All-inclusive resorts make the easiest family vacations no matter how young or old your kids may be. Your meals, activities, and amenities are included in the price, which eliminates a major stressor, and parents can even get a little alone time mixed in with all that quality family whenever the children head to the kids club.
Best all-inclusive family resorts for a tropical winter getaway
The best part of all is that because there are so many family-friendly all-inclusive resorts in tropical destinations, there’s no need to pack (or even look at) your winter clothes. All you’ll need is a few swimsuits, a pair of sandals, and some breezy outfits to wear around the resort at this year’s top all-inclusive family resorts for a tropical getaway.
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1. Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya all-inclusive resort
Tulum, Mexico
Mexico’s Hilton Tulum Riviera Maya has 735 rooms and suites, including spacious family suites located right next to all of the resort’s many family amenities, like its oceanfront splash pool, mini-water park, oversized outdoor jungle gym, and swimming pool. The family area also houses the popular kids club for four to 12 years old. A teen club for older kids has everything from a movie room and ping pong table to video games and water volleyball.
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Along with a truly stunning stretch of beach, this tropical all-inclusive family resort offers nightly entertainment, group fitness classes, nine pools, and daily cultural activities. There are also 13 different dining outlets across the property so you never have to eat at the same place more than once if you don’t want to (or if you’re traveling with a picky eater).
2. Villa Del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto by Danzante Bay
Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Located in Mexico’s Baja California Sur region, Villa Del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto is an eco-friendly luxury all-inclusive that’s right on top of the Sea of Cortez. Kids will love that there are five pools to pick from (and when you look at the pool spaces from above it looks like a giant sea turtle). The kids club at the resort is open from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. every day and includes activities like movie nights, kite making, shell collecting, and nature walks. Water sports like paddle boarding, swimming, and snorkeling are popular here, as is the resort’s 18-hole golf course designed for PGA Tour play.
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The all-suite resort has spacious rooms that start at 645 square feet for a deluxe suite that can easily fit two adults with two kids, all the way up to 3,270 square foot three-bedroom penthouses that can occupy six adults and two kids. No matter what room you book, each comes with air conditioning, premium TV channels, daily housekeeping, a large balcony, and oversized bathrooms. Along with an on-site mini-supermarket for snacks and drinks, there are also four restaurants to choose from.
3. Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Immerse yourself in wellness amid the lush mountains of Costa Rica at Hacienda AltaGracia. Along with private casitas for each family, this all-inclusive is known for its junior adventurers club for kids, where children can do everything from learn about butterflies in the on-site butterfly garden to trying a workout class to taking on the ropes course. And while kids play in the jungle, parents have their own oasis in the wellness escape called The Well (think sauna and steam room, group mindfulness classes, and use of the thermal suite and fitness center).
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At the end of the day, families can come back together for a meal at one of five different restaurants, all of which focus on local cuisine and ingredients. With just 50 casitas, this tropical resort is not overrun with tourists looking to get tan on a beach somewhere. The one- and two-bedroom casitas come with big indoor and outdoor spaces, including large picture windows and terraces that overlook the nearby coffee plantations. Some of the casitas also have a private plunge pool. Two-bedroom casitas are ideal for larger families who need more room and more beds.
4. Sonesta St. Maarten
Maho, St. Martin / St. Maarten
Sonesta St. Maarten is actually two all-inclusive resorts in one, Sonesta Maho Beach and Sonesta Ocean Point. Maho Beach is the family-friendly destination and Ocean Point is for adults only. Some amenities are shared between the two tropical all-inclusive resorts.
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Maho Beach is the island’s biggest all-inclusive family resort, and highlights include an expansive pool with a swim-up bar, an aqua park, and separate spaces for kids and teens. Adults can also try their luck inside the casino. The resort has seven dining locations plus five bars and lounges to try. The location of the resort along Maho Beach is popular with tourists for plane spotting as the aircraft get ready to land at the nearby airport.
Next door, the all-suite Ocean Point Resort offers adults an exclusive area that’s all their own. Ocean Point has three a la carte restaurants and four bars and lounges. There’s also an abundance of entertainment throughout the day, including live music, trivia, and fitness classes.
5. Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica
Runaway Bay, Jamaica
Starting with its three pools, six restaurants, 11 bars, and children’s water park, everything about the stunning beachfront Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica is family-friendly. There’s plenty to do around the resort, too, including dance classes or lounging by the beach or pool (umbrella and towel service is included). And if your family does want to go off property, nearby excursions range from zip lining to horseback riding to hiking to Dunn’s River Falls.
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The rooms and suites at this tropical all-inclusive family resort sleep up to four people, and each comes equipped with air conditioning, satellite TV, and a mini bar. The resort has also recently updated its Junior Suite Premium and Junior Suite Premium Ocean Front Rooms rooms to feel more open and fresh with laminate flooring and an enhanced bathroom.
6. Sea Breeze Beach House
Oistins, Barbados
Situated along the southern coast of Barbados, Sea Breeze Beach House is an all-inclusive tropical resort that makes it tempting to never leave the property. Many of the resort’s all-inclusive amenities are for stays of four nights or longer, including round-trip transfers and golf at the Barbados Golf Club. But even if your trip is shorter than that, there’s still plenty to do here.
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Every night the resort hosts live entertainment like dancing or live music, and during the day you can participate in activities like aqua aerobics, yoga, rum tastings, and a Champagne and canapés hour. Dining options range from an exclusive chef’s table to a buffet that highlights island cuisine, while all around the resort are ample bars serving up beach drinks and cocktails. An inviting kids club and games lounge means there’s always something for children to do, too.
Guest rooms at Sea Breeze Beach House come with private balconies, rainfall showers, smart TVs, and Wi-Fi. The higher-priced luxury collection rooms also include a pre-stocked mini-bar, complimentary beach bag, and nightly turndown service.
7. Club Med Punta Cana
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Club Med’s flagship family resort, Club Med Punta Cana, has everything from water sports to outdoor trapeze classes. There are three outdoor pools, including one just for adults, a stunning spa by L’Occitane, and an oceanfront PGA golf green. For parents looking for some alone time, childcare is available for children as young as four months, and kids clubs cover the range from babies all the way to age 17.
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There’s a babysitting fee for kids younger than four, but the sweet spot is the resort’s Mini Club (ages four to 10) that includes a full day of supervised fun. Club Med Punta Cana also has three restaurants, two of which are buffets and one that’s table service. Rooms at the resort vary in style from luxe two-bedroom family suites to adult-only bungalows near the adult-only pool and bar.
8. Turtle Island Fiji
Nanuya Levu, Fiji
If your family is just you and your partner then Turtle Island Fiji is the idyllic tropical escape you’re looking for this winter. Located in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Turtle Island Fiji is so exclusive it only hosts 14 couples at a time. All around the island, you’ll be able to enjoy 12 private beaches and plenty of included activities like horseback riding, snorkeling, and archery.
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Dining at the resort isn’t your typical all-inclusive buffet fare, either. Instead there are more bespoke options like seaside picnics, breakfast in bed, and even eating on a floating pontoon where meals are delivered by boat. Each of the 14 villas at the resort is private with plenty of landscaping between each building.
If you do want to bring your kids, Turtle Island offers a family week a few times a year. There are three dates in 2024. During these weeks, kids under five get a nanny, while those six and older are assigned a “Bula Buddy” to enjoy time with while adults pamper themselves.
