All-inclusive vacations offer an enticing getaway for everyone, but many all-inclusive hotels and resorts are lacking when it comes to activities for older kids. Most have amazing pools, golden beaches and round-the-clock food and drink options and spas, but fail to entertain the 12 to 17 crowd with stimulating activities that keep their idle hands — and minds — busy. Fortunately, some all-inclusive resorts have taken notice and bridged the gap by offering attractive deals and packages along with innovative teen-friendly activities. If you’re planning to travel with teens and leaning toward an all-inclusive vacation, these getaways should be high on your list.
[See: 10 All-Inclusive Resorts Where Kids Stay Free.]
Beaches Resorts
Jamaica; Turks and Caicos
Beaches Resorts are well known for their upscale all-inclusive offerings, but few people know just how much they cater to teens. The resorts, which overlook the ocean in Providenciales in Turks and Caicos and Ocho Rios and Negril, Jamaica, offer several unique amenities for teens. Options include an Island Impact program that lets students volunteer in local communities while vacationing at Beaches Resorts, teens-only dance clubs, Xbox and gaming rooms and teen spa experiences. Younger visitors can also hit the beach while on vacation and participate in unlimited scuba diving, land sports such as volleyball, basketball and golf, as well as watersports, making them especially attractive for active families.
Moon Palace All-Inclusive Resorts
Jamaica; Cancun, Mexico
Moon Palace resorts in Ocho Rios and Cancun offer an array of all-inclusive options for families with kids of all ages. Teens can soak up the sun along beautiful beaches or dive into the resort’s crystal-clear pools. On vacation, they can participate in unlimited watersports, and even try their hand at surfing at an on-site wave rider. Moon Palace’s resorts also offer Wired Teen lounges with gaming stations and relaxation spaces where teens can mingle. Upscale family-friendly food options also cater to teens at Moon Palace, with fresh smoothies and plenty of opportunities for a healthy bite.
Azul Beach Resort Riviera Maya
Puerto Morelos, Mexico
Azul Beach Resort in Playa Del Carmen offers an ideal mini-vacation spot for teens ages 13 to 17. The Breeze Club is 1,500 square feet of space exclusively for young adults, offering nonstop entertainment day and night and easy access to the beach. Travel to the club to enjoy an outdoor patio, a fire pit area, a bar for soda and treats, a dance area with a DJ, a gaming area and projected movie screens. Teens can also stay connected with friends through “The Social Media Corner,” which features free Wi-Fi access. And since the property offers one-, two- and three-bedroom suites, it’s a great place to travel with the whole family. Plus, there are also a variety of spa treatments available at Vassa Spa that are tailored for kids and adults.
Club Med Resorts
The Caribbean; Mexico; Florida
Club Med resorts offer all-inclusive packages and amenities all over the world. Fortunately, they have many programs created specifically for older children and teens. For the 11 to 17 crowd, Club Med offers Passworld spaces — customized spaces for teens with sporting and artistic activities, dance floors, video games and more. Vacation activities are planned based on guests’ passions and interests. Club Med Punta Cana, Cancun Yucatan and Ixtapa Pacific also have teen clubs where kids can mingle and socialize with other travelers their age during their vacation. Teens at Club Med can also try their luck on the trapeze as they learn to balance and glide through the sky, or simply enjoy relaxing along the beach.
[See: The 10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico 2017.]
Mohonk Mountain House
New Paltz, New York
If you’re looking for a family-friendly all-inclusive vacation that’s far from ordinary, consider the Mohonk Mountain House nestled in the Hudson Valley. Surrounded by 40,000 acres of pristine forest and protected wildlife, the hotel offers teens a natural escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. The property’s teens program is designed for kids ages 13 to 17, and includes tomahawk throwing, tennis clinics, hiking and more. At the all-inclusive, teens can also enjoy relaxing at the teen Lounge, where they can play Playstation and Wii, watch movies, enjoy games and make new friends.
YMCA of the Rockies
Estes Park, Colorado
If your teens would prefer a mountain getaway, the YMCA of the Rockies could provide the perfect vacation. Lodging and meal tickets are included in one low price, as are an array of activities created for family members of all ages. The hotel itself sits on 800-plus acres next to Rocky Mountain National Park, offering activities such as archery, rock climbing, horseback riding, craft and design, fly- fishing, disc golf and more. For teens, day camps provide adventure activities and the chance to cultivate leadership skills.
Wyndham Reef Resort
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
The Wyndham Reef Resort is Grand Cayman’s only property with an all-inclusive vacation option. For teens, this resort offer the perfect combination of sports, adventure and relaxation. Teens can get acquainted with the area’s fascinating sea creatures in one of the best snorkeling spots in the Caribbean, with crystal-clear water and natural wildlife right off the beach. Teens can also scuba dive or get their PADI certification. Opportunities for jet skiing , stand-up paddleboarding , sailing and kite surfing also abound. Meanwhile, families can spread out in one or two-bedroom villas complete with a full kitchen and dining area.
Grand Velas Resorts
Mexico
Grand Velas luxury resorts in Riviera Maya, Riviera Nayarit and Los Cabos offer tailored teen clubs and spa treatments for children ages 13 to 18. The clubs feature extensive game rooms with X-Box Kinect, pool tables, air hockey, pingpong and more, along with karaoke sets and a dance floor. Teens who need a break from parents while on vacation can mingle with new friends and enjoy teen-friendly snacks and mocktails while taking in panoramic ocean views along the beach. Plus, teen girls can enjoy leisure activities like a spa day, complete with a new hairstyle, manicure, pedicure and hydrotherapy (for an additional charge).
[See: 10 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the Caribbean 2017.]
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Puerto Aventuras, Mexico
At this Hard Rock hotel, teenagers have access to Camp Woodward, a leader in lifestyle and action sports. Starting this summer, teens staying at this Hard Rock hotel will be able to participate in this exciting new program. Activities will include indoor snowboarding and snow skiing (yes, in Mexico), along with skateboarding and hip-hop dance programs and other sports-driven programs. What’s more, teens can immerse themselves in an authentic and original environment while on vacation, while grown-ups enjoy adults-only areas and amenities, including a yoga temple and spa.
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9 All-Inclusive Resorts With Special Amenities for Teens originally appeared on usnews.com
