Which Caribbean all-inclusive resort is right for you?
Some Caribbean-bound travelers swear by all-inclusive resorts. Others simply swear them off.
The former like the simplicity of paying one upfront price for lodging, food, drinks and activities, and having an array of amusements on site.
Complaints from the latter include the perceived cookie-cutter sameness of big-box all-inclusives and the concern that they'll be paying for amenities (alcoholic drinks and round-the-clock meals, for instance) they don't want.
Fact is, the industry has grown -- and changed -- in a big way in the past decade or so, particularly in Caribbean hot spots such as the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico's Riviera Maya.
Driving the growth is the one-price-covers-all value -- including alcoholic beverages and most land and water sports -- and the ease of never having to reach for a wallet. Even travelers who think they're not the all-inclusive type might be pleasantly surprised by what they find, says Becky Veith, an Erie, Pa., travel agent affiliated with Travel Experts. The trick is finding the right all-inclusive for you.
With that in mind, USA TODAY asked experts on the topic to suggest a favorite all-inclusive for different traveler types. Their selections:
Best for families: Beaches Turks & Caicos
Why: The resort draws raves not only for its prime spot on 12-mile-long Grace Bay Beach (on Providenciales island), but for its extensive amenities geared toward kids (and adults) of all ages. "Kids will love the video-game center, water park that's one of the largest in the Caribbean (almost the size of a football field) and swim-up soda bar. Parents will love the extensive spa, complimentary scuba diving and variety of dining options, from a 1950s diner to Japanese cuisine," says Arabella Bowen, executive editorial director at Fodor's Travel. The resort's newest area, the Italian Village, features large family suites.
What's included: Airport transfers; meals at à la carte restaurants; all watersports.
What's not: Spa services; non-house wines; off-property excursions.
Rates: $761 for a family of four until mid-December
Information: 888-232-2437; beaches.com
Best for singles: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Why: The sprawling 1,787-room resort has 15 pools and nine restaurants. It serves top-shelf liquors, and every room has a double Jacuzzi. ("Rock Star" level accommodations come with a butler and private poolside service.) "It's an all-inclusive for the MTV generation," says Greaves-Gabbadon. "It's clear they're trying to bring some bling to the experience." (A sister property opened in Cancun in August.)
What's included: 24-hour room service, live entertainment; phone calls to the USA and Canada; resort credit of $500-$2,500, depending on stay.
What's not: Spa services; off-property tours; horseback riding; greens fees.
Rates: From $171 per person per night
Information: 888-762-5002; hardrockhotelpuntacana.com
Best for active travelers: The BodyHoliday, St. Lucia
Why: Guests can be as active as they choose, and there are plenty of options at this resort, which recently underwent a $20 million makeover. And as a reward for all that exercise, a 50-minute daily spa treatment is included in the base price. Set on a secluded cove, the resort has a dedicated Wellness Centre, "but you can still get a drink," says Veith.
What's included: Daily spa treatment; group fitness classes; watersports including sailing, waterskiing and windsurfing; golf, tennis and scuba lessons; customized menus.
What's not: Individually tailored weight-loss programs and other customized programs; off-property excursions; greens fees.
Rates: From $450 per night per person. A bonus for solo travelers: There's no single supplement.
Information: 800-544-2883; thebodyholiday.com
Best for couples: Couples Tower Isle, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Why: One of Jamaica's earliest hotels, couples-only Tower Isle has been through a number of incarnations since it opened in 1949. A $40 million renovation four years ago "blends history and heritage with a good, contemporary all-inclusive product," says Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon, executive editor of Caribbean Travel + Life magazine. "It's a mix of Rat Pack chic and tropical style." Its namesake isle, just offshore, is for nude sunbathing.
What's included: Off-property shopping excursions and tours of Dunn's River Falls; sunset sailing trips; greens fees and transfers to an off-site golf course.
What's not: Spa treatments; premium wines.
Rates: From $386 a day per couple (book by Oct. 16)
Information: 800-268-7537; couples.com/tower-isle
Best for those who don't like all-inclusives: Curtain Bluff, Antigua
Why: This intimate (72-room) family-owned resort attracts a loyal clientele that returns year after year. "The food is excellent, and (unlike most all-inclusives that are designed to keep you on-property) they encourage you to get out and experience the community," Veith says. "It's the kind of place where you can go out deep-sea fishing, and they'll cook what you caught for dinner."
What's included: Watersports including snorkeling trips, scuba diving and deep-sea fishing.
What's not: Spa services; tennis and squash lessons; premium wines; cooking classes.
Rates: From $845 (Oct. 27-Dec. 17), double occupancy
Information: 888-289-9898; curtainbluff.com