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As we all know, demand is up and travel is back. That then begs the question: where, then, to go to start the trends, beat the crowds, and experience something new? Luckily, ALG Vacations® has the inside track on what’s about to be hot where in 2023. We start with a future-meets-nature resort hidden in a jungle off the beaten path of the most famous beach destination in the Americas, go on to a whole new concept within the security and confidence of booking with a trusted all-inclusive favorite, find out how one new build’s biggest splash is that it’s making a lot of them, and hang ten with an excitingly affordable hotel that’s found a great balance for tech and nostalgia. Here are the resorts you’ll want to watch and recommend this year.
Secrets® Tulum Resort & Beach Club
By: Inclusive Collection, Part of Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
Why It Rates
This new build is the only hybrid resort with jungle and beach accommodations on the coast of the Tulum Hotel Zone, and offers an inherent sense of both seclusion and place with unique cenote-inspired architecture.
An hour and 45 minutes south of the Cancun international airport, this from-the-ground-up resort deeply channels just how away from it all its privileged Aldea Zama complex location is. Details like meditation and yoga spaces sprinkled throughout the property, lush vegetation surrounding the swim-out suites, and intimate inner courtyards provide a feeling of escape and getting back to one’s roots. The layout of the grounds look futuristic, but close-up, the vibe is organic. Within the rooms are natural rock elements, generous bathrooms, and round spa-like tubs on the terraces, providing an earth-inspired retreat. For even more privacy, book the exclusive five-bedroom beach villa with private butler and chef services.
However, that’s not to say this can’t be a social resort. The focus here is on being well-rounded, which is why they offer amenities such as rooftop pools, lounge areas with 360-degree views, snack bars and gourmet restaurants that entice guests to visit courtyards outside of their own, and an oceanfront pool offering full beach club experiences. For even more, there’s always the Sip, Savor & See Dining Experience, an invitation to have dinner and enjoy the nightlife at a qualifying sister resort.
Zoëtry® Marigot Bay Saint Lucia
By: Inclusive Collection, Part of Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
Beach, marina, and hilltop views? That’s a pretty rare combination, and when you add on a rum cave and an all-inclusive offer, the first Hyatt Inclusive Collection in Saint Lucia is setting a whole new bar.
Honeymoon favorite Saint Lucia now has another major point in her favor: the entrant of the Zoëtry brand right on island’s most desirable marina, Marigot Bay Yacht Haven. Set on a hilltop, steps from a marina, and close enough to LaBas Beach that you can see its sands from the resort, this boutique 124-suite luxury property is a stunner from any angle – so much so that it was the site of the 1967 Dr. Dolittle movie. But what really makes it stand out is what you can’t see off the bat, and the modern touches that have helped it stand the test of time. Private resort ferry access to said beach. Five restaurants, each with a bar serving herb-infused cocktails and Caribbean flavors. Butler service, standard, plus concierge service that’s available even before your visit. A hidden rum cave with local tasting and blending sessions with experts. A whole spa village, perfectly in line with their Art of Life wellness focus. Need we go on? Or shall we just go?
Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun
By: Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resorts/Blue Diamond Resorts
Why It Rates
This resort is better called SplashES, since it’s making more than one with the amenities and features available across this sizable new property. Unique offerings for kids like a trampoline park, laser tag, bowling alley, and the largest water park in the brand’s portfolio make it a destination unto itself.
A new construction of this size is often enough to help a resort make a major splash, but this new addition took amenities to the max with this build. Not only is there an on-site water park, it’s the biggest in the hotel collection. Not only is there unlimited reservation-free dining, but the restaurants are over-the-top special, like The Cave, a mystical, glittering cave-like setting (obviously) serving local ingredients enhanced with global flavors. And not only is there a kids club, the activities for guests big, medium, and small are all huge in awe-worthiness. The traditional Clubhouse gives children 4 – 12 a supervised indoor play space, but they (and the family) are welcome to Game Up, where they can play laser tag, hit the Jump Zone trampoline park, or throw some balls at the bowling alley.
Riu Palace Kukulkan, Featuring Elite Club
By: RIU Hotels & Resorts
Why It Rates
This adults-only resort is the spot for the world premiere of the new Elite Club, which is an entirely new class of room categories for this longstanding favorite brand for more beach vacations.
Don’t leave your upgrades to chance – they’re guaranteed now for vacationers who choose to stay in the newly established Elite Club at this recently opened adults-only resort. The Riu Palace Kukulkan is the first property offering this concept, which distinguishes itself with three categories of rooms in premium locations with the best ocean views, confirmed late check-out as late as 1 PM, a dedicated check-in (early, if available!), in-room aromatherapy, and a welcome gift for all guests in this this category. They’ll also enjoy wristband access-only premium branded drinks that are exclusive to Elite Club guests, plus an upgraded minibar and liquor dispenser in their rooms, and better snacks and a bottle of wine, to boot. Even better is that all of this is on top of already enhanced features of this latest entrant to the RIU portfolio, such as daily mixologist-created signature drinks at the lobby bar, and access to the other seven RIU hotels in Cancun and Costa Mujeres.
The Twin Fin
By: Highgate Hawaii
Why It Rates
The former Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel has gotten a major makeover and a whole new, mellow but joyous vibe that makes it an entirely fresh resort on the mellow side of Waikiki Beach. Real-time advanced surf reports and wave forecasting make this a surfer’s paradise unlike any other.
More than just a name change, this resort’s doubled-down emphasis on the surfing culture of Hawaii extends to a total redesign that’s mean to fully channel the spirit of the beach right before it. It’s located on the more relaxed part of Waikiki Beach, on the Diamond Head side, where waves are small to medium – perfect for the 70s-style surfboard the hotel is now named after. Within, you’ll find surf-chic style that shows up in tropical patterns, mid-century furnishing, and pops of color, including blue hues that are meant to mirror those of the ocean just outside its door. The pool deck has also been enhanced as part of its multimillion-dollar renovation, and now offers six cabanas and a rotating series of live music, DJs, musicians and fun programs like talk story sessions, star gazing activities, and more. Beach Candy activity rental credit are also new added bonuses, but for those looking to hang ten, the biggest partnership is with Surfline, who’ll be streaming their real-time surf condition reports on the lobby video wall and throughout the hotel.
