There’s something appealing about arriving on vacation knowing almost everything is already taken care of. Your accommodations, meals, drinks and many of your activities are covered before you even unpack your suitcase. For a while, though, the all-inclusive vacation seemed to fall out of the travel conversation.
But now, according to a recent survey, all-inclusive resorts are having a resurgence, drawing renewed interest from travelers. So, what’s behind the comeback? We spoke to Janelle Hopkin, president and managing director of Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada, about what’s driving travelers back—and how the all-inclusive experience is evolving.
Why Travelers Are Turning to All-Inclusive Resorts Again
“I think there has definitely been a shift in how people view the all-inclusive experience, particularly at the luxury end of the market,” Hopkin told EBONY. Hopkin believes part of that shift comes down to travelers wanting a vacation that actually feels like a break. “I think convenience and peace of mind are major factors. People work incredibly hard, life is busy, and when they finally take a vacation, they want to be able to switch off and relax,” she says. “There is something very appealing about arriving at a resort and knowing that so much has already been taken care of.”
That ease can also remove some of the mental work that comes with planning and budgeting throughout a trip. Instead of calculating the cost of every meal or drink, travelers can focus more on enjoying their time away. “You are not constantly thinking about what everything costs or signing a bill every time you have a meal or order a drink. That freedom allows you to be more present in the experience,” Hopkin said.
“For both solo and group trips, all-inclusives remove the work of maintaining a budget throughout the trip and put everything at arm’s reach instead,” says Akua Harris, travel strategist and founder of Geekdom Travel. “That disconnect from the world is easier to achieve—which you want to get to quickly if your trip is just a long weekend versus several weeks.”
Harris says she begins planning trips by thinking about the intention behind them. For vacations centered on self-care, relaxation or reconnecting with a group, an all-inclusive can make sense because exploring the destination may not be the main goal.
“For trips where the intention is self-care, for example, I prefer an all-inclusive because I’m looking for somewhere to relax and recharge—exploration isn’t the goal,” she said.
Harris says she begins planning trips by thinking about the intention behind them. For vacations centered on self-care, relaxation or reconnecting with a group, an all-inclusive can make sense because exploring the destination may not be the main goal.
“For trips where the intention is self-care, for example, I prefer an all-inclusive because I’m looking for somewhere to relax and recharge—exploration isn’t the goal,” she said.
The All-Inclusive Experience Has Changed
While convenience has long been part of the appeal, what travelers can expect from an all-inclusive vacation has also evolved. “Traditionally, I think there was a perception that all-inclusive meant large resorts, buffet dining and a fairly standardized experience. For some travelers, particularly those looking for luxury or authenticity, that understandably was not appealing,” says Hopkin.
Today, she says, travelers are discovering that there isn’t one standard version of an all-inclusive experience. “There are properties showing that the model can provide convenience without sacrificing individuality, authenticity or a real connection to place,” she adds.
At Spice Island Beach Resort, that means offering an intimate experience across just 64 suites while incorporating Grenadian culture throughout the property. The independently owned, Grenadian-owned and family-operated resort places an emphasis on personalized service and locally inspired food rather than simply offering as many restaurants or amenities as possible. “Being Grenadian is not an accent we add to the experience; it is fundamental to it,” Hopkin says. “We want our guests to taste Grenada, experience Grenada and connect with Grenadians.”
For Harris, all-inclusives have remained useful even as the way she travels has changed. When she first began traveling, she gravitated toward them because they felt more economical and made trips feel more feasible. Since then, she has stayed in everything from homestays and Airbnbs to one- and five-star hotels, but says all-inclusives still serve a purpose depending on the trip.
How to Decide If an All-Inclusive Is Worth It
For travelers considering an all-inclusive vacation, Hopkin says the first step is recognizing that the term can mean very different things depending on the property. “I would say do not assume that all-inclusive means the same thing everywhere, because it does not.”
Harris considers everything from dining options and nightlife to accessibility, activities for different age groups and whether the resort offers private excursions for guests who decide they want to explore beyond the property. For group trips in particular, she says an all-inclusive can give travelers enough shared space to spend time together while still allowing people to separate when they want to.
Hopkin also recommends considering how connected a property is to the destination itself rather than simply counting on restaurants, bars and amenities. “Who owns it? Who works there? Is the local culture represented meaningfully in the food, the service and the experience? Will you leave feeling that you have actually experienced the country you visited, rather than simply a resort?”