New Resorts for the Riviera Maya

Karisma Hotels and Resorts recently revealed several new resort concepts:

Karisma will be opening its first Margaritaville hotel in the Riviera Maya region in 2019; the 355-suite all-inclusive beach resort will embody the laid-back brand’s style. Designed with a casual luxury concept in mind, Margaritaville Riviera Maya will feature swim-up options, several new dining option concepts and a new market called Joe’s Merchant, which will give you the ability to stock your own minibars with drinks and snacks.

A new all-suite Nickelodeon resort will be constructed next to Generations Riviera Maya in 2019, along with the largest waterpark in the region, which will have nine waterslides. In addition to offering all guests butler service and ocean views, every suite will also have either a swim-up or infinity pool configuration. Families will appreciate that each of the resort’s 272 suites will also be connecting rooms accommodating up to two adults and three children. Four villas, including two Pineapple Villas, will also be on property, and in response to the popularity of the Ninja Turtles brand, one will be in the shape of a turtle shell. You will also have a pick of eight restaurants.

Aulani Spring Offer

Disney’s Aulani Resort, on the island of Oahu, has a spring offer valid from April 9 to June 7.  Your family can save up to 30 percent on stays of five nights or longer and 25 percent off four-night stays.  The resort has outstanding pool areas, featuring a lazy river and waterslides as well as a family infinity pool and kids splash zone.  The beach sits on a tranquil lagoon where you can swim, stand-up paddleboard, snorkel and enjoy other water sports.  Disney famous world-class entertainment includes fireside storytelling, movie nights under the stars, visits from Disney Characters and the brand-new KA WA’A, A Lū‘au.  Other amenities abound including several dining options, spa, gym, children’s program for ages 3 to 12 along with tween and teen activities.  Accommodation options include hotel rooms, large suites and spacious villas.  Note that the 3-bedroom Grand Villas aren’t included in the special and some blackout dates apply.

New Park Hyatt St Kitts Offer

The Park Hyatt St. Kitts is now open!  To celebrate get a fourth night free and a $300 air credit per person for stays through March 20.  The 126-room, ultra-luxe resort debuted in November 2017 and is set along the shores of the idyllic Banana Bay overlooking The Narrows, a strait separating St. Kitts and the volcanic island of Nevis.  The original and sustainable design concept of resort taps into the rich historic roots of St. Kitts and is the only Park Hyatt in the Caribbean.  It showcases a Miraval Spa, gym, two pools, beach with water sports, several dining options and more. Active island pursuits include zip-lining, parasailing, yachting, fishing, catamaran cruises, horseback riding, historical tours and volcano hiking.

Double Resort Credits at Palace

Family Deluxe Suites at Palace Resorts now include double the resort credits to use for spa treatments, family photos, golf, excursions, romantic dinner and more.  Receive up to $5,000 in credits for 12 room nights or longer, $4,000 for 9-11 room nights, $3,000 for 5-8 room nights, $1,500 for four room nights and $1,000 for three room nights.  Did you know that resort credits can also be rolled over to subsequent stays at any of Palace Resorts’ 10 oceanfront properties and are redeemable up to 12 months after the original stay?  Your family can also gift the accrued cash value of the resort credits to friends and family who plan on staying at a Palace Resorts property in the future.  Family Deluxe Suites (which are guaranteed adjoining rooms) are available at Moon Palace and the Grand at Moon Palace in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, Beach Palace in Cancun, Mexico and Moon Palace in Ocho Rios. Special touches sure to bring a smile include a fully stocked mini-bar with Hershey’s milkshakes, juice, soda, water as well as plenty of kid- and mom-approved snacks plus Fun in the Sun buckets, which provide all the necessities for building the perfect sandcastle.

Costa Rica Luxury

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts will manage a beachfront luxury-home enclave that will be built next to its recently renovated hotel in Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo by the end of 2019.  Four Seasons Private Residences Prieta Bay at Peninsula Papagayo will consist of 20 homes on 17 acres next to the 182-room hotel. The ecology minded homes will feature glass walls with pocket doors to bring the outdoors…indoors.  You will have walkway access to two nearby beaches and use of the Peninsula Papagayo Club which includes golf and tennis facilities.  Recent upgrades to the Four Sesaons Resort included new furnishings, artwork and artisan pieces in all guestrooms, suites and villas, while the property’s 15 hillside Canopy Suites received new plunge pools.

Four Seasons Nevis Villa Discount

The Four Seasons Nevis is discounting their villas by 40 percent!  Villas range in style from chic and modern to traditional Caribbean, and offer one to seven spacious bedrooms, expansive outdoor living space and a pool.  This offer requires a three-night minimum stay and must be booked at least seven days in advance.  The luxury property also has 196 rooms and suites.  It sits on beautiful beach with calm waters and offers several restaurants, children’s program with playground, three pools, 10 tennis courts, basketball court, large gym, golf, spa and more.  A variety of cultural and educational activities are available for children and families including a sea turtle program through the international Sea Turtle Conservancy and the Nevis Turtle Group.

Every 3rd Night Free at Fairmont Mayakoba

The Fairmont Mayakoba in the Riviera Maya, Mexico gives you every 3rd night free PLUS daily breakfast buffet for two per room through December 19, 2018.  Your rate also includes a bird watching tour, bike rentals, tennis and paddle courts with free use of racket and balls, guided catamaran tours, non-motorized watersports (including kayaks, standup paddle boards and boogie boards), internet, valet parking and more.  Children up to age 5 also eat for free.  Some black-out dates apply including December 21, 2017 to January 6, 2017; April 24-25, 2018 and May 10-15, 2018.

Kids Sea Camp

Kids Sea Camp, specializing in family diving vacations for families with children as young as 5, has just announced new 2018 itineraries.  Led by experienced PADI divers and founded by Margot Peyton, a Women Diver’s Hall of Famer, this unique program has offered family dive trips for 18 years, with more than 7,000 children becoming certified. Ocean-oriented scuba programs are specially designed for adults with children from age 5 to 17, catering to beginners, divehards, handicapped and even non-divers. Offering small group departures, the programs include land-based activities such as yoga, culinary classes, paddle boarding, art classes, hiking, jungle biking, kayaking and more. Destinations include Belize, Indonesia, Palau and the Galapagos.  We recently met Margo at The Family Travel Association Summit and her dedication and passion for teaching families to dive is infectious.   As well as her dedication to safety.

Next Year in Bermuda

The Fairmont Southampton has released their 2018 Family Getaway Package.  Stay next year between May 1 and August 31 and receive a guaranteed connecting room for half off for children age 18 and under or get a free second room when traveling between January 1 to April 30 and again from September 1 to December 31!  Also included in your package is a welcome amenity gift for children and free access to the resort’s kids club.  Save on meals too. Children under 5 eat free from the children’s menu and children under 12 eat for half off the adult menu.  A 3-night minimum stay is needed.  The family-friendly resort showcases great golf, spa, kids club, beach club with watersports, plenty of dining options and summer ferry service to downtown Hamilton.

Casa de Campo’s Sports Academies

Did you know that the Dominican Republic’s Casa de Campo Resort & Villas offers specialty programs for children in three different sports? The Junior Golf Academy accommodates children as young as 4 and costs just $15 per 1-hour session through age 8 and $25 per 2-hour session for older students. And yes, the kids get to play on a Pete Dye course. The Junior Tennis Academy costs $100 per month, worth the money even for short-stay guests. The summers-only Junior Shooting Academy ($70 per month; ages 7-17) teaches safe handling and marksmanship in trap, skeet and sporting clays. Currently the resort has a Christmas Sale when booking by November 15 for travel between December 22-January 2 for 5 nights or longer.  The package includes lodge or hotel room accommodations, golf cart use for your stay, internet and nightclub access.