Ever feel like vacation isn’t totally…relaxing?
There are the glitches, of course. Flight delays. Stomach bugs. Border closures. Then there are the various decisions that come along with almost any vacation: where to eat, how much to tip, and so on.
If you find those choices stressful, then an all-inclusive vacation may be the way to go. At these resorts, you pay for everything up front. They provide robust amenities and handle the details.
Some people think all-inclusives are a couples-escape thing. But most welcome families, and you can find several in the U.S.—so no international flight is required.
From nature escapes to old-fashioned fun, these six all-inclusive family resorts have everything on-site so you can unwind while the kids stay busy.
Sunny Hill Resort & Golf Course
Greenville, New York
One of the oldest all-inclusive resorts in the country, Sunny Hill has been owned and operated by the same family since 1920. The property offers a unique take on together time—with options like tournaments, tank rides, family-style meals (a bonafide schoolhouse dinner bell calling you to table) or fireworks at the Friday night lake party. Afternoons at this seasonal Catskills resort are left unscheduled. Enjoy fishing, golf and the splashpad or take on the 5.5-mile Viking Obstacle Course in the woods. There are themed weekends in the spring and fall, but budget-minded travelers won’t want to miss Kids ’R Free weeks in June and August. From $150 per adult per night, sunnyhill.com
Discovery Cove
Orlando, Florida
This all-inclusive Orlando day resort is part tropical paradise and part theme park. Snorkel among fish and stingrays. Hand-feed tropical birds. Watch dolphins leap in the lagoon, and then float down the winding river. In between, you can dine on unlimited treats. There are snacks, of course, plus a breakfast buffet, lunch options ranging from steak to salmon to mac and cheese, and beer and wine for mom and dad. At Discovery Cove you have add-on experiences like swimming with sharks, or just lounge in a hammock while the kids build sandcastles. The resort provides lockers, sunscreen, showers with shampoo and soap, towels, snorkel, wetsuit and even goggles. If you want to splurge, upgrade your family to a private cabana for a dedicated space in the park. Staying in town longer? Book a hotel package. From $224 per person, discoverycove.com
Horseshoe Canyon Ranch
Jasper, Arkansas
Start your day with an energizing horseback ride and end it with spooky ghost stories around the campfire at this dude ranch in the Ozarks. A host of activities are included with your stay, such as archery, ax-throwing, zip lining, swimming and canoeing, along with stick-to-your-ribs homestyle cooking. Kids will especially like the bottomless cookie jar (and fresh fruit) available throughout the day. The lodge comes complete with foosball, pool table, ping pong, a home theater, a swimming pool and a hot tub. The cabins boast wide porches with bluff views. Keep your eyes peeled for elk, deer, hawks and maybe even wild turkeys. From $282 per adult per night, horseshoecanyonduderanch.com
Club Med Sandpiper Bay
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Club Med has over 60 resorts around the world, from Mexico to Morocco, where they’ve perfected the all-inclusive art. Club Med Sandpiper Bay, just two hours north of Miami on the St. Lucie River, is no exception. Choose from three swimming pools, two restaurants serving global cuisine alongside kid-friendly favorites, and a whole host of activities: family tournaments, beach volleyball, kayaking, windsurfing, golf, flying trapeze (yes) and more. You and the kids can even take private lessons with a pro. One cool way they cater to families: There’s a club with activities for every age group, right down to baby gym and creative workshops for their very youngest guests. From $181 per adult, clubmed.us
The Tyler Place Family Resort
Highgate Springs, Vermont
Explore 165 acres of Vermont countryside where you can fish, swim, craft, climb, canoe or catapult off a floating trampoline. From late May till early September, Tyler Place specializes in family vacations with 10 age-staggered groups giving kids morning and evening activities with their peers and family time in the afternoon. Parents get their own kind of fun, too, whether it’s sailing and tennis or yoga and pottery workshops, plus pre-dinner cocktails. And it really is all-inclusive: meals, sports, lodging in cottages or suites, outdoor recreation, nightly entertainment, your own bike for the entire stay — even gratuity is covered with a 10% service charge. From about $200 per adult per night, tylerplace.com
Zapata Ranch
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Leave your beach towels at home. Bordering Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado, Zapata Ranch is a 103,000-acre working bison and cattle ranch. You’ll spend your days hiking, horseback-riding (kids under 8 enjoy pony rides in the arena), wildlife-watching and learning all about ranch life.Naturally, you’ll work up an appetite. Sack lunches are provided during the day. Then at night, dine on ranch-raised bison, locally grown produce and more before retiring to the recently renovated lodge. Everything is included, although there are upgrades for excursions like hot springs and whitewater rafting. From $395 per person per night, ranchlands.com
