Oh, the luxury all-inclusive, how we love you! We have entered a new era of all-inclusive hotels, and they are now the very definition of a luxury holiday; an invitation to fully switch off without the worry of mounting costs or how to entertain the children.
Our handpicked collection of all-inclusive properties represent the best of the best, with slick service, chic interiors, exquisite cuisine and all the activities you could wish for. Feasts fit for royals (unlimited freshly caught lobster, yes please), while children ace their tennis serve, learn how to sail or have the time of their lives in bedazzling kids clubs.
Read on to find out about some our favourite all-inclusives; from far-flung islands hotels for some winter sun, Mediterranean favs, to safaris with all the trimmings. Here’s our favourite all-inclusive trips to book for 2024.
CARIBBEAN
Spice Island Beach Resort, Grenada
With laid back charm, genuine West Indies hospitality and effortless elegance, this is dreamy old-school perfection. Located in the southwestern tip of Grenada on Grand Anse Beach you will find sprawling villas discretely nestled in amongst lush gardens, overlooking turquoise waters and white sands. We love the authenticity here; the gentle sound of calypso or reggae whilst feasting on traditional Caribbean and Creole dishes. Being all-inclusive, the joy is that many of the activities here come as part of your stay. From PADI certified diving, snorkelling from the beach, kayaks, paddle boards and hobie cats, while back on land, there’s a tennis court, and complimentary green fees at the nearby Grenada Golf and Country Club. There is also an excellent kids club for those with younger children looking for a slower pace.
Curtain Bluff – Antigua
Expertly combining parental bliss with kid-friendly all bells and whistles fun; being attentive but not overbearing, Curtain Bluff is a timeless classic that gets it right every time. The complimentary kids club is out of this world with top-notch entertainment (expect anything from art classes to beach sports) as well as an after-dinner service where a team takes sleepy children back to their rooms while parents stay to enjoy dinner under the stars. There are endless activities – scuba diving, snorkelling, water skiing and wakeboarding to kayaks and paddleboards, even a tennis clinic to practice your backhand and vast swimming pool for some serious lengths. And not only is it all included in the price but there is a no tip policy – guests can donate instead to a local fund that helps villagers with college and medical fees.
Cap Maison Resort and Spa – St Lucia
Hacienda charm with terracotta floors, trailing bougainvillea and decorative Spanish tiles, Cap Maison perches on a clifftop with spectacular views all around and is the ultimate place to get away from it all. Meals and wines by the glass are included and whilst there is off-the-scale exceptional dining we love nothing more than heading to the Naked Fisherman beach bar, which serves some of the best grilled seafood. The suites & villas are perfect for families and masses to do with older kids. Hike peaks, trek through rainforests or cycle around the island and take advantage of all the complimentary non-motorised water sports. Oh, and champagne delivered by zip wire at Rock Maison really is another level service!
EUROPE
Daios Cove, Greece
The welcoming and super luxe Daios Cove never fails to disappoint. A scatter of pretty villas that edge towards the beach in amphitheatre formation, all with sweeping views out to sea, this is pure gold for families. For those with small children, we would highly recommend going for a Villa with your own private pool, (they brilliantly comes with all the kiddie paraphernalia you might ever need) and the kids club is genuinely fantastic. All six restaurants cater well for both fussy children and fine dining foodies, from simple spaghetti to top-notch seafood. Whether you choose to meander down to the private beach, head to the infinity pool, play a game of tennis or indulge in the spa, there really are so many activities that you need not ever leave the hotel.
Hillside Club, Turkey
A beach resort on the Aegean coast with three private blue flag beaches and surrounded by pine trees, Hillside is a wonder. The hotel welcomes children with open arms, offering everything from DJ workshops, sports instructors to evening shows put on by dedicated entertainment teams. As you’d expect there are activities galore including windsurfing, canoeing, paddleboarding, sailing, diving, waterskiing and wakeboarding. While it sometimes is all about the kids, we also rather love the sound of the adult-only ‘silent beach”, home to the Sanda Nature Spa for a spot of pampering, and the adult-only beach a short boat ride away to completely switch off. And we can’t not mention the food – here you will feast on the freshest seafood, delicious local dishes and Italian cuisine.
Cretan Malia Park, Greece
Lush botanical gardens, giant palms, gnarled olive trees and the glittering sea beyond, this place has put so much thought into family holidays, catering to both parents and children alike. Just imagine a kids club completely free of charge, open six days a week! It offers an extensive programme of activities, while The Place gives teens somewhere to socialise; their own chill out area with hammocks, cinema screening, table tennis and discos. Parents can take advantage of babysitting services available to enjoy some time a deux, wine tasting or cookery lesson, lazing in a hammock with a book, or heading to the Beach shack for a light snack. And whether you choose to explore rural Crete, an action-packed day of watersports, or simply whiling away the hours by the pool, there’s something for everyone in the family. The Crush – ice cream, crepes and milkshakes by the pool will steal everyone’s heart.
Verdura, Italy
On the South-west coast of Sicily next to the seaside town of Sciacca, the sprawling two hundred and thirty hectares of Verdura Resort is family friendly and five star with all the trimmings: Incredible facilities, golf courses, free Kids Club, sixty metre swimming pool, sports academies for budding stars, cooking school for the gourmands and an incredible spa with its very own mineral-rich thalassotherapy pools. Not to mention seven tennis courts, a full-size football pitch and dedicated children’s golf lessons, while down at the private beach there is a water sports club for all ages and yachts to charter for the day. If you venture beyond the resort, there is culture at every turn – Greek temples, Norman churches, Baroque fishing villages, unspoilt islands, and a volcano to boot –a place to inspire budding historians and archaeologists.
Méribel – F&P Catered Chalets
With its cosy, traditional chalets and the incredible views of the mighty Mont Blanc, Méribel has a loyal following who love the laid back atmosphere and easy access to the Three Valleys. All-inclusive in the mountains comes in the form of our Catered Chalets. With five course suppers, free flowing wines and cocktails, hearty breakfasts, all day drivers service and housekeeping included. All families and friends need to do after a day on the slopes is relax and enjoy the chalet facilities.
AFRICA
House in the Wild, Kenya
A Kenyan safari lodge discretely set on a bend in the Mara River in Naretoi; a one thousand acre private estate in the Enonkishu Conservancy. With its own resident pride of lions, healthy leopard population and herd of elephant who visit during the dry season, guests are always in for a treat when it comes to game drives. Here, no two days will ever be the same with so much on offer beyond the game drives; you can throw yourself into the local culture with community visits, enjoy private tutorials with the resident wildlife photographer or fish in the Mara River. House in the Wild is ideal for families with children of all ages – many of the cottages can have extra beds added and there are specially crafted activities for youngsters.
Singita Faru Faru, Grumeti Game Reserve Tanzania
Deep within the 350,000 acre Singita private reserve lies the exceptional Singita Faru Faru. Safari chic cleverly combining luxury with thoughtful child-friendly touches this is a place which creates out of this world safari experiences for families with excellent wildlife viewing for all ages. Spacious family suites are perfect for families and we love the tailored child-friendly activities: the Mini Rangers course, guided nature walks, wildlife tracking, bush survival skills and bird spotting designed to instil an appreciation for nature. For adults we can’t recommend the stargazing safari, also horseback safaris for a truly immersive experience.