USA TODAY 10Best
Moon Palace Takes #1 Spot
Best All-Inclusive Resort (2013)
The 10 Winners in the 'Best All-Inclusive Resort' Readers' Choice contest category are as follows:
- Beaches Turks and Caicos - Turks and Caicos
- Hilton Papagayo Resort & Spa - Costa Rica
- Majestic Elegance and Majestic Colonial - DR
- Sandals Whitehouse Village & Spa - Jamaica
- Excellence Playa Mujeres - Cancun
- Hermitage Bay - Antigua
- Hard Rock Cancun - Cancun
- The ROYAL - Playa del Carmen
- Occidental Grand Aruba - Aruba
- Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort - Cancun
Photo courtesy of Beaches Turks and Caicos
No. 10:
Beaches Turks & Caicos is proud of its reputation as an award-winning multi-generational resort. There is much to love about this sun-drenched haven with its own 45,000 square-foot water park. It's set on one of the world’s best beaches; has 4 villages reflecting Italy, France, Caribbean, and Key-West charm; and offers 19 dining options. And due to its location, the resort naturally has water-activities galore, including scuba-diving.
Photo courtesy of Hilton Papagayo Resort & Spa
No. 9:
No bracelets are needed at the upscale Hilton Papagayo Resort & Spa in Costa Rica, where natural beauty harmoniously blends with all-inclusive luxury. This exclusive resort impresses with upscale menus, healthy dining options, and private bungalows with scenic views. Couples and families alike relish the infinity pool while taking in the natural setting where the pace is as relaxed or as active as you want it to be.
Photo courtesy of Stupid Dingo
No. 8:
Majestic Elegance and Majestic Colonial impress with their culinary abundances. Guests select from five à la carte restaurants, without worrying about making reservations. Plus, there’s no additional fee for fine cuts or lobster. Adults looking for extra privacy and relaxation delight in the adults-only areas with butler service; Bali beds; private beach area; and inviting swimming pools.
Photo courtesy of Sandals Whitehouse Village & Spa
No. 7:
Sandals Whitehouse Village & Spa isn’t your typical all-inclusive resort. No matter where your accommodation is, this all-oceanfront resort allows everyone (rooms and suites) to fully enjoy striking views of the crystalline ocean. Some other perks are complimentary scuba diving for certified divers; 14 different coral reef sites; use of glass bottom boats; water-skiing; hydro-bikes and more.
Photo courtesy of Excellence Playa Mujeres
No. 6:
Excellence Playa Mujeres offers guests a true culinary journey, with 9 gourmet international à la carte dining options and healthy spa menus in all the restaurants. A Greg Norman signature golf course, jogging trails and bicycles add to the recreational options, while premium stocked bars and 2-story rooftop terrace suites with plunge pools are also part of this all-suite, adults-only resort.
Photo courtesy of Antigua & Barbuda Tourist Office
No. 5:
Set along Antigua’s unspoiled bay is a one-of-a-kind all-inclusive experience with only 25 intimate cottages. Guests are pampered with a 2:1 staff to guest ratio. This privately-owned gem also takes indulgence to a higher dimension with open-air facilities; gourmet dining from a fresh organic kitchen garden; cooking classes and demonstrations; morning yoga and meditation; and many more experiential inclusions.
Photo courtesy of Hard Rock Hotels
No. 4:
The Hard Rock Cancun understands the needs of its guests in wanting to experience life in the limelight and has specially designed its resort so you can eat, and party and even sleep like a rock star. Ambience comes in the form of rock & roll-themed rooms, celebrity-treatment, internationally-inspired cuisine, and spectacular entertainment.
Photo courtesy of The ROYAL Playa Del Carmen
No. 3:
Within walking distance to Playa del Carmen's famed 5th Ave, The ROYAL Playa del Carmen is where guests get treated like royalty even prior to arrival. All suites add the pamper factor with Royal Service® and top-notch amenities, while beach butlers make sun-bathing even more enjoyable. An eclectic array of à la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner gives dining a whole new meaning. And to top it off, the resort’s delightful Coffee Shop is open late.
Photo courtesy of Occidental Grand Aruba
No. 2:
Those seeking an exotic island getaway find the Occidental Grand Aruba utterly enchanting. They enjoy a sumptuous selection of five à la carte restaurants; a recently renovated casino; spacious accommodations with a terrace or balcony; and a disco to dance the night away. An upgrade to The Royal Club is available for more luxurious amenities, including access to a private lounge, restaurant, private check-in, and concierge.
Photo courtesy of Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort
No. 1:
Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort is where celebrities like Shakira, Usher, Enrique Iglesias, and many more A-listers grace the stage with top-notch live performances. Not only is this a musical paradise, but also offers its Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy and 27-hole golf course, family-connecting suites with nanny services, and onsite dolphinarium. Kids 12 and under get to stay free during the summer.
Congrats to all the winners! This was a hotly contested mash-up of delightful destinations. It's quite apparent that our readers are quite happy to not have to think about money while on vacations.
A big thanks to Liberty Travel for selecting the nominees and promoting the contest.
As winter draws near, this winners' list is a great list for vacation planning. Now who's ready for a drink with a little umbrella in it?
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Emma Jupp
Emma Jupp is president of the very successful... Read More
Emma Jupp is president of the very successful Liberty Travel, in existence for 62 years. From her offices in New Jersey, she oversees 170 of Liberty Travel’s branches and 900 travel consultants. Jupp was integral to the October 2012 opening of the Liberty Travel flagship in Manhattan, said to be the most innovative and technologically-advanced travel store in the world. Her passion for the travel agent community dates back to 1995, when she became a Vancouver-based travel consultant with Australian-based Flight Centre Limited, Liberty Travel’s parent company. She has remained in the travel industry for the two decades since, becoming one of its most successful executives.
Emma Jupp
Emma Jupp is president of the very successful Liberty Travel, in existence for 62 years. From her offices in New Jersey, she oversees 170 of Liberty Travel’s branches and 900 travel consultants. Jupp was integral to the October 2012 opening of the Liberty Travel flagship in Manhattan, said to be the most innovative and technologically-advanced travel store in the world. Her passion for the travel agent community dates back to 1995, when she became a Vancouver-based travel consultant with Australian-based Flight Centre Limited, Liberty Travel’s parent company. She has remained in the travel industry for the two decades since, becoming one of its most successful executives.
