All-inclusive hotels and resorts have grown wildly popular for a reason. You pay a fixed price for everything you eat, drink and do, and you don’t have to spend half your holiday worrying about the budget or trying to obtain cash in the local currency.
Over the past decade, there has been a steady increase in the number of all-inclusive Caribbean resorts. The result of greater competition has also seen longer lists of included services and facilities than ever before. Add the Caribbean setting of a white sand beach with glittering, turquoise water, and you’ll have all the ingredients for a perfectly relaxing holiday.
1. Beaches Providenciales
The Beaches Providenciales Resort is located on Providenciales Island, which lies in the Lucayan Archipelago, about halfway between Puerto Rico and Florida.
If you have kids, Beaches Providenciales is the ultimate all-inclusive Caribbean experience. Every room features its own Xbox® 360 game console, and the resort’s extensive “Pirate’s Island” water park features everything from water slides and artificial waves, to a lazy river, water cannons and a massive pirate ship. Thanks to a partnership with Sesame Street, familiar characters are on hand to entertain the little ones – and teens will be content with the resort’s impressive game centre.
Other features of Beaches Providenciales are a 12-mile stretch of white beach with an offshore coral reef, optional butler service, spa and large number of restaurant and bar options.
2. Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort
If it’s not a kid-centred holiday you’re looking for, don’t despair; consider the Rosewood Resort on Jumby Bay in Long Island, Antigua. Fodor rated this all-inclusive Caribbean resort as the best in 2013 for its food – and its location on a 300-acre private island two miles off the Antiguan coast, makes it a perfect getaway. One of the Rosewood Resort’s restaurants is presided over by Sardinian chef, Claudio Melis, who has cooked in a total of six Michelin-listed restaurants.
3. St Lucian, by Rex Resorts
Located within its own landscaped gardens on Rodney Bay, the St Lucian Hotel is one of the most well-known and beautiful hotels in the world. Sitting atop fine white sands and surrounded by the calm blue Caribbean waters, you can relax in true style here. If you’re looking for a place where you’ll be looked after then this is the place, as you’ll be pampered throughout you stay, and well fed at the luxury restaurants.
Don’t forget to keep active and partake in one of a number of amazing water sports on offer here, or enjoy the outdoor pool and gym. This is a holiday catering to you all.
4. Travellers Palms, Barbados
This luxurious, yet affordable hotel is perfect for those looking for a hidden luxury gem, without compromising on the A-List treatment.
With two hotels situated within a five minute distance of each other, you can take advantage of their amazing pool facilities. Or if you want to take in the atmosphere you can explore the beautiful gardens filled with fresh water to cool down in and swaying palm trees. With staff catering to your every need this is a holiday fit for a celebrity at a fraction of the cost.
And let’s not forget the amazing restaurants, bars and shopping outlets just a stone’s throw away.
5. Meliá Caribe Tropical, in the Dominican Republic
The Meliá Caribe Tropical is situated on the white-sand Bávaro Beach of the Punta Cana, in the eastern part of the Dominican Republic. Among the highlights are beautifully landscaped grounds complete with peacocks and flamingos, kids’ clubs for different age groups, championship golf course and casino.
If you’re looking to be spoilt, you can opt for the Royal Service option. This entitles you to a dedicated butler service, access to private beach and pool areas and private transportation within the resort.
Among the many other all-inclusive Caribbean hotels and resorts worth considering are:
- Casa de Campo in La Romana, the Dominican Republic – complete with 13 tennis courts, horseback riding, fishing, sailing, a shooting centre, and a world-class golfcourse designed by Peter Dye
- Club Med Punta Cana, which is located on 75 acres at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic and includes a very wide range of activities (including trapeze and, in the right season, whale watching)
- Franklyn D. Resort & Spa, which is located on the north coast of Jamaica and offers one service that puts it ahead of other family-oriented resorts – a private nanny for the duration of any stay!
- Sunscape Curacao Resort (until 2012 called Breezes Curacao), is on the island of Curacao and boasts a sheltered beach, four pools, an adults-only jacuzzi, excellent kids’ clubs and a wide range of activities; including a rock climbing wall.