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.

Family Wellness Getaway

The Grand Velas Riviera Maya resort in Mexico has unveiled a new Family Wellness Getaway. The program aims to promote health, wellness and familial togetherness through physical, culinary and restorative elements.  It includes a private yoga class and meditation session on the beach, spa treatments for both parents and children, a healthy cooking class and in-suite digital detox amenities.  The Digital Detox Concierge will actually collect all of your digital technology including cell phones, iPads and laptops. They will be replaced with board games like Jenga, chess and cards to promote healthy and fun interaction among family members.  Everyone in the family will also enjoy a 30-minute restorative spa treatment along with hydrotherapy access and personal trainers will be available at the gym.  Other activities include kayaking and pedal boats, snorkeling and bicycle tours, beach volleyball, water polo and flag football.  For healthy and special needs eaters, a number of gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are available.

Children Free at Royalton

For travel from December 23, 2017-December 22, 2018, two children are free at Royalton Resorts with soon to be eight locations in Jamaica, St. Lucia, Dominican Republic and Mexico.  2017 rates have been extended for stays in 2018.   Early booking savings of up to 50 percent are also available and can be combined with the Kids Free offer.  For added luxury, the club level Diamond Club offers a dedicated lounge with VIP check-in and check-out, top shelf liquor, dedicated concierge service, butler service, exclusive beach access and more.  Royalton is one of the few resort chains offering rooms with two queen beds for added comfort.  They also feature both a kid’s club and teen lounge, reservation free dining and free internet access.  Celebrating your child’s birthday on vacation?  You can add on a special package with room decor, balloons, birthday cake, breakfast in room for up 4, morning Meet-and-Greet with a resort’s Kids Character, a family photo and more for only $99.

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.