Have you ever stayed at a property that was so comprehensive you barely felt tempted to leave? Whether the food is so delicious, the entertainment is so riveting or the grounds are filled with so many captivating nooks and crannies to explore, many hotels and resorts dream of being a place where guests can find and do it all, but some truly are. Impressive in size and unique in their programming and onsite offerings, we’ve rounded up six properties in popular vacation spots that are destinations in and of themselves.
Club Med Québec Charlevoix, Canada
The Vibe: A ski trip you’ll never forget
Resort Size: 300+ acres, 300+ guest rooms
Ideal For: Snow bunnies of all ages
With ski-in/ski-out access, gourmet dining and drinks, nightly entertainment, complimentary group ski and snowboard lessons and so much more, winter enthusiasts adore staying at Club Med Québec Charlevoix, the first family-friendly, all-inclusive mountain resort in North America. No cabin fever here, as all-inclusive perks paired with the property’s incredible location in the heart of Canada’s Charlevoix region make Club Med Québec Charlevoix a cold-weather hideaway visitors are happy to find themselves cooped up in. In addition to skiing, guests can try their hand at a variety of outdoor activities like snowshoeing and Nordic walking, while indoor fun like yoga, fitness classes and treatments at the property’s Nordic-inspired spa — sauna and hot tubs included — make for time well spent. Après-ski cocktails and wine await at Club Med Québec Charlevoix’s four onsite bars, while culinary concepts helmed by passionate chefs delight and refuel travelers as they prepare for or unwind after a day of adventure.
Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas
The Vibe: An (island) classic for a reason
Resort Size: 400 acres, 3,000+ guest rooms
Ideal For: Fans of water parks and creature features
An island-wide complex totaling five distinct hotels — The Cove, The Royal, The Coral, The Reef and Harborside Resort — Atlantis Paradise Island is a prized hospitality gem in the Bahamas and a cherished vacation destination among travelers. The striking pink facade of The Royal is instantly recognizable, while The Leap of Faith — one of the most famous rides at the property’s water park — has been wowing visitors with its daring, near-vertical drop and clear acrylic tunnel that submerges riders beneath a lagoon filled with colorful sea creatures since the resort opened in 1998. With so many activities on offer, guests of Atlantis Paradise Island could easily center their entire itinerary around the island’s wide range of onsite entertainment. Do they want to swim, kayak or paddleboard with dolphins? Look no further. What about snorkeling or spending time with stingrays and baby sea turtles? They can do it here. Perhaps they’re craving a round of golf or pickleball? You guessed it, Atlantis Paradise Island has it. Of course, classic beach days are also an option, and travelers can spend their time strolling along the shore, snoozing in a cabana or hanging poolside with family and friends.
Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa, U.S.
The Vibe: Wellness meets Appalachian fairytale
Resort Size: 150 acres, 513 guest rooms
Ideal For: Self-care enthusiasts
Located in the foothills of North Carolina’s Pisgah National Forest, Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa radiates a fantastical feeling with its jagged granite exterior and curved, red clay tile roof. Quaint, charming and full of whimsy, this family-friendly resort looks like something out of an Appalachian fairytale, and travelers find what awaits inside is nothing short of magical. The accommodations are simplistic and sweet with guest rooms that feature inspirational mountain views, modern, yet rustic decor and tasteful wood finishes. Striking the perfect balance of active and restorative, Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa engages visitors through a variety of programming like hiking, zip lining, mountain biking, canopy tours and more at Nantahala Outdoor Center; golfing at the property’s famed 18-hole course designed by architect Donald Ross; decadent dining; and more. There’s a lot to love, but where the property really shines is its incredible spa, a 43,000-square-foot subterranean space designed in a cavernous style and boasting unforgettable features like a mineral-based relaxation pool, a stunning lap pool lit by 6,500 fiber-optic stars accompanied by underwater music and two therapeutic waterfall pools.
Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, U.S.
The Vibe: The full ‘Aloha’ experience
Resort Size: 22 acres, 2,800+ guest rooms
Ideal For: Sun bums and culture aficionados
Situated atop 22 lush, tropical acres, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort promises guests the full Aloha experience with daily cultural activities, a signature Luau event, direct access to Duke Kahanamoku Beach and Lagoon, five pools, the largest spa in Waikiki, 18 bars and eateries and more. Guest rooms inside the property’s five impressive towers make for the ultimate home away from home with dreamy views — some of which overlook Diamond Head and the Waikiki coastline — trendy, island-themed decor and comfortable furnishings. With over 900,000 square feet to explore, Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort’s abundant entertainment is what sets it apart from other hotels. Vacationers find there’s always something exciting happening, whether that means trying their hand at crafting their own lei, learning all about Hawaiian hula, listening to live music, starting their days with exercise classes hosted on the Village Green, hanging 10 with a surf lesson or simply relaxing beneath the tropical sun on the widest stretch of sand the area has to offer.
Gaylord National Resort, US
The Vibe: An oasis on the outskirts
Resort Size: 40+ acres, 1,996 guest rooms
Ideal For: Urban explorers and suburbanites
Perched on the banks of the Potomac River, Gaylord National Resort is a sizable sanctuary just outside the hustle and bustle of Washington D.C. The 1,996-room resort is located 30 minutes from downtown, and getting to the city is a breeze thanks to the property’s convenient guest shuttle access and daily water taxi service offered at neighboring National Harbor. However, when guests stop to consider Gaylord National Resort’s many amenities — including onsite shopping, delicious dining, wellness at an award-winning spa, a children’s arcade, nightly entertainment and more — they might find they’re content to stay right where they are, swapping downtown days in favor of exploring the East Coast’s largest non-gaming hotel and convention center. The Gaylord brand is known for creating spaces that double as a destination, and with its show-stopping 19-story indoor garden atrium, regularly scheduled family-friendly fun and perfectly comfortable 72-degree climate, travelers may agree Gaylord National Resort is a perpetual oasis.
Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The Vibe: Travelers’ all-inclusive paradise
Resort Size: 45,000 square feet, 1,770+ guest rooms
Ideal For: Families and jackpot jetsetters
For the Hard Rock brand, rock and roll is a way of life. When guests choose to stay at Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana, the hospitality company’s massive 45,000-square-foot all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic, they’ll get a taste of the A-lister lifestyle as they spend their days sipping mixed drinks from the comfort of one of the property’s 13 gargantuan pools, chasing spontaneity with daily activities, being awed by world-class entertainment and more. Suited for rock stars of all ages, Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana keeps youngsters busy from sunup to sundown with a thrilling waterpark, bowling alley, laser tag arena, mini-golf course, arcade and organized Kids’ club. Meanwhile, adults can test their luck at the property’s casino, a world-class gaming destination touting 400+ slots, live table games, a dedicated poker room and an exclusive VIP lounge. Fueling the high-stakes action are casino restaurants and bars, and the resort has a total of 14 culinary offerings and 24-hour room service for all guests to enjoy.
Originally appeared in the Summer 2026 issue of The Compass magazine
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