• In the span of two months, I visited two all-inclusive resorts after avoiding them for years.
• The stays proved that my perceptions of all-inclusive resorts were wrong.
• They were luxurious trips, but one island resort in Panama stood out.

For years, I avoided all-inclusive resorts.

I assumed the term was synonymous with crowded beaches, buffet lines, and over-chlorinated pools.

But last year, I accidentally booked an all-inclusive stay in Belize. Two months later, I traveled to Panama and, once again, stayed at an all-inclusive property.

Not only did these stays change my view of the vacation style, but they also turned out to be some of the best places I've ever visited. A year later, I'm still daydreaming about the Panama resort.

Last February, I had my eyes set on sleeping in an overwater bungalow. The place I chose also happened to be all-inclusive.

When I think of a dream tropical vacation, an image of an overwater bungalow is bound to cross my mind.

Sleeping above the ocean, swimming in crystal-clear waters, and vacationing next to marine life is the epitome of a tropical vacation.

To curate that vision, I assumed it would involve a flight to Tahiti, where overwater bungalows originated, or a trek to the Maldives.

Then, I learned there were bungalows in Belize. Thatch Caye, a Muy'Ono Resort, sits on a small private island off the coast of Dangriga, Belize.

The property has eight overwater bungalows. When I visited, the rate was around $950 a night for two guests and included meals, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, boat transfers, and aquatic gear like paddleboards and kayaks. Business Insider received a media rate for the stay.

The experience at Thatch Caye was magical.

I stayed in a premier overwater bungalow, which meant that my friend and I enjoyed evenings watching the sunset from our bungalow's hammock and nights falling asleep to the wind whistling through the palm-frond roof.

Plus, staying on a private island — with room for only 30 guests — created a more intimate experience than what I envisioned at massive all-inclusives.

Instead of bumping into strangers at the pool or fighting over loungers at the beach, I got to know other guests visiting the property.

Thatch Caye also had the traditional perks of an all-inclusive. There was endless access to tropical drinks, and, yes, there was a buffet. However, instead of all-day access to food, there were set times when meals were served each day.

I spent two blissful nights at the resort. My friend and I paddleboarded around the island, adventured on a scuba diving excursion (with additional costs), and sipped cocktails hanging above the ocean.

It was an all-inclusive experience that completely demolished all my perceptions of the vacation style.

I loved it so much that I booked another all-inclusive stay two months later.

With the words "all-inclusive" no longer deterring me from a resort, I headed to Isla Palenque two months after visiting Belize to end a weeklong trip to Panama.

The resort, which sits on a little island on Panama's coast in the Gulf of Chiriqui, is home to eight beachfront casitas,

Guests can access seven private beaches, a shared pool, a lounge area, a restaurant, and a bar.

The resort is similarly priced. During my stay, the cost was about $980 a day for two guests. That included boat transfers, meals, non-alcoholic beverages, and daily experiences. Business Insider received a media rate for the stay.

After Thatch Caye, I wasn't sure if my expectations for an all-inclusive were fair.

Thatch Caye was a blast. As someone who has hotel- and resort-hopped all over the world, I thought the experience far exceeded its 3-star rating.

Isla Palenque, on the other hand, is a five-star resort. I was curious if I'd notice much of a difference between the two luxury all-inclusive stays.

The island exceeded the high standards Thatch Caye set.

A few things made this all-inclusive experience even more luxurious.

While Thatch Caye felt intimate, Isla Palenque felt even more private. I sipped morning coffee on beaches by myself and got lost paddleboarding around the shores.

The island also hosted complimentary activities each day. I spent one evening at a yoga class and another snorkeling and picnicking on a private beach.

The food was more elevated, with multi-course lunches and dinners from a rotating menu. There was also an all-day menu, so when hunger crept up one afternoon between lunch and dinner, I ordered a bowl of fresh ceviche to tide me over — an all-inclusive perk I appreciated.

The staff was welcoming, and my accommodations were more upscale, with more space, privacy, and an enormous outdoor bathroom.

It's been one year since I visited Isla Palenque, and I haven't stopped thinking about the island.

Pristine beaches, overgrown jungles, full itineraries, and a welcoming staff earned Isla Palenque a spot as one of my favorite resorts — it being all-inclusive was an added bonus to the stay.

There are plenty of all-inclusives left to explore across Central America, but when I return to Panama, I'll be making a stop back at Isla Palenque.

• I visited Atelier Playa Mujeres on a girls' trip to celebrate turning 40 with my best friends.
• My half of a four-night stay in a junior suite with ocean views came to about $337 a night.
• The stay included tasty food, access to great pools, and other perks. It was an excellent value.

At the end of January, my best friends and I headed to Mexico for a girls' trip to celebrate turning 40.

We all flew from the United States into Cancún and headed about 50 minutes north to Atelier Playa Mujeres, which drew us in with its adults-only, all-inclusive experience and spa.

I split a junior suite ocean-view double room with one other person for four nights and spent $1,349 for my half, or about $337 a night.

Here's what my trip was like.

The lobby set the tone for our trip with floor-to-ceiling windows, rich greenery, and a central bar.

Upon arriving at Atelier Playa Mujeres, I entered a circular driveway, where I was greeted with a cool towel and luggage service.

At reception, I was given my room key — a braided bracelet, which I appreciated as I often lose key cards. I was also handed a glass of bubbly, the first of many adult beverages to come.

The lobby looked incredible and was filled with light (from its floor-to-ceiling windows) and people milling about its large bar.

The resort initially felt massive but was easy to navigate, thanks to great signage.

While heading to my room, I passed El Cafecito, a coffee shop offering drinks, pastries, and ice cream.

I also passed Bar de la Calle, which would become our go-to for pre-dinner cocktails. There were lots of signs around the property which made it tough to get lost.

My room was easy to find.

The resort has nearly 600 suites but never felt overcrowded during our stay. I easily found my room, 2518, down a long hallway of suites.

My junior suite was spacious, with sleek wooden decor.

The two queen beds were super comfortable, and our room also had a small couch and table. I loved the sleek wood decor and simple accents.

Our complimentary minibar included snacks like M&Ms and Kit-Kats, drinks, and two bottles of wine.

The bathroom looked elegant, too.

Our bathroom featured a double sink, a free-standing tub, a walk-in rain shower, and Molton Brown toiletries.

Plus, our suite had stunning views of the ocean and lush greenery surrounding us.

We spent most of our time at the main pool.

We spent most days lounging on Bali beds by the 14,000-square-foot main pool with swim-up bars and restaurants.

The Bali beds, which felt like cozy cabanas, were the perfect spot to hang. Our poolside servers were exceptional and always kept the drinks and food coming.

Just off the pool area, the beach had more lounge chairs and thatched umbrellas. The property also has a relaxation pool with its own restaurant, Limón y Sal, and a more laid-back atmosphere.

Dining options were plentiful, with 13 restaurants on the property.

The property had many restaurants for us to try. We booked dinners through the resort's app, enjoying Japanese at Takeshi, Mediterranean at Cala Di Luna, steak at Los Abrazos, and Italian at Cilento.

Cala Di Luna was a group favorite, but overall, the food quality exceeded my expectations for an all-inclusive resort.

At night, we got drinks and enjoyed some entertainment on the property.

Evening entertainment included shows and access to a nightly club.

Many of the shows felt cruise-ship-esque — one even consisted of a contortionist twisting to music — and the silent disco was a highlight of our trip.

The gym area was impressive, too.

The gym featured state-of-the-art equipment, from Technogym devices to weights.

During our stay, there was also someone offering quick massages in a chair outside the gym — a nice reward for getting our workouts in on vacation.

Across from the gym is Alba, a café serving juices and smoothies to order. We had some of the best salads there for lunch.

The three-level spa was the largest I've seen.

The property's NUUP spa is about 38,750 square feet and has three floors. I've never seen a spa so large.

Our group of six booked 80-minute massages there for $250 each, and the staff was able to accommodate us all at once. The experience began with a hydrotherapy circuit: steam room with a body scrub, cold shower, sauna, and jacuzzi.

After our massages, we relaxed in a hydrotherapy pool with targeted water massages for different body areas.

In my opinion, you won't easily find a luxury experience for this cost elsewhere.

Finding such a great all-inclusive resort that cost me under $400 a night was a win.

Although I split the cost of my room with one other person to get this lower rate, I still think Atelier Playa Mujeres is an excellent value.

The service was excellent, the facilities beautiful, and the food impressive. Plus, the child-free atmosphere made for the perfect girls' trip.

• I went to Epic Universe, the massive new Universal Orlando Resort theme park that opens in May.
• The five "worlds" of the park are immersive and beautiful, with some excellent rides and shows.
• It may very well lure some Central Florida tourists away from Disney, at least for a day or two.

Theme park fans, including myself, have been eagerly awaiting the opening of the new Universal Orlando Resort park Epic Universe since it was first announced in 2019.

This weekend, I got an early preview of the park and can confirm that it was well worth the wait.

As a member of the press, I attended Universal's media preview event for Epic Universe on Saturday.

I was able to tour all five "worlds" that comprise the massive park:

1. Celestial Park
2. Dark Universe
3. How to Train Your Dragon - Isle of Berk
4. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic
5. Super Nintendo World (which already exists in Universal's Hollywood and Japan parks, though the three versions differ slightly)

The sprawling park, which reportedly cost around $7 billion to build, is an incredible feat of engineering and design. (Universal has not publicly confirmed the cost of the expansion, and a representative declined to comment when reached by Business Insider via email.)

As a theme park fan — and a lifelong Disney World lover — I can absolutely see Epic Universe drawing some of the crowds from the Disney parks about nine miles away.

Here's what I thought of Epic Universe, including the best rides in the new park, and why it may give Disney a run for its money.

Epic Universe has five themed areas that each immerse visitors in a different 'world'

We all started our experience by entering through the Chronos, a spectacular clocktower-style monument where each of the "worlds" is visually represented. The Chronos acts as visitors' portal to Epic Universe.

My group then branched off and headed toward the Isle of Berk, which is themed on the animated movie franchise "How to Train Your Dragon."

This world will be an obvious hit for kids who are fans of the movies (or just dragons generally), but the attention to detail and immersive landscape are what really blew me away.

Stepping into the Isle of Berk, you're immediately transported to a Viking village populated with dragons. Some are costumed employees walking around, while others are full-blown state-of-the-art animatronics peeking out from their perches.

I rode all three rides in this section (the Hiccup's Wing Gliders roller coaster, Dragon Racer's Rally, and the Fyre Drill water ride). They were enjoyable, but hands-down the best part was "The Untrainable Dragon" show.

At roughly 20 minutes and with several performances daily, it's a fun musical experience that wows the audience with dragon animatronics that fully interact with the cast — including a flying Toothless that soars out over the audience.

The attention to detail in the creations of these creatures is unbelievable. For instance, as Toothless lands on stage, you can actually see his feet flex in a lifelike way.

I was fully prepared to award the Isle of Berk as the most immersive until I stepped into Super Nintendo World.

Visitors enter through Princess Peach's castle and when you step through the portal, you literally feel like you're in a video game.

It's almost sensory overload — there are chomping Piranha Plants and question mark blocks everywhere, and towering palm trees in the Donkey Kong Country section.

I spent less time in the remaining three worlds, but it was enough to leave an impression. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Ministry of Magic was also incredibly immersive, with shops, restaurants, and street performers that bring the magical version of 1920s Paris from the "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" franchise to life.

As a lover of all things spooky, Dark Universe was another highlight. Frankenstein's castle was so creepy, and I loved the street performers — like the woman playing violin, and the bandaged Invisible Man stalking through the crowd and avoiding selfies with excited guests.

Celestial Park has an astrological motif and, unlike the other four worlds, it's not based on any pre-existing Universal intellectual property — rather, it just plays into the "Universe" theme, serving as the "hub" of the park that connects the other four worlds. While the least immersive of the five worlds, design-wise, Celestial Park had one of the best rides.

The best rides in Epic Universe

I rode most of the attractions during the preview, and a few stood out.

The best roller coaster ride in Epic Universe is Stardust Racers in Celestial Park, an intense dueling coaster that reaches speeds of 62 miles per hour, sending riders through steep drops, loops, and corkscrews. There are two separate tracks that cross over one another during the ride. FYI: The right side when you enter the queue is the slightly more intense experience, I'm told.

The single best ride in the park, however, is Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.

The thrilling dark ride takes you into the castle of Victoria Frankenstein, a descendant of Victor. During the course of the ride, you encounter all of Universal's classic movie monsters, including the Wolf Man, Dracula, Frankenstein, and even the Phantom of the Opera (who's playing an organ that shoots out flames when you first see him).

The animatronics on this ride are unreal and better than any I've ever seen in any theme park rides.

Starting with the preshow, visitors are treated to a face-to-face encounter with Henry, a massive eight-foot-tall Frankenstein's monster that moves so smoothly you'd easily mistake it for a real, albeit very tall, actor in a monster suit. It even takes a few steps.

The runner-up for best overall ride (by a very slim margin) is the Battle at the Ministry of Magic. If you thought Universal Island of Adventure's Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey was impressive, just wait.

The pre-show almost rivals the ride itself. Riders enter via the "Metrofloo" (powered by green "floo powder" that allows wizards to magically travel instantaneously) before walking through a massive, painstakingly detailed replica of the Ministry of Magic from the movies. The ride is set in the middle of Dolores Umbridge's trial as she breaks loose, assisted by Voldemort's Death Eaters, and it feels like you're right in the film alongside Harry, Ron, and Hermione as they attempt to re-capture Umbridge.

Once again, the robotics work here is out of this world. The massive Death Eaters loom over riders as you zoom through the dark ride, and there are several moments where the animatronics and augmented reality are virtually seamless. The storytelling and build are on par with some of Disney's most advanced (and expensive) rides, like the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction in Hollywood Studios.

Epic Universe is going to lure plenty of Disney lovers through its portal, and it's worth the money

I've been to Universal Orlando Resort before, but not for many years. I've personally always opted for Disney World during my trips to central Florida, specifically because of how immersive it feels and how specifically branded each of the four Disney theme parks — Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Magic Kingdom — are.

The existing three Universal parks in Orlando — Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and the Volcano Bay water park — are great but have never quite hooked me the way Disney has.

Epic Universe accomplishes that full immersion in a way I haven't experienced at Universal Orlando before. It's clear the company has leveled up with its massive investment in the park, which is the first completely new theme park built in Orlando in over a decade.

Disney has also increasingly become known for its dining options — many epicures make an annual pilgrimage just for Epcot's Food and Wine Festival — but Epic Universe's food scene may rival that aspect too.

While we were too busy taking in the five "worlds" to sample many of the park's food and beverage offerings, theme park reporter Carly Caramanna attended an early preview and previously wrote for Business Insider that Epic Universe's dining options will be a foodie's paradise. It will introduce over 100 menu items new to Universal's parks.

I did get to eat at the Oak and Star Tavern in the Celestial Park section of the park, and the selections were impressive. We dined buffet-style for the event, but the menu will typically be à la carte during regular opening hours.

There are a number of solid barbecue selections (including a vegetarian BBQ jackfruit option) and some great sides (I'm still thinking about the delicious mango bread days later), as well as a full bar. The spacious interior, with its pretty "cosmic garden" theme, even looks like it could be a wedding venue.

Dennis L. Speigel, the founder of International Theme Park Services, Inc., previously told BI's Lauren Edmonds that he estimated Epic Universe could draw at least 6 million visitors in its first year. (For context, Disney World's Magic Kingdom park alone had an estimated 17.7 million visitors in 2023.)

After visiting, I can easily see how that could be the case. The genuinely excellent rides, solid dining options, and fun attractions and shows will make a visit to Epic Universe well worth the money for families.

Like Disney, Universal operates on a dynamic ticket pricing system. Single-day tickets start at $139 for adults and $134 for children ages 3-9, plus tax.

Will Epic Universe topple Disney's longtime dominance in the area? Probably not, but it'll certainly give the House of Mouse a run for its money.

• My family, my brother's family, and some cousins booked a weeklong trip at an all-inclusive resort.
• Traveling in a group had a lot of advantages, including giving the kids some independence.
• That said, traveling with multiple families can take more work and has some challenges.

This past Thanksgiving, my family traveled with my brother's family, which included his wife and two children, and our adult cousins to Beaches Negril in Jamaica.

The 20-acre all-inclusive resort is located on the western coastline of the island on Seven-Mile Beach and had everything we needed on-site — accommodations, multiple restaurants and cafés, pools, and activities for adults and kids.

Since our three families live in different parts of the US, we each made our own travel arrangements and arrived on the same day at different times.

Although traveling as a big group can be tricky, we'd absolutely do it again — especially if the destination is an all-inclusive resort.

We quickly discovered that multi-family traveling has its perks

The resort felt like a manageable size, and everyone in our group stayed busy — including the kids, who got a taste of independence on the property.

Since there were three tweens on our trip, our families felt safe permitting them to do some activities together without adult supervision.

They enjoyed the freedom to go to the on-site ice cream shop and the café, play miniature golf and shuffleboard, and participate in resort-organized beach volleyball and dance parties on their own.

We also found that when an adult in our group wanted to do an activity, they would sometimes bring all the children with them. This allowed different groups to bond and for parents to take turns relaxing.

For example, my husband and I took our daughter, niece, and nephew snorkeling while their parents enjoyed some beach time.

Later in the trip, my daughter had a blast with her cousins, aunt, and uncle on the lazy river and water slides while my husband and I went paddle boarding.

It was also fun to divide into smaller groups based on who was most interested in which restaurants.

One night, a few of us went out for sushi while one group went to the Caribbean seafood spot, and another enjoyed made-to-order Neapolitan pizzas.

As part of a big group, we also got to share and try more dishes when we dined together without wasting food. At the property's family-style Peruvian restaurant, we ordered nearly the entire menu.

One of my favorite family memories of the trip is still passing around the various plates, tasting many different dishes, and talking about our favorites throughout the dinner.

Still, visiting an all-inclusive resort with multiple families takes work

Most of the resort's restaurants can accommodate walk-ups, but a few require reservations for dinner. A larger group can definitely make this more challenging and require extra flexibility with restaurant choices and dining times.

Also, here (and at many similar resorts), you can't make dining reservations before your stay. I suggest trying to do so upon arrival so you have the most options.

If you're in a larger group, you'll also want to consider transportation needs if you venture off of resort property, especially if you prefer to travel together.

We were able to book a passenger van for our trips off-site, which was ideal.

Overall, we'd do it all again

We all had such a great time that we wanted to take advantage of the resort's incentive to book a future trip before departing.

However, we were quickly reminded that it takes a lot of time to agree on which destination to go to next and, most challenging of all, find dates that accommodate everyone's schedules.

• I didn't think I'd like all-inclusive resorts, but my first stay helped change my mind a bit.
• The resort I stayed in had better food options and nicer rooms and amenities than I expected.
• I liked not needing a wallet and exploring the property — and I'd try another all-inclusive stay.

For years, I viewed the term "all-inclusive" as a travel red flag, signifying an overpriced experience that would be sacrificing quality for gluttony.

When I'd think of all-inclusive resorts, I'd picture a generic space filled with plentiful (but just OK) amenities for the masses and travelers binge-eating at bland buffets or slamming back enough cocktails to get their money's worth.

To be fair, these were my assumptions mostly built on stereotypes. I'd never been to an all-inclusive because I didn't think they were my style.

When I travel, I lean toward staying at chains with a trusted legacy, like a Four Seasons or W Hotel, or a local boutique hotel.

The idea of spending my entire trip confined to one all-inclusive property also worried me because of how much I like exploring an area's local scene for food and fun.

However, after my unintentional first stay at an all-inclusive resort, I left impressed, gaining a new respect for the concept. I hate that I loved it.

My first all-inclusive resort was far from what I expected

I trust my travel companions to choose where we stay, but I hadn't expected one of them to book us rooms at an all-inclusive resort for two nights out of the four we'd be spending in the Riviera Nayarit on Mexico's west coast.

As we arrived at the Delta Hotels Riviera Nayarit, my bags were loaded onto the back of a golf cart, and I was escorted through the premises, which looked like the merger of a water park and a safari.

It felt quite nice with its manicured grounds and five swimming pools — including a lazy river and an infinity pool.

I hesitated when I checked in and received a black wristband I couldn't remove that signaled to the staff I belonged on the property, which is only open to hotel guests. It reminded me of an ankle monitor.

However, my feeling of destination house arrest faded the moment I entered my room. I couldn't deny it: I could be happy here.

Its spa-like bathroom with a rain shower, comfortable bed, multiple vanity mirrors, and stunning balcony views made me want to congratulate my friend on a booking job well done.

I checked out the gym next and found it was better than the gym at the W nearby, where we stayed after, and on par with the one at the Four Seasons in Mexico City.

As I saw more of the property, I passed a spa, multiple restaurants, and different pool types. Overall, I found the rooms and amenities felt higher quality and more diversified than I'd expected.

Although once a buffet naysayer, I found myself pleasantly surprised by the food

I was skeptical about the food, assuming it would all be buffet-style and sacrifice quantity over quality.

In my opinion, it's rare for a buffet to truly offer a wonderful culinary experience. In many cases, diners might leave a buffet uncomfortably full, only convincing themselves it was good because they got their money's worth.

But much to my surprise, my favorite meal at the property was at a daily buffet, where I tried a bit of everything: chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, pan dulce, fruit, and even Americanized lunch staples such as chicken fajitas. I even had a second helping.

I was also pleased to find that most of the restaurants on the property operated like regular food establishments with menus and servers.

On my first day, I had a particularly attentive server who noticed right away that I wasn't fully enjoying my lunch and offered to bring me a different dish. That level of service impressed me.

Although I had expected gimmicky buffets and subpar-quality food, the dining experience at the resort didn't let me down. None of the dishes I ate were bad, even if a lot of them weren't particularly memorable.

Overall, it felt nice to run around liberated from tabs

Although I was worried about trading my free will for prepaid perimeters, I found myself enjoying the all-inclusive stay.

As I watched guests bar hopping, pool hopping, and flagging down golf carts to take them from one spot to the next (even though everything was walkable), I started to understand the appeal I'd doubted.

The resort wasn't just designed to be a place to stay — it was meant to be a grand experience all on its own.

Most of all, I loved walking around without my wallet. The ease of switching from one restaurant to the next at a moment's notice without needing to request any checks made me feel as if I owned the place.

In that way, being at an all-inclusive resort felt similar to being on a cruise. Plus, we didn't have to leave the grounds if we didn't want to. The adventurist in me hated the fact I thought that was a good thing.

I appreciated the convenience but also that we were able to leave the property and seek out some adventure by having private drivers take us to nearby volcanoes and waterfalls.

Lastly, although I'd thought that "all-inclusive" referred only to a type of midrange hotel, I learned that even high-end hotels offer the service. The W — one of my favorite hotel chains — even offers all-inclusive dining and drinking packages at its location nearby.

In the end, I didn't leave with the feeling that I must return to this exact resort, but I'd be willing to consider an all-inclusive option the next time it appears on the table.

• I recently spent the weekend at Rosewood Miramar Beach, a five-star resort in Montecito, California.
• I stayed in a beachfront suite right on the sand, falling asleep to the sound of the ocean.
• My dinner at the resort's Michelin-starred restaurant was one of the best parts of the experience.

Nestled along the American Riviera, a place so revered that Meghan Markle tried to name her lifestyle brand after it, sits Rosewood Miramar Beach.

The five-star resort, owned by billionaire real-estate developer Rick Caruso, is mere steps from the sparkling Pacific Ocean. It's become an iconic part of Montecito, the swanky California neighborhood that many A-list celebrities — including Markle, Ariana Grande, and Oprah Winfrey — call home.

After spending a weekend at Rosewood Miramar Beach, it was easy to see why so many stars love this property. The beach was spotless, my suite looked out directly over the sand, and I still can't stop thinking about my dinner at its Michelin-starred restaurant.

Rosewood Miramar Beach was inspired by the grand estates of Montecito.

Once a farm of lemon and black walnut trees, the property became an established beach hotel by 1910, according to Rosewood Miramar Beach's website.

Originally named Miramar By The Sea, the hotel was beloved by legendary newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst, who would stop by on his way to Hearst Castle.

Miramar closed in 2000 and remained empty for nearly two decades. Caruso purchased the estate in 2007, and after years of renovations, the Rosewood Miramar Beach opened in 2019.

It wasn't long before the beachside resort began making a splash.

Rosewood Miramar Beach is currently one of only 15 properties worldwide to hold a triple Five-Star title from the Forbes Travel Guide, which means its hotel, restaurant, and spa have all received five stars.

But those aren't the only stars attached to the resort. Rosewood Miramar Beach also quickly caught the attention of Hollywood, attracting everyone from Patrick Schwarzenegger and Larry David to Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian, who got engaged at the property in 2021.

Walking past the lobby after checking in, I was immediately struck by the resort's grand but playful elegance.

One of my favorite places in the 16-acre property was this gorgeous hall in the resort's main building.

The classic red roses popped against the black-and-white checkerboard floor, which was illuminated by a dazzling chandelier and flanked by a spiral staircase. It felt opulent and modern all at once.

My boyfriend and I spent two nights in one of the second-story beachfront suites located right on the sand.

Rosewood Miramar Beach has 119 rooms and 34 suites, offering garden bungalows or beach-facing retreats that start at $1,695 a night. Business Insider received a media rate for accommodations and dining during the two-night stay.

My stylish 960-square-foot suite came with a large wooden deck with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.

The interior leaned into the nautical theme with textured blue-and-white pinstripe wallpaper, blue and gold lamps, and complimentary beach bags.

It was a warm and charming room, unafraid of mixing bold fabrics and chic fixtures that added plenty of personality.

Our first meal of the weekend was at AMA Sushi, one of Rosewood Miramar Beach's six on-site restaurants.

AMA Sushi's interior is a beautiful study of sleek Japanese minimalism. The marble sushi bar seemed to glow against the dark wood walls while a fireplace roared under a moody painting of the moon. The atmosphere was both serene and sexy.

The omakase dinner featured creative dishes and an incredible nigiri course.

Our $135 omakase menu began with a delicious snow crab, followed by a sashimi course featuring bluefin tuna.

One of my favorite dishes of the night was the delicious red miso soup with clams, which, per Japanese tradition, came at the end of dinner.

We then headed to The Manor Bar, where the cocktails are inspired by literary works.

With its wood-paneled walls, velvet seats, and stuffed bookshelves, The Manor Bar felt like the kind of library you'd find at a sprawling estate in the English countryside. The lights were dim, but the bar was packed and brimming with energy. I was almost shocked it didn't smell like cigar smoke.

As a former English major, I loved the creative cocktail menu, which featured drinks named after iconic literary villains. The "Lady Macbeth" melded gin with pineapple, roasted banana, and cinnamon, while the "Tom Buchanan" had two types of Johnnie Walker whiskey, plus tawny port and bitters.

The sound of crashing waves was my soundtrack as I went to sleep and woke up the next day.

Even the rainy morning couldn't damper my mood as I watched the ocean from the comfort of my plush king bed.

The French doors offered a perfect sea view, making the suite feel incredibly romantic.

We enjoyed breakfast at The Revere Room, which had a very different vibe from the restaurant and bar the previous night.

The Revere Room's Tiffany-blue walls were covered in illustrations of white roses and bluebirds. Frosted Christmas trees twinkled in the corner for the holidays while natural light streamed through the floor-to-ceiling French doors.

We started with the gluten-free lemon ricotta pancakes, which had a lovely fluffy texture and were served with a delicious blueberry sauce. Then came the breakfast sammie, which stuffed a fried egg, bacon, and Havarti cheese between two soft and flaky homemade sourdough slices.

With the sun finally out, it felt like the perfect time to tour the grounds.

The centerpiece of Rosewood Miramar Beach is the Manor House, which includes the lobby, ocean-view guest rooms, luxury retail stores, The Manor Bar, and The Revere Room.

Tucked behind the Manor House is a massive and perfectly manicured lawn, which made me feel like I was in someone's incredibly nice backyard. Since the resort is kid and pet-friendly, the lawn was frequently filled with children chasing after their adorable pups.

Rosewood Miramar Beach is lush with beautiful gardens.

The resort could have easily coasted on its beach access alone, but every inch of the estate is designed to evoke beauty and elegance.

The air is naturally perfumed with scents from the gardenia and lavender bushes, while citrus, olive, and fishtail palm trees dot the property. Everything was pruned to perfection, nary a leaf or petal out of place.

Luxury retail stores are tucked inside elegant clapboard houses, and a large bocce court stretches across the lawn.

Rick Fidel, the resort's managing director, told me that Rosewood Miramar Beach was designed to make guests feel like they were "being hosted in a private home."

If it weren't for the beautiful weather at the end of November, you could easily forget you were in California. As I walked around the property, I felt like I had been transported to Martha's Vineyard or the set of a Nancy Meyers movie.

There's even an outdoor gym.

I didn't squeeze in a workout during my stay, but I had to check out the resort's indoor/outdoor fitness studio, where guests can enjoy weekly fitness classes and private personal training sessions.

Treadmills, bikes, and elliptical machines dotted the gym's patio, while Pelotons, weights, and StairMasters could be found inside.

While I opted to walk, guests can tour the resort on complimentary electric bikes or a Rosewood Miramar Beach Jolly car.

The cotton-candy-pink Miramar Jolly cars are inspired by the open-top taxis of Capri. They feature wicker seats and canopies and are free for guests who want to be chauffeured to the beach or around the property.

After the tour, we stopped for lunch at Miramar Beach Bar.

The oceanfront Miramar Beach Bar is a small restaurant on the deck above Caruso's, the resort's Michelin-starred restaurant. It was just steps away from our beach suite and offered gorgeous views of the sea sparkling under the California sun.

Our tacos — tempura fish and red chili-braised beef — were solid but couldn't compete with our breakfast at The Revere Room or our dinners at AMA Sushi and Caruso's. Next time, I'd skip the food at Miramar Beach Bar and just grab a drink while watching the sunset.

Before heading to our room for a nap, we saw the iconic Pacific Surfliner train passing by the resort.

According to Rosewood Miramar's website, the family that first owned the property — which was originally a farm — decided to build a guest house after the train tracks were built in 1887. The Pacific Surfliner and Coast Starlight Amtrak now cut through the resort en route to the Santa Barbara Amtrak station.

The tracks are gated, and a guard is always on duty for safety purposes. While the trains didn't pass by very frequently, it was fun watching everyone around us stop to admire them whenever one came through.

My favorite meal during our stay was dinner at Caruso's.

Before dinner, I had the opportunity to sit down with Massimo Falsini, the chef at Caruso's and director of culinary operations at Rosewood Miramar Beach.

Falsini's menu seamlessly blends his Italian roots with California ingredients. All the seafood at Caruso's is "from the ocean in front of you," Falsini told me, including the spiny Santa Barbara lobster and the signature Channel Islands halibut (which were both fantastic).

"We don't fly in anything; we only buy from local small fishermen in order to support the community," said the chef, who hopes to make Caruso's a zero-carbon footprint restaurant by 2026.

Caruso's is a swoon-worthy restaurant with bold and stunning dishes.

The open-air space allows you to hear the waves and smell the sea as you dine amid the beautiful navy-blue leather booths and pristine white chairs.

The service was impeccable from start to finish, as was my $175 four-course dinner. The amuse-bouches included cones stuffed with caviar and gougères plump with truffle cream. Olive oil was decanted tableside for the bread basket, and the Baja Kanpachi crudo looked like a work of art.

One of my favorite courses of the night was the honeynut squash vellutata soup, which was topped with an intricate tuile of vines and tasted like autumn.

The dinner was so good that I think the restaurant deserves a second Michelin star.

Read my full review of Caruso's here.

Our final morning at Rosewood Miramar Beach began at the pool.

The resort has two pools on the property. We spent our time at the cabana pool, which is for adults 21 and up and features 19 cabanas, plus a bar and a large jacuzzi. The cabana pool features a scalloped zero-edge border, a design choice that makes it feel whimsical.

For those with kids in tow, there's also the kid-friendly manor pool. We stopped by to check out the Scoop Shop, which is right next to the pool and offers gourmet burgers and house-made gelato.

The pool also has a fire pit, where we tried the resort's complimentary s'mores kits.

While checking in at the resort, we learned there were s'mores kits at the front desk, which we could always pick up and enjoy by one of the fire pits.

I finally got to try the kit on our last day, opening the bag to find the most classic of s'mores ingredients: Honey Maid graham crackers, Hershey's milk chocolate, and Jet-Puffed marshmallows.

My boyfriend and I giggled like kids at camp as we used the provided wooden sticks to roast our marshmallows over the fire before building our s'mores.

And we couldn't leave without a long walk on the beach.

After such a rainy weekend, it felt fitting to end our stay with the sun shining down on us at the beach.

If it had been summer weather, I could've easily laid on the sand all day. The resort offers complimentary chairs, umbrellas, and beach toys, as well as equipment for paddleboarding, kayaking, and beach volleyball.

There's a designated beach butler who brings food and drinks, and the resort even has a falconer who helps keep seagulls and pigeons at bay.

Rosewood Miramar Beach perfectly understands that cozy and luxury can go hand in hand.

In the era of #quietluxury, which I detested, many people equated splendor with mundane. The colors went neutral, patterns disappeared, and everything felt inoffensive and uninspired. It was all very beige, like a plate at Thanksgiving.

But Rosewood Miramar Beach isn't afraid to make the space feel comfortable yet distinct, even with the luxury price tag. There's a fine line between Nantucket and coastal grandma, and the resort knows exactly where to stand. It's effortlessly chic and cozy, as if you're staying on a beautiful yacht.

And with the fantastic dinner at Caruso's and the sexy Manor Bar, Rosewood Miramar Beach is perfect for a special-occasion romantic getaway. I can't wait to go back.

When Louis Chiappetta started working as a ski instructor at 19, he saw it as a way to turn his hobby into a job. Growing up in central Maine, he'd already spent his winter months on the slopes. So a paycheck and a free ski pass were enough to seal the deal.

"There are not many people who, when asked what they do for fun, say, 'Well, I go back to where I work,'" he said.

After one of his friends got established as a ski patroller in Utah, Chiappetta followed, taking a job in 2021 in the rental shop at Canyons Village, one of the two ski areas in Vail's Park City Mountain resort. The pay was meager — $12.25 an hour — but he got three days off a week to ski the mountain's long, powdery runs. If the price of entry was couch surfing at friends' places, so be it.

His view on that trade-off quickly changed. Park City Mountain is one of 42 resorts owned by the international conglomerate Vail Resorts. The cost of a lift ticket at Canyons climbed 25% from $230 in 2022 to $290 for the current season, making it one of the most expensive resorts in the country. Chiappetta said he remembered ringing up customers for $2,000 to $3,000 worth of equipment, "making money hand over fist" for the resort. It was hard to ignore the gap between what people were paying for the experience and what he was making as an employee. "It was like getting my nose rubbed in it," he said.

Through a scholarship, Chiappetta was able to get his EMT certification and join the ski patrol, something he had always wanted to do. But the $20-an-hour entry-level salary still wasn't enough for him to get by. He joined the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association, the union representing ski patrollers at Canyons, to push for a livable wage that took into account the specialized medical training and avalanche-prevention work he and other patrollers were asked to do. Starting on December 27, he and the union went on strike for 13 days. It worked; Vail agreed to raise their pay by $2 across the board, with additional increases for training, certifications, and experience.

Now 31, Chiappetta is in his third season as a ski patroller and makes roughly $29 an hour. He feels much more confident in his ability to support a future family on a ski patroller's salary. "There's nothing I'd rather do," Chiappetta said.

Since 2020, people across industries have been rethinking their relationship to work. Frustrated with their bosses' lack of loyalty and support, many have quit, changed positions, or found ways to claw back their autonomy by quiet quitting, secretly working multiple jobs, slyly outsourcing parts of their jobs, or unionizing. The Economic Policy Institute says 16.2 million American workers were represented by a union in 2023, an increase of roughly 400,000 since 2020.

Lately, workers in jobs that were always sold as a dream experience — the kinds of jobs Meryl Streep's character in "The Devil Wears Prada" says "a million girls would kill for" — are realizing that they, too, have gotten the short end of the stick. In exchange for these people "living the dream," companies paid very little: The job itself was supposed to be the reward. Now these workers, including ski patrollers, Minor League Baseball players, Disneyland character performers, and Chippendales dancers, have decided that the dream is no longer enough. They want a real living wage.

America's ski industry has been one of the most visible examples of how workers are trying to turn their dream jobs into careers. During the busiest time of the year, the ski patroller strike shut down most of Park City Mountain. Guests were furious — not at the workers but at Vail for letting the strike happen. It brought attention to how little ski patrollers are paid. In 2023, the average hourly wage for lifeguards, ski patrollers, and other recreational workers was just $15, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Until recently, ski jobs were primarily seen as seasonal work for college kids or ski bums — people who would tolerate low wages in exchange for a romp on the mountain. Vail still bills its mission as creating "the experience of a lifetime" for its employees.

Over the past six years, workers have pushed to make ski work a sustainable career. Unions representing ski patrollers and lift mechanics have formed at more than 16 resorts across the US. A major concern for these workers is the rapidly growing cost of living near resorts. As of December, it cost about 33% more to live in Park City than in the average US city, the Economic Research Institute found in its research. As of 2023, census data shows the median income in the city was more than $101,000, while the median salary for ski patrollers was just over $30,000. While Vail provides some affordable housing options for its workers, there isn't enough to go around. To make ends meet, some patrollers have had to work second jobs.

Meanwhile, the ski industry has been consolidating. In the past decade, American companies have acquired nearly 100 ski areas. Since 2019, Vail alone has purchased 19 resorts. Those massive investments haven't gone unnoticed by the rank and file.

Mike Reilly, 33, moved to Park City about 10 years ago after graduating from college in Ohio. He didn't know how to ski when he arrived but practiced in his time off from working as a barista at a local coffee shop. About a year in, he took an entry-level ski patrolling job, making $13.25 an hour.

Initially, Reilly and Chiappetta both had to find work in the offseason to make ends meet. Reilly led youth backpacking trips, worked as a bike patroller at the resort, and occasionally picked up shifts as a barista. They didn't see their ski jobs as a side gig. "The longer I lived out here and saw that it was possible, the more I wanted to do this as a career," Reilly said.

Since the union ratification, that's become more of a possibility.

Before Minor League Baseball players unionized in 2022, they made between $290 and $500 a week, weren't paid during spring training, and had to find other jobs during the offseason. Despite the fact that nearly every major league player has to start in the minors, the finances never added up.

Gavin Lux, a second baseman for the Cincinnati Reds, told The Nation that when he was with the Los Angeles Dodger's Single-A affiliate in Rancho Cucamonga, California, there were five or six players sleeping on air mattresses in a single apartment. The situation didn't get much better as he progressed to Triple-A. "I had to pay for my new place, plus an apartment that no one was living in anymore," Lux said.

After winning their contract in 2023, players saw their wages more than double to between $675 and $1,200 a week. They also secured a salary during spring training and the offseason, better healthcare benefits, and control of their name, image, and likeness rights, allowing them to make money off brand deals. It was a game-changer.

Paul Clark, a professor of labor and employment relations at Penn State University, said the unionization effort represented a shift in the way society views so-called dream jobs. For decades, there was a consensus that people working these jobs shouldn't complain about wages because they got to play a game for a living, Clark said. That has changed as Major League Baseball has become more profitable. Last year, the MLB earned $12.1 billion in revenue, a 15% increase since 2012. Meanwhile, minor league teams have continued to go up in value, prompting a wave of acquisitions.

"The players are what fans pay for, and therefore they are the game," Clark said.

Entertainers are having a similar realization. Nothing says "dream job" like spending all day in a Disney park making little kids' dreams come true — as many as 900 people might audition for a single role as a Disney character. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows for those hired at the Southern California theme parks. The Actors' Equity Association says the base pay for Disney characters at Disneyland is $24.15 an hour and that many workers face unpredictable schedules and unsafe working conditions, like limited water breaks and long hours wearing heavy costumes in the California heat.

To change things, 1,700 employees who dress up as characters, march in parades, and train performers voted to unionize in May with the Actors' Equity Association. The union, known as Magic United, began negotiations this past fall for higher pay, medical coverage for injuries sustained while in costume, and better insurance benefits.

Other Disneyland employees, represented by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 324, filed an unfair labor practice charge last year alleging that about 28% of cast members faced food insecurity, 42% did not have enough sick time to see a doctor, and 64% were spending more than the recommended 30% of their income on rent and utility costs. After filing the charge and threatening to strike, the union secured a higher base rate of $24 an hour and better policies around sick leave.

Over in Las Vegas, the city's famous Chippendales dancers are hoping for a similar win. Despite the group's popularity and the talent required to be a performer, they're paid a flat fee of $100 a show, a rate that has not changed in more than a decade. Dancers are not paid for rehearsal time unless it exceeds 15 hours a week and are expected to perform eight 80-minute shows each week. They are also expected to take pictures with guests after each show — photos that cost fans $35 but earn dancers just $0.50. They receive no benefits. In October, the Sin City dancers voted to form a union with AEA to make their jobs more manageable.

"It's a competitive market. And unfortunately, the entertainment industry breeds this concept of disposability, you know — one in, one out," one of the dancers who organized the union told In These Times. Chippendales did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

Wilma Liebman, who served as chair of the National Labor Relations Board during part of the Obama administration and teaches as an adjunct professor at the NYU School of Law, said she expected some of the unionizing activity to continue and perhaps increase. "If employers become emboldened to oppose unionization because Trump is in the White House, and they think it's going to be pro-business, it may incentivize workers to keep up the activism," she said. "There comes a point where you might be frustrated or you might be fired."

Even if the work is great, it's still work. Despite the tough labor market, these campaigns might just encourage other people working hot jobs to try their hand at getting a better deal.

Robert Davis is an award-winning journalist who lives in Denver.

• Michelin-starred chef Massimo Falsini has worked in hotels for over 30 years.
• Falsini told BI that whether a hotel is vertical or horizontal completely changes your room service.
• Luxury vertical hotels, often in cities, can do beautiful presentations on expensive china.

When we think about room service, our questions tend to be whether we should get salad or fries on the side, treat ourselves to dessert, and how early is too early for a glass of bubbly.

However, when you're a hotel chef, many factors determine the ingredients, presentation, and delivery of a room-service dish. And a big one is whether the resort is vertical or horizontal.

In a recent sit-down interview with Business Insider, Michelin-starred chef Massimo Falsini — who has worked in the hospitality industry for over 30 years — explained how a hotel layout can completely change how room service works.

The secret strategy behind a room-service dish

Falsini, the director of culinary operations at Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito, California, told BI that running a kitchen in a hotel is completely different from running a kitchen in a restaurant.

While working at hotels such as Four Seasons Resort Hualalai and the Waldorf Astoria Orlando, Falsini had to learn how to manage the menus of multiple on-site restaurants, work on big banquets, and oversee room service.

"You have to be creative in how you create a buffet, you have to know how to make fun pool food, how to make an everlasting memory amenity for a VIP," Falsini said.

You also have to consider the layout of where you work. Falsini explained that in-room dining travels very differently in a high-rise hotel than in a sprawling resort.

"The city hotels are vertical, right? So the in-room dining will travel in a cart, and it goes on an elevator and into the room," he said.

"Normally, the resort is horizontal," Falsini added. "The in-room dining tray goes in a golf cart, then the golf cart goes somewhere else. You have to change what you do because the food doesn't move in the same way."

When room service is delivered via elevator, the chef can do "almost anything they want," Falsini said. An ultra-luxury hotel usually has beautiful decorations, elegant presentations, and the best crystal and china.

"You will find fragile service equipment like that in a vertical hotel because you can put them on a cart, and they travel on the carpet and go on an elevator, and nothing will break," Falsini said.

But a resort's layout is completely different. A single journey might involve getting past sloping golf courses, crowded pools, and rocky sidewalks.

"When you move horizontally, no matter what you do, the food will move," Falsini said. "Stuff breaks, and nothing travels well."

So, instead of worrying about decoration and presentation, the resort chef has to prioritize "simplicity and essentialism."

"The dish needs to focus on the high quality of every ingredient, and they have to travel well," Falsini added. "What I used to do was I would make the food and then go to the room and order the food and see how the food came out, just to make sure."

That doesn't mean you can't get a fragile dish — like, say, a poached egg on avocado toast — on a resort menu. But Falsini explained that the server will just place the egg on top of the toast once they get to the room, rather than risk breaking it mid-delivery.

These are just some of the tricks that Falsini has learned after three-plus decades of working in hotels all around the world.

• Park City ski patrollers reached a deal with Vail Resorts on January 8 after a labor strike.
• Ski patrollers told BI they must work multiple jobs to survive in mountain resort towns.
• Seasoned patrollers say they may change jobs due to unsustainable wages and steep living expenses.

Days after a historic labor strike in Park City ended, America's ski patrollers are caught between their love of the slopes and the steep price of mountain resort living.

Kali Flaherty, for example, doubts she will ever own a home.

The 26-year-old works full-time in ski patrol at Colorado's Arapahoe Basin. For the past three winters, she has kept trails clear, stabilized injured skiers and snowboarders, helped prevent avalanches, and trained rookie patrollers.

Flaherty said it's her "dream job." But her $23 hourly pay isn't enough to cover living expenses, and she works shifts at a nearby healthcare clinic to make ends meet. She rents an apartment with a few roommates in Breckenridge, about 20 miles from Arapahoe Basin.

Like many ski patrollers, Flaherty is in a bind. The cost of living in resort towns like Breckenridge, Vail, Aspen, and Park City continues to skyrocket, pushing out the employees who keep them operational. Being close to these areas is also key for employees because of high commuting costs and dangerous winter road conditions. Several patrollers told Business Insider that they struggle to afford housing, groceries, and gas, let alone build savings. Some expect they will have to switch industries for higher-paying work, and many current patrollers work multiple jobs to stay afloat.

These financial challenges have culminated in labor disputes. On January 8, Vail Resorts granted the Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association a $2 raise for entry-level patrollers — from a $21 hourly pay floor to a $23 hourly pay floor — and agreed to improve benefits . The deal followed a weekslong patroller strike during the busy holiday season.

Meanwhile, ski patrollers at Arapahoe Basin, where Flaherty works, are voting to formalize their union this month. Several other patroller groups at Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain Company-owned mountains have unionized or taken collective action in the past few years.

Flaherty wants to be a ski patroller for her entire career — but she said it comes with sacrifices. She hopes Park City's contract helps make it possible for employees like her to build financially stable lives near resort towns.

"I don't see myself being able to buy property up here, which is always the dream," she said. "I would love to not be living with roommates my entire life, but the way that I make money as a patroller now, that's my reality."

Representatives for Vail and Alterra — the parent organizations of the ski resorts where the patrollers BI interviewed work — did not respond to comment requests.

Ski patrollers are facing steep expenses and low wages

The average ski patroller makes $21.56 an hour, per the job platform Indeed. Compensation varies based on years of experience, level of medical training, and safety certifications, said the ski patrollers Business Insider interviewed. For example, an EMT or paramedic license might add a few dollars to patrollers' wages. Patrollers' benefits vary by resort, though most receive free lift tickets — which can range from $120 to $300 a day — as part of their role.

For many patrollers, finding affordable housing in the markets where they work is challenging. The five patrollers BI spoke with rent with several roommates, or have to commute long distances to work. The median monthly rent in a town like Breckenridge is $5,000, per Zillow, a price that exceeds some ski patrollers' total monthly income.

Groceries and gas are also costly in many mountain areas because of limited stores and the high transportation costs for goods. A dozen eggs is just over $4 in Denver, but nearly $7 in Breckenridge.

Kyle Eveland, 24, makes $23.28 an hour as a second-year ski patroller at Breckenridge Resort in Colorado. Before he reports to the mountain every morning to set up avalanche mitigation equipment, Eveland said he shovels snow for a nearby property. He works a full-time construction job over the summer, when the ski resort is closed, and recently began a part-time role pumping concrete between his patrol shifts.

"I would love to do what I love every day and take the sacrifice of not making a lot of money doing that," he said, adding "I pretty much live paycheck to paycheck in the winter. It would be super, super tight if I just patrolled."

Right now, Eveland lives in Breckenridge with seven other roommates. He said he took a pay cut when he decided to join ski patrol, despite the job requiring significant training. He previously worked at Breckenridge as a chairlift operator. Eveland said he may need to leave his patrolling job if he wants to afford a down payment or support a family in the future.

"I got my EMT license and that got me a single dollar raise," he said.

Tate Finigan's experience is similar. The 26-year-old recently began his third season as a ski patroller in Park City. Finigan commutes from Salt Lake City, over a 30-mile drive, every day because he can't afford housing in Park City. When he's not on the mountain, Finigan babysits and walks dogs, and previously picked up shifts as a bartender.

"It's been really hard to try and live in this community that we all so badly want to be a part of," he said.

In a profession that relies on experience, seasoned patrollers aren't sure they can stay

Ski patrolling requires specialized skills: sharp ski competence, outdoor survival and avalanche certifications, and medical expertise. The ski patrollers BI interviewed said that this experience is honed over time, meaning that seasoned patrollers are often best at training rookies and handling on-mountain crises.

Mike Reilly, 33, has been a ski patroller at Park City for six years. He cares about his job, but he isn't sure how long he will remain on staff. Each year, Reilly said it becomes more challenging to pay his bills — even with his second job as a barista. Reilly said that cost of living challenges mean many experienced ski patrollers like him are considering leaving for second, more lucrative careers. He recently finished nursing school.

"I went to nursing school, but that was really out of desperation," he said. "I would much rather patrol and remain a career-patroller, if that meant I could afford to pay rent and not work 20 days in a row."

Max Magill is a 10-year ski patroller at Park City and president of United Mountain Workers, a union that represents ski patrollers, lift mechanics, and other resort employees across the Western US. He told BI that efforts to raise patroller wages are happening across America's ski industry because the job isn't financially sustainable long-term. After a decade in the job, Magill said he's still working side gigs and living paycheck to paycheck.

"The operation of big Western ski resorts with avalanche terrain really does hinge on the work of these experienced ski patrollers," he said. "The guest experience would be completely different if there were not experienced ski patrollers being retained at these resorts."

After the Park City deal was struck, Magill said in a press statement that "the victory will help raise employment standards for all ski industry employees."

To be sure, high living expenses impact other mountain employees besides ski patrollers. Reilly said food service, lift operator, lift mechanic, and ticket scanner jobs are also key to keeping resorts open and safe. Many of these employees make similar wages to ski patrollers.

Flaherty isn't sure she can stay on patrol forever, but she's hoping to keep clicking on her skis for as long as she can. It helps to know others in her profession are also working toward a better future.

"Our patrollers have come together more than ever before," she added. "It has created a positive environment to know that we all have each other's backs."

Do you live in or near a resort town? Are you open to sharing how you manage expenses? If so, reach out to this reporter at [email protected].

• Vail Resorts was in the hot seat this month when a Park City ski patrol strike disrupted holidays.
• For years, Vail's rapid acquisitions and high costs have sparked criticism from skiers and locals.
• Here's how the company grew to be the biggest in skiing — and the enemy of some ski bums.

If you want to know just how loathed Vail Resorts is, just look at the lyrics of Grammy-nominated artist Noah Kahan's "Paul Revere."

"This place had a heartbeat in its day," the native Vermonter sings. "Vail bought the mountains, and nothing was the same."

Or look around the parking lots at the ski behemoth's various properties, which include Park City, Beaver Creek, and Stowe, where cars are frequently adorned with "Vail Sucks" stickers.

Gripes that the company has made skiing less accessible and more corporate were amplified this month after a ski patrol strike shut down much of Park City, causing chaos for vacationers over the holidays.

The company's stock dropped 6% amid news of the strike. But while the work stoppage has ended, the company's challenges are far from over. Since reaching a peak in 2021, Vail's share price is now down more than 50%.

After two decades of acquisitions and partnerships, Vail Resorts owns or operates 42 ski resorts around the world. The company is now facing decreased margins after a 2021 reduction in the price of its Epic Pass, which provides access to Vail's network of mountains, and the lack of cheap acquisitions available, Chris Woronka, an analyst at Deutsche Bank, told Business Insider.

"The stock had gotten ahead of itself valuation-wise," Woronka said. "The days of easily created growth are kind of behind the company."

Meanwhile, it's earned a reputation among passionate skiers as a place where crowds clutter the trails and lift lines and where grabbing a burger on the mountain could cost you $25.

A spokesperson for Vail Resorts told BI the company continuously invests in its properties to improve the guest experience and make skiing more accessible.

"Vail Resorts has transformed the industry through unprecedented investments in employees and guests, made the sport more accessible to more people, and created stability for our resorts, employees and communities in the face of climate change," the spokesperson said.

A skiing behemoth

Vail Resorts is the largest ski company in the world, granting its pass-holders unlimited access to dozens of resorts worldwide, including its upscale flagship, Vail, located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. During its 2024 fiscal year, which ended in July, 17.6 million skiers visited its mountains.

Those visitors pay big bucks for the privilege of skiing at some of the most popular destinations: The Epic Pass had a starting price of $982 for the 2024-2025 season. A lift ticket at Park City alone can get up to about $300 per day.

A spokesperson for Vail Resorts said the company now has over 2 million pass-holders.

Luke, a former Vail Resorts employee who asked to go by his first name to avoid professional repercussions, told BI there were two main reasons Vail Resorts gets so much hate. First, it's buying up resorts at an "alarming" rate. Second, as a result of that strategy, many skiers do not believe the company invests enough in the quality and operations of each individual resort, instead relying on their "cash cow" properties.

"It feels like the end game is not necessarily to make any one area successful, but to eventually own the ski world," Luke said. "So then it's like if you're skiing anywhere, you're skiing Vail" properties.

Jaimie Nichols, a 35-year-old accountant from Florida who now lives in Denver, has been skiing with her family in Crested Butte, Colorado, since the early 2000s, when the resort was family-owned. She remembered lift tickets for kids cost as much as their age — $8 for an 8-year-old — and a large base lodge where families could find affordable food options or use a microwave to heat up packed lunches. Crested Butte itself is lovingly called "Colorado's Last Great Ski Town" due to its authentic mountain town vibe.

But Nichols said since Vail Resorts acquired Crested Butte Ski Resort in 2018, it just hasn't been the same.

The resort's "persona changed," she said. "It's a completely different place."

The Mueller family, which owned Crested Butte, previously said selling to Vail was a difficult decision.

"When you start to look 10, 20, 30 years down the road and what that means for a small ski company like us, and not being as heavily financed like Vail, it's only getting tougher," Erica Mueller told Powder magazine in 2018.

When Vail takes over

Now, most of Vail Resorts' properties are in the US, spanning from California, Utah, and Colorado, through Midwest states like Wisconsin and Michigan, and all the way to the Northeast in Vermont and New Hampshire.

Its many acquisitions have turned the company, which was taken public by Apollo in the 1990s after the private equity shop bought it out of bankruptcy, into a financial behemoth in the hospitality space. It has a market cap of $6.7 billion and generated $2.9 billion in revenue and $230 million in profit in its 2024 fiscal year. Investors were rewarded with $8.56 in dividends per share.

A common complaint from skiers and snowboarders when Vail takes over a resort is a more crowded mountain and long lift lines. The problem, Nichols said, is that when a resort gets added to Vail's Epic Pass, it becomes a destination. Epic pass-holders who previously wouldn't have driven four-plus hours from Denver to Crested Butte now make the trip, as do pass-holders from other states who make a vacation out of it.

As a result, Nichols said the locals of the area have fewer opportunities to ski on their home mountain, and, for families who aren't season pass-holders but would like to ski once or twice a season, day passes get too expensive and out of reach.

Some of these problems are compounded by factors that are affecting many towns in the West that don't even have a ski resort: an increase in short-term rentals and transplants from cities moving to small towns in the age of remote work, both of which have contributed to higher home prices and costs of living.

Vail has said it is committed to reinvesting in the resorts it acquires, estimating its capital investments in the 2024 fiscal year to be between $189 million to $194 million. For instance, at Whistler Blackcomb, the company said it was replacing a four-person lift with a six-person high-speed lift. At Park City, the company said it was replacing a lift with a 10-person gondola. It also said it planned to invest in snowmaking capabilities at Park City and Hunter Mountain.

A spokesperson for Vail Resorts said the Epic Pass has also added stability to an industry that was previously "ruled by weather."

"That means in a good snow year, the industry would prosper, but in a year with low snow, skiers and snowboarders would opt not to visit, and ski resorts would suffer, along with the employees who worked there and the surrounding communities," the spokesperson said. "This meant that resorts couldn't predict their business — thus were not investing in infrastructure or their employees."

When Vail introduced the Epic Pass in 2008, it was cheaper than many season passes offered at individual resorts.

The spokesperson also said the company's Epic Day Passes, which offer more flexibility than traditional lift tickets, are significantly discounted if they are purchased before the season begins.

"By incentivizing guests to buy their skiing and riding ahead of the season, we lock in revenue before the snow falls, which has allowed us to continually invest back into our resorts, our employees, and our communities, and the environment, no matter the weather," the spokesperson said.

Many Vail critics still buy Epic Passes

The company's biggest competitor is Alterra Mountain Company, which owns mountains like Steamboat and Deer Valley and is owned by private equity shop KSL and investment firm Henry Crown. Alterra runs the Ikon Pass, which is even more expensive than the Epic Pass, starting at $1,249.

The Epic and Ikon passes' value depends on how much one uses them. It can be a good deal for folks who ski frequently and would like to visit different mountains — which is part of the argument the companies use when they increase the pricing on nearly everything else, including day passes, ski school, rentals, and on-mountain dining and amenities.

In addition to offering a good deal with the Epic Pass, Woronka, the Deutsche Bank analyst, said Vail also still has a strong brand name going for it and great assets.

"These are really terrific mountains. It's some of the best terrain out there," he said. "They have this big, nice, wide portfolio across the country."

The problem is, "trying to cater to everyone and do it profitably can be a difficult proposition," Woronka said.

With the luxury experience that Vail is selling, the increase in crowds on the mountain can make the guests feel a little less special, he said.

Still, Vail's dominance means that many who complain about the company still buy Epic Passes. It often makes the most financial sense for those who plan to ski most weekends, and if all their friends are doing the Epic Pass, they don't want to miss out.

Luke, the former Vail employee, said running a ski operation is costly and complicated. And, he added, there's no denying that some of the resorts bought up by Vail may not have survived otherwise. But he said part of the reason for that is the relatively low cost of the Epic Pass has drawn many away from their local mountains.

"These mountains wouldn't have survived," Luke said.

But he also said he thinks having to compete with a large company like Vail is part of the reason some family-run resorts were struggling in the first place.

• About 200 ski patrollers are on strike for better wages at Utah's Park City Mountain Resort.
• Large swaths of the mountain have been closed, and lift lines have been long, frustrating customers.
• Some customers told BI they won't return to corporate resorts, instead opting for family-run spots.

Skiers at Utah's Park City Mountain Resort say their vacations were spent waiting in painfully long lines and navigating overcrowded trails after hundreds of ski patrollers and mountain safety personnel walked off the job.

The work stoppage over wages at one of the nation's largest ski resorts came as more than two feet of snow blanketed Park City in the last week — normally, a skier's dream. But for Jim Lebenthal, the snow was mostly experienced from the back of a line.

"It started out bad, and it got worse," said Lebenthal, a partner at a wealth management firm.

Lebenthal, also a CNBC contributor, said that 75% of the mountain was closed on his family's first day of skiing on December 27. By December 30, he said 80% of the mountain was closed.

"The lift lines were interminable," Lebenthal said. "It got to the point where it was one run an hour, and a run takes probably seven minutes, and the rest of that is sitting in lift lines."

TF Jenkins, a managing director at a Florida-based wealth management firm, said the closures resulted in limited options.

"There wasn't a ton of terrain open, and we were just doing the same thing over and over again," Jenkins said.

A bad day of skiing can feel especially frustrating given the cost of the sport — lift tickets alone at Park City Mountain Resort can cost more than $300, not including rentals and lodging. Many resort guests took to social media to complain about the conditions.

Vail Resorts Inc., which owns the resort, saw its stock drop about 6% in the last week.

A strike during peak ski season

The Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association (PCPSPA) said it has been in contract negotiations with Vail Resorts since April and is trying to secure wage increases to match inflation, among other things.

About 200 ski patrollers, represented by the union, went on strike on December 27 after negotiations with Vail Resorts broke down.

The resort remained open, "with safety as its top priority," the resort said in a statement.

A spokesperson from the resort told BI that December 30 was "especially challenging" due to early season conditions.

"Each day, we open the terrain we can safely open with the team members we have," Sara Huey, Vail Resorts' Director of Community and Government Affairs, told BI in a statement. "We have had impacts to terrain as a result of the patrol strike."

The union's demands

Vail Resorts said in a statement that it had reached agreements on 24 out of 27 contract terms. The remaining issues were contract length, wages, and benefits — often considered by members to be the most important parts of a contract.

Bill Rock, the President of Vail Resorts' Mountain Division, said the resort has made "significant investments" in its staff.

"Our wages and benefits are strong, as demonstrated by the high return rate among patrol teams across our company and by the number of applicants we get for any patrol opening," Rock said in a statement.

But that doesn't match up with the lived experiences of ski patrollers, said Margaux Klingensmith, a business manager for the union and six-year patroller at Park City Mountain.

"We have patrollers who cannot afford to continue doing this job if they are not compensated better for it," Klingensmith told BI.

The union wants patroller base pay raised from $21 to $23 with an included cost-of-living adjustment.

It also wants to combat wage compression, which Klingensmith said has allowed five-year patrollers to be making the same amount as 15-year patrollers, who are significantly more experienced. Better compensation would help retain those experienced patrollers, which Klingensmith said the resort is losing "at an atrocious rate."

"Trying to keep that experience around with a better compensation package is the real goal. But overall, the reason we're fighting for this is to make sure that we have members of our unit able to afford groceries and afford to pay their rent," Klingensmith said.

The union is also seeking better benefits for its members, including a healthcare stipend, accruing paid time off, and parental leave.

Customers say they won't be back

The PCPSPA said its members unanimously passed a strike authorization vote on December 13. In the days following, Deirdra Walsh, the VP and COO of Park City Mountain, issued several statements on Park City's website stating that the mountain would remain open "regardless of the union's actions."

Still, customers told BI that they felt Vail Resorts did not effectively communicate to them that their visit could be impacted by a strike.

"They should have let us know that this was potentially going to happen," said Lebenthal, who added that he would seek a refund if possible.

Jenkins also said he was frustrated by what he called a lack of communication from Vail Resorts. Jenkins, who bought four-day passes for his family eight months in advance, said he has reached out several times for a refund.

Jenkins added that there were also communication issues regarding wait times for the lifts.

"It would give you the wait times on the app for each lift that was open, and it would say five minutes, and you'd get there, and it'd be like 40 minutes."

He said it's common for mountains to be crowded, but this week's experience at Park City turned into a safety issue with skiers of varying levels zipping down crowded trails.

"This was a human-created situation without a whole lot of communication. I mean, we would've been fine sitting in and playing games all day if it was just not great snow and not great weather, but it was more frustrating when it's created by two different parties," Jenkins said. "It's all kind of been a zero-sum game."

Going forward, Jenkins said he will only ski at smaller, family-owned resorts.

"There may be a little more driving because they don't necessarily have lodging right next to the mountain, but I would rather support smaller local communities than this type of stuff," Jenkins said. "We won't go back to a corporate mountain."

• I recently stayed at the Four Seasons Jackson Hole, a luxury ski-in, ski-out resort.
• My 550-square-foot room had a private balcony overlooking the slopes.
• I thought the room's luxury cabin vibe seemed like an ideal accommodation for a skier.

If I ever take a ski trip, I want to retire to a cozy room with cabin vibes and luxury touches. Ideally, it would be in a slopeside, five-star hotel.

Perhaps the Four Seasons Jackson Hole would fit the bill. In September, I spent one night at the ski-in, ski-out resort.

Although the mountains were not yet covered in snow, my room — which has a starting rate of nearly $1,000 a night during the winter ski season — seemed like a peaceful place to rest after an active day of gliding through powder.

When I arrived at the Four Seasons Jackson Hole on a muggy day in early September, I imagined it covered in snow.

The 63-year-old hotel chain has a luxurious reputation and 133 locations worldwide, each designed to reflect its destination.

"There's a sense of place at every Four Seasons," Kim Cole, the director of public relations for the Four Seasons, told Business Insider.

Cole added that the company describes the Jackson Hole location's aesthetic as "modern mountain chic," catering to hikers, bicyclists, and skiers in the winter.

After checking in, I explored the room with the typical peak-season guest in mind.

The hotel has 106 guest rooms and 18 suites. The starting rate is $525 in the offseason and $995 in the peak winter season. BI received a media rate for a one-night stay.

There are also 31 Resort Residences on-site, built to serve large groups. These residences have kitchens and as many as five bedrooms. Starting prices range from $4,200 to $11,000, depending on the season.

Cole told BI that in the winter, guest rooms are typically booked with active guests who participate in winter sports, so I imagined how the room would feel as a skier.

I thought my 550-square-foot room blended traditional cabin nostalgia with midcentury modern luxury.

My room had a king-sized bed, a full bathroom, and a private balcony.

Renovated by Wimberly Interiors in 2022, the guest rooms were designed to bring the outside in, with metal accents, stone finishings, and a soft, earth-toned color palette. This nature-inspired trend, known as biophilic design, gained traction in 2024.

The bed was plush with warm, fluffy bedding and dense pillows.

The king-sized bed sat between mixed material nightstands with edgy lamps contrasting classic wooden shutters.

With one king-sized bed, the room sleeps up to three adults (or two adults and one kid). The room can also be arranged with two double beds, increasing the maximum occupancy to four adults (or two adults and two kids).

The nature-inspired headboard was a mesmerizing statement piece.

The headboard was the standout piece in the room. A cherry wood frame juxtaposed a bright, white image, giving it a midcentury modern look.

The image was a textured carving of trees that I could feel when I brushed my fingers over the branches. A light bar glowed beneath the board, making it easier to see the details of the monochrome image.

The bed was so comfy that I didn't want to get up — and with smart controls on the in-room tablet, I didn't have to.

The tablet on the nightstand served as the room's control center, commanding everything from the TV to room service. This amenity was added in the 2022 remodel.

The tablet would be especially handy after an exhausting day on the slopes.

The other nightstand held an eclectic shelf of books with a warm white color palette.

Few things are more relaxing on a snow day than cozying up with a good book.

Luckily, my room had a small selection of biographies, historical literature, and novels ranging from realistic fiction to young-adult fantasy.

Publishing dates for these books ranged from 2003 to 2020, but I thought they looked much older. They were all sleeveless with a white or off-white binding.

Across from the bed, a large TV was mounted above a stone fireplace.

Rustic drawers were to the left of the fireplace, while a modern sitting area was on the right.

I noticed all the seating in my room was soft and cushy, which seemed ideal for sore bodies after an active day.

The room also had a private bar with gold trimmings.

The bar had an espresso machine, neutral-toned ceramic mugs, and Four Seasons branded water.

Beneath the bar, a cabinet hid the mini-fridge. It was stocked with alcohol and snacks like peanut M&Ms and gummy bears, which were available for an extra cost.

In the marble bathroom, the oversize tub had a bendy shower head that made me feel like I was in a spa.

The bathroom had complimentary Le Labo toiletries.

The bathroom felt large, with a double sink vanity, a sizable shower, and a separate toilet room.

The mirrors and vanities were replaced by Wimberly Interiors in 2022.

Across from the bathroom, a spacious walk-in closet held bathrobes, a safe, and some classic, upscale amenities I've only seen in ultra-luxury hotels.

I spotted old-school amenities like a shoe horn and shine brush, which I've seen more often in high-end European accommodations than in the US.

The ample size of the bathroom and closet made the room suitable for up to four guests.

The private balcony seated one on a comfortable lounge chair.

I spent some time on the deck, but since I imagined it would be less enjoyable in the cold, I appreciated that there were sliding glass doors to enjoy the view without the low temperatures.

Out there, I had a view of the ski lifts traveling up and down Rendezvous Mountain.

From the balcony, I spotted the slopes towering over the resort's courtyard.

Looking down, I pictured the green courtyard in a blanket of snow as bundled-up skiers got their bearings before hitting the slopes.

• Four Seasons, Aman, and Ritz-Carlton are expanding their portfolios with private jet tours and cruises.
• The offerings are part of a strategy to keep enticing high-paying customers in 2025 and beyond.
• This article is part of "Transforming Business," a series on the must-know leaders and trends impacting industries.

If you want to relax at a hotel, sip mai tais on a cruise, or see the world by private jet, you soon won't have to look further than your favorite luxury hotel brand.

Just don't refer to their vessels as "cruise ships." They'd rather you call them yachts.

Over the past few years, high-end hospitality companies such as Ritz-Carlton, Aman, and Four Seasons have expanded their portfolios to sea or air travel in a bid to keep high-paying customers within their networks.

After all, if you loved your Ritz-Carlton resort experience, wouldn't you be more inclined to try the at-sea version — even if you've never cruised before?

Four Seasons and Aman are creating an in-house vacation network

Aman and Four Seasons are in several markets — hotels, residential, retail, and travel "experiences" like private jet tours.

Alejandro Reynal, Four Seasons' president and CEO, told Business Insider that hotels and resorts accounted for about 80% of the company's revenue. Extracurriculars like its jet tours and coming ship then create a "halo effect" for the brand — an extension of its core business and another way to maintain relationships with loyal customers.

Both companies operate their multiweek group jet trips using third-party specialists. Four Seasons' launched in 2015 and uses a 48-seat Airbus A321LRneo. Aman's took flight two years prior, offering guests a sleek 19-seat loungelike aircraft (often an Airbus ACJ319).

Both include multicountry itineraries and overnight stays at their respective properties, creating a dream vacation for Four Seasons or Aman megafans.

For some travelers, these trips mark their first time staying at one of the luxe properties. But once they're in, they're hooked, Ben Trodd, Aman's COO, said.

"They will often come back and stay at our hotels and resorts individually," Trodd told BI in an email.

Four Seasons hosted eight jet trips in 2024. Almost all sold out, Reynal said, adding that the company was considering additional itineraries with varying aircraft or lengths (several of its 2025 tours already have a waitlist).

Despite their steady successes, both companies don't plan to go all in on private jets. Rather, they're turning their extra attention and resources to the friendly seas.

Ritz-Carlton is leading the hotel-to-cruise pipeline

In recent years, a flurry of hospitality companies announced their cruises — often in the form of yacht tours — in close succession: Ritz-Carlton in 2017, Aman in 2021, and Four Seasons in 2022.

It's a great time to be in the cruise business. Throughout 2024, industry giants such as Carnival and Norwegian reported record revenues and bookings.

These luxury cruises aren't anything like what you'll find on massive boats from mass-market cruise lines.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's first vessel, Evrima, was a litmus test for the ultraluxury smaller-ship segment when it launched in 2022.

It was a success, with only a few availabilities during its inaugural year.

The 149-suite vessel is 623 feet long, a far cry from Royal Caribbean's almost 2,000-foot-long vessels. It also has a yachtlike feel with an almost 1-to-1 guest-to-staff ratio, attracting travelers who might not have been interested in traditional cruises.

"There's been a ton of buzz about how they knocked it out of the park," Jackie Roth, a Scott Dunn Private travel manager, told BI. Once concerned, she now believes the Yacht Collection has "elevated" Ritz-Carlton's brand, she said.

The company expects to sail its third ship in 2025.

By then, Four Seasons will still be a year from its vessel's planned launch.

Four Seasons' and Aman's 'floating resorts'

In 2026, Four Seasons plans to expand its "experienced-based business" beyond private jets with a 95-suite ship.

Reynal said bookings were already "very successful," with about two-thirds coming from the company's repeat customers.

"How do we create this luxury ecosystem around the brand, and which businesses do we need or don't need to be in?" the Four Seasons CEO said. "People were very favorable for us to pursue a Four Seasons experience at sea, and it has proven right."

Aman offers at-sea vacations with Amandira, a traditional five-cabin luxury yacht.

Its next vessel, set to launch in 2027, is planned to be more like a 600-foot-long cruise ship, flexing 10 times as many cabins.

Loyalty to the brand — not cruises — is key for these projects.

"People will follow Four Seasons wherever they go and whenever they launch a new experience," Roth said.

Other travel agents said they'd already received requests for the coming floating resort.

"We are led by the demand of our guests, who often call for us to expand into certain categories," Trodd, Aman's COO, said. "Our customers will travel because it's Aman first and the destination as a second consideration."

Potential road (or sea) blocks

"The luxury cruise market is niche but very competitive," Patrick Scholes, a lodging and leisure research analyst at Truist Securities, told BI. "Operationally, it's not easy. The risk and complexities are far greater than a land-based hotel."

Plus, not every wealthy traveler loves cruises, especially if their only experience is with the stereotypical attraction-filled, crowded megaships.

To overcome this, Four Seasons and Aman could simply continue doing what they do best — creating an ultraluxury experience.

"Customers are going to expect six-star service, and you better get it right," Scholes said.

Four Seasons' ship will be no Carnival cruise. According to its CEO, it won't even resemble some of the traditional industry's smaller luxury ships.

Renderings promise a sleek and luxurious vessel. On board, guests are planned to have 11 upcharged restaurants, a marina that opens onto the water, and cabins up to almost 10,000 square feet, some with au pairs and security personnel.

Aman, for its part, has remained mum about details. Its renderings also flex a yachtlike look. And as with its on-land properties, Trodd said the vessel would provide privacy, space, and a "restorative" experience.

When Four Seasons' and Aman's ships join Ritz-Carlton's, there will be no need to go to airlines for flights or cruise lines for cruises.

Just stay loyal to your favorite hospitality company, as they would want.

• Universal Orlando Resort's new theme park, Epic Universe, opens in May 2025.
• Disney also announced expansions at its Central Florida theme parks in August.
• An attractions industry expert told BI that Epic Universe's arrival will "chink" Disney's armor.

The competition is ratcheting up in Central Florida, where Universal Orlando Resort has upped the ante on Walt Disney World.

Universal will open Epic Universe, a major expansion first announced in 2019, this May.

The theme park comprises five separate "worlds," including Super Nintendo World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter's Ministry of Magic.

When Epic Universe opens its doors to these new worlds on May 22, it will mark a major shift for the local tourism industry — especially for its main competitor 15 minutes south down Interstate 4.

Walt Disney World vs. Universal Orlando Resort

Walt Disney World Resort has reigned supreme in Central Florida for decades with four theme parks, two water parks, and related destinations like Disney Springs. Its flagship theme park, Magic Kingdom, recorded more than 17 million visitors in 2023, according to a report published by Themed Entertainment Association, Storyland Studios, and consulting firm AECOM.

The study said Universal's Islands of Adventure welcomed 10 million guests in 2023, while Universal Studios Florida counted over 9 million visitors.

However, Disney isn't resting on its laurels.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro unveiled a series of theme park expansions at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, which was held in August. Earlier that summer, members of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District's board of supervisors approved a $17 billion development deal with the entertainment maven.

The expansion will include a "land" based on Disney villains and new attractions based on Disney's "Cars" film series. Walt Disney World Resort's expansions will also introduce a new land to Animal Kingdom featuring "Indiana Jones" and "Encanto" attractions. The new land at Hollywood Studios will dive into "Monsters, Inc."

Dennis L. Speigel, the founder of International Theme Park Services, Inc., said the dynamics between Disney and Universal have changed "dramatically" over the past decade.

"What comes into play here is Universal's ability to deliver story, product, and technology," he told Business Insider. "With their movies, content, IP, and technology, it's really an armaments war now in Orlando."

Speigel said his consultation company, which works with theme parks and other entertainment entities, believes Epic Universe could attract a minimum of 6 million guests in its first year.

"Now, in my opinion, Disney is going to get a chink in its armor," Speigel said.

When people travel to Florida for its theme parks, they have several options. They might spend a day at Disney's Magic Kingdom before flitting over to Epcot later in the week. They could explore Universal's Volcano Bay for two days, then visit SeaWorld's Discovery Cove.

Speigel said Epic Universe could reshuffle how guests choose to spend their time and money.

"Epic Universe is going to pull a day out from someplace," he said. "It could be Universal's Island of Adventures. It could be Animal Kingdom. It could be SeaWorld."

However, Spiegel said Universal Orlando Resort will unlikely overtake Disney anytime soon.

"Disney is not going to allow their mantle of dominance to be overturned," he said.

It's all good for Orlando

There is one clear winner in the battle between Universal and Disney: the local economy.

Jakob Wahl, the President of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, told BI the competition between Universal Studios and Walt Disney World is good for Central Florida.

"When you're running and someone's catching up with you, you run faster and try to beat them," he said. "I would say it actually benefits all guests because it helps develop better products."

Speigel agreed, saying, "The rising tide lifts all boats in the tourism industry. I think the length of stay for the tourists in Florida is going to increase dramatically. I think people are going to load another day or a day and a half during their visit because there's more to do."

Walt Disney World said it generated $40 billion in economic impact across the state and over 250,000 jobs in 2022. Epic Universe could generate $11.5 billion in direct and indirect economic benefits to Florida's economy, according to a study conducted for Universal.

"Obviously, there's a lot of direct economic impact, but also a lot of indirect economic impact," Wahl said. "All those people want to eat somewhere. They need a rental car. They want to have activities before or afterward."

Wahl said the new attractions mean the industry is "alive and booming."

"I think the future is bright here for Orlando with everything coming in," he said.

• I've stayed at all-inclusive resorts around the world and seen first-timers make the same mistakes. 
• Don't go overboard with frozen drinks, and never fill your plate during the first pass at a buffet.
• Check out water-sport rentals and amenities at sister properties — and pack an insulated travel mug.

Vacationing at an all-inclusive resort is very appealing for many travelers — and with good reason.

Being able to budget before you arrive and not having to worry about toting around cash or credit cards can alleviate a lot of travel headaches.

As a travel writer, I've been to dozens of all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico, the Maldives, and more. During my stays, I see guests overlook many details that could make their sojourns more enjoyable.

Whether you're planning your first trip to an all-inclusive resort or this is already your preferred style of vacation, here are 10 mistakes to avoid.

Not researching before booking

Not every all-inclusive resort is designed equally. Some have gorgeous pools and underwhelming beaches, or vice-versa.

Some cater to families with dedicated kids' and teens' clubs and activities, but others prohibit guests under 18.

I've stayed at resorts that run the gamut.

The point is that having everything included in and of itself isn't necessarily enough of an appeal. Think about what you're looking for in a vacation, do your research, and look beyond the slick marketing and touched-up, wide-angle photos on the resort's website.

Overlooking the VIP and concierge-level room options

The term "all-inclusive" doesn't mean what it used to.

These days, some resorts offer upgraded rooms and suites in certain areas of the property, with perks that may include butler service and dedicated lounges, restaurants, pools, or beach areas for these VIP guests.

Although spending more for these amenities isn't for everyone, they can bring a sense of luxury and civility to your vacation, especially if you're staying at a crowded resort where guests are forced to set out towels before breakfast to claim lounge chairs.

Not making dinner reservations when you check in

You may have access to a slew of restaurants at your resort, but that doesn't mean you can roll up to the host stand and automatically get a table, especially at peak dinner times. Remember, everyone wants 7:30 p.m.

To avoid disappointment, book tables for the popular spots right after you check in or before you arrive, if that's an option.

Keep in mind that depending on how many nights you're staying, you may be entitled to only a limited number of reservations for the à-la-carte concepts, so choose wisely.

My advice is to prioritize places that serve local cuisine. After all, you can get steak or pasta just about anywhere.

Filling your plate at the buffet before checking out all the options

All-inclusive resorts are often known for over-the-top buffets any time of day, with omelet and freshly-pressed-juice stations at breakfast and salad bars, local specialties, carving stations, and all the desserts at lunch and dinner.

Grabbing a plate and reaching for the serving spoons before giving the area a look-see is a rookie move that can also lead to overeating and wasting food.

Before tackling a buffet, take a walk around, as options can change not only from meal to meal but daily as well. And make it a point to take a spoonful of something you've never tried.

Forgetting to bring an insulated travel mug

I used to roll my eyes at resort guests who'd tote their travel mugs up to the bar to be filled with their beverage of choice.

I thought they were being overly indulgent and exploiting the concept of "all-inclusive" — but now I think they're on to something.

For one thing, insulated tumblers keep drinks colder for much longer and reduce the number of trips to the bar.

Beyond that, they're more environmentally friendly than all those single-use plastic cups. If you're bringing your Stanley and asking the bartender to fill it, though, tip them for going above and beyond.

Not tipping

Speaking of tipping, I'm aware that some all-inclusive resorts invite guests to "leave their wallets at home."

But unless the property you're staying at has a strict policy against it, small tips can go a long way. Tipping the bartender at a crowded swim-up or lobby bar when you first order, for example, can result in quicker service for your second and third rounds.

If you have a fabulous server at dinner, it's a nice gesture to leave them some cash on the table. And don't forget about the housekeeping staff, who keep your room free of sand and endlessly replenish your towels.

Ordering drinks wrong

Not all drinks at all-inclusive resorts are created equally.

I often suggest a stop at the lobby bar, which tends to stock top-shelf liqueur. Upgrade your piña colada by requesting it with dark or aged rum instead of white, which gives it much more flavor.

If you see Aperol or Campari on the back bar, you can be sure to get a decent spritz. Craft your own low-ABV libation by asking for sauvignon blanc or rosé mixed with club soda and a dash of simple syrup, garnished with a lemon wedge.

Definitely try the local beer or wine if it's available.

… and going all in on fruity, frozen drinks

A piña colada is decidedly delicious — I like to have one mid-morning, which I half-jokingly refer to as a "breakfast smoothie."

But if you keep hitting the swim-up bar to order blended concoctions, you're probably going to end up drinking a zillion calories and getting a stomachache or killer hangover to boot.

If you're on a quest to keep the buzz going, maybe switch things up a bit with a spirit mixed with soda water or a wine spritzer. Don't forget to hydrate with actual water to counter the effects of all that heat and sunshine.

Not taking advantage of the amenities at sister properties

Some resorts are part of sprawling complexes with several adjacent properties owned and operated by the same parent company.

If your stay includes reciprocity (such as a "stay at one, play at three" policy), you'll get access to other facilities, including additional pools, fitness centers, beach areas, and restaurants.

Making use of them is a great way to avoid boredom and make it seem as if your vacation includes stays at multiple hotels.

Not borrowing non-motorized equipment for water sports

Although Jet Ski, hoverboard, and parasailing rentals can be pricey, your all-inclusive may allow you to borrow simpler equipment such as stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, floats, and even Hobie-Cats at no extra cost.

Still, I often see them lined up on the beach all day, barely being used. Consider signing the waiver, donning a life jacket, and just trying them.

If you're staying at a place where these water sports are popular, add your name to the wait list first thing in the morning.