We delve into resorts where the entire traveling clan can have fun and relax.
At the Waldorf Astoria Cancun there’s a private beach and a family splash pool, plus organized activities, such as treasure hunts, face painting, and nightly amphitheater shows. Aside from the Family Glow Parties (think live DJ), the one-year-old resort also has a kids club and a teens club. Alejandra Vela (alejandra.vela@waldorfastoria.com), the guest experience manager on site, is the best person to contact about reserving connecting rooms, but Joye Lucas (joye.lucas@hilton.com), the brand’s director of luxury sales, is also a font of knowledge about the resort. Note: All rooms at the resort, which is pet-friendly, have ocean views, with private balconies and plunge pools, but we say the Presidential Suite (two bedrooms, sleeps six) will serve families quite well, as it has a pool table and a gourmet kitchen. For a quiet moment, parents may want to slip away to the spa, which has 21 indoor and outdoor treatment rooms.
Kempinski, which took over the Ritz-Carlton a year ago, tells us it has just commercially affiliated with Posadas for its distribution and marketing. The move puts the Kempinski Hotel Cancun in the same portfolio as 195 other hotels, including the Live Aqua, Grand Fiesta Americana and the Fiesta Americana brands.
Over the past year, Kempinski added its own luxury touches to the hotel, including “Lady in Red” and “Gent in Red” guest ambassadors who provide arrival services for each guest, as well as other luxury services. It’s also added two new pickleball courts, which are free for guests to use.
We recommend the beachfront Saasil Suite for families; it has three bedrooms, a dining room and living room, plus bathrooms with double vanities and deep soaking tubs. A private patio and garden round out the offerings.
The Kempinski Hotel Cancun has its own Titan Tikes Kids Club that serves up arts and crafts and adventure activities. Kids Club is supervised by their experienced staff who ensure the children are safe and having a good time. Note: The Kids Club accepts children between 4-12 years of age on Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
While the children are being entertained, parents can visit the KAYANTÁ Spa, which has relaxation lounges, steam rooms, aromatherapy and Swiss showers, as well as garden patios with whirlpools and cold plunge pools. We hear the spa’s newest offering is Shirodhara Therapy, an Ayurvedic treatment that stimulates the central nervous system using warm aromatic oil on the third eye chakra. Nice!
The Kempinski is in Cancun’s hotel zone and 25 minutes from Cancun International Airport.
Hotel Xcaret in nearby Playa del Carmen says it’s known for its “All-Fun Inclusive” vibe, which makes it a good place for children. Why? All-inclusive here means access and transportation to all Grupo Xcaret parks, premium dining experiences and round-trip airport transfers. The resort also has a “Family Presidential Suite,” which has a dining room that can fit eight, plus bedding that includes one king size bed, two double beds and two sofa beds. The booking also includes private airport transfers and butler service.
Note: The resort also has the Xiquillos Kids Club and a kid’s pool with octopus-shaped slides, a waterfall and a small rock-climbing wall. The Family Club has pool tables, a mini-soccer table and air hockey.
The contact for luxury travel advisors sending a VIP client to the property is the sales director, Dinorah Tobon (dtobon@hotelxcaret.com), who can advise on connecting rooms and other family opportunities.
Paradisus by Meliá has luxury family programming at Paradisus Playa del Carmen, Paradisus Cancun and Paradisus Palma Real resorts. The upgraded family experience, called “Nikté,” provides turndown service, a premium minibar, a personal destination concierge, priority dinner reservations, one complimentary dinner at the premium restaurant Sal Steak Cave (for those over 18) and a water ritual at the resort’s YHI Spa.
Note: Paradisus Los Cabos will transform into an adults-only resort in January 2024.
Across the country, on the west coast, Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Golf & Spa Resort is a sprawling property with 749 suites set on an ocean bluff within the exclusive residential development of Quivira Los Cabos. The resort has been careful to separate “little kids” from teens, who have what’s called the “Fun Lab,” a teen lounge and recreation center with video game machines, a pool table, a movie theater, and a soda fountain that serves nachos, pizza, hot dogs, popcorn and ice cream.
The Kid’s Club is for ages four to 11, with programs that include arts and crafts, beach activities, karaoke, pool games, board games and video games, as well as aqua aerobics, cooking classes and dance lessons. A kid-friendly buffet lunch is also available. Note: Reservations are necessary, as space is limited. Services for younger children can also be arranged. Kids can also join their parents for tennis, pickle ball and beach volleyball. Contact Roberta Ramos (RRamos@pueblobonito.com), with questions about the resort or if you are sending a VIP.
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