1. Gourmet All Inclusive provides the best of all worlds
Yes, some all-inclusive resorts sacrifice quality for quantity in order to feed their guests as quickly and economically as possible. But Sensatori resorts are not like others. Their Gourmet All Inclusive concept is changing the way people think about all-in holidays by offering unprecedented levels of quality and choice. At Sensatori Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, for example, you have the choice of five restaurants serving everything from local delicacies to Sicilian classics and authentic Asian cuisine. There's also a burger house, a wide selection of bars to suit every taste – and a restaurant on the beach offering stunning views of the Caribbean. Gourmet All Inclusive deals include breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks throughout the day, as well as a wide choice of drinks and speciality gourmet bites.
2. No more buffets – unless that's what you want
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There's nothing wrong with a great buffet, but you may not want one three times a day for the duration of your stay. And while Sensatori resorts know how to put on a spectacular buffet spread, they also offer so much more. Six of the restaurants at Punta Cana offer a la carte choices and at Sensatori Negril in Jamaica, the Palms international buffet is supplemented by three a la carte offerings: Ackee, a Caribbean-themed restaurant with a handsome terrace; the speciality Italian eatery Di Romagna, and the International Beach House, which serves up flavours of the Mediterranean in easy-going surroundings.
Some of the world's most innovative and exciting chefs are hard at work in the kitchens of Sensatori resorts. In Mexico, for example, at the Azul Sensatori on the Riviera Maya, Le Chique has established a stellar reputation. Chef Jonatan Gomez Luna, who earned his spurs at the celebrated El Bulli in Spain – five times voted the world's best restaurant – whips up an unforgettable sensory experience with an intriguing blend of local and international ingredients. Applying the principles of molecular gastronomy to traditional Mexican cuisine, Luna has created a modernist masterpiece of a menu – 16 courses with matching wines are covered by the Gourmet All Inclusive package, or there's a 22-course tasting menu available for an extra charge. "Le Chique, without a doubt, is one of the most cutting-edge restaurants around," says fellow superstar chef Rene Redzepi of Danish restaurant Noma.
4. Locally inspired menus
While Le Chique's astonishingly inventive dishes may bear little comparison to what has been cooked and eaten in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula in previous centuries, the Sensatori resort offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the rich culinary traditions of the region. At the Zavas restaurant, for example, the menu presents traditional flavours of the Caribbean, including several inspired by pre-Columbian ingredients and recipes. One such dish not to be missed is seafood ceviche, in which local fish is tossed in lime juice, chilli and a blend of traditional spices – and whose roots may be traced back more than 2,000 years to ancient South American civilisations. Or for a more modern taste of Mexico, head to Zocalo, which serves up familiar treats such as tacos, fajitas and burritos. And that's just in Mexico – each Sensatori resort offers its own distinctive culinary blend, mixing the international and the local, the ancient and contemporary.
5. You can eat whenever the fancy takes you
While the focus is always on quality, you can be sure that you will never go hungry at a Sensatori resort. Aside from your three main meals a day, plus regular snacks and gourmet treats available in many destinations, there's also the option of 24-hour room service. A wide range of activities, from yoga and aqua-aerobics to tennis and beach football, will help you work up an appetite for all that indulgence.
6. And if you get thirsty…
Sensatori resorts lavish just as much attention on their bars as on their restaurants – and the guests seem to appreciate their efforts. The Sensatori Jamaica at Negril, for example, lays on a wide selection of rums – including guided tastings of the Caribbean spirit – at the Nesta Rasta lounge. Like most other Sensatori resorts, it also boasts swim-up bars in two of its pools, as well as a laidback beachfront bar – and a weekly beach party. Bars are open until late and a well-stocked complementary minibar awaits in your room when it's time to retire for a night cap. Tea and coffee-making facilities will help brighten the morning after.
7. Premium drinks included
While many all-inclusives limit their guests to unfamiliar brands of beers and spirits, most Sensatori resorts offer a selection of premium brand drinks in their bars and restaurants at no extra cost – while local brands are also available for those who want to try something different. Many of the restaurants also offer extensive wine lists featuring well-respected winemakers from the old world and new.
8. Peace of mind comes at no extra cost
You shouldn't have to lose sleep about eating well on holiday, but the expense of feeding yourself and your family at tourist prices can quickly become an irritation or worse. By contrast, a Gourmet All Inclusive stay at Sensatori includes a taste-tickling array of high-quality choices, all included in the price of your holiday. Once you've checked in, you can put your put your wallet away: there's no worrying about the cost of individual restaurants and dishes and no need to weigh up the price of one option against the quality of another. All you have to think about is where you will eat next.
9. Cocktail hour is making a comeback
Nothing whets the appetite for a great meal like a cocktail on a sunny terrace and at Sensatori, you're encouraged to resurrect that most civilised of rituals: the cocktail hour. Most Sensatori resorts offer a choice of venues, with beachside or poolside bars taking care of the al fresco urge, while restaurant bars or lounges cater for those who prefer to move seamlessly from aperitif to main event.
10. Leave it to the experts… or get involved
For some foodies, stepping off the beach and into the kitchen might seem like an act of madness. But for others, it's not enough merely to eat the local cuisine – they want to get to know it inside out. Sensatori can help out there as well: in Jamaica, for example, you can sign up for a cookery class, in which expert chefs will show you how to get the very best out of local ingredients. And if your efforts turn out to be somewhat below professional standards, you can always make a discreet beeline for the resort's Caribbean restaurant to see how it should have been done. Or try a Sicilian speciality at Di Romagna. Or a sizzling burger at the Beach House. Or...
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