We are delighted that so many parents of newborns, and even many who are expecting, are anxious to know where to go, how to get there and what to bring along. Our parent company, www.FamilyTravelForum.com honored these resorts in 1999, and are all worth considering for your first (or first with a baby) family vacation. Here's a look at the resort today.

Beaches Negril, Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort and Spa
Norman Manley Boulevard
Negril, Jamaica
800/BEACHES
Previously catering to singles and honeymooners, the Sandals family of deluxe all-inclusive resorts is now a trusted name in the family market. With the same stylish décor, lavish buffets, varied activities and personal service, Beaches Negril and Beaches Turquoise provide excellent programs for infants, children and teens combining attentive care, great learning opportunities, and lots of fun. 

We prefer the Beaches Negril facilities, designed and built by Sandals, to Beaches Turquoise, the fully renovated former Royal Bay Resort and Village. However, the latter is quite convenient to the T&C airport and saves on the wear and tear of the 90-minute ride from the Montego Bay Airport to Negril. Both upscale resorts pride themselves on an exquisite seaside location and all the watersports a beach holiday has to offer, with a particular emphasis on the world-class scuba diving at Turks & Caicos, an outstanding destination for divers of all levels.  Both resorts offer a full service spa (an optional add-on) and serve varied and tasty international cuisine at buffets or at a choice of a la carte restaurants. Families can dine together or apart - adults can enjoy a leisurely, romantic dinner while kids eat and play under counselors' supervision.

Available at both locations are spotless, carpeted, air-conditioned group play areas for newborns to 5-year-olds from 9:00am to 6:00pm daily. Uniformed Nursery Attendants, known as Ultra Nannies, are trained in infant care, safety, and CPR by the recreation department of Penn State University.  They lovingly look after the infants and toddlers with time at the sand-floored playground, petting zoo or wading pool.  Private evening babysitting can be arranged for parents who want to party in the evening.  The 6-12s have Beaches Kids Kamp from 9am to 9pm with a full day’s program of optional activities including baseball, arts'n'crafts, pool games, group water sports, snorkeling with a lifeguard, lawn tennis, sand castle building, reggae dance lessons and an X-Box Game Oasis.  Teens (13-years-old and up) are offered a varied program of activities during the day, and a place to hang out in the evenings.

Toddlers can enjoy their Beaches vacation with television friends Cookie Monster, Grover, Zoe, Bert, Ernie, Elmo and Sesame Street's newest addition, Abby Cadabby through Beaches Resorts Caribbean Adventure with Sesame Street, featuring year-long activities and appearances by beloved Sesame Street characters. The jam-packed agenda of Sesame Street-themed fun includes programs such as Sesame Street Stage Shows, storytime with Elmo, and baking with Cookie Monster.  Every Sunday, a Sesame Street character will appear before a children's movie plus there's an ice cream sundae kiosk and snacks, popcorn, and beverages. Your kids can participate in a parade alongside the Sesame Street and Beaches characters with music, clowns, and costumes. At an additional charge, families can meet with the gang at a Character Breakfast (reservations a must!). The resorts also offer themed parties where Sesame Street friends wish your child a "Happy Birthday" during a festive celebration.

Beaches Negril and Turks & Caicos both feature their own variations on Pirate’s Island, a pirate-themed park with rides and entertainment just for kids.  Negril’s Pirate’s Island is more like a water park, featuring a lazy river, water cannons, water slides, and a misting pool.  The Pirate’s Island at Turks & Caicos has a water slide, a kids-only pool complete with swim-up soda bar, and also fun things to do out of the water such as dancing at the teen disco or enjoying a root-beer float at the 50s-style diner. Please refer to our story entitled “Beaches Turks & Caicos Opens French Village,” an updated report of the children’s facility.

Beaches all-inclusive packages include room, all meals, beverages, alcohol, most land and watersports and all group childcare.

1999 Top 10 Getaways for Tiny Travelers
Top Beach Resorts:
Beaches Negril, Jamaica
Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort and Spa

Boscobel Beach, Jamaica
Top Family Camps:
The Tyler Place Family Resort, Vermont
Montecito Sequoia Lodge, California
Top International Getaways:
The Athenaeum Hotel and Apartments, London
Club Med
Shangri-La's Fijian Resort, Fiji
Top Ski & Summer Resorts:
Smugglers' Notch, Vermont
Grand Targhee, Wyoming
Top Spa:
The Peaks Resort & Spa, Colorado