Hotels and resorts are eager to bring in those family dollars and often, they are willing to forgo additional profit just to fill rooms. The "kids stay and eat free" promotion is nothing new, but is it a bargain, or just a way to lure you into staying at a resort that has inflated its prices to start with?
These advertised promotions, especially in the Caribbean, are frequently introduced during the low season, in summer and hurricane season, but some extend throughout the year and are valid in high season too. Airlines occasionally get in on the act, offering reduced or free airfare for kids with accompanying paying adults. When deciding whether or not to take advantage of these programs, it is important to first way up how much the room will cost you ultimately, how expensive or suitable the restaurants are for your children and whether your kids meet the age requirement (some programs are for 17 and under, whilst others only cater to 12 and under or toddlers/infants). There may also be a few hidden extras and fees, like "resort fees," taxes, crib rental or additional bed charges. Obviously the eateries or all-inclusive buffets will cater to your children's dietary requirements, but do they appeal to you as discerning foodies?
Also you need to weigh up the type of vacation environment you are after -- a pool surrounded by hundreds of kids and plenty of child-centric activities or a more quiet oasis where you may be the only family around? Ultimately, these types of vacations, like all-inclusives in general, will suit families who are after a low-maintenance getaway and aren't that interested in eating out away from the hotel, and those who are happy to socialize and spend time around lots of other families with children. If that is your type of vacation, then here are a few value-for-money promotions currently on offer throughout the Caribbean to entice you. Make your reservation by November 16, 2009 and take advantage of reduced rates, saving you up to 45%, plus kids stay and eat free at seven individual Divi Resorts (www.diviresorts.com) located in Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, St Croix, and St Maarten. You can stay throughout the fall, up to December 25, 2009 for as little as $99 per night per room and there is no minimum or maximum night stay requirement, so overall this could be a great deal. For example: A four-night, midweek stay at Divi Dutch Village Resort, located on Druif Beach on the west coast of Aruba during the month of November can cost as little as $99 a night for a family of four (with two adults and two children under 12) if you are willing to squeeze into a studio suite with the kids sleeping on a pull out sofa or $206 in a much more spacious and accommodating two-bedroom suite. The two-bedroom suite comes complete with one and half baths, two king-sized beds, a queen -sized pull out sofa bed and a kitchen.
Meal wise, you can either choose an all-inclusive plan (which increases the per night stay per adult), pay as your go and buy "Meal Plan" vouchers redeemable at your choice of three restaurants on the property or next door at the Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort. Standard vouchers are $12.50 for breakfast, $15 for lunch and $30 for dinner per adult (for the deluxe meal plan at are slightly higher, $17.50, $40 and $40 respectively). The kids eat free program will save you $38.50 per day per child based on the standard meal plan rates for children aged three to 12. Children's poolside activities are offered during the week, and Divi staff is available to help arrange childcare for additional cost. There is also a "kids fun club" at the Divi Tamarijn
In St. Maarten at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort just outside the capital of Philipsburg, rates drop by over 30% in the fall so if you add that to the kids stay and eat free program, your stay can be quite a bargain. You can either choose an all-inclusive rate of a smidgen over $100 a day per person, or stay in a beachfront king deluxe room for $100 per room per night and just add on your adult meals. There are junior suites, casitas and one-, two-, or even three-bedroom suites to choose from ranging from $111 to $224 per night. Because the rooms have kitchens, you have the benefit of being able to prepare kids meals at "home," and they even have an online grocery delivery service so your fridge and pantry will be stocked on arrival. There are also three restaurants on the premises offering a variety of dining options for you and your children. Here the stay and eat program extend to kids 15 and under.
In Jamaica, at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Montego Bay all-inclusive (www.caribbeanhi.com/jamaica), kids 12 and under stay, play and eat free throughout the year. Last year, the resort had an extensive facelift and there is plethora of water sports, activities and the free KidSpree Vacation Club open daily from 9am-9pm. The Club features an adjacent playground, jungle gyms and slides that are safely located in a fenced playground right on the beach specifically designed to please their younger guests. Children between the ages of six months and three years can be cared for in their Granny's Nursery, four to seven years join the Adventurers Club, and eight to 12 years can hang out in the Wonder Years area at no additional charge. Stay at Sunspree in November and an ocean-view room with two double beds on an all-inclusive plan starts from $199 per night for two adults and two children aged 12 and under (interestingly, this rate was for a non-smoking room, whereas a smoking room was $10 less). The 18.25% tax is included in the rate and they offer a "Hurricane Free" guarantee which promises to provide return stays at the resort should a hurricane interrupt your travel plans or stay for more than 24 hours.
Still in Jamaica, the three-and-a-half-star beachfront Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort & Spa (www.sunsetjamaicagrande.com) in Ocho Rios has a summer vacation sale that extends all the way up to the end of November, and their all-inclusive rates for stays in November start from $136 per room per night which includes two adults and two children under 12 (staying in an upgraded ocean view room) and the kids stay and eat free program. Although taxes are additional, tips and gratuities are included. Facilities include Club Mongoose, a free program for children two to 12, the "Jamrock Teen Center" for older children, and five swimming pools; dining at your choice of six on-site restaurants (including the café, pool side, beach grills and theme party buffets); a gym with aerobics classes and free weights; a range of non-motorized water sports; Jacuzzis; two tennis courts; daytime activities and nightly events; and Jamaican music, food, and cultural performances at weekly themed parties.
The all-inclusive Dreams Resorts (www.dreamsresorts.com) have offered their kids stay and eat free promotion for the entire year, and will continue to do so until just before the peak holiday season (either December 19 or 23, but there is a blackout period over Thanksgiving week at almost all of their resorts). Depending on which of their resorts you choose (there are ten luxurious resorts located in Mexico and in the Dominican Republic), this could result in up to $700 in savings for a family of four and is valid for families with two paying adults and two kids aged 12 or under staying in the same room. Dreams is a more up-market option that many of the other all-inclusives that cater for children, so you'll be starting at a higher price point, but the deal is still very reasonable.
Travel in November and stay at the Dreams Punta Cana Resort in the Dominican Republic in a oversized junior suite with two double beds, separate living room, and private terrace with outdoor Jacuzzi for $313 per night (or $1,568 for two adults and two children for a five-night stay). This price also includes taxes, fees, airport transfers, all meals and activities. The resort itself features seven restaurants; a huge pool that snakes its way through the property; water sports; a full-service spa and the Explorer's Club, for youngsters aged three to 12 years old. Explorer's Clubs are fully and professionally supervised and offer daily activities based around nature, science and exploration. Parents with children under age three may use a non-supervised infant's area near the beach which includes a pool, indoor and outdoor playground, nap area, and large screen television. Baby-sitting is available for an additional charge. Prices are similar at Dreams Cancún, Mexico with a five-night stay for a family four costing $1,600 during the month of November 2009.
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