For many parents, one of the biggest draws of a family resort is the built-in childcare. There’s really no better way to build in some time for rest and relaxation than to find a resort with trusted child-minders. Parents of toddlers have their pick of resorts with kids clubs, but when your kids are still babies it can be a lot harder to track down childcare even at family-friendly resorts.
While options may be more limited for the under-two set, some resorts actually go above and beyond to make sure new parents can get some “me time.” As a mom of five, I know this can make all the difference between returning home refreshed and walking through the front door feeling like you need a vacation to recover from your vacation. Here are my picks for the best resorts for families with babies.
PUT TO THE TEST: The best hotel booking sites for families and groups
1. Beaches Resorts
Locations in Turks & Caicos and Jamaica
The beloved all-inclusive family resort chain Beaches sprinkles kid-friendly features throughout its resorts, from a Mac n’ Cheese truck to a swim-up mocktail bar to a water park that’s among the best in the Caribbean. Beaches is also one of the few resort chains that organizes its kids clubs by age, from babies through teens, at no extra cost.
The Beaches Infant Program is exclusively for babies aged brand-new to 24 months. The infant program is staffed by nannies who are certified by the International Nanny Association, so as a parent you can have peace of mind that your little one is in good hands. Beaches also offers one-to-one care for babies at an additional cost.
There are currently three Beaches locations in the Caribbean: Beaches Turks and Caicos, Beaches Ocho Rios, and Beaches Negril.
More about Beaches Resorts:
- Are Beaches Resorts worth the money? Here’s what to know
- How to choose the best Beaches Resort, according to real travelers
- Guide to the most kid-friendly features at Beaches Resorts
2. Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts
Locations in Mexico and the Dominican Republic
It should come as no surprise that a Nickelodeon-themed resort would be focused on kids (and slime). Nickelodeon makes sure to include fun for kids of all ages, including babies, at its themed resorts in Mexico’s Riviera Maya and the Dominican Republic.
Both of the Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts have a Paw Patrol-themed splash park perfect for even the youngest visitors to splash the day away. The resort also has a dedicated Baby Zone where children under four, including newborns, can get some time away from their parents. The Baby Zone is not included in the base price, but the hourly rate is just $15 at the time of this writing. And kids ages four through 12 can drop in at the resort’s kids club at no additional cost.
More about Mexico family resorts:
3. Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa
St. Lucia
St. Lucia’s Coconut Bay Resort is a family-friendly resort with a water park, a zero-entry pool, and an on-site animal sanctuary with local rescue animals. The resort’s CocoLand Kidz Klub takes babies as young as three months old and may accept younger babies on request.
CocoLand never has more than three babies for every caretaker. Babies might be taken to the splash park or on a nature walk to make sure they are too busy to miss their parents. Supervised care for babies is included with all stays.
More about Caribbean resorts:
- 11 best all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean with a lazy river
- 8 Caribbean family resorts with villas that feel like private vacation homes
4. Club Med
Locations around the world
Pioneering resort brand Club Med caters to parents with infants (ages four months to 23 months) with its Baby Club Med program, which is currently available at nine Club Med resorts around the world. During the day, babies can congregate in a space that includes an age-appropriate gym, baby-friendly activities that develop motor skills, and a baby food buffet. Babies may also go on trips to the resort’s splash pad and enjoy nature walks around the property.
At night, Club Med’s Pajama Club is great for parents who want to go on a dinner date or nighttime walk on the beach. Or, the resort can arrange for a private babysitter. All services are an extra charge, starting at $29 an hour at the time of this writing. Parents can request Club Med’s The Baby Welcome at no extra cost. With this program, Club Med will stock rooms with a crib, stroller, bottle warmer, and more to ensure babies (and their parents) have everything they need for a great stay.
The Club Med resorts that accept babies in their kids clubs are Club Med Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda (Dominican Republic), Cub Med Ixtapa Pacific (Mexico), Club Med Quebec Charlevoix (Canada), Club Med Bali (Indonesia), Club Med Cherating Beach (Malaysia), Club Med Phuket (Thailand), and Club Med Valmorel (France).
5. Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort and Spa
The Maldives
The Hilton Maldives features incredible overwater bungalows perfect for a unique family experience. Kids of all ages will be delighted by the chance to spot dolphins and turtles at the resort, and the Krakengiri Kids Club has a baby pool and splash park that are perfect for the resort’s littlest visitors. Children under the age of four can spend time in the kids club if they’re accompanied by a caregiver. Parents can find their own caregiver, or the resort can provide one for $25 per hour.
6. Sani Resort
Halkidiki, Greece
At the family-friendly Sani Resort on the gorgeous Aegean Sea, you can request a huge array of baby gear for your stay, including cribs, strollers, and bottle warmers, meaning you won’t have to drag them with you when you travel. Children as young as four months can be dropped off at the resort’s kids club starting at 30 Euros for a three-hour session, and the resort can also arrange for private babysitting.
Sani Resort also goes above and beyond in making sure families get the most out of their stay, including a complimentary consultation on how to adjust your baby’s sleep schedule, gourmet baby food, and baby swim lessons.
More all-inclusive resorts around the world:
- 11 all-inclusive family resorts with jaw-dropping swim-up rooms
- New to all-inclusive resorts? These are the best ones for newbies
7. Grand Velas Resorts
Multiple locations in Mexico
With locations in Riviera Maya, Riviera Nayarit, and Los Cabos, Mexican resort chain Grand Velas caters to families with babies with a Baby Concierge, whose job is to assist with everything from arranging baby’s first haircut to a gentle baby massage. The resort also has poolside baby cabanas and baby beach hammocks.
You can ask for your room to be stocked with baby bath amenities, cribs, in-room toys and strollers, and more. Babies are welcomed into the kids club with a babysitter or parents. The resort can arrange for a babysitter starting at $25 an hour. Older siblings aged four and up can join in the fun at the kids club at no extra charge.
