While some people love being the first to know about fashion trends or restaurant openings, we at zzdtravel find pleasure in being at the forefront of what's new with hotels. In fact, we regularly circumnavigate the globe to visit newly opened properties to stay ahead of the curve. That being said, the following all-inclusive resorts aren't just new (or newly renovated), but they're also worth a spot on your bucket list for 2018. Start plotting your next escape.
The upscale Canonnier Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa is a lush colonial-style resort sitting at the tip of the Pointe aux Canonniers peninsula — some of the best beachfront real estate in all of Mauritius. The resort appeals to all manner of travelers: couples might appreciate the honeymoon package and the elegant spa tucked into a banyan tree, and families will welcome the kids’ club, zero-entry pool, and variety of family room categories. The hotel has three restaurants (a main buffet and two a la cartes) and an all-day pool bar serving afternoon tea. Other facilities include on-site shops and an outdoor amphitheater with evening entertainment. Renovated in 2017, the 284 rooms and suites share breezy modern decor based on white, black, and earth tones, seen on light wood furniture (by Indonesian-based Vincent Sheppard), natural bed linens, and woven rattan accents. The overall effect is a look that’s contemporary and uncluttered. In 2017, the hotel also added a fitness center with treadmills, bikes, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the grounds, and locker rooms featuring saunas and steam rooms. But for those who’d rather workout outdoors, there are three floodlit tennis courts, free bike rentals, ping-pong tables, bocce ball, and a supervised archery area.
Opened in February 2017, the Royalton Saint Lucia is a picture-perfect resort located on the northern coast of St. Lucia. The resort’s 352 guest rooms are a study in modern style, offering open-concept bathrooms and plenty of tech features. An impressive portfolio of on-site amenities includes multiple sparkling pools, a chic spa, and a bevy of excellent restaurants — none of which require reservations. Naturally, the Royalton is among the pricier options on the island, but rates are all-inclusive, which certainly sweetens the deal.
The adults-only Tropical Attitude occupies a pretty beachfront spot on Mauritius’ green east coast. The hotel was originally built in 1986, and in mid-2017, it underwent a major renovation (using a local architect and interior designer) that overhauled all 58 rooms, the restaurant, and greatly extended the bar by moving the entrance, reception area, and boutique. The resulting look is modern, beachy, and chic. All rooms offer straight-on views of the sea, plus minibars, sexy rainfall showers, and free coffee and tea. Tropical’s beach disappears at high tide, but the resort compensates with free daily boat trips to the famous Ile aux Cerfs, and free twice-a-day glass-bottom boat trips to explore the lagoon. Half-board and all-inclusive rates are available.
In 2016, this lagoon-facing all-inclusive resort converted from the family-friendly Blumarine Attitude to the adults-only TUI Sensimar Lagoon Mauritius. To reflect its new concept, many of the hotel’s rooms and some common areas (including the lobby) underwent considerable renovation. The resulting look is sharp and contemporary, but emphatically coastal-inspired, with a primary color palette of white, dark blue, and teal. Many of its 182 chic rooms feature serene ocean views, and all have air-conditioning, free coffee and tea, and balconies or terraces. This eco-conscious property also houses a spa, three pools, and four restaurants and bars, including a cluster of street-food carts on the beach under a banyan tree. Snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, and glass-bottom boat trips to discover the coastal marine habitats are all free, as well as all-day entertainment, like cocktail demos and salsa classes.
Formerly the Dreams Cancun, the property reopened as a Hyatt following a multimillion-dollar renovation in 2016. With a scenic location on two pristine white-sand beaches and a wealth of features and services, the massive, all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva Cancun is a great luxury choice for both families with kids and couples wishing to relax. Three infinity-edge pools, extensive spa facilities, and a myriad of dining and drinking options — though food gets mediocre reviews — give guests plenty of choices, while Cancun’s top nightlife spots are within walking distance. A kids’ club with a pool and water play area keeps the young ones occupied, while those wishing to avoid the family-friendly scene can opt for a room in the adults-only tower, with adults-only dining and a pool. Plus, the hotel’s 547 rooms are spacious and stylish, equipped with modern amenities, luxe marble bathrooms, and private furnished balconies.
The Temptation Cancun Resort is an adults-only, topless-optional property that caters to 21 and over, uninhibited guests. There is never a dull moment at this all-inclusive resort, which hosts themed nights and pool parties. Fun-seeking singles and couples will find a range of entertainment, including provocative games and contests. Plus, following a multimillion-dollar renovation, the hotel reopened in 2017, with a new multicolor facade, upgraded guest rooms and suites, a sexy pool, several restaurants (including an aphrodisiac-themed eatery), and much more.
Located on Cancun’s Hotel Zone strip, this 502-room all-inclusive resort is popular with families, couples, and those seeking a slightly quieter vacation (only one of the bars stays open through the night). Guests seem to appreciate its many restaurants and the friendly, casual, welcoming atmosphere. While the Fiesta Americana Condesa‘s rates are comparable to those of other upscale all-inclusive resorts in the Hotel Zone, this property feels more mid-range. The hotel saw a multimillion-dollar renovation that wrapped up in 2017, and included upgrades to rooms (redesigned bathrooms and hurricane-shock-proof windows, among other changes).
The luxury Azul Beach Resort Sensatori Jamaica by Karisma reopened in 2014 after a slick renovation put a designer spin on this all-inclusive, which unfolds along pristine Seven Mile Beach. A 2017 expansion saw the addition of new rooms and restaurants. The resort’s rooms are funky and spacious — with furnished terraces, water views, and swim-up suites. With four pools, quality restaurants, and a top-notch spa and fitness center, the property packs in the features of a mega resort on an intimate scale, all executed with lashings of contemporary style. The property caters to families, groups, and couples (there’s an adults-only section).
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