Family friendly but also adult friendly resort suggestions?

[redheadk]

We are in the beginning stages of planning a group trip for Spring Break. It’s a wide range of needs.

- Adults in their 30s/early 40s
- some couples are child free
- kids are 12 months, 2.5, 9, and 14
- direct flight from Houston (either airport)
- not Mexico
- beach
- can be all inclusive or not
- room options that are family friendly (family suites or similar)

Any ideas? The really young kids make this tough. Ideally we’d find something that has included care options for the kids but has an adult side or sister resort for adults.

[redheadk]

Now that I typed this out, I’m realizing I should probably just use a travel agent.

[waverly]

We are not really resort people and sometimes resorts are hard with kids because you don't have a kitchen and separate bedrooms.

Direct flight are really difficult right not with Covid, staffing, airline issues. So it might be a direct flight now but no longer be one later or it might change 15 times between now and Spring Break.

The only resort we stayed at with multiple bedrooms and a kitchen was on Oahu, I believe it was the Hilton. Probably a layover in CA. For no, layover maybe the Florida Keys resorts, but we always get an ABNB, so I've not stayed at a specific one.

[redheadk]

Jun 30, 2021 12:47:40 GMT -5 waverly said:

We are not really resort people and sometimes resorts are hard with kids because you don't have a kitchen and separate bedrooms.

Direct flight are really difficult right not with Covid, staffing, airline issues. So it might be a direct flight now but no longer be one later or it might change 15 times between now and Spring Break.

The only resort we stayed at with multiple bedrooms and a kitchen was on Oahu, I believe it was the Hilton. Probably a layover in CA. For no, layover maybe the Florida Keys resorts, but we always get an ABNB, so I've not stayed at a specific one.

Right, that's why I'm looking for recommendations. I know there are resorts that offer family suites but the main issue is finding a resort that offers family friendly amenities, has childcare available for the youngest kids (many require kids to be a little older), but also won't make the childfree couples feel like they are vacationing in the middle of a children's playground. 

We are set on a resort due to the nature of the trip. We will definitely not go to Hawaii, that is a minimum of 8 hours away plus my own family will be there for 2 weeks this fall. We are looking more for something in the Caribbean/Central America region. Specific location isn't terribly important, we are more looking for the right resort + right amount of travel time. 

[starburst604]

In early March 2020 (juuuuust before Covid hit), we stayed with our then almost 5 year old at The Reef in Atlantis. I don't know about direct flights from Houston, we fly from Boston and connected in FL. We had a huge hotel suite, so we had space from DD when she was sleeping. We just had her sleep in our king bed and we hung out in the living room/kitchen or our balcony when she was asleep and we weren't ready for bed, there was a pullout in the living room also with a nicely equipped kitchen area which was clutch with a picky eater kid, I brought some of her staples like mac and cheese and pasta. We booked a car to take us from airport to hotel and they were willing to stop on the way at a store to pick up basics like milk, bottled water and booze. There were a number of different pools there, like one that was all geared toward kids with waterslides and whatnot, another that was all adults with gambling tables and music and another that was kind of mixed use, which we mostly hung out at. Two of the pools were immediately adjacent to the beach if you preferred that. The Reef is set away from the main area of Atlantis that is crazy busy, but we walked over to those areas and there were constant shuttles all around if we didn't feel like walking. The hotel itself felt upscale and "adult" with some nice restaurants but also completely comfortable to be at with a child. There's also a fun restaurant area in Atlantis to go to in the evenings, but make reservations. You can do all inclusive for food or not, we did not end up choosing the all inclusive since it was limited to certain restaurants and we wanted to venture out to more than those. We went with another family (they had an 18 month old) and each gave the other a night of babysitting so each couple could have a date night.

A travel agent could definitely help with suggestions, I reached out to one to help me plan this trip, who is known in my area for family-friendly trip planning. It was short notice, we decided we needed a getaway after a rough patch where DD was really sick and hospitalized. I gave her our dates and budget, our must haves (suite with separate sleeping and food allergy friendly were among ours) and ended up choosing this trip from her recommendations, and were very happy with it. I remember in particular that she liked this hotel for being away from the havoc and that it has the nicest beach there. 

[devonpow]

Club med in Miami is very family friendly

[dale]

We just booked a trip to Beaches in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. They have childcare starting with infants from 9 am to 9 pm. And it looks like there's plenty to do for both kids and adults. I haven't been there though, so I don't know if there's too much child-centered things going on or not, but we thought we'd give it a shot.

[mccallister84]

Jul 1, 2021 11:27:16 GMT -5 dale said:

We just booked a trip to Beaches in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. They have childcare starting with infants from 9 am to 9 pm. And it looks like there's plenty to do for both kids and adults. I haven't been there though, so I don't know if there's too much child-centered things going on or not, but we thought we'd give it a shot.

We are doing the same… but I don’t think the price is worth it for those who don’t have kids. And the rooms aren’t suites. I’m not sure if the other members of the party are willing to pay such a high premium for the child care amenities.

[jaycee]

Aulani in Oahu

[preppy]

Victoria House in Belize. We went there on our honeymoon but there were a few families specifically from Houston as there were direct flights. There are casitas, regular hotel rooms, or larger villas with kitchens etc. There is a ton to do, great restaurants, calm beautiful water etc.

www.victoria-house.com/

[calico]

We are planning a similar trip next June but the kids are not that young, 5-15. We ended up picking a Hawaii resort because we didn’t want to do passports for the kids or flight connections. It’s a 7hr direct flight but we arrive mid day (others may choose a cheaper flight with stops though). And everyone got to pick their own unit from Vrbo.

[redpenmama]

Not sure about flights but Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key, FL fits the bill otherwise.

[waverly]

You are right the baby and 2.5 year old are hard for childcare. The resort might be able to suggest some babysitters in the room or some people bring their nanny/ babysitter with. Everywhere I’ve seen is 3 years and up.

I’ve not been to the resorts in the Caribbean and am not looking to travel internationally so maybe ST. Johns or US Virgin Islands might be helpful so the kids don’t all have to get passports.

[goldengirlz]

The Beaches hotels (we went to the one in Turks & Caicos) have childcare options for kids that young. They’re pricey though and I wasn’t as blown away by the experience as most people are (though I will admit they make everything super easy for families.)

“Spring break for parents” was exactly the vibe though.

[jamaicam]

Jul 1, 2021 11:37:51 GMT -5 mccallister84 said:

Jul 1, 2021 11:27:16 GMT -5 dale said:

We just booked a trip to Beaches in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. They have childcare starting with infants from 9 am to 9 pm. And it looks like there's plenty to do for both kids and adults. I haven't been there though, so I don't know if there's too much child-centered things going on or not, but we thought we'd give it a shot.

We are doing the same… but I don’t think the price is worth it for those who don’t have kids. And the rooms aren’t suites. I’m not sure if the other members of the party are willing to pay such a high premium for the child care amenities.

I love Beaches but wouldn't go there without kids

Look in HYATT Ziva/Zilara montego bay. The 2 hotels share the same huge property but there is an adults only side and side that allows kids. They do have suites and the food is good.

[Blue Moon]

Check out Finest Playa Mujeres in Mexico.

[shaynaatl]

Not sure about direct flights from Houston, but I've heard really good things about the new Baha Mar resort in the Bahamas (for adults and kids). They supposedly just opened a big water park too.

[rikki]

Jul 12, 2021 10:03:25 GMT -5 shaynaatl said:

Not sure about direct flights from Houston, but I've heard really good things about the new Baha Mar resort in the Bahamas (for adults and kids). They supposedly just opened a big water park too.

This is what we are doing for Thanksgiving.  I have heard great things about the waterpark. There are 3 different hotels to chose from, each with a different vibe, but all allow access to the others, waterpark, etc.

[livinthemiatalife]

Belize is super kid friendly and not all inclusive. We just got back from Hopkins and stayed at the Lodge at Jaguar Reef, but there were a handful of casas and rooms in that hotel cluster that were cheaper on the same property. There was a big hut out in the ocean with lots of big seating areas and net hammocks. Kids could jump off the second or first stories and there was a rope swing. Kayaks and paddle boards were on the beach for free and there was an adults pool and kid pool. There were restaurants close by or the front desk would arrange to take you into town for groceries or restaurants. It’s only a mile but gravel and super humid so I wouldn’t walk it. The grocery store was great.