Sweet Paradise
Mexico’s Iberostar properties are getting all dolled up for families—from opening a brand-new candy paradise to creating mangrove areas so the kids, mom and dad can get in tune with nature. At the Iberostar Paraiso complex, located in Riviera Maya, there’s a candy paradise, Sweet Home, opening up at the Shopping Center; it’s a colorful wonderland replete with cotton candy, ice cream, and chocolate-covered fruit. For families who want to explore the area’s natural surroundings, the Iberostar Tucan & Quetzal properties in Playa del Carmen have added mangrove areas so that families can enjoy a leisurely stroll through nature. And because wellness is now a mainstay of many vacations, families can continue their fitness programs while staying at the Iberostar Cancun; its new Fit & Fun gym offers classes for all types of families, including Zumba, aqua fitness, sunset yoga, and kickboxing. iberostar.com
Cancun Fun
Over at the Club Med Cancun, where, says Michelle Lardizabal, v.p. of U.S. sales at Club Med, “a wide range of activities at no extra cost keep children and teens active and engaged,” the Aguamarina family accommodations will expand by 60 rooms—30 Family Club rooms and 30 Family Deluxe rooms—and there’ll be a new oceanfront pool dedicated to families. The new digs will open in July 2018, and the renovation will increase the capacity of the resort and allow for different types of travelers thanks to a second “village center” dedicated to families. Beyond hanging in their cool-looking, colorful accommodations, teens and pre-teens will also love the fact that they’ll be closer to all the trapeze, archery and waterskiing action with the relocation of the Club Med Passworld teen club. And Lardizabal reminds us: “Where else can your kids get a chance to fly like a superhero on the trapeze?” clubmed.us
It’s Playtime
With newly refreshed accommodations and a brand-new Total Play entertainment feature, guests of Seadust Cancun Family Resort will want to call the resort home for life. The resort’s 505 rooms and suites all received a makeover—upgrades to the entire resort will continue through the year—and the Total Play feature allows access to complimentary high-speed WiFi throughout the resort and in-room 50-inch Smart TVs with access to more than 60 channels. That’s a perfect way to relax after a day on the beach or pirate fun at the resort’s waterpark. For moms looking for some “me time,” the resort is offering a Massage Promo (when booking a Sunset Suite) through Dec. 17, 2018 that includes a 30-minute massage; minimum 4-night stay. seadustcancun.com
SpongeBob SquarePants Has a New Home
Well, almost…. In spring/summer 2019, the Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya will open its doors. It’s set to have one of the destination’s largest water attractions, and every suite will offer ocean views and private swim-ups. The resort will have 276 swim-up Pad Suites and Flat Suites, plus four Nickelodeon-themed signature penthouses perched on the top floor of two modern-style 6-story buildings. Those penthouses will be a dreamland for kids, replete with Nickelodeon content and characters including Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles and SpongeBob SquarePants. That aforementioned water attraction? It will encompass 500,000 sq. ft. and feature a lazy river, waterslides, a splash park, an interactive water playground for toddlers, and mini relaxation pools. nickresortrivieramaya.com
Go Fly a Kite
The little ones in the family can now go fly a kite while staying at a Grand Velas property, which, says Amie O’Shaughnessy, founder and CEO of the family travel planning site Ciao Bambino, “offer a good combo of all-inclusive yet upscale, not just cookie-cutter. They have properties on both coasts…Riviera Maya, Cabo and near Puerto Vallarta, so there’s an option in all top transportation hubs.” At the Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, there’s a kite-making workshop held every Monday and Saturday for children ages 4 to 12—they create their own kites using Chinese paper, wood chopsticks and yarn. Once the kites are dried, families go out to the garden area to fly the kite. And just recently the baby food at the Riviera Nayarit property went gourmet, with parents having the option of selecting from a list of gourmet purees prepared by executive chef Guillaume Morance. grandvelas.com
A Feast for the Little Ones
Not all the Fiesta Americana properties sprinkled throughout Mexico are all-inclusive, but they each have such delightful goodies for the little ones, we just had to share. There’s a new 25-minute chocolate facial treatment at the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach’s to-die-for spa for 5- to 15-year-olds, as well as a Barbie mani & pedi; and at Fiesta Americana Villas Acapulco, there’s a 2-hour Girl Package that includes a mini chocolate facial, a 15-minute relaxing massage, and a manicure kit. Little ones ages 4 to 12 will run with glee through the newly revamped kids club at Fiesta Americana Condesa Cancun All Inclusive; the club has tripled in size and there’s now a large ball pit and arcade-style table games. fiestamericana.com
