KID-FRIENDLY STAYS
Part of a recent, and still cresting, wave of new luxury resorts in the Mexican Caribbean that aim to cater to families with young children without sacrificing the adult pleasures of a high-end vacation, Garza Blanca joins Auberge and Conrad properties that have arrived here, with a Waldorf-Astoria and a St. Regis on the way. Longer-standing spots, like the Andaz, Rosewood, and Fairmont at the Mayan Riviera’s Mayakoba development, have updates and additions that help them skew family-friendlier, too.
GARZA BLANCA
This months-old resort balances family friendliness with grown-up luxury. The 452 suites have private terraces, most offering ocean views, and anything bigger than a junior suite has a kitchen or kitchenette. All-inclusive rates gives you virtually unfettered access to the array of food and drink venues (plus room service), including the dryaged rib-eye at the steakhouse and Don Julio at the bars. A kids club provides different activities every hour, and babysitters can be booked from $15 an hour. While the kids play, parents should check out the adultonly roof top’s infinity-edge pool and the spa’s hydrotherapy circuit and Natrua Bisse treatments. All inclusive rates from $289 per person per night, cancun.garzablancaresort.com
ANDAZ MAYAKOBA
Originally opened in late 2016, this 214-room resort recently expanded their kids club offerings with a program for 3-month- to 4year-olds, and they’ve added an all-inclusive booking option. Kids younger than 5 eat free; and those 5 to 11 for 50 percent off. From $299, double occupancy, andazmayakoba.com
CONRAD TULUM
The kids club at this new resort puts a focus on nature, scheduling jungle tours and sandcastle sessions in addition to indoor activities. Set on a secluded, shallow, swimmable bay, the 349room resort can arrange CPR- and water-safety-certified sitters through a third party and can organize custom, child-friendly off-site excursions. From $495, double occupancy, hilton.com/conrad-tulum
ETÉREO
The 5-month-old, 75-room Mayan Riviera resort from Auberge Resorts — whose chairman is Houston businessman Dan Friedkin — offers a kids club with dailychanging local themes (Mayan and Mexican Day, for example), babysitting, children’s menus at three restaurants and a host of immersive, largely aquatic and archaeological experiences for older kids. From $663, double occupancy, aubergeresorts.com/etereo
FAIRMONT MAYAKOBA
With a fleet of newly renovated public areas and accommodations (including family-friendly Casita Suites), this 15-year-old stay has a kids club for 5- to 11-year-olds plus pop-up teen camps during certain periods. There’s also baby gear aplenty available, and little ones younger than 5 eat free. From $294, double occupancy, fairmont.com/mayakoba-riviera-maya
ROSEWOOD MAYAKOBA
In February, the ultra-luxe resort set on crystal-clear mangrove-ringed lagoons and sandy seaside debuted its first beachfront residence: With six bedrooms, a 92-foot private pool and ocean views, the fully staffed Founder’s Villa is just the thing for two or three high-flying families traveling together, or a multigenerational family reunion. And don’t miss the kids club, hosted near the resort’s family-friendly pool. From $750, double occupancy, rosewoodmayakoba.com