Club Med’s Amazing Family

Club Med has long been a family-focused resort brand.  Now the all-inclusive pioneer is backing that up with a new Amazing Family concept, a family-focused program that was developed from guest surveys.  The idea is to provide weekly activities designed to give multigenerational families the opportunity to bond, create shared memories, spend time together, reconnect and bring home new passions.  It is categorized into five activity times, each with their own uniquely themed offerings and are part of your all-inclusive vacation package. The categories include:

     Time to Splash: This focuses on all things “water fun” (i.e., slip and slides, water volleyball, splash zones).

     Time to Play: This focuses on childhood favorite games (i.e., giant-sized family board games).

     Time to Quest: This activity involves mysteries and challenges as a family (i.e., treasure hunts).

     Time to Recharge: This focuses on relaxing activities for all ages (i.e., family yoga classes, story time).

     Happy Family Time: This focuses on dedicated times for parents and children to participate in resort sports and activities together (i.e., family trapeze classes, archery, kayaking, pickleball).

Each resort will have at least two dedicated family entertainment experts whose sole responsibility will be to animate the program and encourage families to spend time together during their vacation.  After this month, the program will be available at all of Club Med’s North American resorts!

Karisma Updates

Margartaville is going all-inclusive!  The Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun by Karisma is set to open in early 2020 with a big emphasis on upscale food and drink.  This is the first resort out of several planned throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.  Karisma is also opening the second Nickelodeon-branded property, the newly built Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya, next to their Generations Resort.   It will include the popular SpongeBob-themed Pineapple Villa, as well as a new, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed “lair” Penthouse. All told, there will be four character-themed Penthouse suites on the resort’s roof, all of which will have infinity pool swim-up access. There will also be an “Aqua Nick” water park and more.

Malliouhana Reimagined

In November, Malliouhana on Anguilla will welcome the winter season with a new look and new amenities as part of a major enhancement.  The room count will increase from 46 to 63 with new ocean-facing rooms including 11 beachfront suites and new two-bedroom beachfront villas ideal for families.  Other upgrades at the Auberge property include an expanded spa and new dining options. Receive a $100 resort credit along with a free night with a 5- night stay, two free nights with a 7-night stay or 3 nights free with a 9-night or longer stay!  Promotions are subject to availability and some black-out dates apply.  The luxury resort offers a variety of family activities including bike tours, boat tours, watersports, tennis, painting classes, nature tours and more.

Rosewood Little Dix Bay Reopening

We are excited to hear that Rosewood Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda, BVI is nearing the end of their renovation and hurricane rebuild.  They are currently accepting reservations for March 2020 arrivals and onward!  The beach retreat will retain its understated mid-century modern design, offering 80 cottages, suites and villas with up to 4 bedrooms. All accommodations enjoy ocean views, dedicated butler service and an airport greeting and catamaran transfer from Tortola.  The resort will showcase two pools, watersports, spa and wellness activities, children’s programs, tennis and plenty of active adventures to explore nearby Virgin Gorda and nearby islands.

Book Early and Save in St. Lucia

The Landings St. Lucia is offering a 2020 Early Booking Sale with up to 45% off when you travel between January 5, 2020 and January 2, 2021.  Your stay includes daily breakfast in their new Beach Club, water sports, internet, daily activities, Beach & Pool Ambassador Service, gym with fitness classes and more!  This upscale and residential yacht community offers 72 spacious villas, gym, spa, beach club, 3 pools, marina, children’s programs (for ages 4-12), several restaurants and more.  All-inclusive packages are also available.

Island Escape to Grand Cayman

Families looking for an upscale getaway in spacious accommodations can enjoy the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman’s Island Family Escape package. It is available through December 19 and includes a two- or three-bedroom Residential Suite, roundtrip airport transportation in a luxury SUV, daily breakfast buffet, private family dinner for up to eight people, private family photo session, a $1,000 resort credit and a personal assistant!  The resort credit can be used at the spa, activities at the Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment, golf and more.  Complimentary resort activities include scavenger hunts, non-motorized water sports including private sailing lessons, room tents, daily sunset ceremony, pickleball, game room and putting green.

Villa Vacation on Maui

Looking for spacious, family accommodations in a resort setting on Maui?  The Fairmont Kea Lani is now offering their Villa Vacation promotion through December 19.  Stay in a luxury oceanfront or ocean view villa and get a 5th night free, a $500 food and beverage credit, daily breakfast, welcome food basket and valet parking daily.  Steps from Polo Beach, the villas offer two and three-bedrooms with 1800 and 2200 sq. ft. of living space, full gourmet kitchen with dining area, two master bedrooms, full entertainment system and a private furnished courtyard with plunge pool and barbeque grill.  The resort also features several pools, watersports, spa, gym, children’s programs, Hawaiian cultural activities, several dining options and more.

Fairmont Southampton’s All Inclusive

The Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda has announced a new Luxury All-Inclusive Package available for travel from September through next March. The package includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and beverages at the resort’s extensive list of dining options. Reduced pricing for tweens and teens is available and, as always, children five and under eat free.  The iconic resort features gorgeous hilltop views, pool, beach club, tennis, an 18-hole 3 par golf course, spa with indoor pool, gym, children’s programs, ferry to Hamilton and 593 rooms and suites.  Most rooms have been renovated as well.  Bermuda is a great destination year-round!

Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda

We are excited to see that the brand-new Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda will open in the Dominican Republic on November 23.  At a cost of $100 million and spread over 93 acres, the resort is the company’s biggest project of this type in the Caribbean in the past 40 years. The resort’s accommodations will spread across four unique, boutique villages including the family-friendly Explorer Cove and two adults-only sections. Sustainability will also be a focal point at the resort. The property plans to enact a tree re-planting program to replace every tree removed during construction. Your family will be able to attend educational mini-sessions and visit the community garden to learn about gardening, recycling and sustainability.  The resort is 1 1/2 hours from the Punta Cana airport.

New Teen Activities at Velas Resorts

Velas Resorts continues to create interesting and engaging activities for families of all ages.  They have launched several new activities for teens including a Graffiti Workshop, Teen Movie Night, Tortilla Making, Pickleball and Training Camp.  Activities vary by property.  Teens’ Clubs at the Grand Velas resorts also have game rooms with an X-Box Kinect, pool table, air hockey, ping pong, foosball and a karaoke set with an illuminated dance floor. Individual cubicles are equipped with Xbox and Playstation video game systems, along with built-in speakers for enhanced game play. Lounges offer mocktails, soft drinks and snacks.  Massages, body treatments and facials are also offered to teens.  Take advantage of a savings of 50 percent for teens 13 to 15 years old when sharing the suite with at least one adult.