Find sunshine and total mind and body relaxation at an all-inclusive resort in one of these extraordinary beach destinations this winter. With food and facilities available any time, you can focus exclusively on switching off and soaking up some vitamin D. Whether you want to cosy up in a quiet corner, embrace the local culture or spend days trying exhilarating water sports, you’ll discover the right fit in this guide.
Cancun, Mexico
Carrying a reputation as a party hotspot, Cancun comes alive at night with buzzing clubs, bars and arts venues hosting diverse performances from dance shows to live music concerts. Restaurants are in abundance, serving everything from local dishes to international staples.
This Mexican gem is equally great for laidback all-inclusive holidays. The 22 km-long ‘Hotel Zone’ boasts peaceful resorts on spectacular beaches where you can relax undisturbed, or indulge in gentle water sports like snorkelling. Better still, fascinating Mayan relics including the famous Chichen Itza are within easy reach when you want some variety in your itinerary.
Canary Islands, Spain
Searching for an affordable all-inclusive experience that’s fun for all the family? You’ll find the right resorts in the Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago just off the northwest coast of Africa. This volcanic destination has dramatic black-sand beaches, child-friendly attractions and a year-round temperate climate for an unforgettable experience whenever you choose to go.
Tenerife is the most popular choice for family trips as it combines exhilarating water sports, safe swimming beaches, inland hiking trails and whale watching between December and February. The third-largest island, Gran Canaria, delivers on city life and culture. Lanzarote is quieter and makes up for its lack of facilities with a vibrantly coloured shoreline spanning charcoal to gold.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
For the third year running, Dubai is listed as the most popular destination in the world in the 2024 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards. Its beguiling blend of ultra-modern living and remote desert setting means you can maximise adventure while enjoying all creature comforts. Cross the sandy dunes by buggy or on camels; see the city from above on a skydive or from the top of the Burj Khalifa; visit a theme park like IMG Worlds of Adventure, and kite-surf the waves.
The best place to stay is along Palm Jumeirah, one of the largest man-made islands in the world and a triumph of human engineering. Shaped like a palm tree, this beach complex is lined by a vast array of high-end hotels like Waldorf Astoria and the iconic Atlantis.
North Male Atoll, The Maldives
Looking for a trip with a slower pace? Escape to the most intimate corners of the Maldives such as the North Male Atoll which is just a short seaplane flight from Male International Airport. Exquisite coral reefs teeming with wildlife line the sun-kissed beaches which shine bright in the daytime and glow pink, orange and gold during the dramatic daily sunsets. Here, away from the urban and usual day-to-day stresses, you’re surrounded by silence and life moves at a blissful crawl.
Opt for smaller boutiques such as Baros for a reclusive romantic experience, or upgrade to a luxury resort and take advantage of the area’s unique opportunities such as staying in an over-water villa, unwinding in an underwater spa and enjoying elaborate destination dining meals.