Image credit: Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Thailand

When Season 3 of The White Lotus premiered on HBO and HBO Max, fans prepared for the return of overprivileged guests, a zhuzhed-up plot, and new faces like Jason Isaacs, extending the layered drama series. And they got it — plus a continued underlying theme from Season 1: how conversations around all-inclusive and à la carte hotel services shape interactions in luxury settings.

In the very beginning of the show, when newlyweds Shane and Rachel Patton arrive at a sun-drenched Hawaiian resort expecting perfection, the hospitality industry quickly becomes a subplot, starting with the spa. Shane can’t believe the hotel is fully booked for massages. “We’re paying top dollar, and we can’t get a massage?” he asks Armond, the hotel manager. It’s a moment that resonates beyond fiction. Many travellers, especially first-timers in high-end resorts, assume that luxury comes with access to everything — on-demand, complimentary, and unlimited. But here’s the catch: Not all luxury hotels are all-inclusive. Similarly, Season 3’s digital detox resort policy that frustrated guests would have looked much different in such a setting, which we’re decoding here.

Looking for all-inclusive stays in Thailand? We have exactly the roundup you need.

What does an ‘all-inclusive’ hotel experience look like?

Image credit: Necker Island/Facebook

Contrast that Hawaiian resort with a true all-inclusive property, where meals, drinks, activities, and spa credits are built into the nightly rate. Predictability is one of the core appeals of an all-inclusive stay: guests know what’s covered and can plan their time without worrying about mounting charges or empty spa slots.

“An all-inclusive stay offers an effortless escape from such worries the moment you step into the property,” says Chamindra Goonewardene, VP of Sales and Marketing at Resplendent Ceylon. “Guests can completely let go of worries about their next meal or expenditure and instead immerse themselves in the best the property offers.” For brands like Relais & Châteaux Wild Coast Tented Lodge, this means proactive service, from meals and laundry to curated cocktail hours where staff help guests shape the next day’s itinerary.

This shift toward meaningful immersion extends to the most sought-after travel experiences and wellness. “Wellness is not a goal, but a beautifully guided way of being,” says Dr Arun Thomson, Senior Director of Spa at AyurMa, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru. There, all-inclusive Ayurvedic immersion programmes fold accommodation, dosha-specific meals, daily spa treatments, yoga sessions, and round-trip transfers into one hiccup-free journey.

Club Med, a French travel and tourism operator, believes in eliminating logistical burdens entirely. “From introducing the world’s first supervised children’s club in 1967 to pioneering luxury all-inclusive experiences through the Exclusive Collection, we have elevated comfort,” says Bruno Courbet, Country Director — Thailand, Indonesia, India and New Markets, Club Med.

Best all-inclusive hotels to book in 2025

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Chiang Rai

Image credit: Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Thailand

Tucked away from the tourism-concentrated regions, somewhere in the jungles of Chiang Rai, Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle offers an all-inclusive experience built around immersive, curated luxury. The package includes round-trip airport transfers, all meals, house wines and spirits, daily activities, and one 90-minute spa treatment per guest. Multi-night packages add excursions like elephant training and river trips. With just 15 custom-designed tents — each outfitted with handcrafted furnishings, a copper bathtub, and a private sun deck — the camp limits occupancy to preserve intimacy. Guests dine at Nong Yao Restaurant or the riverside Burma Bar, which also offers private dining.

Location: 499 MOO1, T Vieng, Vieng, Tambon Wiang, Chiang Saen District, Chiang Rai 57150, Thailand

Property website

Necker Island for an all-inclusive private island experience

Image credit: Necker Island/Facebook

What’s better than an all-inclusive resort stay by yourself? It’ll be an all-inclusive private island experience, which Necker Island, part of the Virgin Limited Edition collection, does best. Located in the British Virgin Islands, with exclusive use, guests can access the island’s Balinese-style villas for up to 48 adults and six children. The rate includes luxury accommodation, all meals and drinks (alcohol included), return boat transfers, and a dedicated team. Activities range from motorised watersports and boat excursions to a DJ night and a floating sushi kayak lunch.

Location: Caribbean Sea

Property website

Pine Cay for a customisable all-inclusive experience

Image credit: Pine Cay

A Relais & Châteaux property in Turks and Caicos, Pine Cay sits on 800 acres with 13 beachfront rooms, a Clubhouse, freshwater pool, and Tiki Beach Bar. Guests enjoy three gourmet meals daily, afternoon tea, daily snorkelling by boat, and access to kayaks, paddleboards, Hobie Cats, fat-tyre bikes, tennis courts, and a gym. Each room includes a beach tiki, private garden or porch, and white sand access.

“We are a small property, so our island-inclusive rates are customisable based on clients’ stays, needs and special requests. We include a full board a la carte with farm-to-table ingredients and local fish/seafood, and we have recently added an in-house beverage package that guests can purchase. We’ve found that guests enjoy a pre-paid luxury holiday to relax and not worry,” says Sandrine Langlade, Assistant General Manager, Pine Cay.

Location: Turks and Caicos Islands

Property website

Amanpuri, Phuket

Image credit: Aman Group Sarl

T+L A-List advisor Duncan Greenfield-Turk told us that in 2025, all-inclusive should go beyond meals to include reef-friendly amenities and carbon-offset excursions. Among properties doing it well, he pointed to Amanpuri. “While Aman doesn’t traditionally use the ‘all-inclusive’ label, their holistic wellness immersions offer what luxury clients now interpret the term to mean: expert-led guidance, daily rituals, tailored meals, and undisturbed privacy. This is all-inclusivity in spirit and intention.”

Aman’s 2025 calendar highlights Amanpuri’s all-inclusive stays, available with a minimum three-night booking. The Villa Experience includes daily breakfast and dinner prepared by a private Thai chef, a 60-minute massage, and group wellness sessions. The Family Escape features a cooking class, non-motorised water sports, and movement classes.

‘Discover Amanpuri’ includes all meals, afternoon tea, wellness treatments, and fitness. For extended luxury, combine a four-night Amanpuri stay with a six-night Amankora Bhutan journey via private jet, including meals, guided excursions, spa treatments, cultural experiences, and full concierge support.

Location: 118, 1 ถนน ศรีสุนทร, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket 83110, Thailand

Property website

Soneva Jani, Maldives

Image credit: Soneva

At Soneva Jani in the Maldives, “all-inclusive” also comes with an “unlimited” tag. For USD 1,250 per adult per night, guests enter a self-contained world of Michelin-starred dinners, Ayurvedic therapies, scuba dives, wellness rituals, and in-villa indulgences that unfold without limits. Ice cream rooms stay open through the night; wine flows from a curated list; spa therapies extend from Cryotherapy to Chinese Medicine. This island economy is designed to help lift any travel-planning worries from your mind and focus on presence, not payment.

Location: Medhufaru Island, Manadhoo, Maldives

Property website

One&Only Gorilla’s Nest

Image credit: One&Only Rwanda/Facebook

At One&Only Gorilla’s Nest in Kinigi, Rwanda, guests enter the realm of mountain gorillas with privileged access to the nearby Volcanoes National Park. Peeking out from among eucalyptus and volcanic peaks, the lodge offers all-inclusive stays with meals, drinks, and two daily activities — more popularly, their gorilla trekking or cultural excursions.

The all-inclusive hotel package includes a trekking kit, a carved walking stick, and spa treatments featuring homegrown roses. The 21 rooms include expansive suites with private pools. The best part? The resort actively uses the profits to support local communities through initiatives like Umuganda and works closely with women-led farms and artisans for food and goods.

Location: Nyonirima, Kinigi, Ruhengeri, Rwanda

Property website

Turtle Island, Fiji

Image credit: Turtle Island

Turtle Island, set deep in Fiji’s Yasawa archipelago, welcomes just 14 couples at a time to an all-inclusive experience like no other hotel or resort. When talking to a few of my fellow journalists who have personally experienced some of the amenities, a common narrative was that everything here is built to help you reflect and relax instead of being a distraction. With 12 private beaches and villas built steps away from the sea, this all-inclusive retreat offers complete seclusion. Days are shaped by Fijian rhythms — morning rides along the coast, reef dives, and quiet hours in the shade. Meals are served in shifting landscapes: sandbars, pontoons, or your stretch of shore.

Location: Yasawa Islands

Property website

Shop the best travel experiences here

(Feature image credit: Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle)

Related | The World’s Most Exclusive Private Islands For That Secluded Vacation

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Are drinks included in all-inclusive hotels?

Yes, drinks are typically included, and luxury properties would, for the fancy of it, serve tailored premium spirits and fine wines based on the guests’ preferences.

Are all-inclusive hotels more expensive than traditional hotels?

While it’ll depend on the hotel, they’re usually more expensive upfront, but can be better value overall since food, drinks, and activities that would cost extra elsewhere are included.

Do luxury all-inclusive hotels offer personalised services?

Yes, top-of-the-class all-inclusives assign personal butlers or concierges who handle everything from unpacking to arranging private dinners, and staff often remember your preferences from day one.

Can you upgrade or customise your all-inclusive experience?

Most luxury properties offer customisation options like private dining experiences, premium wine selections, exclusive excursions, or spa package upgrades beyond the standard inclusions.

Are excursions and activities included in the package at luxury hotels?

Some activities are typically included (water sports, fitness classes, certain tours), but many specialised excursions will need you to pay an additional cost.

What should you look for when booking an all-inclusive hotel?

Focus on what’s actually included (premium drinks? activities? transfers?), meal options beyond buffets, recent reviews about food quality, and any hidden fees — since the definition of “all-inclusive” varies tremendously between properties.

Written By

Sneha Chakraborty

Sneha Chakraborty is a journalist and photographer covering how travel intersects with food, culture, ..Read Moreand identity. Her reporting has appeared in National Geographic Traveller India, Lonely Planet, Conde Nast Traveller, Vogue India, and Hindustan Times, where she spent two years on staff as a correspondent covering travel and culture. She is an alumna of the University of Westminster`s Westminster School of Media, Arts and Design. Currently based in Delhi, she grew up in various cities across India and has lived in Amsterdam, and London. Read Less