Adventure Awaits: Unique All-Inclusive Resorts
A week at an all-inclusive resort promises idle, sunny days; however, it doesn’t usually spell adventure. After all, where’s the thrill of exploration when there’s a beach in easy reach of your bed, and all meals and drinks are served on site? But hold the piña coladas: resorts can offer much more than a do-nothing holiday.
At these 10 all-inclusives, guests can gallop across lonesome prairies, watch elephants from outdoor pools, and cultivate skills from yoga to axe-throwing. These out-of-the-ordinary spots might even win over hardened resort skeptics.
Club Marvy, Turkey
Resorts are sprinkled across Turkey’s Aegean Coast as generously as pistachios on a wedge of künefe (pastry cheesecake). Club Marvy features the upscale amenities you’d expect, including a swish spa and sandy beach. Its culinary offerings blend Turkey and Italy using locally sourced ingredients (the owner’s mother has an organic farm nearby). Best of all, there’s the chance to become a sea captain with reasonably priced lessons at the on-site sailing club. Kids can bob around in sparkling water on dinghies, while adults work toward their sailing licenses … perhaps you’ll arrive by boat next time.
Full-board packages start around TL1045 (US$185) per night. It’s less than an hour by road from the ancient port town of İzmir.
Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, the Bahamas
A Bahamian beach is a dream-like setting for introspection. This traditional ashram offers immersive yoga holidays on Paradise Island, including guided meditation, workshops, and dance performances. Guests enjoy vegetarian meals and accommodation. Some private rooms overlook the sea, while garden rooms, dorms, and tent huts provide even better value. When not working on your asanas (yoga postures), you can relax in warm sand or explore the underwater world through snorkeling.
For a shared room, budget US$105 or above per night. Boat transfers from Nassau reach the ashram.
Bamarru Plains, Australia
In Australia’s Top End, a jigsaw of wetlands, rainforests, and sandstone plateaus, Bamarru Plains offers a front-row seat to natural drama: wallabies frolicking, storks strutting, and herds of water buffalo. Nine stilt bungalows, poised above the Mary River floodplains west of Kakadu National Park, respect the land and its history, featuring Aboriginal artwork and bathrooms made from up-cycled materials. Mesh walls on three sides provide stunning views from your bed, while magpie geese serve as a natural alarm clock.
Packages start at A$1140 (US$800) per person per night (minimum two-night stay). It’s a three-hour drive east from Darwin.
OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo, Maldives
With its powder-white sand and crystalline water, few destinations evoke paradise quite like the Maldives. This palm-fringed resort encourages guests to dive in (literally) with complimentary stand-up paddleboard, wind and kite surfing, kayak and snorkeling equipment. Additionally, there’s an on-site diving school to guide adventurous souls to stunning wrecks and reefs. If you seek further aquatic excitement, some packages include an evening at the underwater restaurant—though it’s tricky to order fish of the day after witnessing Nemo swim by.
All-inclusive rates start around US$966 per room. Speedboat transfers link to Male’s international airport.
Roho Ya Selous, Tanzania
Wildlife wanders straight past the luxury tents at Roho Ya Selous. Guided walking safaris and game drives (included in the price) bring you even closer to the residents of the Selous Game Reserve: lions, wild dogs, elephants, and over 400 bird species. The eight luxury tents blend rustic charm with comfort, featuring stone floors and reed walls, while outdoor dining enhances the starlit experience. Prime animal-spotting occurs from June to October when water sources shrink, intensifying wildlife encounters.
Nightly full-board rates per person (double occupancy), including activities and transfers, start around US$700.
La Cucina Sabina, Italy
Dining on authentic pizza and tiramisu is delightful but fleeting. However, a stay at La Cucina Sabina might cultivate a lasting love for Italian cuisine through cookery classes that intertwine with gastronomic adventures. At this elegant boutique resort, you’ll prepare saltimbocca (prosciutto and sage-wrapped veal) while enjoying views of lemon trees and olive groves through floor-to-ceiling windows. The itinerary also features guided tours of magnificent castles and Rome’s ancient sites. Best of all, you’ll depart with the treasured cooking techniques of Italian nonne (grandmothers).
Six-night culinary retreats start around US$3400 per guest (double occupancy). La Cucina Sabina is 20km northeast of Rome.
Vista Verde Guest Ranch, USA
Nestled in northwest Colorado’s Elk River Valley, upscale dude ranch Vista Verde caters to both novice and seasoned horse riders. Moreover, mountain biking, rafting, photography, cooking classes, and winter activities like Nordic skiing and sleigh rides are all included in the rate. Communal dining and extensive wine lists promote friendly interactions with other guests. Experience the plains on horseback before retreating to a cozy cabin complete with a hot tub—ranch life at its finest!
Seven-night winter stays start at US$3025 per person (US$4525 in summer). Driving from Denver takes approximately 3½ hours.
The Chilko Experience, Canada
Feeling the urge to leave humanity behind for a while? Head to the untamed Chilcotin, home to grizzly bears (and only around 1000 humans). Eye-catching evergreen forests, alpine lakes, and serrated mountain peaks surround The Chilko Experience. Guests enjoy cozy timber-frame and log accommodations while engaging in thrilling activities like kayaking, lake cruises, ATV riding, and axe-throwing. The best time to visit is mid-September to October when bears flock to the Chilko River to feast on salmon.
Three-night stays start at US$2950 per person. Flights from Vancouver to Williams Lake land within a three-hour drive of the resort.
Sarara Camp, Kenya
At the eco-friendly Sarara Camp, every moment presents wildlife-spotting opportunities. You might encounter warthogs from the terrace of your spacious tent, observe elephants from the outdoor pool, or see impalas from the dining area. True Luxury Travel packages all-inclusive stays with visits to nearby Reteti Elephant Sanctuary. This community-focused project aims to return orphaned animals to the wild, prioritizing humane practices that permit observation of playful elephants.
Four-night packages (based on double occupancy) with domestic flights start at GBP£6600 (US$8250). Transfers from Wilson Airport in Nairobi are included.
Tiger Rock Resort, Malaysia
Tourism can negatively impact fragile island environments; however, Pulau Pangkor maintains a balance. Tiger Rock Resort takes a low-impact and community-driven approach, resulting in a tranquil hideaway harmoniously integrated into its jungle setting. Enjoy activities such as tennis, observing Raja Brooke butterflies, cooling off in a saltwater pool, and savoring local dishes like fish curries and nasi lemak (coconut rice) with the island’s signature ikan bilis (sun-dried anchovies).
Full board per person per night starts at RM690 (US$168). Ferries connect Pangkor Island with the mainland jetties at Lumut and Marina Island.
