The Evolution of the All-Inclusive

For decades, the all-inclusive resort segment has provided travelers with unprecedented convenience and value, but that’s just part of the story. While all-inclusive resorts combine meals, beverages, accommodations, and entertainment into a one-price package, these properties have evolved to encompass an array of custom-designed amenities, facilities, and services designed to appeal to a wide swath of travelers—some of whom are very discerning.

Today, contemporary all-inclusive resort companies include properties that are designed for many types of travelers—including couples, luxury travelers, families, adventurers, and health-and-wellness enthusiasts.

“It’s quite remarkable to see some of the changes in the all-inclusive business,” said Kevin Froemming, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Playa Resorts, adding that all-inclusives were once known for offering resort stays for travelers who were extremely cost conscious. “The all-inclusive market has been elevated to where the most successful companies are those that are delivering five-, five-star plus deliverables.”

In short, today’s all-inclusive resorts bear little resemblance to the properties that first characterized the category. Here is an update on the latest all-inclusive trends.

DISTINCTIVE DIGS

Guest accommodations at all-inclusive resorts have taken a major leap forward, with an emerging generation of guestrooms and suites that have become more lavish and multifaceted. A case in point is Sandals Resorts, whose overwater bungalows and villas are at the forefront of these new accommodations. Once available primarily in South Pacific destinations, the suites provide Caribbean destinations with an entirely new class of accommodations. The Sandals overwater suites also feature exclusive guest services, including in-room dining and room service menus, personal airport greeting and expedited immigration services, plus private luxury transfers and welcome gifts.

Adam Stewart, SRI’s chief executive, describes the accommodations as a “self-contained world” for discerning travelers. “Guests have facilities for cooking as well as totally customized menus featuring any cuisine they want, around the clock,” he said.

“Everything is self-contained here, so they can do anything they want. They can be picked up straight from the ocean and never have to touch land if it’s a catamaran cruise or a water-based tour. It’s just a whole different vibe.”

ADULTS ONLY

This segment is one of the hottest in the all-inclusive resort sector, with Caribbean and Mexico resorts expanding the format with new properties that exclude children to focus on destination wedding couples and their guests, honeymooners, and couples simply seeking some quality time with each other, as well groups of singles traveling together.

New adults-only resorts that opened within the past year in the Dominican Republic include CHIC Punta Cana, a 323-room resort on Uvero Alto Beach, and Hotel Riu Republica, a 1,007-room property that overlooks Punta Cana’s Arena Gorda Beach.

The Dominican Republic’s Viva Wyndham V Samana, another new adults-only resort, opened in the country’s Samana region earlier last year, while the Bahia Principe Samana Hotel, a 149-room, adults-only luxury property, opened late last year.

Also new in the category is Jamaica’s 455-room Royalton Negril. The resort features the 94-room Hideaway at Royalton, an adults-only boutique resort within the larger property. Another Royalton property with an adults-only “hideaway” section is the 455-room Royalton Saint Lucia Resort & Spa, which opened in March.

The Bahamas’ Paradise Island resort district last year welcomed its first new property since 2007, with the opening of the adults-only Warwick Hotel.

Upscale accommodations and amenities are a feature of adults-only UNICO 2087 Hotel Riviera Maya, which debuted last year. The 448-room property offers accommodations with ocean views, plunge pools, and double hydro spa tubs as well as in-room mini-bars stocked with guests’ preferences.

“UNICO 2087 Hotel Riviera Maya offers relaxed luxury with a hyper-focus on providing an unfiltered view of modern Mexico and a deep connection to the region through all areas of the guest experience,” said Ash Tembe, AIC Hotel Group’s vice president of global field sales.

“From our rotating-chef restaurant [to our] art and artisanal programs, pop-up programming showcasing musicians from the area, local host concept and much more, we are creating an entirely new kind of immersive experience.”

Playa Hotels & Resorts has emerged as a key player in the adults-only all-inclusive segment with the Hyatt Zilara Cancun, which features suites with stunning ocean views, and an Olympic-sized infinity pool, among other notable features. For its part, the Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica, is distinguished by lush grounds and accommodations that offer private balconies, plus swim-up suites featuring personal butler service.

NEW DESTINATIONS

In addition to introducing new accommodations and resort formats, all-inclusive properties are also expanding to new destinations across the Caribbean and Mexico. Riu Hotels & Resorts’ Riu Dunamar opened in December in Costa Mujeres, a fast-developing region of Cancun, located 30 kilometers (about 18.5 miles) from the Cancun hotel zone.

The upscale resort features free WiFi across the property, more than 700 rooms with such amenities as minibars and premium liquor dispensers, and five outdoor swimming pools with lounge chairs and umbrellas. Guests can also opt for aquatic sports like kayaking and snorkeling, or spend some time at the hotel’s Splash Water World water park.

Another highly anticipated resort launch came to fruition in March with the opening of Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos. The 373-room property features designer suites, a 29,000-square-foot spa with 25 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy, a 3,961-square-foot fitness center and wellness center, juice bars, four plunge pools, and gourmet cuisine.

Exclusive services include around-the-clock butler and room service, Apple TV and Bulgari amenities. The beachfront adults-only resort’s suites measure more than 760 square feet and feature private terraces.

Sandals Royal Barbados, an all-suite resort originally conceived as an expansion of the nearby Sandals Barbados, opened earlier this year as a stand-alone property. It features the company’s first rooftop pool and bar, its first four-lane bowling alley, its first barbershop and two new restaurant concepts: American Tavern and Chi Asian.

The 222 all-suite resort will also feature Sandals’ signature accommodations, including the Skypool Suites, Swim-up Suites, and Millionaire Suites, plus gourmet cuisine at six restaurants. Sandals officials are also planning a new resort in Tobago, which would be the company’s first in the dual-island nation.

“New developments like Sandals Royal Barbados will go a long way to keep our destination fresh and top-of-mind with potential holidaymakers, with the assurance that they will still have a safe and unforgettable holiday,” said William “Billy” Griffith, CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.

“An established brand such as Sandals inspires great confidence in Barbados as a destination as we promote our island's diverse, high-caliber product offerings around the world.”

While Ocho Rios is not a “new” Caribbean destination, the district welcomed its first new property in generations with the launch a couple of years ago of Palace Resorts’ Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Resort. The beachfront resort features what is billed as the island’s largest spa, an upscale kid’s club with a small splash park, plus large oceanview rooms and concierge-level suites that provide guests with VIP treatment.