Escape to Tenerife

Looking for a new island to explore? Tenerife, the largest island in the Canary Islands, showcases lots of family-friendly resorts, colonial towns, mountain hikes to the third largest volcano in the world, whale watching, amazing star gazing and more. The Ritz-Carlton, Abama, on the western side of the island, has a Family Holidays package valid through December 31, 2020. It includes a Citadel Deluxe room, breakfast, three-course dinner for two adults and one child, access to the spa’s Wellness Experience, free kids club and 30 percent off a second room for children up to age 12. This remote, luxury resort overlooks the ocean and has beach access by funicular, 10 restaurants (2 are Michelin star), seven pools, spa, gym, extensive tennis academy, golf, teen club and an excellent children’s program designed by Jean Michel Cousteau with a focus on the ocean and outdoors. It’s the largest Ritz Kids in Europe! Abundant sunshine and a subtropical climate make Tenerife a lovely year-round destination.

Family Dive Adventures

Kids Sea Camp is celebrating 20 years! Camp dates are set through 2022 (and beyond) and take place throughout the Caribbean, South Pacific and Southeast Asia to the world’s best dive destinations. There is also a new program for empty nesters and private trips too. They truly believe in the transformative power of dive travel and showcase trips to 13 countries and over 24 all-inclusive uniquely customized weeks each year.  Each trip opens minds and hearts to new places, people, and cultures and is geared for families with children from age 4-18.  Your children will unplug and reconnect to the outdoor world and the underwater world through hands-on personalized activities and tours for the entire family.   These trips come in a range of choices to fit your family’s needs, budgets and diving experience levels with a variety of accommodation options (from basic to luxury) and PADI certification programs. Trips are inclusive of meals, diving, tours and other activities.

Finest Punta Cana

Reservations for Finest Punta Cana are now open! The newly built resort will open on September 1, 2020.  The upscale and all-inclusive resort will cater to all ages with 455 suites divided into an adult-only section and a family section; each with a club level available for added services and amenities such as private pools and beach areas. It will feature spacious Family Suites with two separate bedrooms, Junior Swim-Up Suites, and Two-Story Rooftop Terrace Suites many with private pools along with twelve restaurants, spa with exclusive treatments for families, gym and expansive beachside main pool with pool bars and splash areas. The Imagine Kids Club will offer a mini water park and two Imagine Lounges near the restaurants will have supervised activities for children to allow a little alone time for parents. Book now for the best availability especially for holiday weeks! A current opening special features 48% off regular rates for stays through December 21, 2020 when booked by January 13, 2020.

New Rosewood Explorers

Rosewood Baha Mar recently launched Rosewood Explorers, a unique children’s program with interactive experiences to showcase the history and heritage of the Bahamas. The complimentary program features activities such as mingling with Nassau’s sea creatures as part of a quest to become a junior marine biologist; creating food dishes using local ingredients; visiting an aviary to become bird trainers for the day; and learning about traditional Junkanoo music and dances.  Additional evening sessions offer a movie night under the stars.  Rosewood Baha Mar is the third resort in the Rosewood chain to offer the Explorers program; it first offered this program at its resort in Phuket in 2017 and then at Rosewood Bermuda.  The luxury resort features 237 rooms, multi room suites and villas with 3 and 6-bedrooms…ideal for large family groups.

Four Seasons Nevis Renovation

The Four Seasons Resort Nevis is putting the finishing touches on a major renovation that includes renovated rooms, updated lobby, new food and beverage outlets and a new signature pool.  The pool will feature luxury cabanas, fire pits and an amphibious DJ and bartender!  The resort also showcases a revitalized children’s program which has moved into a new location next to the family-friendly Calypso Pool to offer more outdoor programming and activities for younger guests.  Choose to stay in spacious hotel rooms, suites or residences with up to 6-bedrooms.  The residences are ideal for large families and multi-generational groups and include full kitchens, private pools, golf carts to get around the resort, private chef services and a villa ambassador to make the most of your stay.  The luxury resort also features an array of watersports, golf and tennis clinics, spa, fitness, local experiences and more.  Current offers include a fourth night free and special weekly rates on the residences.

Club Med’s Amazing Family

Club Med has long been a family-focused resort brand.  Now the all-inclusive pioneer is backing that up with a new Amazing Family concept, a family-focused program that was developed from guest surveys.  The idea is to provide weekly activities designed to give multigenerational families the opportunity to bond, create shared memories, spend time together, reconnect and bring home new passions.  It is categorized into five activity times, each with their own uniquely themed offerings and are part of your all-inclusive vacation package. The categories include:

     Time to Splash: This focuses on all things “water fun” (i.e., slip and slides, water volleyball, splash zones).

     Time to Play: This focuses on childhood favorite games (i.e., giant-sized family board games).

     Time to Quest: This activity involves mysteries and challenges as a family (i.e., treasure hunts).

     Time to Recharge: This focuses on relaxing activities for all ages (i.e., family yoga classes, story time).

     Happy Family Time: This focuses on dedicated times for parents and children to participate in resort sports and activities together (i.e., family trapeze classes, archery, kayaking, pickleball).

Each resort will have at least two dedicated family entertainment experts whose sole responsibility will be to animate the program and encourage families to spend time together during their vacation.  After this month, the program will be available at all of Club Med’s North American resorts!

Karisma Updates

Margartaville is going all-inclusive!  The Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun by Karisma is set to open in early 2020 with a big emphasis on upscale food and drink.  This is the first resort out of several planned throughout the Caribbean and Latin America.  Karisma is also opening the second Nickelodeon-branded property, the newly built Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya, next to their Generations Resort.   It will include the popular SpongeBob-themed Pineapple Villa, as well as a new, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-themed “lair” Penthouse. All told, there will be four character-themed Penthouse suites on the resort’s roof, all of which will have infinity pool swim-up access. There will also be an “Aqua Nick” water park and more.

Malliouhana Reimagined

In November, Malliouhana on Anguilla will welcome the winter season with a new look and new amenities as part of a major enhancement.  The room count will increase from 46 to 63 with new ocean-facing rooms including 11 beachfront suites and new two-bedroom beachfront villas ideal for families.  Other upgrades at the Auberge property include an expanded spa and new dining options. Receive a $100 resort credit along with a free night with a 5- night stay, two free nights with a 7-night stay or 3 nights free with a 9-night or longer stay!  Promotions are subject to availability and some black-out dates apply.  The luxury resort offers a variety of family activities including bike tours, boat tours, watersports, tennis, painting classes, nature tours and more.

Rosewood Little Dix Bay Reopening

We are excited to hear that Rosewood Little Dix Bay in Virgin Gorda, BVI is nearing the end of their renovation and hurricane rebuild.  They are currently accepting reservations for March 2020 arrivals and onward!  The beach retreat will retain its understated mid-century modern design, offering 80 cottages, suites and villas with up to 4 bedrooms. All accommodations enjoy ocean views, dedicated butler service and an airport greeting and catamaran transfer from Tortola.  The resort will showcase two pools, watersports, spa and wellness activities, children’s programs, tennis and plenty of active adventures to explore nearby Virgin Gorda and nearby islands.

Book Early and Save in St. Lucia

The Landings St. Lucia is offering a 2020 Early Booking Sale with up to 45% off when you travel between January 5, 2020 and January 2, 2021.  Your stay includes daily breakfast in their new Beach Club, water sports, internet, daily activities, Beach & Pool Ambassador Service, gym with fitness classes and more!  This upscale and residential yacht community offers 72 spacious villas, gym, spa, beach club, 3 pools, marina, children’s programs (for ages 4-12), several restaurants and more.  All-inclusive packages are also available.