Big Island Paradise
Through December 31, the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island of Hawaii is offering an Ocean Explorer Family Escape package which includes activities and full breakfast buffet daily; an Ocean Explorer Kids backpack filled with an underwater camera, ocean fish guide card and coloring books and a glass-bottom boat cruise. Children under 4 also eat free from the kids menu at participating restaurants. In partnership with Make a Wish Foundation, the resort will also donate 10,000 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points to the Foundation, supporting the fulfillment of wishes, for each package booked. The 1,240-room resort, set on 62 oceanfront acres, has enough on site to keep your family well entertained with its Big Island Luau dinner show, two championship golf courses next to the ocean, and a Dolphin Quest facility.
Ritz Returns to Bali
Ritz-Carlton has scheduled its return to paradise in 2014 in Bali after a five-year absence. 
The stunning island enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the world’s most luxurious retreat destinations with its combination of sandy beaches, local Balinese artisan culture and relaxed ambiance. The location of the resort is uniquely situated with a combination of white beach front and elevated cliff top settings, blended into the landscape. The resort will offer 288 guestrooms, including 90 suites and 14 spacious villas. The cliff top villas will provide sweeping views of the ocean. Other amenities include a spa, gym, wedding chapel, pool, watersports and six restaurants and bars including a unique cliff-side restaurant integrated into a natural cave. Ritz-Carlton last operated a Bali resort in 2009.
Free Night in Turks
Still looking for a summer getaway? Through September 2, your family can take advantage of The Somerset on Grace Bay’s 
Summer Celebration that includes a 5th night free, private one-hour Hobie Cat sailing lesson, $250 grocery credit, daily continental breakfast, free dinner for kids 12 and younger and a 8″ x 10″ framed family portrait. The luxury condo resort has hotel rooms plus 1-5 bedroom villas with full kitchens ranging from 1,400-5,300 sq. ft., free kids club for age 5-12, bike rentals, spa, gym with fitness classes, free in-room Wi-Fi, watersports and two really cool pools. The zero-edge infinity pool has a shallow children’s area while fitness enthusiasts will prefer the reverse-current lap pool. Equipped with underwater sound system, the 138-foot lap pool at The Somerset on Grace Bay is the longest on Turks and Caicos. After the sun sets, the pools light up the night – in a green way – thanks to solar energy. Custom, recycled glass pool tiles, which are imported from Spain, absorb sunlight and glow at night. The Somerset on Grace Bay is the only luxury resort in the Caribbean with these LEED-certified tiles.
Villas in Turks
Grace Bay Resorts in Turks and Caicos will open the first three of its luxury villas during the 2014-15 winter season. We are seeing more resorts 
offer large villas in a resort setting which is ideal for large families and family groups. Each private enclave in The Residences will have a private beach area, more than 6,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, four bedrooms, five baths and a large deck surrounding an infinity pool and outdoor shower. You also will have a personal concierge, daily housekeeping, in-villa chefs, pool and signing privileges at the Grace Bay Club. Resort amenities and recreation include a spa, gym, children’s program, watersports, tennis and several dining options. The resort recently opened the casual Stix on the Beach restaurant where items are served on skewers and bamboo sticks.
Cousteau Additions
Ritz-Carlton launched its popular Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program at its resort in St. Thomas and at the 
recently opened Dorado Beach Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico. Cousteau’s program, which emphasizes education and respect for environmental sustainability, was introduced at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman in 2005. Guided by trained naturalists, the program features recreational activities for kids from age 4 and up and families through snorkeling, kayaking, hiking and underwater photography. In St. Thomas, guests will explore the mangroves, feed the green iguanas and kayak and snorkel on Great Bay. At Dorado Beach, participants explore fish, coral and algae on a snorkel trip, learn how to use digital underwater cameras and create a slideshow, do arts and crafts using recycled materials, create snacks using solar ovens and organic produce from the resort’s gardens and explore the wetlands on guided tours with naturalists. Program prices range from $85 to $130, depending upon age.
Spice it Up
Children ages 5-11 stay free in your suite at Grenada’s all-inclusive Spice Island Beach Resort. The promotion is valid through December 15 for
Oleander or Luxury Beachfront Sea Grape Suites and for one child per suite. It can be combined with other offers and will save your family $230 each per night. The upscale property features water sports, tennis, bike rentals and golf is nearby. There is also a PADI dive shop, restaurants, pool, gym and several dining options. Internet access is also included. The children’s program is called the Nutmeg Pod for ages 3-12. It features a Nintendo Wii, movie viewing area, library, Sleepy Hollow (a place for resting and recharging between activities) and a colorful mural created by local Grenadian artist Nadine Baksh which tells the story of an Enchanted Spice Forest with local indigenous characters such as Manny the Manicou and the Nutmeg Princess. The property is 10 minutes from the airport.
Raggs at Palladium
The new Play at Palladium with Raggs program will be featured at Palladium Hotels & Resorts in the Riviera Maya and Riviera Nayarit in Mexico, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Montego Bay, Jamaica. Raggs is an Emmy award-winning, live-action television series starring five musical puppies. The Raggs characters will appear exclusively at Palladium Hotels & Resorts beginning July 20 and fully-produced live musical stage shows at the resorts’ on-site theaters will launch in November. Palladium resorts currently provide kids’ clubs for different age groups, with special sections and activities for children and teens ranging from one to 19. Special family friendly rooms are available at Grand Palladium Bavaro Resort & Spa in Punta Cana.
Aruba’s One Happy Family Returns
The Aruba Tourism Authority has teamed with island hotels, resorts and attractions to offer One Happy Family from May through September,
which provides your family with free nightly accommodations and daily breakfast for children under 12 years old. The packages also include a gift for the family, Very Important Kid (VIK) interactive benefits, and discounts on island attractions and activities. Upon check-in at participating hotels, children receive a VIK passport featuring kid-friendly Aruba attractions including the Baby Beach, Archaeological Museum, History Museum and California Lighthouse. As your family visits and explores the locations, VIK-holders are challenged to answer questions and complete puzzles. Once finished, your children can submit their passports to the hotel to be entered into a drawing for the chance to win a one-week trip for four (airfare included) back to Aruba! Winners will be announced at the end of September. Participating Hotel Partners include the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino; Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort; Divi Aruba All Inclusive; Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort; Divi Dutch Village; Divi Aruba Phoenix; Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa & Casino; MVC Eagle Beach; Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa; Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino; Talk of the Town Hotel and Beach Club; Tamarijn Aruba All Inclusive and the Mill Resort & Suites.
Ambassadors at the Ritz
The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua on Maui is an ideal summer vacation destination. The luxury resort recently unveiled their Family Adventure 
Summer Series. The program features new activities at the pool, the beach, the spa and the resort’s Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment program. The Keiki Summer Camp (for children) with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ambassadors of the Environment Experience includes snorkeling, ocean education, rainforest hikes and Hawaiian cultural experiences, led by Cousteau-trained naturalists. A week long camp is even available and open to children ages 5 and older. And when you confirm two 80-minute treatments at the spa: up to two children ages 5 and older will receive complimentary admission to the Ambassadors program! Families can together experience the Mana Maker Ambassadors Experience which includes a guided, interpretive snorkel tour and a nature hike of choice. This option is open to guests age 12 and older. A variety of promotions make this gorgeous resort a great value including free nights, daily hotel credits, breakfast, food discounts, activities and more.
Punta Mita Festival
Looking for a fun and upscale Independence Day getaway? Check out the Punta Mita Beach Festival at the St. Regis Punta Mita 
(near Puerto Vallarta), Mexico. The festival is a unique experience that will combine sports, flavors and music in paradise. The 3-night package includes a deluxe room, daily breakfast, special meal options, shows, movies, yoga classes, surf clinics, paddle boarding, marine safari, excursion to Las Marietas Islands as well as a surf and paddle board competition. The luxury resort also offers a spa, gym, tennis, golf, pools, several dining options, kids club (age 5-12) and more. One child 10 and under is free in your room with the festival package.
