Hyatt and rivals pour billions into upscale all-inclusive resorts worldwide

Hyatt has expanded its all-inclusive portfolio to over 150 properties after buying Apple Leisure Group and other brands, while competitors like Marriott are also accelerating development.

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts entered the all-inclusive market in 2013 and has since built a portfolio of over 150 resorts, totaling more than 58,000 rooms across Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe. The expansion was fueled by strategic purchases, including Apple Leisure Group in 2021, a partnership with Spain's Piñero for Bahia Principe, and the recent acquisition of Playa Hotels & Resorts. Javier Aguila, head of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, cites a shift in traveler preferences, with six-in-ten U.S. and Canadian guests now more likely to choose all-inclusive options than five years ago.

Recent openings feature upscale brands such as Dreams, Secrets and new Hyatt-branded resorts slated for launch by the end of 2026. Competitor Marriott International currently runs 38 all-inclusive hotels and has 20 more in the pipeline, targeting both traditional beach destinations and emerging markets like Zanzibar. While demand is soaring, industry veterans like Tom Carr of Preferred Vacations caution that the surge may dilute local character and turn the concept into another loyalty-point chase.