Beaches Resorts: The Caribbean
Beaches Resorts are a trio of all-inclusive Caribbean resorts—two in Jamaica and one in Turks and Caicos. This is probably the most well-known on this list and the price tag reflects that. If it is in your budget, you will not be disappointed by all it has to offer. If you are looking for a destination to visit with a multi-generational family that has a little something for everyone… this is it. For families with babies and toddlers, the chain gives you certified nannies on the job every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (with an infant to staff ratio of 3:1). Nannies are also available for babysitting in the evenings for an additional fee. Beaches Resorts offers Sesame Street programming with daily activities, weekly stage shows, and chances to meet the characters. The popularity of these locations mean availability is usually limited so book early.
Club Med: Florida, Mexico & Dominican Republic
This is my favorite hotel group for families. The best part… kids under age 4 stay free at the all-inclusive Club Med Resorts, whose kid-friendly properties include: Sandpiper Bay in Florida; Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic; Cancun Yucatan and Ixtapa Pacific, both in Mexico.
For toddlers ages 2 to 3 years, Petit Club Med offers age-appropriate activities and entertainment, meals and downtimes for rest. There’s a mix of stimulating games to arouse curiosity, Baby Gym in the open air, nursery rhymes, and quiet time. The luxurious surroundings for Mom and Dad make it extremely difficult not to relax.
Grand Palladium Resorts: Caribbean & Mexico
The collection of all-inclusive Grand Palladium resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico include locations in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Montego Bay, Jamaica. The Palladium group is known for their unparalleled luxury and incredible customer service with personal attention guaranteed. For kids they offer “Play at Palladium with Raggs,” a program that features the five colorful pups from the Emmy award-winning TV series, Raggs. Activities include character meet-and-greets, dining experiences, and live musical stage shows at the resorts’ on-site theaters. Palladium offers programs for babies through teens, including the Raggs Baby Club for infants and toddlers up to age 3.
Azul Beach Hotel: Riviera Maya, Mexico
The Azul Beach Hotel on Mexico’s Riviera Maya has also partnered with children’s programming to bring your kids’ favorite tv shows to life. Azulitos Playhouse sponsored by Nickelodeon is as you can imagine, a very colorful environment (slime green anyone?) with toys for imaginative play, Nickelodeon characters to hang out with, and Nickelodeon-themed activities for kids age 6 months and up. The all-inclusive Azul Beach Hotel, is a beachfront property located just 20 minutes from the Cancun airport. This resort doesn’t stop at the kids clubs and continues to offer a ton of support for families with little ones. You can even borrow any baby gear you may need (strollers, cribs, sterilizers, and so on) during your stay.
Franklyn D. Resort: Runaway Bay, Jamaica
While many family resorts in the Caribbean offer terrific children’s programs clubs and non-stop activities, Franklyn D. Resort offers something unbeatable for families with babies and little ones: your very own, exclusive vacation nanny. For more than seven hours every day, your nanny is available to look after your children and be your personal guide at the resort. The cost is included in the all inclusive resort pricing but should you wish to have your nanny for additional evening hours it is a nominal fee. The accommodations are one to three bedroom suites that are considerably larger than the standard and gives you the space you need. Unlike the other resorts I have listed here Franklyn D. Resort is much more intimate which means it’s always a short walk to get to the pool, restaurant, or children’s center.
Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort: Hilton Head, SC
Looking for something a little easier with no passport required? Head to Hilton Head, SC. The flight from Boston is incredibly easy, the surroundings are stunning and there is something for everyone. Especially when you stay at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort. named one of the “top 25 world’s best family resorts” by Travel+Leisure magazine. The villa style accommodations gives you room to spread out with separate living and sleeping areas, a kitchen and a washer/dryer. Pair that with top-rated resort amenities such as championship golf courses, tennis courts, bike and kayak rentals, jogging and biking paths, and a variety of restaurants and eateries and you will feel like you are in heaven.
There’s plenty to do on Hilton Head Island with fun things like dolphin cruises, lighthouses, and ice cream shops and if that is not enough Savannah, GA is a short car ride away.
Omni La Costa Resort: Carlsbad, CA
At first, you might think that the Omni La Costa Resort was created just for grown-ups. After all, it has two PGA championship golf courses, 21 tennis courts, a world-famous spa, and the Chopra Center, a yoga and wellness center founded by Deepak Chopra.
Yet this resort caters to little ones, too, with its excellent supervised children’s program (for kids 6 months and up) in a 4,000-square-foot activity center called Kidtopia. Additionally, there are three pools in family-friendly playground called Splash Landing, including the Sandy Beach Family Pool, whose zero-depth entry makes it ideal for those with small children who can build a sandcastle and safely dip their toes in inches of water. There’s also an interactive water play zone that’s fantastic for the toddlers. I LOVE this resort as s a great jumping off point for a San Diego vacation. You can spend time relaxing at the resort between visits to family favorites like the San Diego Zoo, Legoland and Sea World.
Are you ready to have the family vacation you’ve been dreaming of, but are starting to feel overwhelmed with the amount of choices you have, as well as the time it takes to research these choices? Travel is one of the best ways to get away from daily routines and reconnect as a family, but with so much to see and experience, it can be difficult to narrow down the best options for your family. I’m here to help busy working Moms plan, organize and book your trip. With me, all you have to worry about is enjoying your well-earned time away with your family. If you are ready to stop trying to do everything on your own and see how I can help you schedule a complimentary trip planning session now.
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