17 May 2023
Keen to take the daily planning and financial guesswork out of your next vacation and just relax, disconnect and unwind?
All-inclusive resorts may have just what you are looking for.
One of the main benefits of staying in an all-inclusive resort is that everything is included in the price, from meals and drinks to activities and entertainment. Instead of worrying about carrying cash or cards day and night and dwelling on your escalating tally, you have the peace of mind of knowing how much you will be spending upfront, which is especially helpful for families and groups keen to stick to a particular budget.
Marriott is one of the world’s largest and best-known hotel chains, with a diverse portfolio of brands worldwide, from cheap and cheerful budget options to aspirational luxury properties. In recent years, the brand has also expanded its all-inclusive portfolio and aims to have 33 properties under its belt by 2025, which is especially appealing for Marriott Bonvoy loyalty members looking to earn and redeem points.
From the deserts of Dubai to the islands of the Caribbean, here are the 12 best Marriott all-inclusive resorts for your next vacation.
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”9836″ post-id=”1471080″]
This resort is located on the beautiful beach of Pointe aux Piments, offering stunning views of the Indian Ocean. It’s also just a short drive from the capital city of Port Louis, making it easy to explore the island’s cultural and historical attractions.
The hotel’s 265 guest rooms, suites and villas start at a generous 540 square feet, each with either a private balcony or terrace to enjoy the garden or ocean views. For larger groups and families, private villas offer a “home away from home” of up to three bedrooms with a private pool, fully equipped kitchens and spacious living and dining areas.
Related: The 16 best all-inclusive resorts in the US for a spectacular vacation
The beachfront Paparazzi restaurant features Italian cuisine. Kumin specializes in authentic Indian curries and tandoori dishes served in an elegant and refined atmosphere.
Rates start at $380 a night; Marriott Bonvoy members can book award nights starting at 30,000 points per night (both based on double occupancy).
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”9837″ post-id=”1471081″]
On the beautiful Greek island of Zakynthos (also known as Zante), this resort is set on a hillside overlooking the Ionian Sea, within a Natura-protected turtle sanctuary. Get your camera ready for the island’s iconic Navagio Shipwreck Beach, one of the most Instagrammed images in the Greek islands.
Guest rooms are decorated with earthy tones of clay brown, olive green, cream and sand. Expect welcome and farewell treats, a pillow menu and 24/7 room service. The award-winning on-site Soma Spa celebrates the rituals and methods of the ancient Greeks with paraffin hand treatments and body scrubs and wraps.
All-inclusive guests can enjoy buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Monachus main restaurant with weekly themed evenings, all at no extra cost. A la carte options are available for dinner at Griglia, Tesoro Mio and Nita Canteen, with local and international alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks available until midnight each evening.
Rates start at $194 a night; Marriott Bonvoy members can book award nights starting at 40,000 points per night (both based on double occupancy).
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”8635″ post-id=”1442462″]
Extending across 2,400 acres between the tropical forests and unspoiled beaches of Costa Rica’s North Pacific coastline, the Westin Reserva Conchal has a lagoon-style pool, access to a championship golf course, tennis courts and pristine beaches.
The 406 rooms range from entry-level deluxe junior suites with a balcony to club-level suites (with access to the club lounge and private pool) and larger suites for the whole family to spread out and relax. Families can take advantage of the kids club or go for a three-hour hike in the rainforest.
Enjoy artisan cocktails at the Mitra Market bar or the convenience of a swim-up bar at the Triton Pool, where the specialty of the house is Pura Vida, a mix of local guaro spirit with orange and pineapple juice.
Rates start at $425 a night; Marriott Bonvoy members can book award nights starting at 71,500 points per night (both based on double occupancy).
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”9617″ post-id=”1471082″]
Just 15 miles from Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) and eight minutes from the fishing town of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, it is easy to escape to this nature retreat in the tropical jungles of Mexico.
Contemporary guest rooms are light and breezy, with a cream-and-white color palette contrasted with dark furnishings. Starting at 538 square feet, there’s plenty of space to spread out. Amenities include a complimentary minibar which is replenished daily for all-inclusive guests.
Buffet meals are available to sample local Mexican cuisine, or to mix things up, try a fiery Japanese feast cooked in front of your eyes at the Komorebi Teppanyaki restaurant. Quick snacks and light meals are available from the Delta Pantry for late-night cravings.
The Tzicuri Spa has 10 private cabanas with nature-inspired treatments, including couples massages and body scrubs, while the fitness center is open 24/7 and offers yoga classes.
Rates start at $225 a night; Marriott Bonvoy members can book award nights starting at 52,000 points per night (both based on double occupancy).
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Return to nature at the Grand Lido Negril Au-Natural, an adults-only, clothing-optional resort where guests can enjoy the freedom of wearing as little or as much clothing as they choose. Just 26 rooms and suites create a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere to express yourself freely without judgment or restrictions.
The resort has a private beach accessible only to guests, providing a secluded and tranquil environment for “au natural” sunbathing, swimming and water sports.
The cuisine options are varied, with separate (fully clothed) dining options at the nearby Royalton Negril with a choice of a French bistro, Japanese teppanyaki, West Indian curries, Tex-Mex, Italian trattoria and even an authentic steakhouse.
Rates start at $693 a night; Marriott Bonvoy members can book award nights starting at 110,500 points per night (both based on double occupancy).
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”9619″ post-id=”1471084″]
The Royalton Chic is a quick 20-minute drive from Cancun International Airport (CUN), surrounded by touristy restaurants, bars and activities.
If you’re looking for exciting nightlife and a more party-focused experience, the hotel zone is a great place to be. The resort is also right on the water, so you can wade in for an ocean swim or stay by the pool without losing that ocean breeze and picturesque view. With live music and an energetic crowd, this is a place to put down your novel and headphones and join the party.
Guests less keen on the sand between their toes but still keen to cool down and enjoy the ocean views have the option of an infinity pool with a swim-up bar.
The resort has a wide range of dining options, from the international buffet at Elements to sushi and other Asian favorites at Chocpstick and Mexican cuisine at La Hacienda.
Rates start at $309 a night; Marriott Bonvoy members can book award nights starting at 50,000 points per night (both based on double occupancy).
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Soak up the colors, sounds and tastes of the Caribbean on the beautiful island of Barbados. The crystal-clear azure waters and pristine white sand are among the finest you will find anywhere in the Caribbean.
All water sports are included for all-inclusive guests, complete with lessons from resident experts. Choose from waterskiing, stand-up paddleboarding, tube and banana boat rides, sailing, snorkeling and kayaking.
Guest rooms feature whitewashed walls, natural wood, local flora-themed artwork and plenty of breezy natural light to enjoy those island breezes.
Dining options include Caribbean and international cuisine in an open-air setting overlooking the resort’s pool at Reflections Restaurant and casual fare like burgers, sandwiches and salads right on the beach with a sundowner cocktail at Drifters. Don’t miss the beach barbecue each Saturday with steaks, spareribs, chicken and fish.
Guests staying for extended periods and looking for a change of pace are in luck at Crystal Cove. As part of Elegant Hotels’ Dine Around program, guests can also opt to dine at the other Elegant Hotels properties on the island, including Turtle Beach and Waves Hotel & Spa.
Rates start at $330 a night; Marriott Bonvoy members can book award nights starting at 70,000 points per night (both based on double occupancy).
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”9621″ post-id=”1471086″]
Located in the charming seaside town of Ipojuca, home to natural pools and coral reefs, The Westin Porto de Galinhas is a great base for exploring Brazil’s stunning northeast coast. The town is conveniently located near the city of Recife, which offers a range of cultural and historical attractions, and lively nightlife.
Inviting rooms give off those breezy tropical vibes with a crisp white-and-cream color palette, wooden furnishings, interior stonework and colorful tiled bathrooms. Base rooms start at a generous 345 square feet, and you’re pretty much guaranteed a good night’s sleep on signature Westin Heavenly beds. For something more luxurious, bilevel suites come with a private pool and almost 1,000 square feet of space.
The property’s on-site Amay Wellness and Spa has five massage rooms and indoor and outdoor pools. It specializes in Ayurvedic treatments — an Indian tradition focusing on panchakarma (“five actions”) — as well as yoga, massage, acupuncture and herbal medicine. There’s also a large, well-equipped fitness center and a kids club to keep the little ones entertained while parents relax and indulge.
A large oceanside pool, surrounded by plush loungers and day beds, leads down to the wide palm-fringed beach where snorkeling enthusiasts can enjoy the crystal-clear waters.
Guests staying four nights or more can enjoy a special tasting menu inspired by the rich and diverse flavors of Mediterranean cuisine at the Tuna restaurant. Alternatively, the Relax bar offers cocktails right on the beach.
Rates start at $314 a night; Marriott Bonvoy members can book award nights starting at 45,000 points per night (both based on double occupancy).
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Located in a secluded and exclusive 30,000-acre beachfront gated community area of the popular resort town of Punta Cana, Sanctuary offers guests a peaceful and serene environment to relax and unwind, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.
A recent $45 million refurbishment has revitalized the 324-room Spanish colonial-style luxury resort with spacious rooms featuring cream-toned furnishings, marble bathrooms and views of the Caribbean waters. Splurge for a suite with a personal indoor plunge pool, as well as a personal concierge and butler services where no request is too small.
Golfing enthusiasts can enjoy the Jack Nicklaus-designed course, while those who prefer the pool over grass have six on-site pools to choose from. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, choose from seafood, a northern Italian trattoria and an upmarket steakhouse. After dinner, look out for themed cocktail parties to mingle with other guests.
Rates start at $427 a night; Marriott Bonvoy members can book award nights starting at 132,000 points per night (both based on double occupancy).
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One of the best Marriott Bonvoy redemptions in the world, Al Maha offers a truly unique Arabian experience. Just 45 minutes outside downtown Dubai’s overwhelming hustle and bustle, near the Omani border, is a desert oasis where guests can bask in the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve heat or go for a sand-filled adventure.
A member of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, the resort has just 42 all-suite Bedouin-style villas, each featuring a generous 800 square feet of space, Byredo toiletries, a plunge pool and a private deck. While the suites are designed to give guests privacy, they also provide unique desert views and the chance to see gazelles and Arabian oryxes roaming in the wild.
All-inclusive rates include three meals daily (with views of the game reserve) and two desert activities. You can choose from taking a camel ride through the desert, learning the art of falconry or going on an exhilarating drive up and down the sand dunes to spot local wildlife. After a long day of activities, enjoy the desert sunset with a cocktail at the Hajar Terrace Bar.
Rates start at $720; Marriott Bonvoy members can book award nights starting at a 92,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night (both based on double occupancy).
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There are luxury island properties, and then there is North Island.
Located in a tiny archipelago of 115 tropical islands off the east coast of Africa, this property is accessible by helicopter from Seychelles International Airport (SEZ).
The North Island resort is most famous for hosting a few famous honeymooners, including George and Amal Clooney and Prince William and Kate Middleton. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have also stayed at this stunning retreat.
All 11,750-square-foot villas have direct beach access and views of the Indian Ocean, plus plenty of privacy thanks to careful landscaping, meaning you are unlikely to see many other guests unless you want to.
Begin your day with a yoga class and then relax by the infinity pool, which is carved into the granite slopes of Spa Hill, curving around giant boulders. Kids are welcome here and will be thoroughly entertained with an arts and crafts area, jungle gym, trampoline and swings. There’s a wealth of activities for adults too, from PADI diving courses to snorkeling or joining the resident conservationists on their morning turtle patrol to try and spot an endangered hawksbill or green turtle nesting or hatching nearby.
At the beachfront Piazza restaurant, chefs serve squid ink linguine with lobster, freshly caught red snapper and local octopus under candlelight.
Rates start at $5,832 a night; Marriott Bonvoy members can book award nights starting at 365,000 points per night (both based on double occupancy).
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”9215″ post-id=”1444124″]
Is the Maldives or Bora Bora a step too far for your next trip? Overwater bungalows are uncommon in the Caribbean, but there is a resort in Antigua where you can enjoy this unique and luxurious accommodation.
The wooden, adults-only bungalows feature a spacious bedroom with a king-size bed, a separate living area with a sofa and a glass floor panel for viewing the marine life below. Rooms are fragranced with three aromatherapy options and bathrooms are stocked with Bulgari amenities and a soaking bathtub large enough for two.
Glass-fronted infinity pools in each bungalow allow you to enjoy ocean views of Deep Bay without any unwanted ocean creatures joining the party. Bungalow guests can also access dedicated butler service and expect a bottle of Champagne on ice awaiting their arrival.
There are seven dining options, from an international buffet to an Italian trattoria, an authentic steakhouse and even a sports bar. Bungalow guests can also enjoy sunset mixology lessons on the terrace, and those staying three nights or more can opt for a special romantic dinner served in the bungalow at no extra cost.
Rates start at $437 a night; Marriott Bonvoy members can book award nights starting at 110,500 points per night (both based on double occupancy).