Due to the soft economy of the early post-millenium years, and the negative impressions left by new diseases, terrorist incidents and erratic security measures, the travel industry has been forced to make concerted efforts to woo new clients.  You've probably noticed that since 2005, families have been bombarded with all sorts of value vacation offers, including free meals, room upgrades and additional perks. The notion of "one price pays all" that is at the heart of an all-inclusive vacation, however, is one of the most popular options.

FTF predicts that you will continue to see a growth in the all-inclusive concept (room, meals, airport transfer, activities, kids' programs for one set price), with a spread from the Caribbean into Mexico, to some foreign isles, and then to many US ski resorts.  Besides the big names who advertise heavily in the U.S. market (such as Sandals, who own Beaches family resorts; Superclubs, who own Breezes family resorts; Iberostar; Barcelo; Club Med, and a few others), we recommend you check out some of the lesser-known resort companies that have continued to open new properties with extensive facilities and tons of activities -- for "one price pays all" of course.

All-inclusive resorts will continue to be a good value for very active families who like to participate and those who love to eat and drink.

Some All-Inclusive Chains

AMHSA Marina Hotels and Resorts (809/566-2436) runs a group of seven moderately priced all-inclusives in the Dominican Republic, such as in Puerto Plata, pictured here.  Many offer children's programs.

Sol Melià  (888/95-MELIA) our editor's favorite pick, is a hotel group from Spain with more than 350 hotels in 30 countries and four continents. While their Paradisus brand offers luxurious five-star all-inclusive accommodations, the Melia brand all-inclusive is geared toward families offering specially designed family rooms, a kid's club for children ages 4 months to 13-years, teen activities and nightly family entertainment. 

Club Valtur  (877/582-2284, 619/297-4100) is Italy's version of Club Med, and the leader with European families. Their over 20 world-wide resorts (an all-inclusive in Morocco and some terrific ski resorts in Italy) are booked directly in the USA, and are known for great food and a European flair, besides top values. Club Valtur's children's program, Valturland, offers entertainment for children age 0-16 though only some resorts offer the nursery.

Allegro Resorts  (800/858-2258), the more moderately priced division of Occidental Resorts, has some large, value all-inclusives in Mexico and Latin America, as well as the Caribbean. Their kids' clubs generally accept children ages 2-12.

The Radisson Cable Beach Resort  (800/333-3333) on Nassau has put together all-inclusive packages (including room, meals, activities, 18 holes of golf, airport transfers, taxes and gratuities), but still operates an à la carte option for families who just want to loll on the beach.  Camp Junkanoo operates for ages 4-12. Since 2006, when all the Cable Beach, Bahamas resorts banded together to form a mega-resort with shared facilities, families will have more dining and recreation options.

Club St. Lucia by Splash  (809/567-7330) has taken over a budget all-inclusive resort on St. Lucia once known as the Odyssey.  We like this property and hear it's just as good a value for its tasteful rooms, good food, extensive kids' facilities and baby club as it used to be.

Viva Wyndham  (800/WYNDHAM) Viva, a branch of Wyndham Resorts has eight all-inclusive resorts located in the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and Mexico.  The resorts offer a Kid's Club where 4-12 year-olds can enjoy the beach and such activities as face-painting, games and meeting Vivito, Viva's alligator host.

Coral by Hilton  (877/GO-HILTON) Hilton's all-includsive packages at resorts throughout the Dominican Republic include lots of fun activities for the whold family.  For no extra charge, kids can have fun at the Coralin Kid's Parsdise Club with their own swimming pool, while parents relax at the beach. In Nov. 2006, Hilton announced that their relationship with the Coral Resorts company would be ending, but that Coral will continue to offer their well-priced all-inclusive vacations at four resorts under their own brand.

RIU Hotels and Resorts  (888/666-8816) Riu offers all-inclusive resort in locations around the world, including locations in Caribbean, the Canary Islands, Europe and Africa.  Animation plays a big role in entertainment for all ages in the Caribbean.  Elsewhere, some resorts have "Mini Clubs" which are special areas where young kids can enjoy special food and suitable activities.

Make Your Own All-Inclusive with Optional Packages

Hotels and resorts that offer all meals and activities bundled together in the room price are more expensive than just booking a hotel room, and often make available more food, drink and recreation than any one family can consume.  Consider saving money on your next vacation by creating your own "all-inclusive" package at a resort hotel in a great destination.  It's usually the best value-for-money for the less active family.

Among the luxury hotels, the following have solid children's programs (usually for a fee), and seasonal meal plans where one or two daily meals (not beverages) or free meals for kids are included in room rates. At some of these resorts, an all-inclusive option covering everything is available during peak periods:

      º Four Seasons 800/819-5053 [free children's program year round]
      º Ritz Carlton 800/241-3333 [free children's program year round]
      º Hyatt Regency 888/591-1234
      º Westin   800/937-8461
      º Sonesta  800/SONESTA

Among the moderate-priced chains, the following have school-holiday children's programs in many resort areas, with a choice of meal plans, alcohol or activity voucher programs, or fully all-inclusive options available during certain seasons:

     º Holiday Inn Sunspree Resorts  800/315-2621
     º Embassy Suites 800/EMBASSY