Sun, Spirits, and Zero Stress: Why voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Belongs on Your Travel Bucket List

by Leslie Chatman on October 26, 2026 in Travels,
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From riverside golden hours and interactive culinary experiences to historic hideaways and effortless luxury, discover why Florida’s new riverfront retreat is the ultimate quick escape.

 

The moment the plane touched down in South Florida, I felt the familiar weight of travel stress instantly evaporate. As someone who loves a coastal escape but becomes exhausted by the friction of international travel—passport checks, customs queues, and multi-leg flights—finding a true, worry-free paradise close to home has always been ideal. When the voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort officially opened on Florida’s Treasure Coast earlier this year, that kind of an effortless, worry-free escape became easier. 

Nestled along the serene, riverfront banks of the St. Lucie River in Port St. Lucie—with the sun-drenched sands and local gems like the botanical gardens and world-class golf nearby—voco Sandpiper marks IHG Hotels & Resorts’ very first all-inclusive property in the United States. 

Following a $50 million transformation, the property brilliantly infuses the voco brand’s unstuffy, distinct charm with modern luxury. With quick, direct flights from Texas to Palm Beach International Airport, I went from city views to sipping a handcrafted drink by the St. Lucie River in just a few short hours.

Unwinding by the River

Waking up to lush green lawns, swaying palms, and peaceful river views just outside a private walkout patio at voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort. Photo courtesy voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort.

My home base was one of the resort’s 335 thoughtfully updated rooms and suites, complete with a private balcony with tranquil river views and lush green lawns. After checking out the view from my room, my goal was to immediately begin walking around the property to acclimate myself to the expansive space. 

Wandering led me to the Sunset Bar, where golden hour paints the river in brilliant shades of amber and pink. Glass in hand, feeling the warm coastal breeze, the pace of real life immediately slowed down. 

Vibrant pink hues, retro surf vibes, and casual coastal bites at Lucie’s—one of the resort’s unique shipping container dining concepts. Photo courtesy voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort.

Food and drinks quickly became a standout part of the all-inclusive experience, completely rewriting what a bundled resort menu can be. At Riverside Marketplace, the vibrant culinary anchor featuring live chef action stations with an array of cuisines, brick-oven pizzas, and house-made pastries, every meal felt like an event. Casual cravings were just as easily handled at Lucie’s, a breezy beachfront American-style shipping container concept, Solara, a quick Mexican-style concept also in a shipping container, or the Cafe walk-up window for freshly brewed coffee drinks and breakfast bites.

Sipping a cold drink by the adults-only infinity pool, where the blue of the water meets the wide-open views of the St. Lucie River. Photo courtesy voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort.

Other spots like The Hideaway poolside bar and Match Point sports bar kept the drinks flowing and the social atmosphere high with activities like karaoke, trivia, and a DJ for the late night dance party at the resort’s main bar. Whether lounging beside the family pool, watching kids splash around the splash pad, or slipping away to the refreshed adults-only infinity pool and spa tub overlooking the waterway, the property effortlessly caters to every style of traveler.

Coastal Adventures & Historic Charm

For me, a great getaway balances poolside relaxation with local exploration, and the Treasure Coast delivers in spades. The off-property excursions added a captivating layer of history and mystery. 

Stepping back in time at the historic Sunrise Theatre in Fort Pierce—a restored 1923 landmark adding a touch of vintage magic to the Treasure Coast. Photo Leslie Chatman.
  • The Sunrise Theatre: Stepping inside this restored 1923 Fort Pierce landmark for a private, behind-the-scenes tour felt like stepping back in time. 
Blending culinary elegance with eerie intrigue inside the grand 1909 Boston House, a historic mansion on the National Register of Historic Places. Photo Leslie Chatman.
  • The Boston House: Dinner here was an unforgettable blend of culinary elegance and eerie intrigue. Set inside a grand 1909 mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

On-Property Activities Abound 

If excursions are not ideal, the resort keeps days lively with endless recreational options—including water sports rentals via Salty’s Watersports, a fitness center equipped with Peloton gear, yoga, tennis, arts and crafts, basketball, mini-golf course, an arcade, and more.

Ready for action at Salty’s Watersports, where jet skis and complimentary water sports await right along the calm currents of the St. Lucie River. Photo courtesy voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort.

As night fell on my final day in Port St. Lucie, the resort shifted into high gear with “A Salute to Dolly Parton.” Digging into a delicious dinner before taking in a magnificent tribute made for a joyful, high-energy closing that had everyone singing along.

Before heading back home, I spent a peaceful final morning relaxing on the balcony, reflecting on the experience while enjoying the serene setting, allowing a deeper appreciation for this unique corner of the country to settle me. While the rain in central Florida tried to kill the vibe of this trip, it was still an enjoyable adventure. And when I boarded the flight home, I remained in a relaxed state of mind and the absolute certainty that you don’t need a passport (or total sunshine!) to find a worry-free paradise.

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Cover Photo courtesy voco Sandpiper All-Inclusive Resort.

Dallas native Leslie Chatman is a writer, bibliophile, and lifestyle tastemaker with a passion for travel. She leverages her vibrant storytelling to explore the world and champion her local community, staying deeply connected to the people and places that inspire her.