I was laid out on a lounge chair next to my sister, piña colada in hand, staring out at the sugar-white beaches in Aruba and debating whether to join in on the beach volleyball game or just keep reading. We were visiting the Divi & Tamarijn All-Inclusive as part of its new Wellness Week—designated days of fitness programming, led by two visiting influencers. We attended an outdoor yoga class that morning and the following day, a strength class at 7 am with a celebrity trainer. Sierra NielsenThen we headed back to New York. We were not tied down to anything. We could do as much—or as little—as we wanted, without having to cancel a reservation or flake on a group tour we didn’t feel like doing.
Five years ago I would have laughed if you had told me that I would sign up for a vacation package. I thought all-inclusives were anti-vacation, with no culture, spontaneity or good food. You got your wristband then entered the world of watered down frozen daiquiris. The buffet food was also mediocre and left under the heat lamps. After months of deadlines and stress, a low-stakes itinerary with a fully-planned schedule sounded like the perfect solution.
The majority of us feel collectively worn out: burned out by work, news and the constant need to optimize our waking moments (or all three). And all-inclusives—once written off as generic or family-oriented—suddenly feel like a smart, restorative choice. Dr. Aerial CetnarAs a licensed therapist, I have noticed an increasing number of clients who just want to. relax. “Many people experience a mental exhaustion or a feeling that they’re maxed out. She says that in these situations people look for vacations which are very predictable. An all-inclusive resort can relieve the stress of not knowing what to do today or tomorrow.
The high stress levels of Gen Z could be the reason more travelers, and especially Gen Z are rethinking all-inclusive. According to Expedia’s 2025 trend reportOne-third of Gen Z respondents said their perception of all inclusive resorts had changed for the better. And 42% of Gen Z respondents would prefer to stay in an all-inclusive than another accommodation due to the ease of booking and minimal stress.
Resorts pay attention and are improving. More resorts cater to wellness-conscious travelers by offering creative activities and high-quality meals instead of frozen margaritas. The example given is Alila Ventana Big SurA rustic resort located above the Pacific Ocean in a Redwood Grove. During your stay you can enjoy Japanese baths, daily meditation and yoga, as well as a rotating program of guided hikes. Staff will provide a weekly schedule to you at check-in. You can also grab some gear from the front desk, such as a Yeti cooler or beach blanket. The hotel offers meals. the Sur House, a sit-down restaurant that leans heavily on local and seasonal sourcing—and it’s much better than your typical buffet fare. “Get a chorizo scramble for breakfast!” One traveller said, “I’m still thinking about it after a year.” Reddit thread. Alcohol isn’t covered, which makes it an easy choice for people who don’t drink or prefer to BYOB, but it’s the programming—not the cocktails—that makes it worthy of the all-inclusive title.
Other resorts like Miraval ResortsThe all-inclusive chain, with resorts in Texas, Arizona and Massachusetts, encourages travelers to unplug from the office and enjoy a break. In the resort’s designated areas you are allowed to use your own devices, but not in other areas. There’s plenty to keep you occupied, including hikes, demos of bone broth, foam rolling, meditations and lessons in mountain biking or slacklining (depending on where you are). You can even learn more about your circadian rhythms by attending a session with “a sleep and dream specialist”.
