 Beaches Resorts are synonymous with family fun in the Caribbean. One of the most recognized resorts for customer service, quality, and included amenities, Beaches provides families and groups the ultimate stress-free all-inclusive Caribbean vacation. The first Beaches resort opened in 1997 in Turks and Caicos, answering a long-term request from couples staying at Sandals Resorts for the company to provide a family-friendly option with the same luxury experiences. Since then, Beaches has become a world leader in all-inclusive vacations, having been voted the World’s Leading All-Inclusive Family Resort Brand by the World Travel Awards—24 years in a row. Beaches Resorts are also the Caribbean’s only certified Autism-friendly resorts. As a mom of three kids with Autism, I appreciate that the employees at these resorts are specially trained to deal with unique needs. So, what is it like to stay at a Beaches resort, and what’s included? I break down everything you need to know below! Destinations There are three Beaches Resorts, all located in the Caribbean: two in Jamaica and one in Turks and Caicos. Here’s an overview of each resort: Beaches Negril This is Beaches’ newest resort. As the smallest resort with 186 rooms, the resort offers an intimate and relaxed atmosphere. The resort is located on a pristine section of Jamaica’s famous Seven Mile Beach and includes two pools, a water park, and kid pools. Beaches Negril has nine restaurants and seven bars. Beaches Ocho Rios Located on 22 acres of tropical paradise with a private beach, Ocho Rios offers an excellent balance of adventure and relaxation. Its cove beach makes it easier to keep an eye on little ones. The resort provides easy access to one of the island’s premiere golf and country clubs. It includes seven restaurants and seven bars. Beaches Turks & Caicos Turks & Caicos is Beaches’ original resort and is also the largest. With 750 rooms and 43 room categories, accommodation options are endless! There are over 24 restaurants and 15 bars, along with ten pools, a water park, kid pools, and whirlpools. The resort is located in Grace Bay, a stretch of beach consistently voted as one of the best beaches in the world. What’s Included in a Beaches Vacation? The Sandals brand is known for having “Luxury Included®” vacations, with a wide range of amenities and activities as a part of your all-inclusive vacation package. Here’s what’s included with every Beaches Vacation stay: Food & Drink Beaches Resorts offer unlimited dining at up to every restaurant on property. This includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Every resort has at least seven eateries, combining a mix of buffets, sit-down restaurants, quick-service locations, and even food trucks! Unlimited alcohol, like premium liquors and Twin Oaks wine, is also included. From swim-up bars to beachside lounges, there’s truly something for everyone. Gratuities & Taxes No need to bring your wallet or carry cash around the resort: gratuities and taxes are included with your package for easy travel. Transportation Beaches Resorts provide free shuttle transfers to and from the airport. In Jamacia, there is even an in-airport lounge exclusively for Beaches guests. WiFi Whether you want to share photos on social media or check your work email, WiFi is available in your room and in many common areas around the resort. Activities Another great thing about Beaches Resorts is how many activities are included. All amenities listed below are included with your vacation unless otherwise noted. Kids Your toddlers and preschoolers will love getting up close with their favorite Sesame Street® characters. At Camp Sesame, preschoolers can participate in daily activities like story time, cookie making with Cookie Monster, puppet making with Bert & Ernie, and dancing with Zoe and Rosita. You can arrange a character breakfast or photoshoot for an additional upgrade. There is also a daycare center for infants and toddlers staffed by certified nannies. Teens There are plenty of places for teens to chill out at Beaches. The Xbox Play Lounge includes exclusive single and multiplayer games and cinematic screens to play them on. Tweens and tweens can play favorites like Minecraft, Forza Motorsports, and Dirt Rally in a friendly and safe environment. Trench Town is a kid and teen-friendly game room and arcade with classic games like skeeball, pool, and air hockey. A teen-only nightclub called Liquid (available at Negril and Turks & Caicos) is a fun place for young adults under 21 to get some time to themselves. After midnight, the lounge turns into a 21+ club. Everyone There are so many activities everyone in the family can enjoy together. Here are a few highlights: Pirates Island Waterpark Pirates Island is a full-scale waterpark located right at your resort. Adventure is right around the corner with attractions like classic waterslides, water cannons, and a lazy river. There are even fun eateries and snack shops, like ice cream food trucks and a 50s-themed diner on-site. Scuba Diving Beaches’ scuba operation is one of the best in the world, at some of the best locations in the world. While many resorts require guests to pay additional fees for scuba excursions, all equipment, gear, and transportation are included with Beaches vacations. Water Sports Spend your days basking in the sun and crystal clear ocean water with snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, ocean kayaks, waterskiing, and glass bottom boats, all included with your stay. Fitness For landlubbers, there are tennis courts, fitness centers, and walking trails to enjoy. Entertainment Nightly live entertainment like island beach parties and stage shows will keep the party going long after sunset. During the day and evening, enjoy Sesame Street character parades, stage shows, and family-friendly entertainment like talent shows. There are nightclubs featuring the latest dance music and piano bars with live musicians for adults. Rooms & Amenities  There are a large variety of room categories and amenities available at Beaches Resorts. From standard suites to luxurious three-bedroom villas, there’s room for all to relax and recover from a full day of adventures around your resort. Every room at a Beaches Resort is grouped within a themed “village,” making you feel like you are traveling through an Italian seaside town or condo in Key West. Every room falls into the following categories: Luxury This standard room size at Beaches accommodates up to five guests. Bed options include king or two double beds, along with spacious bathrooms. Some rooms have private balconies or patios with pool or ocean views. Concierge Concierge-level rooms include everything in a Luxury level room, along with upgraded amenities like four-poster beds and expanded seating areas. The hallmark of this room category, though, is the exclusive lounge. This private club offers check-in service and a variety of amenities during your stay. The lounge provides a quiet place to unwind with board games, flat-screen TVs, coffee/tea bars, and a fridge stocked with soft drinks, sparkling wine, and alcohol. Snacks like fruit trays, desserts, and sandwiches are in the lounge throughout the day. In addition, there is a concierge agent on hand to help with things like excursion and dinner reservations. There is also an exclusive weekly party for concierge-level guests. Together Nest Suites These suites offer the ultimate luxury at Beaches. Top-tier amenities, huge bedrooms, in-bedroom robes, lavish decor, and butler service are all included. Butler Butler-level rooms can be either Concierge or Together Nest-level rooms and offer butler service throughout your vacation. Your family butler, trained by the Guild of Professional English Butlers, will assist you throughout your stay, from bringing you a pool-side lunch to providing scented towels and welcome cocktails when you arrive. Book Your Beaches Vacation with Just Add Magic Travel®We’re not just Disney! Just Add Magic Travel can help you plan your Beaches Caribbean getaway or other all-inclusive vacation. Get a free quote to get started booking your trip!
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 All-inclusive vacations can be more alluring than your typical beach vacation for many reasons. Paying one flat rate for a vacation package and knowing that most meals, drinks, and activities are included with your stay is a refreshing sigh of relief for many vacationers. All-inclusives are designed to provide everything you need, giving you little reason to leave the resort during your entire vacation. With a wide variety of resort options throughout the world, you'll want to keep these few things in mind as you plan your trip. 1. Know What's Included Most all-inclusive vacations offer your room, most meals, drinks (including alcohol), resort amenities, and activities for one package price. However, "all-inclusive" doesn't always mean everything related to your vacation is included. Off-resort excursions, room service, spa treatments, WiFi, golf, and premium restaurants may require an additional fee. Some resorts include standard meals and soft drinks in their pricing but upcharge for high-end liquors and entrees like lobster or steak. Before you book your all-inclusive resort, you'll want to be completely aware of what's included to avoid a surprise bill at the end of your stay. You'll also want to understand tips at all-inclusive resorts. Some resorts have a strict no-tipping policy, while others include gratuities in their resort fees but allow guests to tip staff for exceptional service. 2. Pick the Right Resort With over 250 all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean alone, picking the right vacation destination may feel overwhelming. All-inclusive resorts range in theme from romantic getaways to family-friendly fun. When deciding which resort to stay at, understand what you'd like to accomplish during your trip. Do you want to relax by the beach with your significant other all day? Are you interested in watersports and other excursions where you can explore the local area? Will you be looking to bond with your young children? You'll also want to consider the atmosphere. Would you prefer a small resort with a secluded feel or a larger resort's bustling activity and nightlife? You should also keep in mind family-friendliness if traveling with children. Some resorts require guests to be over 21 or only allow families to book rooms in specific areas of the resort. Not sure where to start? Just Add Magic Travel® can help you find the perfect all-inclusive vacation destination for you and your family. Get a quote today!  3. Know Your Dining Options Although meals may be included and unlimited, there are a few things you'll want to remember to ensure you take advantage of every dining option available. First, most all-inclusive resorts offer a range of bars, buffets, and table-service restaurants. While you can walk in and dine at most buffets and bars, some of the resort's fanciest restaurants may require an advanced reservation or an additional fee. Before you arrive, research the various dining options available and get an idea of places you'll want to try. If reservations are necessary, you should make them on the first day of your trip. Some upscale restaurants require a dress code as well. Often, this means no swim attire, flip-flops, or cut-off shorts in the dining room. 4. Take Advantage of Amenities One of the best things about staying at an all-inclusive resort is that there is so much to do! From tennis lessons to salsa classes, all-inclusives provide a wide range of activities to keep you entertained day and night. You may even learn a new skill in the process! Make sure you take advantage of complimentary watersport rentals, activities, classes, and live entertainment. For more fun, book an off-resort excursion to explore the local area. At night, listen to bands, jazz musicians, and DJs at the resorts' lounges, or take in a theatrical show or movie. Most resorts will provide a schedule of activities for your stay upon arrival. Keep it on hand to ensure you don't miss out on everything the resort offers!  5. You Get What You Pay For My biggest tip for all-inclusive resort vacation planning is to understand that you get what you pay for. Some all-inclusive brands are intrinsically more expensive than others but won't nickel and dime. Other brands are budget-friendly but may hit you with upcharges and fees upon arrival. Understand that resorts that appear to be cheaper may end up costing you more in the end. There are also many ways to add luxurious experiences to your all-inclusive vacation. Budgeting for a few extras will enhance your trip and make it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here are my favorite ways to indulge:
Expert Tips for All-Inclusive Resort Vacation PlanningJust Add Magic Travel is a concierge-style travel agency that will help you plan your all-inclusive resort vacation from beginning to end. I'll be with you every step of the way, from choosing a resort to adding on surprise experiences. Most importantly, I'm here to answer any questions you may have about booking your trip. Get a complimentary quote for your vacation. I will be in touch shortly with my recommendations!
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Aileen Mullee-DiTuriOwner of Just Add Magic Travel Posts
September 2022
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