20 amazing all-inclusive hotels that even travel snobs will adore

I never imagined I would book a holiday at an all-inclusive resort. There’s the tawdry reputation – sad buffets of slowly solidifying scrambled eggs and watered-down fluorescent cocktails – but also the crushing lack of  imagination. I don’t generally travel abroad to stay tied to a compound.

Still, my nerves were shot after a trying two years. I needed a holiday that contained no alarms and no surprises. One that could be paid for then simply enjoyed, and where the only decision was the choice of  sun lounger.

What ultimately pushed me to book was the lure of unfettered luxury. In recent years, a new crop of upscale all-inclusive resorts has sprung up across Europe and beyond – utopian-sounding places where glasses of champagne and pilates are included as standard and sea bass ceviches don’t come with a surcharge. Their style is more “boho beach club” than Benidorm, with service that is slick as opposed to reluctant. Hotel giant Marriott has certainly cottoned onto the trend and is planning on more than doubling its number of plush all-inclusive resorts to 33 by 2025. Of course, there are some long-standing veterans of the genre, particularly in the Caribbean (such as BodyHoliday in St Lucia), which may now be welcoming a new cohort of guest who had previously overlooked the joy of flying and flopping in style.

A pioneer of the premium concept in Europe is Greek brand Ikos, whose five properties across its homeland and Spain (soon to be joined by two more next year) have skyrocketed in popularity post-pandemic, perhaps owing to their intoxicating offer of both luxury and reliability, the latter being in particularly short supply in the world of travel lately.

While certainly not a cost-saving solution – nightly room rates of Ikos Andalusia start at £344 but typically run much higher – there is a certain security in knowing you have already accounted for all your holiday costs. No nasty surprises when you look back on your credit card statement the next month and are faced with the reality of how much you spent on eating out. That nagging voice telling you to order the cheaper bottle of wine rather than the one you really want is silenced, and indulgence can (and does) run wild.

So, after paying a bracing upfront cost, off I went to Ikos’s Costa del Sol outpost. A happy week was spent meandering between the many pools (a late afternoon glass of champagne holed up in a cabana became something of a ritual) and six à la carte restaurants, where long lunches usually involved grilled sardines, mezze platters and a scoop of home-made ice cream. All the lounging would have made the ancient Greeks proud, but it was at least punctuated by a spot of tennis, beach volleyball and a rather embarrassing encounter with a canoe. I found I rather liked this life and by the end was already plotting my return.

To keep things running smoothly and manage footfall, Ikos prefers to book your evening meals for the duration of your stay in advance, so there is little room for spontaneity, though arguably you surrendered this upon signing up to a resort holiday. There is the option to dine out at a local restaurant one evening if cabin fever does set in – and some resorts have invested in ways to bring a shot of local culture to the proceedings, such as cooking classes and discounted museum passes.

Holidays now have higher stakes and need to be a guaranteed hit, which might explain why an increasing number of us are being drawn to the ritzy all-inclusive.

Here are 20 first-rate resorts around the world, from new-gen to classic, that will change your mind about the “all-inclusive” concept. This calls for a complimentary champagne toast.

Ikos Aria 

Kos, Greece 

Each of the five Ikos properties has its devotees but as the high-quality food, facilities and relaxed beach-club style is consistent across all, you are really deciding on the setting. Aria trickles down to Agios Stefanos beach, where pale (and slightly coarse) sand is lapped by clear, gentle waves. Charming ruins of a basilica sit on the shore and within swimming distance is Kastri islet, a heft of rock home only to a blue and white chapel. Back on dry land, guests can explore Kos with a day’s complimentary hire of a Mini Cooper, before tucking into freshly caught barbecued fish and exploring the expansive wine list in one of the seven superlative restaurants. Doubles from £222 (0808 111 0131; ikosresorts.com)

Marbella Elix 

Parga, Greece 

The far-off hum of a jet ski and the fizzing of crickets are about the only sounds you’ll hear at this get-away-from-it-all haven, surrounded by citrus-scented pine forests with views over the sandy arc of Karavostasi beach. The 146 open-plan rooms span a dozen categories, although all have balconies with views of the ink-blue Ionian sea and nearest islands (Paxos and Corfu). There are four restaurants (breakfast at main sea-view restaurant Saffron is a really good buffet with great waffles) but the best for dinner has to be Pearl with its new spin on Greek culinary classics. Perks for ultra all-inclusive guests include multiple à la carte dinners, unlimited access to an ice-cream bar (and cocktails in the three bars) plus a £45 credit towards spa treatments. Doubles from £231 (00 30 26610 71183; marbella.gr)

Stella Island Luxury Resort & Spa

Crete, Greece

This stylish resort, built around one of Europe’s largest lagoon pools, is an adults-only water wonderland with a tropical “Love Island” vibe. Style is minimalist: all white with lots of blonde wood, canvas and bamboo. Narrow bridges criss-cross the vast pool; couples lounge in sunken seating areas, or on islands dotted with beds and hammocks. The food is brilliant; the mezes in particular (try dakos rusks with tomatoes and grated graviera cheese or laxanika vegetarian pies piping hot from the oven). Certain ground-floor rooms have decks with direct pool access, but best for privacy are the nine South Pacific-inspired overwater bungalows. Popular all-inclusive packages include room service, a minibar and a wide range of drinks across all bars. Doubles from £227 (00 30 28975 01701; stellaisland.gr) 

Olympic Lagoon Resort 

Paphos, Cyprus

Aside from being located a 10-minute walk from Paphos town, this welcoming seafront hotel has a plethora of facilities, cool aesthetics and restaurants offering menus bursting with local flavours, which have kept it at the top of its game. Floor-to-ceiling sea views, brilliant white decor with splashes of colourful abstract art and the soothing sound of water cascading over pebbles are just three design features that greet you as you step inside. Rooms, the spa and restaurants continue the upmarket yet contemporary theme, and surround a spectacular series of lagoon-style pools enveloped by gardens and terraces – including an adults-only pool. Entertainment venues, clubs for youngsters and a tennis court and football pitch round off the amenities. Note that drinks charges apply after 11.30pm. Doubles from £188 (00 357 2527 4590; kanikahotels.com) 

Roca Nivaria Gran Hotel

Costa Adeje, Tenerife

This upscale family-focused hotel is set on a spectacular headland in Playa Paraiso. Staff are attentive and unobtrusive, and facilities include a spa, pool and tennis court. The double rooms enjoy the sort of floor space that would qualify as a suite in many hotels and feature walk-in closets, small lounge areas, king-sized beds and private terraces. Breakfast brings a spectacular selection of healthy and indulgent options, with plenty of made-to-order sections such as an omelette station and a fresh juice bar. Lunch can be taken poolside, either on a terrace or in a quirky artificial cave area. All-inclusive guests can choose to dine à la carte without additional cost and have access to drinks and snacks outside of main meal times. Doubles from £275 (00 34 9227 40202; adrianhoteles.com) 

Zafiro Palace Alcudia

Port d’Alcúdia, Mallorca

The chic and sophisticated five-star Zafiro Palace hotel has skillfully managed to combine luxury with child-friendly facilities. The majority of guests opt for the all-inclusive stay, which allows them access to four à la carte restaurants. All are stylish, from a sushi restaurant to a Mediterranean spot featuring Mallorcan specialities. Of the almost 400 rooms, options include family suites with two bedrooms, and a novel swim-up suite with direct access to a patio, pool and Balinese beds. Penthouse suites offer a fabulous roof terrace with whirlpool and loungers. Doubles from £381 (00 34 9718 97696; zafirohotels.com) 

Iberostar Selection Playa de Palma

Playa de Palma, Mallorca

This well-established resort is right by the beach with easy access to Palma and the airport. With contemporary luxe design and the option to stay on an all-inclusive basis, it appeals to couples and families looking for a superior seaside holiday experience. There is a large outdoor pool, fitness activities include aquagym and pilates, and the spa has a lovely sauna and steam room. Food in the Playa Blanca restaurant is of an excellent standard and includes island specialities such as frito mallorquín (a fried meat and vegetable dish) and roast suckling pig. Doubles from £337 (00 34 9712 66450; iberostar.com)

Club Marvy

Ozdere, Turkey

In a secluded bay on Turkey’s Aegean coast, a mile away from the small town of Ozdere, this swish beachside hideaway is home to four swimming pools (one infinity, one with a beast of a waterslide), a spa and hammam, an art gallery and two private beaches scattered throughout some 45 leafy acres of palm, pine and olive trees. It’s far removed from a generic all-inclusive, hand-made bedding and Turkish peshtemal towels come from the town of Buldan, while the slate-tiled bathrooms are stocked with organic toiletries. Food quality at the tavernas is superb, with around 30 per cent of produce coming from a nearby organic farm (think fruit and vegetables, olive oils, pomegranate and fig molasses and organic wines). Doubles from £285 (00 90 23279 76364; clubmarvy.com) 

Kempinski Hotel The Dome

Belek, Turkey

This contemporary option five miles west of Belek has everything a golfer could want, with its two world-class courses, plus enough non-sporting facilities and nearby attractions to keep the rest of the family happy. On the ground floor, a Balinese-style spa shares space with a fitness centre, and there is a large swimming pool in an attractive blue and turquoise jacquard pattern that runs the length of the hotel. Beyond that, a private beach dotted with cabanas and sun loungers leads to a wooden pier with an al fresco bar at the end. Food throughout is abundantly fresh, most of it locally sourced, and the head chef trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. The hotel operates on an all-inclusive basis, though there is an extra charge to dine at certain à la carte restaurants. Doubles from £221 (00 90 24271 01300; kempinski.com)

Rixos The Palm Dubai Hotel & Suites

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai

One of Dubai’s only all-inclusive options, Rixos is set amid mature gardens on a secluded spot of Palm Jumeirah and scores highly for its fabulous kids’ club, authentic Turkish hammam and great restaurants. It is well suited to both families and couples. Among the four pools, there is one exclusively for adults and a separate kids’ pool. The wealth of facilities includes a water sports centre and basketball and tennis courts. There are three restaurants and half a dozen bars and lounges. Make a beeline for Toro Loco for steak, L’Olivo for pasta and Aqua & More for seafood. Here, even crab thermidor is covered under the all-inclusive offering. Doubles from £374 (00 971 4457 5555; rixos.com)

Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Most tourists come to Playa Del Carmen and never leave the luxurious bubbles of their all-inclusive resorts, and Grand Velas Riviera Maya – on a vast and breezy plot beside the Caribbean sea – is certainly no different. From the vast beds of pink bougainvillaea to the manicured 1,700ft stretch of private beach, this hotel appears to be run (and maintained) like the proverbial well-oiled machine. The food is exceptional, ranging from high-end French and Italian cuisine to poolside sushi and sashimi – don’t miss the lobster tacos at the buffet restaurant. The pools are gargantuan; and there is so much space that, despite the huge footfall, the place never seems remotely crowded. Doubles from £302 (001 32 2226 8689; rivieramaya.grandvelas.com)

Le Blanc Spa Resort

Cancun, Mexico  

This couples-oriented hotel on the white sands of the Hotel Zone is one of Cancun’s most highly praised. The staff always manage to stay one step ahead: refilling poolside drinks before you ask, waiting with a clean towel as you step out of the pool, and the butlers take things even further, unpacking luggage, preparing baths and aiding relaxation with the use of aromatherapy. You can request these services through Le Blanc’s phone app, along with restaurant reservations, room service orders, and spa appointments. Doubles from £719 (001 88 8702 0913; cancun.leblancsparesorts.com)

Ozen by Atmosphere

South Malé Atoll, Maldives

While this is a top option for a luxury Maldives holiday, there is not an ounce of stuffiness. One island is the springboard to the over-water villas, snaking across the turquoise water, as well as the main restaurant, spa and sushi bar. Grab a bike from under a palm tree or hail a golf buggy and head to island number two, where a circular bar boasts spectacular views across the infinity pool and serves drinks all day. From here, it is an easy journey if you are staying in a beach villa, hidden among the tropical foliage behind. With four restaurants open for dinner and three for lunch, plus a poolside pizzeria, guests are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to dining. Doubles from £809 (00 96 0400 2222; theozencollection.com)

Kudadoo

Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives

This intimate 15-villa retreat is arguably the most lavish all-inclusive resort in the Maldives. Everything and anything is available at any time and anywhere. From unlimited spa treatments, excursions, personal training, private yoga sessions, and water sports to gourmet food (including an astounding cheese cellar), fine wines, spirits and champagne on tap, you’ll want for nothing. Pair this with the discreet, intuitive service of your private butler and you have something that will impress even the most discerning of travellers. As for the Japanese ryokan-style rooms, all have sprawling decks, their own pools as well as a private dining space. Doubles from £2,500 (00 96 0662 2000; kudadoo.com). For more places to stay, check out our guide to the best all-inclusive hotels in the Maldives.

Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas

Mahé, Seychelles 

This exclusive 30-villa resort is set on a granite headland beside the idyllic Anse Louis beach on the wild and wonderful southwest coast of the Seychelles’ main island, Mahé. The villa experience is central here and most guests spend their time holed up by their private pools or on the quiet beach. As a result, the main hub with the restaurant, bar and dramatic black lava pool is smaller than most resorts at this level and is largely deserted throughout the day. Meals can be taken at any time and anywhere and guests are welcome to personalise their menus with the chef. Rates also include premium alcoholic drinks, non-motorised water sports, scuba diving and exercise classes. Doubles from £2,034 (00 24 8467 7700; anantara.com)

Sunset at the Palms

Negril, Jamaica

This laid-back, adults-only all-inclusive option is more akin to a boutique hotel than your average Caribbean resort: the 85 rooms are treehouses on stilts and its Palm Grove restaurant, the heart of the hotel, is open-air. Decor is Asian-inspired: expect plenty of carved wood ornaments and an abundance of tropical flowers in the public spaces, from where winding paths filled with foliage lead to charming rooms. The hotel’s private beach club (which is located across a road) offers non-motorised water sports and has an open-air grill and bar. Guests can join traditional Jamaican cooking and bartending classes and there is live music nightly – although it tends to be low-key. A welcome perk is that guests get fast-track processing through Montego Bay airport. Doubles from £345 (001 87 6854 8160; sunsetpalmsnegril.com)

Jumby Bay Island

St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda

What’s not to love about a miniature Caribbean island sitting in a turquoise sea just 15 minutes from the airport off the north coast of Antigua? Here, open-sided rooms and tropical plants bring the beauty of the outside in, while the white marble bar and blue painted walls lend a seaside feel. Entry-level suites are indulgently spacious with bathrooms  spilling outside, where a vast tub awaits underneath palm fronds. The food here is top-notch, whether you opt for private dining on the beach under a gazebo strewn with fairy-lights, a formal meal at the Estate House (try the locally sourced lobster ravioli) or buffet lunch at the Veranda. All-inclusive rates include meals, fine wines and champagne, plus rum tastings, cooking classes and water sports from Hobie Cat sailing to wakeboarding. Doubles from £1,841 (00 33 1 5343 4275; oetkercollection.com)

Waves Hotel & Spa

Saint James, Barbados

This tastefully decorated property sits directly above a tranquil west-coast stretch of sand. The main beachfront section of the hotel has as its focus a large lounge bar and wooden deck with sofas and an air of low-key civility prevails throughout. In the evenings, torches light up the deck, there is often live music, and you are expected to dress up a bit. Pool and beach “ambassadors” will serve you at your sunbed, including bringing iced melon balls and cold towels, and the spa is a major selling point. As well as meals and drinks, plenty else is covered in the rates, including the water-taxi service, a short daily water-skiing or tube ride session and non-motorised water sports. Doubles from £332 (001 24 6424 7571; marriott.com)

East Winds

Gros Islet, Saint Lucia

Spread over several acres of gorgeous tropical grounds full of palms, ferns, ginger lilies and hibiscus, the well-run East Winds is an unflashy and utterly tranquil haven. With the rooms scattered in cottages over the tropical gardens, and the open-air lounge and swimming pool flanked by thick foliage, the whole hotel feels seamlessly interconnected with its surroundings. Rates include champagne in the bar and carefully chosen wines with the four-course dinners, plus water sports, and yoga and pilates classes four times a week. Expect something of a house-party atmosphere, with a bit of socialising de rigueur, especially before and after dinner in the bars. Doubles from £500 (001 75 8452 8212; eastwinds.com)

LUX* Grand Gaube

Grand Gaube, Mauritius

This romantic retreat, located on a secluded peninsula beside Grand Gaube village in the far north of the island, has a good mix of everything Mauritius offers, from a pretty swimming beach, gourmet dining and a pampering spa to activities galore, including rides in the resort’s very own seaplane. British interior designer Kelly Hoppen has created an eclectic, retro-chic look, with thatched roofs, soothing whites, splashes of colour and cool lighting. Guests may see turtles swimming over the coral on seaplane flights over the north coast, or take a private island-hopping trip by wooden pirogue (traditional fishing boat). A studio for photo fanatics offers free workshops and there is a plush cinema for rainy days. Doubles from £655 (00 23 0204 9191; luxresorts.com)

With contributions by Telegraph Travel hotel experts

Are you a fan of all-inclusive holidays? Or would you never dare set foot in one? Please let us know in the comments below