Helloe,

We are a family of four with two young children. They will be 22 months and four years old at time of travel this March.

We are looking for a family friendly resort that it is beachfront, has golf and nice spa and a kids club or nannies for babies and up.

I want to be able to be on vacation with my girls, but also relax and actually be ON vacation.

We think AI may be the best way to go this time and have looked at many resorts in the DR and Mexican Riviera as well as the Caribbean. I just can not get a good read as to what is the best choice as there are so many.

Any recommendations>?

Thanks,
Nicole

I would highly recommend Riviera Maya (Playa del Carmen) area. There are many resorts to choose from and many are great for families. We loved the Barcelo Maya (Tropical/Colonial). It is very family oriented, AI, great kids water park, kids club, best beach at any AI. Only drawback is I hear that golf in that area not that good. We had a great experience here so I would recommend it.

You'll definitely want AI with kids.

I'm not sure about nannies, and I'm sure you could hire a bonded one for a week but did you look at The Moon Palace? Terrific property.

Also, one of the Beaches properties, Boscobel Resort and Golf specifically caters to families.

hi nicole, take a look at beaches turks and caicos. it is AI, directly on gorgeous grace bay beach, has a spa, a huge sesame street thing going on for your 4yr old, an "ultra-nanny" program for your little one, and there's good golf course an easy (taxi or shuttle) 10 mins up the street from the resort.
the water is almost always calm as the beach is protected by a coral reef - so nice for swimming (calm for little ones). provo has some great restaurants (anacona for romantic evening, tiki hut with the kids - should you choose to venture off property). not much shopping. not lush and hilly, but the beach is often voted one of 10 most beautiful in world. snorkeling is very good in front of coral gardens hotel.

Sorry that I don't have any specific recs for you, but I did want to stress to you when you do your research to make sure that the kids club in question accepts infants. Many, perhaps even most, require that children be potty-trained before they can be left in the kids club.

They're not luxurious at all, but the FDR resorts in Jamaica provide a nanny for each room, so you might want to check them for golfing arrangements and spa treatments.