7 Amazing All-Inclusive Resorts You Can Book for Nearly Free

Any vacation that includes the sun, sand, and ocean is a good one. But if you want to elevate your experience even more, consider booking an all-inclusive resort.

Amenities such as food and drinks (including alcohol) and poolside and beach service are often included in the cost of the stay. Instead of paying for the trip with cash, you might be able to score a stay at an all-inclusive resort if you've stocked up a pile of hotel points.

Here are recommendations for spectacular destinations you can book with credit card points  — plus how to earn more travel rewards .

1. Hyatt Ziva Cancun

The Hyatt Ziva Cancun is a family-friendly, all-inclusive resort. For 40,000 points per night, you can get a room with two queen-size beds. Each room has a complimentary minibar and free Wi-Fi and can sleep up to four people.

As with any all-inclusive resort, it’s all you can eat and drink, as the cost is included in your room rate. Also, there are eight restaurants and six bars, including a microbrewery, so you’ll have plenty of options.

Amenities include:

• Three infinity pools and two hot tubs
• Access to surfboards, kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling gear
• Fitness center
• Beachside yoga
• Teen-only lounge with virtual reality simulators, karaoke, dancing, and mocktails
• Children’s club with supervised pool games, a mini waterpark, arts and crafts, video games, and beach excursions
• Daily activities, such as blackjack, arts and crafts, dancing classes, and more
• Nightly live entertainment

If you’re planning to get married soon, the resort offers free weddings, which can be an incredible experience for you and your guests.

2. Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall

If you’re looking for an adult-only getaway, the Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall is an all-inclusive resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, that requires 40,000 points per night (35,000 off-peak).

Like the Hyatt Ziva Cancun, the rooms at this resort boast a complimentary minibar but advertise only water, beer, and snacks.

Amenities include:

• Swim-up suites
• Unlimited dining and endless drinks at seven restaurants and six bars and lounges
• Access to kayaks, surfboards, and snorkel gear
• Water games
• Aqua aerobics classes
• Daily activities, such as dance or cooking lessons, volleyball tournaments, and more
• Live entertainment
• Fitness center
• Free Wi-Fi

Because this resort is geared toward people looking for a romantic trip, optional extras include private candlelit dinners on the beach, couples’ spa treatments, and in-room goodies such as champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.

3. Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana

If your dream vacation includes a beach in the Dominican Republic, this Hyatt all-inclusive resort known as the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana costs just 40,000 points per night. That rate is good for a junior suite with a king-size bed. Your room also includes a mini-bar.

The resort has around a dozen restaurants and bars, which gives you plenty of options for food and drinks, and it also boasts swim-up bars in its infinity pools. Other amenities include:

• Waterpark, including slides, water cannons, and more
• Non-motorized water sports
• Kids Club
• Nightly live entertainment
• Daily activities, including themed pool parties, arts and crafts, dancing classes, cooking lessons, and more
• Fitness center
• Beachside yoga
• Zumba classes

If you want to escape the resort and explore the island, the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana staff can help you plan excursions, such as deep-sea fishing, zip lining, snorkeling, golf, and more.

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4. Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa

The Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa is nestled on a private beach on the Mediterranean Sea. This Hilton all-inclusive resort is also near the Dalaman River. Rooms start at 66,000 points per night.

Although that’s much more than what Hyatt charges for its resorts, Hilton Honors points are generally easier to come by. Also, remember you need to consider how much each point is worth. Hyatt points are worth more than three times as much as Hilton points on average.

Depending on how many points you have, rooms at this resort can have a garden view, river view, or sea view, though rooms with a sea view start at 110,000 points per night. There are several different room options, including swim-up suites and even lake house villas.

The Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa features a whopping 23 restaurants and bars with a wide selection of international food options. Other features include:

• Ten swimming pools
• Tennis and squash courts
• Spa with a steam room, whirlpool, and Roman and Turkish baths
• Water sports
• Archery range
• Aqua park
• Fitness center
• Evening shows

The resort is just a short walk from the Sarigerme town center. There, and in the surrounding area, you can visit 5,000-year-old monuments, enjoy underwater attractions, relax in natural mud springs, and more.

5. Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort

This Hilton all-inclusive resort is family-friendly but also features an adults-only area with an authentic Mexican atmosphere.

You can stay at the Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort for as little as 62,000 points per night, but reservations can get more expensive depending on the type of room and view you want and the time of year you go.

The most basic rooms have either a king-size bed or two queen-size beds, but you can book a junior suite or a full suite if you’re traveling with more people or want a nicer place to stay.

Some of the amenities the resort provides include:

• Twelve restaurants, bars, and lounged
• Poolside and cabana service
• Complimentary Kids Club
• Daily activities, such as Spanish lessons, cooking shows, volleyball, and more
• Access to kayaks
• Fitness room

If you’re looking for a getaway on the Pacific coast of Mexico, the Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort is a good option.

6. The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa

This eco-friendly Marriott all-inclusive resort is nestled on Costa Rica’s North Pacific Riviera. Rooms start at deluxe junior suites with one king-size bed or two queen-size beds, a sofa bed, and a balcony. If you want more than that, you can upgrade with points or cash.

For the Westin Reserva Conchal, you can expect to pay between 77,500 and 124,000 points, depending on the season.

Property amenities include:

• Lagoon-style pool
• Tennis courts
• Kids club
• Refreshment center
• Fitness studio
• Non-motorized water sports
• Nightly shows
• Free Wi-Fi

As the resort's name suggests, it’s home to a championship golf course. However, green fees are included in your room rate only if you purchase a golf package, though I couldn’t see an option to book one with points.

7. Holiday Inn Resort Ixtapa All-Inclusive

One of four all-inclusive resorts in the IHG portfolio, the Holiday Inn Resort Ixtapa is located on the Mexican Pacific coast near Zihuatanejo. Rooms start at 50,000 points per night, which gives you a standard room.

The resort has three restaurants and three bars, which doesn’t give you as wide of a selection as some other resorts on our list, but it’s still enough to enjoy something new every day. Other features include:

• Outdoor pool
• Tennis courts
• Water polo and beach soccer
• Kids club
• Business center
• Fitness center
• Bicycle tours to nearby beaches
• Classes, including beach volleyball, yoga, aerobics, and more
• Live entertainment
• Free Wi-Fi

The resort also has spa facilities, but you can generally expect to pay extra for these services at an all-inclusive resort.

How to pick the right all-inclusive resort

When it comes to an all-inclusive vacation, it may seem like no choice is wrong. But each resort is different, and choosing the right one depends on several factors.

Costs

Even if you’re booking an all-inclusive resort with points, there are other costs associated with your stay. One of these is resort fees.

For example, at the Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort, kids ages 6 to 12 will incur an additional resort fee of $49 per night, and kids ages 13 and up are charged at the adult rate of $65 per night. You may also be required to pay for parking if you rent a car to get off the resort during your stay.

As you research your options, read the fine print to understand exactly how much the stay will cost. Also, regardless of where you stay, you should bring cash (preferably small bills) to tip the people waiting on you throughout your stay.

Location

There are all-inclusive resorts worldwide, and the ones we’ve covered include resorts in Central America, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. Think about where you want to go and focus on resorts in that area.

As you research possible destinations, be sure to look at Hyatt's and Hilton's all-inclusive resorts. Consider each property’s amenities and how many points you’ll need to book.

Amenities

There are several types of all-inclusive resorts, including family-friendly, adults-only, luxury, and budget resorts. Each type of resort offers different amenities for its guests. Read up on what each resort offers and compare it to what you want in a getaway.

Also, keep in mind that the selection and quality of food and drinks will vary from resort to resort. Check out how many restaurants and bars each resort offers, and consider reading reviews from previous guests to get an idea of the quality.

Rewards balances

If you want to book an all-inclusive resort with points, your options may be limited to the hotel rewards programs where you have points, like Hilton Honors or World of Hyatt, for example. Also, the number of nights you can stay will depend on how many points you’ve earned.

As a result, it’s best to diversify your travel rewards so you have more options from which to choose. Also, learning about the different all-inclusive resorts available can give you some ideas on the next hotel credit card you open.

How to earn more points to book an all-inclusive stay

All-inclusive resorts can be incredibly affordable if you have enough points to book your stay. But if your rewards balance falls short, here are some ideas on how to bridge the gap:

• Apply for a new credit card. Many of the top travel credit cards from hotels offer big sign-up bonuses that can help you achieve a points goal quickly.
  
• Start using your hotel card more. If you already have a hotel credit card with a program that has all-inclusive resorts, consider using the card as your primary payment method.
• Use dining rewards programs. Dining rewards programs allow you to earn bonus points with loyalty programs whenever you eat at participating restaurants.
• Buy points: If you’re just shy of the number of points you need to book your trip, it may be a time when buying points or miles makes sense, especially if you need to book soon and don’t have time to wait for points earned with your credit card to post. Just keep in mind that buying points usually doesn’t provide good value. But if you just need a few thousand to reach your goal, it can be well worth it.

As you consider these and other ways to earn more hotel points, remember to focus on rewards programs with all-inclusive resorts that you’re interested in.

Bottom line

All-inclusive resorts can be expensive if you pay with cash, but they don’t have to be out of reach. If you have enough credit card rewards from your trusty travel credit card, you can get the all-inclusive experience for much less than you’d normally have to spend.

As you consider the properties listed above, as well as other all-inclusive resorts, take a look at your current rewards balances and make some plans to earn more points so you can book and enjoy a trip of a lifetime.

Using points instead of cash is an easy way to keep more money in your bank account .

Money tips that can work for everyone

No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.

Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.

Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.

Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).