Why Doesn't the US Allow All-Inclusive Hotels?

If you’ve ever looked up American beach vacations and wondered, “Why can’t I just book an all-inclusive here like I can in Mexico or the Caribbean?” you’re not alone. US hotels just aren’t built around that buffet-everything, unlimited-cocktails, set-it-and-forget-it approach. Instead, you almost always pay separately for meals, drinks, and activities.

This isn’t about Americans missing out on fun—it’s got a lot more to do with old rules, regional quirks, and the way folks in the US like to travel. All-inclusive resorts exploded in places like Cancun because guests traveling internationally want convenience and predictability. But in most US destinations, travelers expect options and don’t mind a little flexibility, even if it comes with a price tag at every turn.

If the idea of a true all-inclusive stateside seems impossible, it’s not your imagination. There are some surprising reasons behind it, plus workarounds to mimic the all-in vibe—if you know where to look. So, why does the US mostly skip the all-inclusive thing? Let’s break it down, myth-buster style.

• The American Hotel Way: Pay-As-You-Go
• Historic Roots and How It All Started
• Legal Hurdles: Alcohol and Zoning Laws
• Market Preferences: Why Americans Travel Differently
• Hidden All-Inclusive Options in the US
• Tips to Create Your Own All-Inclusive Experience

The American Hotel Way: Pay-As-You-Go

American hotels run on a different playbook than those big resort chains in Mexico or the Caribbean. In the US, the standard is “pay as you go.” Basically, your rate covers your room and maybe Wi-Fi. Everything else—food, drinks, activities—is extra, and you decide what to spend money on once you’re there.

The big reason? Americans want choice. Compare a stay at a Hilton in Florida to a Riviera Maya resort, and you’ll see this right away. US hotel guests tend to want flexibility: pick this restaurant tonight, grab breakfast at a local spot tomorrow, maybe eat out instead of being tied to the hotel buffet. Hotels answer that by keeping things a la carte. This model, by the way, helps hotels boost revenue because guests are far more likely to splurge spontaneously when they can see the price tag.

The numbers don’t lie. According to a 2023 survey by J.D. Power, just 7% of US hotel bookings are for packages that include more than the room, compared to over 60% in Mexico’s resort zones. Check out this quick cheat sheet:

It’s not just about meals and drinks. Even extras like parking, pool access, or gym use can show up as a surprise on your bill. Travelers from outside the US sometimes find this shocking, since so many other places bundle everything (sometimes even airport transfers). In America, the expectation is you only pay for what you actually use—and if you want more, you buy it on the spot.

This model has shaped the whole all-inclusive discussion in the States. Hotels are used to upselling. Travelers are used to checking add-on boxes online or on arrival. So before you book any American getaway, double-check what’s actually included. Chances are, the room is just the start—and your wallet will be busy from check-in to check-out.

Historic Roots and How It All Started

Let’s rewind a bit. The all-inclusive model really took off in the 1950s—but not in the US. It was actually Club Med, started in France, that came up with the first all-in concept. They offered one price and you got everything: food, drinks, activities, the whole deal. This idea hit big in sun-drenched destinations where travelers wanted escape without fuss.

When Club Med set up shop in places like the Caribbean and Mexico in the '70s and '80s, the all-inclusive trend exploded. Resorts saw how much vacationers loved not worrying about the bill for every soda or snack. These regions were quick to cater to foreign guests with deals that made budgeting super simple.

Meanwhile, back in the US, hotels grew up differently. The model here has almost always been pay-as-you-go. American road trips, motels, and city hotels were built around driving, sightseeing, and eating out. Resorts on US coasts—think Florida or California—focused more on location and amenities, not unlimited buffets. Each spot wanted to show off unique local food, so the idea of “everyone eats the same thing, every day” never really stuck.

Also, unions and worker regulations in the US made it tough to run all-inclusive resorts at the same price point as places like Mexico or the Caribbean. US labor and food costs are just higher—so trying to operate a true all-in deal would eat into profits.

It’s interesting: while international travelers now expect a all-inclusive experience in hotspot destinations, Americans have mostly stuck with a-la-carte options. That history shapes the hotel scene today, making all-inclusives in the US super rare.

Legal Hurdles: Alcohol and Zoning Laws

This is where things get messy for US all-inclusives. First, you’ve got alcohol laws that literally change from town to town. In the US, every state (and sometimes even individual counties) gets to write its own rules about liquor. Some counties are ‘dry’ and don’t allow alcohol at all. Others have weird blue laws—like no alcohol sales on Sundays or only after noon.

Why does this matter for hotels? If you’re going to include unlimited drinks in your nightly rate, you need a liquor license that covers unlimited service. These can be expensive, hard to get, or impossible in certain places. Plus, some states, like Utah, have famously strict rules: bartenders had to mix drinks out of sight until a few years ago, and there are daily limits on serving stronger cocktails. For resorts trying to copy the Cancun or Jamaica all-inclusive scene, that’s a legal headache.

Now, let’s talk zoning. Zoning decides what you can build and how you can run it. Most US resort areas, especially those close to towns and cities, have restrictions to protect local restaurants and bars from competition. If hotels offered all-you-can-eat-and-drink deals, it could put mom-and-pop joints out of business. Tourism boards in places like Florida and California aren’t always thrilled about that, so you don’t see big hotel chains going all-in on inclusive packages.

Here’s an eye-opener—liquor licenses can cost anywhere from a few thousand bucks in smaller towns to upwards of $300,000 in parts of New York or Miami. Plus, licenses in the US usually limit serving hours and set rules about where alcohol can be carried on hotel property (unlike resorts in Mexico or the Dominican Republic where the champagne sometimes flows 24/7).

If you see a "sorta" all-inclusive in the US, chances are the alcohol package is the first thing they limit. So you might get free breakfast and non-alcoholic drinks, but you’ll be pulling out your credit card for cocktails. For many US hotels, it’s just too much red tape—and money—to offer true all-in deals like their Caribbean neighbors. And that’s a big reason you won’t find the all-inclusive buzz here like you do down south.

Market Preferences: Why Americans Travel Differently

American travelers have a totally different vibe than folks heading to Caribbean or European all-inclusives. Most people in the US aren’t hunting for the kind of resort where you never leave the property. Instead, they often want choices and the freedom to customize everything—where they eat, what they do, even what time they start their day. This is a big reason why true all-inclusive hotels have never taken off in a big way here.

According to a 2023 report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association, about two-thirds of US travelers say they prefer to try local restaurants and explore nearby attractions rather than stick to one hotel. They want flexibility, not set schedules. Plus, with food scenes booming in cities like Austin, Portland, and Miami, lots of people figure: why eat hotel food when there’s something better a mile away?

If you look at the numbers, it really shows up:

Air travel patterns matter too. Americans often drive to resorts or take short-haul flights—unlike international travelers, who might want the all-inclusive safety net when bouncing into a totally new country. For someone flying from Chicago to Florida, grabbing lunch off-site or booking an outside bike tour just feels normal.

Another factor: Tipping culture. In the US, tips make up a chunk of hospitality workers’ pay, so restaurants and hotels stick to a pay-as-you-go model rather than bundle everything in. The result? Less all-inclusive, more a-la-carte choices.

So if you’re looking for an all-in experience, you’ll notice fast: the standard US traveler just isn’t wired for never leaving the pool bar. They want options, adventure, and a plate of local tacos instead of another buffet lunch. That’s what shapes the whole US hotel scene, for better or worse.

Hidden All-Inclusive Options in the US

All-inclusive might not be everywhere in the US, but it’s not totally missing either. If you look past the big hotel chains, you’ll find resorts that cover almost everything—meals, activities, and even drinks—in your original bill. Problem is, they’re usually not hanging out in the usual tourist traps like Miami Beach or Las Vegas. Think more along the lines of remote nature spots or luxury retreats with a twist.

One major example is dude ranches in states like Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming. Book a stay and your horseback rides, kayaking, fishing trips, and all your food are covered. Some places, like Vista Verde Ranch in Colorado, even include airport transfers and wine with dinner. You don’t need a cowboy hat to join in—it’s about the experience, not just the branding.

Some American resorts do the all-inclusive thing for families or couples seeking escape from the usual vacation hassles. Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Florida is a rare find, giving you buffet meals, sports, kids clubs, and nightly shows, all bundled in. Another standout is Mohonk Mountain House in upstate New York, where you’ve got three meals a day, afternoon tea, and endless activities around the lake. Plus, most wellness retreats, like Miraval Arizona, cover gourmet meals, fitness classes, and some spa credits as part of the deal.

The exceptions usually focus on smaller scale and personal experiences—think 100 rooms or less. That’s a huge change from the mega-all-inclusives in Mexico with their 500+ rooms.

• Look for keywords like “full board,” “all meals included,” or “comprehensive package” when browsing US resorts.
• Read the fine print, especially when it comes to alcohol. US laws often mean booze is only included at certain times or for certain packages.
• American all-inclusives almost always bundle activities—like hiking, yoga, or lessons—so check what’s on the schedule before you book.

Here’s a quick look at what you’ll find at a few notable US all-inclusive properties:

If you’re after a true all-inclusive vibe, you just need to know where to dig. These gems don’t always show up on big travel sites, so a little hunting pays off. Read reviews, double-check what’s covered, and always check for resort fees—they sneak up on you fast.

Tips to Create Your Own All-Inclusive Experience

Missing that all-in vibe in the US? You can totally hack your way to something close if you know what to look for and how to plan. The trick is bundling the right stuff and sidestepping common upcharges.

First, pick a hotel or resort that throws in as much as possible. Some higher-end chains, like Club Med in Florida, are rare exceptions and do actually offer an all-inclusive experience. But even at regular spots, you can get close:

• Look for Packages: Many resorts offer meal plans, dining credits, or even entertainment bundles when you book directly. For example, Omni Hotels & Resorts often have packages that include breakfast and dinner credits. Don’t forget those "Stay More, Save More" deals—they usually come with extras like spa or activity vouchers.
• Hit Resorts With Loads of Freebies: Great Wolf Lodge gives you unlimited use of the indoor water park, while Mohonk Mountain House in New York rolls in three daily meals, afternoon tea, activities, and even lake equipment. It’s not everything, but it’s a lot.
• B.Y.O. Snacks and Drinks: Hotels can get pricey with mini-bar charges. Stock up at a grocery store, chill your drinks in your room’s mini-fridge, and save big. Many vacation rentals let you bring food and drinks, too.
• Book Entertainment-Heavy Stays: Think about destinations with lots of included activities like hiking, paddleboarding, or nightly shows. Sometimes you’ll pay a resort fee, but you’ll get way more back: pools, gym access, even bike rentals.

Here’s a quick look at what you might find bundled at top family-friendly resorts in the US:

Also, don’t underestimate what you can customize. Here’s a three-step hack for a DIY all-inclusive vibe:

1. Pick a resort with the most freebies included (meals, activities, shuttle).
2. Add on a dining or drink package when booking, or purchase credits in advance to avoid sticker shock.
3. Plan activities ahead—book tours, rental gear, or shows before you arrive so you’re not pulling out your wallet every time.

Travel expert Rachel Rudwall says it best:

“The closest you’ll get to a real all-inclusive in the US is smart planning—bundle what you can and roll with the freebies. You can make it feel all-in without the all-in price tag.”

So, while the true all-inclusive model is rare here, you don’t have to give up that chill, worry-free feeling. With strategy, you can come surprisingly close to the real thing, just minus the resort wristband.