10 of the best all-inclusive holiday destinations

1. Spain

Spain is an all-inclusive holiday mecca. Cheap and cheerful, premium luxury or something in between, there are hundreds of hotels across the country that just get what all-inclusive is all about.

It helps that there are a number of well-rated chains that keep the standards high, whichever hotel you pick. Some of the best-rated all-inclusive resorts in Spain are owned by Iberostar, which can be a good place to start (check reviews first).

More broadly, the Canary Island of Tenerife and Mediterranean Majorca have plenty of all-inclusive options for all budgets, as do mainland costas such as Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol. Here, family-friendly Lloret de Mar is great if you’re travelling with the little ones, or embrace the fun of Benidorm.

If you're more about the hotel than the destination, the four-star Iberostar Royal Andalus in Costa de la Luz, and Gran Canaria's Gloria Palace San Agustín Thalasso & Hotel are well-rated options. Prefer Majorca? PortBlue Club Pollentia Resort & Spa is what fly-and-flop holidays were made for.

2. Turkey

Punctuated with pretty coves and lined with lovely beaches, Turkey’s stunning coastline has tons of appeal for a relaxing holiday in the sun. All-inclusive hotels are easy to come by in this idyllic stretch of the country, whether you’re looking for upmarket stays in Bodrum such as the stunning Rixos Premium, or kid-friendly resorts with all the trimmings in Antalya – Aska Lara Resort & Spa is hard to beat.

Golf is huge around swanky Belek, and you can find plenty of all-inclusives with direct access to the green, though games aren't often included in the price.

Where you can save? Entertainment for the little ones. Choose one of the many all-inclusives with an on-site waterpark (the The Land of Legends Kingdom is the most iconic), and you won't have to fork out on keeping them entertained with days out.

Travel outside of summer if you can and you’ll have a good chance of finding a cheap all-inclusive holiday in Turkey. In October, temperatures can reach highs of 26C, striking a great balance between good weather and low prices.

3. Greece

When it comes to all-inclusive holidays in Greece, not all places were created equal. Forget Santorini and Mykonos, islands such as Rhodes, Corfu, Crete and Zante are your best bets for finding a great-value deal.

All four islands are dotted with all-inclusive resorts to suit all budgets and styles, so your biggest decision will be choosing the one that’s right for you.

Pick Rhodes for incredible UNESCO-listed sites; Corfu for legendary nightlife in resorts such as Kavos; Zante for beautiful beaches (the instantly recognisable Shipwreck Beach is here); or Crete for nature – it’s home to the longest gorge in Europe. Avra Beach Resort Hotel & Bungalows in Rhodes is a great all-rounder hotel if you’re not sure where to start.

If you're after something a bit more off the beaten track, look to the Peloponnese, Halkidiki or the islands of Kos and Paros. All have some great options that aren't so firmly on the tourist trail, such as the five-star Ikos Aria in Kefalos and Ikos Olivia in Gerakini.

4. Mexico

Cancun is Mexico’s crown jewel for all-inclusive bliss. Its picture-postcard sweep of the Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone) on the captivating Caribbean coast is the tourism darling of the region – and for good reason.

Ultra-luxe resorts, pristine sands for miles, restaurants for every taste bud… go all-inclusive here and you’ll understand what Cancun holidays are all about.

The chain of all-inclusive resorts barely breaks as you continue down the Caribbean coast towards the younger-leaning Playa del Carmen and the laidback island of Cozumel. In between, you’ll find the lavish and secluded Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun. It’s pricey but it’s one of the best-rated in the area.

Elsewhere, you can consider breaking away from the crowds and heading west to the Pacific coast for excellent Mexico holiday deals. Here, Puerto Vallarta has lots of all-inclusive options. Both Hyatt Ziva and Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa have plenty to please.

A top tip? Compare less popular holiday durations, say 8 or 11 nights instead of 7 or 10, as it could work out better value for money.

5. Maldives

The Maldives and all-inclusive are a match made in heaven. You’ve come for all-out luxury and the sense of seclusion, after all, and many of the country’s atolls feel like they were designed to give you just that.

You’ll find a good range of options in the North Malé and Ari atolls, which are two of the most popular, but nature lovers might prefer the Baa Atoll for its eco-friendly stays and proximity to marine life.

Wherever you choose, it pays to do your research when booking your holiday. As some islands host just one hotel, some board tends to be included. On larger islands, it’s worth checking the dining options outside of the resort.

But, usually, you’ll find going all-inclusive in the Maldives offers the best value-for-money – and it helps to keep your holiday planning hassle free.

Look to Kurumba Maldives or Furaveri Maldives for a slice of tropical paradise without a hefty price tag. Or if you are planning to go all out, the overwater bungalows at Villa Nautica Paradise Island Resort are the definition of five-star.

6. Dominican Republic

Imagine a paradise beach break and you’d be pretty close to picturing the Dominican Republic. Palm trees, white sands, turquoise waters… all the stereotypes ring true in this Caribbean country.

What makes it even more appealing is the price: you can often find package holidays to the Dominican Republic that offer a similar seaside experience to other Caribbean islands but at a fraction of the cost.

For an all-inclusive break, the resorts Punta Cana and Bavaro are your best bets. Options range from sprawling luxury hotels with watersports included (try Zoetry Agua), to adults-only stays where holidays revolve around swim-up bars and Bali beds (like at the Riu Republica).

For families with little ones, try the Nickelodeon-themed hotel in Uvero Alto or the Royalton Splash Punta Cana – both have on-site waterparks.

7. Cyprus

One of the best all-inclusive holiday destinations, Cyprus really is the whole package. From the budget-friendly to the romantic, the luxurious to kid favourites, the list is as long as the country’s beautiful, beach-fringed coastline.

Look to towns such as Limassol, Larnaca, Protaras and Ayia Napa for a wide range of options and as always, travel outside the summer season if you can – it’s when you’ll find the best deals. Olympic Lagoon Resorts and Constantinou Bros Athena Beach Hotel are two great value options in Paphos, with multiple pools, restaurants, kids’ clubs and more activities than you could wish for.

As always, travel outside the summer season if you can – it’s when you’ll find the best deals. Try early summer before the temperatures start to soar, or visit in late September and enjoy the still-warm Mediterranean Sea. Stay at Golden Bay Beach Hotel and you can make full use of Larnaca’s best beaches while keeping to a budget.

8. Portugal

Portugal’s all-inclusive hub? The Algarve, of course! This golden holiday haven needs no introduction – it’s been drawing in visitors since the 60s. All-inclusive resorts line this southern coast from Lagos to Quarteira, making good deals easy to come by.

Albufeira and Alvor are popular among families, and you’ll find a number of all-inclusive resorts with on-site water slides and water parks here. Jupiter Albufeira Hotel tops the pack for excellent reviews.

If you’re looking for laidback, Olhos de Água (near Albufeira) has a handful of luxury all-inclusives. Spanning 17 hectares (42 acres) along the beachfront, you won’t find a more idyllic base than AP Adriana Beach Resort.

As for Portugal’s islands, you’ll find all-inclusive resorts on both Madeira and Porto Santo, as well as options across the Azores. If the panoramic ocean views at Hotel Riu Madeira don’t soothe you, its wellness spa is sure too.

9. Barbados

Caribbean countries know how to do all-inclusive holidays right. You’ve got the regular inclusions – three main meals, snacks, soft drinks and house beer and wine and your land-based activities – as well as watersports, which also come as standard in many resorts.

In Barbados, you’ll find many of the most popular all-inclusive resorts on the southwest side of the island, where a string of beach towns run from Hastings to Dover. St James, on the west coast, is also worth checking out if you’re after all-inclusive.

Well-rated options include the Sugar Cane Club for value and The Soco Hotel, which bucks the sprawling-mega-resort trend to create an intimate 24-room home-from-home atmosphere with top-quality dining. For something a little more lively, check out The Club Barbados Resort & Spa.

10. Egypt

You’ve got three brilliant choices for an all-inclusive holiday in Egypt. Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam, all on the stunning Red Sea, are all about five-star luxury for less – meaning you can get the full works without compromising on quality.

All three share a lot in common, namely sprawling hotels with palm-lined pools, sandy beaches and plenty of excellent snorkelling opportunities (the Red Sea is full of colourful reefs brimming with marine life). What’s more, it’s a top pick for winter sun closer to home – ideal during the depths of January when it’s freezing in the UK.

Top hotels for your radar include the Sunrise Arabian Beach Resort, Iberotel Costa Mares and Hilton Hurghada Plaza.

Activities outside your all-inclusive resort are pure whiplash: one minute you can be sipping on poolside cocktails in utter serenity and the next dune bashing through the Sahara Desert or stepping back in time to Ancient Egypt’s Valley of the Kings in Luxor. Stay nearby in Hurghada or Marsa Alam if either piques your interest.