Autism Friendly Camps at Beaches

Beaches Resorts now offers the Caribbean’s first autism-friendly kids’ camp with specially designed activities for infants, toddlers, pre-teens, and teens. Beaches is the first resort company in the world to complete International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards and Autism Certification, the gold standard in cognitive disorder training and certification. Beaches team members complete at least 40 hours of autism sensitivity training in these areas: sensory awareness, motor skills, autism overview, program development, social skills, communication, environment and emotional awareness and bullying. The resorts will also soon feature a Sensory Stimulation Guide to teach guests how special needs are handled throughout the property. In 2017, Beaches’ Sesame Street character programs welcomed Julia, the show’s first autistic character.  Your family can take part in Amazing Art with Julia, an art therapy program. The character loves to paint and express herself through art. The new, open-ended activity encourages children to explore, experiment with and create art. Afterward, children talk about how they created their artwork and how it is a celebration of their unique selves.

Naviva Tented Camp

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has recently announced plans to open a tented resort, an expansion of their existing Punta Mita resort. Slated to open late this year, Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, Mexico will offer a collection of 15 luxury tents nestled in the forests of the Riviera Nayarit with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. Each tent is outfitted with private pools and expansive decks, many of them also feature outdoor gardens.  Ahead of arrival, your family will be matched with a personal guide to create a customized itinerary based on your specific needs and desires, choosing from a range of unique and curated experiences. The onsite programming has been developed with the help of local experts and has been designed to encourage personalization—such as one-on-one interactions with the resort’s executive chef, personal training sessions in the outdoor gym experience, and private dinners with ocean views and customized menus.

Save at The Buccaneer

From April 16 through December 19, families booking two rooms at The Buccaneer Beach and Golf Resort on St. Croix can enjoy additional savings with your second room at 50% off when traveling with children 18 and under. This family-owned and family-friendly resort overlooks the Caribbean Sea and Christiansted Harbor.  Set on 340 acres, you and your clan can enjoy 18 holes of golf, eight tennis courts, three calm beaches, two pools, a water sports center (non-motorized water sports are free!), a full-service spa, gym, family games and three restaurants.  Off the resort explore the island with horseback riding, kayak tours, hiking, island tours, shopping in Christiansted and more. Non-stop flights to St. Croix are available from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta, and Charlotte as well as from San Juan and St. Thomas. See our trip review below for more details about a Buccaneer experience!

Tented Camp Reopens

Glamping is hardly a new concept in the Virgin Islands. The Concordia Eco-Resort, which originally opened back in the 70s, has finally reopened!  Located within the gorgeous Virgin Islands National Park near Coral Bay on the southeast side of St. John, the property has been closed since Hurricane Irma hit in 2017. Accommodations include 17 Concordia tents which are spacious units with wraparound wooden decks.  These units are set above the ground with amazing views overlooking an array of bays, ponds, trails, and beaches. Seven more units will be added this year. Also offered are eight, completely remodeled resort studios with a microwave, mini-fridge, two burners, and bathroom with shower. All units are solar-powered. Facilities onsite include a restaurant, saltwater pool, large sun deck, and free Wifi at the reception area and pool.  Great hiking, snorkeling, and diving are also available.

Conrad Opens Near Tulum

Hilton recently announced the opening of the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, marking the brand’s debut in the Riviera Maya.  The eco-friendly and upscale property is located 20 minutes north of the town of Tulum and the amazing Tulum ruins. With 349-rooms and suites, families can also enjoy five restaurants, a spa, watersports, a kids club, a teen hang-out zone, a gym, and five pools. It’s nice that all rooms will afford ocean views with either a tub or plunge pool on your balcony. Families looking for more space can enjoy spacious suites with living and dining areas. Unique to this region, their spa will offer Mayan Manteada, an ancient massage technique in which shawls are tied around the waist to relax and realign the body. The resort also has an in-house Shaman to perform ancient rituals such as a purifying gratitude and sacred cenote ceremony!  A Hilton all-inclusive property will open next door this June. The resort is currently offering a free promotion.

Families Welcome in Puerto Vallarta

Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort on Mexico’s Pacific Coast recently debuted its new children’s programming with new kid-friendly activities, amenities, and entertainment. Previously an adults-only hotel, the resort is now officially a family-friendly property with programming for all ages. The 444-room hotel still maintains a separate adults-only wing although The Hacienda section allows families with teens and older. The family-friendly side of the hotel boasts ocean-facing rooms and suites and an expansive pool area. At the new Kids Club, children ages 4–12 can enjoy art projects, face painting, mini chef cooking classes, scavenger hunts, dance classes, and themed parties. Teens also have extensive and age-specific activities such as sports tournaments, street art and photography workshops, music and dance classes, beach games, volleyball, pool games, surfing, and more. At night, teens can enjoy movie and pizza nights, themed parties, talent contests, a photo booth, and a teen nightclub with a live DJ. A Teen Zone will open soon, offering an exclusive lounge area with pool tables, air hockey, gaming stations, ping pong tables, and much more. Currently, a free night promotion is available while children age 5 and younger always stay for free.

Bitter End Remake

The Bitter End Yacht Club in the British Virgin Islands is planning to reopen soon following a four-year closure due to hurricanes Irma and Maria. The iconic resort originally opened in 1969. The newly renovated and reimagined resort will feature 2-story, over-the-water bungalows, the only ones in the BVI.  There will also be a new main plaza where sailors from around the world and hotel guests will find dining, a watersports center, shops, and the renewed marina. A children’s program for ages 6-12, several beaches, pool, and more dining options round out the resort amenities. Family-friendly excursions, weekly regattas, SUP Yoga, amazing hikes, and all the events that made the Bitter End experience so unique over the years will be back!

Dreams in Cartagena

The 286-key Dreams Karibana Cartagena Beach & Golf Resort in Colombia is scheduled to open on April 1 and marks AMR Collection’s first property in South America. All rooms have a private terrace, balcony or are swim-out suites and connecting rooms will be available. The property also consists of a private beach club, an 18-hole golf course designed by Nicklaus Design, pools, spa, and more. As part of the brand’s signature Unlimited-Luxury inclusions, this former Conrad resort will also feature five bars and lounges, three gourmet and a la carte dining venues and pool and beach service.

Celebrate Barbados

Help celebrate the world’s newest republic with a trip to Barbados! From spring through fall, the iconic Sandy Lane has a special Family Package available for travel from April 23 to October 31, 2022. This perfect island getaway combines lots of activities and adventure with luxury accommodations. Children are guaranteed unlimited fun at the resort’s supervised children’s program and terrific day-long sports camp when in session while everyone in the family can enjoy superb golf, tennis, water sports, and a beautiful beach. Your package includes:

• 50% off a second room for up to 3 children aged 16 and under
• Unlimited use of The Treehouse Club supervised children’s program
• Complimentary gift in the room for each child on arrival
• Complimentary dinner for children aged 3 to 12
• Complimentary Sports Camps – May 28-June 4, July 16-23, August 13-20, and October 22-29

Grand Cayman Reveal

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman recently welcomed guests back after completing a major $50 million interior renovation including all rooms, the lobby, and more.  Fresh and bright guestrooms and suites maintain notes of British West Indian style while incorporating new artwork, fixtures, and materials sourced from the island. The 369-room resort also showcases a spa, tennis and basketball courts, the Starfish Cay water park, Ritz Kids program, Wave Game Room, a Greg Norman-designed nine-hole golf course, and five restaurants, including Blue from chef Eric Ripert of New York City’s Le Bernardin. The resorts’ Reconnect promotion is valid all the way through December 16, 2022, and includes buffet breakfast for two daily and $100 resort credit PER night!