2022 IS THE YEAR OF ALL-INCLUSIVE TRAVEL, AND HERE'S WHY

The hotel name Zoetry (in Zoetry Montego Bay Jamaica) has an umlaut mark over the letter "e."

For some travelers, all-inclusive hotels conjure up images of flavorless food served under a heat lamp in lush and vibrant destinations where guests never actually leave the resort grounds.

Lower-tier liquor flows freely (the good stuff will cost you more), as the few overindulgers put a damper on the trip.

That image is changing, as hotel companies expand their offerings, while redefining what all-inclusive means.

HOTELS ARE GROWING THEIR ALL-INCLUSIVE BRANDS

Many hotel companies are rapidly adding all-inclusive resorts to their portfolio. Hyatt's acquisition of Apple Leisure Group in November 2021 made it one of the largest owners of luxury all-inclusive resorts in the world.

That acquisition included the luxury-focused AMR Collection, which has beachfront properties in Mexico and Central America. That means there are now more than 100 new resorts for visitors (and where World of Hyatt members can use their points), up from about a dozen.

Just weeks before Hyatt's news, Marriott had also expanded its all-inclusive footprint by adding 20 properties under a new brand dubbed "All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy!"

LEANING TOWARD LUXURY BOTH ON AND OFF-PROPERTY

With these new all-inclusive offerings, hotels are emphasizing luxury. At Hyatt's Zoetry Montego Bay Jamaica, all accommodations include an in-house concierge. Some have private swim-out pools.

"The Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resorts brand is all about exceptional amenities," says AMResorts senior vice president Miguel Oliveira. "There are no check-in or check-out times, unlimited top-shelf spirits and 24-hour concierge."