5 of the Best All-inclusive Resorts in the World

Sip endless cocktails by the pool and order all the room service you can handle. All-inclusive resorts are worth the extra up-front cost as they wrap all your expenditure into one simple book-and-forget package for a low-maintenance, stress-free getaway with no hidden surprises. We’ve found five of the best, that are close to home.

Sal Salis, Western Australia

Sal Salis safari camp, on the edge of the pristine World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef on Western Australia’s mid-north coast near Exmouth, takes the concept of a luxe getaway to new heights.

There are 16 private eco-tents with jarrah-framed beds and earth-toned colours that echo the wild beauty of the coastal landscape.

Meals, drinks and the regularly-rotated minibar are all included as part of your stay, along with guided wilderness activities such as walks through the ancient Mandu Mandu and Yardie Creek Gorge and stargazing. Plus, you’ll also have unlimited use of wetsuits, snorkelling gear and other water equipment.

Add-on packages include scenic flights, private sail adventures and whale shark swims, which cruise the coral reef between March and July.

Melia Bali, Bali

Everything feels dreamier under the Balinese sun, especially when you’re staying somewhere as deeply embedded within its environment as Melia Bali on Nusa Dua Beach.

Nature is everywhere you look, from the delicate stepping stones placed along palm-dappled and lantern-lit ponds to the lagoon-style pool and tropical gardens.

“All inclusive” is taken very seriously here: all meals and beverages at any of the resort’s five restaurants – including Sakura Japanese Restaurant and Sorrento Mediterranean Restaurant – are included in your stay as well as room service and an hour’s use of non-motorised water equipment, such as canoes and paddleboards, per person each day.

Melia’s easy elegance makes it a sophisticated choice for adults, while kids will love spending the day painting or splashing in the pool at the Kids’ Club before settling in for a beach movie night as the sun sets.

When you book your hotel with Qantas Hotels, you’ll earn 3 Qantas Points for every $1 spent. Visit qantas.com/hotels

Namale Resort and Spa, Fiji

With just 22 adult-only burés on 212 tropical hectares of beachfront luxury, utmost seclusion is guaranteed at Namale, on the northern Fijian island of Vanua Levu.

Farm- and ocean-to-table breakfasts, lunches and dinners are all included, plus unlimited beverages and your own customised minibar. Regulars swear by the pillowy pancakes at breakfast and the traditional kokoda, Fiji’s unique coconut-milk ceviche, is a must for lunch or dinner. Guests are also encouraged to share dietary preferences before arrival so the chef can tailor meals to personal tastes.

Excursions come with an additional charge but a picnic on a remote beach or a day spent big-game fishing (where chefs will prepare your prized catch for dinner) are worth that little bit extra.

Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach, Thailand

This buzzy resort on the white sands of Tri Trang Beach is custom-built for epic family stays.

Three pools and ten restaurants and bars banish any chance of boredom, along with the resort’s colourful butterfly sanctuary and private access to one of the most vibrant nearshore coral reefs anywhere on the island (keep your eyes peeled for tropical fish as they glide by).

Choose the resort’s all-inclusive package and breakfast, lunch, dinner – including the famous Andaman Seafood Buffet – and most alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are taken care of. That means you can concentrate on more pressing concerns such as whether to book a body scrub or a signature massage at the property’s spa.

Lizard Island, Queensland

Ultra-luxe Lizard Island is one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Queensland. Surrounded by more than 1000 hectares of national park, it sits directly within Queensland’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.

Most meals and beverages at Salt Water Restaurant and Driftwood Bar & Wine Cellar are included as part of your stay, as is the use of motorised dinghies, stand-up paddleboards and clear-view sea kayaks (plus snorkelling gear). The team will even pack a hamper of refreshments for any private beach outings.

Take your getaway to the next level by pre-booking one of the resort’s tailored packages that focus on special interests such as wellness, adventure and romance.

When you book your hotel with Qantas Hotels, you’ll earn 3 Qantas Points for every $1 spent. Visit qantas.com/hotels