With their abundant land and water sports, varied dining options and array of
amenities, many all-inclusive resorts are ideal for summer family getaways. Some
are particularly kid-friendly, with trained youth counselors as well as
facilities and activities designed for young guests. And with lodging, meals,
drinks and entertainment included in one rate you pay upfront, all-inclusives
are easy to budget.
Here are some examples of great family-focused resorts, where children of all
ages are welcome. Just click any resort name for more information, pictures
and online quotes.
Sister resorts FDR Pebbles and Franklyn D. Resort in Runaway Bay, Jamaica,
were designed with kids in mind. Upon arrival, families are assigned a
"vacation nanny" who looks after the children, freeing parents for the
day (evening baby-sitting services are available for an additional fee). Your
vacation nanny will take your children to the pool or beach, or to scheduled
activities at the Yellow Bird Kids' Club. Guests often form bonds with their
vacation nanny and request the same caretaker for return visits.
At Beaches resorts, young children can interact with Sesame Street characters
while the older set hits the Xbox video game center. Supervised, age-appropriate
activities are offered at each property's Kids Kamp. Beaches has three resorts
in Jamaica and one in Turks and Caicos. Its Beaches Boscobel Resort and Golf
Club in Jamaica offers free golf clinics for kids.
At Sunset Beach Resort and Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica, kids can splash up a
storm in the resort's pirate-themed waterpark -- complete with two large
waterslides, a fort, a pirate ship, waterfalls and a "lazy river" that
winds around the park. Club Mongoose is a free program for kids ages 2-12, while
teens have their own center with pool tables and arcade games. This is a good
choice for families on a budget.
Melia Caribe Tropical in the Dominican Republic offers Flinstones-themed
clubs and activities for their young guests. The Baby Club is designed for
younger children ages 4 months to 4 years, while the Kids Club entertains those
ages 5-12 with games, sports, arts and crafts. There also is a video arcade for
teens.
On Mexico's Pacific Coast, Crown Paradise Club Puerto Vallarta boasts the
Aquapark, where fountains, a castle and nine waterslides are sure to keep kids
busy for a while. At Baby Paradise, kids from 18 months to 3 and a half years
are cared for with games, toys, story time and outdoor play. Older children can
participate in treasure hunts, movie screenings and sand castle-building
contests at Kids Paradise.
At Moon Palace Golf and Spa Resort in Cancun, Mexico, vacationers ages 4-12
can participate in weekly planned activities that range from creating piņatas
and making cookies and pizza to playing pool games, beach soccer and miniature
golf.
Club Med Sandpiper in Palm Beach, FL, has children's programs tailored to
specific age groups. Two separate programs for kids 4-23 months and 2-3 years
are offered at an additional charge. Two other clubs for guests ages 4-10 and
11-17 are free and include sports, games, fun science programs and even circus
workshops that let kids try juggling, trampoline jumping and swinging on a
trapeze.
