9 Best All Inclusive Resort Chains for Families

The hardest part about planning an all inclusive vacation is choosing a resort. So many all inclusive resorts and resort chains offer similar perks—beachfront accommodations, pools, water sports, shows and dining options galore—all included in one price. So which all inclusive resort chain is truly right for your family? Here, we look at some of the biggest names in the business to help you decide.

1. IBEROSTAR

• Accommodations: Many IBEROSTAR resorts offer family suites, in addition to standard guest rooms.
• Activities: Shows, pools, beaches and non-motorized water sports, such as snorkeling and windsurfing, are complimentary to all guests. Motorized water sports are available for a fee.
• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas at resorts.
• Kids’ Clubs: Typically called Lucy’s Club or Mini Club, kids’ programs are available for children ages 4 to 12.
• Babysitting: Babysitting services are available for an additional fee (rates are hourly).
• Kids’ Equipment Rentals: Cribs are complimentary upon request; rollaway beds can be ordered for an additional fee. Highchairs are available at all restaurants.
• Kids-Stay-Free Promotion: Up to two children under age 12 stay and eat free at IBEROSTAR.
• Locations: IBEROSTAR offers locations in the Caribbean, Mexico, South America, Europe and Africa.
• More Information: IBEROSTAR.com

2. Dreams Resorts & Spas

• Accommodations: Dreams offers standard guestrooms and suites, many of which can be connected for large family accommodations.
• Activities: Non-motorized sports are complimentary; motorized sports are available for a fee. Other activities include nightly shows; organized events, such as beach parties and themed nights; and cooking classes.
• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available at select properties via the chain’s app (simply called Dreams Resorts & Spas).
• Kids’ Clubs: Dreams Resorts offers the Explorer’s Club for kids between ages 3 and 12, and Core Zone for teens 13 to 17 years old.
• Babysitting: Babysitting services are available for an additional fee (rates are hourly).
• Kids’ Equipment Rentals: Most resorts provide cribs (complimentary), rollaway beds (additional fees), highchairs, beach toys and life jackets.
• Kids-Stay-Free Promotion: Kids-stay-free promotions are regularly offered.
• Locations: Dreams Resorts & Spas has locations in the Caribbean, Mexico and South America.
  
• More Information: DreamsResorts.com

3. Club Med

• Accommodations: Some resorts offer family rooms and suites; other properties offer standard guestrooms and suites, some with connecting capabilities.
• Activities: Beaches, pools and non-motorized water sports are complimentary to guests, as is a flying trapeze program. Guests also enjoy nightly entertainment and themed events.
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is available for an additional fee.
• Kids’ Clubs: Club Med offers several programs for kids, separated by age group: Baby Club Med (4 to 23 months); Petit Club Med (ages 2 to 3); Mini Club Med (ages 4 to 10); and Club Med Passworld (ages 11 to 17).
• Babysitting: Babysitting services are available at Pyjamas Club, for children at least 4 months of age. In-room babysitting can also be arranged. Additional fees apply.
• Kids’ Equipment Rentals: The chain offers Club Med Baby Welcome, with baby beds, bathtubs, changing tables, highchairs, bottle warmers and strollers delivered to rooms. Cribs and rollaway beds are also available, and are typically free of charge.
• Kids-Stay-Free Promotion: Kids under age 4 stay free at all times.
• Locations: Club Med features resorts all over the globe, with beautiful locations in Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico, as well as one property in the U.S., Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Florida. (Looking for more all-inclusive resorts in the U.S.? Check out the 10 Best All-Inclusive U.S. Resorts for Families).
  
• More Information: ClubMed.com

4. RIU 

• Accommodations: Some RIU properties provide family suites.
• Activities: RIU offers pools, beaches, sport fishing and more. Some properties also have golf courses.
• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available in all common areas and accommodations.
• Kids’ Clubs: RiuLand, available at many resorts, is open to children between ages 4 and 7.
• Babysitting: Babysitting services are available for an additional fee (rates are hourly).
• Kids’ Equipment Rentals: Cribs are available at no charge, and rollaway beds can be requested for a fee. Highchairs are available in restaurants.
• Kids-Stay-Free Promotion: RIU regularly offers a kids-stay-free promotion, allowing children under age 12 to eat free, too.
• Locations: RIU is located in the Caribbean, U.S. (Miami Beach), Mexico, South America, Europe and Africa.
  
• More Information: RIU.com

5. Beaches

• Accommodations: Beaches is the king of all inclusive resort chains for families, offering a wide array of accommodations from family rooms or suites to three-bedroom villas.
• Activities: In addition to traditional activities, Beaches offers  SCUBA diving (complimentary) and Sesame Street programming, including daily parades. The resorts also feature water parks and special activities for teens.
• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is provided.
• Kids’ Clubs: Beaches offers several children’s programs, divided into four categories: Infants (newborn to 24 months); Toddler (ages 3 to 5); Pre-Teens (ages 8 to 10); and Teens. There’s also a program for children with special needs. (Looking for other all-inclusive resorts that cater to kids with special needs? Check out the 5 Best All Inclusive Resorts for Families With Special Needs).
• Babysitting: After Camp Care is provided by certified nannies; rates are hourly.
• Kids’ Equipment Rentals: Cribs and rollaway beds are complimentary upon request, and highchairs are available in onsite restaurants. Strollers are also available—contact your hotel’s kids’ club to rent one. Car seats can be arranged for travel to and from the resorts.
• Kids-Stay-Free Promotion: Beaches doesn’t offer a kids-stay-free promotion.
• Locations: Beaches has three locations in the Caribbean: Beaches Negril, Beaches Ocho Riosand Beaches Turks and Caicos. Note: Beaches Turks and Caicos will close in 2021.
• More Information: Beaches.com

6. Divi Resorts

• Accommodations: Divi Resorts have guestrooms and suites, and some properties offer villas.
• Activities: Divi offers standard favorites like snorkeling, scuba diving and tennis.
• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is available in common areas and guestrooms.
• Kids’ Clubs: Many Divi Resorts provide a Kids’ Camp for ages 5 to 12.
  Babysitting: Babysitting services are available for an additional fee, with a time minimum required at some resorts.
• Kids’ Equipment Rentals: Cribs are available at no additional charge; rollaway beds are available for an additional fee. Highchairs can be found at all restaurants.
• Kids-Stay-Free Promotion: Kids ages 12 and under stay and eat free at all times.
• Locations: Divi has five all-inclusive resorts: Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort (Aruba), Divi Dutch Village Beach Resort (Aruba), Divi Flamingo Beach Resort & Casino (Bonaire), Divi Little Bay Beach Resort (St. Maarten), and Divi Carina Bay Beach Resort & Casino (St. Croix).
• More Information: DiviResorts.com

7. Occidental Resorts

• Accommodations: Some Occidental properties have family suites.
• Activities: Occidental Resorts is best known for SCUBA diving programs.
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is available for an additional fee.
• Kids’ Clubs: Occidental has a Kids’ Club for children between 4 and 12 years old.
• Babysitting: Babysitting services are available for an additional fee (rates are hourly).
  Kids’ Equipment Rentals: Cribs are complimentary upon request and rollaway beds are available for an additional fee. Highchairs can be found at all restaurants.
• Kids-Stay-Free Promotion: Occidental Resorts regularly offers deals allowing up to two children (under age 12) to stay and eat free.
• Locations: Occidental Resorts has locations in the Caribbean, Mexico and South America.
  
• More Information: Barcelo.com/OccidentalHotels

8. Grand Palladium 

• Accommodations: Some properties offer family suites, equipped with private hot tubs and family kits.
• Activities: Grand Palladium hotels offer pools and themed events, plus kitchen tours.
• Wi-Fi: Free Wi-Fi is provided.
• Kids’ Clubs: Grand Palladium offers Mini Club for children ages 4 to 12, and at some resorts, there’s a Baby Club for babies between 12 and 36 months.
• Babysitting: In-room babysitting is available for a fee.
• Kids’ Equipment Rentals: Some properties offer rentable strollers, and all properties offer highchairs and cribs. Some, but not all resorts offer rollaway beds.
• Kids-Stay-Free Promotion: At some resorts, up to two children (ages 12 and under) stay and eat free.
• Locations: Grand Palladium has locations in the Caribbean, Mexico, South American and Europe.
• More Information: GrandPalladium.com

9. Grand Velas Resorts

• Accommodations: If you’re looking for an over-the-top luxurious experience at an all-inclusive resort, Grand Velas Resorts is your best option. The resorts offer spacious suites, including two-bedroom family suites. Suites with private plunge pools are also available.
• Activities: Each resort offers Instagram photo tours, movies under the stars, and themed spa treatments just for kids and teens—including cabana treatments by the ocean!
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is included in rates.
• Kids’ Clubs: Grand Velas Resorts offers kids’ clubs with activities including scavenger hunts and cooking classes, as well as teen clubs with billiards, gaming systems, dance parties and mocktails.
• Babysitting: Certified babysitting services are available for an additional fee.
• Kids’ Equipment Rentals: Grand Velas Resorts offer Baby Concierge services that include bottles, bottle sterilizers, strollers, baby bathtubs, pacifiers and more.
• Kids-Stay-Free Promotion: The resorts occasionally offer kids-stay-free incentives.
• Locations: Grand Velas has three all-inclusive resorts in Mexico: Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, and Grand Velas Los Cabos.
• More Information: VelasResorts.com

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