Looking for a warm weather resort for your family? Fodor's Travel web site just published an article called "Top 15 Warm Weather Resorts for Families". In reading it, I made a few notes that I'd like to share with you.
The articles cites two resorts on Hawaii:
Both of these are great choices. My personal favorite is The Grand Wailea. While the beaches in Maui are fantastic, the Grand Wailea Resort itself will keep you and your family busy and engaged, all in great style. I've had many clients stay at both of these resorts and feedback is consistently positive. From the East Coast it a long flight so make sure you have enough time budgeted to really enjoy.
While some people love Atlantis, I personally think it's over priced. When we visited with our family everyone had a great time to be sure. But food was very expensive (more than at other resorts in Bahama) and the rooms were just OK. The marine habitat exhibits are fantastic though. My recommendation is to stay somewhere else and visit Atlantis. And the Bahamas are not all that far South which means it never gets all that hot.
Club Meds are great for family vacations since there's all sorts of included activities. What really sets Club Med apart are the sports - from beginner to expert, from kid to mature adult, they will have an activity suited to you. And the food is always great at Club Med. Plus all meals are served family style so your 10 year son will have a great chance to meet other 10 years olds.
This is our favorite resort - and not just for families. My husband and I have been there many times just ourselves. In fact, I've sent many honeymooners there as well. Why? The beach is pristine with great snorkeling close by. The resort is expansive and offers many choices of quality food. Lots of great bars (our daily mojitos in the pool bar every day around 5pm and our favorite bar tender always saved fresh mint for us). Add in three great pools, loads of kids activities and a water park and you have a great experience. The people at Sandals / Beaches really know how to make a vacation easy and all inclusive.
People start thinking about winter get-aways to warm places right about now. Many of these resorts book up early so planning ahead is important. I've had to turn people away from Beach Turks and Caicos because there was just no space available a year ahead of time. I guess warm weather fun means early planning.
There's many more places to go in the world with your family as well. The sky's the limit.