Are U.S. All-Inclusives a Viable Option? IHG Thinks So.

The high cost of land, labor, and operational expenses, along with labor laws, tax regulations, and other legal considerations, have made it prohibitive to develop all-inclusives in the U.S. that could compete on price with those in the Caribbean and Mexico.

Some U.S. resorts offer all-inclusive plans, but are not “true” all-inclusives. Blackberry Farm in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee offers what it calls a “nearly all-inclusive experience,” with meals and non-alcoholic drinks included, but alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, and some activities are extra. The wellness-focused Miraval’s three locations include healthy cuisine, spa treatments, and a daily schedule of activities and lectures — but alcohol is extra. 

True all-inclusive resorts are rare in the U.S., other than a smattering of wellness-focused resorts like Canyon Ranch, remote luxury ranches like Paws Up Montana, and exclusive lodges like The Chatwal in the Catskills. Most are small, located off the beaten path, and do a limited amount of group business.

For attendees, the allure of an all‑inclusive is often tied to the destination, and the Caribbean and Mexico rank high in their appeal for incentive groups, said Patty Karsten, vice president, industry relations at BI WORLDWIDE. “Any domestic options have to offer something genuinely compelling, not just convenience.”

A New Entrant

Enter IHG’s first all-inclusive property in the U.S., the voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort on Florida’s Treasure Coast, which opened in mid-January following a $50 million transformation. Unlike other U.S. all-inclusives, it’s not small at 335 guest rooms and suites, or remote, located 45 minutes from Palm Beach in Port St. Lucie. It has four restaurants, watersports, and the standard fare of activities and entertainment, and alcohol is included in its pricing.

Karsten says she expects to see interest in the new voco Sandpiper, from what she views as a growing segment: groups that value the reduced travel friction, perceived safety, and cost effectiveness of staying domestic. “For companies with risk‑averse travelers or industries that maintain tighter travel‑policy controls, a U.S.–based all‑inclusive can feel like the best of both worlds — budget predictability for stakeholders and a resort‑style experience for attendees.”

Skift Meetings compared rack rate pricing to Iberostar Waves Dominicana, an IHG all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. An online search for the first week of September showed the former at a $246 double-occupancy rate including taxes, while a similar oceanview room on those dates at voco Sandpiper was $314 (both excluding taxes).

Regardless of pricing, one planner who says he’s not a fan of the all-inclusive category in general is no more optimistic about a domestic option. “I think all-inclusives are great for vacation/transient business but not for corporate,” said Stephen Stano, events consultant at SAS Meetings & Events. 

Nonetheless, the voco Sandpiper is already seeing interest for a variety of business events, from gatherings of 25 to full resort buyouts, according to Al Gauthier, director of sales & marketing. 

“There aren't many true all-inclusives in Florida — or the U.S. for that matter — that operate in the traditional sense of what you find in abundance internationally, but it’s what more and more people are seeking,” he said. “That’s why we leaned into the model — an experience that they might have traditionally looked to the Caribbean or Mexico for that’s available here in their backyard.”