Nannies at Tropical Resorts
Free Child Care for Youngest Guests in Mexico and the Caribbean
These three resorts go beyond "kids' camps" to offer complimentary personalized babysitting and enriching children's activities--even for babies and toddlers.
Family vacations in the tropics are great for making special memories that will last a lifetime. And naturally, most traveling families do enjoy all the quality time spent with one another--away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
But there may be times during a family vacation when it's nice for Mom and Dad to have some quiet time alone--whether it's for a grown-ups only snorkeling trip, romantic dinner out or afternoon at the spa.
Many all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean offer organized daytime kids' camps for children age 5 or older. Personalized child care for toddlers and babies costs extra, as does child care for school-age kids once camp is closed for the day.
Some upscale family-friendly resort hotels offer similar kids' activities for potty-trained children, but again, care for the property's youngest guests is additional.
Here are three resorts--one all-inclusive in Jamaica, one all-inclusive in Turks & Caicos and one luxury boutique hotel south of Cancun--that offer complimentary child care, even for infants. Of course, you are, in effect paying for the care in the cost of your room or your all-inclusive package, but the opportunity for a bit of kid-free time is probably worth it!
Upon arrival at this all-inclusive resort on the north coast of Jamaica, families are assigned a "Vacation Nanny," who is at your service full time during each day of your stay. Her services, from 9 a.m. to 4:40 p.m., are included in your package. Known for being warm and friendly, these women are simply on call as needed -- whether you only want her to watch your children over lunchtime, or for the entire day. If you'd like your Vacation Nanny to help out with child care in the evening, she can stay on to feed and bathe kids and get them to bed for only $4/hour.
This family resort also offers an included kids' program, with arts & crafts and activities at a club house that's open from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Then there are supervised activities for teens, including scuba diving instruction. A sister property, FDR Pebbles, is also located on the north shore, and offers the same Vacation Nanny service.
The child-care program at this all-inclusive resort in Turks & Caicos (three sister resorts are on Jamaica) features "Ultra Nannies" who staff nurseries for newborns through 23-month-olds. These nannies have been trained and certified to care for infants, and they'll cradle, coddle and interact with your babies from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Two- to five-year-olds hang out at a special Kids Kamp just for them. They might build sand castles, play in the toddler pools, collect sea shells or go on treasure hunts. This age group in particular will love the fact that there's a Sesame Street themed agenda every day at the resort. Preschoolers can enjoy special character breakfasts, listen to stories with Elmo, bake cookies with the Cookie Monster or dance with Zoe.
Older children are broken down by age groups (6-7, 8-12, 13 & up) and enjoy activities that are age appropriate -- from glass-bottom boat rides, to beach volleyball, to teen dances.
This 50-acre beachfront resort in Playa Xpu-Ha, along the Riviera Maya 45 minutes south of Cancun, offers complimentary nannies on call for up to two hours at a time. The service is designed for parents who would like to indulge in a spa treatment at the on-site Aroma Spa or enjoy Mesoamerican cuisine at the hotel's Sal y Fuego ("Salt and Fire") restaurant.
Babysitters can watch infants in guests' rooms or cottages. Older kids can meet up with other young guests on the beach or in the lobby's public spaces for Spanish and Mayan language classes or storytelling of local fables.
