Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort Family Activities

Unlike some Riviera Maya resorts, the beach at Grand Velas is ample: 1640 feet of ocean frontage, divided into an adult section that borders the Grand Class wing and the larger section abutting the family-friendly Ambassador Class wing. Along with chaises, bed-sized loungers swagged with white curtains beckon on the sand and the staff is happy to plant a beach umbrella at your side for shade.

Although the sea here isn't flat, a strategically placed artificial breakwater often reduces the waves headed to shore to manageable ripples. Young kids, however, may need some coaxing into the water as the waves crashing on the far side of the breakwater--delightful to hear for adults--may sound frightening. Once in the water, the gentle slope makes the relatively shallow area stretch for about 10-15 feet, depending on the tide.

Non-oceangoers can play in the pools, three nearly connected expanses of water. Little ones splash in the shallow area with its zero-entry and maximum depth of 18 inches while older kids and adults swim in the other two sections. No fountains, geysers or sprays entice kids, but the pools do come with sweeping beach and sea views.

The Kids Program operates daily for ages four to 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m., with facilities in both the Ambassador and the Master sections. Children craft masks, create balloon animals, play Xbox and Nintendo Wii games, learn Spanish words and listen to stories. Since most activities take place inside the children's activity room, the program typically works better for younger kids. Older children may enjoy participating in select activities such as Guitar Hero tournaments, but likely won't be happy doing crafts indoors for much of the day. Parents must take their kids out of the program for meals.

Although the resort's Web site lists a teen program, managers tell us that this won't really get going until spring 2010, when the teen center is slated to open.

A drawback for some guests is that the list of activities--complimentary or for extra fees-- at the Grand Velas isn't as extensive as at some other all-inclusives. While you won't find skateboarding, trapeze flying or even tennis, you can sign up for free snorkeling, sailing and kayaking trips and join in bocce and volleyball games. Or take a free ecological bicycle tour of the property, learn about the eco-system, and adopt a mangrove or zapote tree for a $10 donation to an ecological foundation. The resort, which has already re-forested the property with more than 19,000 adult trees, will plant a tree in your name, provide a certificate and give you the coordinates of "your" tree so you can watch it grow on Google Earth.

What can you do in the evenings with your kids? Take to the stage of the Karaoke bar, open just for families from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Then settle in to your spacious room for sweet dreams.

With the help of your concierge/butler, book off-property excursions to Tulum, an impressive Maya ruin about one hour away, as well as outings to nearby Playa del Carmen for shopping, and to Xcaret, a park combining animal viewing, swimming with dolphins and evening performances of traditional Mexican dances.