Here is the destinations that I talked about today on “And the Women Gather” radio show on WMCU 1080 AM in Miami.
We will start with my favorite Club Med
With their Petit Club Med (2-3 years) and Mini Club Med (4-11 years), your children will have the time of their life discovering the region in which you are visiting and engaging in sports and activities they have never attempted before. And while their having the time of their lives, parents can enjoy amenities and programs created just for them. Unwind with relaxing spa treatments, expert tennis lessons, amazing scuba diving or just a quiet area on the beach to get lost in a book.
Punta Cana
DOMINICAN REP (THE CARIBBEAN)
Cancún Yucatán
MEXICO (NORTH AMERICA – MEXICO)
Ixtapa Pacific Ixtapa Pacific
MEXICO
La Caravelle
GUADELOUPE (THE CARIBBEAN)
Sandpiper
U.S.A. (NORTH AMERICA – MEXICO)
Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort
Why so great for Christmas: For those kids who haven’t finished their letter to Santa, in-room stationary while be available to complete their wish list and secure a spot on Santa’s Nice List. Children may then drop off their letter to the resort’s concierge, who will ensure that the letter is delivered to the North Pole in time.
Cost per person: The Escape Family Time package starts at $139 per night for a family of four, including free meals for children under 12.
How to get there: Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort is located just seven miles from Miami International Airport.
Christmas or family specials: This holiday season, families can enjoy quality time together without straining their wallets with the Escape Family Time package at Doral Golf Resort & Spa, a Marriott Resort. The package includes overnight accommodations in a garden-view room with two double beds and free meals for kids under 12, when accompanied by an adult. Available through December 19, 2007, rates for the Escape Family Time package start at $139 per night.* For reservations, please visit www.doralresort.com and use rate code MAJ or call (877) 89-DORAL and mention rate code XXFJ.
*Based on availability, advanced reservations required. No more than four children dining at once; they must order front Kids’ Menu only; meals include breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The Pritikin Longevity Center & Spa
Why so great for Christmas: Pritikin is at the forefront of the wellness resort trend and was recently featured on The Today Show and in USA Today. The resort is not only a great spa and warm weather vacation, it also teaches families how they can live healthy and lose weight after the holidays.
Cost per person: Single Occupancy: $5,224 for one week; $9,274 for two weeks
Double Occupancy: $7,951 for one week; $13,437 for two weeks
How to get there: Located in Aventura, Fla. just outside of Miami, the resort is accessible from both the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale airports. The resort is located at the Yacht Club at Turnberry Isle. 19735 Turnberry Way in Aventura.
Christmas or family specials: From December 22nd through March 22nd Pritikin is offering $500 off per guest per week.
Click here for more inforamtion.
Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Why so great for Christmas: Those looking to check everyone off their naughty and nice list won’t have to travel far as Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is located less than five minutes from the area’s premier shopping hub featuring the Galleria Mall and the trendy and historical Las Olas Boulevard, and only 25 minutes from the famous Sawgrass Mills Mall, the largest mall in Florida and the fourth largest in the U.S.
Cost per person: The Holiday Resort Credit Package starts at $249 per night, based on double occupancy and a three-night stay.
How to get there: Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is only ten minutes from the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Airport.
Christmas or family specials: This holiday season, Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa is putting a little extra money in guests’ pockets with the Holiday Resort Credit Package. Travelers can take flight with the snowbirds and head south to the beautiful beaches of Fort Lauderdale while enjoying holiday savings. Guests who book a five-night stay at the beachfront resort will receive a $300 resort credit and those who book a three-night stay will receive a $150 resort credit. Resort credits can be used at the resort’s five restaurants, various shops, the renowned Spa at Harbor Beach and for all resort activities including scuba diving and snorkeling along one of the best off-shore dive locations in the United States. Based on availability, the Holiday Resort Credit Package is valid from November 16 – December 26, 2007. Rates start at $249 per night, based on a three-night stay.* To book the Holiday Resort Credit Package, please visit
Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort
Why so great for Christmas: Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort will also be hosting a myriad of holiday activities from Christmas caroling in the lobby by local students to sharing Christmas stories with complimentary hot apple cider. Even Saint Nick will make a special appearance to hear all last minute requests! The Spa at Marco Island will help guests ‘pep’ up their holiday with a special Peppermint Pleasures menu. Peppermint pedicures, peppermint facials and peppermint massages will surely help guests unwind.
Holiday visitors will trade snowmen for sand castles as international master sand sculptor John Gowdy leads sand castle building lessons on December 19. The world-class instruction will prepare visitors for the first-annual Sand Sculpture Building Contest the following day, with over $3,000 in prizes, including:
• Four-night stay for two in Gulf-front room
• Rental car and parking for four days
• Couples’ massage or two 50-minute spa treatments
• Round of golf at The Rookery at Marco Island
• Dinner for two at Kurrents, Marco Island’s signature restaurant
• Daily breakfast for two, for up to four days
• Unlimited water sports for two
• $100 resort shopping credit
Cost per person: Nightly rates start at $189, based on double occupancy.
How to get there: Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort is located directly across from Miami on the Gulf Coast. Along 41, the drive usually takes about two hours.
Christmas or family specials: Santa along with sand-and-sun-lovers alike are all flocking one place this holiday season, the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort. The resort’s gift to guests this year is a night on the house. The fourth night is FREE with any stay of four nights or more December 15 – 21, 2007. Nightly rates start at $189.* For reservations and more information, please call 800-GET-HERE or visit www.marriott.com/mrkfl and use promotional code HOL.
Family Friendly Santa Fe, New Mexico
Like so many things in Santa Fe, Christmas is celebrated just a little differently here. The combination of Western, Hispanic and Native American traditions blend into a holiday celebration not duplicated anywhere else.
The history, diverse culture, and high desert landscape makes Santa Fe a great fit for a rewarding family vacation. More than 62,000 people reside in Santa Fe, N.M., and many of them are small. Children, in fact, thrive in the clear air, reliable sunlight, storied cowboys-Indians-and-Spanish-mission culture, and the low-slung adobe outlines of this casual resort town in the high desert. You’ll see parents tagging after their youngsters on mountain trails and in museums, galleries and sculpture gardens.
The following list is a guide to the most family-friendly resort destinations in Santa Fe.
Santa Fe Sage Inn
With its fenced-in pool and reasonable prices, this is a great spot for families.
- Complimentary Delux Continental serving pastries, bagels, yogurt, fresh fruit, hard boiled eggs, juice & coffee, hot & cold cereals. Breakfast from 6:30am to 10:00am.
- Business Center with Complimentary Wireless Internet Access
- Complimentary Parking Accommodates Large Vehicles
- Recently Renovated Southwestern Superior Guest Rooms
- Outdoor Heated Swimming Pool
- Pet Friendly Lodging: $25 per pet, one time, non-refundable
- Refrigerator Available: $5 per day
- Superior Guest Rooms with 1 King or 2 Queen Beds. Standard Guest Rooms with 1 King, 1 Queen or 2 Double Beds
Located in the Riviera Maya, 30 minutes outside of Cancun. Azul Beach was recognized by Travel + Leisure Family as the “Hip Gourmet Inclusive” boutique hotel.
Why so great for Christmas: Offers a warm weather environment (expected to be 80 degrees on Christmas day) in an intimate setting (only 96 rooms) so that families can spend quality time together and affords proximity so that each room is under a minute from the beach, the pool, the restaurants, the bars, and basically any other facility on the premises. Azul Beach boasts the Gourmet Inclusive concept, which includes unlimited food and beverages (including premium alcohols) a la carte rather than buffet style in an effort to encourage families to connect with one another during meal times. At Azul Beach, babies are provided Gourmet Gerber at restaurants and also in mini-bars, where products are also included in the original cost and which are restocked daily. Each suite is also stocked with a stroller, changing bed, baby bottle warmer and baby spa robe – so parents don’t have to pack these bulky items on their trip. Azul Beach boasts a Kids Center as well where children receive more than simply babysitting but planned activities that keep them active and in the beautiful outdoor environment. Azul Beach features full concierge and beach butler service at no extra charge, to all guests, particularly families with toddlers.
Cost per person: $227 per person (includes all meals and beverages)
How to get there: On American Airlines, guests can take a short, direct 1.25 hour flight from Miami for less than $300 per adult during the December high season.