Exceptional All-Inclusive Resorts

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Crowded swimming pools. Mediocre buffets. Cookie-cutter hotel rooms. If these sound like several circles of Dante's Inferno to you, you're probably in the club of travelers who have an allergic reaction to the term "all-inclusive." But it might be time to reconsider. While traditional all-inclusive hotels tend to have a reputation for being generic, there are top-shelf options across the globe that offer all-in-one pricing for a one-of-a-kind experience. And they make a luxurious holiday in amazing destinations like Fiji, Chile, and Tanzania more affordable.

We've identified the most common issues that might deter you from taking an all-inclusive vacation and uncovered standout hotels that address these misgivings in style…and without a neon plastic wristband in sight.

Fiji

Dolphin Island

Guests of Dolphin Island, a private seven-acre Fijian island, quite literally have the place to themselves: There are just two bures (bungalows) that accommodate one party of no more than eight guests. That means there won't be anyone hogging the canopied daybeds on the beach; the hilltop lounge area with sweeping water views is guaranteed to be deserted; and you don't have to make a reservation to take the Hobie Cat out on the bay. An extensive renovation to this castaway-chic resort, set to reopen in late 2010, has added an infinity pool and polish to the formerly rustic accommodations, which now include capacious bathrooms with indoor-outdoor showers. Island caretaker Dawn Simpson and staff add bespoke touches, like arranging for a local dance troupe to perform a song and dance ritual called a meke, or delivering a plate of Indo-Fijian snacks to your hammock.

Whare Kea Lodge, Lake Wanaka, New Zealan

Photo: Courtesy Whare Kea Lodge & Chalet

New Zealand

Whare Kea Lodge, Lake Wanaka

Tranquility comes with a side order of farm-to-table produce at New Zealand's remote Whare Kea Lodge. The six-room resort's minimalist interiors and modern glass-and-steel design (basically one big window topped with a roof) capitalize on the beauty of mirrorlike Lake Wanaka and the craggy, snow-capped Southern Alps. While the surrounding landscape is the real star here, the food runs a close second. Aperitifs and canapés in the Scandinavian-inspired sunken lounge are the prelude to multicourse meals created by chef James Stapley around seasonal treats such as asparagus or local white truffles. Expect earthy dishes like beef fillet with roasted mushrooms and young leeks or rabbit ballotine laced with tarragon. Sadly, wine is not included, but you won't be disappointed if you pony up for a bottle from the surrounding Central Otago region, which is fast getting a reputation for its stellar Pinot Noirs and Gewürztraminers.

Maharajas' Express, India

Photo: Courtesy Royale Indian Rail Tours, Ltd.

India

Maharajas' Express

You could visit not one but nine amazing places aboard India's Maharajas' Express. This luxury train service charts several courses through the subcontinent that will make the chronically peripatetic positively giddy. Embark on the weeklong Royal India itinerary, for instance, and you'll swoon over the Taj Mahal, stalk tigers in the Ranthambore National Park, and play elephant polo under the stars in Jaipur…and that's just in the first two days. The roomy (if slightly monastic) suites include a writing desk and that rare onboard luxury, a full-size bathroom. Included in the room rate is everything you need to feel utterly regal: meals served on china in the opulent dining car, drinks (including alcohol), daily tours, and porterage. The dusk-till-dawn butler service doesn't hurt, either.

Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Singita Grumeti Game Reserve, Tanzania

Photo: Courtesy Singita Game Reserves

Tanzania

Singita Sasakwa Lodge, Singita Grumeti Game Reserve

At Singita Sasakwa Lodge, located on the private Singita Grumeti Game Reserve in Tanzania, the African safari experience reaches its apex. Zebra-skin rugs and hand-hewn furniture play nicely alongside chesterfields and chandeliers in the lodge, while the suites (nine cottages and one villa) contain luxuries that Hemingway could only dream about, such as claw-foot tubs, four-poster beds, and infinity pools. The hilltop setting at the edge of the Serengeti provides a taste of what's to come on the twice-daily Land Rover excursions. Guides and trackers have an intimate knowledge of the reserve and recognize many of the animals by sight. And Singita's do-gooder habits, such as funding local small businesses and helping to bring the region's black rhino population back from the brink of extinction, means you can return home with warm fuzzies as well as snapshots of the Big Five.

Tierra Atacama, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Photo: Courtesy Tierra Atacama

Chile

Tierra Atacama, San Pedro de Atacama

When guests arrive at Tierra Atacama, in the middle of northern Chile's Atacama Desert (at about 8,000 feet above sea level, the world's highest and driest), they're faced with a difficult decision: What to tackle first—the geyser fields, the volcanoes, the salt flats, or the Brobdingnagian sand dunes? The resort's hiking, biking, mountain climbing, and swimming excursions, led by bilingual guides who have an encyclopedic knowledge of the region, take full advantage of the otherworldly landscape. And, if you can muster the strength, you can do two outings per day. Each of the 32 spare, elegant suites are decorated with handcrafted South American furniture and textiles and have a private terrace with views of the Licancábur volcano. Evenings require nothing more strenuous than refilling your Pisco Sour glass in front of a roaring log fire.

Ponta dos Ganchos, Brazil

Photo: Courtesy Ponta dos Ganchos

Brazil

Ponta dos Ganchos

Situated on its own peninsula on the rugged south coast of Brazil, Ponta dos Ganchos has all the creature comforts of a megaresort, the intimacy of a boutique hotel, and an off-the-beaten-track location to boot. The 25 bungalows are largely autonomous and are equipped with wine cellars, espresso makers, fireplaces, and huge wooden decks with hot tubs overlooking the Emerald Coast. It's not all about the accommodations, though: The resort's facilities include hiking trails, secluded beaches, and a private island that might tempt you to go all Robinson Crusoe. Although you'll probably be lured back to civilization by perks like the ten-course tasting menu…at breakfast.


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