From stunning Caribbean beaches to horseback riding in New York, all-inclusive family resorts are renowned for exceptional service, dining options and a wide range of activities for families. Above all, they’re known for ensuring a vacation experience that is both enjoyable and hassle-free.
Choosing all-inclusive resorts for families means embracing a vacation where every detail is considered, and you can weigh what you need in a family resort. For a family vacation, our picks include all-inclusive family resorts like Beaches Negril Resort & Spa, Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa, Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya, Planet Hollywood Cancun, Rocking Horse Ranch Resort, Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, and Tamarijn Aruba. These destinations — as noted by personal experience and AAA inspector recommendations — promise a beautiful setting where parents can take advantage of resort offerings while children engage in age-appropriate adventures.
Why All-inclusive?
The best all-inclusive resorts simplify trip planning. There's the ease of including meals, activities and entertainment in one fee, alleviating worries about the budget and allowing you to enjoy your getaway without worrying about additional costs. Beaches Resorts, for example, ban tipping except for extra services, such as spa treatments.
Plus, these resorts frequently offer a variety of activities for all ages, ensuring that every family member has something entertaining to do. Before you depart, take sunscreen, swimwear, appropriate footwear for excursions and any necessary items unique to the resort's activities, such as snorkeling and diving certifications or gear. Being prepared will ensure a smoother trip for everyone involved.
Aruba
Tamarijn Aruba
For those looking for the best all-inclusive resorts in Aruba for families, consider this hotel resort in Oranjestad. It is linked to the charming Divi Aruba All Inclusive and offers the best of both resorts. Unlike Divi Aruba, which is ideal for couples, Tamarijn Aruba is developed with families in mind; a family package includes free play, lodging and dining for kids under age 12. (Remember, à la carte restaurants require reservations.) Rooms are a good size, and each patio or balcony faces the beach.
A variety of fun things to do that the whole family may enjoy are available through the resort, including a kids’ club and recreation programs. No matter what kind of Aruba activity you're looking for — a donkey sanctuary, a butterfly farm, an ostrich farm or even just time on De Palm Island — Tamarijn can introduce you to the best places to go.
Jamaica
Beaches Negril Resort & Spa
This resort in Negril stands out as one of the top 13 best all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, according to AAA Inspector 450. It boasts an array of services perfect for both families, including a nanny service, a DJ studio and a sun-protected kiddie pool. The resort features stylish rooms of various sizes, concierge suites with extra amenities and an impressive water park. Its main attraction is a giant bucket, which at the ring of a bell, surprises anyone below with a splash!
You can enjoy traditional land and water activities, an Xbox play lounge, sailing lessons or even an all-ages kids camp — certified as autism-friendly — at Beaches Negril Resort & Spa. In fact, Beaches Resorts is said to be the first resort company in the world to attain the Advanced Certified Autism Center (ACAC) designation by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). (Beaches Resorts became the first resort company to be certified by IBCCES as a Certified Autism Center in April 2017.)
Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa
Jamaica's Montego Bay is where to find this family-friendly, all-inclusive hotel, as highlighted by AAA Inspector 450. The large, stylish lobby welcomes you into a world of modern luxury, where even the cozy accommodations are made inviting with soft, comfortable bedding, and each room features a balcony or patio for your outdoor enjoyment. Then experience family fun with a kids club and teen zone as well as a water park, complete with a lazy floating river and thrilling waterslide. The adults in your party will enjoy the serene pool, while the whole family can explore the stunning beachfront that stretches along the front, as well as an expansive beach off to the side, providing ample space for sunbathing or enjoying water sports.
Beyond waterfront recreation, Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa offers a wide array of activities. Golf enthusiasts can challenge themselves on a regulation golf course, while tennis courts await those looking to perfect their game. A playground and a game room cater to families seeking interactive experiences, while lawn sports and trails offer more ways to enjoy the resort's extensive grounds. An equipped exercise room is available for those aiming to maintain their fitness routine, while the spa invites some extra R&R.
Mexico
Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya
The themed Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Riviera Maya, awarded the "Inspectors Best Of Family-friendly" badge by AAA, offers spacious rooms with two bathrooms, abundant sitting and private balconies with spectacular views in Playa Del Carmen. It is said to be one of the few accommodations nearby that can easily accommodate up to 5 guests in a single room, allowing families of all sizes to spend their vacation together.
The resort's outdoor water park area is a standout, delivering unrivaled entertainment for guests of every age. With various kids club spaces, themed restaurants, interesting performances and fun things to do, children are sure to find something to keep the whole family entertained at this all-inclusive destination for kids.
Planet Hollywood Cancun, Autograph Collection by Marriott
Planet Hollywood Cancun, Autograph Collection by Marriott, boasts a variety of amenities to suit all ages. From the excitement of the nightclub for adults to the serenity of the sauna and hot tub, there are plenty of things to do. The beachfront location offers easy access to sunbathing in cabanas, exhilarating motor and self-propelled boat rides, and viewing marine life up close through fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling.
If you are a landlubber or need to entertain the younger members of your party, check out miniature golf, tennis, a kids’ club, a playground or a game room. There are also lawn sports and an exercise room. After a day of activities, the spa is the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate for adults. This attention to detail makes Planet Hollywood Cancun the ideal choice for a family getaway that combines the thrill of Hollywood with the beauty and culture of Mexico.
Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa
The family-friendly all-inclusive resort not only boasts stunning views but also ensures that the entire family, regardless of age, finds something fun to do in Cancún, whether it’s lounging in private cabanas or seeking adventure with self-propelled boats, fishing, scuba diving or snorkeling. Tennis enthusiasts and lawn sports aficionados will find plenty to keep them active, while the kids club, game room and foam parties by the pool promise endless fun for your younger ones. For those keeping an eye on wellness, the health club and spa are ready to welcome you.
To that effect, the accommodations at Royalton Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa are designed with high-end comfort in mind, featuring plush bedding, ample seating and balconies with breathtaking views. Opt for accommodations in the Chairman Building and enjoy the added luxury of personal butler service. Dining is also a delight at the all-inclusive resort, with each restaurant providing outdoor terrace seating — perfect for enjoying meals with a view.
New York, United States
Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
Located in Highland, just two hours north of New York City, there’s a Western-style, all-inclusive experience that's perfect for families looking for adventure, and AAA Inspector 46 counts unlimited horseback riding as a highlight. And Rocking Horse Ranch Resort provides a plethora of year-round activities to ensure there's excitement fun for all. You can explore the indoor water park, engage in various activities at the kids’ club or be entertained by live performances.
During the winter months, the resort transforms, offering guests the chance to glide across its ice-skating rink or rush down the mountain snow-tubing tracks for an adrenaline-pumping experience. When the weather warms up, summer at Rocking Horse Ranch is unbeatable, with banana boat rides a private lake and an expansive outdoor pool featuring large water slides. What's more, all meals are included in your stay and include plenty of child-friendly options to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.