Some trips are about going. This one is about staying.
A great resort isn't just a place to sleep between excursions. It's the whole point. The kind of trip where you wake up with nowhere to be, where someone brings you a drink before you've decided you want one, and where the biggest decision of the day is to read your book by the pool or beach.
All-inclusive doesn't always mean what you think it means
Some resorts include everything: food, drinks, tips, non-motorized water sports, airport transfers, the works. Others include breakfast and a welcome cocktail and call it a day. The word "all-inclusive" carries a lot of weight and not always honestly.
Before you book, you want to know: Are premium liquors included or just house brands? Is room service extra? Are there restaurants on property that require a reservation or an upcharge? What about tips — are they genuinely covered or is there a culture of additional tipping that nobody mentions until you're there?
I know which properties mean it when they say all-inclusive. And I know which ones make you feel nickel-and-dimed from the moment you check in.
What I look for in a resort recommendation
Service consistency matters more than the amenity list. A resort with a smaller pool and genuinely attentive staff will beat a massive property with indifferent service almost every time. I also pay attention to the guest mix — a resort marketed as romantic that happens to be a spring break favorite in the dates you're traveling is not a resort I'm going to recommend for your anniversary without flagging it first.
Properties and programs I work with
Through my affiliation with TripMoxie and Ensemble Travel Group, I have preferred relationships with Hyatt, IHG, and Belmond, among others. Hyatt Privé and IHG's Diplomatic program can mean complimentary upgrades, early check-in, late checkout, and property credits that don't show up on any booking site. Belmond properties — think Orient-Express hotels and lodges in some of the world's most remarkable locations — are a specialty worth a conversation if you're planning something truly memorable.
If you have a property in mind, I can tell you whether it lives up to what they're selling. If you don't, I'll find one that does.