Top All Inclusive Beach Resorts for Families

All-inclusive resorts are a popular vacation option for families. The convenience of knowing everything from your hotel room to food, drinks, and most activities are included in one up-front price is often quite appealing.

We’ve rounded up our favorite family all-inclusive resorts from the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. We’re sure you’ll find something your family will love on this list…

Azul Beach Resort Negril - Jamaica

photo ©Karisma

Jamaica’s Seven Mile Beach is famous for its dramatic sunset views and tranquil waters. It’s the perfect Caribbean escape for families, and this 5-star resort has everything your family could ask for. Beautiful spacious accommodations, multiple pools, nine restaurants, a spa, a to-die-for beach… and it’s all wrapped up in luxury.

The resort offers the “Karisma Gourmet Inclusive Experience” to provide top-notch food and beverages. The restaurants on site feature gourmet cuisine that is sure to impress even the foodies in your family, but don’t think that means the kids won’t eat. The menus include kid-friendly options as well. Just a taste (pun intended) of what you have to look forward to… Mojito tastings, rooftop barbecues, innovative 12-course meals in top restaurants, s’mores parties on the beach, traditional Jamaican meals, margarita tastings, cooking classes, 24-hour room service, and more.

Azul Beach Resort makes traveling with the youngest kids as comfortable as possible. 

There is no need to pack all of the gear you typically have to travel with, the resort will provide you with just about anything you might need including cribs, bottle warmers, sterilizers, baby baths, changers, strollers, bathrobes, baby sleepers, diaper genie, baby monitor, high chair, pack 'n plays.

Kids age 3-12 can enjoy scheduled supervised activities at the Azulitos Playhouse. Activities include arts and crafts, cooking classes and beach trips. Or they can hang out at the My Gym Center where they can enjoy trampolines, springboards, parallel bars, and more.

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit 

photo ©Velas Resorts

“Beyond All Inclusive, Beyond All Compare” is the motto of Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico, and the AAA Five Diamond resort absolutely lives up to it!

From the moment you step foot in the gorgeous palapa lobby, your every need is taken care of. The service is impeccable. The friendly and welcoming staff will make you feel more like an extended family member rather than a resort guest. They will greet you with a welcome beverage, a cold towel and even a complimentary head and shoulder massage from one of the spa staff members. Relax and enjoy… your vacation has officially begun!

Oprah Magazine listed this resort among their top choices in an article titled “22 Family Vacation Destinations with Activities for All Ages." The kids club offers activities such as an Alebrijes painting workshop inspired by the Disney movie Coco, Spanish lessons, sand castle building, kite flying, and much more. Teens have their own space and high-tech club where they can enjoy karaoke, video games, air hockey, and a bar area with sodas, and snacks.

 They’ve even got something special for parents of infants with their signature “baby concierge services” that provide all of the comforts of home for your little ones – strollers, cribs with illuminated mobiles, baby bathtubs, baby hammocks, and pretty much anything else you might need. Nannies are available for childcare for an additional fee as well.

The accommodations are spacious and family-friendly with the smallest one-bedroom suite giving you at least 1,000 square feet of space (two- and three-bedroom suites are also available). Each suite is appointed with Balinese teak furniture, a jacuzzi, a Nespresso coffee machine, and a private terrace with a view of either the ocean or pool.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Mexcio
Photo credit Starr Wlodarski

There is plenty of fun to be had outside your room too! There is always something happening at the tri-level infinity pool or on the beach. Your standard activities are included, but you will also have the option to enjoy activities like boogie boarding, water polo, cooking classes, scuba diving lessons.

Also Grand Velas has resorts in Cabo San Lucas and Rivera Maya.

Royalton  Resorts and Spa 

photo ©Royalton

Royalton  Resorts & Spa is known for being enthusiastically “all-in” for vacation fun. You can do as much or as little as you want during your stay…

In addition to your typical beach and water activities, the Royalton Resort family offer guests the chance to learn to surf on the Flowrider ultimate surf machine, or if you prefer some lower-key relaxed fun, spend an afternoon floating on the 1,200 ft lazy river that flows through mini-caves and lush landscaping. Not all the activities are water-based either. Take part in beach volleyball, mini-golf, ping pong, cooking classes, dance classes, trivia games, aquatic Olympic competitions, aerobics classes, and weight-training with professional instruction.

Looking for a more upscale experience? Consider booking a room in the Diamond Club where guests enjoy upgraded service and amenities. Diamond Club guests receive preferred suite locations, butler service, preferential reservations in a la carte restaurants, access to a private Diamond Club pool, and several other benefits.

Dining options are plentiful and enjoyable. In addition to the casual buffets and poolside dining, specialty restaurants include an Italian Trattoria, an upscale steakhouse, teppanyaki, Brazilian, and their signature C/X Culinary Experience, with personal selections from the chef. Kids will love the addition of an onsite food truck that has plenty of kid-friendly options.

Royalton has locations in Cancun, Riviera Maya, St Lucia, Dominican Republic  and opening soon in Antigua.

Ready to plan your next family vacation? I’d love to help you get started planning! Click here to visit my online calendar and find a time for us to talk. I’ll be happy to make some recommendations for you and to share with you how I can help make your Disney Cruise practically perfect in every way!

Tips for Planning an African Safari

If you are looking for a unique and memorable vacation, a luxury safari should be at the top of your list! It’s the perfect mix of romance, luxury, relaxation, and adventure.

Mornings and evenings are typically spent on game drives spotting the local wildlife leaving your afternoons and nights free to relax and soak up the gorgeous surroundings of your luxury safari camp or resort.

Here are some of our top tips for planning an unforgettable safa in Africa…

Plan to Splurge

This is absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, and if ever there were a time to splurge on top-notch plans, this is it! I guarantee you won’t regret it.

While the price tag on your safari vacation may seem a bit steep, it’s important to understand what is included. Most safari lodges and camps are relatively all-inclusive.

Your nightly rate includes game drives, activities, meals, snacks, drinks, and assorted other amenities. You’ll want to be sure to budget extra for gratuities for your service staff as well as for extra indulgences such as spa services.

Trust me when I tell you this is one vacation that is worth every penny!

Prepare for luxury!

Many people are surprised to learn that a safari can be the ultimate example of luxury. They have a preconceived notion that going on safari is synonymous with “roughing it” and while that is certainly an option if that is what you enjoy, many of the safari lodges and camps we work with are the epitome of 5-star elegance and luxury.

From top-notch service to fine dining and gracious and sumptuous accommodations, you’ll be blown away by the experience.

A safari lodge or game lodge will typically feature more resort-like amenities while a luxury tent camp is often the ultimate experience that feels entirely authentic.

The primary differences between a safari camp and a safari lodge tend to be the size (lodges, in general, are bigger), amenities, and of course having four solid walls around you! Don’t let the name fool you; there are tent camps available that are almost decadent in their level of luxury!

Photo ©andBeyond

Choose your adventure

Your African vacation doesn’t have to be all-safari-all-the-time. Africa has so much to offer that it’s the perfect destination for all sorts of interests and experiences.

I often recommend that my South Africa safari clients begin with a few days in Cape Town giving them time to relax and unwind a bit. With beautiful beaches, spectacular scenery, fantastic dining, and a vast assortment of cultural experiences, it’s the perfect start to your vacation. If looking at East Africa, Micato Safaris  has you spend a few nights at the Fairmont Norfolk, the quinteseential pre safari hotel in Nairobi and you have lunch with the owners at their home before setting off.

The highlight of your trip will likely be your days on safari!

 I usually recommend that my clients plan to visit more than one safari lodge or camp as the experiences and wildlife can vary significantly from one location to the next. 2-3 nights in each is usually just about right. This gives you a chance to experience the unique eco-system in the area thoroughly and to enjoy the amenities of the camp or lodge without feeling rushed.

The destinations for your safari camps will usually be determined by what type of wildlife you hope to see, the time of your visit, and what else you have planned. Planning your African vacation is a bit likeputting together a puzzle… we want it to be picture-perfect, but if we aren’t careful, you’ll spend too much time traveling from one location to the next and won’t have time to relax and enjoy the journey.

After the adventure of your safari, you can round out your trip with a few days of relaxation at one of Africa’s breathtaking beach locations.

Seychelles, Mozambique. Zanzibar and Mauritius are popular beach destinations that can easily be combined with a safari (once again, this requires careful planning to make sure your destinations are easy to travel between!). Ending your travels with a few days of picturesque serenity will ensure you return home refreshed and relaxed.

Enlist the advice of an expert

Africa is one destination where the help of an expert travel consultant is invaluable!

From selecting the right location, the right time to see and experience the things you want to see, the perfect accommodations, the proper documentation, and the ideal safari guide, you’ll appreciate having someone “in-the-know” taking care of the details.

Not only can a travel consultant ensure that your trip goes off without a hitch, but he or she can also recommend and arrange some extraordinary experiences you may not have otherwise considered.

Imagine a private sunrise hot air balloon ride over areas of the game reserve not accessible by car – watching herds of animals running below you as the sun peeks over the horizon.

Or a private picnic on Honeymooner’s Beach on North Island (where the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge honeymooned).

 You can also adopt an orphan elephant and visit them at the David Sheldrick Trust in Nairobi. Your expert travel advisor can make it happen!

Ready to experience a luxury African safari for yourself? It all starts with a personalized vacation consultation. Click here to request a time for us to meet. We’ll discuss the details and what you are looking for. We’ll give you our suggestions and explain how we can best work together to plan an unforgettable safari experience.

Family Vacations are Essential to Health and Well-Being

Life is busy. Busier now than it was 20… 30… 50 years ago.

Life can be stressful too, and not just on adults, but on children as well. Our kids are exposed to more academic and social stresses than ever before. Not to mention the fact that they pick up on the pressure their parents are feeling from work, deadlines, expectations, bills, and countless other sources.

It’s easy to see family vacations as a luxury of sorts… something you’ll do if you have the time and budget for it, but there is an overwhelming amount of actual scientific proof and measurable data that shows that vacations are essential to the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of our families.

Research shows that family time has a significant and powerful effect on our health.

Research conducted by The National Institute of Health shows that children and teens who spend more time together with their families demonstrate better psychological adjustment and are less likely to engage in “risky behaviors.” They also saw a positive influence on academic performance and learning. Creating a family bond through shared experiences and connections is critical to the well-being of our kids. That time with family can be something as simple as shared meals, but the extended family time you have while on vacation is invaluable!

Experiential gifts, such as vacations, create stronger emotional bonds.

The Journal of Consumer Research in Oxford conducted four separate studies on gift-giving. Their findings show that experiential gifts such as vacations or events, create stronger connections and “produce greater improvements in relationship strength than material gifts.”

 That emotional connection happens both at the time the gift is received, and at the time it is experienced.

The co-author of the study, Cindy Chan says, “An experiential gift elicits a strong emotional response when a recipient consumes it — like the fear and awe of a safari adventure, the excitement of a rock concert or the calmness of a spa — and is more intensely emotional than a material possession.” This is true for both adults and children.

photo ©Emmanuel Keller

Experiencing different cultures gives our kids an edge in the future job market.

Natalie Turner, the author of The Educational Tourist, says that “Being able to thrive in the midst of a variety of cultures is crucial to a happy and productive life in our generation and future generations.” She believes that traveling with your children and exposing them to different cultural experiences helps them to develop “increased cultural intelligence” through empathy and open-mindedness… traits that she states are likely to give them an edge in the global opportunities the future job markets will offer.

Vacations promote “active learning.”

The consulting firm Earlyarts specializes in combining the arts with neuroscience to promote more effective learning environments and enhance education has found that children learn best by “doing;” through hands-on, engaging experiences that allow them to explore with all of their senses. That should come as no surprise to parents!

Taking your kids out of their normal, everyday routine and environment combining that with the increased family time and attention that a vacation provides is the ultimate opportunity for this kind of “holistic” learning!

In an article called The Science Behind How Holidays Make Your Child Happier – and Smarter, British child psychotherapist Dr. Margot Sunderland says that family vacations provide kids with the kind of rich learning environment and enhanced experiences that encourage brain development and improve concentration. She was quoted in the London Telegraph as saying, “The enriched [vacation] environment triggers the brain fertilizers which are associated with higher IQ in kids, and exploring a new place together helps in making your child smarter.”

Families who vacation together are happier overall.

The Family Holiday Association, a charitable organization dedicated to providing short vacations to families experiencing some of life’s most difficult challenges such as domestic abuse or terminal illness, completed a study on the importance of time away with family. 

They reported that 49% they interviewed said that their happiest memories were from a family vacation. Furthermore, more than 33% of adults reported that memories of their family travels are more clear and vivid than “everyday memories.” 

They also found that both adults and children will recall these happy memories to help them get through difficult situations. The organization’s director, John McDonald says, “using these memories as an anchor to take us back to more cheerful moments, we're often able to approach problems with a fresh sense of perspective."

These are just a few examples of the research that shows how important and beneficial family vacations are for the health and well-being of our kids… and for us as parents. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started planning your next trip!

The perfect vacation begins with scheduling your complimentary consultation. Click here to request a time for us to chat . We’ll discuss the details and what your vacation priorities. I’ll give you my suggestions and explain how we can best work together to plan the vacation of your dreams.

World's Most Luxurious All Inclusive Resorts

When you think of “all-inclusive resorts,” what comes to mind?

For some people, the idea of a vacation where everything is covered is appealing. For others, a “package deal” conjures images of cookie-cutter hotels with so-so buffets and crowded pool decks with loud music.

There are many flavors of all-inclusive resorts, including luxury properties far from the closest beach. There are exclusive resorts that offer discerning travelers an “everything is included” option.

We’re not just talking unlimited food and beverages. Guests will find things like unlimited spa treatments, yoga, wellness workshops, cooking classes, butler service, and more.

Here are some of our favorite unique luxury all-inclusive resorts…

Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai, Thailand

photo ©Four Seasons

Set on hillside in the northernmost edge of Thailand with a view of Myanmar and Laos, this luxury tented camp is inspired by 19th-century safari-adventures. The romance of the era is reflected in the handcrafted leather furnishings, mosquito nets, hurricane lamps and hardwood floors of the resorts 15 air-conditioned tents.

With a maximum of 51 guests per night, service is exceptional. The staff prides themselves on remembering and anticipating the personal preferences of their guests. All-inclusive rates include not only food and drink but a 90-minute spa treatment for each guest, and activities such as interacting with the resort’s rehabilitated elephants, an excursion on the Mekong River, visits to the Hall of Opium, early-morning hikes up to the Camp Peak, yoga, meditation sessions, wine and cheese tastings and more.

If you are looking for something unique, exotic, and adventurous… this may be just the thing for your next vacation.

Jade Mountain, St. Lucia

photo ©Jade Mountain

If impeccable service, stunning location, unique accommodations, and gourmet dining sounds like the perfect vacation destination, then Jade Mountain resort in St. Lucia should be on your list.

This absolutely stunning resort features 28 unique open-air suites they refer to as “sanctuaries.” With 15’ ceilings, lack of a 4th wall, private infinity pools, and unrivaled views of Soufriere Bay and the Caribbean Sea, the sanctuaries are most destinations unto themselves. Room service, massages, and even cooking classes can be arranged in your private sanctuary if you wish.

Should you decide to venture out of your room to enjoy the property, you’ll find the ultimate in fine dining at the Jade Mountain Club with an on-staff James Beard Award-winning chef. You are also welcomed to enjoy all of the amenities at the neighboring Anse Chastanet resort, including their soft sand beaches, water sports, and multiple dining options.

Jade Mountain is truly the epitome of luxury travel!

The Point Resort, New York

photo ©The Point

“Camping” takes on a whole new meaning at The Point Resort. The term “glamping” doesn’t even begin to cover the experience you’ll have here. The atmosphere at The Point can best be described as rustic elegance.

This 75-acre estate in upstate New York was built by the Rockefeller’s as a woodland retreat. It is the ultimate escape for discerning travelers who want to get “back to nature” without giving up the comforts and world-class service of their favorite luxury resort.

Where else will you find black-tie suggested dinners twice a week combined with accommodations like rustic log cabins or a waterfront boathouse? These gourmet dinners come with premium wine pairings and breathtaking surroundings.

During the warmer months, guests can enjoy activities including boating, fishing, tennis, waterskiing, croquet, badminton, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and hiking. In the winter the property transforms into a veritable winter wonderland. Ice skating, curling, ice fishing, cross-country skiing, hiking, boating, and cozy bonfires are just a few of the outdoor activities available. But don’t forget the indoor fun like sipping hot toddies by the fire, classic movies, billiards, and more.

explora Patagonia - Torres del Paine National Park, Chile

photo ©explora

Outdoor enthusiasts will love this eco-friendly resort that gives the term “all-inclusive” new meaning.

 

Located in the heart of Torres del Paine National Park in southern Patagonia, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, explora Patagonia is situated on the banks of Lake Pehoe and treats guests to unparalleled views of the lake, Paine ridge, and the granite towers. The location provides the perfect base for exploring the surrounding park.

Like all explora properties, the amenities of the hotel are all thoughtfully created to encourage guests to get out and explore nature. The healthy menus are crafted with fresh, local ingredients and paired with fine Chilean wines. The hotel’s rooms and suites are “designed to take full advantage of the silence, privacy, and spaciousness of the surrounding landscape, ensuring deep rest after a long day of exploration.” You won’t find televisions or Wi-Fi in the rooms… but Wi-Fi is available in the lobby and common areas.

During your stay chose from over 40 different explorations led by bilingual expert guides all throughout the park. Explorations are available by foot, horseback or by van and there are options for all fitness and skill levels. Popular options include “walks towards crystal clear lakes, and lenga tree forests, hikes to viewpoints and horseback rides through the Park’s pampas (grasslands) and along its rivers.”

Transfers, food, beverages, and all explorations are included in your all-inclusive package.  


 The Resort at Paws Up-Greenough, Montana

photo ©The Resort at Paws Up

The perfect resort for families to couples that like the great outdoors and don't want to sit on a beach. Luxury tents(glamping) to luxury homes that can accommodate the whole family down to that couple celebrating their honeymoon or anniversary. Unlike a lot of ranches there is there is no main lodge at Paws Up so each accommodation offers a level of privacy. Food and select activities are included, as are transfers from Missoula airport. The resort boasts an impressive 400 bottle wine cellar and their executive chef earned his cooking chops at the French Laundry in Napa working with Thomas Keller and Corey Lee. 

Planning the perfect luxury vacation begins with scheduling your vacation consultation call. Click here to request a time for us to meet. We’ll discuss the details and what you are looking for. I’ll give you my suggestions and explain how we can best work together to plan the vacation of your dreams