Luxe Life, Drams Included

It’s far less stressful to know in advance how much your vacation will cost, and the best way to do that is to go all-inclusive. It’s long been a popular idea for spring break and low-budget party vacations, but now the idea has gone upscale—and believe it or not, these all-inclusives also cover the bar tab. Here’s a roundup, listed in order of price from highest to lowest.

JUMBY BAY

Antigua

This resort occupies its private 300-acre island with a mix of luxury cottages, ultra-luxury villas, and palatial estate homes. The island is a tropical paradise for guests, with amenities like sailing, coral reefs, racquet clubs, a kids club, and the house specialty: luxury picnics on private beaches. There are several fine dining restaurants focused on local specialties and seafood. Given the Caribbean location, it’s not surprising that they have more than three dozen included rums, with some Cubans you can’t get at home, and around 25 whiskies, with a focus on scotch. Labels include Macallan, Glenfiddich, and Ardbeg, plus Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, and Gentleman Jack on the American list. From $2,950/night for two.

TWIN FARMS

Barnard, Vermont

This country estate occupies the 300-acre former farm of Nobel Prize-winning writer Sinclair Lewis and journalist Dorothy Parker, and has been described as a summer camp for grown-ups because so many activities are included, from hiking and cross-country skiing to biking, fly-fishing, and canoeing. A top-flight culinary staff will meet you at the lake for a cookout, or mid-hike with a gourmet picnic basket and champagne. The 29 lodging options include hotel rooms, uniquely themed houses, and new luxury treehouses, all decorated with museum-quality art. The meals are made from the bounty of extensive chef’s gardens, with other products sourced from local artisan farms, and there are more than 80 whiskies included, plus rare selections on their reserve list with a surcharge. But the inclusions are enough for most whisky fans with a nice mix of American, Irish, Japanese, Canadian, and plenty of scotch, including several 18 year olds (Glenlivet, Talisker) and 16 year olds (Balvenie, Lagavulin), along with Glenfiddich Fire & Cane, Glenmorangie Nectar d’Or, Dalwhinnie 15, Oban 14, and more. Notable bourbons include Blanton’s Gold Edition, E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof, Jefferson’s Ocean, and Thomas S. Moore Port, Chardonnay, and Cabernet finishes. It is Vermont, so there is also local Mad River rye, Rectified bourbon, and several WhistlePig options, including 10, 12, and Farmstock, with more on the reserve list (15, 18, Boss Hog 7, X Commandments). From $2,950/night for two (adults only).

RANCH AT ROCK CREEK

Philipsburg, Montana

This guest ranch takes the term all-inclusive to the extreme, offering equine activities, fishing, hiking, yoga, and more. In winter, downhill and cross-country skiing are also included. The food and accommodations are true standouts, as is the spirits selection. About 70 whiskies are offered at no extra charge, from classic standbys like Macallan 12 year old and Dalwhinnie 15 to High West Campfire, Weller Special Reserve, and several locally made expressions, like Mama Tried high-rye and wheated bourbons, Wildrye Fire Drops, and Montgomery Sudden Wisdom 3 year old rye. From $2,829/night for two.

FOUR SEASONS NAVIVA

Punta Mita, Mexico

Punta Mita is a 1,500-acre private peninsula with two golf courses, a pier, and just about every imaginable amenity. But hidden on 50 private gated acres is a second one-of-a-kind enclave, an all-inclusive called Naviva. It has only 15 rooms—if by rooms you mean tented villas starting at 1,250 square feet, with private plunge pools, indoor and outdoor showers, and jetted tubs. Want to do yoga? Call, and an instructor will join you at the outdoor ocean-view platform. Want to go fishing? Call, and a guide will take you. Rates even include a spa treatment and temazcal sweat lodge experience. Naviva has its own trail network, private beach, and chef ready to prepare whatever and whenever you want. While the bar embraces agave spirits, having a fine selection of tequila and mezcal, it offers more than 50 whiskies in its all-inclusive package, including standouts from Japan that can be hard to find, such as Yamazaki 18, Hakushu 18, and Nikka Miyagikyo single malt. There is the local Mexican 100% corn whisky Abasolo, plus other notable indulgences like Johnnie Walker King George V and a flight of Macallan (12, 15, and 18). From $2,800/night for two (adults only).

CLAYOQUOT WILDERNESS LODGE

Vancouver Island, Canada

A legendary “North American safari” destination, Clayoquot occupies 600 acres of pristine island wilderness that is home to bears, whales, sea lions, otters, and eagles, with all lodging in 25 luxury African safari-style glamping tents. Clayoquot is also a famous culinary destination known for sourcing fine organic meats, seafood, and produce in partnership with local ranchers and First Nations tribes. In this same vein, they showcase local craft breweries, dozens of Canadian wineries, and more than 20 British Columbia distilleries, including Wayward, Macaloney’s, Arbutus, Shelter Point, and Sheringham. There are about 20 others, ranging through Hibiki Harmony, Dalwhinnie 15 year old, Oban 14 year old, Macallan 12 year old, and Crown Royal Northern Harvest rye. Sunsets on Vancouver Island are spectacular, and sunset cocktails are a big thing at Clayoquot—try the Ursus (Bearface whisky, red wine syrup, and bitters). From $2,335/night for two.

JADE MOUNTAIN

St. Lucia

Jade Mountain has an unusual rate structure that allows guests to choose a regular room, a Modified American plan with breakfast and dinner, or an all-inclusive package. The all-inclusive whisky selection is limited but premium, with scotch options from Macallan, Dalmore, Glenlivet, Glenfiddich, Oban, Johnnie Walker, Glenmorangie, and Glengoyne, and bourbon from Woodford Reserve, Knob Creek, and Maker’s Mark. While the whisky list is not a top-tier standout among luxury all-inclusives, Jade Mountain is simply one of the most spectacular such properties, and one of the finest escapes in the Caribbean, all-inclusive or not. A stunning fantasy designed by its architect-owner and perched on a high tropical peak, the suites, called sanctuaries, have an open, non-existent “fourth wall” framing stunning views over its curved, tiled, private infinity pool (carefully angled so there is no place anyone can look in at you from). You also get an on-call butler. It’s a tremendous honeymoon, anniversary, or celebratory choice, and Jade Mountain guests seeking more activities can take a shuttle to the larger but less fancy 600-acre sister beach resort below, Anse Chastanet, where they get full run of the food, beverage, and amenities, which include a PADI 5-Star scuba dive center, watersports, and tropical mountain biking trail system. From $2,035/night for two (adults only).

BRUSH CREEK RANCH

Saratoga, Wyoming

This 30,000-acre property is another full-service family-friendly luxury dude ranch with horses and a vast slate of summer and winter activities, plus unique lodging options including rooms, cabins, glamping tents, and an adults-only boutique resort. It has a basic list of no-fee spirits, about a dozen standard premium options (Maker’s Mark, Woodford Reserve, Chivas Regal, Jameson), but adds something no other all-inclusive offers: its own distillery, so they also pour their own Brush Creek bourbon and rye. The distillery is part of The Farm, a culinary compound that also includes a bakery, cheesemaking dairy, organic greenhouses, a 30,000-bottle wine cellar, and several restaurants, including Cheyenne Club, specializing in incorporating house-made spirits into food, such as roasted wild game with bourbon demi-glace. The Farm offers distillery tours, cooking, baking, and cheesemaking classes, and is home to the Spirits Vault, a top-shelf lounge (not included in the all-inclusive rate) that has about 100 rare and hard to find whiskies beyond the included basics listed above, with Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 23 year old ($400/ oz.) and many single barrel bottlings from Weller, Willet, Blanton’s, Buffalo Trace, Elijah Craig, and more. There are also notable imports like 21 year old Hibiki ($170), Dalmore Constellation 1969 ($1,510), and Glenfiddich 50 year old Old Rare Collection ($1,820). From $1,770/night for two at the Main Lodge.

TRIPLE CREEK RANCH

Darby, Montana

This dude ranch has a massive slate of outdoor activities—including downhill skiing in winter—along with a full complement of horseback options, yoga, cooking classes, clay shooting, and offbeat choices such as panning for sapphires, geocaching, and frontier skills including axe throwing and fire building. Its high-level culinary emphasis includes on-site chef’s gardens and orchards, and the food is amazing. Wash it down with 30-plus whiskies, with a focus on Montana (Montana Whiskey Company straight whiskey, Montgomery single malt, Willie’s Devil’s Brigade, Glacier Distilling North Fork rye) and other Americans (Michter’s US*1 Small Batch, Woodford Double Oaked), plus scotch and Irish (Glenlivet 12, Laphroaig 10, Green Spot 10, Redbreast 12). From $1,770/night for two (adults only).

GRAND VELAS RESORTS

Mexico

Grand Velas was the first major independent luxury all-inclusive brand, with four large beachfront resorts in Mexico, from the east coast Riviera Maya to the west coast Los Cabos. Every property has multiple restaurants, including fine-dining options and inclusive 24/7 room service. The resorts are all suites with hot tubs, plunge pools, or infinity pools on private terraces. All four locations are luxurious, but the Los Cabos resort is the fanciest (and priciest) and has a list of about 15 premium whiskies, mostly scotch, including Glenfiddich 12, Buchanan’s 12, Old Parr 12, and Glenmorangie 10. From $770/night per person.

IMPRESSION ISLA MUJERES BY SECRETS

Cancun, Mexico

For its highest-end foray into all-inclusive, Hyatt created a fancier tier of its Secrets brand, Impression by Secrets, with two locations opened so far. Impression features dedicated butler service, 24-hour room service, unlimited dining at seven restaurants, and a bottle of sparkling wine daily. The best whisky selection is at the all-suites Impression Isla Mujeres, on an island off the coast of the Riviera Maya south of Cancun that also includes transfers from the mainland on its private catamaran. The included list is on the shorter side compared to resorts charging twice as much, but still solid for an all-inclusive, with about 20 whiskies like Suntory Hibiki Harmony, Buchanan’s 18, Glenlivet Founders Reserve, and Glenmorangie 10 among other single malts, plus several Irish, Canadian, and American offerings such as Gentleman Jack and Woodford Reserve. From $700/ night per person (adults only).

DUNTON HOT SPRINGS

Rico, Colorado

Dunton, founded in 1885, was once a booming mining town in the San Juan Mountains. Its silver days were short-lived; by 1918 it was abandoned and languished as a ghost town for almost eight decades until the current owners restored it. The resort is a Wild West village with accommodations and venues in cabins and buildings like the stagecoach depot, sheriff’s office, dance hall, and saloon. It has mineral-rich hot springs and tons of outdoor activities in both summer and winter. Outlaw Butch Cassidy hid out here and carved his initials into the bar, and you can take that in while enjoying an inclusive list heavy on Colorado whiskeys (10 labels from Laws, Distillery 291, Breckenridge, Leopold Brothers, and Storm King) along with a dozen other American labels (Michter’s rye and bourbon, Booker’s, High West, and more), a couple of Japanese including Hibiki, and several scotch options, like Talisker Storm and Laphroaig 10 year old. From $1,165/night for two.