11 of the best destinations for all-inclusive holidays

1. Spain

Spain is an all-inclusive holiday mecca. Cheap and cheerful, premium luxury or something in between, there’s hundreds of hotels across the country that just get what all-inclusive is all about.

Need to narrow down your search? Islands Tenerife and Majorca offer plenty of options for all budgets, while mainland costas such as Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol are brimming with choice. Try family-friendly Lloret de Mar if travelling with the little ones, embrace the fun of Brit favourite, Benidorm or consider swanky Marbella for resorts with all the trimmings.

If you're more about the hotel than the destination, the four-star Iberostar Royal Andalus in Costa de la Luz, and Gran Canaria's Gloria Palace San Agustín Thalasso & Hotel are well-rated options.

2. Turkey

Punctuated with pretty coves and lined with lovely beaches, Turkey’s stunning coastline has tons of appeal for a relaxing holiday in the sun. All-inclusive hotels are easy to come by in this idyllic stretch of the country, whether you’re looking for upscale stays in Bodrum or kid-friendly resorts with all the trimmings in Antalya.

Golf is huge around swanky Belek, and you can find plenty of all-inclusives with direct access to the green, though games aren't often included in the price. Where you can save? Entertainment for the little ones. Choose one of the many all-inclusives with an on-site waterpark and you won't have to fork out on keeping them entertained with days out.

Travel outside of summer if you can and you’ll have a good chance of finding a cheap all-inclusive holiday in Turkey. In October, temperatures can reach highs of 26C, striking a great balance between good weather and low prices.

3. Greece

When it comes to all-inclusive holidays in Greece, not all places were created equal. Forget Santorini and Mykonos, islands such as Rhodes, Corfu, Crete and Zante are your best bets for finding a great-value deal.

All four islands are dotted with all-inclusive resorts to suit all budgets and styles, so your biggest decision will be choosing the destination that’s right for you. Pick Rhodes for incredible UNESCO-listed sites; Corfu for legendary nightlife in resorts such as Kavos; Zante for beautiful beaches (the instantly recognisable Shipwreck Beach is here); or Crete for nature – it’s home to the longest gorge in Europe.

If you're after something a bit more off the beaten track, look to the Peloponnese, Halkidiki or the islands of Kos and Paros – all have some great options that aren't so firmly on the tourist trail.

4. Mexico

Cancun is Mexico’s crown jewel for all-inclusive bliss. Its picture-postcard sweep of the Zona Hotelera (Hotel Zone) on the captivating Caribbean coast is the tourism darling of the region – and for good reason. Ultra-luxe resorts, pristine sands for miles, restaurants for every taste bud… go all-inclusive here and you’ll understand what Cancun holidays are all about.

Playa del Carmen and Cozumel are also good picks for all-inclusive holidays on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Otherwise, consider breaking away from the crowds and heading west to the Pacific coast for some of the best Mexico holiday deals. Here, Puerto Vallarta has lots of all-inclusive options.

5. Maldives

The Maldives and all-inclusive are a match made in heaven. You’ve come for all-out luxury and the sense of seclusion, after all, and many of the country’s atolls are designed to give you just that.

It pays to do your research when booking a holiday here. As some islands host just one hotel, some board tends to be included as standard here. On larger islands, it’s worth checking the dining options outside of the resort.

Usually, though, you’ll find going all-inclusive in the Maldives offers the best value-for-money – and it helps to keep your holiday planning hassle free and as tranquil as the Maldives promise.

6. Dominican Republic

Imagine a paradise beach break and you’d be pretty close to picturing the Dominican Republic. All the stereotypes ring true in this Caribbean country. Palm trees, white sands, turquoise waters… you’ll find it all in spades here.

For an all-inclusive package holiday, neighbouring resorts Punta Cana and Bavaro are your best bets. Options range from sprawling luxury hotels with watersports included, to adults-only stays where holidays revolve around swim-up bars and Bali beds.

For families with little ones, try the Nickelodeon-themed hotel in Uvero Alto – it’s even got an on-site waterpark.

7. Cyprus

Cyprus really is the whole package when it comes to all-inclusive resorts. From the budget-friendly to the romantic, the luxurious to kid favourites, the list is as long as the country’s beautiful, beach-fringed coastline.

Look to towns such as Limassol, Larnaca, Protaras and Ayia Napa for a wide range of options that include lush resorts like the five-star, adults-only Ivi Mare by Louis Hotels and the well-rated Leonardo Plaza Cypria Maris Beach Hotel & Spa.

As always, travel outside the summer season if you can – it’s when you’ll find the best deals. Try early summer before the temperatures start to soar, or visit in late September and enjoy the still-warm Mediterranean Sea.

8. Portugal

Portugal’s all-inclusive hub? The Algarve, of course! This golden holiday haven needs no introduction – it’s been drawing in visitors since the 60s. All-inclusive resorts line this southern coast from Lagos to Quarteira, making good deals easy to come by.

Albufeira and Alvor are popular among families, and you’ll find a number of all-inclusive resorts with on-site water slides and water parks here. If you’re looking for laidback, Olhos de Água (near Albufeira) has a handful of luxury all-inclusives.

As for Portugal’s islands, you’ll find all-inclusive resorts on both Madeira and Porto Santo, as well as options across the Azores.

9. Cape Verde (Cabo Verde)

Ten volcanic islands make up Cape Verde. For all-inclusive holidays, you need to know about two: sun-drenched Sal and laidback Boa Vista. Sal is a little more built up than its southern neighbour – expect lounger-lined beaches and an excellent range of all-inclusive resorts, especially around the colourful town of Santa Maria. It’s also great for diving.

Boa Vista’s main draw is its sweeping golden sands (Praia de Santa Monica is some 10km of untouched beauty), less-developed towns and watersports opportunities – windsurfing is particularly popular here. There’s only a handful of all-inclusive resorts, though; many are highly rated and can be found around Praia de Chaves.

10. Barbados

Caribbean countries know how to do all-inclusive holidays right. You’ve got the regular inclusions – three main meals, snacks, soft drinks and house beer and wine and your land-based activities – as well as watersports, which come as standard in many resorts.

You’ll find many of Barbados' most popular all-inclusive resorts on the southwest side of the island, where a string of beach towns run from Hastings to Dover. St James, on the northwest coast, and the area just outside capital Bridgetown are also worth checking out if you’re after all-inclusive.

11. Egypt

You’ve got three brilliant choices for an all-inclusive holiday in Egypt. Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam, all on the stunning Red Sea, are all about five-star luxury for less – meaning you can get the full works without compromising on quality.

All three share a lot in common, namely sprawling hotels with palm-lined pools, sandy beaches and plenty of excellent snorkelling opportunities (the Red Sea is full of colourful reefs brimming with marine life). What’s more, it’s a top pick for winter sun closer to home – ideal during the depths of January when it’s freezing in the UK.

Activities outside your all-inclusive resort are pure whiplash: one minute you can be sipping on poolside cocktails in utter serenity and the next dune bashing through the Sahara Desert or stepping back in time to Ancient Egypt’s Valley of the Kings in Luxor. Stay in closer Hurghada or Marsa Alam if either pique your interest.