All-inclusive resorts cater to couples and families who are seeking a fuss-free vacation, as well as those who want to pay one total price for their trip. With all your meals, drinks and entertainment wrapped into a single price, staying at an all-inclusive offers the chance to enjoy a relaxing getaway without feeling the pinch of getting nickeled-and-dimed.
That said, all-inclusive resorts aren’t necessarily known for their dining options or cuisine. In fact, many people associate all-inclusive resorts with bland buffets and uninspiring meals that are meant to feed the masses.
Fortunately, today’s all-inclusive resorts are elevating their culinary offerings with diverse options, locally sourced ingredients and acclaimed chefs. If you’re a foodie, follow your taste buds to these exceptional properties.
El Dorado Seaside Suites: Riviera Maya, Mexico
Located in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, about halfway between Tulum and Playa del Carmen, El Dorado Seaside Suites is practically perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic trip with someone you love. Accommodation options for romance abound, including several swim-up rooms with individual poolside patios. El Dorado Seaside Suites is also part of the Karisma brand of resorts, which is known for its “gourmet inclusive” offerings. This meal plan covered by the room rate includes customized dishes from world-class chefs, as well as breakfast, lunch, dinner and specialty bites.
This all-inclusive resort is for adults only, and the on-site dining options cater to more mature tastes as a result. Visitors to the resort can choose from various cuisines around the world, including Mexican, international, Latin fusion, Asian fusion, Italian and more. The resort even boasts a beachfront barbecue spot that serves gourmet hamburgers, grilled chicken and shrimp kebabs, among other favorites. There are also several unique swim-up bars to select from, all of which serve curated cocktails throughout the day. Past guests here have raved about the food and drinks, with many saying they didn’t have a bad meal or cocktail their entire trip.
Sun Palace Cancun: Cancun, Mexico
Sun Palace Cancun is another resort that features fresh and unique dining options in an all-inclusive setting. Geared toward adults and specifically couples, Sun Palace offers guests the chance to dine on a range of global options, from Thai and Latin American to Italian and Mexican-inspired cuisine. Four bars and a cafe serving coffees and sweets are available, and guests who want to dine with utmost privacy can opt for 24-hour room service instead of going out.
While foodies will be satisfied by the world-class gastronomy at this resort, guests who love a good drink will enjoy the premium, top-shelf spirits and the fully stocked minibar in their room. Other all-inclusive amenities to enjoy range from live entertainment and an oceanfront infinity pool to nonmotorized water sports equipment like paddleboards travelers can rent. Recent guests said their meals were excellent, with most of the positive remarks centered around dining at the Italian and Thai restaurants.
[Read: The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Cancun.]
Royalton Bavaro, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Punta Cana’s Royalton Bavaro, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort & Casino is an all-inclusive paradise for all ages, and its room options reflect its diverse clientele. The property boasts a traditional Luxury Junior Suite that comes with or without a swim-up option, and it also offers suites with one or two bedrooms that are ideal for families.
Dining options at Royalton Bavaro cater to all sorts of tastes, and fresh meals are available 24 hours a day. In addition to round-the-clock room service, visitors can opt to dine at 11 different restaurants, including a teppanyaki eatery, a Brazilian grill and an Italian trattoria.
When it comes to kid-friendly options, a food truck serves gourmet burgers and hot dogs at the beach during the day. The Gourmet Marché international buffet also serves unique dishes and fresh bites from around the world; a special kids buffet is available as well to keep everyone in your crew happy and fed. Reviewers agree the food at the property is well above average, particularly at the on-site teppanyaki restaurant. And thanks to the resort’s Marriott ties, Marriott Bonvoy rewards program members can earn points on a stay here or put points toward covering room rates.
[Read more about Punta Cana: Things to Do | Hotels | When to Visit | Photos]
IBEROSTAR Rose Hall Beach: Montego Bay, Jamaica
IBEROSTAR Rose Hall Beach is a five-star resort with a convenient location about 10 miles east of Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This kid-friendly property sits along a beautiful stretch of shoreline with crystal clear waters that are ideal for snorkeling or floating, and it has a huge oceanfront pool, a kids club and its own dive center.
Gastronomy options are impressive, and visitors can dine at four main restaurants during their stay. Options include Uncle Tony’s buffet and rotisserie (which dishes out international and Jamaican cuisine); an expansive buffet for breakfast; an Italian restaurant; and a Japanese dining outlet with options like sushi rolls, maki, gyoza, various types of teppanyaki and more. An oceanfront snack bar also offers hamburgers, hot dogs and other quick bites throughout the day.
Reviewers say the food at the property was great, especially when it comes to the jerk chicken the island of Jamaica is known for.
[Read: The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Jamaica.]
Jade Mountain Resort: St. Lucia
While Jade Mountain Resort of St. Lucia is a traditional hotel, the property offers an all-inclusive package for guests who want to bundle all their food and drinks into the nightly rate. That said, the way this resort is set up makes it unique from typical all-inclusive properties. All meals at the property are created by an expert chef and culinary team, and travelers can enjoy the tasty dishes in-suite or on the property’s Celestial Terrace. The resort’s main restaurant, Jade Mountain Club, also features James Beard Award-winning chef Allen Susser’s “Jade Cuisine,” which can be described as modern fusion cuisine with cultural influences and tropical flavors.
Resort guests can also sample fine cuisine at any of the restaurants of Anse Chastanet, which is located directly below Jade Mountain and accessible by foot or a resort shuttle. In Anse Chastanet’s Treehouse Restaurant, for example, Jade Mountain guests can nosh on fresh Caribbean cuisine. In the Piti Piton Lounge, visitors are served a vegetarian and vegan menu featuring farm-to-table ingredients, which can include locally sourced turmeric, cashews, tamarind, mango, avocado and more. There are also plenty of other amenities to enjoy at the resort, from participating in yoga or fitness classes to relaxing with a spa treatment. Guests who stayed at this chic resort seem to agree the dining experience is superb overall, especially when it comes to enjoying romantic meals at the Jade Mountain Club.
[Read: The Best Hotels in the Caribbean.]
Grand Velas Riviera Maya: Playa del Carmen, México
Grand Velas properties are known for their luxury amenities, as well as their superior on-property gastronomy. The Grand Velas Riviera Maya is no exception since it offers an array of gourmet cuisine options curated by expert chefs from around the world, including French-inspired dishes, Mexican cuisine, Asian fusion, Italian dining and more. There are eight signature restaurants to choose from, and this five-star resort also offers 24-hour suite service. Overall, consumers love the unique menus offered at the property, as well as the selection of premium spirits available.
Other perks at this luxury property include pool and beach concierge services; an in-suite minibar that’s restocked daily; a kids club and teens club; and complimentary yoga, Pilates and zumba classes, to name a few. Every suite option at the property also includes more than 1,000 square feet of space, and some have a private plunge pool.
[Read: The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Playa del Carmen.]
Twin Farms: Vermont
Vermont’s Twin Farms dubs itself as “your perfect hidden getaway,” which makes sense considering the property is tucked away on more than 300 pristine acres of Vermont countryside. Visitors come here to get away from it all, with options to ski the resort’s private mountain in the winter or go hiking, biking and exploring during other seasons of the year.
This unique all-inclusive establishment is also known for its food and wine, and its location makes it ideal for sampling locally sourced ingredients from nearby dairies and farms. The property also grows herbs, fruits and vegetables in its own garden, just as it sources syrup from its own maple trees and honey from its own beehives. The eclectic property even has its own expert sommelier, who is charged with creating wine pairings and selecting distinctive wines for every meal.
Reviewers tend to focus on one thing when recounting their visit to this property: its amazing cuisine and the unforgettable food and wine experiences they had as a result.
[Read: The Top Things to Do in Vermont.]
Sandals Royal Curacao: Curacao
Sandals Royal Curacao is the newest luxury resort from the Sandals all-inclusive brand, and it is sure to offer the type of dining experience and food quality you expect. An adults-only resort geared toward romance, Sandals Royal Curacao offers unlimited fine dining at eight different on-site restaurants and three ocean view food trucks. Cuisines offered on the property range from Latin fusion and fresh seafood to Mediterranean and Italian, and visitors can also enjoy creative cocktails made with premium liquors at 13 unique bars, including a swim-up bar. Recent guests loved the food trucks, as well as the fresh sushi offered at the property.
Suite options here are impressive as well, with many rooms offering a private plunge pool or swim-up access. Sandals Resorts also feature unlimited use of water sports (nonmotorized and motorized) equipment like snorkeling and scuba diving gear, round-trip airport transfers, and endless other perks in your stay.
[Read: The Best Hotels in Curacao.]
Margaritaville Island Reserve: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Punta Cana’s Margaritaville Island Reserve is another Karisma property that features the brand’s signature “gourmet inclusive” dining options in a luxurious all-inclusive atmosphere. This Caribbean hideaway promises immersive culinary experiences, mixology classes and cocktail tastings, and features a few signature bars with top-shelf spirits and wines from around the globe. When it comes to dining, visitors will find four amazing eateries serving everything from old-world Italian cuisine and Latin and Asian fusion food to tacos and seafood. Room service is also available 24 hours a day, including cuisine delivery directly to your room’s swim-up pool. Overall, guests rave about the food quality, particularly the breakfast buffet.
While this property is family-friendly, an adults-only section (called Hammock) is available for mature guests who want more privacy and access to an adults-only pool and swim-up bar.
[Read: The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Punta Cana.]
TRS Yucatan: Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Located about halfway between Tulum and Playa del Carmen, Mexico, TRS Yucatan is the adults-only “resort within a resort” option at the Palladium all-inclusive resort complex. Known as one of the best all-inclusive resorts for honeymoons and other romantic getaways, this property is one of very few that offers a range of rooms and suites with their own private pools. Guests at the resort can also choose from numerous other pools, including a multitiered oceanfront infinity pool and a sea pool that is fed with ocean water.
Gastronomy is taken seriously at the TRS Yucatan, and this shows in the dining options available at the resort. Guests can choose to dine at 19 different eateries across the Grand Palladium complex, including some exclusive to TRS Yucatan guests. For example, El Gaucho specializes in Argentinian specialties, whereas Tentazione offers Italian delights and La Bohème focuses on fresh French cuisine. Past guests also loved the on-site Chic Cabaret & Restaurant, which wows visitors with a multicourse dinner served alongside a dazzling burlesque show.
Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Puerto Vallarta’s Garza Blanca Reserve Resort & Spa is another traditional resort that offers an all-inclusive dining plan for guests who want to indulge. Visitors can dine at three different gourmet restaurants on-site, including a steakhouse, an innovative Mexican restaurant and an Italian eatery. Adults in each party can also eat at three restaurants at the adjacent sister resort, Hotel Mousai, which features restaurants dishing out Italian fare, Japanese cuisine and contemporary Chinese food.
Garza Blanca Preserve serves meals with mouthwatering flavors and the freshest ingredients, and the resort frequently receives rave reviews for its innovative menu options and the cleanliness of the property. When it comes to rooms, this Puerto Vallarta resort also specializes in options for families and large groups. Guests can book suites and penthouses with up to four bedrooms, some of which come with butler service. The resort also boasts a stunning oceanfront infinity pool, activities like kayaking and hiking, and a world-class spa with many relaxing treatments to choose from.
[Read: The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Puerto Vallarta.]
Belle Mont Farm: St. Kitts
The Caribbean island of St. Kitts offers lush tropical beauty, stunning white sand beaches and a range of luxury resorts that cater the most discerning guests. Travelers seeking a one-of-a-kind vacation experience for foodies should consider Belle Mont Farm, a luxury boutique hotel with an unparalleled location on 400 acres of tropical, organic farmland. Not only does this resort feature organic and creative meals made from ingredients grown and nurtured in local soil, but it also focuses on sustainability and aims to keep the resort environmentally accountable.
The resort lets travelers book a cottage or villa and they can opt for an all-inclusive package that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. The resort’s must-try al fresco “Farm Table” dining experience lets guests indulge in freshly made breads and family-style dishes as the sun sets, and the property’s main restaurant serves freshly caught seafood, free-range proteins, and organic fruits and vegetables plucked directly from the farm’s land. Traveler favorites at the resort include the homemade pastries and rolls, as well as the freshly caught fish served on a daily basis.
You might also be interested in:
— The Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts
— The Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S.
— The Top All-Inclusive Family Resorts in the World
— The Top Cancun All-Inclusive Family Resorts
— The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean
— The Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico
More from U.S. News
25 Top Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resorts
17 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the USA
13 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida
12 All-Inclusive Resorts with the Best Food originally appeared on usnews.com
