Before I became a parent, the idea of an all-inclusive resort vacation was completely off my radar. Hotels were simply a place to sleep, and the thought of traveling to an exotic location only to stay in one place seemed, frankly, boring. I wrongly assumed all-inclusive resorts were for travelers who lacked a sense of adventure. For years, they didn’t even warrant a second thought.
Then came kids. Suddenly, the concept of staying in one place where lodging, food, and entertainment were all bundled together (and pre-paid!) had a massive appeal. At the urging of my husband, who was as perpetually tired as I was, I reluctantly agreed to try an all-inclusive resort for the first time. Now, I’m a total convert. I genuinely believe every parent needs to experience an all-inclusive family resort at least once. Honestly, short of leaving the kids at home, I’ve realized it’s the best – and maybe the only – way for parents to truly unwind and relax on vacation.
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In my pre-kid life, I was the queen of spontaneous travel, hopping on planes with just a small backpack or under-seat carry-on bag, figuring out the details as I went. Even as a parent, my wanderlust is still strong, and my curiosity hasn’t diminished. However, like many parents, I had to completely rethink my travel style once children joined the adventure. Traveling with kids means more planning, more logistics, and often, returning home feeling more exhausted than when you left.
But imagine a different kind of family vacation, one where you, the parents, actually get a break too. This is where the magic of all-inclusive family resorts truly shines.
The Turning Point: Why All-Inclusive Resorts Became a Family Vacation Dream
A few years ago, when school break was looming, the idea of an all-inclusive resort popped into my head for the first time. As a working mom juggling four kids, my daily life is a constant stream of scheduling activities, playdates, appointments, and meal prep. It’s wonderful, but it’s also draining, leaving little time or energy for elaborate vacation planning.
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Looking into family resorts, the concept of simply arriving in a beautiful, tropical location where all meals and activities were pre-arranged for my entire family felt almost surreal. I could say “yes” to my kids all vacation long without constantly worrying about extra costs. I took the plunge and booked a trip to Beaches Turks and Caicos, an all-inclusive family resort in a dream destination. My younger, pre-kids self might have scoffed, but parent-me was ecstatic. It seemed like exactly what our family vacation needed.
Preparing for Paradise: Stress-Free Vacation Prep
As our trip to the all-inclusive resort approached, a tiny seed of nervousness started to sprout. I’ve never been one to just lounge on a beach for days, and I wondered if a six-day trip would feel monotonous after a day or two. I also worried about traveling abroad and missing out on experiencing the local culture, cuisine, and people.
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Despite these small anxieties, the pre-trip preparations were incredibly easy. Unlike past vacations, I didn’t spend countless hours researching excursions or hunting for the best local restaurants. No need to print out piles of confirmations for tours and hotels. All I had to do was get to the airport and look for the pre-arranged resort transport upon arrival. It was hands down the easiest, most stress-free vacation preparation I had ever experienced.
Diving into the All-Inclusive Experience: Fun for Everyone
Any concerns about boredom evaporated within hours of arriving at Beaches. After a delicious lunch right on the resort grounds, my family and I explored the property. I was genuinely amazed by the sheer variety of activities available. Families were engaged in everything from volleyball in the pool and snorkeling at the beach to tie-dye workshops and air hockey tournaments. A wave of relief washed over me knowing I wasn’t solely responsible for orchestrating my kids’ entertainment all day long; it was all right there, readily available.
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While I’m not a big drinker, I quickly discovered a delicious virgin mojito and happily indulged in refreshing drinks throughout the day. My kids reveled in virgin piña coladas and made countless joyful trips to the resort’s mac-and-cheese food truck and ice cream parlor. Our days were blissfully spent alternating between the resort’s numerous pools and the pristine beach. We explored the on-site water park, participated in a hilarious hula-hooping contest, snorkeled in crystal-clear waters, enjoyed a sailboat ride, and took a memorable trip to see a vibrant coral reef.
Family enjoying the beach at an all-inclusive resort
My husband and daughter even went scuba diving, the only activity that wasn’t included in the base price. We made it our mission to sample as many restaurants as possible, from fresh sushi to flavorful Mexican cuisine. Evenings were just as fun, with more swimming, late-night dessert runs, and entertaining performances put on each night by Beaches Turks and Caicos. In the precious downtime between activities, I even managed to read almost an entire book that had been sitting on my shelf for ages!
Throughout the trip, I experienced a level of stress-free parenting that felt almost revolutionary as a mother of four. I was fully present and engaged with my kids, finally being the kind of relaxed and fun parent I always aspire to be. While it wasn’t the same as venturing out and exploring the wider destination, I appreciated that the resort incorporated local flavors into the dining options, like delicious conch fritters and pan-poached fish, and even brought cultural experiences to us, including a vibrant weekly Caribbean festival.
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Despite my initial worry that a week at an all-inclusive resort might be too long, as our vacation drew to a close, I genuinely didn’t want to leave. I returned home feeling more relaxed and rejuvenated than I had after any vacation since becoming a parent. It was a true revelation about the benefits of best all inclusive family vacations.
Balancing Relaxation and Exploration: My Evolving All-Inclusive Approach
Since that first transformative trip, I’ve visited a few more all-inclusive resorts. I’ve refined my approach, now consciously striving to balance the ease and relaxation of resort life with the adventures and cultural immersion I enjoyed in my pre-resort travel days. This blend has become the perfect formula, satisfying both my desire for new experiences and my very real need to actually relax on vacation without spending weeks meticulously planning every detail.
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One of my favorite all-inclusive experiences since that first Beaches trip was my family’s stay at the Hilton Cancun. This resort boasts stunning pools just steps from the turquoise Caribbean Sea and strikes a fantastic balance between being wonderfully family-friendly and sophisticated enough for adults to feel pampered. In the Dominican Republic, I also loved our stay at Lopesan Costa Bavaro, another incredible all-inclusive resort featuring a massive water park and fantastic on-site activities including a bowling alley and even an escape room.
While we still plan some family vacations that are more in line with my pre-all-inclusive style – we’re heading to Egypt and Jordan later this year, for example – all-inclusive family resorts have now become a cherished and recurring part of our family vacation repertoire. I am so incredibly happy I decided to give them a try. And I wholeheartedly believe every parent deserves to experience the magic of an all-inclusive family vacation 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 owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. FamilyVacationist covers family vacation ideas; family vacation spots; all-inclusive family resorts; and must-have travel accessories for families. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.
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