Ellen Paderson's Top All-Inclusive Resorts With The Best Food Slideshow
Grand Velas Resort Riviera Maya (Riviera Maya, Mexico)
Set on more than 80 acres of protected mangroves, jungle, and cenotes (natural freshwater wells), Grand Velas Resort Riviera Maya is a five-minute drive from downtown Playa del Carmen.
Paderson describes Grand Velas as "very upscale." "The food is 5-star dining," she says, noting that there is great 24-hour butler concierge service.
The resort has 15 restaurants and bars, including Cocina de Autor by Bruno Oteiza and Mikel Alonso, which serves haute Spanish cuisine like fig and foie gras with grilled milk. Chef Ricardo de la Vegas crispy candied suckling pig tacos cooked in banana leaves, pineapple, and spring onion at Frida are a must-try. Other restaurant offerings include Piaf (French), Sen Lin (Asian), Lucca (Northern Italian), Azul (International), Bistro (French brasserie), Chak (organic desserts, wines, and coffee) plus 24-hour room service and five bars, including a karaoke bar.
Paderson recommends booking one of the rooms with a plunge pool and notes the childrens activities (the resort welcomes guests ages 12 and up) are exceptional. Rates start at $299 per person per night.
Azul Beach Hotel, by Karisma (Riviera Maya, Mexico)
The boutique resort with 147 rooms is "a great beach and excellent property for families with smaller children. Special features include candlelight dining on the beach, a fresh fish fry, a tequila bar, and popcorn room service for families who want a night in to watch movies.Rates start at $274 per person per night.
Sun Palace (Cancun, Mexico)
The modern rooms at Sun Palace include 24-hour room service, in-room wine, a stocked minibar, and a liquor dispenser with brand-name label whiskey, tequila, rum, and vodka. The resort features nine restaurants and bars serving international, Mexican, Italian, and Argentinean cuisines. Sun Palace also has three infinity pools and a swim-up bar.
Paderson likes the Sun Palace for its stylish rooms, food, and the fact that guests have exchange privileges to use the amenities at other nearby Palace resorts.
Beach Palace (Cancun, Mexico)
This Mexican resort has magnificent views of the Nichupte Lagoon. Two rooftop swimming pools and a range of amenities, including Jacuzzi tubs in all rooms, make Beach Palace stand out.
Paderson notes that the resort offers credits that can be used to upgrade your room or used to pay for excursions and tours.
El Dorado Seaside Suites (Riviera Maya, Mexico)
El Dorado Seaside Suites is an intimate, adults-only resort located on the secluded beach of Kantenah in the heart of Mexicos Riviera Maya. The 282-suite hotel is ideal for honeymoons and couples retreats.
The service and staff is impeccable. They have a great beach, said Paderson, who recommends booking one of the swim-up suites, where guests can step right into a lazy river that flows in front of their suite that connects to one of the hotels three fresh water pools.
The white sand beach features comfy beach beds and the spa offers its signature Beachfront Sky Massage on the beach. El Dorado Seaside Suites has six restaurants, including Arrecifes ( la carte international cuisine), Sandwicherie (burgers and wood-fired-oven pizzas), Vida Garden Grill (Latin fusion with an extensive margarita menu), La Carreta ( la carte Mexican), Mia Casa (Italian), and Klay Talay (Asian fusion) and two swim-up bars, a tequila bar, and 24-hour room service. Rates start at $265 per person per night.
El Dorado Maroma, by Karisma (Playa del Carmen, Mexico)
This small, 99-suite resort features large and spacious rooms with private en-suite infinity pool suites and swim-up suites with terraces that have views of the garden or white sand beach.
"It is on Maroma beach, which is the nicest beach in Riviera Maya," said Paderson, who notes the only downside to the secluded, beachfront resort is that there isnt much nightlife.
Paderson recommends booking the swim-up suites, where guests can step right into a lazy river that flows in front of their suite that connects to one of the hotels two fresh water pools.
After deep-sea fishing, guests of El Dorado Maroma can have their catch grilled at Papitos Gourmet Beach Club. Other dining options include Sabores new Mexican-Caribbean cuisine, Kiyoko, an Asian restaurant, and Mio Cuccina Italiana, which serves fresh fish carpaccio and fruti de mare. Two swim-up bars serve Mexican beer, topical drinks, and cheladas. Rates start at $343 per person per night.
Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa (Turks & Caicos)
The family-friendly resort is one of Padersons top choices for its "excellent food, great activities for families, scuba diving, which is included and children can learn to scuba dive, and excellent waterpark."
Paderson recommends booking a room in the Italian village and notes the childrens rooms are great for families. There is an adults-only pool and restaurant along with day care and baby-sitting so adults can enjoy alone time.
There are 16 restaurant options and kosher meals can be arranged. The hotel can accommodate guests who have allergies to or seek to avoid gluten, peanuts/nuts, dairy, eggs, soy, yeast, shellfish, sesame, and sugar. Vegan and vegetarian options can also be arranged in advance. Rates start at $641 per room per night (two people); two-night minimum stay required.
Beaches Negril Resort & Spa (Negril, Jamaica)
Located on a pristine beach, Beaches Negril Resort & Spa has nearly identical amenities to Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort Villages & Spa. Paderson placed Beaches Negril Resort & Spa on her list of best all-inclusive resorts for its amenities and water park.
Like other Beaches properties, kosher meals can be arranged. The hotel can accommodate guests who have allergies to or seek to avoid gluten, peanuts/nuts, dairy, eggs, soy, yeast, shellfish, sesame, and sugar. Vegan and vegetarian options can also be arranged in advance. Rates start at $662 per room per night (two people); two-night minimum stay required.
Sandals Royal Plantation (Ocho Rios, Jamaica)
The all-butler service boutique property makes Padersons list for its quality but small beach and its impeccable service. The butlers are trained by the London-based Professional Guild of English Butlers. She recommends booking a room with a French balcony.
The hotel can accommodate guests who have allergies to or seek to avoid gluten, peanuts/nuts, dairy, eggs, soy, yeast, shellfish, sesame and sugar. Vegan, vegetarian, and kosher options can also be arranged in advance. Rates start at $572 per room per night (two people); two-night minimum stay required.
Couples Swept Away (Negril, Jamaica)
Paderson recommends Couples Swept Away for its "amazing sunsets." Paderson notes that Couples Swept Away also includes three tours in its room rates, so guests can venture off-site without paying extra, a feature few all-inclusive resorts include in their rates. Other amenities include a trip to a local waterside bar, a catamaran cruise, free Wi-Fi, scuba diving, windsurfing and water skiing courses, and golfing on an 18-hole course.
Sandals Emerald Bay (Great Exuma, Bahamas)
The adults-only Sandals Emerald Bay has the requisite beautiful beach, but is great for golfers said Paderson, who notes the on-property golf course is available for an additional fee.
Dishes to try include the Bahamian conch salad at Bahama Bay restaurant and the chicken pot pie at the Drunken Duck Pub. Try these dishes with the Planters Punch El Dorado cocktail.
The hotel can accommodate guests who have allergies to or seek to avoid gluten, peanuts/nuts, dairy, eggs, soy, yeast, shellfish, sesame and sugar. Vegan, vegetarian and kosher options can also be arranged in advance. Rates start at $541 per room per night (two people); two-night minimum stay required.