The all-inclusive resort reinvented

HOLIDAYS Despite conjuring images of Butlins camp misery, the all-in holiday has had a new luxe reinvention, says Juliana Piskorsz

- Juliana Piskorsz

WHEN the 'all-inclusive' affix is attached to a hotel, it's customary to be visited by an instant shudder-inducing vision of screaming kids clubs, verruca socks and piles upon piles of cardboard-like hash browns.

Thanks to their sprawling size and historic affordability, all-inclusives have been favoured by young families and package-tour aficionados prioritising ease of quality - but no longer. A new breed of resorts have sprung up in recent years, aiming to resurrect the package holiday from the realm of naffness and into a new era of luxury.

Want to explore the world without lifting a finger or credit card? We've assembled some of the best all-inclusives. All-you-can-eat caviar, anyone?

Miavana Hotel Madagascar

Accessible only by helicopter from Diego Suarez airport, the newest hotel from the Time + Tide group is on Miavana, the largest of five islands in an archipelago off the north-eastern coast of Madagascar.

This is the ultimate in luxury all-inclusive escapes, with 2,500 acres of wilderness and 14 private villas overlooking the Indian Ocean. The package gets you much more than just a few free Mai Tais - all guests have a butler and access to activities including guided lemur walks, boat cruises, spa treatments and daily yoga. Perhaps the best part is the unlimited meals, with trained chefs whipping up delicacies like mangrove crab, Madagascan Rova caviar and Zebu-milk buffalo mozzarella. Yum.

Prices start from £8,232 per person, mavrossafaris.com

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