Jamie Davis Smith | FamilyVacationist.com
Happy family enjoying vacation time at a top-rated all-inclusive resort, illustrating the benefits of all-inclusive family vacations for relaxation and fun.
Before I had kids, the idea of an all-inclusive resort vacation never even crossed my mind. To me, hotels were simply a place to sleep, and the thought of traveling internationally just to stay in one place seemed… well, pointless. I mistakenly believed that all-inclusive resorts were for travelers who lacked a sense of adventure. For years, they were completely off my radar.
Then came kids. Suddenly, the concept of staying in one place where lodging, food, and activities were all bundled together—and priced upfront—became incredibly appealing. My husband, constantly as tired as I was, suggested we try an all-inclusive resort. Reluctantly, I agreed to experience my first one. Now, I’m a believer. In fact, I think every parent deserves to experience the bliss of an all-inclusive family resort at least once. Honestly, short of leaving the kids with grandma, I’ve come to realize it might be the only way for parents to truly unwind and relax on a family vacation.
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My pre-parent travel style involved hopping on a plane with just a small backpack or an under-seat carry-on bag, ready to figure things out upon arrival. Motherhood hasn’t diminished my wanderlust or sense of adventure, but like many parents, I had to completely rethink my approach to travel with kids. Traveling with children means more planning, and often, you return home needing another vacation to recover from the “vacation.”
But what if there was a different way to take a family trip, one where you, the parents, actually got some downtime too? That’s where the magic of all-inclusive family resorts comes in.
The Allure of All-Inclusive Resorts for Busy Families
A few years ago, when school break was approaching, the thought of staying at a resort finally clicked. As a working mom of four, my life is a constant cycle of scheduling activities, playdates, appointments, and meal preparations. It’s draining, and leaves little time or energy for elaborate vacation planning.
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While researching family resorts, the idea of simply showing up at a beautiful, tropical destination where all the activities and meals for my entire family were already arranged seemed almost too good to be true. Imagine being able to say “yes” to your kids all vacation long without constantly worrying about extra costs. I decided to book a trip to Beaches Turks and Caicos, an all-inclusive family resort in a location I had always dreamed of visiting. My former, pre-kids self might have scoffed, but I was past that. As a parent, it seemed like exactly what I needed for a family vacation that actually felt like a vacation for everyone.
Preparing for Your All-Inclusive Family Getaway
As our trip date neared, a bit of nervousness crept in. I’ve never been one to just lounge on a beach for days on end, and I worried that our six-day trip might become monotonous after a day or two. I also had a concern that by staying within a resort, we’d miss out on experiencing the local culture, cuisine, and people of our destination.
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Despite these minor anxieties, the pre-trip preparations were incredibly smooth. Unlike past trips, I didn’t spend countless hours researching excursions or hunting down the best local restaurants. There were no stacks of tour and hotel confirmations to print. All I needed to do was get us to the airport and find the pre-arranged resort transport upon arrival. It was by far the easiest and least stressful trip preparation I’d ever experienced.
Embracing the All-Inclusive Resort Experience
Any concerns about boredom evaporated within hours of arriving at Beaches. After a quick and easy lunch right on the resort property, my family and I began exploring. I was immediately struck by the sheer variety of activities available. Families were engaged in everything from volleyball in the pool to snorkeling in the ocean. Others were participating in arts and crafts or enjoying games. A wave of relief washed over me knowing that I wouldn’t be solely responsible for my kids’ entertainment for the entire day; engaging activities were everywhere.
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While I don’t often drink alcohol, I quickly discovered a delicious mocktail (virgin mojito) and started treating myself throughout the day. My kids happily indulged in virgin piña coladas and made countless trips to the resort’s mac-and-cheese truck and ice cream shop. Our days were mostly spent alternating between the numerous pools and the beautiful beach. We explored the on-site water park, participated in a hula-hooping contest, went snorkeling, sailed a sailboat, and even took a boat trip to see a stunning coral reef.
My husband and daughter enjoyed a scuba diving excursion, which was the only activity that wasn’t included in the base price. We made it a point to try as many of the diverse restaurants as we could, from sushi to authentic Mexican cuisine. Evenings were filled with more swimming, late-night dessert runs, and enjoying the nightly performances that Beaches Turks and Caicos offered. In between all the fun, I even managed to read almost an entire book that had been sitting on my bookshelf for ages!
Throughout the trip, I experienced a level of stress that was unbelievably low for a mother of four. I was genuinely engaged with my kids, present and enjoying our time together – the kind of parent I always strive to be. While it wasn’t the same as deeply exploring a new culture, I appreciated that the resort incorporated local flavors, offering dishes like conch fritters and pan-poached fish, and even brought cultural experiences to us, including a weekly Caribbean festival.
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Despite my initial worry that a week at an all-inclusive resort might feel too long, as our vacation drew to a close, none of us wanted to leave. I returned home feeling more relaxed and rejuvenated than I had after any vacation since becoming a parent.
Balancing All-Inclusive Relaxation with Exploration
Since that first transformative trip to an all-inclusive resort, I’ve visited several others. I’ve learned to refine my approach, now consciously balancing resort relaxation with the exploration and cultural immersion I valued in my pre-resort travels. This blend has become the ideal formula, satisfying both my desire for new experiences and my very real need to actually relax on vacation without spending countless hours on meticulous planning.
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One of my most memorable all-inclusive experiences since that first Beaches vacation was my family’s stay at the Hilton Cancun. The resort boasts stunning pools just steps from the Caribbean Sea and perfectly balances family-friendliness with a sophisticated atmosphere that adults appreciate. In the Dominican Republic, I had a wonderful time at Lopesan Costa Bavaro, another fantastic all-inclusive resort featuring a massive water park and on-site activities like a bowling alley and escape room.
We still plan some family vacations that are closer to my original travel style – for example, we’re traveling to Egypt and Jordan later this year – but all-inclusive family resorts have now become a cherished and recurring part of our family vacation repertoire. I’m incredibly happy I decided to give them a try. And I truly believe every parent should experience the magic of the Best All Inclusive Resort For Families at least once.
Why every family should try an all-inclusive resort at least once originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
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FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are part of Vacationist Media LLC. FamilyVacationist offers inspiration for family vacation ideas; family vacation spots; all-inclusive family resorts; and essential travel accessories for families. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of USA TODAY.
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