The Most Welcoming All-Inclusive Resorts for Single Travelers in 2020
Take advantage of all-inclusive resorts whether you want to party, relax or focus on wellness.
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Photo By: Club Med
Photo By: Gili Lankanfush
Photo By: Bungalows Key Largo
Photo By: Club Med
Photo By: Glacier View Lodge
Photo By: Temptation Cancun Resort
Photo By: Singita Boulders Lodge
Photo By: Belizean Dreams Resort
Photo By: Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos
Photo By: Golden Door Wellness Resort
Solo Travel Isn't What it Used to Be
A growing number of solo travelers are opting to stay at all-inclusive resorts. But the majority of all-inclusive hotels target families and couples, overlooking single travelers who also seek an easy getaway. And by single, we don't only mean unpartnered people who are hoping to meet somebody on vacation. We also mean partnered people who prefer a trip alone, as well as unattached people who don't want to meet someone. To that end we've rounded up some of the most welcoming all-inclusive hotels for single travelers in 2020, factoring in those that either waive the single supplement, throw mixer events, or welcome and respect solo guests in other ways.
Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives
Sure, the Maldives are a popular honeymoon destination. But that shouldn’t discourage solo travelers from experiencing the region’s famed resorts. If you’re going to splurge, Gili Lankanfushi delivers a five-star experience (including butler service) without the pretension. In important news, the sustainable island resort will be reopening in December 2019 following a fire last January that destroyed seven overwater villas and one restaurant. Redesigned villa interiors are among the improvements, featuring locally made furniture and rooftop beds that encourage sleeping outside. Expect new programming as well, with packages specializing in diving or a surfing-and-spa combo. Meanwhile, the 45-villa, family-friendly property provides enough amenities and activities for solo guests, from daily yoga and watersports to three dining options and an overwater bar. Even better, the solo package is still available, offering a 25-percent discount off villas, plus a complimentary spa treatment, sunset sail, snorkeling trip and cooking class. Oh, and it also covers a candlelit dinner on the beach, because who says two people get to have all the fun?
BOOK NOW: Gili Lankanfushi Maldives | Booking.com, Starting at $1624/night
Bungalows Key Largo, Florida
The Florida Keys’ first all-inclusive hotel opened at the end of 2018, enjoying a short run before a major fire shut it down in spring 2019 (2018 was not a good year for hotel fires). But the adults-only Bungalows Key Largo has re-emerged, with a planned opening on Dec. 19, 2019. Heads up that single guests are expected to pay full room rates based on two people during peak months. However, single rates apply in September, October and November, when it’s possible to pay $150 less — depending on availability. Either way, even entry-level waterfront bungalows are spacious, with 900 square feet of creature comforts and an outdoor soaking tub. Beyond the rooms, the 12-acre property contains a beach, two pools, three dining and three bar options, spa and fitness center. All-inclusive rates cover morning yoga, watersports, alcohol, happy hours, cooking classes, fish fries and floating tiki boats, the latter being a good way to meet others while enjoying drinks, if that’s your thing. If not, embrace “me time” in the low-key, Key West environs.
BOOK NOW: Bungalows Key Largo | Booking.com, Starting at $2798/night
Club Med Turkoise, Turks and Caicos
Club Med became synonymous with the singles scene not long after the brand launched in the ‘50s. Ironically, only a handful of today’s 60-plus locations are geared toward single adults. Among them is Club Med Turkoise on Turks and Caicos, which excels in this category. The all-inclusive price includes endless activities, from the flying trapeze to sailing lessons. When in doubt, much of the action centers around the new infinity pool, where it’s also possible to join in a water polo match or aquatic classes. Once the sun sets, dancing, shows and theme nights encourage continued socializing, as does the redesigned outdoor bar. (Open bar is included in the all-inclusive price — hello, new friends!) Choose one of the newly renovated deluxe ocean-view rooms in which to recover from all the fun you’re having. Surprisingly, Club Med does charge a single supplement, but bypass it with this Your Sale, Your Way package.
Hot tip: Eco-friendly Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda will be opening Nov. 23 in Miches, Dominican Republic; it will be the first resort in underdeveloped Miches. The DR location is also the newest North American property from Club Med in 25 years — and it will include a dedicated adults-only section.
Glacier View Lodge, Canada
If your idea of a solo all-inclusive don’t involve warm weather or Spring Break-esque hotel parties, then the newly renovated Glacier View Lodge could be a good fit. It’s considered the only Canadian resort with glacier views, since it overlooks the Athabasca Glacier — part of the Columbia Icefield in the Canadian Rockies. A two-day, all-inclusive package (minus lunch) includes a private tour to the glacier, followed by a three-course dinner overlooking it, along with a trip to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk, a glass-floor viewing platform more than 900 feet above Sunwapta Canyon. Beyond the group outings, a welcome champagne reception at the cozy hotel also provides an easy way to meet other guests.
Note: The hotel is closed for the season, but will reopen June through October.
BodyHoliday, St. Lucia
Beeline to the beachfront BodyHoliday in St. Lucia when you crave a wellness holiday that doesn’t involve calorie restrictions and a heavy dose of spirituality. Here, you’ll find other wellness-seekers who come for the spa treatments and multiple activities offered every hour between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. But this isn’t a boot camp, so there’s no obligation to partake in more than you wish. Yet the ever-changing schedule provides serious FOMO, where a sample day tempts with numerous watersports (windsurfing, scuba diving, wakeboarding), fitness classes (yoga, pilates, spin) and outdoor activities (tennis, running, archery). All-inclusive rates provide one spa treatment a day, which may be necessary after all the physical exertion, with the choice of a massage, facial or body wrap. (More than a dozen Ayurvedic treatment are also available for an extra fee.) Also included? Meals at one of five restaurants and drinks at two bars.
Heads up: While BodyHoliday is adults-only most of the year, it does allow children over 12 during the summer, plus Easter and Christmas breaks.
Temptation Cancun Resort, Mexico
Singles who want to relive their Spring Break trips (or who never got to experience them), can do so at Temptation Cancun Resort, where the minimum age is 21. Famed designer Karim Rashid renovated the hotel in 2017, giving it a colorful, playful vibe — the perfect backdrop for non-stop partying. Needless to say, the resort isn’t geared toward the shy, between its (optional) topless pool, beach, jacuzzi and more areas, and theme parties (e.g. angels and devils) that encourage sexy costumes. As with many all-inclusives, don’t be surprised to find that couples outnumber solo guests, but it’s not difficult to meet others at nightspot Bash or one of the five bars. There are also scheduled activities throughout the day that fall under the “What happens at Temptation... .” The resort is, after all, billed as an adult playground.
BOOK NOW: Temptation Cancun Resort | Expedia, Starting at $263/night
Singita Boulders Lodge, Africa
Singita Boulders Lodge enjoys a prime location in South Africa’s private Sabi Sands Game Reserve next to Kruger National Park, with plentiful opportunities for Big 5 (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape buffalo) viewing. Even better, solo guests can stay here without paying the single supplement commonly charged at other safari camps, and there’s a no-children-under-10 policy. Enjoy a communal environment since there are only 12 suites, and get to know the other guests during days filled with game drives and guided safari walks. Alternatively, enjoy quiet downtime at the pool, fitness center or spa. But what’s most likely to occupy your free time is the dedicated photo area, where you can edit photos in Lightroom or Photoshop on a 27-inch iMac with Retina display, then transfer photos to a provided flash drive with 8GB of memory. It’s even possible to book private post-production sessions for an extra fee. Also extra, but Singita rents professional-grade cameras and lenses (Canon and Nikon), a major plus for anyone familiar with how cumbersome it is to lug a telephoto lens on vacation.
Belizean Dreams Resort, Belize
Belizean Dreams Resort works if you prefer a less corporate, more low-key resort experience, with days spent drinking on the beach and optional off-site activities. While all-inclusive isn’t mandatory here, it’s a popular option, and solo guests have three all-inclusive packages to choose from: The Just Chillin’ option is all about downtime at the resort; Mayan Jungle and Beach bundles in tours (Mayan ruins, Belize Barrier Reef); and Inland and Island, adds a stay at sister property Coco Plum Island Resort. All packages include meals and drinks (only local alcohol) at the restaurant and beach bar, along with bikes, kayaks and snorkeling gear. Spa services and dive trips are available for a fee.
As a caveat, while the resort does offer the aforementioned options under the single/solo package, it also charges a $75 per night fee for traveling while single. And yes, children are allowed, but Belizean Dreams' welcoming community feel also benefits solo guests.
Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos, Mexico
Navigate families and couples in order to take advantage of the amenities at the brand-new Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos on Mexico's Baja Peninsula. This include five pools, eight restaurants, three lounges, a 30,000-square-foot spa with a hydrotherapy center (one daily treatment is included with a limitless package), 4,000-square-foot gym with daily fitness classes and a bowling alley. Oh, and how could we forget the adults-only nightclub, Heaven? Arguably the most unique amenity is the music program, allowing guests to either rock out on a Fender guitar in their room, borrow a record player and records, or download a curated playlist. All of this is included in the regular all-inclusive package, along with evening entertainment, open bar and fun activities like the foam pool party. The aforementioned limitless package also includes local tours, tequila and wine tastings and a photo package.
BOOK NOW: Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos | Expedia, Starting at $570/night
Golden Door, California
Celebrity-favorite Golden Door in San Marcos, California is the epitome of spa retreats, and while a week here runs about $10,000 (feel free to re-read that), it does provide a personalized experience that will make you forget you’re there alone. Unlike other spa retreats that offer pampering and wellness activities, the Golden Door experience is described as transformative. The journey begins before you arrive with a wellness assessment, which helps to create your customized itinerary. A sample day might involve a sunrise hike followed by breakfast awaiting you in your room, along with your daily itinerary detailing the day’s fitness classes (there are more than 40 options, including personal training sessions if you wish) and spa treatments (five skincare treatments, two herbal wraps and a mani/pedi are among the spa services included in the price). In this all-inclusive environment practically everything is provided for you, since you’ll even find the workout clothes you’ll need for the day in the closet. Just when it seems like it can’t get any better, it does with your massage therapist waiting to deliver your daily, in-room massage. Consider Golden Door the ultimate gift to give yourself.