The 4 best things about my first-ever all-inclusive beach resort experience: Almare, a Luxury Collection Resort

After years of editing and reading articles about all-inclusive beach resorts, I finally took the leap on my very first all-inclusive beach trip.

In June, I traveled to Isla Mujeres, a small but accessible island off the coast of Cancun, Mexico (which is a popular all-inclusive resort destination in and of itself). Isla Mujeres is a well-known resort destination, too, but it's a little quieter and slower than Cancun's famed, often frenzied Hotel Zone. On the island, I had the pleasure of experiencing the second adults-only, all-inclusive property in Marriott's Luxury Collection: Almare, a Luxury Collection Resort. Because it opened in October 2024, the resort had that shiny, new hotel quality about it — ideal for an all-inclusive first-timer like me.

Bookable from $569 or 78,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night — a pretty incredible value based on the quality of my experience — this resort feels like one worth saving up those points for.

Better yet, you could apply for one of the best Marriott credit cards to stack up points, like the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card. With the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy, you can earn 85,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership.

Here are a few things that I loved most about Almare and my time there.

Related: The best Marriott all-inclusive resorts to book with points

I felt the easy pace of island life throughout the resort

When you head to an island resort, you expect it to be just that — an island resort. But since this was my first all-inclusive beach resort experience, I wasn't entirely sure what it would really feel like. I expected a lot of activity, noise, crowds, etc. Much to my relief, though, the vibe was an expertly balanced concoction of laid-back and luxe, all starting with a relaxing, 20-minute boat ride from Cancun aboard a private, hotel-operated vessel.

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Upon arriving, staff members greeted guests dockside with a refreshing, fruit-forward welcome drink. After that, we simply floated up the dock to the sandy beach where we entered an open-air lobby adorned with plenty of wicker seating, beautiful nods to ancient Mayan culture and bountiful greenery. Check-in was swift, with friendly reception desk attendants slipping a convenient room key bracelet onto our wrists — no plastic keycards to worry about.

After that, it became abundantly clear to me that the name of the game at this resort was relaxation. There was no sense of being rushed anywhere or forced into activities; rather, staff presented guests with a daily schedule (which we could also see in the Marriott Bonvoy app) and explained the beach, pool and spa locations. Then, we were off to explore and lounge as we pleased.

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Our 463-square-foot deluxe guest room, which overlooked the pool and the glistening sea beyond from floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, featured two sumptuous double beds, a chic sitting area, an ocean-facing balcony with lounge chairs, a beautiful marble bathroom, a large flat-screen TV and an oversized tub.

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The room was hard to leave each morning, and the ability to order breakfast straight to the room (more on the food below) made it even more tempting to stay cozied up. The fact that all the snacks and beverages in the room were included in the rate was hard to get used to, in a good way.

The Mexican food was phenomenal

There has been a lot of talk about how many run-of-the-mill, all-inclusive resorts offer uninspired menus with watered-down drinks, but all-inclusives are changing now more than ever. (Read TPG Senior Hotel Reporter Tanner Saunders' article on why now is the time to book all-inclusive resorts.) I experienced this change firsthand at Almare. Since I was in Mexico, I really wanted to focus on local cuisine, and luckily, out of the seven on-site dining outlets, there were several authentic Mexican restaurants to choose from.

My favorite was Boga, where dishes that incorporate a fusion of authentic Mexican and traditional Mayan cooking techniques are on the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There, I had the best tamale of my entire life (served with a poached quail egg and a rich roasted cherry tomato cream), as well as fresh local ceviche and a very flavorful short rib.

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For breakfast, I enjoyed everything from a refreshing acai bowl and delectable homemade quesadillas made in a clay griddle to chilaquiles and fluffy pancakes with smoked butter and carrot compote. The coffee throughout the resort was fabulous, but I especially enjoyed the cappuccinos at Boga, as well as the freshly squeezed juices.

Another must-try spot was The Breeze pool bar, where guests could snack on bites like crispy shrimp tacos, fresh guacamole and aguachile while sipping ice-cold pina coladas or a chilled Tecate, of course.

The rooftop had one of the prettiest sunsets I've ever seen

The only thing better than a seaside resort with a pristine white sand beach is one that has that and a rooftop overlooking the ocean.

Almare's rooftop took the cake in terms of where to enjoy the evenings. The small infinity pool (featuring submerged lounge chairs) offered sweeping views of the sunset, which I could see just beyond the rooftop restaurant, Seasalt. (Seasalt offered a Mediterranean-centric menu, which wasn't my favorite but still had quite a lot to choose from, including raw bar items like Baja oysters and plenty of pasta, pizza and protein-forward dishes.)

My favorite way to begin the evening was with an expertly crafted cocktail from the restaurant's open-air bar and that unbelievable sunset. I'd recommend starting there before heading down to Boga for dinner.

The influence of Mayan culture was threaded creatively throughout the property

One of the very first things I noticed — and continued to appreciate throughout the duration of my three-day stay — was the emphasis on local art pieces and installations, as well as thoughtful nods to Mayan culture.

From the use of chukum plaster — an ancient Mayan practice that involves applying a mix of tree resin and limestone to walls for a weather-resistant, beautiful effect — to massive handpainted murals from local artists and a cenote-inspired installation in the lobby, Mayan artistic techniques and cultural influence abounded.

I noticed this throughout the spa, too (which was a magical microcosm within the resort). It featured a menu paying homage to Mayan wellness practices through offerings like a shaman consultation and massage treatments utilizing local ingredients. (Note that spa treatments are not included in the nightly rate; they come at an extra cost.)

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Checking out

It was hard to say goodbye to Almare. When I left, I was still sort of pinching myself — the all-inclusive newbie that I am — about how a resort could offer so much at such a good value. If you book cash rates, a multinight trip here will cost a good chunk of change, for certain. But Almare feels, to me, like the type of property that is really worth saving up your Marriott Bonvoy points for. This is especially because the quality of the Mexican cuisine is so high, the service is reliable and friendly, and the property itself is so new and therefore in excellent condition.

Those who enjoy art and culture will appreciate the abundance of local art, and the rates cover plenty of on-site activities. Plus, the beautiful stretch of beach meant there was always something to do — or a good reason to do nothing at all. (And let's not forget that glimmering pool with a swim-up bar.)

Related reading:

• The award traveler's guide to Marriott Bonvoy
• Best Marriott credit cards
• Marriott elite status: What it is and how to earn it