Need a burnout break? Consider an all-inclusive resort.

A bucket of beers perspire next to my lounge chair. Turquoise water laps at the shore. A book I haven’t had time to finish in six months is spread across my lap.  Coconut shrimp are on the horizon, to be delivered any minute. Why had I resisted an all-inclusive getaway for so long? 

Like many others, I’ve long thought of all-inclusive resorts as a cop-out approach to traveling, characterized by overcrowding and a party-centric, cookie-cutter feel. But reaching a state of total burnout in both life and travel last year prompted another try. To my surprise, I found solace in the luxury of doing nothing. Like many others, I had been in dire need of a burnout break, and the all-inclusive answered the call.

“All-inclusives are a perfect solution to burnout. You have everything at your fingertips, the team members are accommodating, and it makes everything easy for burnout recovery,” says Francine Stewart, director of sales and marketing at Blue Haven Resort in the Turks and Caicos.

Our lives have reached peak frenzy of perpetual tasks, stressors, and over-stuffed schedules. According to the American Psychological Association and the National Library of Medicine, “burnout” is defined as feeling extreme exhaustion, listlessness, and being overwhelmed. Psychologist Herbert Freudenberger coined the term in the 1970s. People experiencing burnout feel mentally fatigued, suffer from immense stress, and lack motivation or creativity, affecting their productivity.

“Travelers are dealing with more stress, more pressure, and far less time to truly recharge. The “burn-out break” is real. All-inclusives take the friction out of travel— everything is seamlessly arranged, a huge appeal for those feeling stretched thin in their daily lives,” says Karolin Troubetzkoy, owner of Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet resorts in St. Lucia.

The all-inclusive concept has expanded and evolved to appeal to a wider demographic, sparking an all-out renaissance for travelers seeking to recoup from their hectic lives. Whether you’re looking for a traditional all-inclusive resort or a more out-of-the-box experience that still offers the attraction of hassle-free planning and transparent costs, those options now exist.

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The birth of the all-inclusive resort

All grand ideas that go the distance seem to have one thing in common: There’s usually some controversy surrounding their conception. The birth of the all-inclusive resort is no different, coming down to the definition: One total price for lodging, all meals and beverages—including at least a selection of alcoholic drinks—on-site activities like entertainment and (some) excursions. 

That’s what separated Billy Butlin and Olympian Gérard Blitz. While Butlin laid the foundation in 1936 with his camp-style resort in Skegness, England, it didn’t include alcoholic beverages. Enter Blitz, who added adult drinks (which became the standard we now know and love) to his original version of Club Med in 1950, located in Alcúdia, Spain.

From there, the notion of paying up-front—and leaving your wallet behind for the ultimate carefree escape where everything you need is on-site—took off in the Caribbean and, eventually, worldwide.

A changing reputation

Typically associated with long lines, buffets, and generic excursions, all-inclusive resorts have shifted with the demands of today’s travelers. They originally sported a pay-it-and-forget-it motto, with the appeal of a budget-friendly escape without skimping on the offerings. While these options still exist, more all-inclusive resorts are tailored to the luxury market. 

“It’s true that ‘all-inclusive’ once carried a reputation of being more about quantity than quality. That’s why we offer it as an option, rather than a default; gourmet cuisine, premium wines, and personalized service within an all-inclusive framework,” Troubetzkoy explained.

“All-inclusive resorts were looked at as ‘mega’ and ‘cheap.” Most people were on a tight budget, but wanted to splurge in terms of consumption,” agrees Stewart. “They want a unique experience with options included. So the reputation has done a full evolution.”

The future of all-inclusive resorts

The future is bright for all-inclusive resorts, especially with the ever-changing improvements inspired by guests’ wishes. “We’re seeing some evidence of growing interest in all-inclusives that don’t involve just sitting on the beach,” says Hilary Fischer-Groban, senior director of global brand, insights, and comms at Tripadvisor.

“The all-inclusive experience is switching from budget-friendly, economy vacations to embracing high-quality amenities, diverse recreational activities, gourmet dining, personalized services, wellness programs, and unique cultural experiences. There is a new set of consumer priorities and all-inclusive resorts are moving beyond the original model,” says Cory Hagopian, the senior vice president, global partnerships, at Virtuoso. 

Best for adults: Excellence Oyster Bay

Located just outside of Montego Bay, Jamaica, the adults-only Excellence Oyster Bay beckons. On a private peninsula with four communal pools and a wide array of restaurant choices, this beachfront resort is luxurious both in its amenities and hospitality. A mix of room categories, including private plunge pool suites and beach houses, already offer a VIP experience, but guests can book The Excellence Club for perks like private check-in and checkout, upgraded in-room frills, and access to private beach and pool areas. Evenings feature some form of entertainment, from karaoke to the remarkably talented stylings of a Bob Marley cover band.

Best for families: Blue Haven Resort

‘Stay at one, play at two’ is the slogan for Blue Haven and Alexandra Resorts in the Turks and Caicos. Guests can stay at either resort and then hop on a shuttle to visit the sister property for a meal or to spend the day. Located on the gorgeous white-sand Grace Bay Beach, Alexandra Resort is the bigger of the two, with a lively vibe. A kids’ club, giant pool, expansive beach, and departure point for boat excursions make this a great choice for families. Rent a bike and explore the town, watch the sunset from the beach bar swings, and fill up on sushi. At Blue Haven, relaxation comes easily, whether at the pool or lounging on the beach. Don’t miss the glass-bottom kayak tour so you can view sea turtles up close. 

Best for adventurers: OnBoard Expeditions

If remote destinations and outdoor adventures are your thing, then a trip to Tasmania’s Southwest National Park aboard OnBoard Expeditions’ luxury catamaran might be the all-inclusive option for you. The small-group trip will leave a lasting impact, while also providing you with all the trappings of an all-inclusive. It starts strong with a seaplane ride to the island’s largest national park, inaccessible by car. Aboard the boat, strangers become friends over Tasmanian cuisine: Fire-roasted crayfish, Cape Grim steak, and fresh oysters, paired with local cool-climate wines. Guides provide historical and cultural insight into this special, untamed corner of the world throughout.

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Best for safari seekers: Lengishu House

Northern Kenya’s Lengishu House is a fully staffed, exclusive-use luxury property on the Borana Conservancy, home to rhino conservation and the Big Five. It’s ideal for groups such as multigenerational families or friends, and offers unique safari experiences like horseback riding and rhino tracking. Or, laze by the infinity pool and spot elephants in the distance. 

“For most luxury safari lodges, the food offering has increased in standard over the years. In the past, it was focused more on guiding and safari experience, whereas now, lodges are employing executive chefs, resulting in much healthier and even fine dining food experiences, often including some premium wines, whiskeys, and gins,” says Shaun Stanely, owner of Stanley Safaris.

Best for foodies: Tutka Bay Lodge

Everything at Tutka Bay Lodge centers around a shared love for nature. Open seasonally, May through the end of September, this Alaskan wilderness lodge is an all-inclusive property in Kachemak Bay, accessed via boat taxi from Homer. Meals crafted from locally sourced and foraged seasonal ingredients are served at a communal table, cooking classes are offered, and the owners are cookbook authors. Time spent is choose-your-own-adventure, led by your personal guide. Spot otters from a kayak, search for tidal treasures along shore, or embark on a hike through the old-growth forest. After, relish in a hot tub soak before toasting to happy hour at the beach bonfire as the sun paints the sky.

Best for couples: Jade Mountain Resort

Once you feast your eyes on the vista from your open-air room at St. Lucia’s Jade Mountain Resort, you won’t want to leave. Luckily, the staff anticipates this and will happily deliver meals and drinks to your room as you lounge in your infinity pool, face to face with the island’s most famous residents: The Pitons. All sanctuary suites maximize this panorama, with every single detail enhancing the romantic atmosphere. Don’t miss the chocolate discovery workshop, and make sure to head up to the Celestial Terrace for sunset drinks overlooking the Caribbean Sea and the Pitons.

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