Paradisus Palma Real Upgrades

This past December Paradisus Palma Real unveiled 42 brand new luxury oceanfront suites. The new accommodations are part of a $12 million dollar renovation project that also includes a new private Family Concierge Lounge and a new Family Concierge exclusive Trattoria-style restaurant and bar. These exclusive suites feature the brand’s signature service Family Concierge providing your family with a stress free vacation with the help of a dedicated concierge and children-friendly amenities. Select from the following categories: 700 sq. ft. Family Concierge Ocean Front Suite; 930 sq. ft. Ocean Front Junior Suite; and 540 sq. ft. Family Concierge Ocean View Junior Suite.

Single Parent Package

Thanks to the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino on Saint Maarten for waiving single supplements for families through December 24, 2015.  With the Single Parent All-Inclusive Package children 11 and under stay, play and eat free and children 12-17 play and eat for only $45 per night.  The package also includes a children’s welcome gift; family movie night with popcorn, candy and drinks; weekly children’s slumber party; weekly single parent cocktail party and night club entry.  You just need to stay at least 5 nights and can share a room with up to three children (up to age 17).  Located on the Dutch side of the island, this midrange property also offers a children’s program, large pool with cascading waterfalls, tennis, several dining options, daily activities, weekly beach dinner, evening entertainment, spa, gym and more.

Dive Around the World

Interested in a dive vacation for the whole family?  Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures, fellow members of the Family Travel Association, take families all over the world to dive with an emphasis on marine protection education. The camps are sponsored by PADI and ScubaPro and are available over spring break, the summer and Thanksgiving vacations. They are hosted at family-friendly and often family-owned PADI dedicated dive resorts and generally the entire resort is reserved for the group. Choose from locations in the Caribbean, Central America and Micronesia.  The program offers conservative ratios of instructors and children; up to date children’s gear; age appropriate courses such as SASY for age 4-7, PADI Seal Team for age 8 and up, PADI Jr. Certification for kids age 10-14, and PADI open water for kids and adults age 15+; advanced open water and many specialty courses like Digital Photo, DPV, Boat Diver, Wreck Diver, Adventure Diver, etc.  Book now for both 2015 and 2016.

Aulani’s Spring Special

Save up to 30 percent at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa on O’ahu this spring with our Hawaiian specialty operator, Blue Sky Tours.  The longer you stay, the more you save.  A three night stay saves you 10 percent, four nights is 20 percent and five nights is 30 percent. Plus get an extra $50 daily resort credit if you book by January 8, 2015!  Discounts are available for travel from April 6-June 15, 2015 and all bookings must be made by March 23, 2015.  Aulani has combined the spirit of O`ahu with the magic of Disney to create a place where guests and staff alike can feel the magic, can feel the spirit of the island  and can truly feel welcome with authentic family activities, great pools, children’s programs, island tours, gym, spa, restaurants, snorkeling lagoon and more.  Accommodations range from hotel rooms to large family villas with kitchens.

The New Nanuku Resort

Fiji’s newest resort, Nanuku Resort and Spa, welcomes families to relax in paradise with spacious villa accommodations, nanny and butler services and an array of family-friendly activities.  This all-villa resort has a variety of accommodations including beachfront residences that can sleep up to 17 with up to 4,800 sq. ft. of living space, private pools and your own yoga pavilion!  The resort also features surfing lessons, gym, yoga classes, spa, watersports, crafts workshop and the Lailai Children’s Club for children of all ages.  The kids club also includes a special environmental and learning program for older children aged 8 to 16.  Nearby the resort you can explore the island with zip lines, shark diving, white water rafting and great surf spots.  Currently the property is offering a free one way private plane transfer from the main island of Nadi for up to 6 people when you stay seven nights or more through March 31, 2015 (when booked by December 31, 2014).  Rates also include 3 meals a day, villa golf cart, internet and non-motorized watersports.  Or choose a 4th or 7th night free.  Winter holiday black-out dates apply.

Azul and Nick

Azul Hotels by Karisma is partnering with Viacom International Media Networks to bring the Nickelodeon brand experiences to their hotels in Mexico and Jamaica beginning in the summer of 2015. This collaboration marks the first time Nickelodeon, one of the most globally recognized and widely distributed multimedia brands for kids, has partnered with an international resort collection.  The Nickelodeon Vacation Experience will include character meals and interactions with some of Nickelodeon’s favorite characters and much more.  Dora the Explorer, Sponge Bob Squarepants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle will all be part of the line-up.  Stay tuned for more details…

Club Med CREACTIVE by Cirque du Soleil

We are so excited that Club Med and Cirque du Soleil have partnered to launch a completely new and unique concept in experiential travel with Club Med CREACTIVE by Cirque du Soleil.  It will debut at Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic in June 2015.  Your family will learn many of the exciting acrobatic disciplines showcased in famed Cirque du Soleil productions. The original CREACTIVE experience will include a variety of recreational circus acrobatic and artistic activities ranging from high bungee, flying trapeze, aerial silk, tightrope and trampoline to juggling, percussion and dance or mask painting, amongst many others. The program is designed to encourage both adults and children alike to learn new skills, play and have fun under the supervision of Cirque du Soleil trained staff.

Extra Night in St. Lucia

Luxury in Puerto Plata

We are excited to see a new luxury resort opening in Puerto Plata on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.  And with large family units too!  The Gansevoort Playa Imbert will open on December 15.  The property consists of one and two-bedroom lofts; three-bedroom apartments with private plunge pools and terraces; and a collection of four-bedroom penthouses, each with a rooftop Jacuzzi.  At the resort’s center is a three-tiered cascading infinity pool overlooking the beach.  A second adults-only pool will open next spring.  The hotel will feature a restaurant with Mediterranean and Asian fare and La Cantina Wine + Cigar Cellar which offers wines from around the world and stocked humidor. Other amenities include a fitness center, spa with hammam-style sauna and a meditation and yoga garden. Rates include breakfast and roundtrip transfers from Puerto Plata Airport, a 15-minute drive from the resort

Free Golf in Jamaica

The new Hyatt Zilara and Hyatt Ziva Rosehall will continue to offer 55% off opening rates which now include free VIP transfers from the airport.  For stays in 2015, you will also get a free round of golf!  Choose from Cinnamon Hill’s oceanfront course or enjoy the ocean vistas from White Witch.  This promotion must be booked by December 31 for stays of at least three nights.  Cart, caddie, equipment and tax are extra.  Tee times must be booked in advance through the hotel and are subject to availability.  Some blackout dates apply.  Gather the clan because family groups will get a 7th room free including one free upgrade, signature welcome drink on arrival, one welcome gift and private group check-in.   The hotel is scheduled on open on November 23 with an adult only section (Zilara) and family section (Ziva).