When I first started traveling alone on vacation , I ended up at an all-inclusive resort, which seemed too perfect to be true. There were the rooms I was staying in , the meals, the drinks , the pool, the nearby beaches, and lots of sunshine. It was so simple; it was just what I needed at the time. After experiencing some extended periods in Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, I began to feel cramped. It seemed there was a lot of similar bar service and food – and the same entertainment at the overcrowded swim-up bar. Retracing my journeys with East West travel guides, I realize that what I wanted was much more than a holiday; it was a chance to see the location to which I had traveled so far.
As soon as the resort became too constricting
Occasionally, I paid for excursions to see cigar-making, coffee-making, rainforest hiking trails, and offshore snorkeling. They were fun, but they also brought back memories of the sense of isolation from the rest of the world that a resort can sometimes have. In 2004, I was more than halfway through giving up on the “all inclusive” concept.
That changed in Jamaica. From the seven-mile beach of Negril, I could stroll to a jerk chicken joint, to a bar perched on the cliffs, to a reggae or steelpan music venue, and to any seafood restaurant I was interested in and order a rum punch or Red Stripe beer. I didn’t want to feel any pressure to come back to the resort just because I had paid for everything at that resort.
Why I started looking at all-inclusives again
Nonetheless, I’m interested in all-inclusives once more, as they have significantly evolved.
The numbers caught my attention. The changing hotel room occupation rates were echoed by Expedia’s Top 2025 Travel Trends list, which included all-inclusive vacations. Hotels.com’s targeted measurements found that all-inclusive resorts experienced 60% growth between 2023 and 2024. European sales of resort rooms in this same category increased by 30 percent in the same period.
It seems that Gen Z has had something to do with it. Less planning, less stress are desirable, especially when luxury can be made to be good value for younger travelers. TikTok has added another layer – resort pools, food and activities, all of which are excellent opportunities for memorable vacation moments to be shared.
Much greater choice of resorts.
All-inclusive resorts are now much more diverse. After acquiring Apple Leisure Group in 2021, Hyatt has become a major player in the all-inclusive luxury segment , and Kimpton , Marriott , and Hilton are also now big players. Today, there are over 140 properties in Latin America, the Caribbean , and Europe that are part of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection.
I was most intrigued by the diversity of experiences. For example, Hotel Xcaret Arte on Mexico’s Playa del Carmen offers art, cooking and dancing classes among many other Xcaret activities. Other properties are more basic and geared towards families, couples, or travelers who are on a budget.
The price is not always the be-all and end-all.
All-inclusive doesn’t necessarily mean low cost. Secrets’ Impression Moxché near the Mexican resort town of Cancun can charge thousands of dollars to stay in its oceanfront penthouse.
I discovered several swimming areas, pools and restaurants, but prices for selected steaks, wines, and some of the activities were not free.
A nearby upgraded preferred club also provided access to a rooftop lounge, restaurant, and infinity pool.
Straight from the very basics to luxury today
The concept dates back to 1950 when Club Méditerranée was founded by Frenchman Gérard Blitz on the island of Mallorca. The early vacation amenities were very basic: beach tents, exercise classes, campfires and meals together in a common restaurant.
Today’s version is virtually unrecognizable.
One thing that sticks with me are the differences in the all-inclusive vacation concept. It can be a convenience, but it can also be wellness programs, locally inspired food, art, nature, and more personalized experiences. With Europe continuing to be a challenge due to costs, regulations, and the varying vacation habits depending on the source country, the Balkans and Canary Islands are becoming new market opportunities.
Discovering my own balance.
I have not been to a resort for many years, but now I know when I go on vacation, I view the all-inclusive package vacation not as one that has everything set out for you, but one where you can choose how simple your vacation is.
Modern travelers are giving more thought to their vacation destinations and the activities they want to pursue on arrival. Travel news articles like those found on the East-West News Service website help them make these vital decisions.