What are the top all-inclusive resorts for family travel? We turned to our most recent class of 30Under30 travel advisors for some intel.
Raven Guess, of Vacation Days Travel by Dream Vacations, says that she loves to recommend Hyatt Ziva Cancun for families. “It gives parents the familiarity and comfort of the Hyatt name, with the perks of an all-inclusive resort in a stunning destination,” she tells us. “I like that there are so many offerings for both kids and parents at the Hyatts — from the waterpark in Cap Cana to the microbrewery in Cancun.”
Kyle Nichols of Cruise Kings Travel concurs on Hyatt Ziva Cancun. “It is the perfect place to introduce unsure parents into the world of ‘all-inclusive resorts’ and aside from name recognition, the resort is hands down, plum beautiful,” she says.
Guess also likes Hotel Xcaret Mexico in the Riviera Maya. “It’s a resort I like to recommend for families who specifically love Disney. With access to all the parks, it gives you a similar experience to Disney, but better with all the food and drinks included,” she says.
Club Med Ixtapa has just reopened after being closed by the pandemic.
Rachel Cox, of Live Life Travel, recommends the Dreams resorts, such as Dreams Onyx in the Dominican Republic. “It is a good option because it is an all-inclusive resort and the AMResorts have a lot to offer families that want to travel to Mexico and the Caribbean,” she says. She also prefers the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas (which is not all inclusive) because it’s “super family-friendly and has an amazing water park.”
Cameron Shutts, of Carter Rose Forbes Travel Advisors, says he picks Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic “because it really has it all! They have large villas so that families can all be together, five-star services and activities for the whole family while maintaining the high-end luxury aspect of a vacation.” He notes that activities include horseback riding, tennis, boating, fishing, golf, shopping and a children’s pool. “Casa De Campo also has children’s programs that go above and beyond to make sure the kids are having fun, whether it be a treasure hunt or a puppet show, there is always an activity to do so that the parents can relax and have fun, too.”
Grand Velas Los Cabos has a teen club for socializing and enjoying the resort independently.
Bailie White, of BE The Travel, says that her “solid ‘go-to’ for families has to be a Grand Velas Resort. I love that the property has something for everyone: a place for adults to escape away from children, a place for families with little kids, and fun to be had for everyone.” She reports that the service at the resort is absolutely top-notch. “I repeatedly have clients return from Grand Velas (specifically the Los Cabos property) raving about how they didn’t lift a finger during their entire stay,” says White, noting that “the food on property makes guests feel as if they’ve just left a five-star dining experience after every meal, which we all know is rare at an all-inclusive price. You cannot go wrong at a Grand Velas Resort.”
As we were going to press, Luxury Travel Advisor heard that Grand Velas Riviera Maya has just renovated its 195 Ambassador Suites, which are designed for working and relaxing in 1,200 square feet of space. All suites in this class have clear ocean views. What’s new? The look is more contemporary (think neutral palettes) with local Mexican art providing pops of color. Nice Touch: Mexican brands have been used throughout the suites, including Marbol, Ari Muebles, Diferenzza, Lulu Arce, Feizy México, Artell, Alex Foster and Velhmat.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya has renovated its 195 Ambassador Suites.
Meanwhile, word is that the resort’s Grand Class Suites with private plunge pools are already 70 percent completed.
Rates at Grand Velas Riviera Maya include accommodations, à la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium-branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, activity program, fitness center, taxes and gratuities.
We also checked in with Laurie Palumbo, COO of ID Travel Group, for her take on the top all-inclusive family resorts; she is also a fan of Grand Velas when it comes to luxury clientele.
“The five-star, five-diamond Grand Velas properties in Mexico are always a great option for a luxury family all-inclusive escape, especially for clients who are foodies,” says Palumbo. “Curtain Bluff in Antigua is another great offering with its world-class Caribbean charm and an array of activities for the family included, like waterskiing and scuba diving. Jumby Bay Island, another all-inclusive option with a state-of-the-art kids and teens club, delivers an upscale private island Antigua escape.”
For clients with a more aspirational budget, Palumbo suggests brands such as Paradisus Hotels & Resorts and the AMR Collection. “Garza Blanca Resort & Spa (with locations now in Cancun, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico) is another great option that comes to mind,” says Palumbo, noting that they have large three- and four-bedroom penthouse suites with two floors of living space and gourmet kitchens. “They are ideal for larger families traveling together,” she says. “Another great perk of these properties that really enhances a perfect family getaway is the butler service. Forgot your phone in the room? No problem, no need to get off your lounge chair.”
Mountain Resorts for Families
Cub Med Quebec
Club Med is known for warm-weather getaways, but its family all-inclusive offerings also reach cooler climes. The company just opened in Quebec and now has new plans for a resort in Snowbasin, Utah, slated to open in December 2024. This opening will mark the brand’s first-ever Exclusive Collection (five-star) resort in the U.S. as well as its first new property in the U.S. in more than 20 years.
The news was announced in late November, as Club Med’s President and CEO Henri Giscard D’Estaing was opening the Quebec resort, its first in Canada. The year-round resort is in the Charlevoix region along the St. Lawrence River.
The ski-in, ski-out Snowbasin Resort will be located 35 miles from Salt Lake City. Accommodations will include two-bedroom Deluxe Rooms & Family Suites; private Penthouse Suites are also in the works. The resort’s children’s clubs will accept kids from four months to 17 years old. Aside from ski and snowboard lessons, families will also have access to a heated swimming pool during the ski season.
During the rest of the year, the resort will provide activities across its 3,000 acres of surrounding mountains and valleys, including hiking programs, mountain biking and Club Med’s trademark circus activities. Excursions to National Parks as well as guided visits to local galleries and saloons in nearby Huntsville and Ogden’s Historic 25th Street are other potential experiences for families to enjoy.
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