Mexico/Caribbean: Mexico and the Caribbean Redefine ‘Family-Friendly’

DREAMS WATERPARKMexico and the Caribbean Redefine ‘Family-Friendly’By Lydia GregoryFrom innovative kids’ clubs to immersive cultural experiences, resorts across Mexico and the Caribbean are unveiling new attractions and amenities designed to captivate travelers from toddlers to grandparents.AVA Resort CancunThe AVA Resort Cancun, a newly opened sustainable property, is impacting Cancun with its “AVA for ALL” approach, catering to various traveler types. Carilis DiDonato, Director of Field Sales at AIC Hotel Group, highlights the resort’s family-friendly features, including “elevated room design with various room categories to accommodate families with children of all ages” and “the AVA kids’ club with a daycare for babies.”GRAND VELAS BEACH She points to the AVA Lagoon as a great place where the younger kids can play safely in the shallow water while the older kids participate in the non-motorized water sports (kayak and paddleboard). “Multi-generational travel continues to grow, with Mexico being one of the most popular destinations,” says DiDonato. “Trends include accommodations that can adapt to different needs with adjoining rooms and communal areas, which AVA has, plus dining options for multigenerational groups. At AVA, our restaurants offer a wide range of food options, including kids’ menus. Best of all, no one has to fight for the check at the end of the night.”Atlantis Paradise IslandAtlantis Paradise Island in The Bahamas remains a top choice for family vacations. Audrey Oswell, the resort’s President and Managing Director, emphasizes the resort’s intergenerational appeal: “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve met customers who’ve shared their story of visiting Atlantis as children, or with their grandparents, and now they’re traveling with their grandkids to our resort.” The resort continually introduces new experiences, including expanded environmental and conservation programs. A recent highlight at Atlantis is the Barbie collaboration. “[N]o matter your age, everyone loves the Atlantis x Barbie collaboration,” says Oswell. “The Barbie Boardwalk experience in The Royal is home to a Barbie Museum, the most creative, ‘you can be anything empowerment’ selfie stations, a kaleidoscope bubble maze, a tandem swing and arguably the largest ball pit in the Caribbean. You have to see it to believe it!”Club Med Cancun“Over the years, we’ve witnessed a growing number of families choosing Club Med Cancun for their vacations,” says Carolyne Doyon, President and CEO of Club Med, North America and Caribbean. “Our renovations reflect our commitment to providing unparalleled experiences for multigenerational travelers through a full transformation of the main resort spaces.” Expected to be finished by December 2024, the new Family Oasis will feature a Mayan-themed splash park, water park and a relocated kids club. Really little ones from four to 23 months of age will have a new Baby Club Med to enjoy. By July 2025, Club Med Cancun will unveil a transformed main pool area with an infinity pool, a revamped beach and pool bar and upgraded Deluxe rooms with a splash of Mayan culture for a sense of place. Vacationing parents will also love the newly renovated Sports & Wellness Island and the new Yoga Palapa, inaugurated by the brand’s new Yoga Ambassador, Jonah Kest. Blue Diamond ResortsIf white glove service is key, the recently expanded Butler Program at Blue Diamond Resorts is on point. “After the post-COVID boom in all-inclusive travel, many hospitality companies that initially offered butlers have scaled back these services to a more generic guest service role. In contrast, at Blue Diamond Resorts, we have not only retained but also expanded our Butler Program to deliver even more elevated and personalized experiences,” says Alejandro Rodriguez del Peon, Director of Marketing & PR. “We’ve significantly grown our butler team in recent years, including the appointment of a Head Master Butler, and have invested extensively in advanced training and certifications to uphold the highest standards.” Butler service is available in the Diamond Club and Star Class suite categories at Royalton Luxury Resorts and Planet Hollywood Beach Resorts, respectively. “It’s no coincidence that our Royalton Luxury Resorts tagline, ‘Everyone Is Family,’ reflects our commitment to creating fulfilling vacation experiences with activities for all ages,” adds Peon. He goes on to identify several future trends, among these, accommodations evolving to meet diverse family needs, offering versatile layouts and connecting options; wellness travel gaining momentum, with families seeking holistic experiences; sustainability as a priority for eco-conscious travelers; and a move towards less-frequented destinations, with remote Caribbean islands like Antigua, Saint Lucia and Grenada attracting families seeking unique, tranquil experiences away from the crowds.Hilton HotelsHilton is experiencing high demand for family travel across its portfolio in the region. Fernando Luis, VP and Commercial Director for Hilton, Caribbean and Latin America, notes: “All-inclusive resorts continue to be a standout for families looking for amenities and entertainment for all ages, while luxury resorts are seeing an uptick in interest as travelers seek elevated experiences and programming for their entire family.” In addition, the 2024 Hilton Trends Report indicates that travelers of all generations prioritize cultural immersion. HILTON QUOTE Says Luis: “We believe that in the upcoming year, multigenerational travelers will continue to seek experiences that provide a sense of place, and our portfolio of hotels are uniquely positioned to provide this with unique family accommodations, programming and amenities that allow them to learn about the local cultures and connect with the destination in a meaningful way.” Hilton is expanding with new properties like Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique and Zemi Miches All-inclusive Resort in the Dominican Republic. In Aruba, the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino is building a new 161-room oceanfront tower that will operate as a “hotel within a hotel” and new restaurants and bars are debuting in 2025. Guestrooms in the current three towers are being renovated.Hyatt’s The Inclusive Collection“We’re very excited to continue expanding the family-friendly offerings at our resort and enhancing the Unlimited-Luxury all-inclusive experience for our valued guests,” says Yann Le Guillou, GM of Dreams Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort. “At our resorts, guests like to embrace the outdoors and reconnect with nature through a variety of activities that cater to their growing interest in adventure and exploration. We’ve seen an increasing number of guests enjoying multigenerational vacations at our resorts, which offer the perfect beachfront location escape for everyone.” The resort’s expansion brought an 18,600-sq.-ft. water park with a pirate ship, slides, pools and dining options. It also added 58 new Preferred Club Suites in four categories, and includes the Dreams Preferred Lounge on the eighth floor, offering VIP services, ocean views and exclusive amenities for families in upper-level room categories.Karisma Hotels & ResortsFew resorts link so directly with kids as do Karisma Hotels & Resorts. “Karisma Hotels & Resorts stands out in the family-friendly resort sector through our innovative brand partnerships and exceptional guest experiences,” says CEO Esteban Velasquez. “We are proud to collaborate with global icons like Nickelodeon and Margaritaville...offering unique brand experiences and themed suites across our resorts. With 29 characters across Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts, we offer the most characters in the Caribbean and ignite the spark of play with unrivaled seasonal events like the award-winning program, Summer of SpongeBob. KARISMA QUOTE “At Karisma Hotels & Resorts, no detail goes unnoticed, ensuring personalized comfort for families at every turn,” adds Velasquez. “Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun provides an intimate beachfront getaway for families with offerings like the Parakeets Kid’s Club, spacious swim-up suites, tantalizing cuisine, the iconic flip-flop Olympics and live entertainment for all ages.” Velasquez sees multi-gen and skip-gen—and the latest, “gramping”—travel quickly rising as families seek new ways to foster togetherness. And here, everyone means everyone: “Karisma Hotels & Resorts is the first hotel group to offer an Autism Concierge. Developed in partnership with Autism Double-Checked, this offering allows guests traveling with a loved one with autism to ask about specific needs through a dedicated contact,” he says. “Autism Double-Checked-certified Karisma hotels in Mexico include Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya and Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun.” Also, part of the Karisma family, Azul Beach Resorts cater to families with the Azulitos Playhouse, Gourmet-Inclusive dining, kids’ spa services and toddler-inclusive amenities like strollers, bottle warmers and baby monitors.Marriott International“Marriott International continues to be the preferred choice for family-friendly resorts in Mexico and the region,” says Louise Bang, Chief Sales & Marketing Office, Marriott International, Caribbean and Latin America. She shares, “There’s a growing demand for multigenerational experiences. According to recent data from the Family Travel Association (FTA), over 50 percent of parents are planning trips that include grandparents and children. Marriott International in the Caribbean and Latin America is well-prepared to cater to this trend with new and elevated options, such as luxury rental residences.” Of note: The Rental Residences Collection by Marriott International provides all the space guests need for a family or small group gathering—and pays a 10 percent commission. Two upcoming locations include The Residences at The St. Regis Los Cabos and The Residences at The St. Regis Kanai.MARRIOTT QUOTE In hotel news, the St. Regis Punta Mita recently underwent a $45 million renovation to the overall resort experience, including the St. Regis Spa and the launch of new restaurant and bar concepts. “Additionally,” says Bang, “the resort unveiled the new Marietas Pool, redesigned suites and guestrooms, and five new Oceanfront Villas, all enhancing the luxury and comfort for guests.” For families with school-age children, Bang points to the recently renovated Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort, as “an ideal choice, thanks to its longstanding reputation as a preferred destination for family travelers, a loyalty passed down through generations. This spring, the hotel announced its latest collaboration with [family-focused] CAMP, becoming the first hotel worldwide to offer the CAMP Club.” For families with teens, Bang recommends Delta Hotels Riviera Nayarit, An All-Inclusive Resort and the W Punta Mita. SPICE ISLANDSpice Island Beach Resort“Spice Island Beach Resort offers a unique blend of unpretentious luxury and authentic Grenadian hospitality that sets us apart,” says Janelle Hopkin, President and Managing Director. “Our all-inclusive model is designed with families in mind, providing worry-free holiday experiences where everything is taken care of.” With only 64 suites—32 of them beachfront on Grenada’s famed Grand Anse Beach—and 17 private swimming pools, this five-diamond property is all about personalized service. “Our staff-to-guest ratio allows us to cater to each family’s specific needs. The ‘Nutmeg Pod,’ which is our family-focused area of the resort, offers tailored activities for children aged 3-12, allowing parents to also enjoy some relaxation time. Additionally, our spacious suites offer a variety of bed configurations, and many with direct beach access are perfect for families who want that ‘toes-in-the-sand’ experience.” Hopkin goes on to share several exciting trends she sees in family and multigenerational travel for the upcoming year, in particular, families seeking authentic, immersive experiences, engaging with local culture and nature; wellness activities and eco-conscious travel; and personalized experiences and multigenerational activities taking preference over standard packages, catering to diverse family interests and fostering bonding.What’s NewGrand Velas Vallarta Nayarit has put together a new Suite Stars Camp for families in a luxurious 2- or 3-bedroom Family Residence Suite, transforming the terrace into a starlit campsite with teepees, fairly lights, a high-powered telescope and more. The experience includes extras for adults such as nanny service and SE Spa treatments.NAYARIT STARS CAMP Big news from Beaches Resorts: The brand is developing Beaches Exuma in The Bahamas, the first for the brand in these islands. Formerly Sandals Emerald Bay, the resort’s top-to-bottom transformation begins this fall. Contact InformationAVA Resort Cancun: avaresortcancun.comAtlantis Paradise Island: atlantisbahamas.com Beaches Resorts: beaches.com Blue Diamond Resorts: bluediamondresorts.com/travel-professionalsClub Med Cancun: clubmed.us/r/cancunHilton: hilton.com/en/portal/travel-agentsHyatt’s The Inclusive Collection: hyattinclusivecollection.com/en/travel-advisorsKarisma Hotels & Resorts: karismatravelagents.comMarriott International: travelagents.marriott.com/travelagentsSpice Island Beach Resort: spiceislandbeachresort.com/Velas Resorts: experts.velasresorts.com

COVERSANDALSTable of ContentsSANDALS SPREADEditor's NotesEDU HOUSE ADIndustry Insights: Luxury Travel Continues to SoarAdvisor Speak: Virtuoso Advisor InsightsMexico/Caribbean: Mexico and the Caribbean Redefine ‘Family-Friendly’CAYMAN ISLANDS SCTHE CAYMAN ISLANDSSAINT LUCIA SCSAINT LUCIAOnsite Review: Upscale Sandals Opens Its Doors in St. Vincent and the GrenadinesOnsite Review: “New” Discoveries in Saint LuciaNorth America: What's New—Florida Family AdventuresLEE COUNTY SCFort Myers Islands, Beaches & NeighborhoodsOnsite Review: Quebec City—History, Culture & CuisineMGM RESORTS SCMGM RESORTSCruise: Setting Sail for Fun—What’s New for Family CruisesOnboard Review: Margaritaville at Sea Islander One-of-a-Kind ExperienceOnboard Review: 10 Reasons to Book Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the SeasEurope: Onsite Review—Travels in AndalusiaTURKISH AIRLINES