Featured Image: voco Sandpiper
In Florida, there’s a destination for every occasion. There are family-friendly stretches of sand filled with endless things to do, quaint coastal towns perfect for unplugging, and theme parks for a thrill.
And in one Treasure Coast town tucked between Orlando and West Palm Beach, there’s an actual all-inclusive that requires no passport to enter.
Meet voco Sandpiper
voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort opened in January 2026 on the banks of the St. Lucie River in Port St. Lucie, Florida, following a $50 million overhaul of the old Sandpiper Bay Resort. It’s IHG’s first all-inclusive in the U.S., and the resort bills itself as Florida’s only domestic all-inclusive.
I’ll start with what won me over: the view. The property sits right on the water, and at sunset the river that weaves around the property splashes hues of gold, pink, and fiery orange. During my visit, I started a little ritual of sipping an Aperol Spritz on a sandy Adirondack until the sun totally disappeared.
Here’s what to know about voco Sandpiper, from where you’ll sleep to what you’ll eat, drink, and do once the wristband goes on.
Accommodations
The renovation transformed the space into bright, whitewashed rooms and suites across the property. Standard king rooms include a sofa bed for groups and families, sleeping up to four. Traveling with a bigger crew or more kiddos? Two-bedroom suites sleep up to six.
Every room has a private balcony or walkout patio, with views of the river, the beach area, or the resort grounds. The resort is also pet-friendly, so your party pup can come, too.
Dining and Drinks
Value is the name of the game at Sandpiper, and the bar is where you’ll get every penny’s worth. The resort offers a strong lineup of liquor that goes beyond the bottom shelf, and the drinks keep on coming so long as you keep on ordering. You’ll find a centrally located indoor/outdoor bar plus one conveniently near the adults-only pool. There’s also a riverfront Sunset Bar, perfect for golden-hour sips.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served buffet-style with a wide spread of cuisines, from pastas to seafood, pizza, salad, and cookout fare. A couple of food trucks handle snacking between meals, including a taco truck that serves lunch beside the infinity pool. I found myself a frequent flyer at the on-site coffee shop, which pulls excellent lattes (plus snacks) during the day.
Set your expectations accordingly: this isn’t a sprawling Mexican mega-resort with a steakhouse, a sushi bar, and a stack of à la carte reservations you have to book in advance. If you’re staying more than a few nights, work a couple of off-property meals in nearby Jensen Beach or Port St. Lucie to mix things up.
Activities
You can make a whole weekend out of lounging at the pool, being serenaded by the sounds of a steel drum. The adults-only infinity pool overlooks the river, and the edge falls away so your line of sight runs straight from the water you’re floating in to the water beyond. It’s prime real estate for parking it all afternoon, with a spa tub, the taco truck, and that grown-ups-only bar a few stumbles away. The main pool is much more lively, with regular entertainment and a splash pad for the little ones.
Beyond the pool, the activities crew keeps things interesting with things like bracelet making and bingo, and the adjacent sports courts let you sweat out last night’s choices over pickleball or tennis. Kayaks and paddleboards from Salty’s Watersports are included for getting out on the river, and you can book jet ski rentals at the watersports desk for an extra fee. Kiddos (and kids at heart) get an arcade and a mini golf course, and there’s a DJ or live music billowing from the bar most days.
When you’re craving the ocean, Jensen Beach is about a seven-minute drive. The resort’s own sandy beach sits on the river, which is great for lounging and paddling but not for swimming. Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens and PGA Village are close by, too, if anyone in the group needs a break from the pool deck.
Need to know
voco Sandpiper is perfect for a party. Especially on weekends, the bar music keeps going as long as the crowd does. If you’re picturing a hushed spa morning, a quiet dinner for two, and lights out by 9 p.m., look elsewhere. If you’re rounding up your best friends, leaving your inhibitions (and your inbox) at the door, and keeping the drinks flowing from noon to sundown, this is the one.
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