Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda

We are excited to see that the brand-new Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda will open in the Dominican Republic on November 23.  At a cost of $100 million and spread over 93 acres, the resort is the company’s biggest project of this type in the Caribbean in the past 40 years. The resort’s accommodations will spread across four unique, boutique villages including the family-friendly Explorer Cove and two adults-only sections. Sustainability will also be a focal point at the resort. The property plans to enact a tree re-planting program to replace every tree removed during construction. Your family will be able to attend educational mini-sessions and visit the community garden to learn about gardening, recycling and sustainability.  The resort is 1 1/2 hours from the Punta Cana airport.

New Teen Activities at Velas Resorts

Velas Resorts continues to create interesting and engaging activities for families of all ages.  They have launched several new activities for teens including a Graffiti Workshop, Teen Movie Night, Tortilla Making, Pickleball and Training Camp.  Activities vary by property.  Teens’ Clubs at the Grand Velas resorts also have game rooms with an X-Box Kinect, pool table, air hockey, ping pong, foosball and a karaoke set with an illuminated dance floor. Individual cubicles are equipped with Xbox and Playstation video game systems, along with built-in speakers for enhanced game play. Lounges offer mocktails, soft drinks and snacks.  Massages, body treatments and facials are also offered to teens.  Take advantage of a savings of 50 percent for teens 13 to 15 years old when sharing the suite with at least one adult.

Four Seasons Los Cabos

The new Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas is now accepting reservations for stays beginning November 1. This luxury resort will showcase a private marina and is located on a swimmable beach on the East Cape, about 45 minutes from the airport.  The 114-room property will have views of the Sea of Cortez and private terraces in all accommodations designed to integrate the indoor and outdoor spaces.  Choose from rooms, suites and up to a 3-bedroom villa. Guests will be able to enjoy several dining options (with food cultivated on the hotel’s organic farm and orchards!),  a spa and wellness center, four pools, tennis, basketball, teen and children’s programming and an 18-hole golf course. From the private marina, your family can enjoy sunset cruises or sport fishing expeditions.

Villas at Viceroy

Our families love the combination of large family-sized accommodations that includes the amenities of a luxury resort!  Viceroy Los Cabos recently debuted 29 two- to five-bedroom luxury residences that include butler services.  Enjoy 1,600-6,600 sq. ft. of space with kitchens, patios, outdoor grills and rooftop pools.  Amenities of this sheik resort include a fitness center curated by Los Angeles-based celebrity trainer, Harley Pasternak and a brand-new spa.  You will also find a variety of dining venues, rooftop bar, four pools, movie theater, children’s programs, daily activities and more.  This resort is located near the town of San Jose del Cabo and opened in late 2018 with 192 rooms and suites.  Currently the resort is offering a $400 air credit plus breakfast when staying at least 3 nights and booking by the end of this month.

Beaches Resorts Update

Lauren recently attended an intensive Certified Sandals Specialist course which included the latest updates and details on Sandals and Beaches Resorts and excursion provider, Island Routes.  The company has been renovating many of their resorts with calming and sea inspired interiors for a fresh, new look.  Also Beaches Turks and Caicos will remain open.

These upscale and all-inclusive resorts have always been a great value for scuba divers with diving included every day (except your departure day) – twice a day with one tank or once a day with two tanks.  New divers can also become certified.  Did you know that Beaches Resorts also offers unique dive related experiences for children?  This includes:

The PADI^® Bubblemaker Experience: What a great way to introduce children (8 and older) to scuba diving in a pool in less than six feet of water. It’s fun, easy and safe.

The PADI^® Seal Team Program: Children who crave adventure and excitement will get their fill of thrills in this action–packed course. Children 8 years of age and up take part in a series of AquaMissions, led by trained PADI professionals, where they learn how to dive with flashlights, master underwater photography, float like an astronaut and so much more!

The PADI^® Project A.W.A.R.E.: Imagine a program that teaches your children about the importance of protecting and preserving the underwater environment, while simultaneously introducing them to all of the beauty and wonder that the sea has to offer. Project A.W.A.R.E. does just that and so much more, plus, in the process, giving your children the experience of a lifetime!

Auberge in Hawaii

Auberge Resorts Collections is currently renovating the Mauna Lani on The Big Island of Hawaii for an opening this November.  The luxury resort will showcase 333 rooms and suites and five private and spacious villas with two bedrooms and three bathrooms.  The Kohala Coast property will showcase an amazing spa, gym, family and adult- only pools, golf and several restaurants.  At the resort your family can also experience a unique variety of fitness and wellness classes and various water sports.  The $100 million redo will preserve the ancient and sacred royal fishing ponds, native plants and the many archaeologically important features of this beautiful coastal site.  Auberge is set to open or renovate eight more properties through 2022!

Spring into Summer with Club Med

Club Med’s latest promotion, Spring into Summer Sale, offers your family the chance to book an all-inclusive, family-friendly getaway starting at only $119 per adult per night while children receive free or discounted stays.  Just book before May 2 for travel between now and November 2.  Extra benefits of the promotion include: up to $300 air credit, free room upgrades, no single supplement, children under 4 stay free, and children 4-15 stay for up to 50 percent off.

Caribbean Luxury

We are excited to see a wide variety of new, family-friendly and upscale resorts that are coming to the Caribbean!

Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski: This resort is one of the most talked about launches set to open in late 2019 on Dominica.  The resort will be located on the northern tip of the island and will have 152 rooms, children’s club, several pools, private lake with watersports, tennis and a spa. The luxurious tropical destination is surrounded by the Cabrits National Park, home to 365 rivers, waterfalls and hot springs with plenty of great hiking trails. 

Mandarin Oriental Grand Cayman: This luxury resort and residences is scheduled to open in 2021. The 100-room beachfront resort with 89 branded Residences at Mandarin Oriental will occupy 67 acres at St. James Point.  With is own secluded beach; all rooms and suites will overlook the sea.  The resort will also showcase several pools, beach club, tennis, spa, water sports, walking and cycling trails and 5 restaurants.

Andaz Turks and Caicos: This new hotel and residence development will open in 2021 and will be the first Andaz Residences in the Caribbean. The new hotel will be positioned on five acres at the western end of Grace Bay Beach with a modern, chic style.  Its expected to feature 59 hotels suites and 74 residences.

Real Madrid Soccer Clinics at Beaches

Beaches Resorts has teamed up with the Sandals Foundation and Real Madrid Foundation to offer five days of comprehensive soccer clinics for ages 6-17, taught by coaches of the Real Madrid Foundation.  Their 2020 camp dates have recently been released for January 6-12 at Beaches Negril and January 12-18 at Beaches Turks and Caicos for resort guests.  The camp runs for three hours in the morning allowing for plenty of family time.  Children will receive a full uniform and diploma!  The Real Madrid Foundation was founded in 1997, with the goal of bringing the social, cultural, and athletic values of the club into the service of the public. The Foundation represents the Club’s soul and the vehicle through which the Club gives back to the community all it has received throughout its 116-year history.

AMResorts’ New Year’s Special

Celebrate 2019 with AMResorts with up to 40% off room rates.  In addition, you can purchase a room upgrade for only $20.19 plus two children stay for only $20.19 each (additional children only pay $67)!  At their adult-only resorts, you can also get a $50.00 spa certificate for $20.19.  The promotion is available at Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets, Breathless, Dreams, Now, Reflect and some of their Sunscape Resorts & Spas.  Just book by February 26 for travel up to April 30.  Select resorts also include complimentary golf and internet.  Applicable room categories will vary by resort for the upgrade and blackout dates and restrictions may apply. AMResorts also includes $200 in resort discount coupons that are valid for the spa, romantic dining and wine.