ArcaMax

At Beaches, Turks and Caicos, kids love the swim-up ice cream bar and the mac and cheese food truck named Mr. Mac. At the same time, Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts have expanded their "5-Star Global Gourmet (TM) Dining," focusing on authenticity, local ingredients and food from around the world. There are some 21 restaurant concepts offering everything from classic French, Italian, Caribbean, Japanese and English pub fare, as well as the recently added and upcoming steakhouse, Indian, Southern and tapas restaurants.

"We've set the bar as the gold standard in the industry with internationally trained chefs creating diverse dishes that allow guests to savor the world in just a few short days," said Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, chairman of Sandals Resorts International.

But unlike most cruise ships, these specialty dining experiences don't come with an extra tab. Not only is the food "amazing," said Daisy Schudmak, visiting with her family from Louisiana, but that the kids can order anything encourages them to try new foods -- mussels or ceviche, an unfamiliar sauce for their steak.

Just ask Jeff and Lisa Park, who are from Vancouver, Canada, and have stayed at a variety of all-inclusive resorts in Mexico for the last 10 years. Jeff Park is a chef and restaurant owner, his wife is a teacher, and they have always opted to try new places -- until now. "Everything is so on point," said Lisa Park, the mom of two young sons. "The food is way beyond what I expected," added Jeff Park.

About 65 percent of the guests here opt for the all-inclusive plan, roughly $135 per person, and free for kids 12 and under. As the units are all suites with kitchens or kitchenettes, guests can also opt for the resort to provide provisions for them at no charge -- just the cost of the groceries.

But with the dining plan, said Schudmak, "I don't have to lift a finger."

"I can really relax," said Jessica Bertoldi, here from Chicago with her husband, mother-in-law and 5-year-old twins.

Our biggest decision at the resort's El Faro Grill is whether to have Steak Diane or grilled scallops for dinner or cheesecake or an assortment of decadent chocolate delicacies for dessert. "And there aren't any dishes to wash," said Bertoldi.

Plans are underway here for a big expansion, which will include a larger gym, spa and two new restaurants. A new wellness menu will be introduced this spring, as well as an expanded children's menu with more healthful options, though the kids I met were especially happy with the quesadillas and freshly made mac and cheese. A roof garden is under consideration.

"We'll have to come back!" said Lisa Park as her sons grinned.

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