Best resorts by criterion

Shortlists that state their selection criterion before the list, name the catch on every entry, and are not ordered by anything commercial.

All-inclusive resorts in Aruba

Three documented Palm Beach resorts — two sharing one street address. One publishes a kids club age band and a room count; the other two publish neither.

All-inclusive resorts in Costa Mujeres

Both properties we document on this strip were built in 2018 and publish 29 km from Cancun airport, white sand and a lifeguard. One adults-only, one family.

All-inclusive resorts in the Maldives

Two neighbouring islands in Dhaalu Atoll with a walkway between them. Both publish the same two-leg transfer; one publishes laundry and spa access inside the rate.

Resorts that publish a room count

Room count is the most commonly withheld number in this industry, and the one that best predicts how a resort feels. Four properties in our coverage publish it.

Resorts with overwater rooms

Overwater accommodation at two grades on neighbouring Maldivian islands — including one category with a private pool, and one that does not require the top tier.