The 20 Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Families

Created with families in mind, this tropical-beach resort in Mexico brings Nickelodeon’s beloved characters and signature elements (including slime!) to life in creative, whimsical and surprisingly luxurious ways. The Nickelodeon Resort Riviera Maya features a six-acre water park with more than 20 slides, as well as various oceanfront swim-up suites—including a Ninja Turtles–themed “Lair Suite” and a SpongeBob-themed “Pineapple Suite.” There are also multiple dining venues, including Good Burger, Bikini Bottom Bar and the Snick Lounge, not to mention myriad opportunities to meet Nickelodeon “celebrities” such as Dora and Diego, Patrick and SpongeBob, Shimmer and Shine, and Wanda and Cosmo, to name just a few. There’s also a Nick-themed Kids Club, the Plaza Orange (for dance parties) and an immersive theater experience (think more slime).

Pros:

• Immersive theming
• All-day entertainment

Con:

• Better suited for younger kids than tweens and teens

Beaches Turks & Caicos hooks kiddos of all ages with its incredible on-site amenities. We’re talking a 45,000-square-foot water park, which includes a story-high SkySlide (the tallest of its kind in Turks and Caicos), plus 10 swimming pools, multiple kids clubs geared toward infants through teens, an Xbox Play Lounge and even a teen nightclub. Families can sprawl out in the seaside villas and suites, and with nearly 20 restaurants to choose from, even the pickiest eater can find something to like. The property also boasts five distinct villages, each one featuring architecture inspired by a different destination, such as Italy, France and Key West. And then there are the 12 miles of pristine beaches perfect for swimming, lounging or trying out a bevy of water sports. Beaches Turks & Caicos is the only Caribbean resort to offer a comprehensive scuba program—and it’s included in your daily rate.

But parents of babies and tots just might get the best deal here. A stay at a Beaches Resort includes care from certified nannies at the kids camp, which has an infant-to-staff ratio of 3:1 for 0 to 11 months, and 5:2 for 12 to 24 months—and nannies are included every day of your stay. (Yes, you read that right!) Additionally, there is a nurse on property all day, every day. Private childcare services are also available at additional cost.

Pros:

• Nannies watch the kids at no extra cost
• You can leave your baby gear at home—the resort has everything on site for free

Con:

• Babysitting costs extra

You don’t have to leave the country to enjoy an incredible stay at Club Med—you just need to head to Florida! Nestled along the St. Lucie River, Club Med Sandpiper Bay offers a seemingly endless list of family activities in a lush, tropical setting. The all-inclusive experience in Florida includes beverages, meals and snacks at the resort’s buffets, bars and restaurants. You’ll also get complimentary access to things like sports academies, a flying trapeze school, water sports, morning yoga and kids clubs geared to every age from tots to teens. There are also childcare options for when grown-ups want to sneak away to enjoy a cocktail by the adults-only infinity pool.

Pros:

• Trapeze school for kids and adults
• Kids clubs for every age, including a teen lounge

Con:

• Not on an ocean beach

How does a 19th-century resort set in a Victorian castle peering over a lovely lake and surrounded by 40,000 acres of forest sound to you? Nestled in the Hudson Valley and situated on a private glacial lake with views of the Catskill Mountains, Mohonk Mountain House is located at the top of a rocky bluff, and the words scenic and stunning don’t even begin to do it justice. It’s just 90 miles north of New York City, so it’s a great getaway for city folks. Guest amenities at this all-inclusive family resort include three incredible farm-to-table meals a day, archery, arts and crafts, disc golf, tennis, swimming, guided hikes, kayaking and a spa for the adults. The resort offers a vast slate of winter programming too, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and ice skating. It’s the kind of vacation your family will always remember and one of the East Coast vacations you need to take at least once.

Pros:

• You get to sleep in a real castle
• Drivable from New York City

Con:

• Lake swimming only in the summer months

If you think all-inclusive means massive and sprawling, think again. The Sirenian Bay Resort on the Caribbean coast of Belize offers a boutique-property stay without skimping on the all-inclusive perks. Among the highlights are spacious two-bedroom villa suites, perfect for families to spread out (plus a range of larger home options for extended family getaways); a private beach; the only mini-golf course and pickleball courts in the entire country; and a separate pool just for dive-in movies. Sirenian also owns local snorkeling and tour companies, so it’s easy to add a ziplining and tubing adventure in the rain forest or a snorkeling trip to a tropical cave to your stay. Placencia, the city where the resort is located, is also a hidden gem for off-season travel.

Pros:

• Intimate environment means you can easily keep an eye on the kids
• Larger villa options for multigenerational vacations

Con:

• Limited evening entertainment

Beaches Negril is located on the widest stretch of Negril’s famous Seven Mile Beach, one of our favorite beaches because of its creamy sand, azure water, swaying palm trees and gentle surf—all of which add up to one perfect spot for swimming and soaking in the sun. This family-friendly resort offers beachfront suites complete with butler service and all the included luxuries that make this vacation as relaxing for parents as it is fun for kids. Just steps from the beach, you’ll find Pirates Island water park, filled with huge waterslides, kid-friendly pools and swim-up soda bars, not to mention water cannons, whirlpools and lazy rivers.

Pros:

• Water park with plenty of fun diversions for kids
• One of the best beaches in the world right outside your door

Con:

• The calm water isn’t a fit for surfers

“Luxe island living” is the perfect description of The Landings Resort that offers one-, two- and three-bedroom villas with private terraces providing incredible views of the resort’s yacht marina and Rodney Bay. The spa’s serene vibe is impossible to resist, so it’s a good thing the kids club has so much to offer little ones, including picnics to nearby Pigeon Island, beach cricket and lawn games, and sand-sculpting contests. Families that love adventure will want to take a guided hike up St. Lucia’s signature volcanic spires or go on a family zip-lining expedition for a totally different viewpoint. Adventure seekers can also drive right into the crater of St. Lucia’s La Soufriere Drive-In Volcano and walk between the bubbling sulfur springs and steam pools.

Pros:

• Close to island highlights for adventure outings
• The kids club offers nearby excursions

Con:

• No special teen facilities

Set on 10 acres of beachfront property, the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa is the largest all-inclusive family resort on the charismatic island nation of St. Maarten. The vibrant resort is one of the island’s primary entertainment hubs, with the biggest casino and nightclub on the island for adult diversions. It also features an extensive array of dining and activity options, including the Oasis Pool with a swim-up bar. For the kids, there’s the Beach House Kids Club, an Aqua Park, a pizzeria, play areas and a separate media-equipped hangout for teens with everything from pool table to PlayStation.

Pros:

• Tons of entertainment and diversions for every age
• Direct access to Maho Beach

Con:

• Close to the airport

The Royalton Bavaro in Punta Cana is one of the ultimate all-inclusive resorts for families, and it’s nestled on the shores of one of the most-visited beaches in the world. Kids and adults can test their skills on the FlowRider wave-riding machine, float along a 1,200-foot lazy river, tee off on a miniature golf course or choose from an array of non-motorized water sports. Families can bond over a Dominican cooking class or paddle boarding adventure. And when the adults need a break, there’s a casino and a spa to indulge in. Accommodations include unique swim-out family suites, and there are tons of restaurants to ensure everyone in the group can find something they like.

Pros:

• Cool water-park features, including the FlowRider
• Family swim-out suites

Con:

• Spread-out property means lots of walking

Cool off this summer with a must-see outdoor adventure in the Last Frontier, which happens to have some of the most spectacular all-inclusive resorts in the USA. Salmon Falls Resort is an intimate waterfront property located at the southernmost entrance of Alaska’s iconic Inside Passage—aka the Salmon Capital of the World. Its all-inclusive package includes three meals a day, fishing gear, airport transfers, accommodations and fish processing, but the fun doesn’t stop there. Sign up for a floatplane fishing adventure, try a salmon roe and wine pairing, step aboard a wildlife-watching boat safari, go bear watching with expert guides, soar above the Misty Fjords in a floatplane, hike a rainforest trail and explore the waters of Clover Passage by kayak.

Pros:

• Incredible fishing opportunities
• Unparalleled nature experiences

Cons:

• Very remote
• Accessible only in the summer

Surrounded by the Sierra Madre Mountains and nestled on the Banderas Bay near downtown Puerto Vallarta, the Marriott Puerto Vallarta is a mountain-meets-ocean resort that offers fun for the whole crew, with everything from kayaking and paddle boarding in the aqua ocean to swimming in the area’s largest infinity pool. A kids club offers locally inspired activities for ages 4 to 12, with fun, colorful outdoor and indoor play areas, and the club’s staff teaches kids about Mexican culture with Spanish lessons, barro-clay pottery painting, bilingual folktales and Mexican cooking lessons.

Pros:

• Mexican culture and crafts at the kids club
• Turtle-release program

Con:

• No teen club

There aren’t many all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean where you can “join the circus,” but at Club Med Punta Cana, that’s exactly what you’ll do at Creactive by Cirque du Soleil, a playground for adrenaline junkies, where adults and kids alike can hang from aerial silks, jump on trampolines and pretend to be acrobats on a flying trapeze. Water lovers can try out the resort’s giant stand-up paddleboards designed for two, or sign up for sailing school. There are also kids clubs for ages 4 to 17, as well as a range of special amenities for babies, tots and toddlers. Babysitting is available for children as young as 4 months. Extra bonus: This tropical oasis is just 10 minutes from the airport.

Pros:

• You can join the circus!
• Kids activities for every age group

Con:

• Babysitting costs extra

Adventure lovers and beach bums alike love Divi Little Bay Beach Resort, a stunning all-inclusive Caribbean resort situated on a private peninsula between Little Bay and Great Bay. Hilltop suites come with full kitchens and large living rooms perfect for families, and both suites and guest rooms have sweeping bay views. Activities include kayaking, scuba diving and swimming in your choice of three freshwater pools, and kids 12 and up can join in without adults. St. Maarten is known as the friendliest of the Caribbean islands, and it’s easy to explore and meet the locals. Phillipsburg, the charming Dutch capital, is an easy drive from the resort.

Pros:

• Beautiful views
• Full in-room kitchens for late-night snacking

Con:

• No special activities for younger kids

With sweeping vistas, infinity pools, swim-up bars and spacious suites that allow plenty of room for the whole family, the Grand Solmar starts out strong as a top all-inclusive resort. All the rooms have full kitchens, like your very own beach house rental, so you can always have snacks nearby, and you can enjoy a pristine private beach and watch migrating whales pass. But what puts it over the top for families is the mini water park and saltwater lagoon with rope swings and waterslides that will keep the kids occupied for hours; you can even paddle a kayak around in the lagoon. In addition, the property has a kids club for ages 4 to 12 (included in the all-inclusive rate), so Mom can go to the spa and Dad can play golf at the new Greg Norman Signature golf course.

There are also multiple restaurants, cooking classes, movie nights and a weekly market with live Mexican music and crafts. Plus, there’s a 24-hour taco and tamale menu in case you get a late-night craving!

Pros:

• Round-the-clock tacos
• Rooms with full kitchens

Con:

• No kids club for children under 4 or over 12

Located on a spectacular beachfront setting with views over Bahia de Banderas and the tropical forests of the Sierra Madre Mountains, this all-inclusive Hilton is perfectly situated just five minutes from Puerta Vallarta’s historic downtown. The resort has a kids club (for ages 4 to 12) alongside kid-friendly activities such as jewelry making and cooking classes. For teens ages 13 to 17, there are street art and photography workshops, contemporary music and dance classes, and Teens Zone, an exclusive lounge area where teens can relax and socialize. At the end of the day, regroup as a family and dress up for the evening to enjoy live music and a large variety of entertainment.

Pros:

• Close to the Puerto Vallarta historic center
• Numerous activities for teens and younger kids

Con:

• No programming for kids under 4

Yup, there’s more than one Nickelodeon Resort, and this one in Punta Cana actually came on the scene first. This is one of the best all-inclusive resorts for families looking for a bargain, since prices are lower than its Mexico sister property, and it’s a more affordable kid-friendly experience than Disney World, with just as much of a fun factor for your tiny travelers. When you book a stay here, all meals, beverages (alcoholic and otherwise) and 24-hour room service are included. Kids will also get to meet Dora the Explorer, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and other beloved characters from Nickelodeon. Oh, and they’ll get slimed—as in, really covered with green goo like on TV—and that’s sure to make them smile long after the trip is over.

Pros:

• Great deals
• AquaPark and lazy river
• Nick-themed kids club and characters

Con:

• Slime (which is actually a pro for kids!)

Curtain Bluff, an iconic and leading Caribbean family resort on the south coast of Antigua, is surrounded by two beautiful sandy beaches, and the property even has a “Beach Concierge” designed to ensure that your day on the beach goes as smoothly as your stay in the hotel. The quiet and self-contained resort makes it easy for Curtain Bluff visitors of any age to enjoy themselves, with activities such as scuba, sailing and waterskiing included in your options. The CeeBee Kids Club (ages 3 to 10) offers activities from crafting to crab races, and with no TVs in the rooms, families can truly unplug and connect with one another. Add a stop at the tranquil spa to really gild the all-inclusive lily.

Pros:

• Large array of included amenities
• Quiet

Con:

• No TVs in your room

Nature lovers, this one’s for you! You probably already know that Utah is home to some of the best state and national parks in the country, which makes it an amazing place for a family vacation. But you may not know that there’s an all-inclusive resort that makes it incredibly easy to visit some of them. The Red Mountain Resort in Ivins is just 40 miles from Zion National Park and about 140 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park (a two-and-a-half-hour car ride). Plus, Snow Canyon State Park is right down the road.

But you don’t even have to go anywhere to get an amazing view. Just look out your window to be treated to red-rock bluffs rising out of the Southern Utah terrain. Choose a room or villa suite and you’ll also get three healthy meals a day, access to swimming pools, complimentary loaner bicycles, s’mores at the fire pit, Tuacahn amphitheater performances, guided hiking and biking, cooking demonstrations and more.

Pros:

• Great home base to visit national parks
• Stunning scenery

Con:

• No kids clubs

Set within more than 100 acres of pristine rainforest in the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Val des Pitons, Sugar Beach offers breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea and the Pitons, along with all the 18th-century colonial charm that St. Lucia is known for. The recently renovated resort boasts a variety of different luxury rooms, cottages, bungalows and villas—all of which have private pools and butler service, a luxurious perk for exhausted parents.

Children ages 4 to 12 can head to the kids club, which offers fun activities like treasure hunts, arts and crafts, archery and coconut bowling, as well as fish feeding and sandcastle building at the beach. Teens can join the onsite Sailing Club to learn the basics of sailing, including rigging, basic boat handling and seamanship. And the whole family can set sail to discover the beauty of the Val des Pitons from the sea.

Pros:

• Every accommodation comes with its own butler
• Private plunge pool in every room

Con:

• One-hour drive from the airport

Your family will want for nothing at Tanque Verde Ranch. All-inclusive options at this bona fide dude ranch, which was established in 1868, include three delicious meals a day, horseback riding, cowboy cookouts with live entertainment and indoor/outdoor swimming pools. There’s also an incredible array of rotating daily activities for kids as young as 4 and an optional day camp (ages 7 to 12) for an additional charge. It might be a good way to keep the young ones distracted while you indulge in add-ons like a massage at the spa. If you’re able to pull yourself away from the resort’s amenities and 60,000 acres, check out the nearby Saguaro National Park and Coronado National Forest.

Pros:

• Horseback riding for every level and ability
• Large variety of daily activities

Con:

• No programming for kids under 4