Two new Caribbean resort openings show travelers just how far the concept of the all-inclusive holiday is stretching, with lifestyle hotels translating their unique identities into all-inclusives, and focusing less on buffets and the beach and more on wellness retreats, culinary travel and immersive cultural experiences.
In Cancun, Mondrian is taking its famously design- and culture-driven hotel concept all-inclusive for the first time.
Meanwhile, in the Dominican Republic, the new adults-only Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana is putting wellness, flexibility, social connection and local culture at the heart of its interpretation of the all-inclusive vacation.
In other words, the wristband — literal or metaphorical — no longer has to define the experience.
Mondrian Brings the Lifestyle Hotel to All-Inclusives
The new Mondrian Cancun represents a significant crossover: a brand best known for stylish urban and resort hotels in places like Los Angeles, Miami, Cannes, Ibiza, Singapore and Hong Kong is entering all-inclusive territory, starting in Mexico.
Its 400 rooms and suites occupy a high-rise between the Caribbean Sea and Nichupté Lagoon, with contemporary interiors designed to keep the surrounding landscape in the spotlight.
But the bigger story is what Mondrian is importing into the all-inclusive model: the social energy, design, dining and nightlife of one of its landmark lifestyle hotels.
There are 10 dining venues and six bars, ranging from Mexican cuisine at Cuyo and Japanese fare at Niko to casual food-truck bites. Allegra features what the resort says is Cancun’s longest rooftop infinity pool, while Bungalow Beach Club gives guests a separate private beachfront playground reached by complimentary shuttle.
Entertainment stretches from mindful movement and wellness to live music, DJ sets and curated events. Mondrian+ takes things further with top-floor accommodations, wraparound terraces, butler service, private check-in, preferred beach-club seating and exclusive rooftop facilities.
And the resort isn’t finished. A later phase is expected to add an expanded spa and fitness center, teens club, steakhouse and Cuban-inspired sunset bar.
It’s an all-inclusive resort behaving very much like a contemporary lifestyle hotel.
Hyatt Vivid Makes All-Inclusive More Personalized
Over in the Dominican Republic, Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana takes a different route to the same destination: making all-inclusive feel less packaged and more personal.
The new 467-room, adults-only beachfront resort at Cabeza de Toro is the first Hyatt Vivid in the Dominican Republic and is aimed at what Hyatt calls “social explorers” and “conscious connectors” — travelers who want plenty to do without feeling scheduled from breakfast to bedtime.
Its programming revolves around three ideas: flow, encompassing movement and wellness; discovery, connecting guests with local culture; and presence, emphasizing mindfulness and relaxation.
That translates into paddleboard yoga followed by wellness-focused nutrition, Dominican coffee “brew sessions” accompanied by healthy bites and DJs, stargazing, creative workshops, live music and spa rituals incorporating local cacao and tropical fruits.
Food is similarly flexible, with five à la carte restaurants, an international food hall, bar and grill, wellness café, seven bars and lounges — plus a hidden speakeasy guests can unlock through a creative workshop.
There’s also a notable emphasis on place. Dominican coffee, ingredients, art, music and traditions appear throughout the experience, pushing back against another old criticism of all-inclusives: that you enter a gated resort once and barely know what country you’re visiting.
“All-Inclusive” Continues to Morph
These two new resorts aren’t identical — and that’s the point. Other than the convenience and ease of pre-purchasing almost all elements of your vacation, all-inclusives are getting more specialized and sophisticated, not more cookie-cutter.
Mondrian is serving up its signature design, dining, nightlife and creative culture. Hyatt Vivid is emphasizing wellness, spontaneity, social experiences and local connections.
Increasingly, travelers are choosing an all-inclusive not simply because everything is included, but because what’s included reflects how you actually want your beach vacation.
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Images of Mondrian Cancun courtesy of Ennismore/Mondrian
Images of Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana courtesy of Hyatt Hotels
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