Hooked on “grand opening” galas and the excitement of being amongst the first to visit a new resort?
One benefit: There are many reasons that some folks love to be the first to enjoy a newly opened all-inclusive resort, but at the top of any list of those reasons is generally the reduced rates….however there are typically numerous “bugs” or issues that need to be worked through when a resort opens, when new staff is still undergoing training that is helped by early guest feedback, so sometimes the services or cuisine isn’t yet “up to snuff” ….early adopters are generally patient and willing (for those aforementioned reduced rates) to overlook the small details and help resorts to “tune up” the engine, so to speak.
One caveat: it sounds cliché but it’s still important to emphasize that even with “the best laid plans..” oftentimes schedules get pushed out farther due to unforeseen circumstance, so be sure to check with a travel advisor as you begin your vacation planning process if your heart is set on being a “first to stay”, and understand that even a very carefully planned vacation may need to change if the resort’s “opening” doesn’t happen as planned.
Here are some of the new resorts we’re most excited about!
Secrets Tides Punta Cana – January 2024
This 688-room adults-only resort in the Dominican Republic opened in January 2024 as the latest Inclusive Collection (World of Hyatt) resort, bringing the company’s total in the Caribbean country to 17. Located along the golden beach of Punta Cana, the Check PricesSecrets Tides Punta Cana offers a variety of luxurious room categories, nine restaurants and three swimming pools alongside two outdoor hot tubs for guests to enjoy. And yes, you can use your loyalty points to stay here.
» Read our full post about the new Secrets Tides Punta Cana
Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres – February 2024
The 507-room adults only Check PricesSecrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres in Cancun promises a top-of-the-range all-inclusive vacation. Opening in three stages throughout 2024, the establishment opened its doors for the first time (aka “soft opening”) in February 2024, and will be fully open by June. Boasting a spa, fitness centre and theatre for guests to enjoy, the resort will also be equipped with four pools both inside and out, and nine restaurants to choose from.
» Read our full post about the new Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres
Princess Grand Jamaica – March 2024
Open since mid-March 2024, the sprawling Check PricesPrincess Grand Jamaica is a family-friendly resort on the Caribbean island of Jamaica. With a staggering 180 acres on the gorgeous shoreline of Green Island, the resort will feature more than 1,000 rooms, with more planned. And for you uber-luxury seekers, there’s also a selection of over-the-water villas. Along with 9 restaurants and 8 bars, at the Princess Grand in Jamaica you’ll find a wealth of amenities and entertainment options are to feature, including a casino, aquatic park (with slides!), a kids club and teens zone, a theater, fitness center, game zone, and even a private island for weddings!
» Read our full post about the new Princess Grand Jamaica
Sandals St Vincent – March 2024
» Read our full post about the new Sandals St Vincent & Grenadines
Royalton Chic Antigua – April 2024
» Read our full post about the new Royalton Chic Antigua
Dreams Estrella Del Mar Mazatlan – April 2024
Opened in April 2024 on the Mexican coast in Mazatlan, this Dreams resort under the Hyatt umbrella is a golf and spa resort welcoming the entire family. The Check PricesDreams Estrella Del Mar Mazatlan Resort is comprised of a 12-acre beachfront property within the Estrella del Mar Golf and Residential Development Club. It will feature 350 rooms and suites, five restaurants and six bars, along with three swimming pools (one is a kids pool) and other included amenities such as a kids club and a theatre.
Another bonus is that – due to its location on the western coast of Mexico – the Dreams Estrella Del Mar Mazatlan is also a great choice for those beach-lovers seeking to avoid the seaweed problems that occur seasonally on the eastern coast of North America.
» Read our full post about the new Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlan
Hyatt Vivid Grand Island – April 2024
Hotel Mousai Cancun – May 2024
No matter which of the 10 room types you choose, all are very generously spacious and elegantly appointed, and its location in the exclusive (and serene) Costa Mujeres area of Playa Mujeres means a long soft beach upon which you can walk for miles and calm ocean water to play in (thanks to the wind and wave protection from the just-offshore Isla Mujeres). You’ll also find plenty of dining options featuring gourmet cuisine (and a great sports bar!), and an uber-hip rooftop infinity pool and restaurant called “The Rooftop” (clever!).
» Read our full post about the new Hotel Mousai Cancun by Tafer
Riu Palace Aquarelle – May 2024
Despite its opening getting pushed a few times, the brand new Check PricesHotel RIU Palace Aquarelle is finally fully opened, although some construction is still anticipated to be going on until December. Located on White Bay Beach near the historic town of Falmouth, the RIU Palace Aquarelle is a family-friendly destination that has more than 700 rooms and all the upscale amenities you crave. With 5 pools (including a children’s pool) as well as the Splash Water World water park there’s plenty of water fun for the whole family. After engaging those abdominals all day at the water park, you might be tempted to skip a workout at their state-of-the-art Fitness Center and head right for the Spa to enjoy a well-deserved massage, or hit up any of the six planned restaurants for some healthy cuisine featuring locally sourced fresh produce.
» Read our full post about the new [NEW] RIU Palace Aquarelle, Jamaica
Riu Palace Mauritius and Riu Turquoise Mauritius – June 2024
Two brand new (from the ground-up) RIU Resorts opened this summer on the spectacularly beautiful island of Mauritius. The Hotel RIU Turquoise is a 390-room family-friendly destination with three swimming pools (one with a swim-up bar) as well as children’s pool and water play area with slides and a RIULand Kids Club, and the right-next-door Hotel RIU Palace Mauritius is a 310-room adults-only haven, which will also offer Elite Club category (for exclusive VIP services, amenities, and areas). Both will feature 24×7 all inclusive dining and services, and in some exciting news, both are fully solar-powered! RIU is fully committed to sustainability and leading the way amongst top all inclusive resort brands.
More about Mauritius: Located in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is famous for Le Morne Brabant mountain, the 7 Coloured Earths, the Tamarin Falls or Grand Bassin and the impressive Trou aux Cerfs. The island’s towns with a colonial past are very interesting, such as the charming capital, Port Louis.
» Read our full post about the two new RIU Resorts on Mauritius
AVA Resort Cancun – June 2024
The renowned AIC Hotel Group (the company behind the Hard Rock Hotels all-inclusive lineup) has unveiled a new brand (AVA) that it promises will be an ‘elevated’ all-inclusive experience for guests of all ages. Having just opened in June 2024, the Check PricesAVA Resort Cancun is a family-friendly, luxury all-inclusive resort boasting more than 1,700 rooms and suites – each and every single one ocean facing – and featuring 17 different options for dining and drinks! A perfect location on the Mexican Caribbean and just a 10-minute drive from Cancun Airport, the resort promises five-star bespoke luxury in an all-inclusive setting.
» Read our full post about the new AVA Resort Cancun
SLS Playa Mujeres – November 2024
Zemi Miches Hilton – November 2024
Slated to open in November 2024, the newly built Zemi Miches Hilton is set to be the first all-inclusive Curio Collection by Hilton property in the Dominican Republic, located just north of Punta Cana. The family-friendly resort will feature more than 500 guest rooms and suites, spread across six buildings and 18 private bungalows. Zemi Miches will become Hilton’s 10th all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean and Latin America on opening. The resort’s pool complex will include a water park, there’s set to be a fitness centre, night club, kids club and twelve different dining and drinking options.
Marriott Paraiso de la Bonita – Late 2024
Here’s what we know so far about the planned updates as the property changes hands from Zoetry (AMResorts) to Marriott: The overall size will grow from 90 to 100 rooms, which still keeps it in the “boutique” category, but Marriott is adding an even more VIP experience by designating a separate building within the property that will act as an exclusive enclave, with 10 suites featuring private plunge pools and beach access, an intimate exclusive pool, and two dedicated restaurants with a private chef. While the old Zoetry had 4 restaurants, Marriott’s plans call for 3 (one with a 5,000 bottle wine cellar) and a new sushi & ceviche bar (so it sounds like 1 restaurant is just being reconfigured). We’re anticipating a number of other upgrades and updates, particularly to the rooms (décor and bedding), room amenities, and public spaces, AND we anticipate that Marriott will make this property a true “adults only” (whereas Zoetry did a poor job by allowing young children without offering any accommodation or amenities for them)…..but there’s no word yet on the fate of the local resident wildlife (the pair of peacocks and coatimundi family) that lives there.
For those who love to explore, Puerto Morelos is a small and quaint fishing village that still caters to tourists with a plethora of cafes and shopping venues, but without much of the crowds and noise of Cancun.
Secrets St. Lucia – late 2024
The former St. James’s Club Morgan Bay all-inclusive resort was acquired by Hyatt in 2022 and will reopen in the second half of 2024 under the company’s Secrets Resorts brand, as Secrets St. Lucia. This adults-only resort is expected to boast 342 rooms and suites, as well as two beachfront swimming pools, five a la carte dining choices, five bars and lounges, a Secrets Spa and fitness centre, and a private beach. It will be St Lucia’s first Secrets Resort, but keep in mind that with no firm opening date announced yet, and its late 2023 date already pushed back to late 2024, it’s possible this resort won’t actually be ready for guests until sometime in (hopefully early) 2025.
JOIA Aruba by Iberostar – late 2024
All Inclusive Resorts Opening in 2025
We hope….so many factors can alter construction schedules – unexpected weather disruptions, shifting economic environment, ownership/management changes – so we never assume a resort will open by its announced date, but we’ll list them here and keep it updated.
Breathless Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
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This 450-room adults-only resort will be located just 10 minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport, and close to the charming cultural center of downtown Puerto Vallarta, with its vibrant shopping district, multitude of sidewalk cafes along cobblestone streets, and lively arts scene. Breathless Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa will feature impressive amenities, including four swimming pools, a scenic rooftop with picturesque views, and a variety of culinary options comprised of seven à la carte gourmet restaurants, two cafés and two snack areas, along with 5 bars.
Secrets Baby Beach (by Hyatt), Aruba
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Located in the calm Baby Beach Bay and close to the San Nicolas Street Murals and Boca Grandi (a mecca for advanced kite surfers and their enthusiastic fans), the adults-only Secrets Baby Beach Aruba will be the first of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection in that part of Aruba. We expect the same high standards for luxury, exemplary service, gourmet cuisine, and the romantic ambiance that Check PricesSecrets Resorts are well known for all over the world.
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