Top 7 all-inclusive resorts in the southern United States, from health retreats with world-class spas to secluded mountain retreats and private island getaways

When it comes to hospitality, the southern United States has shown amazing trends to excel. The concept, which includes comfort, provision and a sense of home, extends to the best resorts in the southern United States, especially those that are all-inclusive.

Jen Mitchell Travel founder and luxury travel consultant Jen Mitchell explains that all-inclusive packages provide resort guests with a sense of simplicity, as travelers prefer places where "there is no sense of being catered to for the little things."

So discover the best all-inclusive resorts in the southern U.S. if you're planning a relaxing vacation.

The Swag

T+L readers ranked this all-inclusive mountain hotel in Waynesville, N.C., at No. 1 on their list of the best resorts in the southern U.S. for 2023, noting its combination of authentic Southern hospitality and epic natural beauty all around.

The hotel sits on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, adding breathtaking scenery and a stunning palette of fall foliage to its list of undeniable strengths. The Swag is close enough to cities like Charlotte, Atlanta and Asheville to make your journey here easy, yet far enough away from them to experience a different, romantic and relaxing world. It has 18 rooms, suites, and cabins, and the rates cover meals and non-alcoholic beverages throughout your vacation. The resort also provides its guests with an excellent program of free activities and entertainment: yoga classes, guided hikes, fishing, campfire dinner, badminton, etc. The rooms are rustically decorated with lots of woodwork and an air of unpretentious luxury, some with fireplaces and private balconies or patios.

Southern hospitality is sure to include great food, and The Swag proves it, offering its guests a seasonal menu based on produce from local farms. On Thursday evenings, the resort's restaurant hosts a special event when guests can honor their Southern roots and join in an evening of "Taste of the High Country" with a homemade buffet, including classic Appalachian dishes, and live bluegrass music. Resort amenities also include a spa, fitness room and library.

Rates: from $925 for two per night; two-night minimum booking.

Miraval Austin

Many retreats, including those in the southern U.S., that focus on wellness often employ an all-inclusive system, allowing guests to take their time and focus on their health and recovery, which in turn enhances the results of a vacation at these resorts.

Miraval Austin, located in Austin, Texas, has taken the creative character of this vibrant city for its unique integrated approach to wellness. The package includes luxury accommodations, all meals and non-alcoholic beverages, a daily schedule of wellness offerings, a $175 resort credit for spa services, private sessions and fee-based activities, a welcome gift, full access to all resort amenities, Austin-Bergstrom Airport transfers and a tip.

Miraval Austin welcomes guests over the age of 18, so it's a good choice if you're considering all-inclusive resorts in the southern U.S. for a relaxing vacation and romantic getaway. The approach to wellness includes exciting and experiential activities: the opportunity to become a farmer or beekeeper for a time, horseback riding, rock climbing, hiking and water adventures, meditation, cooking activities, etc. Guest can fully customize their stay experience based on their own interests. And to have fun, the resort offers a menu of seasonal festivals, seminars and events with guest experts. Lodging rates: from $950 per person per night.

The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island

One of the best all-inclusive resorts in the southern United States, The Lodge offers travelers the opportunity to leave all their problems and worries on the mainland and head to a remote, secluded paradise off the coast of Georgia.

Only accessible by boat, Little St. Simons Island is a private barrier island with 11,000 acres of scenic wilderness, including 7 miles of beautiful beaches. The Lodge also ranked in the top of the World's Best Awards 2023 among the best resorts in the southern U.S., thanks inpart to its all-inclusive package. It is the only resort on the island and can only accommodate 32 guests at a time, so privacy seekers will be well catered for. The price includes three meals a day, soft drinks, boat transfers to and from the island, guided tours, equipment and entertainment (bicycles, fishing gear, kayaks, binoculars, etc.). The package does not change, regardless of how guests plan their accommodation: they can rent a room in a historic eco-lodge, a cottage or even the entire island.

Planning your vacation here should be done well in advance: the hotel administration recommends making reservations 6 months in advance. The stay experience includes plenty of outdoor activities, from bird watching to jeep adventures, as well as outings to the neighboring islands of Jekyll, Sea Island, and St. Simons. During breaks, guests can refresh in the saltwater pool, enjoy meals with fresh ingredients from the resort garden and relax in the 1917 hunting lodge.

Cost of lodging: from $700 for two per night.

Blackberry Farm

This famous farm is one of the most luxurious all-inclusive resorts not only in the South, but in the entire United States. The resort is located in Walland, Tennessee and has become famous for its remote location and ability to provide a stunning Great Smoky Mountains vacation.

Its 4,200 acres have been a tranquil mountain haven for friends and families for more than 80 years, eventually evolving into a luxury resort with delightful scenery, exciting pastimes and decadent cuisine. It beautifully combines wellness and culinary experiences, southern hospitality and outdoor adventure. The hotel has 68 rooms, suites, cottages and multi-bedroom homes, beautifully decorated and furnished with art and antiques. Meals at the on-site restaurants are included, not including room service or meals during off hours.

There are acres of national park and woodlands surrounding the farm, so no matter the season, there's plenty of adventure for every taste: hiking, horseback riding, fishing, paddle sports, etc. Active pursuits can be diversified with wine and spirits tasting, swimming in the pool, playing tennis, yoga, relaxing and revitalizing spa treatments and tours of the pastures and gardens. Using produce grown in these gardens and on the farm, the famous Blackberry Farm cuisine has been developed, which guests can enjoy at the resort's three restaurants.

Rates: from $1,045 per night for two; minimum booking is 3 nights.

Blackberry Mountain

Blackberry Mountain opened in 2019 and has quickly become one of the most coveted all-inclusive resorts in the southeastern United States. It features a variety of accommodations, with 23 cottages, six cabins and multi-bedroom homes, and 14 tree houses.

All-inclusive rates, though similar to the policies of sister resort Blackberry Farm, still have some significant differences. The lodging package includes breakfasts, dinners, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks, and morning wellness classes. However, resort guests are required to pay extra for lunches.

Blackberry Mountain is located in Walland, Tennessee, occupying 5,200 acres of private land in the magnificent Great Smoky Mountains. It is a great vacation destination for those who love a secluded getaway surrounded by nature. Resort guests are invited to take guided walks on a trail system from the rocky ridge tops to the cool creek bases at the bottom of the mountain, explore more than 8 miles of private bike trails, try their hand at pottery, ceramics and painting, go fly fishing, rock climbing, paddle boarding and horseback riding, or hike on trails made of vines, wood and ropes at bird's eye height. Guests with families will discover an exciting variety of family activities (from yoga to indoor rock climbing), and kids ages 4 and up will have fun at Kids Camp. An important part of the experience at the resort is wellness, including a wide variety of practices: fitness, skin care, arts and crafts, sound therapy, and more.

Rates: from $1,600 per night for double occupancy; minimum booking is 3 nights.

Lake Austin Spa Resort

Austin, Texas, is known for its vibrant tech scene and live music, but this southern U.S. city is also rich in chic all-inclusive resorts like Lake Austin Spa Resort.

This lakeside spa hotel welcomes only adult guests, providing a relaxing atmosphere and a calm and measured experience. Its hotel has 40 rooms and suites, and nightly rates include three meals a day, room service, snacks and cocktails, access to the spa (including steam rooms, pools, hot tubs, saunas, and gardens), and an impressive assortment of wellness activities: hiking, yoga, meditation, and boat rides. In addition, guests can use surfboards, jet skis and kayaks for free. Such a generous all-inclusive package makes Lake Austin Spa Resort rightfully rank among the top resorts in the southern United States.

The resort is in a secluded location where it's easy to disconnect from the hustle and bustle and worries of the outside world, yet close enough to the city if at some point you want to check out Austin's major attractions. The atmosphere at the resort will only make you think of your aunt's lake house if you add world-class chef's cuisine, an award-winning spa, and a great team of wellness experts and staff to your experience. There are plenty of aquatic adventures and activities to look forward to, such as floating wellness yoga, water fitness and lake excursions, healthy and varied meals, and relaxation at the spa, which includes services from massage and facials to energy treatments and therapeutic rituals.

Lodging rates: from $850 per night per guest.

Snowbird Mountain Lodge

Snowbird Mountain Lodge Hotel first opened its doors to visitors back in 1941. Since then, it has never lost its appeal to travelers, despite huge competition and the development of resorts in the southern United States that attract guests with lucrative all-inclusive rates.

Today, it holds a well-deserved place on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as in the hearts of many fans of home-style hospitality, coupled with stunning panoramic mountain views and excellent all-inclusive packages. The all-inclusive package covers three meals a day and access to gear and equipment for your adventures at the resort - kayaks, canoes, surfboards, mountain bikes, fly fishing rods and yoga mats. Start the day with a hot breakfast to energize you, pick up your packed lunch, and head out to experience hiking, fishing, boating, and more. Upon your return, you'll enjoy a 4-course dinner in the restaurant's dining room, drinks in the bar by the fireplace with an authentic rustic atmosphere, and relax in your cozy room.

Guests can book one of three accommodation options at the hotel: rooms in the main house with elegant finishes and historic architecture, or a cottage on the edge of the forest with mountain views, or luxurious spacious suites in the lodge with private terraces and hot tubs. Nightly rates here are more affordable than many other well-known all-inclusive resorts in the southern United States.

Room rates: from $295 for a double room per night.