If your idea of an all-inclusive hotel includes bad food and basic rooms, it might be time to reconsider. The latest generation of all-inclusive resorts includes fabulous restaurants, exclusive beachfront locations and a range of personalized activities. 

It’s a stress-free and surprisingly affordable option, especially come wintertime. Below are some of our favorite tropical all-inclusive resorts, all just a few hour's plane ride from many U.S. cities.

Sandpiper Bay Resort (Port Lucie, Florida) $

This newly-opened property on the St. Lucie River is one of the best all-inclusive deals in the country. It has fewer amenities than other all-inclusive options in the area, but makes up for it with good food, well-appointed rooms and a prime location right on the water.

Rates start at $313 for a junior suite.

What’s Included

1. All food, most alcoholic beverages, some beach equipment, and activities.

Accommodations

1. New Rooms - The hotel was completely renovated in 2022, with accommodations that are fresh, modern and surprisingly large, starting at 434 square feet.

Food

1. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served buffet-style in the resort’s main restaurant, while a cafe and bar serve a la carte beach fair throughout the day. 
2. Match Point Kitchen: Sandpiper Bay Resort’s main dining room serves buffet-style meals, with an eclectic and constantly changing menu that gets high guest marks. According to Tripadvisor, some guests have praised the freshness and quality of the food, noting that it is prepared on-site by experienced culinary staff.
3. Lucie’s: This waiter service beachside cafe serves staples like burgers and beer-battered fish and custom cocktails. Some travelers have expressed disappointment, mentioning limited dining options and buffet-style service that did not meet their expectations according to Tripadvisor.

Amenities

In addition to two waterside pools, the Sandpiper Bay Resort features a small list of complimentary beachside extras. 

1. Water Sports: Guests can explore the St. Lucie river with paddleboards, kayaks, and motorized water sports like jet skis, for an additional fee.

Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences (Labrelotte Bay, St. Lucia) $$

The Windjammer Landing Resort & Residences enjoys a particularly gorgeous location on the tip of Labrelotte Bay in St. Lucia, itself one of the most gorgeous countries in the world. 5 hours by plane from New York City, this island nation feels worlds away.

Rates start at $570 per night for a double room.

What’s Included

1. All drinks, most alcohol, 24-hour in-room dining, and free meals for children under 11.

Accommodations

1. Beach and Hillside Rooms: Windjammer Landing’s 220 rooms and villas are located both on the water and nestled among the trees of the hillside property. Chic accommodations include custom teak furniture with balconies in every room, and private pools in certain suites.

Food

The property has seven restaurants featuring a range of cuisines, as well as five bars, three of which are beachside. Here are a few favorites.

1. Masala at Embers: This sophisticated Indian restaurant features a menu of modernized classics from Chef Vikram Singh. The restaurant's beachfront setting enhances the dining experience, providing a scenic backdrop for meals. Guests have praised the flavorful dishes, with the butter chicken and freshly baked naan receiving particular acclaim. 
2. Papa Don’s: Perched right on the hillside, Papa Don’s traditional Italian dishes are served alongside once-in-a-lifetime vistas. The restaurant has received mixed reviews from visitors. Some guests praise the generous portions and dishes like the Tuscan Pasta, as well as the attentive service provided by staff members. However, other diners have expressed disappointment, citing tasteless dishes.

Amenities

Windjammer Landing doesn’t have a ton of complimentary amenities but offers some special excursions for a fee. The hotel’s six pools help make up for it.

1. Water Gear: Windjammer Landing offers complimentary access to a range of water sports like windsurfing and pedal boating, as well as some motorized water sports.
2. Island Experiences: St. Lucia is an amazing place to explore, and the resort can arrange unique excursions like volcano tours.
3. Spa: A well-appointed spa offers a range of face and body treatments. Certain packages come with spa credits

The Caves, (Negril, Jamaica) $$$

Perched on the limestone cliffs above scenic Negril Point, The Caves is one of Jamaica’s most stunning and intimate all-inclusive resorts. It’s far more low-key than the island’s big-name hotels, with personalized service, notably good food and truly peaceful environs. 

Rates start at $710 per night for a one-bedroom villa.

What’s Included

All food, most drinks, airport transportation, and some water gear and accessories.

Accommodations

1. Individual Bungalows The Caves comprise 11 standalone guest houses, ranging from one to four bedrooms. Each is designed traditionally, with thatched roofs and original stone detail.

Food

The Caves is known for its locally sourced menu, with three picturesque eateries and bars across the property.

1. The Gazebo: This cliffside open-air dining room boasts stunning vistas of the Caribbean Sea and freshly prepared Jamaican cuisine. Guests can enjoy breakfast options such as fresh banana pancakes, made-to-order omelettes, and traditional Jamaican dishes like ackee and saltfish. While specif Gazebo are limited, The Caves Hotel has received praise for its exceptional service and unique dining experiences, including private cave dinners, according to Tripadvisor.
2. Blackwell Rum Bar: One of the most unique bars in Jamaica, Blackwell Rum Bar is located in a limestone cave on the property, accessed by a wood footbridge down the property’s volcanic cliffs. The bar is renowned for its selection of rums, including the locally produced Blackwell Rum, owned by Chris Blackwell, the hotel's proprietor.

Amenities

In addition to property perks like a spectacular salt-water pool and its Aveda Spa (for an additional charge), The Caves offers some nice complimentary extras.

Airport Transportation Complimentary shuttles pick up and drop off guests from Sangster International Airport. 

1. Water Sports: The Caves has a designated water sports concierge on staff, who leads complimentary snorkeling and cliff diving expeditions for guests. 

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit (Nayarit, Mexico) $$$$

This luxurious resort near Puerto Vallarta gets rave reviews for its exceptional service and world-class dining, as well as a vast array of 5-star services and activities for travelers of every age.

Rates start at $1,100 per day.

What’s Included

Breakfast, lunch and dinner at five on-site restaurants, most alcohol, 24-hour room service, personal concierge.

Pricing

Rates run from $1,100-$1,400 a day, from November through January. The rate includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, a selection of premium spirits, certain spa services, and access to the golf club.

Accommodations

1. All-Suite The hotel’s 267 suites all feature separate living rooms and ocean views. All suites feature private terraces with teak furniture imported from Bali, offering captivating ocean views.

Food

There are 7 restaurants on-site, featuring cuisines from around the world. Some highlights from the inclusive package include:

1. Frida: Headed by chef Abigail Pérez, this lively restaurant features a thoughtful menu of classic Mexican dishes. Guests can dine in the vibrant indoor dining room or on the outdoor terrace, which provides stunning ocean views. Live guitar music enhances the dining experience, creating a lively and authentic atmosphere. 
2. Lucca: Consistently ranked as one of Puerto Vallarta’s best restaurants, Lucca serves fantastic Italian food from a chic dining room overlooking the water. The menu features a variety of dishes, including fresh Pacific seafood, handmade pastas, and specialties such as lamb chops with creamy carrot polenta and Chilean sea bass with a Sicilian crust.

Amenities

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit’s inclusive-rate program focuses on activities, with a plethora of changing daily options both on-site and in greater Puerto Vallarta.

1. Personal Concierge: Guests are assigned a personal concierge throughout their stay.
2. Spa & Wellness: The resort offers yoga and pilates classes daily, as well as daily access and some complimentary services at their luxuriously-appointed SE Spa.
3. Kids Clubs: The property features large, beautifully appointed clubs and playrooms for children from 2-17 years old, with scheduled events most days.

Guana Island (British Virgin Islands) $$$$$

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be Richard Branson, a trip to Guana Island might provide the answer. This 5-star boutique resort sits on a private island in the British Virgin Islands, with turquoise surf and pristine rainforests generally reserved for the eyes of billionaires. 

Rates start at $1,995 per night.

What’s Included 

All meals, wine, and snacks, and a personal concierge. Also, water sports, beach access, wellness activities, and boat transfers, provide a private and luxurious experience.

Accommodations

1. Private Villas The hotel comprises 18 rustic guest houses, each with a private pool. No more than 35 guests are at the resort at a given time. Guests enjoy the serene and secluded atmosphere, with easy access to the island's pristine beaches and natural beauty, ensuring an exclusive and tranquil stay.

Food

Guana Island’s kitchen is headed by chef Xavi Arnau of Spain’s El Bulli, with one on-site restaurant.

1. The Clubhouse: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in an intimate setting overlooking the Caribbean, featuring fresh produce from the island’s farm. Fresh snacks and drinks are also served throughout the day. The clubhouse offers a variety of dishes, including casual meals and snacks, in a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere. It's the perfect spot to unwind after a day of activities, with a selection of cocktails, wines, and light bites.

Amenities

Guana Island’s steep rate includes some luxurious perks.

1. Each room is assigned one of the staff’s knowledgeable butlers, to help arrange everything from catamaran reservations to ice cream sundaes. 
2. 7 Private Beaches: The 850-acre island boasts 7 beaches for all 35 guests.

A modest budget isn’t a good excuse for not skipping town this winter. Whether you’re in need of a weekend getaway or the trip of a lifetime, all-inclusive resorts are a great option for less stressful and oftentimes way more affordable tropical vacations. As a wise millennial once said: treasure awaits on the other side of cringe.