Island Escape to Grand Cayman

Families looking for an upscale getaway in spacious accommodations can enjoy the Ritz Carlton Grand Cayman’s Island Family Escape package. It is available through December 19 and includes a two- or three-bedroom Residential Suite, roundtrip airport transportation in a luxury SUV, daily breakfast buffet, private family dinner for up to eight people, private family photo session, a $1,000 resort credit and a personal assistant!  The resort credit can be used at the spa, activities at the Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment, golf and more.  Complimentary resort activities include scavenger hunts, non-motorized water sports including private sailing lessons, room tents, daily sunset ceremony, pickleball, game room and putting green.

Villa Vacation on Maui

Looking for spacious, family accommodations in a resort setting on Maui?  The Fairmont Kea Lani is now offering their Villa Vacation promotion through December 19.  Stay in a luxury oceanfront or ocean view villa and get a 5th night free, a $500 food and beverage credit, daily breakfast, welcome food basket and valet parking daily.  Steps from Polo Beach, the villas offer two and three-bedrooms with 1800 and 2200 sq. ft. of living space, full gourmet kitchen with dining area, two master bedrooms, full entertainment system and a private furnished courtyard with plunge pool and barbeque grill.  The resort also features several pools, watersports, spa, gym, children’s programs, Hawaiian cultural activities, several dining options and more.

Fairmont Southampton’s All Inclusive

The Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda has announced a new Luxury All-Inclusive Package available for travel from September through next March. The package includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and beverages at the resort’s extensive list of dining options. Reduced pricing for tweens and teens is available and, as always, children five and under eat free.  The iconic resort features gorgeous hilltop views, pool, beach club, tennis, an 18-hole 3 par golf course, spa with indoor pool, gym, children’s programs, ferry to Hamilton and 593 rooms and suites.  Most rooms have been renovated as well.  Bermuda is a great destination year-round!

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.