A new year brings new goals, new perspectives, and of course, new adventures. To help you get a head start on the latter, we put together a list of 15 new and newly renovated all-inclusive resorts worth visiting in 2020. From the Caribbean to Mexico to Spain, these properties run the gamut in terms of style, price, and amenities, so you can find your own slice of paradise.
1. Excellence Oyster Bay, Jamaica
If you’re coming to Excellence Oyster Bay expecting easy access to the rowdy beaches and bars of Montego Bay, you’ll be sorely disappointed. Opened in 2018, this all-inclusive property enjoys a peaceful setting at the end of a private peninsula. The away-from-it-all vibe is only enhanced by the adults-only policy, which naturally lures couples seeking a romantic retreat. Don’t expect a dull property, though. After dark, theater shows liven the atmosphere, and the Martini Bar buzzes until late. Aside from that, you won’t be bothered by noisy parties, vendors on the beach, or spring breakers. Everything, from the gorgeous pool to the pristine beach to the numerous dining options, is elegantly casual. Rooms are contemporary and feature spacious terraces, plus private jetted tubs, plunge pools, or beach views in most. There’s also a full gym and a beautiful spa featuring a hydrotherapy circuit. Just note that this top level of luxury comes with a high price tag to match.
2. Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos
Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos, an adults-only all-inclusive that opened in 2018, gives guests little reason to venture off its picturesque grounds. Located on a beach between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, this property offers everything you might need for a week (or more) of pampering: numerous excellent restaurants and bars, a pretty outdoor pool complex, a proper gym with trainers and classes, a massive spa with a free hydrotherapy circuit, and gorgeous sunset views from many vantage points. To top it off, rooms are large and tranquil, with balconies that overlook the pool and/or beach.
3. TRS Cap Cana Hotel, Punta Cana
If the swanky yachts filling the nearby marina are any indication, the 115-room TRS Cap Cana is all about luxury. Opened in late 2018 following extensive renovations, the adults-only property invites guests to rest, rather than party, with its quiet, relaxing atmosphere. The serene grounds house two stunning pools (including one with a swim-up bar), three restaurants, a well-equipped fitness center, and a spa with saunas and steam rooms. The stylish rooms have balconies — some with direct access to a shared pool — and the free 24-hour room and butler service are stellar perks. There’s also a small on-site beach, though many visitors opt for the free shuttle service to a longer, nicer stretch of sand just a short drive away.
4. TRS Coral Hotel, Playa Mujeres
In 2018, the TRS Coral set up shop on a wide, white-sand beach in Playa Mujeres. With an adults-only policy, plus a location away from the party scene further south in Cancun, the all-inclusive property has an upscale, mature ambience. The 469 rooms all have terraces with hydro-therapy tubs or swim-out pool access, and the generous all-inclusive plan includes free food and drinks at multiple bars, buffets, and a la carte restaurants. Guests also get access to the amenities at the family-friendly Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa next door. Still, the highlight might be the free night at Chic Cabaret, which offers amazing performances and gourmet multi-course meals.
5. Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa, Playa Mujeres
Unlike some of the other resorts on this list, families and couples both make up the guest list at Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres, an upscale all-inclusive that opened on the beach in Playa Mujeres in late 2018. And that’s largely thanks to the array of features on offer: three pools (including a kids’ option), 10 restaurants, 19 bars, three kids’ clubs, and an impressive spa and wellness center. The 670 suites are chic, decked out with minibars and 50-inch flat-screen TVs (many also have whirlpool tubs on their balconies). Another pro for some: It’s removed from the crowds of Cancun’s Hotel Zone.
6. Hotel Riu Palace Costa Mujeres, Playa Mujeres
Looking for free-flowing booze without the raucous spring break vibe? Check out the Hotel Riu Palace Costa Mujeres, a 2018-opened all-inclusive with a strict “no spring-breakers” policy. Both families and couples are catered to, with five swimming pools (two with swim-up bars), six restaurants, a spa and fitness center, a kids’ club, and a beautiful white-sand beach lined with palm trees. Guests also get access to the next-door water park, plus rooms come with liquor dispensers, well-stocked minibars, and balconies (some with swim-out access).
7. Iberostar Cancun Star Prestige
A 14-minute drive south of the Hotel Zone, the 156-room Iberostar Cancun Star Prestige has all the amenities for a fun-in-the-sun vacation. The adults-only property, which opened in 2018, boasts a stellar beachfront location, an ocean-view infinity pool with a swim-up bar, and a restaurant serving excellent fare. Even better, guests have access to all the facilities and eateries at the Iberostar Cancun next door. Spacious rooms featuring ocean-view balconies with hot tubs round out the package nicely.
8. Melia Salinas, Lanzarote
Designed in the 1970s by famous local architect Cesar Manrique, Melia Salinas was fully renovated in 2018, though much of the structure and landscape have been preserved. The adults-only beachfront property is tucked away in a quiet part of Costa Teguise, and as such, is suited for couples wanting to get away from it all. Entertainment comes in the form of fitness classes, such as yoga and Pilates, as well as some live music in the evenings. The 270 rooms and suites are stylish, with a wide range of amenities such as free Wi-Fi, Dreamax beds, and minibars. For something even more special, villas have private pools.
9. Panama Jack Resorts Cancun
As one of the best bang-for-your-buck properties in all of Mexico, this upscale, all-inclusive resort in Cancun draws a fair number of partiers and families. The former comes for the drink-slinging bars and poolside activities, like tequila volleyball, while the latter enjoys the two pools, kiddy splash park, and evening entertainment. The reasonable rates, as well as multiple restaurants that include buffet and Italian options, lure both. Renovations in 2018 left the property with an overall stylish, modern look, and the rooms with hammock-equipped terraces (some with stunning views).
10. Sandals Montego Bay, Jamaica
Although Sandals Montego Bay opened its doors in 1981, the beachfront all-inclusive is mostly modern, thanks to renovations in 2018 (some of the 264 rooms have colonial-style decor, though). Guests here are spoiled for choice, with plenty of on-site restaurants (including specialty Italian and Japanese options), ocean-view pools and whirlpools, a full-service spa with a free-to-use sauna and steam room, unlimited non-motorized water sports, and daily entertainment. An upbeat vibe, plus events such as weekly foam parties, draw younger couples, though the majority of visitors are folks who don’t want to travel far from the nearby airport and cruise port. On the downside, planes from the airport can be noisy.
11. Hilton La Romana, An All-Inclusive Adult Resort, Dominican Republic
Formerly Dreams La Romana, the 356-room Hilton La Romana is an adults-only all-inclusive along Bayahibe Beach, about a 50-minute drive from Punta Cana International Airport. Although the majority of guests here are couples seeking a peaceful getaway, there are plenty of amenities that provide entertainment, including nightly themed shows, water sports, a late-night disco, and a casino (the latter two are shared with the Hilton La Romana Family Resort next door). An ocean-view infinity pool with a swim-up bar, a full-service spa, a beach with ample loungers, and a bar provide more spaces to relax. All-inclusive rates cover meals and drinks at a buffet restaurant and a la carte eateries serving up Asian, Mediterranean, and Caribbean fare. And as for the rooms, they were renovated in 2019, with a chic, modern style. The units, some of which are swim-out, have flat-screen TVs, free minibars, and furnished terraces with either pool, ocean, or garden views.
12. Haven Riviera Cancun
Not all Cancun hotels are created equal. Proof: Haven Riviera Cancun, which opened in 2018, is an adults-only property that offers a quieter alternative to some of the more rowdy all-inclusive resorts farther up the coast. The 333 rooms here have private balconies or terraces with either whirlpool tubs or swim-up pool access, and most have views of the ocean and/or main pool. For even more perks, like a dedicated beach area and exclusive lounge access, guests can upgrade to the Serenity Club category. Dining options include a couple of buffet restaurants plus Mediterranean and pan-Asian spots. Overall, it’s a great option for those wanting a low-key getaway, though there are a few bars along with a nightclub.
13. The Grand Reserve At Paradisus Palma Real, Dominican Republic
When it comes to amenity-packed all-inclusive resorts, the 2018-opened Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real ticks all the boxes. Set on beautiful grounds near Bavaro Beach, it’s home to attractive pools with canopied daybeds and plush loungers, eight restaurants ranging from Asian-fusion to a steakhouse, a state-of-the-art gym, a stellar spa, a water park, and a kids’ club. Suites are stylish and spacious, with living rooms, dining areas, and private terraces featuring whirlpool tubs. Swim-out options are available, too.
14. The Reef 28, Playa del Carmen
With its boho-chic style and prime location near the beach, restaurants, shops, and late-night dance clubs, The Reef 28 appeals to younger travelers. The hip, adults-only hotel is also home to a rooftop pool area, chic spa with a hydrotherapy circuit (for a fee), and three restaurants with Mexican, Asian, and buffet fare. Spacious Junior Suites come with minibars and furnished terraces, while Master Suites add kitchenettes, whirlpool tubs, and living areas. There is an optional all-inclusive package, which covers all meals, alcoholic drinks at three bars, all activities and water sports, and gym access. Just note that loud poolside music is common, given the younger-leaning guests, and there’s often a shortage of pool loungers.
15. The Level at Melia Caribe Beach, Dominican Republic
With adults-only and family-friendly sections, The Level at Melia Caribe Beach draws guests of all stripes, from honeymooners to toddlers to groups of 70-somethings. Guests can enjoy perks like private check-in and exclusive pool, beach, and restaurant access. However, it’s worth noting that the resort is situated within a massive property where rooms are far from amenities and and don’t have ocean views.
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