Why You'll Rarely Find All-Inclusive Resorts In The United States

If your idea of the perfect vacation involves lounging in a comfy cabana with a bottomless margarita and a good book, all-inclusive resorts might be the perfect choice. All-inclusive resorts are often located in the best vacation spots, and they make planning a relaxing trip an absolute breeze. You won't have to worry about creating an itinerary, researching the best restaurants, arranging transportation, or doing much planning at all. Once you set foot on the resort, your every need will be attended to. All of your meals, alcohol, entertainment, and amenities will be included during your stay, and you can indulge as much as you want. Tours and activities can usually be booked directly through the resort, and the staff will do the planning for you. Another major plus is that all-inclusive resorts make it easy to stick to a budget since you'll know what you're paying upfront for food and accommodations.

If you've ever visited popular beach destinations abroad, you've likely considered staying in an all-inclusive. Some tourists choose to avoid them in favor of small locally owned boutique hotels or private vacation rentals to have a more authentic cultural experience, but it's hard to deny the convenience and ease of staying at one of the mega-resorts. Every tourist should experience it at least once — but you're probably going to have to leave the United States to do so. Despite the popularity of all-inclusive resorts in destinations like Mexico and the Caribbean, these accommodation types are rare in the U.S. due to a combination of factors, but mainly because they aren't as profitable or desirable for domestic travelers. 

To understand why you won't find all-inclusive resorts within the United States, it helps to first understand why they were started in the first place. Many travel experts believe that the all-inclusive model was designed to encourage people to travel to destinations that they may not consider super safe. Destinations with gorgeous beaches and low tourism were ideal. By providing amenities like onsite restaurants, pools, entertainment, and other planned activities, hoteliers were able to craft a complete vacation experience, without guests ever having to leave the property.

The first all-inclusive opened in the 1950s when an entrepreneur named Gerad Blitz founded the first "Club Med" on the Spanish island of Majorca. The accommodations were simple, and guests participated in communal activities like meal preparation. Blitz hoped to "eliminate extra charges that can sour the sweetest of vacations." All meals, activities, entertainment, and activities were included for one price, and the all-inclusive model was born.

By the '60s and '70s, more all-inclusive resort companies began to spring up around the world and they became a popular destination for singles looking to mingle. Couples and families soon joined in the fun, but the business model still never took off in the United States. According to travel experts, this is likely because American travelers preferred more freedom and flexibility when traveling in their own country. Since they considered the towns and cities safer, they preferred exploring the local community, eating out, and enjoying activities and entertainment outside of their hotel or resort. The cost of land, construction, and labor is also higher in the United States, which means all-inclusives are less profitable.

For the best and most affordable all-inclusive experience, you should definitely consider grabbing your passport, packing your beach bag, and hopping on a plane bound for somewhere beachy and tropical. But if you really want to experience all-inclusive resorts in America, there are a few options available.

Club Med has a property called Sandpiper Bay Resort in Florida. Guests can enjoy two pools, beautiful beaches, and unlimited food and beverages during their stay. And while all-inclusive hotels usually conjure visions of balmy beaches, you can also find similar experiences in gorgeous outdoor destinations around the U.S. Vista Verde Guest Ranch in Colorado is a 540-acre property near Steamboat Springs with cozy cabins and activities like skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. All activities and meals are included with your stay. You'll find similar all-inclusive ranches in Wyoming, such as Brush Creek Ranch and The Ranch at Rock Creek .

If you want the experience of traveling abroad but don't have a passport, consider the U.S. Virgin Islands, which has some of the most incredible all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. Since it is a territory of the United States, you don't need a passport. Your REAL ID-compliant driver's license will work just fine. The Bolongo Bay Beach Resort is another great all-inclusive option, as is the glamorous Ritz Carlton St. Thomas Club experience. Puerto Rico, another U.S. territory, doesn't have many complete all-inclusive packages, but some hotels offer a similar experience with restaurants, pools, and activities located on-site. You can also book all-inclusive packages through companies like Apple Vacations that lump together your airfare and accommodations into one affordable price.