Hooked on “grand opening” galas and the excitement of being amongst the first to visit a new resort?
In a Nutshell: Whether you’re a long-time fan of all-inclusive vacations or have never tried one and are now all-inclusive curious, you should rejoice at the fact that the all-inclusive resort vacation style is growing in terms of both popularity and choices – with many new all inclusive resorts being planned and built that will open in 2024 and 2025 (and beyond) – and luxury brands such as Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott jumping in with both feet.
One benefit: There are many reasons that some folks love to be the first to enjoy a newly opened all-inclusive resort, but at the top of any list of those reasons is generally the reduced rates – there are typically numerous “bugs” or issues that need to be worked through when a resort opens, when new staff is still undergoing training that is helped by early guest feedback, so sometimes the services or cuisine isn’t yet “up to snuff” ….early adopters are generally patient and willing (for those aforementioned reduced rates) to overlook the small details and help resorts to “tune up” the engine, so to speak.
One caveat: it sounds cliché but it’s still important to emphasize that even with “the best laid plans..” oftentimes schedules get pushed out farther due to unforeseen circumstance, so be sure to check with a travel advisor as you begin your vacation planning process if your heart is set on being a “first to stay”, and understand that even a very carefully planned vacation may change if the resort’s “opening” doesn’t happen as planned.
Related:The Best All-Inclusive Loyalty Programs
Here are some of the new resorts we’re most excited about!
Secrets Tides Punta Cana – January 2024
This 688-room adults-only resort in the Dominican Republic opened in January 2024 as the latest Inclusive Collection (World of Hyatt) resort, bringing the company’s total in the Caribbean country to 17. Located along the golden beach of Punta Cana, the Check PricesSecrets Tides Punta Cana offers a variety of luxurious room categories, nine restaurants and three swimming pools alongside two outdoor hot tubs for guests to enjoy. And yes, you can use your loyalty points to stay here.
Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres – February 2024
The 507-room adults only Check PricesSecrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres in Cancun promises a top-of-the-range all-inclusive vacation. Opening in three stages throughout 2024, the establishment opened its doors for the first time in February 2024, and will be fully open by June. Boasting a spa, fitness centre and theatre for guests to enjoy, the resort will also be equipped with four pools both inside and out, and nine restaurants to choose from.
Read our full post about the new Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres.
Princess Grand Jamaica – March 2024
Open since mid-March 2024, the sprawling Check PricesPrincess Grand Jamaica is a family-friendly resort on the Caribbean island of Jamaica. With a staggering 180 acres on the gorgeous shoreline of Green Island, the resort will feature more than 1,000 rooms, with more planned. And for you uber-luxury seekers, there’s also a selection of over-the-water villas. Along with 9 restaurants and 8 bars, at the Princess Grand in Jamaica you’ll find a wealth of amenities and entertainment options are to feature, including a casino, aquatic park (with slides!), a kids club and teens zone, a theater, fitness center, game zone, and even a private island for weddings!
Related:Best All Inclusives with Overwater Bungalows
Sandals St Vincent – March 2024
Check PricesSandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines Resort will blow your socks off. Opening in late March 2024, and set on a west-facing bay (the sunsets are gorgeous!), the new Sandals St Vincent resort is a new build with every amenity that Sandals could stuff into a resort. Originally this resort was to be a family-friendly Beaches Resort, but after almost 2 decades of planning, it was decided the area – a serene valley – was more conducive to the adults-only Sandals brand. The island of St. Vincent is truly magical, with a local culture that is still untouched by the crowds that generally flock to the northern Caribbean……serenity indeed.
Read our full post about the new Sandals St Vincent & Grenadines.
Royalton Chic Antigua – April 2024
Located in Dickenson Bay, Antigua, and opening at the end of April 2024, the Check PricesRoyalton Chic Antigua Marriott is just 15 minutes by car from the airport. This intimate adults-only resort will feature 235 rooms and suites (and their famous Diamond Club level), an onsite Spa and fitness center, beachfront swimming pools, and live DJ’s as well as other entertainment in the evenings. Guests will be able to choose from seven restaurants and five bars, including a sports bar where you’re guaranteed to never miss an important international sporting event, so you can still cheer on your favorite teams while enjoying that well-earned vacation cocktail.
Related:Is Royalton Diamond Club worth it?
Dreams Estrella Del Mar Mazatlan – April 2024
Opening April 2024 on the Mexican coast in Mazatlan, this Dreams resort under the Hyatt umbrella is a golf and spa resort welcoming the entire family. The Check PricesDreams Estrella Del Mar Mazatlan Resort is comprised of a 12-acre beachfront property within the Estrella del Mar Golf and Residential Development Club. It will feature 350 rooms and suites, five restaurants and six bars, along with three swimming pools (one is a kids pool) and other included amenities such as a kids club and a theatre.
Another bonus is that – due to its location on the western coast of Mexico – the Dreams Estrella Del Mar Mazatlan is also a great choice for those beach-lovers seeking to avoid the seaweed problems that occur seasonally on the eastern coast of North America.
Riu Palace Aquarelle – May 2024
Despite its opening getting pushed a few times, the brand new Check PricesHotel RIU Palace Aquarelle is finally in its “soft opening” phase and should be in (full) “grand opening” by May 2024, although some construction is still anticipated to be going on until December. Located on White Bay Beach near the historic town of Falmouth, the RIU Palace Aquarelle is a family-friendly destination that has more than 700 rooms and all the upscale amenities you crave. With 5 pools (including a children’s pool) as well as the Splash Water World water park there’s plenty of water fun for the whole family. After engaging those abdominals all day at the water park, you might be tempted to skip a workout at their state-of-the-art Fitness Center and head right for the Spa to enjoy a well-deserved massage, or hit up any of the six planned restaurants for some healthy cuisine featuring locally sourced fresh produce.
AVA Resort Cancun – June 2024
The renowned AIC Hotel Group (the company behind the Hard Rock Hotels all-inclusive lineup) has unveiled a new brand (AVA) that it promises will be an ‘elevated’ all-inclusive experience for guests of all ages. Opening in June 2024, the Check PricesAVA Resort Cancun is a family-friendly, luxury all-inclusive resort boasting more than 1,700 rooms and suites – each and every single one ocean facing – and featuring 17 different options for dining and drinks! A perfect location on the Mexican Caribbean and just a 10-minute drive from Cancun Airport, the resort promises five-star bespoke luxury in an all-inclusive setting.
Read our full post about the new AVA Resort Cancun.
Zemi Miches Hilton – November 2024
Slated to open in November 2024, the newly built Zemi Miches Hilton is set to be the first all-inclusive Curio Collection by Hilton property in the Dominican Republic, located just north of Punta Cana. The family-friendly resort will feature more than 500 guest rooms and suites, spread across six buildings and 18 private bungalows. Zemi Miches will become Hilton’s 10th all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean and Latin America on opening. The resort’s pool complex will include a water park, there’s set to be a fitness centre, night club, kids club and twelve different dining and drinking options.
Secrets St. Lucia – late 2024
The former St. James’s Club Morgan Bay all-inclusive resort was acquired by Hyatt in 2022 and will reopen in the second half of 2024 under the company’s Secrets Resorts brand, as Secrets St. Lucia. This adults-only resort is expected to boast 342 rooms and suites, as well as two beachfront swimming pools, five a la carte dining choices, five bars and lounges, a Secrets Spa and fitness centre, and a private beach. It will be St Lucia’s first Secrets Resort, but keep in mind that with no firm opening date announced yet, and its late 2023 date already pushed back to late 2024, it’s possible this resort won’t actually be ready for guests until sometime in (hopefully early) 2025.