11 Tips For Choosing An All-Inclusive Family Resort (From A Mom Who Goes Every Year)

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When planning a family vacation, I do a ton of research to find an all-inclusive resort that checks all our boxes. Over the years, I’ve learned that what matters most can depend on your kids’ ages, stages, and your family’s overall vibe.

As a mom who travels to all-inclusive resorts with her family every year, I’ve put together tips covering everything from resort size and room layout to weather, activities, waterpark, kids clubs and food, all to help you choose an all-inclusive family resort that’s right for you.

11 Tips for Choosing An All-Inclusive Family Resort

Here are my top tips that you should consider when booking an all-inclusive resort for your family:

1. Consider the Weather & Timing

Since this is mainly an outdoor vacation, you’ll want to guarantee that you have warm weather, especially if you’re going in the winter. The time of year you go can make a huge difference in terms of the weather you will experience (and the cost):

• Fall is hurricane season for many Caribbean destinations, so risky if you book a trip in late August, September or October.
• Winter escapes are great, but not all tropical places are equally warm. For example, the Bahamas is situated close to Florida, where both can be warm but there’s no guarantee you’ll get hot beach weather. The Caribbean and parts of Mexico are much more reliable for hot temperatures during the winter months.
• Summer travel tends to offer better deals, but the heat can be overwhelming in some locations. Know your family’s tolerance for heat.
• School breaks are almost always the most expensive and the most crowded travel times.
• Trip length: In our experience, a week is ideal. Any shorter, and you’re barely settling in. Any longer, and you risk overstaying your welcome (especially if the resort is smaller or doesn’t have enough to do).

2. Travel Distance & Resort Location

A resort’s location can be a factor in choosing an all-inclusive family resort,  especially if you have younger kids.

After a long flight, an airport transfer that takes 90 minutes or longer will not be the best start to your family’s vacation. I can only imagine how many snacks I would need to pack to keep everyone happy during such a long ride!

The longest transfer we’ve ever done was 40 minutes, and honestly, that felt like the limit. Some resorts sound fantastic, but we’ve ruled them out simply because they were too far.

We didn’t want to have to take two different flights to get there or spend so much time in a shuttle, especially after a long day of travel.

Remember, you’re losing a part of or a complete day on either end of your trip for travel, so you don’t want to make it more complicated with extra legs and children in tow.

3. Resort Size

Not all resorts are created equal when it comes to size:

• When kids are younger, the last thing you want is a 20-minute walk to get from the beach to your room while you’re pushing a stroller around in the heat. Smaller resorts are more intimate, easier to navigate, and less overwhelming for younger kids. And you can get from your room to the pool or restaurant in minutes.
• Larger resorts work better for older kids and teens who want more independence and space to explore. Think lazy rivers, multiple pools, teen lounges and yes, more walking or taking a lift with a resort shuttle, but it can be part of the fun.

4. Room types & layout

This is one of the most important criteria for choosing an all-inclusive resort for your family. Back in the day, when we were younger, our parents would stuff as many family members as possible in a room. Now, families want a bit more space and resorts are trying to accommodate it:

👶 With babies or toddlers:

Consider a swim-up room. This can be a game-changer. Adults can hang out in the pool attached to your room while your baby toddler naps inside.  Check if the resort provides a crib or pack and play so you don’t have to bring one.

🧒 With younger kids:

You’ll want a bit of separation but still be close. Look for family rooms with a partition or sliding door between the adult bed and the kids’ area. That way, you can stay up later or watch TV while the kids sleep.

👱‍♂️ With teens:

As kids grow, so does the need for space. We’ve found one-bedroom suites work great – parents get the bedroom and the teens sleep on a double pull-out couch, and often have their own bathroom.

For families of five, these room configurations are large enough to add a cot. For larger families, some resorts offer two-bedroom suites with a double pull-out couch in the living room.

 If you time it right, you can find promo deals that make these layouts more affordable than you’d expect.

5. Pools & Water Fun

We judge a resort heavily by its pool setup:

• Younger kids need shallow wading pools or a splash pad
• Older kids and teens want larger pools, water parks and activities like surf-simulators
• Some resorts offer an activities pool with games, aquafit, and contests
• Others have a more chill “quiet pool” or adult-only pool
• Pools with swim-up bars are a fun feature for all ages

➡️ Pro Tip – Ideally a resort with two or more pools is best so that everyone isn’t crowded in one area.

6. Beach Quality & Swimmability

If your family loves the beach as much as mine does, this is a crucial factor and one that’s not always obvious from photos or resort descriptions. Many all-inclusive resorts check all the boxes, but their beachfronts may not actually be swimmable.

For example, parts of Cancun can experience heavy sargassum (seaweed), which makes the water murky and unpleasant for swimming. On Mexico’s Pacific coast, such as Cabo, the ocean currents are often too strong and dangerous for swimming.

In areas like Sayulita or Punta Mita, the beaches are better suited for surfing than for splashing around with young kids.

If your children are on the younger side, you’ll also want to look for beaches with soft, clean sand, perfect for digging, building sandcastles, and running around barefoot.

Some family-friendly beaches that are great for swimming include Bavaro Beach in the Dominican Republic, Grace Bay in Turks & Caicos, Aruba’s Eagle and Palm Beaches, Mexico’s Costa Mujeres, and the west and south coasts of Barbados.

If the beach isn’t usable, you might end up spending your entire vacation by the pool, which may be what your family prefers, but it’s definitely something worth knowing in advance.

7. Food: Kid-Friendly Options Are Key

When traveling with kids, food can make or break the trip. For younger children, you’ll likely find yourself frequenting the buffet, which usually offers the widest variety and the most familiar options. Many all-inclusive resorts also provide baby food or purees for infants and toddlers.

Most resorts feature a mix of themed à la carte restaurants such as Japanese, Italian, or steakhouses, but the quality can be hit or miss. It’s worth reviewing the available dining options before you book to ensure there’s something your family will actually eat and enjoy.

Also, look for snack bars or casual grab-and-go spots. These can be lifesavers when your child gets hungry between meals, especially during that late afternoon slump before dinner.

A Word About Restaurant Reservations

Make sure to research whether restaurant reservations are required, how easy they are to get, and whether it’s a first-come, first-served system. If your kids aren’t great at waiting, this could be a big factor in your experience.

Some resorts offer an upgraded “club” level for an extra fee, which often includes a personal concierge or butler service who can handle your restaurant bookings.

I’ve found this upgrade especially helpful when traveling with our kids during peak seasons. It saves time and frustration and ensures you actually get to eat where (and when) you want.

8. Activities & Entertainment

Your kids are probably not going to sit by the pool quietly all day while you read your book. So look at what activities are available for their age:

👶 Babies & Toddlers

Some resorts offer clubs geared towards babies and toddlers, complete with napping areas and age-appropriate toys and spaces. When we were new parents, this set the standard for all future vacations.

Our toddler napped in an air-conditioned supervised space close by, while we could go swimming and enjoy some R&R, knowing that we were right outside if the staff or toddler needed us. The indoor facilities are perfect for when your child needs a break from the heat.

🧒 Kids Club

Are there activities that they can do during the day or at night? Places they can roam on their own are important, such as a teen lounge, water park, lazy river, mini-golf, ropes course, basketball or beach volleyball.

🎉 Resort-Run Events For The Entire Family

Look for resorts that make an effort to get everyone involved, both kids & adults. Themed nights, foam parties, pool games, and water aerobics can keep kids and parents entertained and bring the whole family together.

9. Gear for Babies & Young Children

It’s no fun dragging your child’s car seat through the airport. Many resorts catering to families offer gear and essentials such as:

• Cribs or pack-and-plays
• High chairs
• Strollers
• Baby food or purees
• Bottle warmers

Check if you have to reserve these items in advance of your arrival.

10. Places for Parents to Relax

Look for adult-only spots where you can get away, such as the spa or adults-only pool. If you are a gym-goer, check if they have the equipment you need to continue your workouts while on vacation.  

If you’re not into the gym, a resort-run fitness class is a fun way to add in exercise. At our last resort, they offered TRX, which was new to me and a great low-commitment way to try something new.

11. Match the Resort to Your Family’s Vibe

This is an important final tip. Some families want to do and try everything at a resort.  Others just want to relax, swim, and make sandcastles.

Pick a resort that matches your family’s vibe, not someone else’s highlight reel. A chill resort will feel boring to active families. A high-energy place will feel chaotic if you’re looking to unwind.

FAQs

Are all-inclusive family vacations worth it?

Absolutely! All-inclusive resorts take care of the planning so you don’t have to, leaving time for you to make memories with your kids.

How many days at an all-inclusive family resort?

A week is ideal. More than that, you may get bored of the food or activities. Less than that, you may not feel that you have had enough time to relax.

Savvy Summary

When choosing the right all-inclusive resort for your family, look for one that fits your family’s vibe and interests.

Consider key factors like the weather and timing of your trip, the resort’s size and room layout, the quality of the beach and pools, and the variety of food options available.

Extras like kids’ clubs, waterparks, and activities for the entire family can turn a good vacation into an unforgettable one.

If you are still looking for an all-inclusive family resort, check out my reviews on The Grand Moon Palace Cancun and Royalton Bavaro.