- There’s no better way for older adults to escape the daily grind than heading to an all-inclusive hotel
- All-inclusive holidays are perfect for adventurous people and homebodies alike, as visitors can use the resort as a base or stay put and enjoy the facilities
- The 12 destinations in this list have been selected due to their proximity to nature, sun, sand and sea
The concept of an all-inclusive holiday was created in the 1950s by Gerard Blitz.¹ His theory was that people often ended up spending more than they intended to on holiday. Club Med provided accommodation, food and entertainment, laying out the blueprint for all-inclusives as people know them today. These days, resorts are made to feel more like tropical paradises than money-saving initiatives.
If you’ve never been, picture this: your every whim is catered to, staff makes you feel like a star and you don’t break the bank. When looking for all-inclusive package deals for older adults, consider the following locations. Feeling adventurous? Make it a goal to visit all of them.
Ellen McKnight / Shutterstock1. The Brando, Tahiti
The name of The Brando, Tahiti is no accident or coincidence.² It was established by the one and only Marlon Brando. His goal was to protect the natural beauty and biodiversity of the French Polynesian island, and it seems he succeeded. This location is serious about being eco-sensitive and low-impact, with renewable energy providing power for the entire island.
Nonetheless, each villa is steeped in luxury, with plunge pools, outdoor bathtubs and media rooms. The full-board rate even covers activities and holistic treatments at the spa.
2. Jade Mountain Resort, St. Lucia
There’s no better time to enjoy your life partner than in retirement. For the romantics among you, Jade Mountain Resort in the Caribbean is a must. ³ With beautiful vistas of the Gros Piton and Piti mountains plus glorious views of the sea, expect to be embraced by nature.
Suites have vast 15-foot-high ceilings, whirlpool tubs, butlers and in-room infinity pools. There’s even a sky deck, so you can spend the night sipping cocktails and stargazing to your heart’s content.
3. Hotel Onda Verde, Italy
Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary or simply making the most of your golden years, Hotel Onda Verde is well worth visiting. With glorious views of cliffs, sea and dramatic skies, you’ll feel like you’ve truly escaped.⁴
Mosaic-studded corridors are carved tunnels that preserve the cliffs’ natural form, and there are elevators to all six floors. Guests have direct access to the beach located a few minutes away, and several historic sites are within a short drive.
4. Excellence Playa Mujeres, Mexico
Excellence Playa Mujeres is one of the most famous exclusive resorts in the world, and for good reason.⁵ With nine restaurants included in the package, it’s a foodie’s paradise. Add in 11 bars, seven pools, a spa and a litany of activities, and you’ve got the formula for a perfect holiday for older adults.
If you can drag yourself away from the luxury of the hotel, you can visit the nearby renowned golf course and beautiful wetlands preserve.
5. Ozen Life Maadhoo, Maldives
This five-star resort is a magnet for older couples looking to escape to a tropical wonderland. Ozen Life Maadhoo sits on an island with luscious green land and turquoise seas, and you can opt for a plan that includes sunset fishing trips and snorkeling as well as food and drink.⁶
There are four restaurants, and one of them is underwater, allowing you to dine in a uniquely sublime setting. If sailing floats your boat, you can take advantage of a wide range of water-based activities.
6. Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay, Jamaica
At Secrets Wild Orchid Montego Bay, guests experience the convenience and luxury of a resort. It has everything you need, from restaurants and bars to a spa, cinema and shopping center. Dining options include Jamaican, Italian, Asian, Mexican and buffet-style, so it’s practically impossible to tire of the cuisine. Plus, every night boasts a different themed party and live entertainment.⁷
The adults-only hotel is surrounded by azure waters and soft white sand, and each luxury suite has the added benefit of a balcony with its own jacuzzi.
7. Sanctuary Cap Cana, Dominican Republic
Punta Cana might be known as a destination for party-goers, but the Sanctuary Cap Cana is a tranquil paradise, set apart in the Dominican Republic. With 30,000 acres of perfectly-manicured gardens, Caribbean villas, five pools, five restaurants and a beach, it has everything someone in their golden years needs from a luxury escape.⁸
This resort is located just 15 minutes from the airport, so you can experience luxury and convenience in equal measure at this sought-after location.
8. Royal Malewane, South Africa
Once you reach retirement, there’s a good chance you’ve seen a lot of what the world has to offer. But some things never lose their appeal or get boring, and a safari holiday is one of them.
The Royal Malewane combines Old World elegance with New World luxury, and elephants, lions and other stunning creatures are part of the views you can enjoy from the hotel’s expansive decks.⁹ If you’re looking for an opulent yet eye-opening way to spend your vacation, it’s hard to imagine a better way.
9. Grand Palladium Ibiza Resort & Spa, Spain
Set among Ibiza’s renowned Playa d’en Bossa, the Grand Palladium Ibiza Resort & Spa is a world of its own. The decor is modern yet refined, and the hotel overlooks the longest stretch of pure white sand on the island. You’ll find five restaurants, direct beach access and four outdoor pools, and even the most affordable rooms come with whirlpool bathtubs.¹⁰
If you thought Ibiza was exclusively a destination for party-goers, think again. Few places in the world are as majestically beautiful and well-connected.
10. COMO Parrot Cay, Turks and Caicos
Set against a backdrop of a 1,000-acre private island, COMO Parrot Cay is the epitome of all-inclusive Caribbean luxury. Expect to be chauffeured around the resort in golf carts by staff as you explore the extravagant grounds. Speaking of grounds, most of the produce you feast on at the hotel is organically grown on-site.¹¹
With its infinity pool, outdoor dining, a spa and two tennis courts, this hotel has plenty to keep you busy, and you won’t want to leave.
11. Jumby Bay Island – an Oetker Collection Hotel, Antigua
Jumby Bay Island is located on a private, palm-studded island and surrounded by sumptuous sand and sea. There are no cars on the island, making it one of the most peaceful places in the world. Nature’s beauty and the stunning grounds are offset by modern amenities, such as Wi-Fi, in-room coffee machines and Bose sound systems.¹²
Keen gardeners and lovers of beauty alike will marvel at the exotic trees, flowers and plants grown in the hotel’s private nursery.
12. Royal Davui Island Resort, Fiji
For adults only, the Royal Davui Island Resort is adored by honeymooners and older adults alike. It’s a boutique hotel with a small number of rooms, which adds to the exclusivity and tranquility of the destination. Thanks to a spa, restaurants and an extensive bar menu, you’ll want for nothing the whole time you’re there.¹³
Each room comes with extras, such as a torch, mosquito repellent and a beach bag for optimal convenience. Room service is available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and you can get a luxury picnic hamper delivered anywhere on the resort.