All Inclusive for Family

[Frozen2014]

I know this isn't a Disney question per se, but we're looking at an alternative option for our December cruise in case it's not looking like it's going to run....and thought I'd ask here since there area lot of families on here. Anyone have any suggestions? We'd want different activity options for a 16 and 12 year old and with a beach and pool (but I think they would get bored if that's all they had for 4 or 5 days). And obviously the place would have to be covid safe. I looked at something like Beaches Turks & Caicos but it's very pricey. Anyone gone to one and have any suggestions?

 

[hdrolfe]

I believe others will be along to recommend a place in Mexico that I never remember the name of

When I was looking I found a few places in Punta Cana and Jamaica, it depends how much you want to spend. I only looked at places with some kind of waterslides because my son loves them. But also, both places offer excursions that look fun. I think my kid would get bored easily if we just had a beach and pool, while I would be fine with it.

For me, the evenings look to be the biggest difference, we normally cruise and have shows and whatnot on the ship in the evening. I am not sure what there is to do at night at a resort that is family friendly.

 

[Frozen2014]

I believe others will be along to recommend a place in Mexico that I never remember the name of

When I was looking I found a few places in Punta Cana and Jamaica, it depends how much you want to spend. I only looked at places with some kind of waterslides because my son loves them. But also, both places offer excursions that look fun. I think my kid would get bored easily if we just had a beach and pool, while I would be fine with it.

For me, the evenings look to be the biggest difference, we normally cruise and have shows and whatnot on the ship in the evening. I am not sure what there is to do at night at a resort that is family friendly.

Thanks. I have actually noted a couple in Cancun but don't know anything about them except trip advisor reviews (which are always mixed). Same thing...a pool would keep them busy for a bit but not super long. The place has to have at least kayak, etc as well. And like you, we love the whole cruise experience with entertainment at night. I also found one with a nice waterpark (not kiddie) so that may be an option. I'm seeing it noted in a few but of course, I'm guessing it doesn't match up to cruise type.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

In Mexico there are many options families with kids and teens will love, some we have been and sone have been recommended to us by friends:
Iberostar Selection Playa Mita
Moon Palace Cancun
Royal Soralis
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort - stayed here a few years ago it was more budget friendly then the other ones and while my kid was too young to enjoy the facilities it was perfect for my friends kids ages 10+

 

[dancin Disney style]

hdrolfe might be referring to me. Hotel Xcaret in Riviera Maya is by far the best AI I've ever been to....and I've been to many in many different countries. In general AI vacations are much more of a lay back in relax type of thing. However, there are some resorts that offer many activities/excursions. Hotel Xcaret is called a fun inclusive rather than all inclusive. All meals and drinks are included but they also offer unlimited access to 9 different places that they own. Transportation and food is also included with all the off site stuff. You can go ziplining, drive atv's, swim in the cenotes, cave rafts, paddle boards, there are animal things, cultural things and the list goes on and on. The resort has several different types of accommodation, amazing food including a Micheline star chef and the staff can't do enough for you. It's fairly quiet at night which for some is a plus and others a minus. They have an evening excursion that is a party boat....kids are welcome but I didn't feel like it was really appropriate. It was fun but almost everyone was really drunk.

Something to be VERY aware of with this area of Mexico. The Riviera Maya area is beautiful and safe. Cancun proper however is not.....for the most part it's a drunken party place and there have been many issues with drugs/gangs right out in the open. There are a couple of really nice resorts in Cancun but personally, if I was staying there I wouldn't leave the resort and might not even go out on the beach.

 

[Frozen2014]

In Mexico there are many options families with kids and teens will love, some we have been and sone have been recommended to us by friends:
Iberostar Selection Playa Mita
Moon Palace Cancun
Royal Soralis
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort - stayed here a few years ago it was more budget friendly then the other ones and while my kid was too young to enjoy the facilities it was perfect for my friends kids ages 10+

Thanks. I had actually noted Sandos Caracol Eco Resort as I noticed the resort waterpark ontop of the beach and activities plus pool. I like the room options too with a bunk bed (means kids get their own bed, which is important for teens/pre teens)

Moon Palace looks quite nice too and an option.

Not seeing as much to do at Iberostar Selection Playa Mita pr Royal Soralis.

Another that I had noted is Sandos Playacar All Inclusive. Anyone know much about this one?

 

[Frozen2014]

hdrolfe might be referring to me. Hotel Xcaret in Riviera Maya is by far the best AI I've ever been to....and I've been to many in many different countries. In general AI vacations are much more of a lay back in relax type of thing. However, there are some resorts that offer many activities/excursions. Hotel Xcaret is called a fun inclusive rather than all inclusive. All meals and drinks are included but they also offer unlimited access to 9 different places that they own. Transportation and food is also included with all the off site stuff. You can go ziplining, drive atv's, swim in the cenotes, cave rafts, paddle boards, there are animal things, cultural things and the list goes on and on. The resort has several different types of accommodation, amazing food including a Micheline star chef and the staff can't do enough for you. It's fairly quiet at night which for some is a plus and others a minus. They have an evening excursion that is a party boat....kids are welcome but I didn't feel like it was really appropriate. It was fun but almost everyone was really drunk.

Something to be VERY aware of with this area of Mexico. The Riviera Maya area is beautiful and safe. Cancun proper however is not.....for the most part it's a drunken party place and there have been many issues with drugs/gangs right out in the open. There are a couple of really nice resorts in Cancun but personally, if I was staying there I wouldn't leave the resort and might not even go out on the beach.

I noticed this hotel. It looks amazing! But it's very pricey. :-(

If we went to a resort, we probably wouldn't venture elsewhere. That's why I'm looking for a place with lots to keep us busy. We don't do kids clubs, but do things as a family.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

We went to the The Grand at Moon Palace in Cancun. It's amaze-balls! LOL

They have kids up to 18 stay free, so even though the cost per adult is around $2500 each, your kids would be just the flight portion.

In Punta Cana, I already know we plan on visiting The Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana! Amazing beach and amentities for all.

https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/dominican-republic/hyatt-ziva-cap-cana/pujif

 

[dancin Disney style]

I noticed this hotel. It looks amazing! But it's very pricey. :-(

If we went to a resort, we probably wouldn't venture elsewhere. That's why I'm looking for a place with lots to keep us busy. We don't do kids clubs, but do things as a family.

Yes...it’s expensive but the excursions are worth well over $1000/person. This is a true luxury property and you do get what you pay for.

You should define what you mean by “lots to keep us busy”. Most resorts offer things like kayaks or other water toys. Most have animation teams that lead games etc. Most have a few classes like palm weaving. Most organize sports like volleyball. The beach tends to be the focus of an AI though. If you are looking for things to do like zip lining or horseback riding you usually have to book offsite excursions which are not cheap. A family of 4 could run around $500 and up for one excursion and usually USD.

If you would be happy with unlimited access to a water park there is Memories in Punta Cana. The water park is decent and it’s onsite. You can also upgrade to the Royalton as well but the only real difference between the 2 is location. Memories is behind the Royalton and you have to walk through to go to the beach. Both resorts offer access to almost all the restaurants on both sides. There are a couple that are only for the Royalton. Memories is cheaper and more family focused but nearly as nice as the Royalton. For a one week stay I don’t usually recommend the Diamond upgrade. It doesn’t include enough to be truly beneficial unless you get it really cheap ...occasionally it’s free.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Thanks. I had actually noted Sandos Caracol Eco Resort as I noticed the resort waterpark ontop of the beach and activities plus pool. I like the room options too with a bunk bed (means kids get their own bed, which is important for teens/pre teens)

Moon Palace looks quite nice too and an option.

Not seeing as much to do at Iberostar Selection Playa Mita pr Royal Soralis.

Another that I had noted is Sandos Playacar All Inclusive. Anyone know much about this one?

Our friends recommended the Iberostar, generally they have great entertainment and activities but who knows now.
Gran Bahia resorts are spread out and offer lots (sometimes water parks) and you can usually go from one to the other, we have been to Coba and also recommend it.

I’m with you, we have done so many all inclusives and just prefer Disney or cruise for the variety, but if no other options we’ll go that way too. We got sick twice in DR although love it there, not a fan of Jamaica and Cuba is too cold in the winter when I want a hot vacation (not much warmer than Florida). Mexico is always nice, although our favourites are islands like Aruba, St Maarten, St Lucia and Grand Turks but as you said too expensive. At this point I’ll go anywhere though lol

 

[TommyJK]

Have a look at Grand Sirenis Tropical Suites in Punta Cana (Dominican republic). Big Water park on-site that my kids (11 and 14) loved. We also did an excursion zip-lining that the kids loved aswell.

Price was very reasonable for 4* all-inclusive.

 

[bcwife76]

We are preferential to the AM Resorts brand (Dreams, Secrets, etc). We've done Now Amber a couple of times, along with Now Jade, Now Sapphire, and Dreams Los Cabos. Hoping to try the new Dreams Punta Mita for spring break 2022.

 

[azrivest]

Have a look at Grand Sirenis Tropical Suites in Punta Cana (Dominican republic). Big Water park on-site that my kids (11 and 14) loved. We also did an excursion zip-lining that the kids loved aswell.

Price was very reasonable for 4* all-inclusive.

We can vouch for the Grand Sirenis in Punta Cana as well. It has been our go-to resort every March break for 3 years. The waterpark area is great. One thing we love is not having to get up at 6am just to book your poolchair. And the employees are really serviceable, almost like in Cuba. We would have been back in March 2021 if we could have travelled.


We tried the Coba and would not go back. The Bahia in the Riviera Maya as a whole is way too big. This particular resort isn't by the beach so you have to take the tram. We were harassed by the vendors from their timeshare. And people from the other (more expensive) sister resorts would take up all the chairs around the kids' water park/splash pad.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thank you so much for the responses. I've taken a look. For ones like Grand Sirens in Punta Cana, it's not letting us book a refundable flight which is a requirement for us considering the circumstances. Moon Palace looks quite nice too, but the room seems to only come as non-refundable (at least through DH's expedia account).

In terms of things to do, I just mean activities we can do together as a family on top of swimming in a pool or at a beach. So things like kayak, paddleboards, waterpark is a great option, tennis, and if the resort itself runs any games or activities and entertainment is a bonus. Maybe I'm too tied to a cruise....which is our first booking. And of course Disney World would be a choice except we won't touch it at xmas time.

 

[hdrolfe]

If you book through Sunwing they are offering low deposits and a cancelation policy. I am sure the others should be as well?

 

[Carolynleanne]

If you can afford to do Beaches Turks & Caicos, I cannot recommend it enough! It is VERY pricey, but for a good reason. They also have some of the nicest beaches I've ever seen

 

[Frozen2014]

My first search was Turks & Caicos....definitely a bit over our what we want to pay, but it does look amazing.

 

[Carolynleanne]

My first search was Turks & Caicos....definitely a bit over our what we want to pay, but it does look amazing.

Club Meds are highly rated too.

 

[Aladora]

In Mexico there are many options families with kids and teens will love, some we have been and sone have been recommended to us by friends:
Iberostar Selection Playa Mita
Moon Palace Cancun
Royal Soralis
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort - stayed here a few years ago it was more budget friendly then the other ones and while my kid was too young to enjoy the facilities it was perfect for my friends kids ages 10+

Thanks. I had actually noted Sandos Caracol Eco Resort as I noticed the resort waterpark ontop of the beach and activities plus pool. I like the room options too with a bunk bed (means kids get their own bed, which is important for teens/pre teens)

Moon Palace looks quite nice too and an option.

Not seeing as much to do at Iberostar Selection Playa Mita pr Royal Soralis.

Another that I had noted is Sandos Playacar All Inclusive. Anyone know much about this one?

We've stayed at the Sandos Caracol Eco Resort twice now and can definitely recommend it. We booked excursions to the X-parks (Xcaret, Xel-ha, etc.) on both trips and really enjoyed them!

 

[starvenger]

My first search was Turks & Caicos....definitely a bit over our what we want to pay, but it does look amazing.

That was one of my first searches when I was looking for AI resorts. I looked at Beaches as we stayed at the Ocho Rios location.

I do think that Punta Cana and Cancun will yield the most choices for you. Getting a lot of ideas as it is from this thread. Like you, I'd rather do a cruise, but have zero issues pivoting to a resort if it comes down to it. I just want to go somewhere warm next winter!

My main value add to this conversation is that going from cruise to resort is actually not that difficult, if you've learned to do things on "cruise time". There will probably be less people in terms of peer groups for your kids, so I do think something like an attached waterpark will be great for them - spend half the day there and then maybe the rest at the beach or playing sports.

Mind you, there's something to be said about spending days at the beach and being able to say

As for flights, I think WestJet still has a cancellation policy.