An Inside Perspective on Florida’s Newest All-Inclusive Resort with Teens and Tweens

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Outdoor campus view of Voco Sandpiper property in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Guests outside the Voco Sandpiper all-inclusive resort property. Photo credit: Amanda Williams

Voco Sandpiper is Florida’s freshly opened all-inclusive property under the IHG umbrella. Everyone has been buzzing about this new destination because it is an all-inclusive, which is uncommon stateside. It offers a more accessible option for regular families like mine compared to luxury resorts in the same area charging thousands of dollars per night.

Highlights

  • Fresh IHG Destination: Florida’s newest all-inclusive option for regular families
  • Accessible Pricing: True all-inclusive value without high luxury price tags
  • Teen-Approved Freedom: Expansive grounds that give kids safe exploration privileges
  • Generous Dining: International buffets with fantastic high-quality meats
  • Endless On-Site Activities: On-site 24-hour arcade, ping pong, mini golf and pickleball

Editor’s note: the writer was hosted.

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How the Rooms at Voco Sandpiper Work for Families

In-room couch made into a single bed.
The couch in-room is made into a convenient single bed. Photo credit: Amanda Williams

My family experienced a Standard King room with two single sofa beds and a garden/partial river view. Housekeeping staff made the couches into beds for the boys daily. An enormous closet allowed us to spread out and organize. There was generous space for the sparse time spent inside, plus a refrigerator, coffee maker and second-level balcony.

  • The Magic: Wristbands received at check-in that happily double as room keys.
  • What We Loved Best: An enormous closet that allowed our family to spread out and organize during our stay.
  • Must-Try Recommendation: Opt for a second-level balcony room, which happily includes an elevator since we didn’t pack light.
  • Sleeping Arrangement Options: One son loved the couch bed in the room while the other was not a fan.
  • Budget Saver: For a mom footing the bill, it is fabulous to house a family in one single room.

SheBuysTravel Tip: The room includes a refrigerator and a coffee maker, but there is no microwave.

How the Food Stacked Up at Voco Sandpiper for Our Family

View of the main dining room in Riverside Market
Riverside Market has international options served buffet style every meal. Photo credit: Amanda Williams

My sons (15 and 11) were stoked to have whatever they wanted to eat. I gave them complete liberty to eat what and when they wanted. We found plenty at every meal, even for my picky younger son. Food quality surpassed expectations, especially the fantastic meat. Fresh fruit and international recipes were always available.

  • The Magic: Ice cream on tap in the dining hall was a hit day after day and never got old.
  • What We Loved Best: Meat quality was fantastic, serving as our trusted barometer for all-inclusive food quality.
  • Must-Try Recommendation: Take the opportunity to try unique recipes inspired by other countries that you may not normally taste.
  • Drink Privileges: Staff served drinks, featuring fun blended fruity concoctions and sodas for the kids.
  • Date Night Wish: We wished for one reservation restaurant like a steakhouse or Italian venue for a nice date night.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Drinks are served by staff, so it can sometimes be difficult to get a drink without flagging someone down.

What My Teens/Tweens Loved Most at Voco Sandpiper

Two boys playing Jurassic Park arcade game.
Kids of all ages love the 24-hour arcade on-site. Photo credit: Amanda Williams

The property is expansive, and my boys loved having full exploration privileges to come and go safely as they pleased. Ping pong, mini golf, pickleball and the pool kept them busy daily. They loved ordering all the fancy drinks they could handle, celebrating unlimited Shirley Temples, virgin daiquiris and specially blended fruity concoctions without my usual one-drink limit.

  • The Magic: Full exploration privileges to safely come and go as they pleased on an expansive property.
  • What We Loved Best: Ordering all the fancy drinks they could handle, from Shirley Temples to virgin daiquiris.
  • Must-Try Recommendation: Head to the 24-hour arcade during afternoon rainstorms when the pool closes for weather safety.
  • Daily Recreation: Ping pong, mini golf and pickleball keep teens completely occupied throughout the day.
  • Total Relaxation: Enjoy the ability to relax on vacation without needing to leave the property at all.

SheBuysTravel Tip: The arcade requires you to purchase a card for swipes and is not included in the all-inclusive resort fee.

Tips to Maximize Your Time at Voco Sandpiper

Syrups and drink mixes inside the Cafe at Voco Sandpiper.
The Cafe was a daily morning stop in my all-inclusive routine at Voco Sandpiper. Photo credit: Amanda Williams

Note dining and snack operating times so you never go hungry. The Cafe is perfect for morning coffee shop drinks, while Match Point offers late-night bar snacks. Check daily activity schedules or the app for events. Do not be shy about joining Aqua Zumba, trivia contests and karaoke to elevate your family vacation with laughs.

  • The Magic: All restaurants and dining spots are casual, carefree walk-in style with no reservations required.
  • What We Loved Best: Morning coffee shop style drinks and snacks from the Cafe as part of a daily routine.
  • Must-Try Recommendation: Join Aqua Zumba, trivia contests and karaoke to elevate your vacation with days of laughter.
  • Late-Night Eats: Stop by Match Point for late-night bar snacks when evening cravings hit.
  • Towel Strategy: Secure pool towels for your family early in the day before they run short by mid-afternoon.

SheBuysTravel Tip: The pool closes for weather safety during afternoon summer storms, making the arcade very handy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a stay at Voco Sandpiper cost for families?

Voco Sandpiper offers an accessible all-inclusive model under IHG, making it far more affordable for regular families than neighboring Florida luxury resorts. Your nightly rate covers room accommodations, buffet meals, beverages and most resort activities, though arcade game swipes require buying an additional card.

Is Voco Sandpiper suitable for families traveling with teens and tweens?

It is fantastic for teens and tweens. The expansive property gives kids safe exploration privileges to come and go as they please. Between pickleball, mini golf, ping pong, unlimited specialty mocktails and a 24-hour arcade, older kids stay busy all day.

Where is Voco Sandpiper located and how do you access the property?

Voco Sandpiper sits along the riverfront in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The resort features convenient elevators to access second-level balcony rooms, ensuring easy transit across the campus grounds even if your family packs heavy luggage for your Sunshine State stay.

What are the main dining policies and rules at Voco Sandpiper?

Dining is carefree and completely walk-in style with no advance reservations required. Note operating hours for each venue so you never go hungry. The Cafe handles morning specialty drinks while Match Point offers late-night bar snacks.

How does Voco Sandpiper compare to luxury Florida resorts?

Voco Sandpiper provides a rare stateside all-inclusive experience tailored to regular families rather than charging thousands per night. While it currently lacks a fine dining reservation restaurant for date nights, its high-quality buffet meats, fresh fruit and inclusive activities offer incredible overall value.

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SheBuysTravel writers have been where you’re going. We share our ground-truth experience to save you time, money and energy, making your trips easier. Been There. Bought That. Since 2006.
Amanda Williams is a travel journalist in rural Minnesota. Her stories have been published in Matador Travel Network, Midwest Living, Family Handyman, and several other print and online publications. A solo mother of two boys, she writes about adventures from National Parks to waterparks. Amanda, or Mandy, to friends, loves sharing tips and insider information for others to use to make their trip sparkle. She and her kids scuba dive and live for new experiences and thrills. Road trips are always on the horizon and she’s embraced van life and has driven from the Midwest to Alaska (via Canada) with her kids. Amanda is formally trained as a wildlife biologist and has worked as a National Park Ranger, in addition to other exciting jobs like being a wildland firefighter. Because of these outdoorsy experiences, stories relating to outdoor adventure are often a focus of her writing. She hopes to inspire other solo parents to take on Disney, camping, and trips abroad with their families with the confidence to make those memories, even as the lone adult in the mix! Her most recent obsession is photographing adventures from the land, water, AND skies, as a licensed small unmanned aircraft system (drone) pilot. Learn more about her at WayfaringMandy or follow her on Instagram, @WayfaringMandy.
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