Breakfast with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a treat for the whole family at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana – Photo courtesy of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts
Fun in the sun is even more fun when the whole brood is out together. Known as multi-generational vacationing, grandparents, children and grandchildren sleeping at the same resort have written quality time everywhere. Whether you choose an all-inclusive oceanfront resort or a self-contained villa, an extended family vacation in the Caribbean is a win-win.
For a cottage vacation, check out these family-friendly suggestions and swap the wine for wows in record time.
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana – Dominican Republic
Pose at a Green Slime Party in the Dominican Republic at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana – Photo courtesy of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts
In the Dominican Republic, families who play together stay together Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana (or Nick Punta Cana, as the kids call it) on Uvero Alto Beach, north of Punta Cana Airport. The all-inclusive is a true original, offering 208 suites, 10 restaurants, three bars, four pools, and 24-hour room service. Not to mention that Pineapple Mansion, inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants’ house in Bikini Bottom, is super cool and super kid-friendly.
Keeping the theme, splash around and have breakfast with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at Aqua Nick water park. For picky eaters, opt for the intergalactic treats at Spacewalker, where waiters are dressed like astronauts. Top of the bucket list are green slime parties as the resort’s initiation rite.
Divi Little Bay Beach Resort – St Maarten
In Sint Maarten, it’s an aquatic wonderland at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort with three pools, sea views and a sandy beach – Photo courtesy of Divi Resorts
More beautiful than a postcard on a private peninsula in Sint Maarten, all from a single source Divi Little Bay Beach Resort where families are welcome in multi-bedroom suites or a 3-bedroom penthouse for larger groups. Sweeten the pot, add a trio of pools, five restaurants, three bars, a spa, paddle boards, and a mascot parrot named Gizmo. For younger history buffs, the resort is adjacent to Fort Amsterdam, built by the Dutch in 1631.
Ideal for budget watchers, children 5 and under stay and eat at no extra charge when families book an all-inclusive stay.
Mount Cinnamon Grenada
On Grenada, affectionately known as Spice Island, Mount Cinnamon Resort is a family enclave — Photo courtesy of Ed Shepard Photography
Tucked away on a hilltop on Grand Anse Beach in Grenada, mountain of cinnamon is the ideal place for a more-the-merrier vacation in villas like the 6,000-square-foot Cinnamon Heights with a pool, laundry facilities and views of the Caribbean Sea.
Additionally, there is snorkeling as well as farm-to-table dining from the on-site gardens. Massages at Cinnamon Spa add pride to a grown-up afternoon, and for a lesson in marine conservation, the resort sponsors Dive Grenada’s Grand Anse Artificial Reef Project, which builds artificial reefs out of building blocks.
Ocean Club Resorts – Turks and Caicos Islands
Overlooking Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands, Ocean Club Resorts offers a variety of activities for families — Photo courtesy of Ocean Club Resorts
It’s a two on the Ocean Club resorts across from spectacular Grace Bay Beach in the Turks and Caicos Islands. With multi-bedroom suites, kitchens, washers and dryers, families staying at either the Ocean Club or Ocean Club West have access to the restaurants, pools, water sports, and tennis courts at both resorts.
Free family amenities include bicycles, a children’s Seafari program, and a digital guidebook with suggested sights. The distance between the two resorts is short. For those who don’t feel like walking, a shuttle bus makes the trip.
Atlantis Paradise Island – Bahamas
In the Bahamas, Atlantis Paradise Island impresses with marine programs at Dolphin Cay, where children and adults meet and greet the friendly dolphins — Photo courtesy of Atlantis Paradise Island
With all the amenities of a cruise vacation but without life on the water, there is so much variety at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas that you may need a Sherpa guide to lead the way. Home to the largest open-air marine habitat in the world, the oversized resort consists of five hotels built around Aquaventure Water Park, which features 11 pools, river rides and five miles of sandy beaches.
Get up close and personal with the gentle mammals at Dolphin Cay and, for the not so squeamish, creepy sharks that inhabit the Predator Lagoon. Back on land you’ll find the Ocean Club Golf Course, Atlantis Casino, Jokers Wild Comedy Club, Mandara Spa and a wealth of restaurants from those helmed by celebrity chefs to the more relaxed beachfront McKenzie’s Conch Shack.
Beaches Ocho Rios – Jamaica
On Jamaica’s North Shore, Beaches Ocho Rios is an all-inclusive vacation playground with a Pirates Island waterpark, spacious suites, and seven restaurants — photo courtesy of Beaches Resorts
Where the most difficult decision you will make is whether to go to the beach or to one of the five pools, Beaches of Ocho Rios is a place to eat, play, sleep and repeat. On the North Shore, the all-inclusive offers family-size suites, seven restaurants, fast-paced waterslides, Pirates Island Waterpark, tennis, Sesame Street parades, and a kids’ camp for toddlers, tweens, and teens.
Kids stay, play and eat for only $45.00 per night as long as they stay in the same room as the adults traveling with them. Nannies are available to look after the children in case the children of a certain age stay up late and move around on the dance floor.
Turtle Beach – Barbados
The beach is just the beginning at the all-inclusive Turtle Beach by Elegant Hotels on Barbados’ south coast, where activities range from surf lessons and pastry demonstrations to cricket on the beach – Photo courtesy of Elegant Hotels
In the brand-reliable All-Inclusive by Marriott collection, Turtle Beach in Barbados is one of several all-inclusive resorts in the Elegant Hotels portfolio. Suites with sofa beds are big enough for families, and to keep boredom at bay, activities for all ages include calypso dance classes and pastry demonstrations.
A big plus for grandparents rocking TikTok, wi-fi works on the beach. To change the scenery, families can eat and play at Elegant Hotels’ other participating all-inclusive resorts, which are a short cab ride away.
Altamer Resort – Anguilla
In Anguilla, the super-luxurious Blue Diamond Villa at Altamer Resort is an oceanfront dream, ideal for large families seeking privacy – Photo courtesy of Qualls Benson
For families who want to keep everyone under one roof, Blue Diamond Villa at Altamer Resort in Anguilla can accommodate up to 11 people. This 13,000-square-foot flower-shaped mansion boasts butler service, a pool, tennis court, kayaking, and perches for privacy if grandpa prefers a solo afternoon. For family bonding, the dining room seats 14 and the hot tub seats 12.
