The Best All Inclusive Resorts for Foodies

THE BEST ALL INCLUSIVE RESORTS FOR FOODIES

We’ve seen a big rise in demand for all-inclusive holidays this year, due to both the convenience and the appeal of not being hit with a huge bill at the end of your holiday.

Naturally going on an all-inclusive holiday means that you will spend the majority of your time in the resort. So it’s even more important to choose a hotel (or cruise!) that’s right for you. If you’re anything like us then food is very important on holiday so we’ve rounded up some of the best all-inclusive resorts for foodies! From gourmet restaurants serving the finest international cuisine to cooking classes and food-themed events, these resorts offer a variety of culinary delights that will satisfy even the most discerning palate.

Here are our top tips on what to look at when choosing your resort (with a big focus on food!) and some of our top hotel recommendations.

OUR TIP TIPS WHEN CHOOSING AN ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT

LOOK AT WHICH RESTAURANTS ARE INCLUDED

It’s important to know what your all-inclusive package includes, especially when it comes to dining. Many hotels, particularly in Europe, will only include meals in the main buffet restaurant for all of your meals. This can get very repetitive after a while so if food is an important factor for you on holiday you will want to avoid this. Some hotels may include additional a la carte restaurants, but restrict the number of times you can dine at them.

DOES THE RESORT OFFER A DINE-AROUND ALL INCLUSIVE OPTION

This is offered as standard at some all-inclusive resorts and gives you a much wider choice of where you can dine. Other resorts offer this as an upgraded all-inclusive option. Again if food is an important part of your holiday (and it should be!) always ask whether the all inclusive package includes dine-around options.

CHECK IF YOUR ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGE INCLUDES RESTAURANTS OUTSIDE OF THE RESORT?

Some resorts include local restaurants as part of their all-inclusive package. Others let you dine at restaurants in their sister resorts. Both options give you a bit more flexibility to get out of the resort and explore more of the destination.

FINALLY IF YOU ARE ON A TIGHT BUDGET IS AN ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT THE BEST OPTION?

If you find yourself looking at all-inclusive resorts that are not particularly highly rated and only include meals in the main buffet restaurant ask yourself if this is a holiday you are going to enjoy? If you’re a foodie and enjoy eating out and cooking, you might find a self catering holiday a better option. This gives you the freedom to dine at many different local restaurants as well as exploring the local markets and having a go at cooking some traditional dishes.

ALL INCLUSIVE RESORTS IN EUROPE

IKOS RESORTS, CORFU, HALKIDIKI, KOS, ESTEPONA, MALLORCA

If you’ve been looking into a luxury all-inclusive holiday the chances are that you’ve heard of Ikos Resorts. The Greek hotel group have a winning formula when it comes to family friendly all-inclusive holidays – amazing beachfront locations, stylish decor, childcare from babies to teens and incredible food! The all-inclusive package here comes with dine-around as standard and there are no restrictions on where you can dine or additional supplements. With menus created by Michelin starred chefs and local dine-out restaurants all included.

Ikos Resorts can be found throughout Greece in Halkidiki (Ikos Olivia and Ikos Oceania), Corfu (Ikos Dassia and Ikos Odisia) and Kos (Ikos Aria), and Spain in Estepona (Ikos Andalucia) and Mallorca (Ikos Porto Petro). They have grand expansion plans too with further resorts planned across Europe as well as further afield.

By booking any of these resorts with Swords Travel you will receive the following benefits:

Complimentary airport transfers for Ikos Deluxe Collection bookings of 7 nights or more
VIP welcome amenity in room
Early check in and late check out subject to availability

Swords Travel Expert: Everyone in the Swords Travel team has been to Ikos Olivia. Mark and Stuart have also been to Ikos Andalucia and booked to go to the new Ikos Dassia and Odisia resort this June. We know the brand inside out so we can tell you everything you need to know and recommend the right resort for you.

GRECOTEL LUX ME WHITE PALACE, CRETE

When it comes to all-inclusive resorts in Crete, Grecotel LUX Me White Palace is one of the best. Located on the north coast in Rethymno it’s central location on the island makes it a good base for exploring. Due to it’s location you can fly into either Chania or Heraklion, giving you a wider choice of flight options.

There are 7 restaurants to choose from at Grecotel LUX Me White Palace and they are all part of the all-inclusive package with no supplements, even the fine-dining restaurant. They also have a dine-out option where you can visit Agrecco Farm and have lunch. Lunch at Agreco Farm is at the Taverna Organic Cretan Restaurant and has been award as the “Best Organic Restaurant in the world” by Vanity Fair. Children can also visit the mini zoo and older children (6-12) can become junior farmers and take parts in lots of farm activities.

All of the Grecotel LUX Me resorts have the same concept with a great choice of restaurants and inclusions. You will find them in Crete, Kos and Corfu.

Swords Travel Expert: Hollie stayed at the hotel last summer and absolutely loved it. She also went to a wedding at Agreco Farm, which has the most incredible views and delicious food. Next month David, Mark, Francesca, Carla, Ian and Stuart are all going out to Crete to stay at a Grecotel LUX Me White Palace.

DAIOS COVE LUXURY RESORT & VILLAS, CRETE

For an ultra-luxury Crete holiday, Daios Cove really delivers. It’s perfect for beach-lovers and families with a child-friendly private sandy beach and shallow waters. The infinity pool is heated all summer, making Daios Cove a great option from April through to October. Childcare is an important part of the Daios family holiday experience. While children are being looked after by Worldwide Kids at the creche (4 months – 4 years) and complimentary Children’s Club (4- 11 years), parents can excampe for a bit of quiet time at the spa or the open-air Beach House with a cocktail.

When it comes to dining Daios Cove has four fabulous restaurants, serving seasonal local dishes and international delights. For complete luxury all-inclusive freedom, book a Suite or Villa and enjoy the Residents’ Club – the all-inclusive gastronomic privilege service. The Residents’ Club gives you full dine-aroun at all of their restaurants, free 24-hour room service in your suite or villa. The drinks options are premium here and even include Veuve Cliquot. On top of this you will have a dedicated concierge to look after your every wish.

Swords Travel Expert: Mark and Stuart are our resident Daios Cove experts and rate it very highly (and believe me they have high standards!). We have a great relationship with the team at Daios Cove who ensure all of our guests are very well looked after.

SECRETS BAHIA REAL RESORT & SPA, FUERTEVENTURA

If food is top of your list of priorities on holiday then you will be very happy at Secrets Bahia Real. The adults-only luxury all-inclusive resort recently reopened under the Secrets brand which has a focus on gastronomy across all of their resorts. The resort is located in a beautiful beachfront location, only a short walk from the famous dunes in the Corralejo Natural Park.

When it comes to dining, you will be spoiled for choice with the sheer range of cuisines and culinary styles on offer. There are 7 different restaurants to choose from (6 are included), serving everything from local cuisine, Mediterranean and Italian through to Teppanyaki and Sushi.

All Secrets Resorts offer an Unlimited-Luxury® concept which includes a wide range of dining options throughout the day, premium-brand drinks, minibar, concierge service, daytime activities and live evening entertainment. You will find Secrets Resorts throughout Europe and the Caribbean and Mexico.

Swords Travel Expert: Hollie stayed at Secrets Bahia Real in December and can vouch for how incredible the food is here. Fuerteventura is only a short ferry crossing from Lanzarote, so why not combine this hotel with a stay at Secrets Lanzarote – another amazing all-inclusive adults only resort.

DREAMS CORFU, CORFU

All Dreams Resorts offer the same Unlimited-Luxury® concept as Secrets (above). This means a wide choice of restaurants all included and great quality food.

This is the first Dreams Resort to open in Greece and it has been incredibly popular since it’s opening in July 2022. Dreams Corfu Resort & Spa is located on the seafront in the beautiful town of Gouvia. It’s also only a 10 minute drive from Corfu Town which has an incredible UNESCO listed old town to explore.

The resort itself has a great choice of dining options, with 5 restaurants to choose from including Greek, Italian, Seafood and Grill a la carte restaurants. There’s also a further 3 snack bars and all of these dining options are included in the Unlimited-Luxury® all inclusive plan. This is combined with top-shelf drinks to enjoy in 6 bars around the resort.

The Unlimited-Luxury® continues with endless day and nighttime activities. During the day at Dreams Corfu Resort and Spa you can enjoy a wide range of activities, from swimming and lounging in a choice of 3 pools (one exclusive to Preferred Club guests), to land and water sports. In the evening enjoy live music from bands, shows, tribute acts, theme parties and many more surprises.

For children they can enjoy the brilliant Explorers Club (age 4-12) with a full program of activities. Teens have a dedicated ‘Core Zone’ club where they can enjoy a range of sports and water games and make new friends.

Swords Travel Expert: Carla and Alex are our resident Corfu experts and can share lots of top tips with you when visiting the island. Stuart is booked in to travel our to Dreams Corfu in June and we can’t wait to experience it first hand!

CLUB MED MAGNA MARBELLA, ANDALUCIA

A signature concept of Club Med is “Where all-inclusive means all inclusive”. As a result it’s very easy to visit one of their resorts and leave without anything extra to pay. The package includes your flights, transfers, sports, kids clubs and of course dining and drinks.

Club Med Magna Marbella opened last year and is an extremely family friendly resort. The kids clubs start from 4 months at Baby Club Med right up to teens (it’s complimentary from age 4+). The family facilities are excellent with various child pools, two splash parks, water slides and loads of sporting activities for all ages. They even have a circus school where you can learn to trapeze.

When it comes to dining, it is foodie heaven! Whilst there aren’t actually many restaurants at the resort (there are just 2) the quality of the food more than makes up for it. The main buffet restaurant is filled with live cooking stations, with chefs shucking oysters, cooking fresh lobster pasta, steaks cooked to order, freshly grilled fish, to name a few. It’s a hotel that you would be more than happy to eat in buffet every night. The second restaurant is a tapas restaurant with live music and wine-tasting workshops.

Once a week they host a huge gala dinner in the gardens with mountains of freshly cooked lobsters, barbequed meats, fish, fresh salad bars, etc. It’s hard to believe that the food is all part of an all-inclusive package. They also have a great line-up of entertainment on these evenings with acrobatics, dancers, fire eating and singers.

Club Med have close to 80 resorts throughout the world. They have both sun and ski resorts and you will find them in Europe, Asia, Africa, America and the Caribbean. All of the resorts are ultra all-inclusive and ski resorts even include lift passes and ski lessons.

Swords Travel Expert: Both Carla and Hollie attended the opening event at Club Med Magna Marbella last year and were so impressed with the quality of the food on offer! We have a whole team of Club Med experts with Mark, Stuart, Dave, Francesca, Ian and Alex all having been to a Club Med Resort.

VOYAGE SORGUN, SIDE

If you’re looking for an all inclusive resort with a great choice of restaurants in Turkey, then we recommend checking out Voyage Sorgun in Side. They operate an Ultra All Inclusive concept which includes meals, drinks, mini bar, kids club, a wide range of sporting activities and entertainment.

You will find a huge choice of restaurants. You can choose from Chinese, Greek, Italian, Turkish, Steak and Teppanyaki as well as the main buffet restaurant with show cooking and an international a la carte. There is an additional charge for the themed a la carte restaurants, but for 3 of them it’s only €5 (going up to €25 for the Steak and Teppanyaki).

Voyage Sorgun is the top rated hotel by Tripadvisor in Side out of 317 hotels. They consistently receive 5* reviews, with guests calling out how great the food is!

Swords Travel Expert: David is our expert of Turkey. Having visited 14 times on his own holidays, including to Side, he can put together the perfect itinerary for you with lots of personal recommendations.

ALL INCLUSIVE RESORTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

We are starting to see a rise in the number of resorts offering an all-inclusive package in the Middle East as the demand for this type of holiday increases. It’s no secret that costs for dining and drinking in this region can be expensive so an all-inclusive option can make budgeting for the trip a lot easier.

JA THE RESORT IN DUBAI

JA The Resort is a luxurious destination located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, offering an unforgettable holiday experience for guests. This 5-star resort is situated on an 800-metre private beach, surrounded by lush gardens and stunning landscapes. JA Resort is made up of 3 hotels – JA Palm Tree Court, JA Lake View Hotel and JA Beach Hotel.

What makes JA The Resort stand out is its all-inclusive package, which provides guests with an incredible value for their money. With this package, you can enjoy food and drinks at a wide range of restaurants and bars, as well as access to an extensive selection of leisure activities and entertainment options.

Guests can enjoy a wide range of cuisines, from international dishes to local delicacies, with the option of dining at any of the resort’s 25 restaurants and bars.

Overall, JA The Resort’s all-inclusive package offers guests an unparalleled level of luxury, comfort, and convenience. With its beautiful location, stunning amenities, and exceptional value for money, it is no surprise that JA The Resort is considered one of the top resorts in Dubai.

Swords Travel Expert: Francesca stayed at JA Palm Tree Court with her family during May half term last year and was really impressed with the overall resort and quality of the food.

ALL INCLUSIVE RESORTS IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

When it comes to the Indian Ocean there are so many luxury all-inclusive resorts that offer incredible dining options. You still need to make sure that what you’re booking doesn’t just restrict you to one restaurant though, which can be the case. Here’s a small selection of luxury all-inclusive resorts that we love and offer a very inclusive package.

OZEN LIFE MAAHDOO

This luxury lifestyle all-inclusive hideaway is spread across two islands and offers 90 beach and overwater villas. OZEN LIFE MAADHOO offers a fully immersive luxury all-inclusive plan. The Indulgence Plan includes fine dining, premium beverages, spa treatments, diving and transfers to the island.

OZEN LIFE MAADHOO offers a gourmet dining experience, with 7 restaurants. Start the day with a sumptuous OZEN Champagne breakfast and finish at the underwater fine dining seafood restaurant with wine pairings. Every Friday there is an included Indian Ocean gala dinner. This features an expansive dinner spread with Maldivian entertainment, live music and welcome cocktail.

The only restaurant with any restrictions is the fine dining, which is limited to once per stay (or more for a 14 night stay). Spa treatments or diving are included for stays of 4 nights plus and the number of these increases the longer you stay. The luxury all-inclusive package also includes a sunset fishing excursion, unlimited snorkeling excursions, OZEN kids club, non motorized watersports and sports activities.

Swords Travel Expert: Mark and Stuart have stayed at both OZEN LIFE MAADHOO and OZEN BOLIFUSHI and loved them. When staying in the Maldives it’s a rare find to see an all inclusive resort that is truly all inclusive without lots of additional charges. Mark especially loved that you even get his favorite Whispering Angel on tap!

**5* TROU AUX BICHES BEACHCOMBER GOLF RESORT & SPA**

They recently introduced an all-inclusive package at Trou Aux Biches which has a huge list of inclusions. For dining there are six restaurants including Creole, Mediterranean and Asian and they are all included without restrictions.

The luxury all-inclusive package also includes premium branded drinks, afternoon pancakes, picnic baskets, mini bar, kids club (3-11 years) and teens club, a wide variety of sports activities and watersports including water-skiing, snorkelling trips and glass-bottom boat trips.

Trou Aux Biches Beachcomber Resort is fantastic for kids as not only does it have a great kids club (3-12 year old) and teens club (12 – 17 year olds) they also offer a complimentary creche for 1 to 2 year olds between 1 – 4pm every weekday. We loved the activities they included for the kids such as cookery classes and water skiing.

Swords Travel Expert: Alex and Hollie have both stayed here. Alex in March this year and Hollie last year on a family holiday. The food is excellent in every restaurant and kids are well catered for as well, with the chefs making whatever the kids fancy.

ALL INCLUSIVE RESORTS IN THE CARIBBEAN & MEXICO

The Caribbean are masters of an all-inclusive holiday. The resorts here have been offering luxury-all inclusive packages for a long time and most offer a really inclusive package.

We’ve picked out some of our all time favourites that offer the very best when it comes to dining!

ZÖETRY MARIGOT BAY

Zoëtry Marigot Bay is a luxurious resort located on the beautiful island of Saint Lucia. Beyond the stunning views of the Marigot Bay, this resort is known for its exceptional cuisine, where food is not just a meal, but a gastronomic experience.

At Zoëtry Marigot Bay, the culinary team takes pride in sourcing only the freshest and highest quality ingredients, including locally sourced produce and freshly caught seafood. The resort’s culinary philosophy is centered around the belief that food should not only be delicious, but also nourishing to the body and soul.

The resort features several restaurants, each offering a unique experience, from traditional Caribbean dishes to fusion cuisine. Guests can also take part in cooking classes and wine tastings to further indulge in the resort’s culinary delights.

With a focus on farm-to-table ingredients and a commitment to exceptional dining experiences, Zoëtry Marigot Bay is a must-visit destination for any foodie looking to indulge in the flavors of the Caribbean.

Swords Travel Expert: Alex has stayed here on her own family holiday and highly recommends it!

CURTAIN BLUFF

Curtain Bluff in a beautiful hotel in Antigua where you’re welcomed in like a family member and will never want to leave! This laidback luxury resort is renowned for it’s incredible cuisine and award-winning restaurants, which are all included without supplement.

Whilst there’s not a wide choice of restaurants, you will be more than content with the two on offer. Tamarind serves a la carte breakfasts and candlelit dinners and The Seagrape serves casual lunches and romantic dinners overlooking the ocean.

During cocktail hour you can also enjoy hors d’oeuvres in the Sugar Mill Bar with a rum punch or glass of champagne. Plus afternoon tea is served every afternoon on the Sugar Mill terrace.

Swords Travel Expert: Mark has stayed at Curtain Bluff and loved the laidback barefoot luxury style. This is a hotel that any foodie would be very happy at!

JUMBY BAY ISLAND

This small island paradise off the coast of Antigua is one of the most desirable all-inclusive retreats in the Caribbean. You will find pristine white-sandy beaches and crystal clear turquoise water on this 300 hectare private island.

Jumby Bay Island is an ultra-luxury all inclusive experience, with fine dining, cooking classes, rum tasting, fine wines and an extensive programme of activities all included in the price. Not forgetting the Moet & Chandon champagne.

There are 3 restaurants at Jumby Bay Island – The Jumby Bay Veranda, Pool Grille and the historic Estate House. The latter is considered to be the top fine-dining restaurant in the Caribbean. Dining is not restricted to just these restaurants though, with a beach shack serving light lunches and unique dining pop-ups including Beach BBQ and Farm to Table. This is one of the ultimate all inclusive resorts for foodies.

Swords Travel Expert: Mark is our resident Jumby Bay Antigua expert.

SECRETS IMPRESSIONS MOXCHÈ

Nestled in the stunning landscape of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, Secrets Impression Moxché is a luxurious and exclusive resort that offers an unparalleled holiday experience. The resort is known for its breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea, world-class amenities, and exceptional hospitality.

One of the many highlights of Secrets Impression Moxché is its exceptional cuisine. The resort’s restaurants offer a variety of dining options that cater to every taste, including international cuisine and traditional Mexican dishes. The food is made from the freshest ingredients, sourced from local farms and markets, and prepared by some of the most talented chefs in the region.

What sets the food at Secrets Impression Moxché apart is the creativity and innovation that the chefs bring to each dish. Drawing inspiration from the rich culinary traditions of the Yucatán Peninsula, the chefs at the resort infuse their dishes with unique and bold flavors, creating a dining experience that is both exciting and unforgettable.

Whether you’re savoring a gourmet meal at one of the resort’s fine dining restaurants or enjoying a casual meal on the beach, you’ll be treated to a culinary adventure that is both authentic and innovative. You will never been short of options either as you can also choose to dine at adjoining Secrets Moxché, giving you 14 dining venues to choose from.

Swords Travel Expert: This is a brand new resort, which opened in December 2022 so the team haven’t been out to see it first hand yet. We’ve heard amazing feedback on it though. Francesca, Hollie and Carla have all been to Mexico and help you put together an amazing itinerary including this hotel.

SOUTHERN AFRICA

This might not be the first place you think of when discussing all-inclusive resorts, but actually a lot of Game Reserves are essentially all-inclusive. Not only do they include your accommodation, meals and a lot of your drinks, but the game drives are included too.

SHAMWARI PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

You will never meet someone who’s been to Shamwari Game Reserve and not completely fallen in love with it. Shamwari is a place that creates memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life. The big 5 game experience here is of course the highlight of any stay, but it’s the combination of all the other extra touches that makes it so special, especially the food!

Your stay includes a gourmet dining experience and there will be things on the menu that you’ll most likely have never tried before. Whether it’s a snack on a game drive, a braii in the boma, or a fine dining meal in the lodge, you will be blown away by the quality of the food.

In terms of the overall inclusions this is an ultra-inclusive holiday with your game drives, all dining, drinks with meals and luxury accommodation all included in the overall price.

Swords Travel Expert: Amelia and Hollie have both stayed at Shamwari Game Reserve and can’t recommend it enough. The whole experience from the minute you arrive is really special.

SCENIC RIVER CRUISE

A river cruise with Scenic should be on every foodies bucket list as the food onboard is incredible and there is lots of it! When you travel with Scenic you can expect every details of your holiday to be taken care of. Every journey with Scenic is ultra all-inclusive with not only your accommodation, dining and drinks included in the price, but also your flights, transfers abroad, daily excursions and once in a lifetime experiences that you will remember forever.

Onboard be prepared to be spoiled with their unlimited branded drinks, delicious dining and your very own private butler. There are 5 dining options onboard including Portobello with an 8 course tasting menu, which is included for all guests once per week.

There are also some great foodie excursions available such as visiting a local market in Provence with the onboard chef, followed by a cooking lesson.

Swords Travel Expert: Carla, Mark, Stuart and Hollie have all been onboard Scenic Jasper and experienced the ship first hand. The cuisine on offer, the spacious rooms and the amount included makes Scenic a really premium and luxurious option for a river cruise.

VIRGIN VOYAGES CRUISE

Whilst not technically an all-inclusive as drinks are not included, the drinks package offers that we are running for Virgin Voyages make them practically all-inclusive and the food is fantastic. Virgin Voyages recently won a whopping 5 awards at the 2023 Cruisers Choice Awards including Best Dining and Best Overall Cruise Line. That should tell you all you need to know about how great the food is on Virgin Voyages!

From steakhouses and Korean BBQ to elaborate brunches and an international food market, you can choose from over 20 dining options onboard Virgin Voyages and they are all included. The menus are created by a Michelin-starred chef collective, so there’s not only a wide choice but it’s all incredibly good too!

Swords Travel Expert: David, Mark, Stuart and Carla have all sailed onboard Virgin Voyages across multiple itineraries in the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

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