Top 10 family hotels in the Caribbean

For dreamy days spent swimming in sparkling crystalline waters and lazing on sugar-white sand beaches beneath gently swaying palms, the Caribbean has it covered. We check out the top 10 family hotels in the Caribbean for fabulously fun-filled family holidays, all promising outstanding activities for kids and parents.

#10

The Landings Villa Resort & Spa, St Lucia

What: Located close-by to Rodney Bay and Gros Islet on the northwest coast of St Lucia, this is a beautiful all-villa beachfront resort. The impressive private marina is the perfect view from the luxury villas, all of which come with large kitchens for the family to cook together.

Best for kids: Kids are guaranteed lots of fun at the complimentary Landings Kid’s Club. Young guests aged 3-12 years old can enjoy fantastic activities including scavenger hunts, video games and fishing. After working up an appetite, The Beach Club Restaurant has lots of international dishes to satisfy every taste bud.

Best for parents: Those looking to unwind in the warm Caribbean sun will find a sugary white sand beach with plenty of sun loungers. Plus, there’s an adult-only spa pool ideal for a restful afternoon, and lovely spa treatments on offer at Soleil Spa.

More information and to book: The Landings Villa Resort & Spa

#9

Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club

What: Enjoy a luxurious Caribbean holiday, whilst also teaching the kids all about sustainable living. Home to a Hydroponic Garden that harvests their food and water, Aurora Anguilla is an environmentally-friendly oasis that doesn’t skimp on opulent living. 

Best for kids: This colourful and vibrant resort offers an exciting wet play area, perfect for kids to make new friends and splash around all day long. Little touches like being offered a refreshing homemade sorbet add to the magic of enjoying the Anguillan sunshine.

Best for parents: Adults will relish a chance at spending at afternoon practicing their swing at the 18-hole Greg Norman Signature Design Championship Course. Meanwhile, the calming Venus Spa boasts an array of beautiful treatments inspired by the elements of sun, sea, wind and earth.

More information and to book: Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club

#8

Carlisle Bay, Antigua

What: Part of our Platinum Collection, Carlisle Bay offers a family holiday brimming with luxury. Nestled along the south coast of Antigua, we love that this haven evokes a sense of tranquillity and classic Caribbean charm. There is a dedicated family area on one side of the resort.

Best for kids: There is so much fun to be had at Carlisle Bay. The Cool Kids’ Club offers a variety of exciting activities including nature hunts, arts and crafts and treasure hunts. For guests aged 7-12 years old, the Crew Blur program offers zip-wiring, five-a-side football and raft building.

Best for parents: Parents can enjoy some zen at the soothing yoga pavilion, or treat themselves to a serene afternoon enjoying the sauna, plunge pools and chill-out zone at the Blue Spa. While the kids are enjoying time with new found friends, The adult-only Jetty Grill serves up delicious seafood and grilled meats.

More information and to book: Carlisle Bay

#7

Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe, Dominican Republic

What: Located on the beachfront at Punta Cana, this stylish five-star playground is geared up for family fun with a four swimming pools, 11 speciality restaurants, a 24-hour casino and a huge Las Vegas-style theatre with a bar on each level. Each of the 1,990 rooms and suites are furnished with rich woods and décor that mixes designer-inspired white interiors with dramatic splashes of colour.

Best for kids: The Barcy Water Park will delight kids for hours with castles, slides and waterfalls, but the showstopper is the resort’s new Pirates Island Water Park, an aquatic adventureland presenting challenging pools and chutes (charges apply). Children aged three to 12 are looked after in the Barcy Kids Club which provides an assortment of fun-filled arts and crafts, games and age-specific entertainment. Teens aged 13 to 17 can cut loose and party-without-parents at Xone Teen's Nightclub.

Best for parents: Indulge at the luxurious U-Spa Bávaro, work out with cardiovascular training equipment at the gym, browse the boutiques in the shopping centre or fill the hours with golf, kayaking, sailing and more. By night, sip refreshing cocktails at the sport’s bar, watch nightly live shows and feast on gastronomic cuisine; from minimalist Japanese delicacies to fiery Mexican cooking.

More information and to book: Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe

#6

St James’s Club & Villas, Antigua

What: Nestled along Antigua’s southwest coast, this luxurious hotel has a gorgeous backdrop of sugary white sands and lush green hillsides. With over 250 rooms, suites and villas, there’s something for every family’s budget and taste, and children and parents alike are likely to enjoy the variety of sports and activities on offer here.

Best for kids: Whether you have younger children or teens, St James’s organised activities will have every age entertained for hours. From swimming activities and art classes, to nature trails and seasonal themed programmes, there’s plenty for young travellers to get stuck into. There are even children’s meal times in case mum and dad want a quieter evening.

Best for parents: The two powdery beaches and whopping six swimming pools offer plenty of spots to soak up the sunshine or take a dip in the water. For more active parents, there’s a myriad of sports including tennis, volleyball, and even a gym. After a day of relaxing, the restaurants are perfect for either a romantic meal for two, or a fun meal for the whole family.

More information and to book: St James’s Club & Villas

#5

Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, Mexico

What: Based in the heart of the Riviera Maya, this fun and sociable hotel is close by to some of Mexico’s best attractions, including the ruins of Tulum and the eco-archaeological park at Xcaret. Back at the hotel, you’ll find two pools, a private white sand beach, colourful accommodation and divine restaurants.

Best for kids: A whole host of fun is on offer at this exciting resort. Rockaway Bay Waterpark will be enjoyed by the whole family, with 23 waterslides including six high speed rides for teenagers and adults. Plus, the Roxity Kids Club has lots of great activities.

Best for parents: The Rock Spa is ideal for parents wanting to relax while the kids go off and have fun. Exclusive to adults, the atmosphere is tranquil here. There is also an adult-only pool in the Haven section of the hotel, for those wanting to soak up some sunshine.

More information and to book: Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya

#4

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, St Lucia

What: Set within 85 acres of palm-fringed gardens on the silvery south coast of St Lucia, this all-inclusive beachfront resort offers two different worlds in one idyllic setting. The Harmony wing is a serene adults-only retreat whilst the Splash wing is a vibrant family-orientated zone with the island’s largest water park. This captivating gem has 250 brightly-decorated guestrooms, four swimming pools and four tantalising restaurants, including a beach grill, to suit every palate.

Best for kids: The CocoLand® waterpark boasts exhilarating rides, slides, cannons, whirlpools, waterfalls and a lazy river to thrill kids of all ages. Coco Kidz provides a jam-packed activity schedule for children under 12 whilst The Clubhouse is a dedicated activity centre for tweens and teens aged 13 to 17. Most impressive is The Zone, the first paintball facility of its kind in the Caribbean where teams of up to five players can fire neon paintballs at their opponents (extra charges apply).

Best for parents: Harmony offers grown-ups a romantic escape with palm-fringed pools, hammocks, cabana beds and the Kai Mer Spa which specialises in organic treatments. Book a personal trainer for a one-to-one workout, play tennis on one of four floodlit courts, or take a yoga class. By night, drink exotic cocktails in six bars and enjoy upbeat Caribbean party nights with dancers, acrobats and fire-breathers.

More information and to book: Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa.

#3

Tamarind by Elegant Hotels, Barbados

What: With a 750-foot-long crescent of shimmering sun-kissed white sand on your doorstep, this swanky resort on the platinum west coast of Barbados has been fabulously renovated to include three swimming pools, four first-class restaurants and 104 contemporary guestrooms featuring modern décor, oversized balconies, panoramic ocean views and state-of-the-art amenities.

Best for kids: The resort has two age-appropriate kids’ clubs. The Flying Fish Kids Club provides fun-filled supervised activities for children between ages of four and 12, while certified nannies are on hand to look after babies and toddlers. Tweens and teens are catered for in the ultra-cool Club Tamarind, a large lounged decked out with Wii consoles, computer games, air hockey, pool and table tennis.

Best for parents: The on-site Aqua School offers complimentary watersports including waterskiing, banana boating, snorkelling, sailing, boogie boarding, kayaking, windsurfing and paddle boarding. Snorkel with turtles, book a round at the 18-hole Robert Trent Jones-design golf course at the nearby Royal Westmoreland, pamper yourself at the spa and stay in shape with Cybex cardio and weight equipment at the fitness centre. For those who fancy exploring the island, there is a series of excursions including duty-free shopping trips, catamaran cruises, rugged safari tours and glass-bottomed boat rides.

More information and to book: Tamarind by Elegant Hotels

#2

Sugar Bay Barbados

What: Located along the south coast of Barbados near the capital Bridgetown, this hotel offers a taste of quintessential Caribbean fun. The Family Suites are ideal for a small family, but if you want to treat your loved ones to utmost luxury, we’d recommend upgrading to a luscious Oceanfront Family Suite.

Best for kids: Beachside fun is on the cards at Sugar Bay. The kids club for guests aged 3-11 years old offers fantastic beach games, competitions and island exploration, whilst the clubhouse for guests aged 12-16 years old offers a cool space to make new friends and play games.

Best for parents: Colin’s Beach Bar & Grill is an inviting venue for adults. Inspired by local rum shops, this is the ideal spot to enjoying a cocktail or two. Meanwhile, adult-only Umi offers delightful Japanese dishes and delicious sushi.

More information and to book: Sugar Bay Barbados

#1

Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa, Mexico

What: This is a popular resort, and for good reason. Located between Cancun's southern tip and Playa del Carmen, we love the excellent pool area which has a lovely swim-up bar. Swap the resort for the beach and you’ll find ample space to sunbathe and a number of fun water sports on offer.

Best for kids: Explorer’s Club for Kids exclusive to kids aged 3-12 years old is an educational yet fun club ideal for exploration, learning and making friends. Activities include an ocean trampoline, treasure hunts, weekly camp outs and sand castle contests.

Best for parents: There are lots of great activities for families to do together, or for mum and dad to enjoy while the little ones are making friends at the kid’s club. Cocktail lessons, darts, Mexican bungo, big screen movies and weekly beach parties are just the start.

More information and to book: Dreams Riviera Cancun Resort & Spa