Resort Advice - Traveling with Child

[sKuhl]

Hi Everyone -

I am looking for all-inclusive resort recommendation. We will be travelling with our 1 year old son. We are looking for a luxury/nice resort that will be good for my son.

Also, where have you found the best vacation deals? I am looking to book soon.

Thanks in advance
Stacy

[SunDowner]

I would recommend checking with Shammy. She is the best agent we know.
You can find her on this board or through her website

[JWK]

Originally Posted by SunDowner

I would recommend checking with Shammy. She is the best agent we know.
You can find her on this board or through her website

I agree, Shammy is great but she'll need more info. Info like what is your definition of luxury? What ammenities are important to you? Do you want to be near or in town? There are A LOT of great family friendly resorts out there. I like the Iberostars, they are a great family resort but certain ammenities may be more important to you than others. Good luck, at least you picked a great area!!

[yak]

The new Barcelo has a nice kiddie water slide area with tiny ones for wee folk. Check out the pictures at the bottom of this page

[ZAEM]

Wow! Yak I think you may have just made my researching a little easier. We always travel with our children each summer. This year I think we're waiting until Thanksgiving because I will be graduating and taking my boards this summer.


We've been to the Azteca and the Gala. I thought we'd try another one this year but if I couldn't decide would go back to the Gala.

Barcelo looks great!!!


Shammy will have your answers. I think she likes Barcelo big time.

[sKuhl]

Thanks for your responses! I really appreciate your advice.

I have been doing a little research and am currently leaning toward the Iberostar Paridiso Lindo or Rui Palace Mayan Riviera. Do you think these are decent options? We just need to decide if we want to be near town or not. Since my son will only be 1 when we take our trip, I am only thinking he will require a Baby Pool and Playground. He will be way too small for any of the other activities.

Any other suggestions? We are only going on 1 vacation this year and want to make it really nice, so price is really not an issue.

[JWK]

I've been to the Lindo and love it so we are going back this summer. There are a lot of children and activities for children here. They do have a playground but I can't remember if the have a kid's pool. Since my kids are 9 and 6 they go into the main pool. From what I hear, the Riu Palace is very nice but not a lot of children. I hear good things about the new section of the Barcelo Maya and that is someplace I am looking at for future vacations.

[yak]

Originally Posted by ZAEM

Wow! Yak I think you may have just made my researching a little easier. We always travel with our children each summer. This year I think we're waiting until Thanksgiving because I will be graduating and taking my boards this summer.


We've been to the Azteca and the Gala. I thought we'd try another one this year but if I couldn't decide would go back to the Gala.

Barcelo looks great!!!


Shammy will have your answers. I think she likes Barcelo big time.

here's a good place to get more info on Barcelo:

[ZAEM]

Thanks! I'll check that out tonight. I looked at the pictures and loved the pool area for the kids.

Just need to decide on the exact departure date which is usually August but may need to be put off this year 2 or 3 months.

Oh wait! When is high travel season? I was thinking about going for Thanksgiving--well it will depend on the price.

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by ZAEM

Just need to decide on the exact departure date which is usually August but may need to be put off this year 2 or 3 months.

Oh wait! When is high travel season? I was thinking about going for Thanksgiving--well it will depend on the price.

Thanksgiving will be substantially more expensive than other dates in November - and if you want to avoid sticker shock, stay away from that time frame. October, November (except for Thanksgiving) and early December are low season and that's where you'll find the best prices. August would be higher than these months as well because it is also considered high season - just not AS high as winter or holidays.

[ZAEM]

Thanks Shammy!!

[bbA2]

Originally Posted by sKuhl

Thanks for your responses! I really appreciate your advice.

I have been doing a little research and am currently leaning toward the Iberostar Paridiso Lindo or Rui Palace Mayan Riviera. Do you think these are decent options? We just need to decide if we want to be near town or not. Since my son will only be 1 when we take our trip, I am only thinking he will require a Baby Pool and Playground. He will be way too small for any of the other activities.

Any other suggestions? We are only going on 1 vacation this year and want to make it really nice, so price is really not an issue.

Hi sKuhl,

I believe that you cant go wrong with either of the resorts you are interested in however one thing to consider with your 1 year old son is that the Paraiso complex, including the lindo, uses a whole resort water filtration system, meaning the tap water is safe to drink, no signs near the sinks saying do not drink or brush your teeth with the water at like many resorts we have been to in Mexico, in fact this is the only one to my knowledge we have stayed at where this is the case. When we went in March 2005 (lindo with 13 month old) and again in July 2005 (maya with him again at 16 months), (yup we were there for Emily) that was one of the reasons we stayed there. No worries about bath time or teeth brushing nor any concerns about the smoothies that he loved so much. Also the wave pool was a lot of fun for him, especially when the waves were not going, he loved the zero depth entry and spalshing ankle and knee deep on such a gentle slope.

If price is really not an issue then may I suggest the Maya as the rooms are a little larger and there is a sunken area that was great for putting the crib in and separated somewhat from the bed area by a screen of sorts.

We are starting to plan our trip for this year and are definitley going back to the Maya for many reasons not the least of which was the fun that our young son had at the resort and I know he will only have more this time, as will we.

Good luck in your decision making and I am sure you cant go wrong with whatever you decide.

If you have any questions relating to our experience at the lindo and maya with our young son please feel free to ask and I will do my best to get back to you. But I can tell you they were pretty much all positive.

bba2

[Shammy]

But all resorts supply plenty of bottled water in your room, so teeth brushing and drinking water should never be an issue. Ice at all resorts is purified as well. The Barcelo gives out giant bottles of water, both in your room and at the outdoor bars and you can ask for more at any time. Personally, I don't care if a resort says their water is purified (and yes, I have stayed in ones that have said this) - their idea of purified and mine may be two different things. With bottled water so plentiful, I wouldn't drink from the tap anyway. The bath water thing - well that I understand a bit more when talking about bringing a small baby, but my kids are older so this doesn't apply to me.

[ZAEM]

When you say the new Barcelo which section does this refer to?I took a peek at the map. This place is huge!

[Sharyn]

The brochure I got from the Barcelo Maya says that they have a water purification system on site and that it is safe to brush teeth or drink your room tap water. With a very young child (infant) I wouldn't risk it, but all our family brushed our teeth with the tap water and were OK. We have even drank their tap water, but usually drink the free bottled water they provide because it tastes better.