Hard Rock’s Character Collection
Thomas & Friends, Barney, Bob the Builder and Angelina Ballerina will check in this summer at Hard Rock Hotels in Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Newly designed kids’ clubs and interactive play areas featuring these cast of characters will debut at the soon-to-be Hard Rock Hotel Cancun (the former Cancun Palace) in June and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic in July. 
Although reflagging of the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya from the Aventura Cove Palace will be completed by early 2013, the redesigned play areas will debut in June as conversion is underway at the resort. The three properties are owned by the All-Inclusive Collection, which partnered with HIT Entertainment, a children’s entertainment producer, to feature the popular kids’ brands at the resorts. The children’s areas at the three resorts will offer the Little Big Club with themed activities, dress-up and craft areas, use of musical instruments, a sandy construction site, child-safe tools and a mini-theater for movie nights and talent shows. The resorts also are offering the Kids Stay Free summer promotion, valid for bookings made by August 27 for travel June 1 through August 31. Two children age 12 and under sharing a room with at least one adult will stay and eat for free on a booking of three nights or more. This promotion can be combined with the $1,500 Resort Credit offer on bookings of five or more nights, valid for travel through December 23.
Mini Mayans
Gourmet Inclusive Azul Hotels by Karisma, located throughout Mexico’s Riviera Maya, unveiled its new Mini Mayans children’s program, designed to educate your children about Mayan culture. The program includes fun and interactive elements such as Give the Mayans a Mano, Mayan Cooking Classes, Mini Mayan Musicians, and Tiempo de Tiles. Families are invited to experience Mini Mayans and more this summer with savings of more than 40 percent off and children under 13 stay free. Mini Mayans is offered at Azul Beach Hotel, Azul Sensatori Hotel and Azul Fives Hotel by Karisma, each of which is located along the Mayan Riviera in Mexico. Recognizing the significance of the Mayan culture in 2012, in particular, Mini Mayans has been incorporated into the daily schedule of activities at Azul Hotels’ Azulitos Playhouses. The Azulitos Playhouses also offer Fisher-Price toys and play sessions, My Gym Children’s Fitness Center activities, skits, games, storytelling, Spanish lessons, dance and exercise lessons, weekly piñata parties and photo sessions.
Palladium Renovation
Palladium Hotels & Resorts in Punta Cana, comprised of the Grand Palladium Bavaro Resort & Spa, Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino, and Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa, recently completed a $10 million renovation, updating its guest rooms, adding two new restaurants, a water park and convention center. In addition, family-oriented services have expanded with a new concept, signature Family Friendly Rooms at the Bavaro Resort & Spa, as well as expansion of Palladium’s age-specific Kids’ Club, recognized as the largest facility for children in the Caribbean and Mexico. The new Family Friendly Rooms can be outfitted with all the amenities you need, from baby formula to video games along with an age appropriate welcome gift for babies, children and teens. A new waterpark features mini-fountains, water slides and trampolines designed as pirate ships. Decorated with a Spanish fortress theme, the new Kids’ Club resembles a castle and features air-conditioned indoor areas, outdoor play space and fenced playgrounds and lawns surrounded by shady gardens. Activities include a new swimming pool, zip-line, several game areas, a mini-disco, a movie theater, and more. Babysitting services are also available for parents seeking an adults-only evening until 11:00pm. Guests who book Palladium Hotels & Resorts in Punta Cana up to April 30, receive 20 percent off for travel from May 2 to October 31.
Paradisus Punta Cana Credits
Vacation at any Paradisus Resort in Punta Cana and receive up to $1,000 in resort credits. Just book by August 25 for travel from May 1-December 22. 
Credits can be used towards spa services, casino match play coupons, premium wines, room upgrades and the beachfront GABi restaurant (where only Royal Service Suites and Family Concierge Suites guests have privileged access). There is a maximum allowed for each type of credit depending on the number of nights you stay. Choose from Paradisus Punta Cana, The Reserve at Punta Cana and the more upscale Paradisus Palma Real Golf and Spa Resort and The Reserve at Palma Real for a great summer or fall family getaway. Dedicated Family Concierge level suites are available at The Reserve properties where you will receive a private family check-in; welcome gift; guaranteed connecting rooms; child size robes, slipper and amenity kit; Play Station; dedicated concierge with cell phone or walkie-talkies for all-day communication; exclusive family activities and sports; milk and cookies at turn down; preferential reservations at restaurants, spa and activities and complimentary Internet access in rooms and also in The Reserve lounge.
New Sesame Street Fun at Beaches
Super Grover 2.0 has been added to the line-up of characters at Beaches Resorts. Super Grover will take your children on an age-appropriate journey through the scientific process with plenty of breaks for silliness along the way and encouragement to unleash their power of investigation. Your children will have the opportunity to observe, ask questions, and experiment at three fun-filled stations. The activities are based on Sesame’s current curriculum focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Beaches Resorts are also adding new character activities. Abby and Elmo’s Surprise Tea Time allows your children will help Elmo plan a surprise party for his friend Abby Cadabby while Elmo & Friends Rock ‘N Roll Dance Party invites your children to join the Sesame Street Rock ‘N Roll Band.
Chill Out in Antigua
Luxury resort Carlisle Bay on Antigua announces that fully inclusive rates are available for the summer and fall. 
Their New Super Chill Out Offer includes all meals and drinks with a minimum stay of three nights between April 25-August 24 and again from October 13-December 20. If you book the offer at least 60 days before your arrival, you will be entitled to a further 15% discount on rates. In addition, children up to age 15 years old will stay free of charge. The resort runs a kids club for ages 2-6 all year round (baby care is available at $15/hour) and a tween and teen program during school holidays (June 4-August 26 plus additional weeks throughout the fall). You can also get an ocean suite at half off for your teens and young adults up at age 21when booked as a second suite and accompanied by two adults. Your rates include luxury suite accommodations; three meals per day; afternoon tea; drinks such as all cocktails, spirits, beers, soft drinks and an excellent selection of wines along with water sports (snorkeling, sailing, windsurfing and kayaking); tennnis, tennis clinics and round robin competions; daily movies and guided nature walks in the rain forest.
Jr. Tennis on St. John
A new tennis program aimed at juniors ages 4-10 was recently introduced at Caneel Bay on St. John. 
The new program follows USTA guidelines for 10 and Under Tennis and is designed to enable your children to have more enjoyable experiences early on in the learning process by following the Quick Start Tennis format. It’s an active program that helps children develop tennis skills while having fun. Classes are available daily for $15-25 per child depending on age. Children ages 4-5 and 6-7 take a 1/2 hour class while ages 8-10 play for an hour. Note that Caneel Bay is offering a free night for stays from April 9-May 31 and also has a family reunion program where your fourth room is free for grandparents. The family friendly resort features a supervised children’s program for ages 3-12, nannies, massage, gym, art classes and several dining options. Complimentary services include your boat transfers from the St. Thomas airport; internet access in the room; non-motorized watersports; weekly Managing Director’s cocktail reception; feature movie presentations, rum-tasting demonstration & marine life slide show; continental breakfast & afternoon tea and more.
Half Off and More at Club Med
Club Med launched a variety of cost saving promotions. Their Half Off Every Second Person promotion must be booked by March 5 for travel through August 24. This limited-time offer is available at the following Club Med properties: Cancun Yucatan, Mexico; Ixtapa Pacific, Mexico; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; Sandpiper Bay, Florida; Columbus Isle, Bahamas; Turkoise, Turks and Caicos; Caravelle, Guadeloupe; and Bucaneer’s Creek, Martinique. Additionally, Club Med extends an additional bonus airfare offer to two of their resorts. Enjoy a $200 credit to Ixtapa Pacific, Mexico, or a $100 credit to Sandpiper Bay, Florida. And through February 27, children 15 and under will stay free at Punta Cana, Sandpiper Bay and Ixtapa for stays between April 22 and July 14. One child is free per full paying adult staying in the same room with a 3-night minimum stay. Black-out dates may apply.
Children Free at Palace Resort
Book three nights or more at most Palace Resorts in Mexico and the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana for travel between June 1 and August 31 and your children ages 12 and under sharing a room with you stay and eat free. 
This offer is not valid at Sun Palace, Isla Mujeres Palace or Aventura Palace and you can have up to two children stay free in the room. You can also combine this offer with the $1,500 Resort Credit promotion to use for excursions, spa treatments, bottled wine, romantic dinner, vow renewals and more! See Lauren’s review of the Hard Rock Hotel below.
Junior Alaka’i Nalu
The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on The Big Island of Hawaii is showcasing a unique program for active and ocean loving children and teens ages 10-17. 
In this 3-day program participants will learn the basics of first aid, CPR, pool and ocean safety, rescue skills (including jet ski rescue), two-person and six-person traditional outrigger canoe training, snorkeling, fishing and more. Graduates receive an official certificate of completion. The resort has several valuable promotions as well. Get a second room for family or friends at half price for a minimum stay of four nights. Your two rooms do not have the be in the same category, but booked together for the same dates. Or book a suite for five nights or more and receive a $1,000 resort credit. The credit can be used towards almost anything, from recreation to spa services or romantic dinner – anything that you can charge to your suite. The Four Seasons Hualalai is a natural tropical paradise with newly expanded spa, beachfront dining, new deluxe suites, Jack Nicklaus signature golf, gym with fitness classes, full tennis program, children’s camp (ages 5-12), teen center, rock climbing wall, surf lessons, family dinners on the beach and more. Their Hawaiian Cultural center runs exciting and educational programming such as star gazing, ukulele and Hawaiian language lessons, local crafts and hula classes.
