All-inclusive resorts offer a convenient vacation option for people who don't want to deal with details or face too many surprise expenses when they travel. These properties offer much more than a place to lay your head. Food and drink (including alcohol), entertainment, and other perks like internet service are usually included in your nightly rate. With everything taken care of for you, all you have to do is show up and go with the flow. (See also: 8 Amazing Hawaiian Resorts You Can Book With Rewards Points)
While many all-inclusives are affordable already, some are part of larger loyalty programs that make it possible to book your stay for free. You may not have considered this option when thinking of what to redeem your travel rewards for. If you're angling for an all-inclusive getaway but don't want to pay an arm and a leg, check out these resorts and their respective programs. (See also: Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards)
A Holiday Inn on the beach may not sound overly exciting, but the Holiday Inn Resort in Montego Bay might surprise you. This property sits on a beautiful and sprawling oceanfront with several sections of beach designated for families and adults only, crystal clear waters with hardly any movement, and its own private island. And when it comes to food, not only does the property offer an international buffet with a merry-go-round of changing food options, but also several a la carte restaurants serving Japanese, Italian, and classic Jamaican food.
This property belongs in the IHG Rewards Club, meaning you can book it with points from that program. Right now, you can book a free night for 40,000 points, or less if you pay with points and cash. Best of all, kids 12 years old and younger stay free. (See also: Family-Friendly Hotel and Resort Chains Where Kids Stay Free)
The Hyatt Ziva Cancun is a family-friendly property that sits on a beautiful stretch of beachfront framed by the Caribbean Sea. This property offers spacious rooms, an on-site spa, 24-hour in-suite dining, a dedicated kids' club, and numerous dining options featuring cuisine from around the world.
As part of the World of Hyatt program, you can book this property with 25,000 Hyatt points per night with double occupancy. (See also: Benefits and Value of the Best Hotel Rewards Programs and Credit Cards)
Hyatt's Zilara brand is the adults-only arm of its all-inclusive properties. The Hyatt Zilara of Montego Bay offers a retreat just for adults that sits in the historic and gorgeous Rose Hall region of Montego Bay.
This property features unlimited dining, multiple pools for relaxing, waveless crystal clear waters, an on-site spa, and special activities just for adults. Like Hyatt Ziva properties, this all-inclusive resort will set you back just 25,000 Hyatt points per night for double occupancy.
Viva Wyndham Maya is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort that sits within Playacar, a gated community of Playa del Carmen. This property boasts several a la carte restaurants, a gorgeous beach with amazingly clear water, a huge pool with swim-up bar, and plenty of organized activities that range from water sports to fitness classes.
The property's proximity to Playa del Carmen's famous 10th avenue makes it a popular property for all-inclusive enthusiasts who want the convenience of an all-inclusive while also experiencing local culture.
Like all properties in the Wyndham Rewards program, you can book a free night's stay at Viva Wyndham Maya for just 15,000 points per night. You may need to call to make your reservation, however, because many dates don't show availability online. (See also: Caribbean Island Vacations Anyone Can Afford)
Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach is another 15,000-point per night Wyndham property you can book entirely with points. This all-inclusive paradise resides in the La Romana region of the Dominican Republic — an area known for its beautiful beaches and family-friendly resorts.
At Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach, you'll have access to four huge pools, plenty of sports like volleyball and canoeing, an on-site spa, and five restaurants serving cuisines that include Italian, Asian, and Mediterranean. Once again, you may need to call Wyndham to make this reservation over the phone. (See also: 5 Most Affordable Cruise Lines for Families)
Hilton's Puerto Vallarta Resort is an all-inclusive, AAA Four Diamond Resort located along the gorgeous Bay of Banderas. The property offers four restaurants, two bars, a dedicated kids' club, and beachside pool and cabana service, along with a full-service on-site spa.
Use your points to book a spacious room featuring a king bed or two doubles. Since this property is part of the Hilton Honors program, you can book a free room starting at 53,000 Hilton Honors points per night for double occupancy. You can also pay 115,000 points per night for a junior suite with a balcony, or splurge on an ocean front junior suite for 144,000 points. (See also: 8 Most Affordable Beach Towns in Mexico)
Egypt may not come to mind when you think of all-inclusive resorts, but the country actually boasts quite a few. One of its most family-friendly is the Hilton Sharks Bay Resort, which sits in the popular Sharm el Sheikh resort area of Egypt. Not only does it offer a charming stretch of beachfront, but it has expansive pools, a fitness room, playgrounds for kids, and plenty of activities that range from snorkeling and scuba diving to horseback riding.
When it comes to dining, guests can choose from nine restaurants and bars serving everything from sandwiches and pizza to Mediterranean and Asian fusion cuisine.
Staying in Egypt is extremely inexpensive, and this property is easy to book with points or cash. Right now, nightly rates start at just $60 for Hilton Honors members and reward nights start at just 15,000 Hilton Honors points per night. An extra $20 fee applies for kids ages five and older with paid adults, but kids under five are free.
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