10 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts in the Caribbean

All-inclusive resorts make for great family vacations. That's because nobody has to be the bad guy saying no to just one more round of kayaking, sailing or mini-golf. Kids can go snorkeling, take nature walks and cool off in waterparks. Teens, when not busy shooting hoops, horseback riding and challenging each other in Nintendo Wii games, can devour the food. Let them eat the lobster and belly up to the buffet for more. Here, we list resorts in the Caribbean offering a wealth of things for families to do at fixed prices.

Written by Lissa Poirot
The Turks & Caicos is quickly becoming one of the most popular Caribbean destinations for families. A small island with fantastic stretches of beach, Turks & Caicos features a number of family-friendly all-inclusive resorts. The West Bay Club not only receives our recommendation as a great resort, but families have also ranked it as one of the best all-inclusive resorts. A stay at West Bay means water, water and more water fun, with a beautiful beach along turquoise blue waters, an oversized pool, a snorkeling area just a short walk away, and a number of boating adventures and tours. A boutique hotel, West Bay's 46 units feature one-, two- and three-bedroom options to accommodate families of all sizes.

Read our review of the West Bay Club.
The Franklyn D. Resort in Jamaica consistently makes our lists of best hotels, so it's no surprise it made it to our 10 favorite all-inclusive resorts, and families readily agree. All activities, meals, drinks, water sports, and kids programs are included with a stay at this family-friendly resort, as well as your own daytime nanny. Yes, we said nanny! Your nanny can watch the kids in-room or out, or just escort the kids to their kids' programs, including the Yellow Bird Kids' Club for kids up to age 12. Teens also have their own space, and all kids will enjoy the resort's three pools and beach.

Read our review of the Franklyn D. Resort & Spa.
One of the most luxurious all-inclusive resorts may not seem kid-friendly, but don't let its fame on the TV show "The Bachelor" fool you: this is a family-friendly resort. Fifty suites large enough for families feature individual plunge pools, as well as a separate game room, pool and restaurant just for families in these accommodations. Kids will love the pools and beach, as well as the nearby boating, ziplining, snorkeling and hiking.

Read our review of the Cap Maison Villa Resort & Spa.
Beaches Resorts are definitely our favorite for a family-friendly all-inclusive chain of resorts located beachside, but the best of best is its Turks & Caicos location. The large resort features three different villages: the Caribbean, French and Italian, each styled to reflect the style of its namesake. The resort recently received a $125-million expansion, and kids have more than enough activities to keep them busy, including a DJ academy, Xbox Game Garage, spa treatments, and a 45,000-square-foot aquatic playground with lazy rive, splash zones and surfing simulators. Kids clubs are available for infants, young children, 'tweens and teens, so multiple ages will enjoy the trip.

Read our review of the Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort.
Far removed from the hustle and bustle of Seven Mile Reef, families turn to the Reef Resort for a less developed side of the Cayman Islands. Rooms are located just steps away from the 1,600-foot beach, with most rooms one-bedroom suites with full kitchens and two twin beds in a pull-down living room space. All-inclusive options include a limited menu and soft drinks, a full dining menu and drinks, or a fully inclusive package of food, drinks and activities on the beach, including kayaks, sailing, snorkeling, beach bicycles and water trampolines.

Read our review of The Reef Resort.
Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is one of the hottest destinations for all-inclusive resorts. The coastal community has recently been discovered and features miles of beaches without the crowds, and resorts on the "DR" are more budget friendly than those found on other Caribbean islands. The IBEROSTAR chain of resorts all rank high on our list of all-inclusives, and the Bavaro offers families a kids club, water sports, and daily entertainment for all ages. Nearly 600 junior suites feature two double beds with a sunken sitting area.

Read our review of the IBEROSTAR Bavaro Resort.
Visitors to the Bitter End Yacht Club don't easily forget its natural splendor and often become regular guests, including a number of editors on our staff! One of the best places in the islands to learn to sail, families will enjoy the regattas and sailing programs, as well as kiteboarding, kids' club, kayaking, and excursions to the BVI's hot spots, including The Baths, a must-see-and-snorkel-in national park. The property's rooms are more like West Indian treehouses built into the hillsides: no TV, no A/C, no walls only fantastic views in villas and suites.

Read our review of The Bitter End Yacht Club.
Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas is renowned as a popular family-friendly destination, but few realize the resort is made up of a number of various properties. One of our favorites is the Harborside Resort, which is a marina village of colorful villas, a bit more removed from the craziness of the enormous resort. What is there to enjoy at Atlantis? Aquariums, kids' clubs, water parks, gardens, a zoo, fantasy camps, water sports, a pirate museum, multiple pools and, of course, beaches. Not all activities and amenities are included in an Atlantis stay, but packages can be arranged for a more inclusive vacation.

Read our review of the Harborside Resort at Atlantis.
The U.S. Virgin Islands is a great destination for families looking for a Caribbean getaway without the need for a passport. And there isn't a better spot to enjoy than St. Thomas' Ritz-Carlton. After receiving a $40-million renovation, the resort is everything one would expect from a Ritz. A daily resort fee covers the use of Hobie cats, paddleboats, kayaks, windsurfers, and snorkel equipment, and a kids' program is available for ages 5 to 12 for an additional fee. Work out a special package to make the stay all-inclusive with dining plans.

Read our review of the Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas.
A $100 million renovation, completed in 2010, turned this St. Lucian resort into one of the newest and greatest resorts in the Caribbean. Villas nestled into the hillside come with a king-size bed and pullout sofa in an adjoining room, and kids can enjoy a number of children's programs, hikes, arts and crafts, and water fun, with children paying a discounted portion for the resort price, depending on age. The resort provides an all-inclusive package, or select a la carte.

Read our review of the Jalousie Plantation.
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10 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts in the Caribbean
  1. West Bay Club
  2. Franklyn D. Resort & Spa
  3. Cap Maison Villa Resort & Spa
  4. Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort
  5. The Reef Resort
  6. IBEROSTAR Bavaro
  7. Bitter End Yacht Club
  8. Harborside Resort at Atlantis
  9. Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas
  10. Jalousie Plantation
West Bay Club Reviews
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Franklyn D. Resort & Spa Reviews
jill67will@yahoo.com - Apr 1st, 2013

Franklyn D. Resort is an older property of very large, but slightly shabby rooms. I hesitate to write shabby in fear it will turn some people off, because the shabbiness gave the resort a cozy and quaint feel. We booked a one bedroom, but were ... more +
Read more Franklyn D. Resort & Spa reviews
 
Beaches Turks & Caicos Reviews
crabbie72 - Sep 5th, 2012

We stayed for 10 days in the French Village. We had a fantastic time! Starting with arrival, nice short van ride from the airport. The room was great, our housekeeper Marsha was great. Very quickly she learned how we do things and adjusted ... more +
closedspace - Apr 12th, 2012

....unless you are one of the 5% that simply prefer to complain and be unsatisfied. It mystifies me how someone can complain about the food, service, accommodations or any other aspect of this resort. You really have to have a miserable life if ... more +
Read more Beaches Turks & Caicos reviews
The Reef Resort Reviews
Hopkinsesq@aol.com - Jun 5th, 2013

The Reef Resort in Grand Cayman is perfect for a family vacation. All rooms are ocean view and within seconds of the 2 pools on the property. The outdoor restaurant and bar are centrally located. You can actually sit on the beach and keep an eye ... more +
Read more The Reef Resort reviews
IBEROSTAR Bavaro Reviews
sbrostowin - May 28th, 2010

My husband and I along with our 17 year old son spent a week at the Ibeostar Bavaro in Punta Cana. It was one of the most wonderful places to go for a restful and fun family getaway. The hotel itself is beautiful. The rooms are spacious and ... more +
beachdreamin865 - Oct 28th, 2009

We had a wonderful week when we stayed the week of spring break. The weather was absolutely gorgeous!!! There were 8 restaurants, a huge pool. And lots of rooms that looked out onto the ocean. Money wise , as all inclusives go this was a great ... more +
Read more IBEROSTAR Bavaro reviews
The Bitter End Yacht Club Reviews
Caitlin's Mom - May 11th, 2010

If you're looking for a laid back vacation with lots of sailing and water sports and very little decision making, Bitter End Yacht club might be the place for you. We took our then 9 and 13 year old kids for a spring break vacation and really had a ... more +
Read more The Bitter End Yacht Club reviews
Harborside Resort at Atlantis Reviews
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Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas Reviews
MelissaK - May 12th, 2011

We spent Christmas at the Ritz Carlton St. Thomas Residence Club, which is a building within the resort that only has vacation rentals run by the Ritz. It was better than staying at the hotel - we had a kitchen, living room, dining room, ... more +
Read more Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas reviews
Jalousie Plantation Reviews
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