My parents are planning a 3 generation trip to someplace warm (Caribbean or Cancun area) next April. Kids range in age from 3 to 12; Adults from 37 to 70. We'd like a place that has lots of free watersports (sailing, kayaking, snorkeling, pools with water slides), other sports (tennis, table tennis, etc) as well as some organized activities for kids. We don't plan on putting the kids in a "camp" all day, but it would be nice to have something for them for a few hours. My parents definitely want an AI as they want to plan for cost up front.

Some will be flying from NYC; others from Philadelphia. We plan to stay 5 or 6 nights.

Any suggestions for specific resorts? Would you vote for Cancun over Caribbean?

I forgot to mention that they are leaning right now towards Beaches Negril (it seems to offer a lot, although rooms seem a bit small for the amount of money one pays). Thoughts on Beaches Negril?

You may want to check out this website for the Barcelo Maya resort in the Mayan Riviera area. We have had 3 family reunions at this resort (ages 7 - 70s) and everyone loved it. There is a lot to do at this resort and even on site snorkeling on one of the best beaches in the area. It has everything you want and they are building a new resort next door on the same beautiful beach that has a water slide. It isn't open yet, but will open soon. You may want to ask about it on the discussion forum on this website below. Also note the sticky at the top of discussion forum for link to vacations pictures of this resort and area.

http://www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com/

Hope I have been of some help. Have a great family reunion. Many of the other hotels in this area of Mexico are wonderful also, but we personally like the Barcelo Maya.

Interesting site -- interesting that there IS an unofficial site for it. I was surprised they don't seem to have any updates less than about 6 weeks old, the last one covering damage from Emily and all that. I would be particularly interested to see something there about their expansion plans and the recent flare-up about use of jungle space there, especially given that it's an unofficial site and thus might be in a position to be more forthcoming about such things. Is the site run just by returning guests?

Steve

Steve, it is a private site set up by a lady who went to the Barcelo Maya resort and loved it so much she set up a website for it that is why it is called the Unofficial Barcelo Maya site I guess. Apparently her website has won many awards. She does not profit from the site at all and does it out of her love for the resort and is not affiliated with the Barcelo Maya resort other than having enjoyed a couple of vacations there the same as myself. If you want more information why don't you post your questions on the discussion forum on that site and maybe you will get some answers and I am sure they would make you feel welcome on their discussion forum. Some people have posted recent trip reports since Emily on the discussion forum on the site. Sorry I can't help you with your questions as I haven't been there since last July.

Steve I forgot to say that site mainly a site for people interested in travelling to this resort to get feedback and information from people who have actually been to the Barcelo Maya and give their personal view point and information on the resort. The Barcelo Maya is not a timeshare or vacation club thing either.