Late Checkout: I Thought I Hated All-Inclusives – Then I Went to Almare in Isla Mujeres

When you think of an all-inclusive, you probably harken back to the 90s— imagining a bunch of boomers fighting for chaise lounges surrounding large-scale pools, thousands of kids splashing around wearing bracelets that let them go on slides in perpetuity, and piña coladas being delivered in (basically) flower vase-sized glasses. 

According to Hotels.com's Unpack '25 travel trends report, those days are over. With 42% of Gen Z travelers now preferring all-inclusive stays (with searches for these types of resorts up 60% year over year), it's clear that the next gen is looking to make fewer choices when it comes to vacation planning, and that they honestly just want a hotel that goes above and beyond being a place to sleep—they want a space where they can be held (while also still excitedly wearing tiny sunglasses and banana clips).

Although I’m a hard Millennial, I found myself onside with Gen Z’s trending preference after four nights at Isla Mujeres’ newest wellness-y, adults-only all-inclusive, Almare.

Just 30 minutes from Cancún, Almare managed to transform my “Sandals Resorts” ideas of what an all-inclusive should be (and could be).

Just a Hop-Skip

When I first started writing this piece, I wanted to kick things off talking about all of the exclusive, special things at Almare (which you’ll read below), but then I realized that you can’t even start to describe the luxury getaway without first explaining the water-based journey to get there.

As I landed at the Cancún airport in the evening, I was…bedraggled. My flight was delayed, everything felt retrograded, and I wondered if I would ever get to my final destination (where dinner reservations had been made!). Grumpy, sweaty, and inconsolable, I was swiftly met by a kind somebody holding a sign with my name on it (the second time in a year, if you will…and the second time in my life!). After a 25-30-minute drive (hydration included), I was—once again—swiftly dropped at a water-facing Marriott, where one of my fellow passengers said, “This is a nice waiting place,” not realizing we were at a really chic hotel.

Within five minutes, two short (dare I say “hot”) men took a small group of us onto a boat and said, “Welcome to my office,” as we bounced along the water towards Isla Mujeres. “Cuantos minutos mas?” I asked the short king. “30 minutes,” he said cheekily, running me through the cultural nuances of the tourist season in Cancún, making it seem like no big deal that we were steadily racing past multi-million-dollar yachts. I quickly forgot I was inconsolable and instead, found myself giddy with sea salt-ridden hair when I was told, “Don’t worry. They already know you’re coming.”

As we approached Almare, I understood that—in spite of the yachties and Cancún party-goers (who seemingly all came in from Florida and Texas so they could sing “Country Road” at different karaoke bars)—I had just come upon a remote gem of grounding, meditative stillness atop clear water with a dock all to itself. “Si se puede,” I whispered. (It means “yes, we CAN”).

Inclusive Exclusivity 

The Almare in Isla Mujeres is a part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection, which provides elevated travel experiences at incredible destinations all over the world (I have my eyes on Casa Brera next). But before I start daydreaming about my next trip, let me dive back into the very exclusive-but-inclusive setup at Almare.

With only 109 rooms, Almare delivers a true “boutique hotel” feeling. Each room has been thoughtfully designed to combine sophistication and tradition—seamlessly integrating natural materials and elements that honor Isla Mujeres’ essence. Better yet, the layout of the hotel surrounds an expansive-yet-intimate lobby that essentially serves as the core center of the entire property (which, upon arrival, feels pretty small and enclosed…unlike your typical all-inclusive).

I stayed in a Deluxe Guest Room that would have been Marie Kondo-approved—totally open, facing outwards onto an expansive ocean view. Although my stay was hosted, room rates can vary anywhere between $390-$600 per night (not including the 1,615 sq ft Presidential Suite on the property). Let us remember in this moment, however, that everything—food and experiences—are completely covered in your stay. This meant that my heart didn’t break when I explored my mini bar options, needed sustenance refills, or room service of any kind.

As far as my specific experience went, I found myself reveling in the ambiance of my suite every morning and every evening—sitting on the balcony to journal in the morning before the sun bared down, and then casually catching up on emails during the golden hour in the evening alongside the silence of the empty beach. It was serene and surreal. Even though you’re technically close enough to other rooms, the layout of the hotel has this magical way of making you feel like you’re totally secluded when you want to be and also in proximity to others when you’re in the need for something more communal. 

What I found uniquely special about my experience in my room was that—whether I was winding down or turning up—the room provided an incredibly soothing, cooling energy, where every element flowed organically together (also worth noting that there was a floating tub with sea salts and a see-through shower with BYREDO products for all my natural baddies out there).

Planning to Have No Plans 

Any chance I get, I like to highlight that I’m a Virgo…and that’s less about celebrating my foundational spirit, and more about trying to paint a picture of my basal point, which—in this case—is about my usual need to plan. Historically (and maybe even hysterically), I like to have a plan, but then simultaneously become very stressed when it comes to actually planning things—especially as it relates to vacations.

When I got invited to come stay at Almare, I had just been to a wedding in Cabo at an all-inclusive resort that kind of felt like if boomer time shares met Florida Disneyland, so—while I had fun—my impression of fully inclusive experiences was a bit skewed towards the “less elevated” vibe.

Almare’s program is on a plane all by itself. Included in anyone’s stay are things like…

• Yoga
• Paddle and Kayaking
• Symphony and Rhythm Dancing
• Agave / Tequila Tasting
• Ice Pop Creation
• Cacao Art
• Tikin Xic (more on this later)

My group (there was a group of us, btw) ended up experiencing a whole host of what Almare had to offer—some included, some not (and I’d recommend everything we did, honestly!). One of my favorite outings was arranged by the hotel (not included), where we went out on the water for a daytime boat trip that left all of us saying, “Is it bad to be this happy?” as we floated where the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico meet. I scarily changed my entire skin color within a four-hour period, which I’ll never forgive myself for, but it was one of the nicest, most memorable days I’ve had in a while.

Another insanely memorable experience was on our final night, and I truly could not believe this was an included part of my stay: The Tikin Xic.

As the sun basically hit level with the beach, we were summoned to a long, outdoor table facing the beach, just behind the stunning pools. There, we indulged in an immersive culinary experience that highlighted the unique Yucatec Mayan heritage of Tikin Xic, which means “dry fish.”

We were each given a whole fish (I believe it was either a whole grouper or snapper), and then proceeded to spice and decorate it ourselves with the traditional fixings of tomato, salt, pepper, and achiote. It was taken from the table, and returned in a fully prepped, ready-to-eat, beautifully plated compilation alongside tortillas, rice, and beans. 5-star, mijos. 

Everything’s on the Menu

When I imagined Almare’s dining program, I just assumed it would be a robust buffet of every type of food from pancakes to chilaquiles. I had no idea what to expect, which made my actual experience with the hotel’s food that much more enjoyable.

The resort offers six elevated culinary concepts helmed by Executive Chef Daniel Franco, where seasonal and local cuisine take center stage. The dining options include signature restaurants, a coffee shop, a poolside bar, and a food truck for quick and casual bites, making the entire day’s culinary itinerary feel unique, different, and consistently something to look forward to.

While BOGA can serve as a convenient, fresh, delicious option for breakfast and dinner, you also have the opportunity to “fancy it up” with spectacular ocean views at Seasalt Rooftop. Throughout the day, whether you’re looking for an iced matcha or a gluten-free pastry, you can quickly drop into Botanik, a cozy and refined coffee / detox haven to feel like you’re still in LA while also celebrating that you’ve left LA.

If you don’t want to have to physically move from your beach or poolside chaise, no problem. A ceviche or guacamole pick-me-up (with or without a margarita) can be delivered right to your lap.  

It’s also worth noting that—especially for the Angelenos in this chat—the restaurant was extremely accommodating for any food modifications or restrictions, making the entire experience that much more enjoyable. 

The Isla Experience

For those who opted out of Spanish in high school, Isla Mujeres translates to “Island of Women,” which…amazing. The island itself is not even three miles long, making it extremely navigable. Beyond being easy to get around (which can be done in a golf cart, by the way), the island holds a whimsical energy, surrounding the Mayan sanctuary to the goddess Ixchel. And—as a woman—I can say that there was something really fueling about being in a space that honors the power of a woman (nevertheless, she persisted!).

My group (aka my new best friends) and I made sure to take advantage of exploring as much outside of the hotel as we did within it. The concierges were extremely helpful in guiding our experiences from—as Christina Milian would say— “AM to PM.”

During the day, we took golf carts across the whole of the island, where we explored a stunningly colorful cemetery, looked out onto the clear layers of ocean blue, and attempted to comfort the suspicious iguanas holding steady on the edge of rocky cliffs. “You stay, I’ll go,” I assured many of them. On the southern tip of the island was the lighthouse and statue of Ixchel while the other side of the island housed a plethora of other hotels and beaches, riding alongside the center hub of Isla. 

In the evening, we consulted with one of the concierges, who asked us, “Do you want to get ‘nasty’?” We obviously all said, “Yes” in only a way that Ariana Grande would, and found ourselves back in the center of town along a strip of bars and restaurants that were bumping with tourists and locals alike. 

We took a pit stop at a local karaoke bar that allowed us to tell multiple Gen Z spring breakers that they were “very talented,” while also being confused by how young they were, and celebrate the Gen Xers brave enough to become visible (in spite of being a part of the invisible generation!). Although we missed the chance to request Cher’s “Believe” or Lady Gaga’s “Gypsy,” we were screaming nonetheless—even as we made our way to the dance bar down the road, which was fully DJ’d, and allowed for my energy, which is very “Can I make a request?” energy (and they did, and it was “Abracadbra”).

No Puedo Creer

When I took a boat to a van, back to the airport, I’m not going to lie… I was muy triste. Being back amongst a sea of overly tanned, daiquiri-infused tourists was a shock to the system after the four gorgeously soothing days I spent at Almare.

The hotel, while “giving” 5-star service and luxury, managed to carry a totally understated tone that wasn’t overwhelming or intimidating (which can happen at a lot of “those types” of places). Even though I was with a group of people (all of whom I didn’t know before arriving), I felt that Almare was a seamless destination for couples, friends, and solo travelers alike, given it was safe, diverse in its offerings, beautiful, and filled with people who are willing to connect and be “in it” with you.

There were many things I’d love to take advantage of in the future—like the early morning walk to the southern tip, more of the spa offerings, and maybe even a cheeky snorkel (or two). But for now, I’ll rest easy knowing that I got to watch the sun rise and set in Isla (which lives rent free in my mind).