You're either the planner in the couple/friendship group or the person who asks 'where are we going again and what do I need to pack?' the night before you travel. And, as one of the latter, the idea of having to book and plan a holiday makes me feel so anxious I'm in need of a good holiday - itself of course a vicious travel cycle. One thing that has helped resolve this is expertly making friends and partnerships with planners - the other is all-inclusive holidays.
In the late 90s/early noughties a gap year peak coincided with the rise of cheap flight companies like Easyjet and the boom of the city break. Why use a week off work to lie down in the sun when you could hop on £17.99 flights and trains to six little-explored cities where a four-course meal plus wine cost even less? All inclusives seemed to lose popularity.
But in 2025, the all inclusive is back - and they're more luxe than ever. Research from Hotels.com found that 38% of Bris said an all-inclusive appeals, and amongst Gen Z that figure rises to half of the group. Two-thirds of young travellers said they'd consider an all-inclusive trip in 2025. With everything - especially travel - rising in price and the world being more exhausting than ever, the appeal of an all-inclusive is clear.
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All-inclusive resorts have really upped their game - most now include everything, including luxe drinks and food options, multiple restaurants (taking out the concept of buffet boredom) and loads of recreational activities to keep things interesting. And let's be clear, no-one is locking you inside the hotel, you're still free to explore an area as you please. Though, let's face it, once you get used to all-inclusive life, it can be hard to tear yourself away...
The Best European All-Inclusive Hotels
Creta Maris, Crete
This Cretan resort is celebrating its 50th year in 2025 - and instead of giving old, it's giving experienced and refined and aging like a fine wine.
The huge resort is made up of 679 rooms - suites and one private pool Villa – multiple restaurants, so many swimming pools we lost count and endless entertainment options - from shows to cooking experiences in the kitchen garden to an open-air cinema.
The beach was never crowded, bars and snack spots (not just piles of chips, but salad bars and juice and smoothie pop-ups) were queue-less and you never had to rise early to get the best spot by any of the pools. Unlike other resorts, the hotel boasts multiple buffets with ever-rotating menus, so you genuinely could never get bored of the food. If anything, grab what you see when you can, as a delicacy might not be repeated.
The real charm of Creta Maris is its bungalows - set out like a Cretan village, complete with fountains, gardens and winding cobbled pathways, the bungalows set the resort apart from other all-inclusives. The various pockets of accommodation are all nestled around a swimming pool, usually with a separate bar. You can stay close to home, or switch things up throughout the day if you're feeling a bit restless. Often, we spent the day in the incredible water park (which felt like a genuine water park, not just a couple of slides on the side like some places) and wandered back to our 'home pool', just down the steps from our villa, for a final dip as the sun went down - and a cocktail, of course.
The fear for all inclusives can for many be the 'family feeling' - understandably for some it's a pro and for others a con. Creta Maris manages to tread that line so well. The hotel and its bars and restaurants feel luxe and upmarket while remaining navigable for children - you'll feel incredibly comfortable as a family. Some pools and food areas are clearly more designed for a child-friendly experience too. But there are some restaurants, bars and pools just for adults only. The wide offering for all is clearly part of its five decades long recipe for success.
Rates start from £281 per night for a Family Open Plan Room, based on 2 adults and 2 children under 12, all-inclusive.
Ikos Odisia, Corfu
Another stand-out when it comes to luxury all-inclusives is the Ikos group, which celebrates 10 years in 2025. The Odisia resort opened in May 2023, sitting across a secluded bay from the renowned Ikos Dassia.
The resort sits up above the bay boasting incredible views of the Ionian sea and surrounded by lush woodland.
The Ikos resorts pride themselves on the idea of 'Unconditional Luxury' - which they say is 'a concept which reinvents the all-inclusive beach holiday with unrivalled five-star personalised service and cordial Greek hospitality, where guests are treated like family from the moment they arrive.'
Puts a new (luxury) appealing spin on the idea of visiting family, doesn't it?
For more information on Ikos Resorts, go to ikosresorts.com/
7Pines Resort, Ibiza
You might be the only family on the flight to Ibiza (we were, alongside some very friendly neighbours), but it is genuinely a great, child-friendly holiday destination. 7Pines, on the island’s west coast, perched dramatically on the cliffs between Cala Conta and Cala Codolar, is a suite-only resort where guests can opt for half-board – perfect for those reluctant to fully throw themselves into an all-inclusive break.
The bountiful breakfasts – we enjoyed the DIY Bloody Mary station and Sobrassada sausages - are served in the Cone Club restaurant with views across to Es Vedrà, the mythical rocky island that attracts freedivers from all over the world. While dinner at Nela, a pop-up from the famous live-fire restaurant in Amsterdam, is utterly magical as the sun sets into the sea and everything takes on that mesmerizing Mediterranean glow.
For water babies, there are three pools, including an outdoor whirlpool at the ocean facing Pure Seven spa and the child-friendly Laguna Pool, with the excellently-run Kio Montessori-led kids club nearby. For something more indulgent (and adult), there’s a champagne and tequila bar by the Infinity Pool, which is very much the beating heart of the resort, and rightly so with wide-stretching views that take in the coast's bays and rocky outcrops.
Ever since the 70s, Ibiza has been known for its artisanal crafts. If you're looking for something more creative, there's a chance to join a workshop and design your own espadrilles or create a personalised fragrance with scents from the island.
7Pines is all about laid-back luxury. Whatever your reason for visiting the White Isle, it truly has something for everyone, including the little people in your lives.
7Pines Resort Ibiza offers rooms starting from €330 per night, based on two people sharing a room. For more information go to 7pines-ibiza.com
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