5 All-Inclusive, Family-Friendly Resorts Your Kids (and You) Will Love

If you’re looking to book a family vacation—whether a weekend getaway or a weeklong stay—consider traveling to a family-friendly, all-inclusive resort. From an abundance of activities, numerous locations, and a variety of dining options, even the pickiest of children will have a great time at one of these resorts. We found the five best all-inclusive resorts with special amenities for families and kids and teens clubs, so you’ll never have to worry about making sure everyone is having a blast. From tropical getaways to ski resorts, you’re sure to find the right all-inclusive, kid-friendly resort for your next family vacation—just make sure to secure your home before you leave on your grand adventure!

Before kids, traveling with your partner was relatively easy. Sure, you had to figure out the logistics of getting from point A to destination B, along with where to stay, what to do, and places to eat, but that wasn’t too much of a hassle. Ever since kids entered the picture, though, planning a destination vacation has become a balancing act, one that includes making sure there are plenty of activities the little ones will love, that the restaurants you dine at have food your picky eaters will like, and that the hotel room has enough sleeping space for your brood. Does the thought of coordinating everything make you want to hire a vacation planner?

Fear not! For a family vacation everyone will love, consider booking a stay at an all-inclusive resort. While some locations are for adults only, many others are turning their focus to families, offering unlimited activities, kids’ clubs, and dining options that even hard-to-please children will love. This list doesn’t include every single all-inclusive resort brand out there; the five chosen here offer unique experiences for families, clubs for kids and teens, and other amenities to ensure everyone in the family has an unforgettable vacation.
     

Beaches

A sister brand to Sandals, the first Beaches resort opened in 1997 in response to requests from couples who loved Sandals Resorts and wanted a similar experience with their families.
   

   
Destinations: Beaches has three family-friendly resorts: two are located in Jamaica and one is in Turks & Caicos.

Highlights: Each location features a Pirates Island waterpark (Turks & Caicos recently expanded its waterpark offerings) with waterslides, spray areas, waterfalls, zero-entry pools, and more. Plus, Turks & Caicos is the only Beaches resort to offer SurfStream®, a surf simulator. Beaches has an exclusive partnership with Sesame Street, so you’ll frequently spot your favorite characters roaming the grounds for kids to meet, interact with in special themed activities, and see in stage shows and character parades. Tweens and teens can take advantage of the arcade Trench Town and the Xbox Play Lounge. These resorts also offer teens-only dance time at Club Liquid before it transitions to the 21 and older night club. And for teens who want a more meaningful vacation, Beaches offers Island Impact volunteer opportunities in July and August.

Kids Clubs: All Beaches resorts have Kids Camp for younger guests, ages newborn to 12, and programs that are just for tweens and teens. And your children will be in good hands: Kids Camp staff and private child care providers are members of the International Nanny Association. In addition, Beaches’ Kids Camps are Certified Autism Centers through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, so staff members are able to cater to children who are on the spectrum.

To book: beaches.com
    

Club Med

With more than 70 locations worldwide in a variety of destinations, you’ll find a resort in the spot of your dreams, whether you prefer tropical weather for beach lounging or snowier climates for all-day skiing.
    

Courtesy Club Med

Guests at Club Med in Punta Cana and Opio en Provence in France can learn Cirque de Soleil skills at CREACTIVE.

   
Destinations: In addition to its Sandpiper Bay resort in Florida, Club Med has locations in Mexico; the Caribbean; the Alps in France, Italy, and Switzerland; throughout Europe and the Mediterranean, including Greece, Portugal, and Turkey; across Asia, including Thailand, Maldives, China, Indonesia, Japan, and Malaysia; Brazil; and Africa, including Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal.

Highlights: Kids younger than 4 always stay free, though services for this age range sometimes cost extra. Some locations have a trapeze for high-flying fun, and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Opio en Provence in France are home to CREACTIVE, a Cirque du Soleil-inspired playscape at which guests can learn acrobatic and artistic skills (including trapeze, high bungee, and trampoline). Cancun Yucatan recently underwent renovations and now offers an expanded Aguamarina, a family area featuring two-bedroom accommodations with a dedicated pool area and stretch of beach only for families staying in this part of the resort.

Kids Clubs: Of the many locations worldwide, only a select few are adult-only resorts. Kids’ clubs are available at most locations for ages 4 months to 17 years, including Baby Club Med (ages 4-23 months), Petit Club Med (ages 2-3), Mini Club Med (ages 4-10), Juniors’ Club Med (ages 11-17), and Club Med Passworld (ages 11-17). In addition, Club Med offers Pyjama Club from 7-11pm and babysitting services (both an additional fee) for date nights or those times you wish to have an adults-only excursion.

To book: clubmed.us
    

Dreams Resorts & Spas

If staying at an environmentally conscious resort is more your speed, Dreams Resorts & Spas has eight locations that are Rainforest Alliance-certified (they follow the alliance’s eight principles of sustainability).

Destinations: Dreams has 15 destinations for families throughout Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Panama, and Puerto Rico.

Highlights: There’s so much to do at Dreams, the kids will never complain of boredom. Though activities vary at each location, indoor and outdoor offerings include pingpong, volleyball, soccer, archery, painting, ocean trampoline, a scalable iceberg, Pilates and yoga, pool tables, croquet, a giant chess board, tennis, dance lessons, movies, and Euro-Bungee. In addition, water sport activities include water polo, kayaking, snorkeling, catamarans, sailing, and windsurfing. Once a week kids can have a camping adventure on the beach, hosted by the Explorer’s Club at all locations, while parents can enjoy a date night.

Kids Clubs: Dreams resorts offer Explorer’s Club for ages 3-12 and various activities just for teens. Properties in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, and Dreams Sands Cancun Resort & Spa offer Core Zone Teens Club for ages 13-17. Private babysitting services are available at participating locations for an additional fee.

To book: dreamsresorts.com
    

Grand Memories and Memories

As their names imply, Grand Memories and Memories resorts aim to help families create lasting memories with natural surroundings, white-sand beaches, and a host of activities for kids.
   

Courtesy Grand Memories

Grand Memories Splash in the Dominican Republic is home to the Caribbean’s largest on-site water park.

   
Destinations: Memories and Grand Memories have eight family-friendly resorts located in Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

Highlights: Memories Splash Punta Cana closed in August for renovations to become Grand Memories Splash and Grand Memories Punta Cana, both slated to open mid-November. Splash features family-friendly accommodations, including rooms with bunk beds, plus one of the largest on-site waterparks in the Caribbean, with seven slides, a wave pool, splash pads, and spray features. As a neighboring property, Grand Memories Punta Cana has access to Splash’s waterpark.

Kids Clubs: Each of the Memories and Grand Memories properties offers a kids’ club for ages 4-12, where kids can socialize, play on the playground, and enjoy games. Plus, all kids’ clubs feature Toopy & Binoo, a cat-and-mouse duo that make interactive appearances and host activities and games, as well as a live show. Grand Memories Splash and Punta Cana, as well as Memories Parasio and Flamenco, are the only locations with a Teens’ Lounge for ages 13-17. In addition, Memories Parisio, Varadero, and Flamenco offer Baby Club for ages newborn to 3.

To book: memoriesresorts.com
     

Royalton Luxury Resorts

Royalton resorts feature All-In Luxury®, where every aspect of your vacation has been carefully designed to meet your needs. And with the optional Diamond Club™ upgrade available at all locations, you can have access to an exclusive beach and pool, along with other amenities, for an unforgettable stay.

Destinations: Royalton has seven family-friendly locations in Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Dominican Republic, and Mexico. Plus, Royalton Antigua is slated to open in early 2019.

Highlights: Each property features a splash pad for kids, on-site entertainment, and an All-In White Party once a week featuring music, dancing, entertainment, and light shows. For extra water fun, select locations have additional waterpark attractions. Riviera Cancun features Splash Safari, with water slides for all ages, water spray features, and a Crocodile Walk Way challenge in the wading pool; White Sands features a pirate-themed splash park with water sprays and slides of varying heights; and Bavaro is the only property with a Flowrider surf machine. Meanwhile, as a sister resort to Grand Memories, Royalton Punta Cana guests and Diamond Club™ members at Bavaro have access to Grand Memories Splash’s waterpark. In addition, all locations have high-speed Wi-Fi, which makes checking in with each other easy (and prevents teens from going into social media withdrawal).

Kids Clubs: All Royalton locations offer Clubhouse Kids Club for ages 4-12 and Hangout Teens Club for ages 13-17. The kids’ club allows young resort guests to have fun with their peers while interacting with the beloved brother-sister bunny duo, Max & Ruby. Meanwhile, the club for teen vacationers features PlayStation gaming consoles, pingpong tables, and scheduled activities across the resort.

To book: royaltonresorts.com

Main image: Float down the Lazy River at Royalton Bavaro in the Dominican Republic.
Courtesy Royalton Luxury Resorts