An Overview of All-Inclusive Resort Brands
"All-inclusive" can mean different things, depending on the location, the brand and the traveler. Below is a short overview of the most popular all-inclusive resorts by brand, ranging from the moderate to the most luxurious.
With so many choices, contact a travel expert who can help arrange the all-inclusive vacation package that's right for you. We offer convenient travel packages that include your all-inclusive resorts, your airline tickets and transfers.
ALMOND RESORTS
Caribbean focused, Almond has several resorts in Barbados and St. Lucia, with complimentary shuttle service and visiting privileges among the Barbados resorts. Guests can arrange a two-island visit staying a few days on each. Almond Resorts is family friendly.
Located on the sunset side of Barbados, along the famous Gold Coast, are the premier 4-star Almond Resorts, the family oriented Almond Beach Village and Almond Casuarina Beach; the Almond Beach Club & Spa for adults only (over 16 years); and Almond Morgan Bay and Almond Smuggle.
AM RESORTS
This is a largely Mexico-focused chain but opening Caribbean properties as well. AM Resorts operates four brands:
Secrets Resorts & Spas: The focus here is couples and romance, with more upscale gourmet restaurants and spas (treatments are extra).
Dreams Resorts: More of a budget option designed for everyone and family vacation friendly. For example, Dreams Puerto Vallarta is a few minutes drive from downtown, nestled between mountains and beachfront, with all rooms with an ocean view. There are six dining venues and three pools, and a tequilla bar with 60 brands from which to choose. Preferred Club suites offer added amenities.
Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts: Aimed at luxury adult travelers, the 90-suite Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita stands alone on a wide expanse of beach on the Riviera Maya, and features a certified Thalossotherapy Spa and Anti-Aging Center, North America's first. This AAA Five Diamond rated resort features yoga classes, language lessons, wine tasting, traditional Temazcal experience and more. Additional properties include Zoetry Casa del Mar Los Cabos and Zoetry Agua Puna Cana in the Dominican Republic.
Now Resorts & Spa: a new brand which opened in the Riviera Maya.
BARCELO HOTELS & RESORTS
A Spanish-owned company, Barcelo is a well-known Latin brand, with over 181 properties and a strong presence in popular resorts areas such as Latin America, the Caribbean and Central America.
Barcelo's all-inclusive vacations are mostly value-focused and family friendly. A couple are premium, including Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe in Punta Cana, DR, which features hydro-therapy whirlpools on the balconies, rain showers, and 18-hole golf course, and added amenities.
CLUB MED
We’re not sure where the all-inclusive vacation first began, but French-owned, family-oriented Club Med fit into that history somewhere early on. Over the years, Club Med has reinvented itself from tents on a beach to become an upscale product offering all the comforts and conveniences a traveler would want.
While it maintains "villages" all over the world, including one in Florida, the most popular are in the Caribbean and Mexico. View and compare Club Med deals, (or call us for current offers).
COUPLES
Couples operates a few properties in Jamaica.
GRAND VELAS
A newer Mexican-owned luxury brand, Grand Velas features the Grand Velas All Suites and Spa Resort in Riviera Maya, spread over 80 acres and featuring a huge spa with 40 treatment rooms, 15 food and beverage options, rooms from 1,110 to over 3,000 square feet, and white sand beachfront.
Grand Velas also has two properties in the Puerto Vallarta area: Velas Vallarta Suite Resort and Casa Velas Hotel Boutique. Their concept is to have luxury properties that meet AAA's Five Diamond standards.
IBEROSTAR
Another large Spanish-based operation, with over 15 resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean (Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Punta Cana). Iberostar is primarily value-focused, but has a luxury adults-only all-inclusive line under the Grand Collection brand, with private butler service.
KARISMA HOTELS & RESORTS
Karisma is largely focused in the Riviera Maya area of Mexico, operating properties under the El Dorado branch, catering to couples, and the Azul brand, which are more family-oriented and offer children's programs. All offer a Gourmet Inclusive experience, private swim-up suites, beach butlers and other amenities.
OCCIDENTAL HOTEL & RESORTS
Occidental operates three all-inclusive brands, with resorts in Caribbean (Aruba & DR), Mexico and Costa Rica:
Royal Hideaway: For couples (adults only) in search of luxurious indulgences and pampering.
Occidental Grand:For everyone and family friendly, in the mid-range category but with a "Royal Club" option with boutique-style services within the resort.
Allegro: For price conscious families.
PALACE RESORTS
One of the larger all-inclusive brands, with a dozen ocean-front resorts, mostly in Mexico and a couple in the Caribbean. In Mexico Palace Resorts is frequently named among the best hotel chains. Palace Resorts vary quite a bit in terms of their appeal, with some more adults-oriented, some more spa-focused, and others more family-friendly. A concierge level is being added. Guests enjoy private balcony, a double Jacuzzi, complimentary minibar, deluxe linens, 24-hour room service and WiFi. Reciprocal signing privileges available between the resorts.
REAL RESORTS
A Mexico-based operation, targeting price-conscious travelers, including families, at some resorts, and offering twoall-suite luxury resorts catering to couples at The Royals in Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Here guests enjoy an adults-only atmosphere with spa-style bathrooms and in-room spa tubs.
RIU
Another large Spanish-based company, Riu has hotels and resorts in 16 countries, including 14 in Mexico and 23 in the Caribbean. The Riu Classic brand is geared to budget style, while the Riu Palace resorts are more upscale. Family friendly.
SANDALS & BEACHES
One of the more popular brands, based exclusively in the Caribbean:
Sandals: For couples, and quite popular with honeymooners, Sandals has 14 Luxury Included vacation resorts on Caribbean's best beaches in Jamaica, Antigua, St. Lucia and the Bahamas. Each resort features up to 11 dining venues, and unlimited premium drinks and wine are included. top tier suites include personal butlers. On St. Lucia Sandals is opening the first overwater suties in the Caribbean.
Beaches: "For everyone," not just couples, with a strong family focus (A Sesame Street sponsor), and one of the more upscale all-inclusives for families. Read more about Beaches All-Inclusive.
SOL MELIA
A vast Spanish hotel group with some 350 properties in 27 countries, Sol Melia features these brands:
Gran Melia: the most luxurious (and part of the Leading Hotels of the World)
Paradisus: upscale all-inclusives that offer a concierge option, and family as well as adults areas.
ME: cutting edge design and cuisine focused.
Melia: mid-range to price-conscious, family-friendly resorts.
SUPERCLUBS
Fast growing SuperClubs now offers three prime brand categories: Grand Lido, its luxury brand, Breezes and Hedonism, which caters to those looking for toga parties, nude beaches and wet T-shirt contests. Breezes has opened properties in Panama and in Buzios, Brazil.
Read more about all-inclusive vacation packages.
