A tip from our all-new Winter Getaways Guide.
Several luxury Caribbean all-inclusive resorts were renovating or building during the pandemic pause. That’s why the newest ones cater so well to families’ post-pandemic concerns. Among resorts for multigenerational groups, we like the elegant yet affordable The Finest Punta Cana. Your group can split up into the separate adults-only wing, The Excellence, or opt for The Finest (family) wing. Expect extensive and spacious kids’ facilities including a kids’ spa, well-spaced loungers and cabanas, and gourmet dining. A midweek, three-night all-inclusive stay for a family of four starts at $1750 in February.
The Royal Uno All Inclusive Resort & Spa in Cancun is another new favorite. One bedroom family suites are expansive. Take advantage of kitchenettes and a spacious living room with Murphy beds to bring everyone along. In addition to the irresistible splash park, family recreation is largely outdoors. Trained lifeguards are on duty everywhere. Worried about a cold spell? Try the air-conditioned games room in bad weather.
Do you know your ABCs? We’re talking the ABC islands — Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, the three westernmost islands of the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. Curacao, between Aruba and Bonaire and just 40 miles from the Venezuela coast, is a true gem. Though English is spoken everywhere, and U.S. dollars are accepted, it’s still largely unknown. We loved the European vibe and less-touristy feel of the island. In fact, most of those staying at our beachfront 137-unit LionsDive Beach Resort were Dutch families (there are daily flights from Amsterdam). Sustainability is promoted by providing water bottles in the minibar that are made of sugar cane. We watched the sunset, eating ribs and shrimp skewers with our feet in the sand at the resort’s Chill Beach Bar. Even better, we were just 10 miles from the airport and a short drive to Willemstad, the historic island capital. (Kids will love racing across the floating Queen Emma pedestrian bridge.) Don’t miss the Barrio Urban Street Food patio that serves up dishes from six different street food stands. They include Lionfish Mango where Chef Heinrich Hortencia makes Lionfish fish and chips and Lionfish ceviche. Lionfish is an invasive species and eating them helps the reefs, he explained.
