If you’re look for a vacation with no nasty final-bill surprises at checkout and all the bells and whistles already paid for, all-inclusive vacations are for you. More sophisticated than you might have thought, all-in resorts offer everything from kids’ clubs with DJ academies to waterparks and, of course, all your food and drink. Plus, it’s a good way to fix your vacation price and not worry about how much extra you’ll spend once you arrive.
1/10 Dream Gran Castillo Resort, Lanzarote
Inspire your younger children’s imaginations (from three to 14 years) with the Camelot-themed world of Castleland, a play area with game zones, a mini soccer pitch, a pool with waterslides and a medieval-style restaurant.
Located in Spain just outside the resort of Playa Blanca, this self-contained resort is 15 minutes from the beautiful Playa de Papagayo beach in the protected park of Los Ajaches, and offers a 5D movie experience and spa with thalassotherapy center (or seawater treatments for the uninitiated). Four restaurants include Asian and Italian cuisine.
The details: From approx. $6,280 for a week in August for a family of four.
2/10 4T Indonesia, Bali
Treat your children to a kiddy mocktail (made from juices and decorated with tropical flowers), or encourage them to learn new moves at a Balinese cultural performance where young guests are invited to join in with the traditional dances.
Built out of local wood with views over coconut groves and beaches, this relaxing enclave has two restaurants and a pampering spa plus activities which include a “flying trapeze” circus school, golf lessons and windsurfing.
The details: From approx. $5,900 for a week in August for a family of four.
3/10 Beaches Resort, Turks & Caicos
Take advantage of all this family-focused resort has to offer, including Kids’ Camp, a 24-hour nanny service, Xbox Play Lounges, Trench Town games arcade, Scratch DJ Academy and Pirates’ Island Waterpark. As night falls, teenagers can head off to Club Liquid, a fun adult-free zone.
Next to a 12-mile stretch of white-sand beach, the resort also offers kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, children’s scuba-diving and paddle boarding – plus kids-only swim-up pool bars.
The details: From approx. $9,170 for a week in August for a family of four.
4/10 Ikos Olivia Resort, Halkidiki, Greece
Relax in the 22 acres of landscaped gardens that encircle a white-sand beach while your children enjoy activities which might include DJ classes, baking, face painting or pajama parties. A Heros Crèche and Kids’ Club for children aged up to 11 operates during the summers until October 30 and entertainment for the kids includes children’s shows and film showings.
The “dine out” experience offers guests the chance to eat outside the hotel as part of their all-inclusive package.
The details: From approx. $6,800 for a week in August for a family of four.
5/10 Niyama, Maldives
Enroll children from 12 months to 12 years in the Explorers kids club at the NIYAMA resort, the first kids’ club in the Maldives to take under-threes. It’s open seven days a week and activities include excursions and theme days such as Jungle Safari and Pirates & Princesses. Older children can enjoy beach games, pool Olympics, snorkeling safaris and master chef sessions.
Located on the two islands of Embudhufushi and Olhuveli, NIYAMA is built in traditional Maldivian style and lies a 40-minute seaplane flight from Male.
The details: From approx. $14,850 for a week in August for a family of four.
6/10 Robinson Club Pamfilya, Turkey
On the Turkish Riviera, roughly 45 miles from Antalya, this modern resort lies in the midst of pine forests and borders a long stretch of sandy beach. Kids will love the children’s pool and parents can pay a little extra for them to attend the ROBY swimming school. Sports and water activties are big here, with everything from surfing to sailing.
Tennis fans can enjoy 11 clay courts and three floodlit practice walls, plus a special tennis bar, too. Best of all, your kids may spot sea turtles swimming past the dock.
The details: From approx. $7,520 for a week in August for a family of four.
7/10 Shandrani Resort & Spa, Mauritius
Leave your children to happily hunt for treasure, dance, paint or get their faces painted at the on-site kids’ club aimed at three- to 12-year-olds. Babysitters can take charge if parents want a romantic dinner in one of this stylish resort’s five restaurants or families can spend quality time together on the white-sand beaches.
This is an exotic hideaway that allows guests to be as active or as relaxed as they wish.
The details: From approx. $1,170 in a deluxe room in August.
8/10 Robinson Club Apulia, Italy
Nesting in a pine forest in Puglia and within walking distance of the beach, Robinson Club Apulia is heaven for active families, with five pools (one with a waterslide), silica sand tennis courts, archery lessons, go-karting, boating, beach volleyball, soccer and basketball.
Childcare and youth programs let the kids venture out to make new friends under the watchful eye of trained club staff, while you head to the WellFit Spa.
The details: From approx. $7,665 for a week in August for a family of four.
9/10 Levante Beach Resort, Rhodes, Greece
Enter into an expansive activity list at this contemporary five-star hotel on the island’s east coast, next to the long, sandy stretch of Afandou beach. Childcare is a big plus here, with complimentary clubs provided for children aged two years and over (babies from four months accepted in the nursery).
Children’s RYA sailing and watersports lessons as well as accredited tennis lessons and courses are available, plus mountain-biking, beach volleyball, fitness classes and water polo.
The details: From approx. $7,660 for a week in August for a family of four.
10/10 MarBella Corfu, Greece
Board a family boat trip to Corfu town, splash around in a canoe or paddle boat, or have fun in the Mini & Teens Clubs at this stylish resort. Parents can enjoy free aerial yoga and a complimentary 30-minute MarBella wellbeing massage, plus access to the sauna and hammam bath.
A children’s pool, dedicated menu and early meal times are available after spending the day on nearby Agios Ioannis Peristeron beach or playing among the olive groves in the landscaped gardens.
The details: From approx. $6,510 for a week in August for a family of four.