Nickelodeon Punta Cana Debut
The Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana will open on May 1 and is now taking reservations. Nickelodeon’s first resort outside of the U.S. will be an all-inclusive in the Karisma Hotels & Resorts collection. The 208-suite resort will feature seven suite types that all have family friendly bedding including Super Villas with 2-
3 bedrooms. The heart of the resort is the Nickelodeon Village, featuring the Aqua Nick Playground, outfitted with water slides, splash pads and a lazy river; Character Central, where guests can meet characters from Nickelodeon programming and the Just Kiddin’ clubhouse; a sports and entertainment center. Complimentary, family-focused amenities include baby food, strollers, cribs, kids’ spa robes and baby bottle warmers. Ten restaurants ranging from kid-friendly to elegant will include some adult-only options. The spa will also feature treatments for children and teens. Book by January 31 and save up to 45 percent with the Sun, Slime and Savings package. Additionally, kids under 13 years old Stay, Eat and Play Free with a minimum 4-nights’ stay. These promotions can be combined!
Children Fly Free to Tahiti
Treat your family to a Polynesian escape on the island of Moorea and experience paradise with a special family 
vacation value package which includes two free nights, free daily breakfasts and free air for children. The package with Tahiti Legends also includes round-trip airfare from Los Angeles (one child flies free per full paying adult), inter-island ferry transfers, one night at the InterContinental Tahiti Resort, 5 nights at the InterContinental Moorea Resort and Spa, 12000 XPF spa credit per room (about $100), 50 professional photographs, breakfast for two adults and two children and welcome flower leis. Children under age 15 also eat free from the kids menu when dining with their parents. The InterContinental Moorea features the Moorea Dolphin Center and Turtle Rehabilitation Center along with tennis, watersports, live entertainment, spa and more. The package is available through December 13, 2016.
Adventures in Mexico
Adrenaline junkies can get their fix at Grand Velas Riviera Maya with the resort’s two new extreme watersports, 
flyboarding and kitesurfing. The new flyboarding experience enables you to strap your feet onto a personal watercraft and zoom up to heights of 55 feet. You can also obtain your own personal International Kiteboarding Association certificate. The certificate is available in three different levels: basic, intermediate and advanced; each level takes between two-and-a-half and three hours to complete. The flyboard experience is for guests 13 years and older and costs $189 per half hour. The kitesurf training costs $250 per level.
Free Companion Air to Maui
For travel through January 31, 2016, Delta Vacations if offering a free companion airline ticket (up to $800) with any air and Maui hotel package. One free ticket per booking; so families can book more than one room for additional free tickets. Car rental, transfers and tours can also be added. A minimum 4-night stay is required. Delta Vacations also offers different levels of hotels that include bonus miles that can add up to 7,500 additional Delta Sky Miles. Choose from a variety of resort and condo options that suit your family’s budget and bedding needs.
Barbados Family Getaway
The Fairmont Royal Pavilion is offering a 2nd room for children ages 18 and under for half off plus buffet or in-room breakfast daily with at least a five-night stay. In addition, this intimate and upscale 72-room property includes afternoon tea, non-motorized water
sports, internet, swim with turtles program, tennis, parking and a weekly manager’s cocktail reception for all guests. The resort also offers free meals for children up to age 5 and half off for children ages 6-12. When you book a Beachfront Junior Suite or higher you also get fast track arrival services through immigrations and customs with a designated Airport Concierge who will also escort you to your airport transportation. Black-out dates apply and both rooms must be of the same category and must have the same stay/travel period.
Bali Bound
Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve resort, has opened on the Indonesian island of Bali. Located in the town of Ubud
next to the Ayung River, the resort offers a nice variety of recreation and amenities including a spa, gym, riverfront yoga studio, several dining options, butler service, access to jungle paths, a garden and farm. There’s even an opportunity for your family to plant, harvest and tend rice in a rice field. The highlight for families is the GreenCamp experience. Affiliated with the famous GreenSchool in Bali, the program teaches you new skills and immerses you in the local culture and environment through a variety of unique experiences. GreenCamp’s is at one of the most inspirational and innovative learning environments ever created. Daily or multi-day packages are available. The resort showcases 35 suites and 25 private pool villas with up to 3 bedrooms. Ideal for large family groups.
Bahama Buddies
Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina in Abaco, Bahamas has revamped their unique Bahama 
Buddies program. It is available for children ages three to 12 to learn about island life from a local Bahamian child. New activities include island fishing or conch diving, traditional island dance (Junkanoo), arts and crafts and kayaking. The Bahama Buddies program goes beyond the typical kid activity package,” said Jules McCafferty, program director. “This involves meeting and interacting with resident kids and allows our young participants to enjoy water- and- land-based activities with a local flavor.” The program is available on Saturdays, but can be offered at other times upon request with a minimum of 48 hours’ notice and a minimum of four children. The package is priced at $30 per child, per day and includes a Bahamas Buddies t-shirt and lunch.
Anguilla Family Package
Enjoy a daily resort credit, family welcome gift, daily continental breakfast, free kids club and free kids meals 
(for under age 12) with Viceroy Anguilla’s family package for vacations through December 19. Stay in a spacious Residence and receive a $300/day resort credit and $200/day for Studios. A two-night minimum stay is required. Resort credits can be used on dining, spa and other recreation. The luxury resort showcases spacious accommodations, two beaches, water sports (including a nearby kite surfing camp with lessons for children), tennis, spa, gym with fitness classes, art classes, children’s program and a variety of teen activities.
Spa Treatments for Children
Are your children as stressed out as you are? Recognizing that it is not just adults who enjoy spa treatments like 
body massages, herbal-scented facials and hot stone therapies, the all-inclusive Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has extended similar, but kid-oriented experiences to its younger guests, ages 4 to 12. The resort offers a range of spa treatments including various massages that include Pancho’s Marble Massage, Tarzan and Jane Massage, Princess Massage and Flower Shower Massage. Spa programs for teens are offered at Grand Velas’ resort in the Riviera Maya, including a massage using golf balls! Other resorts in Mexico that offer spa treatments for children and teens include the JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton in Cancun and the One&Only Palmilla, Hilton and Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Los Cabos.
Cooking in Cabo
Families with budding chefs will appreciate all the cooking opportunities in the Los Cabos resort area. For example The Resort at Pedregal’s restaurant Don Manuel’s, children learn how to prepare local dishes including tortillas a mano, flautas, quesadillas and churros. One&Only Palmilla has two classes for children: pizza-making and sushi preparation while some resorts are more geared to the sweet tooth. At Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa, children dress up in pint-size chef uniforms and are released into the kitchen for a two-hour class on how to bake cupcakes from scratch, under a chef’s direction. At Esperanza, cooking classes are led by the lead pastry chef and include making traditional Mexican goodies, such as decorating chocolate cascarones. Some resorts include these experiences as part of the children’s club program while other resorts charge an additional fee. Some resorts offer family cooking classes as well.
