What's Next for Families in Mexico & the Caribbean

PALLADIIUM KIDS ON BEDWhat's Next for Families in Mexico & the Caribbean By Lydia Gregory
The family that plays together stays together, and these resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean have what it takes for your clients to make the most of their vacation days and dollars.Sesame Street FunFew things are as family-friendly as the Sesame Workshop, and Beaches Resorts has partnered with this entity at their three properties in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos, bringing its unique education and resources to resort guests and kids in local communities. At the resort, kids can hang with favorites like Cookie Monster, Zoe, Rosita and others at Camp Sesame with the Beaches Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street experience, plus you can book the Sesame Street VIP Upgrade Packages+ with exclusive Character Breakfasts, Nighttime Tuck-Ins and more. And that's not all.SESAME STREET YOGA According to Luisana Suegart, Director of Public Relations for Unique Vacations, Inc., “On April 8, Beaches Resorts is rolling out a special activity rooted in building healthy habits, movement, mindfulness and fun, coined Sesame Street Sunrise Yoga. The brand-new program introduces the practice of yoga to children alongside the familiar furry faces of Elmo, Cookie Monster, Bert and Ernie and more from the Sesame Street gang. Parents and their little ones will follow along with every stretch, pose and breath during the Caribbean sun-splashed yoga class for an engaging fitness vacation experience fit for tiny tots.”Note: Time with the Sesame Street characters is first-come, first-served, so book your clients early.Family Oasis“We’re thrilled to reveal the exciting renovations to Club Med Cancun designed to create new family-focused and wellness spaces within the resort to offer both families and wellness enthusiasts a variety of experiences all in one,” says Amelie Brouhard, VP of Marketing North America and USA Sales. “These enhancements prove our family superiority and excellence in the market, offering a revitalized zoning area for families with a dedicated Family Oasis and Children's Clubs all close to each other to provide the ultimate family escape and a seamless stay.” New play facilities include a themed Splash Park, Water Park, Mini Pool & Playground, Fun Zone and Mini Cinema. The extensive renovations and enhancements to its Family Oasis will be completed in December 2024. The resort has also added a Baby Club Med, a Sports & Wellness Island with a new palapa for yoga. The island has the facilities for archery, mini golf, a circus with a trapeze and more debuting in April. “This is a significant milestone for Club Med Cancun in becoming a leader in all-inclusive family vacations in North America,” adds Brouhard. POOLSIDEFamily AdventureThe $425 million rebuild of Frenchman'sReef in St. Thomas was completed late last year with the opening of Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman's Reef just a few months after the Morningstar Buoy Haus Beach Resort at Frenchman's Reef, Autograph Collection. “Frenchman’s Reef was designed with families in mind and as part of our extensive rebuild, our team thoughtfully curated a range of amenities for our two new resorts that cater to a diverse range of travelers,“ says Mike Lorenz, Director of Sales & Marketing at Frenchman's Reef. “The dedicated Westin FAMILY Kids Club is ideal for those looking to entertain little ones with an array of fun daily programming, while allowing adults to enjoy their time at our sparkling beach and pools or partake in a treatment at the signature Heavenly Spa by Westin.“FRENCHMANS REEF QUOTE According to Lorenz, the new Palm Court, a lively beachside social space, will have exciting family programming and become a hub for various activities. “Additionally, we took great care to develop a dedicated family adventure beach with a range of aquatic programming that all ages can enjoy.“ He adds Frenchman’s Reef developed a more extensive fleet of private charter vessels that you can book for your clients by day or night—think snorkel and swim trips, sunset sails, island explorations and more. Ask about the Stay and Sail packages.BEACH HOUSESAuthentic Experience“Six Senses [La Sagesse] and Silversands Beach House epitomize Grenada's allure for high-end family travel, blending luxury, wellness and authentic experiences,“ says Grenada Tourism Authority CEO Petra Roach. “These additions offer sophisticated settings with family-friendly amenities, ensuring unforgettable vacations. Six Senses’ sustainable ethos and diverse activities cater to all ages, while Silversands Beach House provides an intimate backdrop for cherished family moments. She continues: “Together, they affirm Grenada's status as a premier destination for families seeking luxury intertwined with meaningful experiences. Additionally, Grenada's welcoming atmosphere and wealth of family-friendly attractions and excursions make it an ideal destination for families, where generations can bond amidst the island's natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.“ The newest property in the Silversands Grenada Collection, Silversands Beach House, opened earlier this year with 28 luxury guestrooms and suites built on top of a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Each accommodation has a private canopied terrace and extra-large windows to bring the outdoors in. Meals can be enjoyed at the Mediterranean-inspired Azzuro restaurant, while extra R&R after a day of water play with the kids is available at the Wellness Room at Beach House. Located just a few minutes from Silversands Grenada Grand Anse, guests of the Beach House have access to all of its sister hotel's amenities.GRENEDA QUOTE The larger Six Senses La Sagesse has 56 poolside suites and 15 villas, “Perfect for families of all sizes, villas feature one, two, or four generously sized bedrooms,“ says Thomas Fehlbier, GM for the property. "This idyllic family retreat is complemented by childrens' programming through Grow with Six Senses, a kids' spa menu, complimentary afternoon treats at Scoop Café, a Teens’Club, non-motorized watersports and exclusive access to the pristine La Sagesse Beach.“ Dining in this luxury property is farm-to-table, wellness is holistic and cultural experiences are immersive. “As a destination, Grenada is enjoying a major moment,“ adds Fehlbier. “Visitors to Grenada are delighting in the island's pristine beaches, laid-back culture, rum distilleries, chocolatiers and spice gardens. 2024 also marks the island’s 50th year of independence.“ Get Slimed! “With multi-generational travel on the rise, [Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts] are the ideal haven for those young and young at heart,“ says Frank Maduro, President of Premier Worldwide Marketing, the global sales and marketing representative for Karisma Hotels & Resorts. “Many of us grew up on Nickelodeon, and with a vast array of beloved characters brought to life, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts creates a shared and nostalgic moment for families, resulting in an unforgettable stay.“PREMIER WW QUOTE If you know Nickelodeon, you know Slime, and now through April 30, 2024, your clients can dive right into it during the 2nd annual Slime Break Getaway at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya and Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana. Coinciding with Spring Break, parents and kids can make green sticky memories with activities like Slime tie-dye, DIY Slime workshops, pizza making with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and more. More active pursuits include DJ-led pool parties, Slime-themed games and the epic Super Slimings. If they’re there for Easter, the littles will be wowed with crafts at Club Nick, SpongeBob-themed egg decoration, Easter Brunch, the iconic family egg hunts, plus extras like visits from the Easter bunny and bunny baskets in every room. Book clients between now and March 30, and you'll snag them up to 40 percent savings.Kid-Centric VacationPalladium Hotel Group has heavily invested in its properties with an eye on families, creating the Family Selection to cater to this segment. “Palladium Hotel Group's Family Selection sets itself apart from other all-inclusive family offers by introducing an exclusive ’hotel within a hotel’ concept,“ explains Pilar Arizmendi-Stewart, VP of Sales and Marketing for the Americas. “With a focus on family travel, Grand Palladium Hotel & Resort's Family Selection properties located in Riviera Maya, Riviera Nayarit and Costa Mujeres boast over 64 dedicated amenities, creating a unique and tailored experience for guests. This approach ensures that families enjoy a premium and comprehensive vacation, going beyond standard offerings in the all-inclusive market.“PALLADIUM QUOTE Arizmendi-Stewart explains that kids in Family Selection are the stars, with their check-in area and a host of kid-centric amenities such as turndown service with milk and cookies, toy-filled bubble baths, a separate video-game lounge, exclusive programming, and activities just for them and more. “Each family is assigned a Family Host to assist with all special requests during their stay. The program's luxury rooms offer personalized services like a welcome basket for kids, customized mini-bar, unpacking and packing services, turn down and pillow services, 24-hour room service and much more,“ she says. The newest Family Selection option is at Grand Palladium Kantenah Resort & Spa, which officially opened in December 2023. This expanded Family Selection offer includes 169 brand-new Family Selection suites, joining the existing 95 suites in Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa and 180 in Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa. “Together, these 471 suites embody the true essence of Family Selection—thoughtfully designed retreats tailored to the modern family, complete with exclusive amenities, private havens and meticulous personalized service. This new addition will allow multi-generational families to stay together in close proximity while enjoying distinct accommodations tailored to suit each group's unique preferences and needs,“ says Arizmendi-Stewart. Contact InformationBeaches Resorts: taportal.sandals.comClub Med: clubmed.usFrenchman’s Reef: frenchmansreefstthomas.comGrenada: puregrenada.comNickelodeon Hotels & Resorts: nickresorts.comPalladium Hotel Group: pro.palldiumhotelgroup.comSilversands Beach House: silversandscollection.com Six Senses La Sagesse: sixsenses.comCOVERSANDALSTable of ContentsSANDALS SPREADEditor's NotesPALLADIUM BRAND ADAdvisor Speak: Attracting Next Generation AdvisorsFIESTA AMERICANAIndustry Insights: Travel is a ‘Human Need’Cruise: The Call of the World’s Rivers & OceansAMERICAN CRUISE LINES SCAMERICAN CRUISE LINESAMAWATERWAYS SCAMAWATERWAYSDISNEY CRUISE LINE SCDISNEY CRUISE LINEEXPLORA JOURNEYSOCEANIA CRUISES SCOCEANIA CRUISESROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL SCRCI ADOnboard Review: Icon of the Seas Reaches for the StarsOnboard Review: Lindblad’s National Geographic Explorer—An Immersive Expedition ExperienceOnboard Review: Seven Seas Grandeur—All-Inclusive Luxury Offers Top ValueNorth America: Florida Beckons with New Properties, Attractions, EateriesOnsite Review: Miami Sparkles With Art, Nature & Culinary OfferingsLEE COUNTY SCLEE COUNTYAlaska: What’s New in the Last FrontierOnsite Review: Boston Welcomes the Celebrated Raffles BrandWhat's Next for Families in Mexico & the CaribbeanCaribbean Vacation Offers Varied ExperiencesPALLADIUM HOTEL GROUPOnsite Review: Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit—This Dual Destination Shines Brighter Than EverRECOMMEND EDU HOUSE ADWEBINAR HOUSE AD