Dropping a massive chunk of your hard-earned savings on a tropical vacation can be incredibly stressful. You stare at heavily edited photos online and pray the beach actually looks like that, the food is actually edible, and the drinks are not totally watered down.
If you want a guaranteed win for your next vacation, you need a cheat sheet from the absolute pros.
The Travvy Awards just wrapped up their 12th annual celebration in South Florida. Known as the Oscars of the travel industry, this event is hosted by TravelPulse and reveals the absolute best properties on earth. The winners are not picked by a random algorithm or paid Instagram influencers. They are voted on directly by real travel advisors who book 1000s of vacations every single year. These pros know exactly which properties deliver flawless service and which ones actually live up to their massive price tags.
If you are ready to book a trip and want the absolute best of the best, here are the top 2 overall winners for the best all inclusive resorts on the planet, plus the brand new properties dominating Mexico and the Caribbean.
The Gold Standard: Sandals Saint Vincent And The Grenadines
Taking the number 1 overall spot in the world is Sandals Saint Vincent And The Grenadines. This is not just another standard Caribbean mega resort. It is a completely new build on a gorgeous, lush island that only recently opened up to easy international flights.
What sets this property apart is how heavily it leans into the incredible surrounding nature. Sandals built the 1st ever 2 story over water villas in the entire Caribbean right on this property. You literally have a dense green rainforest on 1 side of your massive suite and the crystal clear Caribbean Sea on the exact opposite side. The island of Saint Vincent is highly mountainous and rugged, which makes getting around a bit tricky. To completely eliminate that friction, guests staying in the elite butler suites receive a complimentary water taxi ride that brings them straight from the airport to the resort in about 20 minutes. You get to completely bypass the winding mountain roads and start your vacation on a luxury boat.
The food scene is also completely elevated. They introduced a brand new handroll and sushi concept alongside multiple global dining options. You can expect massive oversized beds, private outdoor soaking tubs, and an absolutely flawless beach with incredible scuba diving right off the shore.
The Silver Medal: Impression Moxche By Secrets
Taking home the highly coveted silver medal is Impression Moxche By Secrets, an adults only paradise located perfectly on the beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The Impression brand takes the standard Secrets all inclusive experience and elevates it to a completely different tier of luxury and exclusivity.
Travel advisors love this property because the developers threw out the standard resort playbook. Instead of just pouring a massive concrete pool, the designers built stunning, highly immersive swimming areas inspired directly by natural Mexican cenotes. You feel like you are swimming in a hidden jungle lagoon rather than a standard hotel pool.
The culinary and entertainment scene is completely unmatched. Impression Moxche features a totally hidden speakeasy style nightclub right on the property, plus an authentic taco stand for those late night cravings after you leave the dance floor. If you want ultra high end dining, they offer a massive 14 course tasting menu with exquisite Mexican wine pairings. As an Impression guest, you get exclusive access to private areas, but you can still walk over and use all the amenities at the massive Secrets resort next door.
The Best Brand New Resorts In Mexico
The awards also highlighted the best brand new properties to open their doors this year. If you are the type of traveler who wants a resort where absolutely everything is shiny and completely untouched, Mexico has 2 incredible new options.
The gold medal went to the brand new Secrets Mirabel Cancun Resort And Spa. This incredible property brings ultra luxurious over the water bungalows straight to the Cancun lagoon. You get 6 different sparkling pools, a massive rooftop fitness center with panoramic ocean views, and incredible access to the water from absolutely every angle.
Taking the silver medal in Mexico is the stunning Majestic Mirage Costa Mujeres. This property offers a massive, highly luxurious beachfront experience just north of the incredibly busy Cancun hotel zone, giving you perfect white sand without the insane crowds.
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The Best Brand New Resorts In The Caribbean
Over in the Caribbean, the gold medal for the best new resort went to Secrets Playa Esmeralda Resort And Spa. Located in the highly eco conscious Miches region of the Dominican Republic, this adults only property features 500 massive suites, 11 different restaurants, and incredible swim out rooms with direct pool access right from your private patio.
Taking the silver medal for the Caribbean is The St Regis Cap Cana Resort. This property brings legendary ultra luxury service and incredible pristine beachfront access to the absolute best and most exclusive neighborhood in the Dominican Republic.
When you rely on the travel pros who book 1000s of trips a year, you skip the guesswork. Booking any of these massive award winning properties guarantees you the ultimate winter escape with absolutely 0 buyer remorse.
Top Resort Award Winners
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