- All-inclusive vacations offer the chance to travel internationally, with accommodation, travel and food costs simplified
- International resort stays are often less expensive but require more intensive planning and higher travel costs
- Travelling domestically within Australia lets you experience your own home in a new and immersive way
Looking for your next getaway but don’t want to break the bank? All-inclusive vacations in Australia and around the world can offer all the amenities you desire for a relatively affordable price. Picture lounging in a beach chair with a refreshing drink in hand while the kids splash in the resort pool or spending the day hiking through local nature with your special someone before returning to the resort for a chef-prepared meal.
While all-inclusive vacations might still require you to do a bit of saving, they offer a bundled price for all the perks you could ever need. Below, you can check out some of the best domestic and international destinations for affordable all-inclusive vacations.
Balate Dorin / ShutterstockDomestic vs. International Vacations
Whether you’re booking a luxury stay along the Great Barrier Reef or jet-setting to a tropical destination like the Caribbean, each comes with its own costs and perks. Travelling internationally means that you’ll pay more for flights or other means of travel. In addition to standard travel documents like passports, you may also need to dish out extra for a travel visa or travel insurance to certain countries. You’ll also need to sort out an international SIM card for your phone.
On the plus side, some popular vacation destinations tend to have lower costs for travellers. In addition to affordable stays, local activities or attractions are often cost-effective and culturally immersive.
If you’re travelling within Australia, your plans will be less complicated, your destinations more accessible and travel less costly. However, you’ll likely need to account for higher average accommodation rates at all-inclusive resorts.
Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi
Overlooking the sparkling white sands of the Arabian Gulf, the Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island resort delivers a luxurious family vacation experience. As a guest, you can explore traditional Arabic court gardens, pampering spas and delicious on-site cuisine.
Guests can also enjoy a wellness centre and tennis courts while their kids take part in family-friendly crafts and outdoor activities. If you want to explore more food and entertainment options, Abu Dhabi is only a short distance away. Stays start at $400 per night.¹
Qawra Palace Hotel, Malta
Jet to the Mediterranean to stay at the all-inclusive Qawra Palace Hotel. Located in St. Paul’s Bay in the northern region of Malta, this location lets visitors enjoy the heat of the Mediterranean sun while swimming off the rocky seaside shores. Guests can attend on-site bars and restaurants with Italian-style coffees, delectable buffets or refreshing poolside drinks.
The resort comes with ample entertainment options, including water sports, billiards games and both indoor and outdoor pools. You and your family can vacation at the resort with nightly stays starting at $86.95 per adult.²
Hotel RH Ifach, Spain
Another Mediterranean destination option, the Hotel RH Ifach in Spain is an all-inclusive resort featuring a widely varied buffet and outdoor poolside restaurant and bar. For those travelling with kids, the younger ones can enjoy the Children’s Park and Mini Club with activities like minigolf, workshops and arts and crafts.
Located in the Alicante area of Spain, this resort offers travellers easy access to beaches and the outdoors. Book a walking or hiking excursion through the resort reception, or walk to the beach just 150 metres away. Resort experiences start at $129.02 per night.³
Paleo ArtNouveau, Greece
Greece is the ideal destination to enjoy pristine coastal waters, refreshing Mediterranean cuisine and beautiful scenic views. To experience it for yourself, look no further than the Paleo ArtNouveau Hotel in Corfu, starting at $317.88 per night.
Guests can lounge and swim uninterrupted at the pool that overlooks the surrounding landscape while kids splash in the children-designated pool. Make sure to check out the rooftop bar for after-dinner drinks, or take a short walk to enjoy a sunset stroll along the beach.⁴
Sugar Bay Barbados, Barbados
Escape to white sandy beaches by tranquil ocean lagoons at the Sugar Bay Barbados all-inclusive resort. Stays that start at $443.12 per night offer you your next family vacation or romantic getaway. Guests can take advantage of on-site spa and fitness options, while children can hang out at the Kids and Teens Clubs.
Bridgetown is walking distance from the resort, and visitors can find vibrant nightlife, more culinary options and the UNESCO-designated Historic Garrison.⁵
Bedarra Great Barrier Reef, Australia
With beautiful views of the Great Barrier Reef, Bedarra promises barefoot luxury and ultimate solitude. The resort includes 11 unique, private villas hidden in 45 hectares of tropical rainforest.
Enjoy chef-prepared meals and picnics, relax on the beach or sink into a hammock to pass the time in this relaxing and secluded environment. The menu changes daily and features a curated wine selection, perfect for a romantic dinner. Stays at Bedarra start at $1,390 per night.⁶
Spicers Peak Lodge, Queensland, Australia
With all-inclusive experiences starting from $1,499 per night, the Spicers Peak Lodge is a luxury lodge located about 130 kilometres from Brisbane. The Peak restaurant features exceptional modern cuisine and has been ranked among the top 100 delicious restaurants in Queensland.
For extra fees, you can hire e-bikes, take part in a wine and cheese tasting or enjoy a chef-prepared picnic at the summit of a sunset hike. Don’t forget to check out the spa, which includes massages, facials and full-body treatments.⁷
Mt. Mulligan, Queensland, Australia
Mt. Mulligan offers the ultimate outback getaway but with the perks of an all-inclusive resort. The sustainable lodges highlight the beauty of Queensland’s outback, where the resort offers guided tours, ATV trips and chef-prepared picnic hampers. When you’re done with daily adventures, relax in the evening with sunset drinks and meals like kangaroo tataki and grass-fed Bushy Creek beef.
Treat yourself to indulgence after rugged days out with the Allawah Spa, which provides relaxing treatments with botanical and native products. Stays start at $1,200 per night.⁸
Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Discover where the reef meets the outback at the Sal Salis Ningaloo Reef resort. Guests stay in eco-luxe safari tents with views to the nearby UNESCO-designated coral reefs, or they can opt for the honeymoon tent or lodge suites.
This getaway option is perfect for reconnecting to nature and wildlife, offering experiences like kayaking, whale shark swims and snorkelling. Featuring local and regional produce, chef-prepared meals evolve daily to surprise and delight guests. Stays start at $785 per night.⁹
Bamurru Plains, Northern Territory, Australia
Located among the coastal floodplains of Australia’s north, Bamurru Plains is a safari lodge on the edge of Kakadu National Park. Barmurru’s chefs aim to connect guests to the local savanna by incorporating locally sourced produce into contemporary meals. During the day, set off on adventures like walking safaris, river cruises and quadding. You can also explore the floodplains by skimming along in airboat safaris or look for some of the 236 local bird species. Prices start at $896 per night.¹⁰
Making Luxury Vacations Affordable
Even the most affordable vacations can be a little intimidating for your wallet. When planning your next getaway, consider these tips to keep your costs low while still ensuring the best possible experience:
- Plan to vacation during low-season instead of peak times, such as holidays or popular seasons.
- Look for resorts that include cost-effective flight bundles.
- Be flexible with your flight dates. Sometimes changing your dates even by a day or two can save you hundreds of dollars.
- If you’re staying at an all-inclusive hotel, take advantage of the meal options. Indulge in some local cuisine to get some cultural immersion, but don’t forget about the food at the resort for your everyday needs.
- Plan for the activities you can’t miss, but leave some cash to allow for some spontaneity during your vacation.
