10 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts in the U.S.

When you think of an all-inclusive vacation, your mind probably heads straight for the Caribbean. You don't need to leave the country to get an all-in-one vacation though. Plenty of U.S. resorts provide packages with accommodations, meals and activities. These are our favorites.

By Lissa Poirot and Candyce Stapen
Located in sunny Florida, this is America's only Club Med resort. It makes the cut for its renowned amenities and activities, all included in the price. The resort features three swimming pools, an 18-hole golf course, an International Tennis Academy and kids' programs for all ages, from infants to teens. The resort's 337 rooms are divided between seven buildings along the St. Lucie River. Families can dine in two onsite restaurants and one casual sports bar, with Market Place featuring its Baby Corner for children to play in during dinner.

Read our review of the Club Med Sandpiper.
A grande dame property, the resort, dubbed America's summer palace, dates back to 1887 when wealthy families arrived for vacations by steamer. Families still arrive by boat and are usually met by a horse-drawn carriage, as motorized vehicles remain prohibited. Part of the old-fashioned fun is getting around by bicycles or by foot. Although not a traditional all-inclusive, the Grand Hotel's rates include a full breakfast and dinner, plus supervised children's activities for ages 5 to 14, Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Read our review of the Grand Hotel.
Rock scrambles, carriage rides, woodland hikes, trout fishing, lake swims and campfires with S'mores are just some of the activities featured at Mohonk Mountain House, a 265-room National Historic Landmark resort. Sprawled on 2,200 acres in the Catskills, the castle-like resort also offers a complimentary Kids' Club for ages 2 to 12, and a Teen Program for those ages 13 to 17. Young kids can ride ponies and boats and go on frog hunts while older ones can choose tennis, hiking, orienteering and other activities.

Read our review of the Mohonk Mountain House.
Located on 1,200 acres of land, Woodloch Pines traces much of its success to a decision not to host a children's program. Instead, the lakefront Poconos resort provides much for families to enjoy together. In the summer, water-ski, kayak, sail, bike, hike, play mini-golf and swim in indoor and outdoor pools. Join in family Olympics, cookouts, scavenger hunts and Karaoke. In the winter, go snow tubing, ice-skating and fishing. Room rates come with meals and most activities. The two- to five-bedroom Guest Homes may be rented with or without a meal plan.

Read our review of the Woodloch Pines.
Tyler Place's formula for good, old-fashioned family fun features morning and evening children's programs with afternoons free for families to bike, hike, canoe and sail together. Little ones fish for perch and play dress-up; preschoolers listen to stories and jump on trampolines, and grade-school kids go on nature hikes, do gymnastics and put on marionette shows. Tweens take to zip lines and go on fishing trips while teens add bicycle trips and water skiing. The accommodations, whether in the resort's Inn rooms or cabins, tend toward basic, but comfortable.

Read our review of the Tyler Place.
Located on 5,500 sprawling acres in the Pocono Mountains, Skytop Lodge has welcomed traveling families since 1928. Adventure-seekers enjoy an abundance of outdoor activities, including (but not limited to) skiing, ice-skating, hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, lawn bowling, archery and paintball. Other amenities include a game room and full-service spa. All-inclusive rates allow for cozy accommodations, which include a wide range of rooms and suites, as well as three delicious meals each day. Try the Chocolate Obsession cake!
We've seen the Omni Mount Washington Resort likened to a cruise ship in the mountains because it offers just that much to do, all in one place. While it's not all-inclusive, the resort features indoor and outdoor pools (in a heated complex), family activities throughout the day, a kids' club, an alpine club for young skiers in the wintertime, and an adventure center for summer activities. A number of accommodations are available with various room types to meet the needs of all family sizes. Kids stay free in all rooms at the Mount Washington Hotel. Select a dining package to include meals and make the visit more all-inclusive.

Read our review of the Omni Mount Washington Resort.
The peaks of the Big Horn National Forest surround Paradise Guest Ranch, located in north central Wyoming. A week long vacation here turns kids as young as 6, as well as adults, into range-riding dudes. As the week progresses and you get better at horseback riding, saddle-up for chuck-wagon dinners and daylong journeys. Teens can opt for an overnight camp-out. Ages three to six ride ponies in a ring and enjoy a variety of crafts and nature walks. The evening campfire sing-a-longs and square dancing add Western fun. Choose from one- to four-bedroom cabins.

Read our review of the Paradise Guest Ranch.
A unique family getaway is a ranch resort vacation, and for families in the East who can't get out to the ranches in the West, they can turn to the Rocking Horse Ranch. Just 90 minutes north of New York City, the ranch is all-inclusive and offers exactly all the fun one would expect on a ranch resort: horseback riding, bonfires and hiking. Guests don't need to sleep in the rough, however, with over 100 rooms to choose from. Also included in the price is a kids' camp.

Read our review of the Rocking Horse Ranch.
Nestled in the mountains of Steamboat Springs, Vista Verde Guest Ranch is an all-inclusive, four-season resort that features an abundance of activities and amenities. During the summer, families can go horseback riding, fly fishing, hiking, rafting and kayaking and rock climbing; in the winter, families ski, sled and snowshoe. Throughout the year, guests also enjoy the swimming pool, outdoor hot tub, spa, culinary classes, wine tasting, yoga and evening entertainment. The resort offers special programs for kids and teens. Kid-friendly dining options abound, and guests stay in cozy cabins or lodge rooms.
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10 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts in the U.S.
  1. Club Med Sandpiper Bay
  2. Grand Hotel
  3. Mohonk Mountain House
  4. Woodloch Pines
  5. Tyler Place Family Resort
  6. Skytop Lodge
  7. Omni Mount Washington Resort
  8. Paradise Guest Ranch
  9. Rocking Horse Ranch
  10. Vista Verde Guest Ranch
Club Med Sandpiper Bay Reviews
dwo1023 - Sep 8th, 2011

Our positive experience started with our warm and welcoming arrival. Greeters with cool menthol wipes and ice water welcomed our four families. The check in process was organized and pleasant. We were assigned a GO that was available to us for ... more +
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Grand Hotel Reviews
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Mohonk Mountain House Reviews
qwertyu840 - Aug 8th, 2011

Mohonk Mountain House has been the highlight oh my familie's year for the past 15 years. We go for a week during the summer every year. We go with my entire family, meaning about 24 people. When we wake up in the morning the beds are comfortable ... more +
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Woodloch Pines Reviews
wstew12750 - Mar 12th, 2013

We have been going to Woodloch Pines for the last 18 years. Our little girls grew up there. They never wanted to go anywhere else and still don't. If you want to play, relax, eat great food, and be treated like family, then this is the place ... more +
Gmjm56 - Mar 3rd, 2013

If I could rate this resort higher than a 5 I would. Been going to this resort for over 20 years....the best there is and I've traveled all over the continental US! Highly recommend! The food is awesome, the accommodations are sparkling ... more +
Read more Woodloch Pines reviews
The Tyler Place Family Resort Reviews
mowright71 - Jun 11th, 2013

Our favorite family vacation (and we've taken several great family trips too) was Tyler Place in upstate Vermont. I've recommended this all-inclusive family vacation to several friends and co-workers and we are planning on going back in 2014. Kids ... more +
kjchronister - Jul 1st, 2012

Everything you've read is true... and then some. This is by order of magnitude the best vacation and favorite place of ours ever. The staff - amazing. The food - amazing. The activities - amazing. The accomodations - amazing. I have never, ever, ... more +
Read more The Tyler Place Family Resort reviews
Skytop Lodge Reviews
Lindy001 - Aug 15th, 2011

I took the kids to Skytop for the weekend and it was great. The game room was a huge hit with the kids and they loved Ping Pong! The room was a bit small but what is to be expected of such an older, elegant resort. The dance on Saturday night ... more +
Caitlin's Mom - Jul 30th, 2009

We love Skytop. We've been going every winter since our kids were young. An old-fashioned family resort on a beautiful property of hundreds of acres in the Poconos, you'll find plenty of family fun winter activities to choose from. They have a ... more +
Read more Skytop Lodge reviews
Omni Mount Washington Resort Reviews
everkare23@charter.net - May 11th, 2013

My family stayed for two nights at the Omni Mount Washington in August 2012. It was absolutely wonderful, and I wish we could have stayed for a few more days. The rooms were spacious and well kept. The pool and hotel grounds were amazing. The ... more +
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Paradise Guest Ranch Reviews
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Rocking Horse Ranch Reviews
mynewheart60 - Aug 20th, 2012

The two activities that motivated my returning to Rocking Horse after 15-25 years (water skiing and horseback riding) were a grave disappointment. On my third horseback ride, I was told I had to take whatever horse I was given. As an advanced ... more +
mrtarge - Jun 28th, 2010

RHR rocks. Went last year. Going back this year. And because my daughters are 7 & 4, I can see going back for many years. So much better than Disney. No flying. No lines. No huge crowds. Kids can wander freely. Tons of activities for both adults ... more +
Read more Rocking Horse Ranch reviews
Vista Verde Guest Ranch Reviews
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