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The Best All-Inclusive Resorts of All Time
Written by Madeleine Keck
Sometimes there’s nothing more tempting than a fly-and-flop with everything you could want at your fingertips. These are the luxury resorts that do it best.
Gone are the days when all-inclusive and full board resorts peaked at run-of-the-mill, all-you-can-eat buffets. While the same basic principle still applies – a one-off room cost incorporates meals and often drinks, activities and transportation – the experience has evolved to emphasise local gourmet cuisine, wellness treatments routed in ancient healing practices and once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
Read on to discover the best full board and all-inclusive resorts worldwide.
Thailand: Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa
A blissful retreat in the heart of Phuket, Diamond Cliff Resort & Spa is a haven for the whole family. Located on the sandy shores of Sea Salt Beach and surrounded by lush vegetation, the five-star resort offers six chic bars and restaurants, a heavenly spa and two incredible pools – one of which includes a waterfall, waterslides and a splash zone for the kids. An all-inclusive package allows you to eat and drink as you please, with daily buffet breakfast, two-course lunches and dinners and free-flow drinks (including beer and cocktails) included as standard. A blissful massage is the final touch of all-inclusive luxury, while airport transfers and additional massages can be added to heighten the indulgence.
Vibe: Luxurious, family friendly.
Maldives: Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll
If heaven is a place on earth, it might just be Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll. Located within the exquisite UNESCO World Heritage-listed Baa Atoll, this five-star paradise is a haven of white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and tropical marine life. Start your day with an oceanside breakfast before exploring the idyllic surrounds via kayak, stand-up paddleboard or snorkel. Keen sailors can explore the crystalline atoll at their own pace with all-day catamaran hire available for certified licensed sailors (beginner and advanced sailing courses are also on offer with a surcharge). For lunch and dinner, an incredible selection awaits – from modern Japanese and North African cuisine to fresh-caught seafood and wood-fired pizza. With free-flow drinks, domestic transfers and a myriad of complimentary activities, this is all-inclusive luxury at its finest.
Vibe: Ultra-luxurious, children permitted.
QLD, Australia: Mt. Mulligan Lodge
Working cattle station meets boutique luxury at Mt. Mulligan Lodge: a rural retreat deep in Queensland’s backcountry, where the lodge’s namesake mountain towers over rugged eucalyptus territory and reflects in crescentic billabongs. Guests may join all inclusive guided tours to the eerie Tyrconnel Gold Mine and ATV adventures through Hodgkinson Valley. Kayaking and barramundi fishing are available on the weir, while hikes across the 28,000-hectare property offer insight into the traditional custodians of the land, the Djungan People, who have lived here for 37,000 years. Park your electric buggy at day’s end and dine under the stars from an all inclusive menu rich with plum-infused kangaroo, coral trout ceviche and wattle seed sourdough, with quality Australian wines, beers and house spirits included.
Vibe: Ultra-luxurious, children welcome.
Maldives: Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort
Paradise awaits at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort, a luxurious adults-only resort boasting dreamy beachfront and overwater villas with jaw-dropping views. A long-standing favourite among honeymooners, the resort offers complete peace of mind with all-inclusive drinks, breakfast, lunch or dinner, snacks and activities. Start your morning with a buffet breakfast and help yourself to premium snacks and drinks when hunger strikes. Indulge in delectable Italian, pan-Asian or international cuisine for lunch or dinner, spending the hours between exploring the atoll’s pristine underwater world via paddleboard, kayak or snorkel. Complimentary pilates, yoga and aqua fitness classes operate daily, while sunset fishing, scuba diving and sandbank excursions can be organised with ease.
Vibe: Luxurious, romantic, honeymooners, adults-only.
Bali: Grand Hyatt Bali
A five-star, family friendly escape awaits at Grand Hyatt Bali, located on the pristine shores of Nusa Dua. This sprawling beachfront retreat is home to a seemingly endless array of prestigious facilities, including 11 bars and restaurants, five sparkling pools and a luxurious day spa. Enjoy daily breakfast, lunch and dinner at your choice of venue, all served with signature Grand Hyatt service. Families are the focal point of this elegant coastal estate, where each package accommodates two children and offers complimentary breakfast, access to the Kids Club and discounted dining. Quick tip: opt for exclusive two-bedroom suites featuring a themed children’s room decked out in either a pirate or mermaid theme.
Vibe: Luxurious, family friendly.
Thailand: The Shore at Katathani
Cliffside luxury abounds at this sophisticated and secluded five-star hideaway. Located just 20 minutes from bustling Patong Beach, The Shore at Katathani is a serene retreat overlooking the glittering Andaman Sea. Each luxury villa, complete with its own swimming pool, is designed with intimacy in mind, while every package includes daily breakfast, lunch or dinner, a decadent high tea and a full body Thai massage. Heighten the romance and embrace the true meaning of ‘flop-and-drop’ with an Indulgence Upgrade to add a further daily three-course meal (your choice of lunch or dinner), free-flow drinks hour and airport transfers.
Vibe: Romantic, honeymooners, children over 12 years permitted.
Thailand: Beyond Resort Khao Lak
Poised on the powder white sands of Pak Weep Beach, Beyond Resort Khao Lak is a luxurious, adults-only retreat in the heart of tropical paradise. Premium beachfront villas offer unparalleled views over the sparkling Andaman Sea, while two inviting infinity pools encourage lazy days in the sun. Fuel up for days of exploration with all-inclusive breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus unlimited free-flow cocktails, beer, spirits and soft drinks to ensure you’re well hydrated throughout your stay. Kanda Spa offers holistic treatments, included in your package, while indulgent massage upgrades are available for those who need a little more rejuvenation.
Vibe: Luxurious, adults-only
Canada: Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge
Colossal conifer forests and glacier-fed, salmon-saturated waters abound in the untouched expanse that is Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on Vancouver Island. This remote British Columbian playground is home to Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, renowned for luxury, safari-style tent accommodation and all inclusive gourmet dining inspired – and predominantly sourced – from the immediate surroundings. The lodge is accessible only by boat or plane, and all inclusive guest itineraries feature a half-day, adventure-packed wildlife-spotting tour by 12-seater sea vessel, a selection of premium drinks, canyoning and hiking, plus massages and use of saunas and hot tubs. On request: glacial plunges, horseback riding and mountain biking.
Vibe: Ultra-luxurious, children over six years permitted.
Bali: Meliá Bali
Meliá Bali brings Meliá’s renowned ethos of “satisfying every customer, every time” to the clean white sands of Nusa Dua, long considered one of the Indonesian island’s most luxurious locations. Rambling grounds give way to a fresh-water lagoon-style pool and hectares upon hectares of larger-than-life frangipani-filled gardens. A midnight snack, cocktails by the pool or a multi-course feast – nothing is too much to ask at Meliá Bali, where you can have whatever you want, whenever you want. This indulgent beachfront sanctuary takes the idea of all-inclusive luxury to a new level, with five restaurants and three bars offering delicious dishes and free-flowing drinks all day long. Nourish body, mind and soul with yoga classes and make the most of complimentary snorkelling gear. Children aged between two and 11 enjoy a 50% all-inclusive discount, with the onsite kids’ club providing workshops and leisure programs – ideal for adults who need a moment of reprieve at YHI Spa (treatments not included).
Vibe: Luxurious, family friendly.
Mexico: Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos All Inclusive Golf & Spa
Occupying prime real estate along the southern tip of the ethereal Baja California peninsula, this Mexican oasis is more than just a golf lover’s dream, offering nine gourmet restaurants, six bars, six pools and premium entertainment for the whole family. All-inclusive by name and nature, Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos All Inclusive Golf & Spa includes all food, drinks, room service and products in the minibar, as well as cooking, dancing and Spanish classes and the Fiesta Kids’ Club. The onsite SOMMA WineSpa, meanwhile, is the only spa in Mexico that incorporates the healing benefits of wine in its treatments, accessible for an additional price. Naturally, the resort’s world-class 18-hole golf course, which ascends, wave-like, from the Sea of Cortez, is thrilling (use of golf course not included). Premium food and drinks not included.
Vibe: Luxurious, family friendly.
Vanuatu: The Havannah Vanuatu
Untamed beauty meets barefoot luxury at award-winning The Havannah Vanuatu, set on the shores of Vanuatu’s largest island, Efate. Surrounded by azure waters, palm-fringed sands and vibrant coral reefs, this family-owned resort is the perfect launchpad for snorkelling, watersports and sailing adventures, all included in your package. Gourmet all-inclusive dining showcases fresh local produce, with breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner served at onsite The Point Restaurant. Create unforgettable memories with a romantic sunset cruise or enlist the help of expert staff to curate a bespoke itinerary for your stay. Whether you’re looking for a romantic retreat or a cultural immersion, you can find it at The Havannah Vanuatu.
Vibe: Luxurious, adults-only.
Fiji: Dolphin Island
Available on an exclusive-use basis for groups of up to eight only, Dolphin Island offers unbridled seclusion off the northern tip of Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu. All inclusive menus are personalised, often centering on seafood caught that morning and presented for selection by local fishermen who dock on the island’s soft sand shores. The drinks are free flowing and include standard cocktails, spirits, wine and beer. This remote utopia of thatched-roof, open-air, lantern-lit bures beckons guests to azure Bligh Waters, perfect for taking advantage of included kayaks, paddle boards and snorkelling gear. Personalised trips to nearby waterfalls and local sights can be arranged.
Vibe: Ultra-luxurious, children welcome.
Vietnam: Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang
Vinpearl Resort Nha Trang showcases the best of modern Vietnam, with the nation’s fusion of traditional and contemporary values gracefully reflected in Indochine architecture and dining that takes liberally from multiple food spheres. The sprawling campus on Hon Tre island categorises and bundles experiences into age demographics, with specific inclusions offered for couples, families or getaways with friends. Room packages available to book include bed and breakfast, half-board, full-board and packages with an array of additional inclusions (think access to museums, water parks or golf courses).
Vibe: Family friendly.
Maldives: Pullman Maldives Maamutaa
There are virtually no rules at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa. An all inclusive package allows you to eat what you want, when you want, from onsite restaurants Melange, Souq Oven and Phat Chameleon, and savour unlimited, premium drinks from The Hub, Sol Rising and Saffron Affair – a particularly noteworthy bar with overwater dock hammocks. A resident marine biologist is on hand to ensure your all inclusive, flop-and-drop break includes culture, with educational talks and demonstrations. The more adventurous may like to participate in complimentary guided snorkelling trips, nature walks, sunset cruises and Maldivian fishing experiences. Others can enjoy the marine life from the comfort of their Aqua Villa, home to the resort’s signature ‘submerged’ bedroom.
Vibe: Romantic, honeymooners. Children permitted.
Fiji: Likuliku Lagoon Resort
From a distance, the overwater bungalows of Likuliku Lagoon Resort – the first of their kind in Fiji – look like a natural extension of the rocky surrounds, almost as if the cliffs left a smattering of sea stacks as they eroded and receded over millennia. A closer look reveals 10 luxury huts, with several equally impressive beachfront bures peeking from the shore. This adults-only wilderness retreat offers a full-board service from an ever-changing Indo-Pacific menu (drinks not included) and unforgettable excursions to neighbouring villages and islands. Take to the sea with complimentary non-motorised equipment: kayaks, windsurfing boards and snorkels.
Vibe: Romantic, honeymooners. Adults-only.
Thailand: Cape Panwa Hotel
A world of tranquility and quiet elegance awaits at Cape Panwa Hotel, a five-star retreat set just far enough from the animated ambience of party-town Phuket. On the hillside of a former coconut plantation, you’ll find modern suites and villas, a private beach, two pools, The Cape Spa Phuket and a multitude of high-end eateries. Each package includes daily breakfast, welcome drinks and complimentary use of non-motorised watersports, with guests able to select additional Thai buffet lunches and dinners, airport transfers, massage discounts and day trips.
Vibe: Romantic, family friendly.
All resort inclusions mentioned are subject to change and based on package selection.
Feature image: Meliá Bali.
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