Which Family Friendly All Inclusive Resort is right for you in 2023?
All Inclusive (AI) Resorts are no longer just the playground of the college spring breaker, the All Inclusive resort has matured and expanded to accommodate a broader clientele, with options for all budgets and age groups. In addition to unique brands, several countries in the Caribbean offer distinct experiences catering to travelers of all walks of life. With so many options which destination is right for you and your travel companions? This week we discuss our favorite Family Friendly AI Resorts!
The 800 Pound Gorilla
We should begin by acknowledging the 800 pound gorilla, Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos. Part of the Sandals family of brands, Beaches Turks and Caicos might be the best known and well respected family AI property in the world, with 4 distinct villages, 758 rooms and suites this resort is massive. Beaches’ immense size allows the resort to offer over 22 specialty dining experiences, a massive waterpark, multiple kids and teens clubs, an XBOX lounge and countless expansive pools.
While Beaches Turks and Caicos has won practically every award the industry has to offer (and rightfully so), our biggest gripe with BTC is the inconsistency in the quality of accommodations, while some villages offer beautifully designed, modern suites, other villages feature dark and dated rooms. The location on Grace Bay in addition to the extensive inclusions (Scuba and motorized sports are included) make it easy to look passed the accommodation inconsistencies, securing it a spot on this list!
The Modern Up and Comer
While BTC has earned its spot in the hearts of families around the world, Finest Playa Mujeres (and it’s sister property Finest Punta Cana) has gained in popularity faster than most other brands in this space. Where BTC’s suites can be dated and dark, everything about FPM is clean, bright and modern. Those looking for a resort with the right “aesthetic” are going to love the instagrammable grounds, rooms and public spaces. Part of the Excellence Collection of resorts, we have been blown away by the attention to detail and quality of service.
FPM boasts 450 beautifully designed suites, including our personal favorite room category, the Finest Club Swim Out Suite, which offered our family the perfect balance of modern accommodations, club level amenities including a private beach, restaurant and expanded minibar. For a week, the upgrade to the Finest Club from a traditional Swim Out Suite was less than $1000. There is also an adult only club section known as the Excellence Club, which almost feels like an afterthought at FPM, but fully realized at Finest Punta Cana (FPC).
Finest Playa Mujeres offers 11 restaurants, 16 bars and excellent beach and poolside service from some of the best staff we have encountered in the Caribbean. If we had to nitpick, we would say that FPM and it’s sister property FPC could expand their offerings for tweens and teens. Because of the limited programming and space for teenagers, we usually recommend this resort for multi-generational groups with children under the age of 12.
Best Water Park
Following up the success of their Nick Resort in Punta Cana, Nickelodeon and Karisma Resorts have partnered again, opening the 280 suite, all swim up all oceanfront property. This five star hotel is filled with 90s nostalgia and all of your kid’s favorite Nick characters, with delicious “Gourmet Inclusive” food options with flavors to please even the pickiest of eaters.
Besides the delicious food, public spaces, and swim out suites, the real stand out is the 6 acre Aqua Nick water park. This is the largest, most impressive water park we have seen included at an All Inclusive Resort. Featuring a 720 foot lazy river and over 2000 feet of waterslides, this water park will keep your kids busy for days!
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Honorable Mentions
There are so many other amazing brands that might be right for you, all depending on your budget, travel style, children’s ages, etc. Here are some of our other favorites…
Hoteles Xcaret (we will cover this in our favorite AIs for adventure seekers), this resorts situated south of Cancun have more inclusions than you can shake a stick at and have acre upon acre to explore the lush tropical jungle on property.
The Grand at Moon Palace is one of our favorite options for families with teenagers, while Beaches Resort Negril in Jamaica offers many of the same inclusions as Beaches Turks and Caicos while offering a slightly more reasonable price of entry.
Lastly, this list wouldn’t be complete without one of our favorite foodie destination, Grand Velas Riviera Maya. This resort will definitely make our foodie AI list in addition to our list of favorite TRUE Luxury All Inclusive Resorts.