15 Best All-inclusive Resorts for Families in 2023 [Caribbean, Americas, Europe]

All-inclusive resort vacations are a great option when you want an all-in-one experience, especially for families.

The best part about an all-inclusive resort for families is that there will inevitably be facilities and activities aimed at satisfying every member of the family, especially the kids.

Here is a comprehensive guide to the best all-inclusive resorts for families around the world.

Benefits of an All-inclusive Resort

As the name would suggest, an all-inclusive package usually includes all food and drinks at your resort, as well as some on-property activities like water sports and kids’ clubs. Sometimes they also include round-trip airport transportation in the price of your stay.

Non-included amenities are generally the spa, off-property excursions, and some specialty restaurants. Specialty restaurants can be adults-only — meaning no kids allowed — even at a family-friendly resort. Premium liquor can also be an upcharge.

Within the all-inclusive framework, some resorts give guests options to upgrade their experience with club-level rooms and amenities. This could look like a private check-in and concierge, exclusive lounge access, premium liquor included in your package, and more.

Whether or not you elect to upgrade your stay, all-inclusive resorts typically feature a concierge to help with anything you would like to do off the property. This person can help arrange tours and transportation, as well as help you to make spa reservations, all without ever needing to leave the resort or do the extra work of finding places to go.

Aside from the ability to pay upfront and skip a big surprise bill at the end of your trip, the point of an all-inclusive vacation is to be as low lift as possible. Family travelers can appreciate that more than most.

Downsides to an All-inclusive Resort

The downsides to an all-inclusive resort vary because not all resorts are created equal.

Like any hotel or accommodation type, the quality of services at an all-inclusive could be lacking in comparison to what you’ll get at a boutique hotel. For example, fine dining won’t be available at every all-inclusive out there, but it will be at some.

Additionally, not all but some all-inclusive resorts are massive in size, so it’s good to be aware of that when deciding which resort to spend your time at.

Amenities will vary widely across the location of your resort. Some will come with water parks or access to a park nearby, kids’ clubs, and babysitting. And some won’t come with any of those things.

The most important thing is to plan ahead (and read this guide, of course) before booking your all-inclusive resort vacation.

What Makes a Resort Best for Families?

There are all-inclusive resorts for couples, adults-only, and everyone else. There are no all-inclusive resorts specifically for those traveling with kids and no one else, though there are plenty of family-friendly all-inclusive resorts to choose from.

With that in mind, you might wonder what makes an all-inclusive resort best for families as opposed to an all-around great resort. We have to take into consideration what families need and want the most.

Amenities like kids’ and teens’ clubs, promotions like kids stay free, shallow pools, children’s menus, and even water slides are just a few things that families can look for when deciding on an all-inclusive resort. A resort may not have a water slide at the pool but could be close to a water park.

The location should also be taken into consideration. Additionally, you may want to leave your resort to explore the surrounding area or go to other attractions. Places like Cancún, Mexico, Ocho Rios, Jamaica, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic do a great job of catering to vacationers with lots of activities to try, including ziplining, waterfalls, and visiting historical sites.

Accommodations are also something to keep in mind. Just like with any family vacation, you’ll want to be sure you have enough space to accommodate the needs of everyone in your family.

Hot Tip: Although marketed as luxury honeymoon destinations, you can find all-inclusive family resorts in the Maldives, Bali, and even Phuket, Thailand. The Pullman Maldives Maamutaa is a popular family-friendly option.

The 2 Best All-inclusive Resorts in Aruba for Families

1. Divi & Tamarijn All-Inclusive Resorts (Orejenstad)

Divi and Tamarijn All-Inclusive Resorts in Oranjestad are sister properties with reciprocal benefits. Both are family-friendly all-inclusive options for your family vacation in Aruba.

A difference between the 2 resorts is that the Divi, which was renovated in 2020, is an oceanfront property and every room has an ocean view. The Tamarijn is also on the beach, but some rooms have garden views.

The kids’ programs differ between the resorts, too. At the Divi, kids 2 and younger stay, play, and eat for free, whereas kids 12 years and younger are free at the Tamarijn. There is the kids-only Sea Turtles Club for children 4 to 12 years old located at the Tamarijn, but guests of the Divi can use the facilities as well.

There are kid-friendly activities around the island of Aruba to consider as well, and guests of the resorts can rent electric bikes to explore the area.

The 2 resorts have great all-inclusive dining options. Sandpiper Bar is a beachfront eatery for the whole family, international cuisine can be had at Red Parrot, and guests are sure to be entertained with specialty grills at Palm Grill. In all, there are 10 restaurants and bars, including the signature restaurant Paparazzi Restaurant, Bar & Lounge.

Hot Tip: Family-friendly attractions in Aruba include De Palm Island water park, California Lighthouse, boat tours, and The Butterfly Farm.

2. Divi Dutch Village Resort (Oranjestad)

The Divi Dutch Village Resort is a mega-resort by Aruban standards, especially in comparison to the Divi and Tamarijn resorts listed above. They are all owned by the same company which also has resorts throughout the southern Caribbean.

Divi Dutch Village is a great option for families with older children that might not be as interested in a kids’ club. Even still, reciprocal benefits between the resorts allow for the use of the Sea Turtles Club located at the Tamarijn. Older kids will enjoy Divi Dutch Village’s beachside rock climbing wall and water sports center.

There are 3 pools throughout the resort, a fitness center, and a spa. The Links at Divi Aruba Golf Course is located directly across from the resort.

The all-inclusive rate plan at Divi Dutch Village includes restaurants and bars at its sister properties the Divi and Tamarijn. The 3 restaurants and bars located at the resort are informal. The Tiki Grill is the only restaurant and it is only open for breakfast and lunch daily.

The 2 Best All-inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica for Families

1. Planet Hollywood Costa Rica, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort (Peninsula Papagayo)

Planet Hollywood Costa Rica, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort has plenty of ways to make every member of the family feel like a rock star.

In addition to 2 pools to choose from, and water sports like kayaks and hydro bikes, there is a kids’ club with age-appropriate fun for kids as young as 4 years old. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., kids can take showtime classes where they’ll learn how to write a movie script or singer/songwriter classes with a green screen studio to make their own music video. There’s also a scavenger hunt and hall of fame party to be enjoyed.

When the kids are busy, adults and parents can enjoy the rooftop fire pit, the PH Spa and Beauty Bar, or 1 of 6 bars located throughout the resort.

You can book tours and transfers directly from the hotel if you’d like to explore more of Peninsula Papagayo and Guanacaste.

Hot Tip: Mega Combo Buena Vista is an eco-adventure park with ziplining, horseback riding, and thermal pools. For a more relaxed tour, the Palo Verde boat tour is a river cruise excursion where you’ll get the chance to see some of Costa Rica’s unique wildlife.

Lastly, every night is a theme night at Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica. Themes include a silent disco, tribute bands, and 80s vs. 90s dance battles.

Restaurant choices include Guy’s Burger Joint, Sunset Strip Steakhouse and Grill, and Blue Star Tex Mex Cantina.

As a Marriott Bonvoy property, you can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points starting at 50,000 points per night.

2. The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa (Guanacaste Province)

The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa is a family-friendly resort for families visiting Costa Rica who truly don’t want to have to leave the resort.

For families with young children, there’s a shallow pool right next to the larger lagoon-style resort pool. There’s also a kids’ club for children 4 to 12 years old featuring arts and crafts, an arcade and game room, and a large outdoor play area.

For older kids and adults, you can rent games like ping-pong with tables available right next to the pool. If you prefer more exciting activities, you can rent boogie boards and kayaks just a few feet from the pool on your way to the beach, which is located just steps from the resort.

There’s a Heavenly Spa by Westin, a fitness center, and an adults-only Westin Club Pool and Lounge for guests staying in Westin Club Rooms. The lounge features Bali beds, a swim-up bar, and Westin Club Concierges to help with dinner reservations and excursions.

In addition to 4 bars, there are 9 restaurants to choose from at The Westin Reserva Conchal. Try gastro-market-style restaurant Mitra Market, cattle-rancho-style restaurant La Sabana Steakhouse, and Asian restaurant Bamboo.

The Westin Reserva Conchal is part of Marriott Bonvoy. You can redeem Marriott Bonvoy points at this resort starting at 70,000 points per night.

The 2 Best All-inclusive Resorts in the Dominican Republic for Families

1. Dreams Onyx Resort & Spa (Punta Cana)

Dreams Onyx Resort & Spa is located on the beach in Uvero Alto in Punta Cana and is 1 of 3 Dreams resorts in the area. This property made the list of best all-inclusive resorts for families thanks to the size and offerings of suites, activities, bars, and restaurants.

There are 6 swimming pools including a children’s pool with a lazy river and 4 water slides at the family fun pool.

The Explorer’s Club offers a supervised children’s program where kids as young as 3 years old can enjoy crafts, video games, and a camping adventure on the beach. Kids 13 to 17 years old can try out Core Zone Teens Club where there’s rock climbing and video games.

For large families, Dreams Onyx Resort & Spa has 2-bedroom family suites conveniently located near the family pool.

Dreams’ signature Spa by Pevonia can also be found at this resort as well as a fully-equipped fitness center. Theme parties, dance and Spanish classes, and nightly entertainment can also be found at this resort.

Generous dining options in the form of almost a dozen restaurants include Mediterranean restaurant Cin Cin, French restaurant Mercure, and Sundaez ice cream parlor. Other cuisines include Mexican and Italian, as well as a steakhouse and burger spot. There are also various swim-up bars, beach and pool bars, and a sports bar.

Dreams Onyx Resort & Spa is an Award Category B World of Hyatt resort. You can redeem World of Hyatt points at this resort starting at 17,000 points per night.

2. Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana

Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana is located on Juanilla Beach in Cap Cana, less than 15 minutes from Punta Cana Airport (PUJ).

Families can enjoy the lazy river and water slides at the resort’s waterpark, themed pool parties, dance classes, and more. Guests can also reserve kayaks and Hobie Cats.

The resort hosts nightly family-friendly entertainment in addition to a kids’ club for younger guests.

Guests can rent private cabanas for the day to relax and lounge by the pool or spend time at the resort spa.

Dining venues include the Italian restaurant Noodle & Thread, the buffet-style Caribbean restaurant El Mercado, and Grog Grotto, which serves authentic dishes from the Dominican Republic. You could also elect to reserve premium private dining to be served either on the beach or at the gazebo.

Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana is an Award Category E World of Hyatt resort. You can redeem World of Hyatt points at this resort starting at 35,000 points per night.

Hot Tip: Check out our in-depth review of review of Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana.

The 2 Best All-inclusive Resorts in Mexico for Families

1. Moon Palace Cancun

Moon Palace Cancun is a Palace Resorts hotel located in the Yucatan Peninsula at the popular vacation spot of Cancún. There are actually 2 resorts here to choose from: Moon Palace and The Grand at Moon Palace.

Moon Palace Cancun is a fantastic option for families traveling with kids as young as 4 years old. The Playroom Kids Club is available for kids starting at 4 years old and offers games and immersive play supervised by resort staff. Children younger than 4 must be accompanied by an adult.

For older kids and teens, there’s Wired Lounge, an arcade featuring console video games, and a bowling alley. There are also tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts, a theater, and even an ice skating rink.

Non-motorized sports such as paddleboarding and kayaking are available on both sides of the resort.

The Grand at Moon Palace offers more luxury amenities in comparison to Moon Palace. There is a water park with a wave pool and lazy river at The Grand as well as an adults-only pool and Jack Nicklaus golf course.

Hot Tip: Guests staying at Moon Palace can purchase a pass to enjoy the water park. They don’t have to be guests of The Grand.

Overall, The Grand is best suited for adults and older kids, while Moon Palace has more facilities meant for babies, toddlers, and younger kids.

2. Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos

Los Cabos is better known for its party and adventurous energy than for being family-friendly, but there are a few resorts that cater to families. One of the most popular is Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos.

For younger travelers, there’s the supervised KidZ Club where kids can play games and do arts and crafts. There’s also a jungle gym and playground outside of the kids’ club as well as a kids’ pool and mini water park with 5 slides. There’s also an infinity pool and an adults-only swim-up bar.

Unfortunately, the ocean is not swimmable at the resort’s location due to rip currents. However, guests can still enjoy cabanas and lounge chairs on the beach.

There are over a dozen bars and restaurants to choose from including steakhouse Hacienda Baja Grill and Bon Vivant, a French restaurant exclusively for adults.

Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos is an Award Category D World of Hyatt resort. You can redeem World of Hyatt points at this resort starting at 25,000 points per night.

Hot Tip: Check out our full review of Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos.

The 3 Best All-inclusive Resorts in Jamaica for Families

1. Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall

Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall is the family-friendly sister resort of the adults-only Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall near Montego Bay.

The resort has a KidZ Club for kids as young as 3 years old, as long as they’re potty trained. A Teen Club is also available and comes equipped with a foosball table, air hockey, and video games. Daily activities for the whole family include cooking demonstrations, family bingo, and water ping-pong. There’s also a pool and evening entertainment.

The hotel can help arrange excursions for you on popular Rose Hall tours like a visit to Rose Hall Great House or horseback riding on the beach.

Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall has almost a dozen restaurants and bars of varying cuisines. Guests can enjoy seafood at Blue Grill at CalypZo, Italian fare at Di RoZa Italian Restaurant, and an international buffet at ChoiceZ Buffet Restaurant. Room service is available as well as premium private dining such as a candlelit dinner on the beach.

Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall is an Award Category D World of Hyatt resort. You can redeem World of Hyatt points at this resort starting at 25,000 points per night.

2. Moon Palace Jamaica All-Inclusive Resort (Montego Bay)

Moon Palace Jamaica All-Inclusive Resort is another Palace Resorts property very similar to Moon Palace Cancun, though there is no “The Grand” sister property.

This resort also comes with The Playroom for children 4 years old and older (children younger than 4 years old must be accompanied by an adult), as well as a Wired Lounge for older kids and teens. Non-motorized sports such as paddleboarding and kayaking are optional activities for older kids, teens, and adults and there is a pool and the Flowrider Double Surf Simulator. Tours and more can also be arranged from the tour desk right at the resort.

There are several dining options available throughout Moon Palace Jamaica All-Inclusive Resort as well as several places to grab snacks. Enjoy Asian fusion at Momo, traditional Italian dishes at Gondola, and authentic Jamaican snacks at Jerk Hut.

3. Beaches Negril

Beaches Resorts is the family-friendly sister to adults-only Sandals Resorts. Beaches Negril, renovated in 2019, is located in Negril on the western side of Jamaica known for relaxation and white sand beaches.

Beaches Negril has something for every member of the family. There’s even a nursery for newborns to babies 24 months old. Next up is a toddler program for kids 3 to 4 years old, the Navigators Program for kids 5 to 7 years old, Adventurers Program for those 8 to 10 years old, and finally a tween and teen program.

Pirates Island Waterpark and the lazy river are sure to be a hit as well. Red Lane Spa’s Ginger Lily has special treatments for kids as young as 5 years old, tweens, and teens. Menu items include coconut cream pedicures and a mommy and me package.

Families can elect to have private childcare with Certified Nannies at the resort or you can hire a One-on-One Beaches Buddy to be with your child with special needs throughout your stay. Beaches Resorts are certified by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) to have autism-friendly kids camps.

Beaches Negril features Sandals Resorts’ staple restaurants such as Kimono’s and Soy. Other cuisines offered include seafood at Stew Fish Grill, Italian at the Venetian, and an international buffet at The Mill.

The 2 Best All-inclusive Resorts in Europe for Families

1. Dreams Corfu Resort & Spa (Greece)

The Dreams Corfu Resort & Spa in Corfu, Greece is located in the town of Gouvia, about 10 minutes by car from Corfu Ioannis Kapodistrias Airport (CFU). The resort is brand-new and will be available to book beginning in May 2023.

This resort has all of the expected amenities as other Dreams Resorts, including the Explorer’s Club for kids 3 to 12 years old and the Core Zone Club for teenagers. Guests can enjoy 2 pools, including a family-friendly pool. Unlike other resorts in the brand, Dreams Corfu is located on one of Greece’s most popular islands.

Hot Tip: When guests aren’t enjoying the resort’s accommodations and included activities, they can visit Vlacherna Monastery located on its own island, Corfu’s old town, or try fresh and local Greek cuisine. The resort can help arrange transportation and excursions to explore the island.

This is a World of Hyatt property and as such, you should be able to redeem nights with World of Hyatt points. At the time of writing, this hotel does not have any points availability yet.

2. Club Med Serre-Chevalier (France)

Club Med offers all-inclusive resort vacations for families with locations across the globe. Club Med Serre-Chevalier is located near Briançon, a UNESCO World Heritage City. More specifically, the resort can be found in southeastern France near the Italian border and is the only cold-weather vacation destination on our list.

Hot Tip: The best airport to fly into to arrive at Serre-Chevalier is Turin, Italy. It is about a 2-hour car or bus ride to the French Alps skiing area.

Adults and kids alike can experience winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing, as well as Club Med Spa by PAYOT, fitness classes, and swimming pools. Group ski lessons are included for kids, teens, and adults. Equipment can be rented through the resort for an additional fee.

Club Med provides clubs for kids and teens of all ages as well as childcare solutions for children as young as 4 months old. They even provide baby feeding rooms with blenders, microwaves, bottle warmers, and more for guest use.

The Baby Restaurant features a special menu designed for the nutritional needs of little ones and is served by caretakers when your child is in their care.

Something important to point out is that, unlike a lot of hotels in Europe, the rooms at Club Med Serre-Chevalier have accommodations that can sleep 4 people.

There are currently 2 restaurants open, The Izoard and Le Vauban. The Izoard has panoramic views of the Alps and over the valley below while Le Vauban has an outdoor terrace where you can dine.

The 2 Best All-inclusive Resorts in the U.S. for Families

1. The Tyler Place Family Resort (Vermont)

The Tyler Place Family Resort in Highgate Springs, Vermont is an all-inclusive summer camp for the whole family. The resort is only open between Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend.

The get the sense of community that the resort wants you to have, 7-day stays are almost always required (except for during the first and last weeks of the summer when you can stay for 3 or 5 days.

Cottages and family suites all feature separate bedrooms, living rooms, and a kitchenette.

To keep in line with the summer camp mood, kids dine with their new friends and camp counselors while parents dine in another area. There is an adults-only bar and dining area, but families can choose to dine together in the Family Breakfast Room. All meals are included.

The camp schedule is open in the afternoons for family time but there are planned activities in the morning and evenings. Activities include bike rides, nature walks, indoor recreation, and water sports. Campers younger than 2 and a half years old will be matched to a Parents’ Helper for the duration of their stay.

2. The Ranch at Rock Creek (Montana)

The Ranch at Rock Creek in Philipsburg, Montana, is a luxury dude ranch in the heart of the Montana wilderness.

There are year-round activities at the Ranch, such as skeet shooting, horseback riding, and fly fishing in the warmer months,and winter activities like cross-country skiing, ice skating, and snowmobiling. The list of activities can seem endless, with expert trainers and guides for each one. There’s also a spa, fitness center, and pool. You can reserve a manual or electric bike to get around the 10-square-mile property.

Dining at the Ranch is something special. Wine pairings come with each dinner where special menus include BBQ and a 5-course tasting menu. Breakfast and lunch are served at the same time each day and the private homes and cabin accommodations come with a kitchen.

Speaking of accommodations, guests can choose between glamping, cabins, hotel-like rooms at the Granite Lodge, and The Historic Barn. Groups of up to 13 can rent out the entire barn.

Hot Tip: Looking for a bucket-list destination in Africa that has all-inclusive resorts for your family? Mauritius, Seychelles, and Tanzania’s Zanzibar — all in the Indian Ocean — should be at the top of your list. Club Med Seychelles offers an all-inclusive family-friendly option in this region.

Final Thoughts

All-inclusive resorts are often family- and budget-friendly and there are so many to choose from. While the Caribbean and Mexico offer more all-inclusive resorts by volume than anywhere else, quality resorts can be found there and beyond in places as far as Europe.

When looking for a family-friendly all-inclusive resort, keep in mind what’s important to your family on vacation. Resort amenities, activities, kids’ clubs, and dining offerings vary from location to location. This list is a great start to finding the best all-inclusive resorts for families around the world.