Mediterranean diet and indulge in food and drinks all-holiday round in an all-inclusive hotel. You can then venture out on an excursion to an ancient monument or town and return as the sun goes down. Sunsets are breath-taking no matter the island!

The only difficult thing about choosing Greece as your all-inclusive holiday destination is deciding which island to stay on. Santorini and Mykonos first come to mind and are excellent, however they’re more expensive and your budget won’t stretch as far. Then you have Rhodes, Corfu and Crete – all stunning, larger islands with plenty of hotels. Research your island carefully to find something that suits you!

Recommended Greek islands for families: Rhodes, Crete, Corfu

Recommended Greek islands for couples: Santorini, Mykonos, Kos, Zathynkos

Cyprus

Cyprus is a small island with a big heart and plenty of sunshine! Its private villas with pools are all good, but nothing beats staying in a four- or five-star all-inclusive hotel with exquisite food and drinks. It’s a holiday island where you have almost guaranteed hot sunny weather from March until October and prices are generally quite affordable.

Stay in a central resort such as Paphos for plentiful holiday facilities and nice beaches. We recommend renting a car and exploring some of the island too! Ancient ruins, remote beaches and quaint countryside towns are a welcome escape away from the tourist centre. Cyprus is one of the best all-inclusive holiday destinations for families.

Recommended all-inclusive resort for families: Leonardo Laura Beach & Splash Resort

Recommended all-inclusive resort for couples: Coral Thalassa Hotel

Dubai

Dubai in the UAE is an unexpected inclusion for one of the best all-inclusive holiday destinations. There isn’t a great deal of all-inclusive hotel options, however the ones it does have are out of this world. You’ll be treated like royalty in an Emirati resort and everything is on a big scale. World-class cuisine, unique experiences and scorching hot weather are what is making this destination increasingly popular each year.

Dubai doesn’t have the rich culture of some of the other places on our list, but for luxury getaways with family or your partner, it certainly stands out. Aside from the bold hotel experiences, you have an endless amount of activities to try. Some of the top things we did during our visit include the Atlantis waterpark, a seaplane tour of ‘The World’ islands, trip to the top of the tallest building in the world and a 4×4 jeep excursion into the desert. And that’s just a small sample!

Recommended all-inclusive resort for families: JA Palm Tree Court

Recommended all-inclusive resort for couples: JA Beach Hotel

Turkey

If you want a very affordable all-inclusive holiday destination where you’ll get a lot for your money, Turkey is calling your name. It’s once again becoming a holiday hotspot for Europeans that want guaranteed spring and summer weather at lower prices. What really makes Turkey an excellent place to visit in our opinion is the food and culture. Turkish dancing, rich cuisine and dazzling markets are apparent throughout the country.

Venture to the coastal resorts of Bodrum (our personal favourite), Antalya and the Dalaman coast. All three areas have an abundance of nice hotels and all the facilities you’d expect on a beach holiday. The beach and pool will be your calling on any trip here, but we also encourage you to head out on a day-trip. The nearby area for all three resorts has some beautiful scenery, historic towns and local culture away from the tourist scene.

Recommended all-inclusive resort for families: Vogue Hotel Supreme Bodrum

Recommended all-inclusive resort for couples: Xanadu Island (Bodrum)

Maldives

Maldives is one of the most luxurious all-inclusive destinations on the planet, bringing with it some unbeatable hotels. It’s a paradise escape for couples on their honeymoon and often considered a once in a life time destination if you’re a beach lover! Stay in an on-water bungalow or vast island resort where you have a whole island to yourself. Relax on the beach, go snorkelling or enjoy a romantic dinner under the moonlight. The Maldives is very much catered to couples on a relaxing vacation.

In terms of where to stay, the island archipelago is small enough that you could stay anywhere and still enjoy the full experience. Some resorts are more secluded than others, taking up their own private islands, whilst others are built around sleepy beach towns with bars, shops and restaurants. The Maldives is one of the most expensive all-inclusive holiday destinations, but there’s no denying it’s also one of the best…

Recommended all-inclusive resort for couples: Amari Havodda Maldives

Spain

Our list wouldn’t be the same without including Spain. It’s a beach holiday destination that helped start the all-inclusive holiday craze many years ago and has adapted ever since to provide awesome new hotels and the same classic holiday vibes. Almost any coastal town you visit in Spain caters to all-inclusive holidays excellently. Sip wine by the jug, indulge in tapas and Paella and build a holiday around everything that excites you. The attractions are plentiful for when you’re not taking a siesta on the beach.

In terms of where to stay, you’re really spoilt for choice! Some of our personal favourites for all-inclusive Spanish holidays include the northern town of Santander and entire south-coast surrounding Malaga. You also have the Balearic Islands of Ibiza, Menorca and Majorca, and an entourage of Canary Islands to choose from (we recommend Lanzarote). Spain is an all-inclusive holiday destination where you’re spoilt for choice and we encourage you to do plenty of research to find your perfect island, region and resort.

Recommended Spanish destinations for families: Majorca, Menorca, Gran Canaria, Malaga

Recommended all-inclusive resort for couples: Ibiza, Marbella, Northern Spain, Tenerife

Portugal

Travel to Portugal’s southern coast for an all-inclusive holiday in the Algarve. This popular tourist spot has the highest concentration of all-inclusive hotels in Portugal and is unlike the rest of the country. Enjoy a traditional beach holiday with family or your partner and have plenty of day-trip ideas at your disposal for when you fancy somewhere more active. Wine tasting, world-class golf courses, water parks, boat trips and sea-life shows are all a short drive away no matter where you stay in the Algarve.

For a quieter all-inclusive holiday in Portugal, we recommend Quarteira or Vilamoura. Albufeira is the busiest resort with the most going on, however it can be quite touristic. Lagos is the place to go for the best scenery and beaches! Wherever you decide to stay, there’ll be plenty of hotel options with everything included. It can also be a cheaper all-inclusive holiday destination compared to other European options.

Recommended all-inclusive resort for families: Eden Resort (Albufeira)

Recommended all-inclusive resort for couples: Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort (Vilamoura)

Mauritius

Mauritius is one of the best all inclusive holiday destinations for those that want tropical scenery and some excellent adventures. It has the beautiful white-sand beaches that have made the island nation famous, but the surrounding terrain is what makes it extra special! Go for an epic morning hike in the mountains with your partner or explore the rich sea-life of the transparent waters. Mauritius is a place that couples can escape to, sharing plenty of cool experiences together.

For places to stay, it has a wide array of luxury resorts that rivals any of the world’s famous beach destinations. Stay in a secluded island resort, cosy-up in a private villa resort or immerse yourself into the African culture of the island with a nice all inclusive hotel close to one of the main towns. For a traditional beach holiday destination where relaxing honeymoons are a big market, there’s an abundance of cool things to do here and you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime. Make it top of your couple’s bucket list!

Recommended all-inclusive resort for couples: Constance Belle Mare Plage

Our top tips for booking an all-inclusive holiday

• Take advantage of package holiday deals. Contrary to bed and breakfast or hotel only holidays where it’s often cheaper to book separately yourself, package holidays usually provide some excellent all-inclusive options. Keep this in mind and compare package holidays versus paying for the flights and hotel separately.
• Most all inclusive holidays offer low deposit-only options. Book way in advance to secure cheaper prices and then pay most of the balance off closer to your departure date.
• All-inclusive allows you to see most holiday costs in advance and helps you worry less about spending whilst you’re away. Put together a holiday costs and budget sheet.
• Check what’s included in your all-inclusive package and opt for the best value for your money. Sometimes certain drinks, entertainment, activities and dining options aren’t included in one resort, but they might be in another.
• Always check reviews before booking. A low-cost all-inclusive deal may seem appealing at first, but if it has a rating of less than 4/5 on Tripadvisor, it could mean poor quality food and rooms.
• Read reviews to check the type of audience the hotel mainly caters to. Couples looking for a romantic break may be best suited to an adult only hotel, whereas families will prefer the many activities and kids club of a family-orientated hotel.
• Look out for special offers. Sites such as Holiday Pirates regularly list some amazingly cheap all-inclusive destination deals. Read about finding last minute holiday deals in our post here.

Our above list includes some of the best all inclusive holiday destinations, however you’ll also need a great hotel. Browse the accommodation options we’ve recommended and use our hotel booking guide here for tips on get the best possible prices for your dates. Then all that’s left to do is jet off, put your feet up and enjoy all of the delicious food, drinks and activities that make all-inclusive so special!

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