When you think of a tropical vacation, chances are that relaxing in a shimmering infinity pool with a cocktail in hand while taking in the striking views is not too far off from your dream scenario.
Beautiful accommodations and great food are to be expected, but a gorgeous swimming pool is truly the cherry on top.
No longer focused on quantity over quality, all-inclusive resorts around the world have upped the ante when it comes to style, service and amenities. A stunning pool (or maybe 10, in the case of megaresorts) is one thing — but having access to the pool from your own private terrace adds an extra level of indulgence that can make a good vacation a great vacation.
Without further ado, here are some of our favorite all-inclusive resorts with swim-up pools.
Related: 14 of the best hotel pools in the US
Atelier Playa Mujeres
Playa Mujeres, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Best for: Couples looking for a posh lifestyle escape with close (but not too close) access to Cancun’s sights and amenities.
Why stay here: Come to enjoy the property’s distinctly Mexican sense of place and one of the best gourmet restaurants along this stretch coast.
Best way to book: Book directly with the hotel. If you haven’t already, become a member of the I Prefer Hotel Rewards program for extra perks, points and benefits.
On secluded white sand shores, 19 miles north of Cancun International Airport (CUN), this boutique Cancun, Mexico, hotel (part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts) sits within a gated condo complex and is surrounded by an 18-hole golf course.
All 593 suites feature sleek, modern furnishings that give a nod to Mexican artistry and style via beamed ceilings, tropical wooden accents, sliding doors, potted plants and beige marble floors. Lavish bathrooms are spacious and stylish, with glass-walled rainfall showers, freestanding tubs and Molton Brown toiletries.
The amenities here are top-notch, with gorgeous pools, a massive well-equipped gym, an array of nonmotorized sports and a daily lineup of activities and shows, including fitness classes and nightly entertainment.
There are five room categories to choose from, all with a similar aesthetic, as well as a designated butler service for each room.
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
To enjoy a swim-up room, you’ll need to upgrade to the Inspira level, which brings plenty of in-room perks and amenities, such as a premium rolling bar and a pillow menu, as well as access to an exclusive pool, beach and restaurant.
At 678 square feet, the Inspira junior suite swim-out room features a 420-square-foot terrace with a daybed (big enough for two) and direct access to a heated lap pool (shared with a dozen or so other rooms).
Atelier’s 13 restaurants focus primarily on authentic Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine, while 12 bars tout their innovative mixology with an extensive menu of handcrafted cocktails. There are also two coffee shops on the property.
The hotel’s marquee dining venue is María Dolores (which your all-inclusive room rate covers, but reservations are required). Helmed by celebrity chef Edgar Núñez, who earned his stripes at Sud 777 in Mexico City, the venue is praised as one of Cancun’s best restaurants. It specializes in artfully presented nouvelle Mexican cuisine served against a sophisticated backdrop of colossal marble pillars, brown leather chairs, crisp white tablecloths and elegant white booths.
For a more low-key experience, there’s contemporary Asian fare at the minimalist Takeshi, pizza and pasta at Cilento and healthy Mediterranean cuisine at the whimsically decorated Cala di Luna.
Rates at Atelier Playa Mujeres for swim-up rooms start at $545, based on double occupancy.
Sandals Negril
Negril, Jamaica
Best for: Fitness and water sports junkies looking for a lively hotel with a youthful vibe.
Why stay here: Guests appreciate this resort’s nonstop action along one of Jamaica’s most scenic and accessible stretches of coastline.
Best way to book: Book directly with the hotel for seasonal deals, discounts, offers and promotions.
On Negril, Jamaica’s famed Seven Mile Beach, your vacation can be as chill or action-packed as you desire at this low-rise, oceanfront resort with a breezy, laid-back Caribbean vibe.
There are a staggering 19 room categories, but even the base rooms here are spacious and come with plenty of bells and whistles, such as rainfall showers and marble bathrooms.
The starter swim-up pool option is the swim-up Crystal Lagoon beachfront one-bedroom butler suite, which connects (from its private patio) to a beachfront pool shared with the other rooms in this category. It’s well appointed with mahogany tables, leather sofas and armchairs, muted area rugs and four-poster beds.
Beyond sipping cocktails, sunbathing on the beach and lounging by one of the four pools (one with a swim-up bar), there’s a full roster of activities on land and sea to keep active-minded travelers entertained.
Sandals claims to have the largest water sports operation in the Caribbean, and all-inclusive rates cover all the requisite gear, expert instruction (apart from PADI courses) and guided excursions.
In addition to kayaking, paddleboarding, wakeboarding, windsurfing and Hobie Cat sailing, PADI-certified divers can sign up for daily excursions to the nearby reef (and there’s no extra fee). There’s also a calm inlet that’s perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Back on land, guests can partake in tennis, volleyball, pickleball and mind-body pursuits such as yoga and pilates.
Book a massage on the beach at Sandals’ signature Red Lane Spa (extra charges apply), or hit the fitness center, which has a daily class schedule that includes ab-tightening workouts, Tabata training, water aerobics and power walks on the beach.
Eight fine-dining restaurants specialize in everything from Japanese teppanyaki to Spanish cuisine to French brasserie fare. Premium liquors and Robert Mondavi wines are included in the rate, plus well-stocked and replenished minibars are in every room, so there’s none of that extra nickel and diming you can encounter at some all-inclusive resorts.
Rates at Sandals Negril start at $206 per person, per night. Swim-up rooms start from $355 per person, per night.
Secrets Moxche Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Best for: Active couples and night owls who prefer to look beyond their hotel for entertainment.
Why stay here: This Secrets outpost features comfortable suites, plentiful amenities and all the energy of Playa del Carmen a short drive away.
Best way to book: Redeem or accrue points by booking directly with Hyatt.
Part of the Hyatt portfolio, this adults-only, 485-key resort is set on a quiet stretch of Playa del Carmen, Mexico’s picture-perfect beach, around a 10-minute drive from the buzz of Quinta Avenida.
Junior suites start at 667 square feet and feature blonde wood furnishings, polished tile floors and woven textures and fabrics in a soothing beige, gray and white palette.
Bathrooms are clad in tropical wood and polished gray marble and have double vanities and a chaise-style seating area. Ample terraces are made for lounging, with cushioned chaises and chairs and either a garden or ocean view.
To reserve a swim-out suite at this property, you’ll need to upgrade to the Preferred Club level. Junior swim-out suites (similar in design to nonclub-level rooms) afford much more space (823 square feet). They also receive all the perks and amenities that club-level rooms provide, including exclusive access to a rooftop infinity pool, Preferred Club-only dining experiences, such as taco and tequila tastings, and a dedicated concierge service.
There are seven beautifully designed heated pools, as well as three human-made cenotes and an array of nonmotorized water sports offerings — snorkeling, paddleboarding and catamaran sailing — plus tennis courts, archery and scuba diving and snorkeling tours (additional costs apply).
If you don’t feel the need to head into Playa for entertainment, there’s a nightly lineup of live music and shows in the open-air amphitheater.
With over a dozen restaurants and bars, you’ll have plenty of options to satisfy any craving you may have. Seven eateries are a la carte, offering all the big-hitting culinary specialties you’d expect — Italian, Asian, French and Mexican, among other options — and all feature vegan and plant-based dishes. Additional venues include an all-day cafe for grazing and a swim-up bar specializing in fruity libations.
Breakfast buffets showcase an abundance of local produce and classic Mexican (ceviche, tacos, chilaquiles) and international breakfast fare. You can arrange (for an additional cost) a romantic, candlelit dinner on the beach, too.
The serene spa has an extensive treatment menu of massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, plus a hydrotherapy pool, VIP rooms with plunge pools and a beauty salon.
Rates at Secrets Moxche Playa del Carmen start at $574 per night. Standard rooms can be redeemed from 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
Related: Secrets Impression Moxche: This could be the best all-inclusive resort in Playa del Carmen
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Best for: Whale watchers and Hyatt loyalists looking for a quick and easy getaway on points.
Why stay here: This smart, secluded resort offers something for everyone at a great price.
Best way to book: Use Hyatt points and any free night certificates you have lying around to book your stay.
Just 2 miles south of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico’s Zona Romantica in the upscale Conchas Chinas neighborhood, this lively 335-key, family-friendly resort sits on a golden sand beach flanked by jungle-cloaked mountains.
Spacious rooms have a tropical-chic design with wooden furnishings, marble bathrooms and tile floors in a soothing cream-and-beige color scheme.
Swim-up rooms (for guests 18 and older) connect to an infinity-edge pool and are larger, feature separate sitting areas and have a bolder color scheme with more decorative flourishes than standard accommodations.
Club-level ocean view king suites with a swim-up pool have additional club perks (a dedicated concierge and a “VIP refreshment center”) and a semiprivate pool (for guests ages 13 and older).
Day or night, there’s never a dull moment with a varied calendar of excursions and activities, including kayaking in the bay, Mexican cooking classes, beach volleyball, Zumba and even seasonal whale watching from December through March.
The kids club has plenty of complimentary activities to keep little ones entertained, including a sea turtle release program, arts and crafts, beach games and two designated kids pools. Enjoy indulgent spa treatments like massages on the beach, or keep up your fitness routine at the oceanfront fitness center.
Among the resort’s 12 bars and restaurants, you’ll find the usual culinary crowd-pleasers: Italian, Asian fusion and traditional Mexican cuisine. The headline act, though, is Blaze, which combines panoramic ocean views with grilled fish and seafood infused with piquant Latin American flavors.
There’s a laid-back tropical vibe at Playa Bar on the beach, and at Bar Tortugas by the adults-only pool, free-flowing tequila and mezcal-laced margaritas conjure a party-forward holiday vibe.
Swim-up rooms at Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta start at $578 or 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night, based on double occupancy.
El Dorado Casitas Royale
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Best for: Snorkelers and divers looking to explore the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.
Why stay here: Choose this resort for its intimate, tropical setting and access to immersive experiences and a diverse array of amenities at El Dorado Royale next door.
Best way to book: Unfortunately, Karisma Hotels doesn’t offer a loyalty program, but when you book direct, it does reward loyal guests with food and beverage freebies and the best rates.
On a secluded beach 25 minutes south of CUN, this characterful, low-rise hotel is the quieter adults-only counterpart to the massive El Dorado Royale resort. Offshore, snorkelers and divers can enjoy swift access to the National Reef Park of Puerto Morelos.
All rooms marry romance with a tropical vibe. Grouped in an attractive, whitewashed, two-story building, Casita Suites start at 708 square feet and feature thatched palapa roofs, outdoor showers, lashings of tropical wood, gauzy white drapes and large balconies with white-cushioned daybeds.
The stand-alone beachfront casitas afford more privacy, but for the coveted swim-up pool factor, you’ll need to select a swim-up Casita Suite or go all-out for the presidential studio swim-up Casita Suite (836 square feet). Both directly connect to a lazy river from their patios and are decked out with more plush amenities and furnishings.
The fine dining restaurants (contemporary Italian and a Caribbean grill) and casual open-air Mexican cantina embrace the resort’s surroundings and showcase produce from the on-site greenhouse.
Guests also have access to all the restaurants and amenities at the El Dorado Royale next door: 14 pools (including a saltwater swimming pool), Temazcal-guided experiences with the resident shaman, nonmotorized water sports, a fitness center and tennis courts. Cultural immersion experiences include Mexican cooking classes, dance lessons and Spanish lessons, as well as tequila tastings, yoga, archery, guided bike excursions and scuba clinics in the pool.
Swim-up rooms at El Dorado Casitas Royale start from $548 per night, based on double occupancy.
Hideaway at Royalton Negril
Negril, Jamaica
Best for: Marriott Bonvoy members looking for a lively family vacation where they can redeem points.
Why stay here: This property provides the best of both worlds — a quieter atmosphere and plenty of amenities from the sister resort next door.
Best way to book: Book directly with Marriott and redeem or accrue points.
Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, this 140-suite resort is located on a private white sand beach within striking distance of Negril’s iconic attractions, Rick’s Cafe and the Instagram-famous Seven Mile Beach.
Room categories begin with luxury ocean-view rooms that, at 603 square feet, are generously sized and swanky. Sleek bathrooms are appointed with freestanding whirlpool tubs, and you can expect to sleep well on one of the brand’s signature DreamBeds dressed with high-thread-count sheets.
Luxury junior swim-out suites are similarly sized and arranged but have the added wow factor of steps leading from furnished terraces into slender lap-style pools.
With nine international dining outlets, guests can satisfy their every culinary itch: There’s seafood, steak, Japanese teppanyaki, Tex-Mex and Caribbean, among other cuisine options. Or, for a more personalized experience, make a reservation at the chef’s table experience (extra charges apply). There’s also a sports bar, an all-day international buffet, a gelato shop and a casual oceanfront bistro.
Pampering and well-being are central to the hotel’s ethos. To that end, there’s a large, modern fitness center with a surfeit of cardio equipment and free weights, as well as a robust lineup of classes and activities that include kickboxing, pilates, yoga and Zumba. The main pool overlooks two beaches with direct access to decent snorkeling offshore.
Relaxation-seekers will swoon for the beautifully designed Royal Spa, which offers a range of treatments and massages and encourages all-day lingering with spa packages, hydrotherapy pools, a sauna and a steam room.
Luxury junior suites at the Hideaway at Royalton Negril start at $416 per night, all-inclusive, based on double occupancy. A minimum stay of four nights is required. You can also redeem 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night for an ocean-view suite. Swim-up rooms can only be booked with cash.
Related: The best all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica, from honeymoon hot spots to family-friendly resorts
Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Best for: Couples looking for a traditional all-inclusive experience where they can redeem points.
Why stay here: Stay here if you’re craving a classic sun, sea and sand getaway with a warm Jamaican welcome and access to an array of amenities.
Best way to book: Book the Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall directly on Hyatt’s website to earn or redeem World of Hyatt points and take advantage of elite status benefits.
On a pristine white sand beach framed by lush mountains, the adults-only Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall is the sister resort of the family-friendly Hyatt Ziva next door (Hyatt Zilara guests have full access to its amenities and restaurants).
Less than 15 minutes from Sangster International Airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay, Jamaica, this rambling oceanfront resort has sunlight-flooded rooms with a minimalist-chic vibe and a neutral color palette accented with indigo blue.
Modern bathrooms feature walk-in showers, bathtubs and double vanities. Swim-up king and double rooms are similarly designed and sized (493 square feet) and connect to a semiprivate pool surrounded by tropical foliage.
A slew of games and fitness classes satisfy active (and competitive) types at the main lower-level pool that is always lively. The tropical open-air spa offers an array of treatments, including massages on the beach.
Complimentary nonmotorized water sports include kayaking and windsurfing, and the massive two-story gym has every conceivable cardio machine, as well as various weights, a boxing area and a spinning room.
Between the Zilara and Ziva sides of the resort, there are 10 restaurants, three coffee shops and six bars. Crowd pleasers are the Asian restaurant Fuzion (Ziva side) with three dining concepts (hibachi, wok-style and a la carte); Jamaican-focused Horizonz (Zilara side), which serves ceviche and grilled fish; and the gourmet French restaurant, Petite Pariz (Zilara).
Cash rates at Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall start at $385 per night, based on double occupancy. Rates for swim-up rooms start at $544 per night. Standard room awards start at 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night; suites can be booked from 44,000 points per night.
Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort
Los Cabos, Mexico
Best for: Design lovers looking for an upscale respite.
Why stay here: As part of Hyatt-owned AMResorts, World of Hyatt members can enjoy elite perks and discounts.
Best way to book: Book directly with Hyatt to earn points and take advantage of special offers.
A respite from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico’s spring break atmosphere, the 500-key Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort is 30 minutes south of Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), overlooking the Sea of Cortez. With an eye-catching hacienda-style design and a main pool with islands of palm trees, it’s a characterful, serene escape.
The lobby’s contemporary Mexican design is striking, with beamed ceilings, chandeliers, area rugs and elegant armchairs. Junior suite rooms start at 560 square feet and are decorated with wooden furniture, love seats and furnished terraces in soothing neutral tones with pops of red. Bathrooms are spacious with whirlpool baths, separate showers and dual vanities.
Preferred Club swim-up suites come with additional benefits such as personal concierges, upgraded minibars and access to an exclusive pool and a private club that serves continental breakfast, hors d’oeuvres and more.
With beautifully landscaped grounds, a rugged palapa-shaded beach and a full roster of activities on land and sea, there are few reasons to leave.
Along with cooking classes, beach volleyball, themed parties and fitness classes, there are tennis courts, bike excursions and even a batting cage and shooting range. Unlike many all-inclusive megaresorts in Cabo, the ambience here is more laid-back and relaxing than party hearty.
There are a dozen bars and restaurants, including Italian-inspired Portofino, pan-Asian-focused Himitsu and El Patio, where cantina-style Mexican fare is on the menu. For a mix of cuisines, head to the buffet-style Market Cafe.
A Junior Suite Swim Out Garden View Double at Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort starts at $421 per night, based on double occupancy. Standard room awards start at 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night, while suites can be booked for as little as 40,000 points per night.
Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa
Tulum, Mexico
Best for: Families who like the predictability and user-friendly features of Dreams properties.
Why stay here: At this Dreams property, you’ll enjoy a fantastic location near Tulum’s ruins, spacious grounds and diverse activities for kids.
Best way to book: Earn World of Hyatt points by booking directly through the website or app.
On the fringes of Tulum National Park, just a five-minute drive from the town’s dramatic Maya ruins and 12 miles from Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, this upscale 432-key resort with an adults-only section is nestled amid jungly vegetation and overlooks Tulum, Mexico’s famed beach.
Deluxe garden-view rooms start at 451 square feet and are appointed with wooden furnishings, feature hues of beige and cream and are accented with occasional bursts of red and orange.
Spacious marble bathrooms have double vanities, soaking tubs and wooden shutters that open to the main bedroom. User-friendly features include flat-screen TVs and furnished balconies overlooking either the gardens or the Caribbean Sea.
Preferred Club deluxe garden swim-out rooms are similarly designed and scaled but with direct access to a heated, semiprivate pool with its own bar, plus access to the perks of the Prefered Club. Benefits include upgraded amenities, an indoor hot tub (select rooms) and a personalized concierge.
The resort has six a la carte restaurants, a buffet, a grill and a cafe. Seven bars and lounges include the Sky Bar for watching sports in a relaxed setting and the Manatees swim-up bar at the main pool. There are two pools, including a heated relaxation pool and a splash park for kids.
Dreams resorts are known for creating spaces that provide both family-friendly and adults-only fun. Parents can drop off the kids at the Explorer’s Club, where they can craft, play video games or join a camping adventure while the adults indulge in a massage at the Dreams Spa by Pevonia. For tweens and teens, there’s also a Core Zone Teens Club.
The resort’s concierge service can arrange tours of the area’s archaeological ruins, and the daily activities lineup includes scuba diving introductions in the pool, lively pool parties and nonmotorized sports.
Deluxe Garden View rooms at Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa start from $248 per night. Preferred Club Deluxe Garden Swim Out rooms start from $339 per night. Or, you can redeem just 17,000 World of Hyatt points per night for a standard room or 29,000 points per night for a suite.
Related: 7 amazing spots in Mexico’s Riviera Maya that aren’t Tulum
Sandals Grande St. Lucian
Rodney Bay, St. Lucia
Best for: Water sports enthusiasts looking to make the most of a gorgeous natural setting.
Why stay here: You’ll find every conceivable activity here while enjoying proximity to vibrant, fashionable Rodney Bay.
Best way to book: Book directly with the hotel for the best last-minute deals, complimentary nights and packages.
With a prime location ringed by volcanic mountains and overlooking the calm waters of Rodney Bay, this expansive, adults-only Sandals resort combines tropical vibes with activities galore.
Room categories range from starter garden-view rooms to lavish overwater bungalows and the swim-up Lover’s Lagoon Honeymoon Club (the only swim-up option).
All share a similar aesthetic with classic mahogany furnishings, four-poster beds and cozy sitting areas with sofas, armchairs and coffee tables. Steps lead down from the private furnished terraces of the swim-up rooms to a semiprivate pool.
Punctuate days of blissed-out relaxation on the beach or by the zero-entry swimming pool with tennis, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, volleyball or pickleball.
There’s live entertainment nightly (reggae parties, romance nights and beach barbecues), and guests also have access to a Greg Norman-designed championship golf course at the nearby Sandals Cap Estate (a seven-minute drive away) or Sandals Regency La Toc (a 40-minute drive away).
There are a dozen culinary themes to savor at the St. Lucia property’s restaurants, including fine dining options (Indian, Japanese, sushi, seafood and Caribbean, among others), a casual pizzeria and even an English pub.
At Sandals’ signature Red Lane Spa, you can choose from a lengthy menu of treatments, and at the fitness center, classes include ab tightening and tabata training.
Rates at Sandals Grande St. Lucian start at $316 per person, per night. There is a three-night stay minimum.
Unico 20°87° Riviera Maya
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Best for: Culturally focused guests who like to feel that they are in Mexico and are keen to explore beyond the gates.
Why stay here: Customized excursions with experienced guides are part of the all-inclusive rate.
Best way to book: Book through our partner Skylark to enjoy elitelike benefits and on-property credits.
On a swath of white sand between Puerto Aventuras and Akumal, Mexico, the adults-only Unico 20°87° Riviera Maya is part of the Leading Hotels of the World portfolio.
From the lobby to the guest rooms, vibrant decor, Indigenous-inspired artworks and handcrafted furnishings immerse guests in traditional Yucatan culture. In fact, rates include many cultural excursions, such as visiting Tulum’s Maya ruins.
There’s a romantic air to the 448 accommodations, which feature four-poster beds, a white-on-beige color scheme and separate sitting areas with rustic wooden coffee tables.
Sleek bathrooms contain rainfall showers and double vanities. Of the 12 categories of rooms, three have that highly desirable swim-up dimension. The Alcoba Swim-up Pool King Bed is a spacious 624 square feet and provides direct access from a furnished terrace to the pool.
Unlike a lot of all-inclusive resorts, you won’t be overwhelmed with dining options. The property’s six eateries include fine dining venues spanning Asian, Mediterranean and Yucatecan cuisine, as well as a beach bar and a plant-based venue.
There are three pools, a holistic spa, a beauty salon and an up-to-date gym. In addition to customized tours of the region that include canoe paddles to visit Indigenous communities, jungle hikes, Maya ruin visits, zip lining and cenote swims, guests can make use of nonmotorized water sports, take a yoga class and play tennis.
Swim-up rooms at Unico 20°87° Riviera Maya start at $512 per night, based on double occupancy.
Calabash Cove Resort & Spa
Bonaire Bay, St. Lucia
Best for: Romantic couples craving a boutique experience in a breathtaking location.
Why stay here: A charming, nontraditional all-inclusive experience with local character in spades is the norm here.
Best way to book: Book directly for offers such as a complimentary fifth or seventh night and free airport transfers.
With just 26 rooms overlooking one of St. Lucia’s best beaches, adults-only Calabash Cove is a romantic haven with eclectic styling, local charm and personalized service, all of which keep couples coming back time and time again.
The four swim-up junior suites have four-poster beds with gauzy white drapes, private Jacuzzis on the deck and a prime spot near the beautiful infinity pool.
More spacious cottages feature comfortable sitting areas that open onto large decks with private plunge pools, daybeds and hammocks, and some have unique touches such as local arts and crafts, plants and bookcases. The quirky layout features Jacuzzi tubs that divide the open-plan bedroom from the bathroom.
The old-school Windsong restaurant overlooks the water and serves local and international cuisine with an Asian slant. The chic C-Bar is the place to grab a sunset cocktail and listen to live music, while the swim-up pool bar serves cocktails and healthy salads, seafood and burgers.
The Ti Spa offers an array of treatments that incorporate traditional St. Lucian techniques and ingredients, and there’s also a small gym.
Surrounded by wooden, cushioned loungers, the freshwater infinity pool is where most of the action takes place. While there are a few complimentary activities — paddleboarding, kayaking, yoga classes — on-site, this isn’t a traditional all-inclusive one-stop-shop.
At Calabash Cove Resort & Spa, guests can opt for a breakfast plan or a full all-inclusive rate. Swim-up rooms start at $693 per night, all-inclusive, based on double occupancy. There is a six-night minimum stay, and packages can be customized to include meals, beverages and airfare or provide select meals on a bed-and-breakfast basis ($396 per night, based on double occupancy).
Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Cancun
Playa Mujeres, Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Best for: Design-conscious families who like plenty of space, upscale amenities and fine dining.
Why stay here: This property is ideal for a polished home-away-from-home vacation with stylish rooms and luxe facilities.
Best way to book: Book directly and join the Tafer Rewards program to receive benefits such as complimentary wine, resort credits and early check-in and late checkout.
Nestled between a mangrove forest and the powdery sands of Playa Mujeres, this newer Garza Blanca property opened in the spring of 2022.
Located some 17 miles north of Cancun, Isla Mujeres (where the property is situated) is 8 miles offshore. Getting to the island is easy; the ferry dock is just a five-minute drive away.
Suites and residences are chic and modern with dramatic wooden bed frames, contemporary lighting, flat-screen TVs and a crisp white and beige color palette accented with foliage-print cushions, paintings and throws. Bathrooms feature freestanding tubs.
In the swim-up accommodation category, there are three options (junior suite, one bedroom and two bedroom). Junior suites start at 588 square feet and have furnished terraces complete with hammocks and steps down into one of the hotel’s six pools.
One-bedroom suites are 1,276 square feet and have full kitchens (with Nespresso makers, refrigerators and dishwashers) and separate sitting areas.
Blanca Blue (serving nouvelle Mexican dishes), Bocados (a steakhouse), Hiroshi (where Japanese fusion fare is on the menu) and Dao (a spot for contemporary Chinese) comprise the hotel’s fine dining venues. There are also a rooftop cocktail bar and a raw seafood bar on the beach.
The hotel is family-friendly, too, providing car seats, strollers, baby bottle sterilizers and bottle warmers. Families can enjoy six heated infinity pools and a designated zero-entry kids pool.
A kids club and a daily program of activities for children and adults, including water sports, volleyball, yoga, boccie and live music in the evening, are also available. There’s even a large and lavish spa decorated in white stone and exotic wood; it has 16 “purification cabins” and a hydrotherapy spa, among other features.
All-inclusive rates at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Cancun start from $513 per person, per night.
