![\"\"](\"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/1960s-pub-600-h-club-med.jpg\")
Club Med poster, circa 1950s. Photo: Club Med<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\nR<\/span>egardless of your age or economic status, the thought of being pampered at an exotic resort is a hedonistic dream that makes most folks close their eyes and smile.<\/p>\n But the smile fades and your eyes open when you remember that time you left your wallet on the beach or that great sunset luau and coconut drinks you signed for showed up as a $200 charge on your checkout bill.<\/p>\n Enter the stress-free, hassle-absent reality of the all-inclusive resort. One price covers all. No cash or plastic needed when you swim up to the bar. Order a double, eat all you want, wink at the bartender. It\u2019s all included!<\/p>\n In fact, these days all-inclusive even goes beyond a nice room, three meals and unlimited booze. They even throw in wind surfing lessons, banana boat rides, horseback on the beach, local sightseeing and that midnight luau with coconut drinks you used to pay so dearly for. Gone are the days of watered down drinks and menus riddled with \u201cnot included\u201d asterisks.<\/p>\n Of course there has to be a rub for all this unrestricted free fun: the all-inclusive\u2026 PRICE!<\/p>\n So get out your calculator and start punching the numbers. Many resort-goers, the do-everything, eat-anything, drink \u2018til you drop, “hey, I\u2019m on vacation” set will opt for the one-charge-covers-all plan with little hesitation.<\/p>\n More frugal folk who like to sightsee off the reservation, don\u2019t eat a whole lot and just drink because they\u2019re thirsty will likely find a la carte options more appetizing and a better deal in the long run.<\/p>\n But, as the proliferation of all-inclusive resorts around the world attests, there is a welcome allure to enjoying everything imaginable with empty pockets. And nowadays you can find them at all one-time price levels and with every type of hedonistic or fully active experience included.<\/p>\n So, unless you\u2019re the type who likes to peel off Benjamins or flash your Gold Card at every meal, consider the all-inclusive for a hard to beat resort experience.\n[awesome-gallery id=5892] Club Med, Alcudia, Majorca, Spain circa 1950s<\/p><\/p>\n The all-inclusive resort model began with the first Club Med in Majorca, Spain. The origins of this resort powerhouse company are surprisingly simple. Founded by Belgian entrepreneur G\u00e9rard Blitz in 1950\u2014and partnering with French businessman Gilbert Trigano in 1954\u2014the first Club Med was comprised of a colony of tents. The second Club Med opened in 1954 in Palinuro, Salerno Italy, including villages of beachfront straw huts that were unlit and involved visitors sharing communal washing facilities with each other. This was a far cry from the modern iterations of Club Med locations where Swiss-trained Maitre D\u2019s cater to your every need.<\/p>\n The original, more basic Club Med model originally drew in single and couple vacationers, but after selling the company to Swiss businessman Baron Edmond Adolphe de Rothschild, it eventually became the destination resort conglomerate it’s known as today, serving as a vacation spot primarily for families. Huge destination resorts really took off and grew in popularity during the 1990s when other similar resorts began copying and outperforming the Club Med model.<\/p>\n Skipping the heyday of luxury all-inclusive resorts through the 1990s and early 2000s, 2017 hosts a demand for all-inclusive packages that offer more than poolside pampering. Many boutique-size all-inclusive resorts have begun rising in popularity for their return to form, more closely resembling the original model created by Blitz and Trigano in the 1950s versus their maximalist evolutions. The larger resorts have begun taking notice, as well, recognizing that the all-inclusive resort landscape is changing once again to cater\u2014sometimes exclusively\u2014to active, culture-hungry single vacationers and couples.<\/p>\n Many all-inclusive resorts now include excursions with their packages, which serve to appeal to the active traveler. These excursions range from water- and nature-related activities to sometimes venturing outside of the gilded walls of the previously isolated resort locations.<\/p>\n Compiled for their programs featuring a diverse range of activities as well as more traditional luxury features, below is a list of all-inclusive resorts from around the world that are worth checking out for your next vacation:<\/p>\n Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n The Beaches Resort Villages & Spa\u2014located on the island of Providenciales of the Turks and Caicos Islands\u2014goes beyond the family-friendly resort formula. The location boasts having \u201cfour resorts in one\u201d with each segment\u2019s accommodation style mimicking those associated with the Caribbean, Italy, Key West, and France.<\/p>\n Though the resort thoroughly encourages its visitors to relax by the pool and boasts some commercials elements, it also offers a variety of water- and land-sport activities like ocean kayaking, snorkeling, hydrobikes, windsurfing, paddle boarding, basketball, beach volleyball, soccer, and tennis. The resort also includes many nature-related activities such as bird watching where visitors can keep a look out for winged wildlife, ranging from great blue herons to flamingos. Whale watching is also popular where some visitors are lucky enough to get a glimpse of a humpback whale. Other dwellers like iguanas are common visitors to the resort, as well.<\/p>\n The resort highlights its designation as a premium diving destination for beginners and seasoned divers. One unique feature includes Jojo, the local resident bottlenose dolphin, who escorts dive boats to their intended destinations and sometimes cavorts with divers and snorkelers.<\/p>\n The resort features local tour excursions outside of the resort walls that are led by locals to the island. You can take a visit to salt ponds, inland marshes-protected habitats, local villages and farms, and participate in activities like deep-sea fishing.<\/p>\n To get a quote, call or visit the Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa website.<\/p>\n Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa<\/a>\nLower Bight Rd\nThe Bight Settlement\nProvidenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands TKCA 1ZZ\nP: (649)-946-8000<\/p>\n Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Resort, Ocho Rios, Jamaica<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n This all-inclusive resort says to \u201cDo it all \u2026 or nothing at all,\u201d which is the typical attitude taken by modern exotic resorts.<\/p>\n Mixing the luxury with the active, Moon Palace offers a variety of packages based on the size and care needs of the visiting party.<\/p>\n Each reservation comes with included Resort Credits that you can \u201cspend\u201d on the different activities available. You can get wet with water-sports like paddle boarding, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming with dolphins, and more. External excursions include a trip to the Bob Marley Museum in Montego Bay and exploring the exotic Jamaican rainforest.<\/p>\n To book your stay at the Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Resort, give them a call or visit their website today.<\/p>\n Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Resort<\/a>\nMain St.\nOcho Rios, Jamaica\nP: (800) 986-5632<\/p>\n Secrets Cap Cana<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n This adults-only resort runs more sophisticated than the commercial facilities typically associated with all-inclusive resorts. The resort offers different packages based on your needs and includes the customary luxury resort accommodations.<\/p>\n But like the other resorts on this list, Secrets Cap Cana offers different, exciting activities and excursions for you to choose from, like dance classes, non-motorized water sports, introductory scuba lessons in the pool, sailing, windsurfing, kayaks, and snorkeling.<\/p>\n Some of the more interesting activities are available at an additional cost and don\u2019t fall under the \u201call-inclusive\u201d umbrella. However, the activities like deep-sea fishing, visits to eco parks, and adventure tours are easy to incorporate into your package before your stay. Explore the protected harbor marina of Cap Cana. Embark on an equine adventure at Los Establos Equestrian Park. Scape Park is a natural \u201ctheme park,\u201d that\u2019s located inside Cap Cana and features caves, caverns, and local flora and fauna. Other excursions include a visit to the popular Saona Island, the Altos de Chav\u00f3n, and Santo Domingo.<\/p>\n To book your trip and extra activities at Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa, call or visit their website.<\/p>\n Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa<\/a>\nBlvd. Zona Hotelera\nPlaya Juanito, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic 51101\nP: (866) 467-3273<\/p>\n Breathless Riviera Cancun<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n The Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa is one of two Mexican resorts on this list. Breathless is also an adults-only resort, highlighting its dedication to luxury and a good time. Unlike the more nature-centric active resorts on this list, the Breathless Riviera is more focused on its partying aspect. Nightly pool parties are accompanied by a DJ or a pre-recorded dance mix. Aside from partying, there are some more traditional active activities like swimming, tennis, beach volleyball, aerobics, dance classes, water aerobics, snorkeling lessons, and kayaking. You can even take Spanish classes to exercise your brain during your stay! Some activities don\u2019t fall under the all-inclusive pricing and will incur additional fees, such as: golf, access to heated swimming pools, tennis, and fishing.<\/p>\n To book your stay at Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa and to secure your additional activities, call the resort or visit their website.<\/p>\n Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa<\/a>\nCarretera Cancun-Puerto Morelos\nPuerto Morelos, Q.R., Mexico 77580\nP: (52) 998-283-0900<\/p>\n Finest Playa Mujeres\u2014Cancun, Mexico<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n 5. Finest Playa Mujeres\u2014Cancun, Mexico<\/p>\n The final resort on this list is also a Mexican resort. However, unlike Breathless, Finest Playa Mujeres is the only multiage, family-friendly all-inclusive gated resort in the Cancun area. Despite having accommodations for children, the resort has separate activities just for adults ranging from relaxing in a rooftop jacuzzi to couple\u2019s massages. Family-friendly, integrated daytime activities include kayaking, snorkeling, windsurfing, paddle boarding, scuba lessons, aerobics and water aerobics, water polo, yoga classes, dance lessons, cooking lessons, beach volleyball, beach football, tennis, basketball, bicycling, archery, and more. The resort also boasts deep sea fishing, experiencing Mayan culture, golfing, yachting, and Yucatan and Cancun area tours.<\/p>\n For reservations, please call the Finest Playa Mujeres or visit their website.<\/p>\nThe Evolutionary History of All-Inclusive Resorts<\/h4>\n
The Modern All-Inclusive Resort<\/h4>\n
All-Inclusive Resorts With an Active Edge<\/h4>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/aerials_03_276Caribbean-700-Beaches-Turks-Caicos.jpg\")
1. Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa\u2014Providenciales, Turks and Caicos<\/h5>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/JamaicaPalace063-700w.jpg\")
2. Moon Palace Jamaica Grande Resort\u2014Ocho Rios, Jamaica<\/h5>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/secrets-cap-cana-700.jpg\")
3. Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa\u2014Playa Juanito, Dominican Republic<\/h5>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/breathless-riviera-cancun-700w.jpg\")
4. Breathless Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa\u2014Puerto Morelos, Mexico<\/h5>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/healthyaging.net\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/finest-playa-mujeres-700w.jpg\")
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