All the All-inclusive Resorts You can Book with Your Points (2021)
Hotel Strategies, Award Nights 101: Using Your Hotel Points
All of the major hotel programs (and some of the smaller ones) include all-inclusive resorts.
When you book an all inclusive resort with your points, you not only get a "free" night, you get free food, drinks, and activities as well.
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As with most award bookings, your points are most valuable when normal pricing is high. If you want to stay at an all-inclusive over Christmas break (or at a European beach spot in August), you'll usually want to use points (if you can).
During lower-priced times of the year, cash rates for all-inclusive resorts stay high relative to other hotels, but point costs are high as well.
Award nights at the all-inclusives available through Choice's partnership with AMResorts are well-priced, but vary somewhat with the time-of-year. The Hyatt resorts in Jamaica and the Hilton resort in Playa del Carmen are always available at a significant discount using points; and if you are someone who would consider paying the sky high rates at Al Maha (and it just might be worth it) or at Hyatt's Small Luxury Hotels of the World options, it is always better to use points there as well. While the cash rates at Hotel Xcaret can be competitive with using your Choice points, a unique feature of this resort is that it gives you free admission to a set of theme parks and attractions in the Cancun area.
The Hilton all-inclusive resorts in Egypt and Turkey and most of the resorts in the Dominican Republic are good values, even if they are not necessarily better to book with points. And for people who have young kids, the Holiday Inn resorts are the same price for 4 as for 2, with either cash or points.
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Choice All-inclusives partnership
Since 2020, Choice allows you to book dozens of all inclusive resorts through a partnership with AMResorts, one of the largest collections of all inclusive resorts (which includes several well-respected brands).
Many of these resorts are available to book at award rates ranging from 25,000 to 60,000 points per night. Rates seem to vary by date and are set at values around 1 cent per point. Other resorts won't be available to book until January 2023.
Since Choice points can be bought for .8 cents each with the Cash & Points Trick, you should always be able to generate the Choice points you would need to book using the award rate. In most cases, that will save you about 25% over the regular cash rate.
For more details see the Choice All-inclusive website.
Beyond the dozens of highly rated all-inclusives through AMR, Choice has two additional all inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic.
| Resort | Trip Adv | Points | Point Cost | Normal Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emotions Juan Dolio | 4.0 | 8,000 | $60 | $125 |
| Emotions Playa Dorado | 4.5 | 32,000 | $260 | $125 |
Hyatt
Ziva and Zilara
Hyatt has two all-inclusive hotel brands: Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara. Zilara resorts are adults-only, and Ziva Resorts are targeted at all ages. They have been expanding these brands over the last few years and both types of resorts are of consistently high quality. Official webpage.
Award costs vary depending on the season from 21-29,000 points for the more expensive resorts, and 17-23,000 for the less expensive resorts. Suites cost more.
| Resort | Trip Adv | Points | Point Cost | Normal Rates | Adult Only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabo | |||||
| Ziva Los Cabos | 4.5 | 20,000 | $340 | $300-350 | |
| Cancun | |||||
| Ziva Cancun | 4.5 | 25,000 | $430 | $350-900 | |
| Zilara Cancun | 4.5 | 25,000 | $430 | $350-900 | yes |
| Ziva Riviera Cancun | TBD | 25,000 | $430 | TBD | |
| Dominican Republic | |||||
| Ziva Cap Cana | 5.0 | 25,000 | $430 | $500 | |
| Zilara Cap Cana | 5.0 | 25,000 | $430 | $500 | yes |
| Jamaica | |||||
| Ziva Rose Hall | 4.5 | 25,000 | $430 | $900-1,300 | |
| Zilara Rose Hall | 4.5 | 25,000 | $430 | $900-1,400 | yes |
| Puerto Vallarta | |||||
| Ziva Puerto Vallarta | 4.5 | 20,000 | $340 | $300-400 | |
Many activities are included, but some activities incur extra charges. Award costs cover two people. Each additional person (over 2) is charged half of the award cost for the room. For example, 3 people sharing a room at the Ziva Cancun during regular season would require 37,500 points.
Hyatt Miraval
In addition, Hyatt has a wellness-oriented Miraval brand that offers all inclusive luxury spa vacations. Official webpage.
| Resort | Trip Adv | Points | Point Cost | Normal Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miraval Arizona | 4.5 | 65,000 | $1110 | $1000 |
| Miraval Austin | 4.5 | 65,000 | $1110 | $1,200 |
| Miraval Berkshires | 4.0 | 72,000 | $1220 | $1,500 |
Miraval resorts require 40,000 / 45,000 / 50,000 points per night for single occupancy (depending on the season) and 57,500 / 65,000 / 72,000 points for double-occupancy. Suites are more expensive. Award bookings at Miraval include food, non-alcoholic beverages, a range of free activities, and $175 per person ($350 per couple) resort credit to use for premium activities and spa treatments.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Finally, Hyatt has a partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, which includes some (pretty incredible) independent all-inclusive resorts.
Not every member of the Small Luxury Hotel program has been integrated into Hyatt. As of early 2021, the all inclusive options that can be booked with Hyatt points are:
- Calala Island. A tiny private island resort off the coast of Nicaragua, Calala Island is an ultra-inclusive that includes all activities, food, drinks, and even the small plane and speedboat ride required to get there. Rates for 2 people start at $2,350 or 40,000 Hyatt points per night.
- Rawah Ranch. An incredible all-inclusive Dude ranch experience in Colorado. Includes activities like twice-daily horseback rides and trap shooting. Standard rates for 2 people are $1,300 or 40,000 Hyatt points per night.
- Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary. This spectacular resort in Bhutan is "spa-inclusive". When you arrive, they will create a personalized well-being program "focused on balancing the body, mind, and spirit". Includes elaborate meals. Standard rates for 2 people start are between $650-1,000 or 30,000 Hyatt points per night.
Hilton
Hilton doesn't have a specific all-inclusive brand, but has a range of all-inclusive options. The Hilton Vallarta Riviera, Conrad Tulum, and Hilton Tulum All-Inclusives are opening over the next year.
| Resort | Trip Adv | Points | Point Cost | Normal Rates | Adult Only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican Republic | |||||
| La Romana Family Resort | 4.5 | 65,000 | $290 | $300-500 | |
| La Romana Adults Resort | 4.5 | 59,000 | $270 | $200-350 | yes |
| Jamaica | |||||
| Hilton Rose Hall | 4.0 | 70,000 | $320 | $300-650 | |
| Playa del Carmen | |||||
| Hilton Playa Del Carmen | 4.5 | 80,000 | $360 | $300-600 | yes |
| Puerto Vallarta | |||||
| Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort | 4.0 | 70,000 | $320 | $300-700 | |
| Turkey | |||||
| Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort | 4.5 | 70,000 | $320 | $225-450 | |
| Doubletree Antalya-Kemer | 4.5 | 30,000 | $140 | $150-300 | |
During periods where the rates for these resorts are low, Hilton will also lower the points requirements. Award nights include the first two people. You'll need to pay a resort-specific surcharge for additional people. Additional children 12 and under are often free.
Don't forget that anyone with Hilton status (such as from any of their credit cards) gets their 5th night free, even at all-inclusive resorts.
Wyndham
Wyndham no longer allows the Viva Wyndham all inclusive resorts to be booked with points (and you won't earn points on any paid stays).
Choice (Preferred Hotels & Resorts)
If you are looking to stay in a luxury all-inclusive, you can book members of the Preferred Hotel and Resorts program with your Choice points. When using your points in this way, you don't have to wait until a few months before your departure date to book award stays.
As discussed in our more in-depth article Book Independent Luxury Hotels with Choice Points, not every hotel that shows up in the Choice Preferred Hotel Directory is really available for Choice award bookings. When we checked, the following all-inclusive hotels were available:
| Resort | Trip Adv | Points | Point Cost | Normal Rates | Adult Only |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabo | |||||
| Grand Fiesta Americana Los Cabos | 4.5 | 55,000 | $440 | $300-400 | |
| Cancun | |||||
| Grand Fiesta Coral Beach Cancun | 4.5 | 55,000 | $440 | $300-700 | |
| Live Aqua Cancun | 4.5 | 55,000 | $440 | $500 | yes |
| Playa Del Carmen | |||||
| Hotel Xcaret | 4.5 | 55,000 | $440 | $500 | |
| Puerto Vallarta | |||||
| Grand Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta | 4.5 | 55,000 | $440 | $300-700 | yes |
| Velas Vallarta | 4.5 | 55,000 | $440 | $300-700 | |
Marriott
Marriott has recently partnered with 20 all-inclusive resorts that operate under the Royalton and Planet Hollywood brands primarily in Cancun, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. Almost all these hotels are Category 7s that cost 60,000 points (70,000 points during peak periods), although there are also a few Category 8s.
They are also planning to introduce a number of new all-inclusives in Mexico.
In addition, the program includes the following all inclusive resorts:
| Resort | Trip Adv | Points | Point Cost | Normal Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbados (Elegant Hotels) | ||||
| Colony Club | 4.5 | 85,000 | $600 | |
| Crystal Cove | 4.5 | 85,000 | $600 | |
| The House | 5.0 | 85,000 | $600 | |
| Tamarind | 4.5 | 85,000 | $600 | |
| Treasure Beach | 4.5 | 85,000 | $600 | |
| Turtle Beach | 4.0 | 85,000 | $600 | |
| Waves Hotel & Spa | 4.5 | 85,000 | $600 | |
| Costa Rica | ||||
| Westin Playa Conchal | 4.5 | 85,000 | $600 | $350-500 |
| Dubai | ||||
| Al Maha | 5.0 | 85,000 | $600 | $800-1,700 |
| Panama | ||||
| Sheraton Bijao Beach Resort | 3.5 | 50,000 | $350 | $200-250 |
Remember you get your 5th night free on award reservations, even for all-inclusive resorts.
Marriott also has a variety of resorts that have all-inclusive packages that can't be booked with points, including the Renaissance Aruba, Renaissance Curacao, Curacao Marriott Beach Resort, Frenchman's Reef, St. Kitts Marriott, Los Suenos Marriott Ocean Resort, and the JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort.
IHG
At all of the Holiday Inn resorts, kids 12 and under stay for free, even on award reservations.
| Resort | Trip Adv | Points | Point Cost | Normal Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabo | ||||
| Holiday Inn Resort Los Cabos | 4.0 | 40,000 | $200 | $200-300 |
| Cancun | ||||
| Holiday Inn Cancun Arenas | 3.5 | 35,000 | $180 | $200-300 |
| Ixtapa | ||||
| Holiday Inn Resort Ixtapa | 4.0 | 50,000 | $250 | $150-250 |
| Jamaica | ||||
| Holiday Inn Resort Montego Bay | 4.0 | 50,000 | $250 | $250 |
IHG credit cardholders get their 4th night free on award reservations, including all inclusive resorts. IHG certificates can be redeemed at the Cancun and Cabo resorts.
Best Western
We could only find one Best Western all-inclusive resort.
| Resort | Trip Adv | Points | Point Cost | Normal Rates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | ||||
| Best Western Jaco Beach | 4.0 | 32,000 | $190 | $150-250 |
