Cap Cana Hyatt Ziva & Zilara

Playa Hotels & Resorts has closed on the acquisition of the site for the new Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana and Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana – in the sought-after luxury development of Cap Cana, in Punta Cana.  The planned luxury 750-room resort complex will feature both a Hyatt Zilara hotel for adults and the family-friendly Hyatt Ziva hotel for guests of all ages within the same 40 plus acres’ beachfront site.  Located only 15 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport, the dual-branded all-inclusive resort will look over a quarter mile of white sand powder beaches.  Taking inspiration from their existing hotels in Mexico and Jamaica, the new resorts will feature contemporary architecture infused with unique, locally-inspired design features.  Plans include 12 dining options, village atmosphere with shops and dining and a waterpark with lazy river, double flow rider, children’s water slides and 3 adult speed slides!  The property is scheduled to open in 2019.

Children and Teens Free!

Palace Resorts in Mexico (Riviera Maya, Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres and Los Cabos) and Ocho Rios, Jamaica allows children and teens up to age 17 to stay, play and eat for free through 2018!  This is a limited time offer that must be booked by August 13 for arrivals through 12/23/18.  Note that 12/24/17-1/3/18 is unfortunately blacked out.  This promotion can be combined other offers such as resort credits and there must be at least one adult per room.  It is is applicable to all room categories excluding those that are exclusively for adults.   We are excited that the newly upgraded Grand at Moon Palace Cancun officially opened in May.  This upscale section of Moon Palace features a new waterpark, bowling alley, huge spa, gym, tons of pools and 1,300 rooms.

Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, with properties in the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Jamaica, also has a Kids Stay Free program available for stays through October 31, 2017.  The number of children free vary by resort.  This family-friendly and all-inclusive chain has Family Suites at several resorts with fun amenities for children such as kid size bathrobes and minibars with milkshakes.  Their kids clubs provide local experiences and activities such as piñata making and learning about the jungle ecology in Riviera Maya.  A new waterpark recently opened at the Grand Bahia Principe Jamaica while the newly opened Luxury Bahia Principe Fantasia Don Pablo Collection in Punta Cana has a pool with a fairy tale castle, complete with its own moat and drawbridge.

One&Only Family Escape

Experience luxury in The Bahamas with the One&Only Ocean Club’s Sweet Family Escape offer.  Your package, available for travel through October 2, includes free meals for children ages 4-11, complimentary access to the Kids Only Club, family picnic in the gardens, personalized souvenir, and a parent’s night out with up to three hours of complimentary babysitting service.  The resort is located on Paradise Island and showcases 107 rooms, suites and up to three-bedroom villas.  The beautiful grounds showcases extensive gardens along with a nice beach, three pools, spa, tennis, bike rentals, running trail, golf, gym with yoga classes.  There is free 24-hour butler service, shuttle to Atlantis for use of the Aquaventure water park and golf course, internet, free beach bag and sunset champagne and strawberries delivered to your room daily! Major renovations were completed last year with updated and enlarged Hartford Wing rooms and a new beach club with infinity edge pool and grill.

Belmond Update

Looking for luxury and relaxation in the Riviera Maya?  Look no further than Belmond Maroma; a tranquil property carved from a coconut grove and surrounded by low lying jungle.  The property is located between Cancun and Playa del Carmen and features 63 rooms and suites, three pools (one is adult-only), two restaurants, tennis, bike tours, spa that includes ancient Mayan rituals and gorgeous beach with watersports.  Currently their Mini Maroma package caters to families.  With a minimum four-night stay, it includes:

• 25% off any Master or One-bedroom Suite
• Daily à la carte breakfast at El Restaurante
• Complimentary dining for up to two children ages 12 or under, when eating with a paying adult
• Complimentary accommodation for up to two children ages 3-12, sharing with the parents

In other Belmond news, the luxury resort chain has recently acquired the iconic Cap Juluca in Anguilla.  With 96 rooms and suites, this property also showcases four restaurants and bars, a large salt water pool, tennis, a fitness center, a library and private screening room. In addition, complimentary water sports are available on the beach including scuba diving excursions, water skiing, wake boarding, sea kayaking, windsurfing, paddle boarding and Sunfish and Hobie Cat catamaran sailing.  Belmond expects to carry out a top to toe renovation and develop a further 25 new beachfront villas or suites, bringing the resort’s total inventory to 121 rooms.

Auberge Family Experiences

The luxury hotel chain, Auberge Resorts Collection, has introduced a new lineup of unique family experiences for their luxury resorts in Napa Valley, Calif.; the Caribbean; Costa Rica; Colorado; Fiji; and Mexico. Experiences include a Family Grape Stomp where your children can help create a special family vintage at Calistoga Ranch in Napa Valley; star gazing at Solage, also in Napa; a whale shark swim at Esperanza in Los Cabos; a two-hour sailing lesson at Nanuku in Fiji; and a garden tour at Malliouhana’s estate gardens in the Caribbean island of Anguilla. All packages are based on availability. Each property offers a wide variety of family-friendly accommodations, recreation, amenities and special offers.  Some of the family experiences are wrapped into a package such as Fiji, Fun and Sun offer at Nanuku.  The 5 night stay includes all meals, dedicated nanny service per villa, kids adventure park access, a guided jet ski or snorkeling tour of some of Fiji’s most amazing corals and sea-life, a two-hour family Hobie Cat sailing lesson, a food and safari tour where you’ll buy local ingredients that Nanuku’s chefs will create a meal from that evening, and a beautiful hike through the rainforests surrounding the resort.  Plus two children under age 12 stay free!

Azul Offers

Book Azul Beach Resort Sensatori Jamaica through Funjet, United or Southwest Vacations now through June 30th and receive complimentary access to Club Mobay’s airport amenities and services.  Club Mobay staff will meet you at your arrival gate and whisk your family through passport control and customs on your arrival.  On your departure, your family receives expedited services through immigration and security as well as a nice lounge while you wait for your flight home.  This promotion, valued at $80 per adult and $40 per child (ages 2-12),  is available for stays through December 23.  Azul Beach is located in Negril and recently opened a new section.

At Azul Beach Sensatori Mexico in the Riviera Maya, your family will receive up to $600 in air credit for stays through December 22 when booked by August 31.  Limit one air credit per reservation. Receive $200 per reservation on 3-4 nights; $400 per reservation on 5-6 nights and $600 per reservation on 7+ nights.

Additional restrictions and blackout dates may apply.

Grand Velas Family Suites

We are excited to learn that Grand Velas has created a new two-bedroom Family Suite at all of their resorts in Mexico.  The luxury all-inclusive resorts are located in Los Cabos, Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit.  The suites are over 2,000 square feet with one king bed suite and an interconnecting suite with two queen beds with private terrace with jungle or ocean views. Additional amenities for families include a stuffed animal of the resort’s mascot, kid sized bathrooms and slippers, a family photo session and credit to purchase the photos, kids’ welcome beach kit, kid-friendly evening turn-down and more. As an added bonus, one massage per adult per night and round-trip airport transfers are also included at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit.

Children’s activities on property include sand castle building, Spanish lessons, pinata making, kickball tournaments, cooking classes, drive-in movies, eco-cycling tours and more. The resort’s high-tech teen lounges offer pool tables, air hockey, foosball and arcade games as well as video game systems like XBox and PS3.  For the littlest ones, the resort’s baby concierge can help with everything from cribs, baby floats and baby clothes to gentle bath and shampoo gels.

Grandparents Stay Free

Book a two bedroom suite for your family and get a one bedroom suite free at the all-inclusive Generations Riviera Maya when traveling with grandparents in tow!  The Grandparents Stay Free promotion is available year-round for age 55 and older.  The resort offers 150  one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, many of which include private swim-up and upper terrace infinity pools. Other amenities include several dining options, watersports and spa.  Butler services assure your every need is met from making dining or spa reservations to bringing you sunscreen and reading materials to you at the pool.  Family style meals can also be served in your suite.  For children, the Eko Kids Club features supervised activities for ages four to 12 years and includes a movie area, craft station, library, gaming consoles, Kids Eko Kitchen and more.  The Little Eko Chefs cooking program presents families with fun facts, interactive techniques and easy to replicate recipes. For infants and toddlers, Baby Beach Lounges provide shade from the sun.  Additionally, all adult guests over the age of 18 can enjoy the facilities at the neighboring adults-only El Dorado properties.

BVI Bound

Looking for a new island to explore?  Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands is a great choice for a quiet getaway with some of the most beautiful natural attractions in the island chain, including the boulders-strewn beach known as the Baths; the island’s highest point, Gorda Peak; and the gin-clear bays of the Valley. The Bitter End Yacht Club is a great choice for families and a popular resort for the sailing set.  The deluxe property is accessible only by boat and popular with sailors.  This summer the hotel is offering 55% off a second room for children as part of the island chain’s Summer Freedom in the BVI promotion and you also get a private Blue Water Day sail.  Another promotion gives you seven nights for the price of five!  Families can enjoy the beaches, spa, gym, pool, evening movies, hiking trails, sailing lessons, kite boarding and other watersports, Junior Watersports Program and Kids Camp, several restaurants and a variety of excursions to explore the islands.

St. Barts for Families

Cheval Blanc St. Barth Isle de France has put together an array of unique children’s and family activities on the resort and off to make your St. Bart’s getaway relaxing and fun for all:

Petits Artistes: Children learn drawing and painting techniques from artist-in-residence, Kate Kova.

The Little Mermaid: Amaryllis the mermaid is available to swim with children in the pool or ocean. For those old enough for a snorkeling adventure, she can surprise and join the family as they sightsee underwater.

‘A la Francaise’ Cooking Class: After choosing a recipe of their liking, the Maison’s chef Stephanie will turn your children into chefs in just a few short hours. For older children with an interest in learning the native language, the lessons can be given in French.

Yellow Submarine: Guests can take a ride through Marine Park and around the Gros Ilets on the island’s Yellow Submarine. Families will be able to spot fish, sea turtles and a ship wreck of the Marignan, which sank fifteen years ago.

A Beachside Read: Cheval Blanc’s new children’s book, ‘A La Poursuite de Cheval Blanc,’ follows two fluffy friends as they travel from St. Barth to the French Alps to the Maldvies “in pursuit of the White Horse.” The book even comes with a white origami horse.

The luxury, beachfront resort has a variety of accommodations for all family sizes with 40 suites, bungalows and villas with panoramic ocean views and neighboring tropical gardens. It also showcases a spa featuring products by Guelain, Technogym with sea views, a 69-foot yacht for exploring private coves and cays and several dining options.