Best All Inclusives for Family Reunions

Some families do a family reunion annually, for others it may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reconnect with siblings, cousins, grandparents, and more.

A full-on family reunion can be a fabulous and memorable occasion, with the whole tribe gathered together in one place…but the idea of ‘hosting’ a big gathering – and the work of cooking and entertaining involved – may have you feeling anxious or worse…..why not let someone else (an all inclusive resort) do the hosting and work?

Get the location right and you will be assured of a superb time, making memories for the whole family to cherish. Let’s take a look at some resorts and their speciality amenities, providing the perfect place for your all-generation family reunion.

Before You Book

Before you book, be sure to inquire about the range of facilities, amenities, and activities so that everyone in your family can be happy. At the very least, you’ll want:

• A supervised kids club for the littlest ones
• A cool teens club and/or hang-outs for older kids
• Activities for all ages, including adults – such as resorts with nearby golf courses and resorts that offer fishing
• Both family-friendly AND adults-only restaurants (those without small children may prefer a quieter dining experience)
• Speaking of dining, be sure to ask how large a group they can accommodate and at which restaurants, as you’ll likely want to have at least some meals together as a full group. Some resorts cannot accommodate larger groups in restaurants, but might have conference/event or outdoor/patio facilities available to you
• Adults-only areas, amenities, and facilities (so the adults can escape the kiddos for a while)
• Mobility-friendly resorts – in-building elevators and availability of motorized scooters or golf carts to help some of your group get around

All of these options, plus the usual superb swimming pools and beach accessibility, will ensure a fabulous time will be had by everyone. However, if you choose a larger resort check them out first to determine the ease or difficulty of getting around for older members of your family – for example Check PricesEl Dorado Royale or Check PricesEl Dorado Casitas Royale are very spread out – which means a lot of walking – BUT they offer golf-cart service for getting around. Those with severe mobility issues may prefer a more compact resort where cart service is unnecessary because there’s little walking needed. And check to be sure there’s an elevator and/or ramp wherever you find a staircase, as well as first-floor accommodations if needed to avoid stairs.

If you have older family members who can’t abide being around a lot of noisy youngsters, consider a family resort that has separate adults-only buildings and pools (such as the Finest Playa Mujeres and Hard Rock Riviera Maya, both below), or co-located family/adults-only resorts, like the aforementioned El Dorado Royale/Casitas Royale (adults only), and it’s right-next-door Check PricesGenerations Riviera Maya (our top favorite for families!).

Generations Riviera Maya

Check PricesGenerations Riviera Maya is a luxury all-suite beachfront resort, unlike anything else, for the entire family.  Adult guests (18+) can also enjoy the facilities, restaurants, and amenities at Check PricesEl Dorado Casitas Royale and Check PricesEl Dorado Royale, both located right next door.

This is where you’ll find those large (really huge!) suites, so Generations is perfect for families, grandparents, extended family. And while you’re enjoying a round of golf or some ‘me time’ at Naay Spa, the kids will stay happy at the Kiddie pool, EKO Kids Club, or the Arts and Crafts center.

Finest Playa Mujeres

Check PricesFinest Playa Mujeres is vacation perfection for family groups. “An all-inclusive world within a world” is how the resort is best described, and it certainly ticks all the requirement boxes on a multi-generation vacation. Both the family and adults-only buildings feature luxurious suites and superb amenities, and adults can escape to the adults-only pool and restaurant when they need to.

ONE Spa at Finest Playa Mujeres offers treatments designed for all ages, including a special menu just for families and kids. There are also no less than 16 bars and lounges to choose from to wind down…

Our top mixologists know how to whip up your favorite ‘tini, smoothie or frothy libation. They’ll even create a signature drink just for you. Relax with the game in our sports bar or a enjoy a smoke at the cigar lounge. Chill out with a cold one by the beach or the pool. No need to even step out of the pool at our swim-up bar.

Hotel Xcaret – Riviera Maya

The award-winning Check PricesHotel Xcaret sits on the same grounds as Xcaret Eco-Archaeological Park, which is just a short gondola ride away from the resort (or you can take a luxury air-conditioned bus for a quicker ride), and is surrounded by impressive gardens, natural river formations and a private cove that features a traversable waterway connecting the lagoons and cenotes for an amazing and relaxing kayaking experience that winds throughout the resort complex.

The resort is designed to utilize the natural environment in creative ways, such as incorporating the limestone caves into the Spa (as treatment rooms) as well as a very cool beachside restaurant complex (Las Cuevas), and the ecological park is committed to the education and preservation of local history, culture, and wildlife, with interactive exhibits featuring sharks, dolphins, jaguars, manatees, turtles, butterflies, flamingos and more.

Popular with both families and kidless couples, with both family-friendly and adults-only sections, including the art-immersive Hotel Xcaret Arte next door, and while it’s a bit on the higher side price-wise, the cost is well worth it as entrance to Xcaret Eco-Archaeological Park (as well as Xel-Ha, Xplore, Xplore Fuego, Xenses, Xoximilco, Xenotes, Xichen and a new park Xavage) is currently complimentary for guests of Hotel Xcaret and the brand-new adults-only Check PricesHotel Xcaret Arte located next door (at this time, but this could change, please check before booking).

Villa del Palmar

The luxury beach resort and spa Check PricesVilla del Palmar is an ideal base for that family bash. Luxurious accommodation, gourmet dining and relaxation are just the start of something beautiful for your big reunion. You will also be able to enjoy first-class amenities, cradled within a palm-studded all inclusive resort that offers extensive world-class spa and fitness facilities, five swimming pools, kids clubs, water-sports and spa treatments.
The resort is wheelchair-friendly too, so no worries on the accessibility front. You’ll find plenty of activities available, including lessons in dancing, Spanish and cooking. We love the idea of their specially set-up pro photo shoots – what better souvenir to take home from your family reunion vacation? Villa del Palmar Cancun offers stunning backdrops to your professional photographs, just imagine its white sandy beach contrasting the brilliant turquoise water of the Caribbean and the quaint wooden jetty where you can enjoy a photo-shoot as though you were floating out to sea.

Playa Fiesta

It’s all in the name! Fiesta means party, and party is what you will do with an adult family reunion stay at the Check PricesHotel Playa Fiesta Beach Club in Puerto Vallarta. In fact, they specialise in group gatherings, in a smaller and more intimate setting. Create your family fiesta gathering with a stay here, and you will be treated to rooms which have that unique ‘villa style’ feel, with individual rooms for privacy or multi-bedroom units perfect for families or close friends traveling together. The pool area is your family backyard for your stay, albeit a lot nicer than you may be used to at home! A breath away is the beautiful beach, as Playa Fiesta sits right on the water. The restaurant and bar won’t disappoint, and the bartenders and waiters will soon feel like old friends. This choice is perfect for family gatherings with adult or older members.

Hard Rock Riviera Maya

World class dining, the Little Big Club for younger VIP’S (with loads of fun and games, and safe supervised activities, a teens lounge and disco, and a club exclusive to adults sounds better than holiday heaven. Throw in hammocks and private terraces to finish that book, a yoga temple, a fitness center, and spacious pool area and you are already booking up the Check PricesHard Rock Riviera Maya – because it ticks everyone’s wish list for a family reunion vacation with style. Love a round of golf? Enjoy championship play, world-class instruction, and stunning views just off the property with an 18-hole Robert von Hagge course. Older tweens and teens will love their amazing Teens Club, the foam parties at the pool, and best of all their Music Lab, with its assortment of music and video programs such as Jam Band, Mix, and Rock Tube – all for those 12 and older.

Mix® is your opportunity to drop the bass and pick up the beat right in your own room! Every day you can check out a Traktor Kontrol Z1 controller and iPad that taps into a personal set of headphones. If you aren’t quite sure what to do with it, we have a Rock Specialist to show you. All you need now is a mirror ball and a doorman managing the velvet rope.

Beaches Turks and Caicos

You and your family will feel like you will travel the world with a reunion vacation to Check PricesBeaches Turks and Caicos, which boasts the ambience and architecture of Italy, France, the Caribbean and Key West. That’s just for starters. Enjoy fun activities for every family member, as Beaches caters for all age groups. Little ones will be entertained by Sesame Street characters, tots to teens and in-betweens will love this resort. There’s a teen disco, also an X-Box Lounge for idle thumbs. You might relax at the Red Lane Spa while the little ones expend energy at their fun club, or go deep and try scuba diving in some of the clearest water around. Indulge in a spot of duty-free shopping, or enjoy fine dining over a candlelit dinner. You certainly won’t be short of ideas when ordering, there are over 22 dining options at 19 restaurants – so something for even the fussiest of eaters! We rate Beaches as one of the best all-inclusive resorts in Turks & Caicos.

Consider a Villa…

While the definition of the word “Villa” has gotten a bit murky, it still commonly refers to those luxurious private homes that – in addition to offering multiple bedrooms ideal for families and small groups – typically includes a dedicated staff including a private chef, housekeeper, butler and more. Some are located next door to larger all-inclusive resorts which gives you the benefit of additional restaurants, amenities, and facilities at your disposal along with the peace and exclusivity of a private pool and beach area.

Check out this post for more on private Villas:

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