Recommend September 2012 - (Page 28)

Caneel Bay, in the USVI, features seven secluded beaches. Grea t Kid-Friendl y Resorts From Aruba to USVI, we’ve handpicked five hotels we know deliver a family vacation to remember. paloma villaverde de rico aruba SETTING: The Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort and Casino (aruba.hyatt.com or hyatttravelagents. C com), located in Palm Beach along a sugary white sand beach and shimmering Caribbean Sea, is a water playground with its tri-level, 8,000-sq.-ft. pool complex complete with water slide and a handful of waterfalls, as well as all the Red Sail Sports action offering sailing cruises, snorkeling, and diving, plus catamaran and deep-sea ﬁshing charters. On dry land, meanwhile, families can enjoy the kids’ playground, the newly opened ZoiA Spa and karaoke on the pier, or, they can head offsite to explore the area’s Butterﬂy Farm, gold mines and caves, or take an ATV tour. FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS: Oceanview family suites. KID FUN: Camp Hyatt Watapana offers programs for children 3-12 that focus on environmental awareness and Aruba’s culture and geography. Activities include nature walks, Papiamento lessons, beach soccer, smoothie-making lessons, sea shell hunting, balloon contests and tennis. EXTRAS: Babysitting services, a Babies Travel Lite program—diapers, formula, food and more delivered to the room—and a new “for kids by kids” menu featuring healthy foods. BOOK IT: With the Family Plan, good thru Dec. 21, clients can save up to 50 percent on a second room for kids 18 years and under. Rack rates start at $595 during high season; at $335 during low season. GETTING THERE: Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) in Oranjestad is served by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Spirit and United from various cities in the U.S. dominican republic M Y CM MY CY CMY K SETTING: Nestled amidst a coconut palm tree-lined white-sand beach and a coconut grove lagoon in the D.R.’s easternmost tip, the all-inclusive Club Med Punta Cana (clubmed.us or clubmedta.com) puts on quite a show for families with a bevy of activities—from archery and sailing to offsite cultural explorations and horseback riding. The resort features ﬁve pools, including one inﬁnity pool, a spa, waterfront dining, and nightly entertainment. FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS: Oceanfront family suites—part of TIARA, the ﬁve trident luxury space within the resort; club family rooms and deluxe family rooms. KID FUN: A chance to soar through the air on a ﬂying trapeze…need we say more? Club Med really does offer up the quintessential kids’ clubs for ages 4 months to 17 years with a baby gym; playground activities; water splash park; cooking classes; Petit Tennis; and the Passworld teen hangout—with dancing lessons, video editing, DJ lessons and theater. EXTRAS: Baby Welcome Program with high chairs; bottle warmers; bathtubs and more. Nighttime Pyjama Club, during which kids are entertained while parents can enjoy a late dinner. continued on page 30 28 september 2012 recommend.com http://aruba.hyatt.com http://www.clubmed.us http://www.clubmedta.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend September 2012

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Omni Hotels & Resorts
Tour Talk: Adventures by Disney
Disney Fantasy
Atlantis, The Bahamas
Beaches Turks & Caicos
Great Kid-Friendly Resorts
Mexico with Kids in Mind
Belize + Costa Rica = Family-Friendly
Ancestry Travel: Family Roots & Routes
Orlando
Hotel-Free Stays for Ski + Beach Escapes
Kidding Around in Asia
It's All in the Family Israel

Recommend September 2012