Creating memories
The Breakers Palm Beach is the perfect combination of style and fun to create unforgettable memories for families. The adventure begins in a luxurious poolside bungalow, where a concierge brings tropical drinks (the piña colada in a coconut is popular with adults, while kids love the frozen lemonade) and food from Ocean House.
The resort’s Family Entertainment Center is a paradise for families. With its 4,500-square-foot playground, mini-golf course, arcade with classic games and video game lounge, and countless activities for children, the center offers fun for everyone, including parents, who can dine comfortably in the adjacent Italian restaurant while the little ones play.
Kids can also tee off at John Webster’s Junior Golf Academy or hit the courts at The Breakers’ Junior Tennis Academy. And little girls have their own Spa Petite for mommy-and-me time. Ice cream manicures and pedicures, anyone?
Playtime with a purpose
The Acqualina Resort on Sunny Isles Beach takes childcare very seriously. The resort has partnered with Ayana Rodriguez, founder of Miami-based childcare company Itavi, to transform its AcquaMarine program into a world-class learning experience for children ages 4 to 12.
The program is based on the concept of meaningful variety and includes five “pillars” of child development with activities revolving around movement, reading, arts and crafts, playtime and cultural immersion. Salsa dancing, for example, would fulfill both the movement and cultural pillars, while a marine animal puppet show would count as playtime with a learning component. As the name suggests, AcquaMarine is ocean-themed, so many activities revolve around the ocean and all of its creatures. From seashell arts and crafts to beach cleanups, children learn about ocean sustainability in a fun way.
The best part is that parents can enjoy an adult holiday knowing that their children are well looked after and are being encouraged on several levels.
Animal instincts
Located in the heart of the Florida Keys, Hawks Cay Resort is a haven for families who want to get up close and personal with local marine life. It is the only resort in the contiguous states to offer a variety of programs to get in the water with a pod of bottlenose dolphins, including the opportunity to be a trainer for a day. It also offers family-friendly fishing trips for anglers, including tarpon, redfish and snook excursions in Florida Bay.
For kids-only adventures, the resort’s Camp Hawk invites young vacationers to the Coral Cay Activity & Adventure Center to learn about local marine life (including tarpon feeding!) and coral reefs, and have the chance to be a pirate or mermaid for a day. The kids may never want to go home.