Nine All-Inclusive Resorts Truly Worthy of the Name

With only 90 suites, the Zoetry Paraiso offers a romantic, wellness-centric boutique experience in the Mayan Riviera. Room layouts are unique, with indoor gardens and plunge pools. The pool area and beach are relaxed and tranquil, and the on-site dining keeps the resort's wellness theme alive with delicious, healthy meals. Included amenities not standard at most all-inclusive resorts -- such as a "welcome" bottle of tequila, a daily bottle of champagne, a one-hour Catamaran sunset sail, three-times-daily maid service, and private chauffeured airport transfers, --make this (admittedly pricey) resort a standout among Puerto Morelos' finest properties.

A half-hour drive from downtown Puerto Vallarta and a half mile from the beach, the Marival Residences & World Spa is the place to go for laid-back luxury: Picture residential-style suites, modern amenities, and an impressive array of all-inclusive features. Rooms range from one to four bedrooms and all feature spacious terraces with garden, pool, or ocean views. The private beach club is posh, the pool is large, and the four restaurants serve excellent cuisine. But the best part is the spa, which features unique signature treatments in gorgeously themed (India, Thailand, and other countries) rooms.

Drawing everyone from Queen Elizabeth to 50 Cent, Half Moon strives for timeless, understated luxury (even at the swim-up bar). Stretching over 400 acres -- which includes two miles of beach -- the 230-room resort offers attentive service and quality cuisine. But what truly sets Half Moon apart is its endless breadth of activities. Guests can swim with dolphins in the resort’s private cove, play tennis or golf, windsurf, kayak, choose from a myriad of spa treatments…the list literally goes on.

The D.R.'s classiest, most famous resort since 1974, the Casa de Campo hotel is part of a massive, 7,000-acre resort community that includes three world-renowned golf courses, an immaculate beach, a marina, the quaint "town" of Altos de Chavon, and numerous other on-site activities. It can take some time to get from place to place, but each of the spacious rooms comes with a golf cart for guests' use and the delicious food at the restaurants is substantially above par.

This all-inclusive megaresort is located in a secluded spot near Mayan ruins. It offers sprawling, manicured grounds, over a dozen eateries, and a white-sand beach that is one of the most tranquil in the area. The main pool is gorgeous, and the spa offers breezy outdoor treatment rooms and many unique services. While adults can make use of the modern fitness center, kids will enjoy a play fountain, arcade, and rock-climbing wall.

This all-inclusive, adults-only resort is a tranquil, upscale option on a gorgeous beach in Cabo. Amenities are plentiful: There are two beautiful pools, tennis courts, five restaurants (including sushi and Italian options), five bars (no well liquor here; they serve Absolut, Bacardi, and Cuervo 1800, along with over 50 brands of liquor), a large fitness center, and a full-service spa with a sexy whirlpool and a meditation labyrinth.

Crowded beaches are unheard of on this private island resort where a maximum of 28 guests at a time have free range of 50 acres and three beaches. Personal boats for daily excursions as well as personal golf carts, on-call service, spacious villas with fully stocked kitchens and wet bars, and a host of all-inclusive activities -- such as kayaking, tennis, and bocce -- make Fowl Cay a standout gem in the Exumas.

Accessed via a 30-minute boat ride from Providenciales, this 1,000-acre all-inclusive resort on a private island is the definition of tranquility. With an incredible infinity-edge pool, the world-renowned COMO Shambhala Retreat, waterfront Balinese-style villas, doting service, and more than three miles of pristine beaches, it's easily one of the most luxurious and romantic options in the Caribbean.

This adults-only luxury resort offers a nice all-inclusive experience. The rooms here are spacious and contemporary, with large modern bathrooms, whirlpool tubs, and high-end amenities such as big flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and iPod docks. Some have large rooftop terraces with private plunge pools and ocean views. There are also nine restaurants on-site and 11 bars, offering a variety of cuisines and atmospheres. Dozens of daily activities include snorkeling and Spanish lessons, but many guests choose to simply relax at the hotel's world-class spa, which features ocean-side treatments. A huge fitness center include a yoga and Pilates studio, and free non-motorized sports as well as introductory scuba lessons are offered. The lists go on and on, truly making this an all-inclusive resort deserving of the title.


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