Family-friendly beach resort choices in the Caribbean islands, all-inclusive and non-AI; A number of choices on Mexico's Caribbean coast are listed too.
-continued from Beach Resort D through J.
Kura Hulanda, Curacao
Not a beach resort per se, but an interesting option on this Dutch Caribbean island. Curacao has a photogenic town (think of
Amsterdam in sherbet colors) and one of its highlights is this unique hotel covering
8 blocks of a "village", all beautifully restored. What you see to the left is part of the "hotel"; the complex includes a grotto pool, courtyards, restaurant, and stunning
museum. Guests stay in one-of-a-kind rooms in the 18th and 19th century Dutch colonial buildings. Shuttle takes guests to their fix of sand'n'sea.
Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands
A luxury family resort, with kids programs; and one of the few resorts in the British Virgin Islands.
Melia Cabo Real Beach and Golf Resort
The popular Los Cabos area of Baja California in western Mexico has has year-round warm weather, white sand beaches, good snorkeling, and family-friendly all-inclusives. This property is part of Sol Melia (below.)
Moon Palace Cancun, Mexico
The Moon Palace Golf beach resort in Cancun has over 2000 rooms in 3-story villas, two giant lagoon pools, watersports, in-line skating, kids' club, etc.
Pebbles Resort, Jamaica
As with sister-property Franklyn D. Resort (above), families at FDR Pebbles are assigned a "vacation nanny" during their stay.
Price includes various watersports (even scuba) tennis, kidsclub, "vacation nanny", teen program, meals, snacks, drinks, airport transfers, etc.
One & Only Ocean Club, Bahamas
One&Only Resorts are created for the luxury travel market; this one is on Paradise Island, and welcomes families. Kiddie pool; kids' programs; and access to The Atlantis mega-resort.
Our Lucaya- Grand Bahama Island
With full title "The Westin and Sheraton at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort", this $400 million property just 55 miles off the coast of Florida is double-barreled: the Sheraton is recommended for families. Enjoy the waterslide in Sugar Mill Pool, 1950s-style diner, Camp Lucaya with coconut bowling, Junkaroo parades, story-telling, goat-skin drumming. A nursery is available too. The Sheraton at Our Lucaya has an all-inclusive price plan.
Renaissance Grand Beach, St. Thomas
This property was bought by Mexico-based Palace Resorts and shut down in 2004, first for renovation, and then on a permanent basis. Check Palace Resorts for updates.
Rose Hall Resort & Country Club, Jamaica
This resort (formerly Wyndham Rose Hall) near Montego Bay has 1000 feet of shore, plus golf, complimentary kids' club, meal plans, and -- top feature for families-- its own 110,00 sq.ft private waterpark, with slides, lazy river ride, and swim-up bar.
Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman
Many properties in the high-end Ritz-Carlton chain are family-friendly; and this one has a special Kids Program, "Ambassadors of the Environment", created by Jean-Michel Cousteau.
Round Hill, Montego Bay, Jamaica
This legendary playground of the rich and famous welcomes families and even has a Pineapple Kids' Club. Read about Round Hill for families in a
first-hand report at the NYTimes.
