The five common types
These five types cover most resorts you will see advertised. Each has its own page with the questions that matter most for it.
Beach resorts
Sand, sea and sun, with weather, water conditions and the walk to the shore to check before you book.
Ski resorts
Lifts, lessons, rentals and altitude, plus the real distance between your bed and the first chair.
All-inclusive resorts
One upfront price for room, food and drink, and the extras that can still appear on the bill.
Family resorts
Kids clubs, pools, room layouts and safety questions that make a trip with children easier.
Adults-only resorts
Quieter stays with a minimum guest age, and the questions that tell you how quiet "quiet" is.
How the types overlap
The labels describe different things. "Beach" and "ski" describe the setting. "All-inclusive" describes how you pay. "Family" and "adults-only" describe who the resort is aimed at. So one resort can carry several labels at once, such as an adults-only, all-inclusive beach resort.
When a resort carries two or three labels, read each type page and combine the questions. An all-inclusive family resort raises questions about the kids club and about what the package covers. A ski resort that is also all-inclusive needs a clear answer on whether lift passes and rentals are part of the price.
Matching a type to your trip
Before you look at any resort, write down three things:
- What a good day looks like. Hours on a lounger, a full day on the slopes, a schedule of activities, or a mix.
- Who is coming. Ages, mobility, diets, and whether anyone needs quiet, space or supervision.
- How you like to pay. One price up front, or paying as you go and eating off site some nights.
Those answers usually point to one or two types. A family with young children who want to stay on site will lean toward a family resort, often all-inclusive. A couple who wants to explore a town each evening may find all-inclusive poor value and prefer a room-only beach resort near a walkable center.
Other labels you will see
Some terms describe a style more than a type. They are useful, but they have no fixed meaning, so ask what each one includes.
- Boutique
- Usually a smaller property with fewer rooms. Smaller can mean quieter and more personal service, but also fewer restaurants and facilities.
- Spa resort
- A resort built around treatments and wellness facilities. Ask which parts of the spa are free to guests and which are booked and paid for.
- Eco or nature resort
- A label with no single standard. Ask what the resort actually does, such as how it handles water, waste and energy, and whether any outside body has checked those claims.
- Golf resort
- A resort with one or more courses on site. Green fees, cart fees and tee time rules vary, so check whether any golf is included.
Season changes everything
The same resort can feel like two different places across the year. A beach resort may be calm and cheaper in a rainy month, or busy and loud during school holidays. A ski resort in early season may not have all its runs open. Find out what your travel dates mean for weather, crowds and which facilities are open, and see what to compare for a full worksheet.
Questions about resort types
Is a resort different from a hotel?
Often the line is blurry. A resort usually has more on site to fill your days, such as pools, beaches, slopes, restaurants and activities, so guests spend most of their time there. A hotel is more often a base for going out.
Which type is cheapest?
No type is cheaper by default. The total depends on location, season, room and what you would spend outside the price. Compare the full cost of the trip, with the nightly rate as one part of it.