Best Caribbean Resorts for Families

Planning a family vacation can come with plenty of challenges — whether you’re looking for Caribbean resorts water parks, amazing kids’ clubs, or even spas for your children. It can be a challenge to find a hotel that will keep kids and teens entertained while providing adults with opportunities for their own fun. To make your search easier, we’ve visited nearly 1,000 hotels throughout the Caribbean in person to find the ones with the best pools, rooms, beaches, and kid-friendly activities and dining options. From Aruba and St. Lucia to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, here are the 20 best family resorts in the Caribbean.

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1

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana

Uvero Alto, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

As the name suggests, this all-inclusive resort is inspired by the popular children’s cable television channel, Nickelodeon. And perhaps not at all surprising: It's packed with tons of amenities for kids (and a few for adults, too). Highlights at the Nickelodeon Punta Cana include a kids’ club with a ball pit and supervised activities, character breakfasts featuring special appearances from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dora the Explorer, and SpongeBob SquarePants, and a great water park. For grownups, there’s a spa, a gym, and an upscale restaurant, Kitchen 23 — one of the few kid-free spaces in the resort.

2

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana

Bavaro, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Yes, you read that right: Hard Rock Punta Cana is one of the best family resorts in the Caribbean. Surprised? You shouldn't be. This huge all-inclusive resort offers a ton for families of all age groups, with everything from a lively party scene to a huge range of special features just for children. Highlights include a kids’ club — the Little Big Club — with toys, activities, classes, and live entertainment. There's also an arcade just next door that’s a hit with older kids. Other features include a kids’ pool with a lazy river and waterslides, mini-golf, and a rock-climbing wall.

3

Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Villages & Spa

Providenciales, Caribbean

This gargantuan resort offers so many amenities that most guests will be hard-pressed to experience everything in one trip. There are 20 restaurants and 12 bars (five of which are swim-up pool bars) along with six regular pools, two kids' pools, and a huge spa and fitness center. Families are particularly welcome, with an enormous waterpark full of slides, splash areas, a surf simulator, water cannons, and even a lazy river. The resort also offers Sesame Street-themed performances to keep little ones entertained, while teens can stay busy at the Xbox 360 game area or sip on non-alcoholic beverages at the resort’s nightclub for teenagers.

4

Beaches Ocho Rios Resort & Golf Club

Boscobel, Jamaica

This Ocho Rios all-inclusive keeps kids and adults alike entertained, with five pools, a huge waterpark, a private beach area, and Sesame Street characters that show up at meet-and-greets (and occasionally stage parades). Not enough? Beaches Ocho Rios goes even farther, with amenities including an Xbox garage, golf, and a sprawling spa that parents can access while their kids hang out at the supervised Camp Sesame kids’ club. Dining options excel as well, with Italian fare, crepes, and Caribbean food, and an all-inclusive package that covers unlimited premium liquor.

5

The Reef at Atlantis

Paradise Island, New Providence Island

This large condo hotel on the even larger Atlantis complex is ideal for large families, with suites featuring kitchens or kitchenettes, pull-out sofas, and up to two bedrooms. While the Reef Atlantis rooms are designed for those who want to self-cater, there are around 40 bars and restaurants right at Atlantis for those who want to take a break from cooking. Guests of The Reed get access to all of the family-friendly amenities at Atlantis, including the celebrated Aquaventure water park. There’s also a roomy family pool for exclusive use of Reef and Cove guests.

6

Grand Memories Splash

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The biggest selling point of Grand Memories Splash is undoubtedly its waterpark — reportedly the largest in the Caribbean — which features a wave pool plus a mix of high-energy slides and gentler slides aimed at younger children. There's also a kids' club for smaller children, a teen's club, and plenty of great dining options, including a buffet restaurant, Mexican, and Italian options. Grand Memories Splash Family Suites feature bunkbeds that make it possible for parents and kids to stay in the same room without having to deal with a pull-out sofa or bed sharing.

7

Beaches Negril Resort & Spa

Negril Jamaica, Jamaica

Located right on Negril’s Seven Mile Beach, a short drive from the beachside town’s bars and restaurants, Beaches Negril Resort & Spa is an exceptional choice for families and large groups; in fact, the biggest room here can sleep up to 12 guests. On-site amenities include a lovely spa, nine restaurants (and a frozen yogurt shop), and free on-site water sports. Family-friendly amenities include teenager-only hours at the nightclub (complete with mocktails), a nursery with nannies for infants, a kids' club for slightly older children, and even Sesame Street character breakfasts with the likes of Cookie Monster and Elmo.

8

Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Situated on a lovely white-sand beach, this upscale property attracts families and couples alike with its modern rooms, numerous dining options, and regular live entertainment — not to mention one of the largest swimming pools in the Dominican Republic. The family-friendly amenities here include large indoor and outdoor kids’ areas, special activities for teenagers (including a teen disco in the evening), and an Explorers’ Club offering nature tours and other educational activities.

9

Majestic Colonial Punta Cana

Bavaro, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Although the Majestic Punta Cana has over 650 suites, this family-focused all-inclusive feels refreshingly compact, with all of the facilities within walking distance. The wide white-sand beach here is fantastic, and there's a beautiful pool that runs almost the length of the resort lined with lounge chairs. The resort is split into two sections, an adults-only Colonial Club and a family-friendly section, and there's plenty for children, including a free kids' club with a playground and a kids' pool with waterslides.

10

Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa

Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica

This laid-back Hilton is a hit with parents and kids alike, with less of a party vibe than some of the other properties in the Montego Bay region. The Hilton Rose Hall's rooms are spacious, with kitchens in some of the larger rooms. However, the real draws at the Hilton Rose Hall are the amenities, which include dedicated kids' and teens' clubs (included in the all-inclusive rate) and a gargantuan water park, Sugar Mill Falls. There, kids of all ages will find a lazy river, terraced pools, a jungle garden, and waterslides galore.

11

Grace Bay Club

Providenciales, Caribbean

This Turks and Caicos resort is an excellent option for families wanting self-catering facilities. You'll find Grace Bay Villa Junior Suites with kitchens or kitchenettes, as well as a Penthouse Residence that features four bedrooms for big families ready to splurge. Grace Bay Club's family-friendly features don't stop with rooms, though. Along with a family-friendly pool and plenty of beach space (and free non-motorized water sports), Grace Bay has two kids' clubs. Kids Town caters to younger kids, with free morning activities such as arts and crafts, while Teen X-Treme takes care of older kids; they even have mocktail parties. The resort also offers a VIK (Very Important Kid) program for a fee, which includes special welcome gifts and unlimited use of the playroom.

 

12

Half Moon

Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica

Just outside of Montego Bay, Half Moon is one of the original Jamaica all-inclusive resorts. It essentially kicked off the Montego Bay resort boom, and today remains a classic, refined choice. Amenities abound here, and include a huge spa, three excellent restaurants, free tennis courts, and a gym -- and that's just for adults. Kids under 16 stay (and eat) for free at this property and there’s a huge range of activities to please younger guests, including a playground, mini-golf, and horseback riding. The kids’ club, Anancy Children's Village offers half- and full-day programs for a fee and has lots of activities, including a jungle gym, arts and crafts, video games, and story time.

13

Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club

Palm - Eagle Beach, Aruba

One of three Marriot properties lined up along Aruba's High Rise district, this mid-range option offers a mix of rooms with kitchenettes as well as apartments, making them ideal for travelers looking to self-cater. Amenities here are clearly focused on families, with a lazy river, a waterslide, a Nintendo Wii Lounge for kids age 12 and up, though parents can still get some respite at the aptly named, adult-only Serenity Pool

14

Iberostar Selection Rose Hall Suites

Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica

The focus of this upscale all-inclusive is on activities, with free tennis, golf, and non-motorized water sports, plus a PADI dive center and a huge spa with a hydrotherapy room. Iberostar Rose Hall's rooms are large, and feature separate living areas and pull-out beds that make them a good choice for families. Other family-friendly amenities include a kids’ club with video games, a water park, a lazy river, and an activities pool. Guests of this all-inclusive also receive free access to the pool, beach, restaurants, and bars at the Iberostar Rose Hall Beach next door.

 

15

Carlisle Bay Antigua

Saint Mary's, Antigua

This luxurious beachfront resort on the southern coast of Antigua offers separate sections for families and couples, with plenty to keep kids and grownups happy. There’s a kids’ club for children 6 months to 6 years old (though there’s a fee for kids under two), while older kids (ages 7 to 12) and teens have their own dedicated clubs and activities. The family-friendly section of the resort offers a variety of room types suitable for families, with two- and three-bedroom suites that can sleep up to four or six guests, respectively.

16

Family Club at Barcelo Bavaro Palace

Bavaro, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The family section of the larger Barcelo Bavaro Palace, the Family Club offers guests access to all the facilities and amenities at the main resort plus special perks designed with kids (and their parents) in mind. At the main resort, there’s a supervised kids’ club, a playground, a bowling alley, and even a nightclub for teenagers. The Family Club also has its own smaller waterpark and offers rooms with separate bedrooms for kids and kid-friendly snacks and drinks in the minibar.

17

Now Onyx Punta Cana

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The beachfront Now Onyx Punta Cana looks after kids and adults alike, with plenty of services and amenities that children and their parents can enjoy side by side. All of the restaurants feature kids’ menus and the spa offers treatments especially for little ones. There’s also a kids’ club, Explorer’s Club for Kids, with activities and games, plus a Zone Teen Club that features a climbing wall and video games.

18

Eden Roc at Cap Cana

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Eden Roc Cap Cana strikes a great balance between family friendliness and quiet luxury, while managing to offer plenty to keep kids and adults alike entertained. Adults score thanks to the excellent dining options and luxurious spa, complete with hydrotherapy pools. Kids are in luck as well, though, as there’s a kids’ spa and a lagoon for kayaking. Children can hang out at the Koko Kids' Club (which is free for three hours per day).

19

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino

Oranjestad, Aruba

Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino is divided into two parts, one for families and one that's just for adults. Of course, the adults-only spot is popular with honeymooners, but the family-friendly side packs plenty of things to see and do into your Aruba vacation as well. Highlights include eight bars and restaurants, two casinos, and two pools, one of which has a shallow area that's good for kids. However, the real highlight of this property is its private island (also split into family and adult sections), which is as popular with guests as it is with colorful flamingos.

20

The Reserve At Paradisus Palma Real

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

The family-friendly section of Paradisus Palma Real offers a ton of special perks for families, including a Kids’ Zone with a trampoline and a rock-climbing wall. Babysitting is available for those who want a little break from the kiddos. Reserve guests also get access to services and facilities at the Palma Real, including a beautiful stretch of white-sand beach.