☀️ Your Spring Break Decision Flow Chart

This week has, been FRIGID here in Michigan (I sure hope it’s warmer where you’re at). And it’s got me thinking—well, dreaming—of the warm-weather escapes that await us when spring break rolls around. If you’re still noodling a family getaway, let me provide some inspiration in the form of a not-so-fancy, but hopefully helpful decision tree. 😉 

For me, spring break conjures up thoughts of sunshine, sandy beaches, sunscreen and pina coladas (for mom). That’s admittedly what I’ve focused on here, but hey, if that’s not your flavor, give the Kid-Friendly Stays directory a click! It’s full of mountainous luxury, glamping adventure, northern scenery and more.

Use the chart above to choose your recommendation:

🌴 EPIC FAMILY PLAYLANDS

• Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Punta Cana: Do we really need to say more than Paw Patrol and swim up suites? This all-inclusive in the DR takes family fun to another level. Beautiful beachfront, waterpark, Slime Zone and supervised kids club for ages 4 through 12.

• Planet Hollywood Cancun: For the family who simply wants to arrive at a tropical oasis and stay put, here’s your mecca. Planet Hollywood‘s beachfront resort offers pools, lazy river, trampoline park, mini golf, yoga, and surf simulation. Family friendly events are on the calendar daily, including superhero beach parties, neon silent discos and weekly Purple Circus shows.

• Beaches Turks & Caicos: We’ve heard it from many: Beaches Resorts do family travel right. At the all-inclusive Beaches Turks and Caicos, you’ll find two kids camp locations that service children of all ages, newborns and older. Within each camp, programs are broken down for ages 0-2, 3-4, 5-7, 8-10, tweens and teens. All are available throughout the day (with a break for lunch and deep cleaning) and are staffed by certified nannies and kids camp staffers. For an added fee, kids can partake in a host of Sesame Street themed activities – from yoga with Elmo, to a character-hosted breakfast, to tuck-in by one of your favorite furry friends.

🌅 LUXE FAMILY ESCAPES

• Club Med Punta Cana: Set on a palm tree-lined beach, the all-inclusive Club Med Punta Cana brings all the family friendliness you’d expect to the Dominican Republic. Thorough children’s programming, circus school, yoga, sailing and wellness offerings are aplenty.

• Andaz Mayakoba in Cancun: A concept hotel by Hyatt, we’ve always been a fan of Andaz properties, noted for their sleek design and reliable service. This one in particular stands out for its family friendliness, with both a Kimbo kids club (for ages 4-12) as well as a Kimbo Baby service offered (for a fee, reservations recommended). In-room babysitting is also available. On site, guests will also find a spa, pools, beachfront and golfing and five restaurants.

• Xcaret Resort in Riviera Maya: A sprawling laid-back but luxurious resort in Mexico’s Riviera Maya and Cancun region, Hotel Xcaret is a destination in itself. Across the all-inclusive property, three hotels exist. A Hotel Xcaret review will reveal that while two hotels are adults only, Hotel Xcaret is geared towards families, offering plenty of fun amenities – particularly for older kids – and a children’s club for ages 4 and up. In-room babysitting can also be arranged.

🏖️ U.S. FAMILY RESORTS

• JW Marriott Marco Island: This resort checks a lot of boxes, including that it’s one of a few fantastic Naples, Florida family resorts. Let’s start with the fact that it’s a Marriott property (loyalists rejoice!), with three pools, gorgeous beachfront, five restaurants and a “Tiki Time” kids club for ages 5-10 (fee applies). All of this, right here in the U.S. without the commitment of an all-inclusive. For these reasons, the family has continuously ranked among the most cited when it comes to family friendly getaways in the states.

• Gaylord Texan Resort: If you’ve never experienced the awe of a Gaylord resort, we’ll sum it up. It’s spectacular. Large, atrium style resorts with rivers that run right through the middle and paddle boats slowly drifting by. And if it’s possible, the Gaylord Texan ups the ante even more, offering guests exclusive access to their 10-acre Paradise Springs waterpark that includes a family lagoon (and toddler pool), lazy river, waterslides and zip line.

• The Cloister at Sea Island, Georgia: Tennis, beach club, bike rentals, sailing… the list goes on when you make a visit to this private island retreat, made up of a handful of uniquely luxe accommodations. We like The Cloister at Sea Island best, which offers a stunning hotel stay and plenty of handy amenities.

🚙 NEARBY WEEEND GETAWAYS

• Great Wolf Lodge: One of the tried-and-true, kid-loving escapes that only requires a night (or two), is the quintessential hotel waterpark that is Great Wolf. We love that there are locations located throughout the U.S., but it’s safe to say that you can also look in your own state and region to find similarly family-focused hotel-and-waterpark combos. What we know for certain is that they’re always a win with the kids. Check out the Chicago property, linked to above, or find all other locations in our directory.

• Vacation Rentals: You shouldn’t be surprised to hear me touting the joy of an Airbnb or VRBO. There are so many well-designed options in stunning locations, and even if nothing more than a change of scenery for board games, breakfast out and movie night, a little getaway can be the stuff of core memories.

Need more ideas? The Kid-Friendly Stays travel directory is the perfect first stop in your next family vacation adventure, wherever you wanna go(!), offering a curated collection of hotels, resorts, Airbnbs and VRBOs for your perusal.

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