When you think of a tropical vacation, chances are that relaxing in a shimmering infinity pool, cocktail in hand, taking in the views of sugary white sands and turquoise water, is not too far off.
A gorgeous swimming pool (and at TPG, we’ve been vocal about our favorites) isn’t just the icing on the cake — it can truly make a vacation.
No longer focused on quantity over quality, all-inclusive resorts have upped the ante when it comes to style, service and amenities.
A stunning pool (or 10 in the case of megaresorts) is one thing, but having access to the pool from your own private terrace adds an extra level of exclusivity, comfort and indulgence.
For families, swim-up rooms can streamline the daily routine of packing up the beach bag and pushing strollers all the way to the main pool. Couples can swim out to the pool bar from their terrace and don’t need to worry about securing a cabana to create their own private poolside bliss.
Here are some of our favorite all-inclusive resorts with swim-up pools in the Caribbean.
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”8750″ post-id=”1443819″]
On secluded white-sand shores, 19 miles north of Cancun International Airport (CUN), this boutique hotel (part of Preferred Hotels & Resorts) is located within a gated condo complex, surrounded by an 18-hole golf course.
All 593 suites feature sleek, modern furnishings that give a nod to Mexican artistry and style — beamed ceilings, tropical wooden accents, sliding doors, potted plants and beige marble floors. Lavish bathrooms are spacious and stylish, with glass-walled rainfall showers, freestanding tubs and Molton Brown toiletries.
The amenities here are top-notch, with gorgeous pools, a massive well-equipped gym, an array of nonmotorized sports, and a daily lineup of activities and shows, including fitness classes and nightly entertainment.
There are five room categories from which to choose, all with a similar aesthetic, as well as a designated butler service for each room.
To enjoy a swim-up room, you’ll need to upgrade to the Inspira level, which brings plenty of in-room perks and amenities, such as a premium rolling bar and a pillow menu, as well as access to an exclusive pool, beach and restaurant.
At 678 square feet, the Inspira junior suite swim-out room features a 420-square-foot terrace with a daybed (big enough for two) and direct access to a heated lap pool (shared with a dozen or so other rooms).
Atelier’s 15 restaurants focus primarily on authentic Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine, while 13 bars tout their innovative mixology with an extensive menu of handcrafted cocktails.
The hotel’s marquee dining venue is María Dolores (included with your all-inclusive room rate, but reservations are required), helmed by celebrity chef Edgar Nunez who earned his stripes at Sud 777 in Mexico City. Praised as one of Cancun’s best restaurants, it specializes in artfully presented nouvelle Mexican cuisine served against a sophisticated backdrop of colossal marble pillars, brown leather chairs, crisp white tablecloths and elegant white booths.
For a more low-key experience, there’s contemporary Asian fare at the minimalist Takashi, pizza and pasta at Cilento and healthy Mediterranean cuisine at the whimsically decorated Cala di Luna.
Rates at Atelier Playa Mujeres for swim-up rooms start at $896, based on double occupancy.
Related: Cancun essentials — everything you need to plan the perfect Mexico getaway
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”9268″ post-id=”1443825″]
On Negril’s famed Seven Mile Beach, your vacation can be as chill or action-packed as you desire at this low-rise, oceanfront resort with a breezy, laid-back Caribbean vibe.
There are a staggering 16 categories of rooms, but even the base rooms here are spacious and come with plenty of bells and whistles, such as rainfall showers and marble bathrooms.
The starter swim-up pool option is the swim-up Crystal Lagoon beachfront one-bedroom butler suite, which connects (from its private patio) to a beachfront pool shared with the other rooms in this category. It’s well-appointed with mahogany tables, leather sofas and armchairs, muted area rugs and four-poster beds.
Beyond sipping cocktails, sunbathing on the beach and lounging by one of the four pools (one with a swim-up bar), there’s a full roster of activities on land and sea to keep active-minded travelers entertained.
Sandals claims to have the largest watersport operation in the Caribbean, and all-inclusive rates cover all the requisite gear, expert instruction (apart from PADI courses) and guided excursions.
In addition to kayaking, paddleboarding, wakeboarding, windsurfing and Hobie Cat sailing, PADI-certified divers can sign up for daily excursions to the nearby reef (and there’s no extra fee). There’s also a calm inlet that’s perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Back on land, there’s tennis, volleyball, pickleball and mind-body pursuits such as yoga and pilates.
Book a massage on the beach at Sandal’s signature Red Lane Spa (extra charges apply) or hit the fitness center, which has a daily class schedule, including ab tightening workouts, Tabata training, water aerobics and power walks on the beach.
Seven fine-dining restaurants include Japanese teppanyaki, upscale Italian and an oceanfront French brasserie. Premium liquors and Robert Mondavi wines are included in the rate, plus well-stocked and replenished minibars are in every room, so there’s none of that extra nickel and diming you can encounter at some all-inclusive resorts.
Rates start at $272 per person per night. Swim-up rooms start from $593 per person per night, all-inclusive.
Related: 10 of the best hotel pools in the U.S.
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”9183″ post-id=”1443834″]
Part of the Hyatt portfolio, this adults-only, 485-key resort is set on a quiet stretch of Playa del Carmen’s picture-perfect beach, around a 10-minute drive from the buzz of Quinta Avenida.
Junior suites start at 667 square feet and feature blonde wood furnishings, polished tile floors and woven textures and fabrics in a soothing beige, gray and white palette.
Bathrooms are clad in tropical wood and polished gray marble and have double vanities and a chaise-style seating area. Ample terraces are made for lounging, with cushioned chaises and chairs and either a garden or ocean view.
To reserve a swim-out suite at this property, you’ll need to upgrade to the Preferred Club level. Junior swim-out suites (similar in design to non-club level rooms) afford much more space (823 square feet).
They also receive all the perks and amenities that club-level rooms afford — exclusive access to a rooftop infinity pool, Preferred Club-only dining experiences such as taco and tequila tastings and a dedicated concierge service.
There are seven beautifully designed heated pools, as well as three man-made cenotes and an array of nonmotorized water sport offerings — snorkeling, paddleboards and catamarans — plus tennis courts, archery and scuba diving and snorkeling tours (additional costs apply).
If you don’t feel the need to head into Playa for entertainment, there’s a nightly lineup of live music and shows in the open-air amphitheater.
Of the 11 dining venues, seven are a la carte with all the big-hitting culinary specialties you’d expect — Italian, Asian, French, Mexican — all of which feature vegan and plant-based dishes. There’s also an all-day cafe for grazing and a swim-up bar specializing in fruity libations.
Breakfast buffets showcase an abundance of local produce and classic Mexican (ceviche, tacos, chilaquiles) and international breakfast fare. You can arrange (for an additional cost) a romantic, candlelit dinner on the beach, too.
The serene spa has an extensive treatment menu of massages, facials, manicures and pedicures and has a hydrotherapy pool, VIP rooms with plunge pools and a beauty salon.
Tropical View Junior Suites at Secrets Moxche Playa del Carmen start at $390; King Ocean View Suites start from $444, per person, per night. Standard rooms can be redeemed from 25,000 World of Hyatt points.
Related: 8 all-inclusive resorts perfect for honeymooners
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”8963″ post-id=”1442558″]
Just 2 miles south of Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romantica in the upscale Conchas Chinas neighborhood, this lively 335-key, family-friendly resort sits on a golden sand beach flanked by jungle-cloaked mountains.
Spacious rooms have a tropical-chic design with wooden furnishings, marble bathrooms and tile floors in a soothing cream-and-beige color scheme.
Swim-up rooms (for guests 18 and older) connect to an infinity-edge pool and are larger, feature separate sitting areas and have a bolder color scheme with more decorative flourishes than standard accommodations.
Club-level ocean view king suites with a swim-up pool have additional club perks (a dedicated concierge and “VIP refreshment center”) and a semi-private pool (for guests ages 13 and older).
Day or night, there’s never a dull moment with a varied calendar of excursions and activities, including kayaking in the bay, Mexican cooking classes, beach volleyball, Zumba and even seasonal whale watching from December through March.
The kids club has plenty of complimentary activities to keep little ones entertained, including a sea turtle release program, arts and crafts, beach games and two designated kids’ pools. Enjoy indulgent spa treatments like massages on the beach or keep up your fitness routine at the oceanfront fitness center.
Among the resort’s 10 restaurants, you’ll find the usual culinary crowd-pleasers: Italian, Asian fusion and traditional Mexican cuisine. The headline act, though, is Blaze, which combines panoramic ocean views with grilled fish and seafood infused with piquant Latin American flavors.
There’s a laidback tropical vibe at Playa Bar on the beach, and at Bar Tortugas by the adult pool, free-flowing tequila and mezcal-laced margaritas conjure a party-forward holiday vibe.
Swim-up rooms at Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta start at $396 per night, or 20,000 World of Hyatt points, based on double occupancy.
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”9039″ post-id=”1443844″]
On a secluded beach 25 minutes south of Cancun International Airport (CUN), this characterful, low-rise hotel is the quieter adults-only counterpart to the massive El Dorado Royale resort. Offshore, snorkelers and divers can enjoy swift access to the National Reef Park of Puerto Morelos.
All rooms marry romance with a tropical vibe. Grouped in an attractive, white-washed two-story building, Casita Suites start at 708 square feet and feature thatched palapa roofs, outdoor showers, lashings of tropical wood, gauzy white drapes and large balconies with white-cushioned day beds.
The stand-alone beachfront Casitas afford more privacy, but for the coveted swim-up pool factor, you’ll need to select a swim-up Casita suite or go all-out for the Presidential studio swim-up Casita suite (836 square feet). Both directly connect to a lazy river from their patios and are decked out with more plush amenities and furnishings.
The fine-dining restaurants (contemporary Italian and a Caribbean grill) and casual open-air Mexican cantina embrace the resort’s surroundings and showcase produce from the on-site greenhouse.
For a more unique experience, make a reservation in the “Culinary Theater,” where chefs stage culinary presentations in the open kitchen and sommeliers lead oenophiles through regional and international wine tastings.
Guests also have access to all the restaurants and amenities at the El Dorado Royale next door: 14 pools (including a saltwater swimming pool), Temazcal guided experiences with the resident shaman, nonmotorized water sports, a fitness center and tennis courts. Cultural immersion experiences include Mexican cooking classes, dance lessons and Spanish lessons, as well as tequila tastings, yoga, archery, guided bike excursions and scuba clinics in the pool.
Swim-up rooms at the El Dorado Casitas Royale start from $814 per night, based on double occupancy.
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”8884″ post-id=”1443848″]
Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, this 140-suite resort is located on a private white-sand beach within striking distance of Negril’s iconic attractions, Rick’s Cafe and the Instagram-famous Seven Mile Beach.
Room categories begin with luxury ocean-view rooms which, at 603 square feet, are generously sized and swanky. Sleek bathrooms are appointed with freestanding whirlpool tubs, and you can expect to sleep well on one of the brand’s signature “DreamBeds” dressed with high thread-count sheets.
Luxury junior swim-out suites are similarly sized and arranged but have the added wow factor of steps leading from a furnished terrace into a slender lap-style pool.
With 11 international dining outlets, guests can satisfy their every culinary itch: there’s seafood, steak, Japanese teppanyaki, Tex-Mex and West Indian, among others. Or, for a more personalized experience, make a reservation at the C/X Culinary Experience Chef’s Table (extra charges apply). There’s also a sports bar, an all-day international buffet, a market/deli for light snacks and grazing, and a casual oceanfront bistro.
Pampering and well-being are central to the hotel’s ethos. To that end, there’s a large, modern fitness center with a surfeit of cardio equipment and free weights, as well as a robust lineup of classes and activities that include kickboxing, pilates, yoga and Zumba. The main pool overlooks two beaches with direct access to decent snorkeling off-shore.
Sybarites will swoon for the beautifully designed Royal Spa, which offers a range of treatments and massages and encourages all-day lingering with spa packages, hydrotherapy pools, a sauna and a steam room.
Luxury junior swim-out suites at the Hideaway at Royalton Negril start at $705 per night, all-inclusive, based on double occupancy. A minimum four-night stay is required. You can also redeem Marriott Bonvoy points; from 50,000 per night for an ocean-view suite. Swim-up rooms can only be booked with cash.
Related: The 10 best secret beaches in the Caribbean
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”8954″ post-id=”1443853″]
On a pristine white-sand beach framed by lush mountains, the adults-only Hyatt Zilara is the sister resort to the family-friendly Ziva next door (Zilara guests have full access to its amenities and restaurants).
Less than 15 minutes from Montego Bay Airport (MBJ), this rambling oceanfront resort has sunlight-flooded rooms with a minimalist-chic vibe and a neutral color palette accented with indigo blue.
Modern bathrooms feature walk-in showers, bathtubs and double vanities. Swim-up king and double rooms are similarly designed and sized (493 square feet) and connect to a semi-private pool surrounded by tropical foliage.
A slew of games and fitness classes satisfy active (and competitive) types at the main lower-level pool, which is always lively. The tropical open-air spa offers an array of treatments (including massages on the beach).
Complimentary nonmotorized water sports include kayaking and windsurfing, and the massive two-story gym has every conceivable cardio machine, as well as myriad weights, a boxing area and a spinning room.
Between the Zilara and Ziva sides of the resort, there are 10 restaurants, three coffee shops and six bars. Crowd pleasers are the Asian restaurant Fuzion (Ziva side) with three dining concepts (hibachi, wok-style and a la carte), Jamaican at the breezy HoriZonZ (Zilara side), which serves ceviche and grilled fish, and a gourmet French restaurant, Petite Paris (Zilara).
Cash rates start at $385 per night, based on double occupancy. Rates for swim-up rooms start at $592 per night (based on double occupancy). Standard rooms awards start at 21,000 World of Hyatt points; suites from 44,000 points.
Related: Jamaican all-inclusive resort escape; we compared 3 Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott properties
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”9195″ post-id=”1443859″]
A respite from Cabo’s spring break atmosphere, the 500-key Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf & Spa Resort is 30 minutes south of Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), overlooking the Sea of Cortez. With an eye-catching hacienda-style design and a main pool with islands of palm trees, it’s a characterful, serene escape.
The lobby’s contemporary Mexican design is striking, with beamed ceilings, chandeliers, area rugs and elegant armchairs. Junior suite rooms start at 560 square feet and are decorated with wooden furniture, a love seat and a furnished terrace in soothing neutral tones with pops of red. Bathrooms are spacious with whirlpool baths, separate showers and dual vanities.
Preferred Club swim-up suites come with additional benefits such as personal concierges, upgraded minibars and access to an exclusive pool and a private club that serves continental breakfast, hors d’oeuvres and more.
With beautifully landscaped grounds, a rugged, palapa-shaded beach and a full roster of activities on land and sea, there are few reasons to leave.
Along with cooking classes, beach volleyball, themed parties and fitness classes, there are tennis courts, bike excursions and even a batting cage and shooting range. Unlike many all-inclusive megaresorts in Cabo, the ambiance here is more laid back and relaxing than party hearty.
There are a dozen restaurants, including classic Italian at Portofino, pan-Asian at Himitsu and cantina-style Mexican at El Patio, and a breakfast buffet at the Mexican Cafe each morning.
A Junior Suite Swim Out King at Secrets Los Cabos starts at $576 per night, based on double occupancy. Standard room awards start at 21,000 points or 40,000 World of Hyatt points for a suite.
Related: 7 things to know before booking a stay at Secrets Puerto Los Cabos Golf Resort & Spa
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”9028″ post-id=”1443863″]
On the fringes of Tulum National Park, just a five-minute drive from the town’s dramatic Maya ruins and 12 miles from the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, this upscale 432-key resort, with an adults-only section, is nestled amidst jungly vegetation and overlooks Tulum’s famed beach.
Deluxe garden-view rooms start at 451 square feet and are appointed with wooden furnishings, hues of beige and cream, and accented with occasional bursts of red and orange.
Spacious marble bathrooms have double vanities, soaking tubs and wooden shutters that open to the main bedroom. User-friendly features include flat-screen TVs and furnished balconies overlooking either the gardens or the Caribbean Sea.
Preferred Club deluxe garden swim-out rooms are similarly designed and scaled but with direct access to a heated, semi-private pool with its own bar and access to the perks of the Prefered Club. Benefits include upgraded amenities, an indoor hot tub (select rooms), a personalized concierge and more.
The resort has six a la carte restaurants, a buffet, a grill and a cafe. Seven bars and lounges include the Sky Sports Bar and Manatees swim-up bar at the main pool. There are two pools, including a heated relaxation pool and a splash park for kids.
Dreams Resorts are known for creating spaces that provide both family-friendly and adult-only fun. Parents can drop off the kids at the Explorer’s Club, where they can craft, play video games or join a camping adventure while the adults indulge in a massage at the Dreams Spa by Pevonia. For tweens and teens, there’s also a Core Zone Teens Club.
The resort’s concierge service can arrange tours of the area’s archaeological ruins, and the daily activities lineup includes scuba diving introductions in the pool, lively pool parties and nonmotorized sports.
Deluxe Garden View rooms at Dreams Tulum start from $260. Preferred Club Deluxe Garden Swim Out rooms run from $353.50. Or you can redeem just 17,000 World of Hyatt points for a standard room or 29,000 World of Hyatt points for a suite.
Related: 7 amazing spots on the Riviera Maya that aren’t Tulum
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”9266″ post-id=”1442780″]
With a prime location ringed by volcanic mountains and overlooking the calm waters of Rodney Bay, this expansive, adults-only Sandals resort combines tropical vibes with activities galore.
Room categories range from starter garden-view rooms to lavish overwater bungalows and swim-up Lover’s Lagoon Honeymoon Club (the only swim-up option).
All share a similar aesthetic with classic mahogany furnishings, four-poster beds and cozy sitting areas with sofas, armchairs and coffee tables. Steps lead down from the private furnished terrace of the swim-up rooms to a semi-private pool.
Punctuate days of blissed-out relaxation on the beach or by the zero-entry swimming pool with watersports, tennis, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing, volleyball or pickleball.
There’s live entertainment nightly (Reggae parties, romance nights and beach barbecues), and guests also have access to a Greg Norman championship golf course at nearby Sandals Cap Estate (a seven-minute drive) or Sandals Regency La Toc (a 40-minute drive).
There are a dozen culinary themes to savor at its restaurants, including fine-dining options (Indian, Japanese, sushi, seafood, Caribbean), a casual pizzeria and even an English pub.
At Sandals’ signature Red Lane Spa, you can choose from a lengthy menu of treatments, and at the fitness center, classes include ab tightening and Tabata training.
Garden-view rooms at Sandals Grande St. Lucian start at $334 per person per night; overwater bungalows from $1,696 per person per night) and Swim Up Lover’s Lagoon Honeymoon Club Level rooms run from $439 per person per night.
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”8707″ post-id=”1443873″]
On a swath of white sand between Puerto Aventuras and Akumal, the adults-only Unico 20°87° is part of the Leading Hotels of the World portfolio.
From the lobby to the guest rooms, vibrant decor, Indigenous-inspired artworks and handcrafted furnishings immerse guests in traditional Yucatan culture. In fact, many cultural excursions here are included in the rate, such as visiting Tulum’s Maya ruins.
There’s a romantic air to the 448 accommodations, which feature four-poster beds, a white-on-beige color scheme, and separate sitting areas with rustic wooden coffee tables.
Sleek bathrooms contain rainfall showers and double vanities. Of the 12 categories of rooms, three have that highly desirable swim-up dimension. The Alcoba Swim-up Pool King Bed is a spacious 624 square feet and provides direct access from a furnished terrace to the pool.
Unlike a lot of all-inclusive resorts, you won’t be overwhelmed with dining options. Its five restaurants include fine-dining venues spanning Asian, Mediterranean and Yucateca cuisine, as well as a beach bar and casual cafe.
There are three pools, a holistic spa, a beauty salon and an up-to-date gym. In addition to customized tours of the region that include canoe paddles to visit Indigenous communities, jungle hikes, Maya ruin visits, zip lining and cenote swims, guests can make use of nonmotorized water sports, take a yoga class and play tennis.
Swim-up rooms at Unico 20°87° start at $655 per night, based on double occupancy.
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”8825″ post-id=”1442768″]
With just 26 rooms overlooking one of St. Lucia’s best beaches, the adults-only Calabash Cove is a romantic haven with eclectic styling, local charm and personalized service that keep couples coming back time and time again.
The four swim-up junior suites have four-poster beds with gauzy white drapes, private Jacuzzis on the deck and a prime spot near the beautiful infinity pool.
More spacious cottages feature comfortable sitting areas that open onto a large deck with a private plunge pool, daybed and hammock, and some have unique touches such as local arts and crafts, plants and bookcases. The quirky layout features Jacuzzi tubs that divide the open-plan bedroom from the bathroom.
The old-school Windsong restaurant overlooks the water and serves local and international cuisine with an Asian slant. The chic C-bar is the place to grab a sunset cocktail and listen to live music, while the swim-up pool bar serves cocktails and healthy salads, seafood and burgers.
The Ti Spa offers an array of treatments that incorporate traditional St. Lucian techniques and ingredients, and there’s also a small gym.
Surrounded by wooden, cushioned loungers, the freshwater infinity pool is where most of the action takes place. While there are a few complimentary activities on-site — paddleboards, kayaks, yoga classes — this isn’t a traditional all-inclusive one-stop-shop.
At Calabash Cove, guests can opt for a breakfast plan or a full all-inclusive rate. Swim-up rooms start at $693 per night, all-inclusive, based on double occupancy. There is a six-night minimum stay, and packages can be customized to include meals, beverages and airfare or on a bed and breakfast basis ($396 per night, based on double occupancy).
[roundup-affiliate type=”hotel” capi-id=”8800″ post-id=”1443890″]
Between a mangrove forest and the powdery sands of Playa Mujeres, this new Garza Blanca property opened in the spring of 2022.
Some 17 miles north of Cancun, Isla Mujeres is 8 miles offshore and getting to the island is easy (the ferry dock is just a five-minute drive away).
Suites and residences are chic and modern with dramatic wooden bedframes, contemporary lighting, flat-screen TVs and a crisp white and beige color palette accented with foliage print cushions, paintings and throws. Bathrooms feature freestanding tubs.
In the swim-up accommodation category, there are three options (junior suite, one bedroom and two bedroom). Junior suites start at 588 square feet and have a furnished terrace complete with a hammock and steps down into one of the hotel’s six pools.
One-bedroom suites are 1,276 square feet and have full kitchens (with Nespresso makers, refrigerators and dishwashers) and separate sitting areas.
Blanca Blue (nouvelle Mexican), Bocados (steak house), Hiroshi (Japanese) and Dao (Chinese) comprise the hotel’s fine-dining venues. There’s also a rooftop cocktail bar and a raw seafood bar on the beach.
The hotel is family-friendly, too, providing car seats, strollers, baby bottle sterilizers and bottle warmers. Families can enjoy six heated infinity pools and a designated zero-entry kids pool.
There’s also a kids club and a daily program of activities for children and adults, including watersports, volleyball, yoga, Bocce ball and live music in the evening. Decorated in white stone and exotic wood, the spa is large and lavish, with 16 “purification cabins” and a hydrotherapy spa.
Rates at Garza Blanca start from $271 per person per night in a junior suite swim-up room.
