8 of the best hotels for a family vacation in the Caribbean

At the Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana, breakfast with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a yummy treat for the whole family — Photo courtesy of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts

Fun in the sun is even more fun when the entire brood travels together. Known as a multi-generational holiday, grandparents, kids and grandkids bunking in the same resort has quality time written all over it. Whether you choose a seaside all-inclusive resort or a standalone villa, an extended family vacation in the Caribbean is a win-win.

For a holiday home run, check out these family-friendly suggestions and trade the whines for wows in record time.

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana – Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic at the Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana, strike a pose at a green slime party — Photo courtesy of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts

In the Dominican Republic, families that play together stay together at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana (or Nick Punta Cana as the kids call it) on Uvero Alto Beach, north of the Punta Cana Airport. A true original, the all-inclusive offers 208 suites, 10 restaurants, three bars, four pools and 24-hour room service. Not to mention, the Pineapple Villa inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants’s home in Bikini Bottom is super cool and super kid-friendly.

Keeping the theme, there’s splashing around the Aqua Nick water park, as well as breakfast with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. For fussy eaters, go for the intergalactic treats at Spacewalker where the servers are dressed like astronauts. At the top of the bucket list, green slime parties are a resort rite of passage.

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort – Sint Maarten

In Sint Maarten, it’s a watery wonderland at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort with a trio of pools, sea views and a sandy beach — Photo courtesy of Divi Resorts

Prettier than a postcard on a private peninsula in Sint Maarten, it’s one-stop-shopping at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort where families are welcome in multi-bedroom suites or a 3-bedroom penthouse for larger groups. Sweetening the pot, add a trio of pools, five restaurants, three bars, a spa, paddle boards and a mascot parrot named Gizmo. For junior history buffs, the resort is next to Fort Amsterdam, built by the Dutch in 1631.

Ideal for wallet-watchers, kids up to 5 years old stay and eat without additional charges when families book an all-inclusive stay.

Mount Cinnamon Grenada

In Grenada, fondly dubbed the Spice Island, Mount Cinnamon Resort is an enclave for families — Photo courtesy of Ed Shepard Photography

Tucked on the hillside atop Grand Anse Beach in Grenada, Mount Cinnamon hits the sweet spot for a more-the-merrier vacation in villas like the 6,000-square-foot Cinnamon Heights with a pool, laundry facilities and views of the Caribbean Sea.

Going above and beyond, there’s snorkeling, as well as farm-to-table dinners sourced from the onsite gardens. Massages in the Cinnamon Spa do a grown-up afternoon proud, and for a lesson in marine conservation, the resort sponsors Dive Grenada’s Grand Anse Artificial Reef Project, which builds artificial reefs from construction blocks.

Ocean Club Resorts – Turks and Caicos

Fronting Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos Islands, Ocean Club Resorts offer families a myriad of activities — Photo courtesy of Ocean Club Resorts

It’s a twofer at the Ocean Club Resorts fronting spectacular Grace Bay Beach in Turks and Caicos Islands. With multi-bedroom suites with kitchens, washers and dryers, families staying at either Ocean Club or Ocean Club West have access to the restaurants, pools, water sports and tennis courts at both resorts.

Family freebies include bikes, kids’ Seafari program and a digital guide for sightseeing suggestions. The walk between the two resorts is short. However, for those not up for a stroll, a shuttle bus makes the trip.

Atlantis Paradise Island – Bahamas

In the Bahamas, Atlantis Paradise Island impresses with marine programs at Dolphin Cay where kids and grown-ups meet and greet the friendly dolphins — Photo courtesy of Atlantis Paradise Island

With all the amenities of a cruise vacation, but without living on the water, there’s so much variety at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas that you may need a Sherpa guide to lead the way. Home to the largest open-air marine habitat in the world, the super-sized resort is comprised of five hotels built around the Aquaventure Water Park that has 11 pools, river rides and five miles of sandy beaches.

Get up-close-and-personal with the gentle mammals at Dolphin Cay and, for the not-so-squeamish, scary sharks live in the Predator Lagoon. Back on land, you’ll find Ocean Club Golf Course, Atlantis Casino, Jokers Wild Comedy Club, Mandara Spa and a trove of restaurants, from those presided over by celebrity chefs to the more laid-back McKenzie’s Conch Shack on the beach.

Beaches Ocho Rios – Jamaica

On the north coast of Jamaica, Beaches Ocho Rios is an all-inclusive vacation playground with a Pirates Island Waterpark, spacious suites and seven restaurants — Photo courtesy of Beaches Resorts

Where the hardest decision you’ll make is whether to go to the beach or to one of five pools, Beaches Ocho Rios is an eat, play, sleep and repeat resort. On the north coast, the all-inclusive comes with family-sized suites, seven restaurants, speedy water slides, Pirates Island Waterpark, tennis, Sesame Street parades and a Kids Camp for tots, tweens and teens.

Kids stay, play and eat for as low as $45.00 per night, as long as they bunk in the same room as the grown-ups traveling with them. Nannies are available to watch the kids, should those of a certain age stay up late busting a move on the dance floor.

Turtle Beach – Barbados

The beach is just the beginning at the all-inclusive Turtle Beach by Elegant Hotels on the south coast of Barbados, where activities go the distance, from surf lessons and pastry demonstrations to cricket on the beach — Photo courtesy of Elegant Hotels

In the brand-reliable All-Inclusive by Marriott collection, Turtle Beach in Barbados is one of several all-inclusive resorts in the Elegant Hotels portfolio. Suites with sofa beds are big enough for families, and to keep boredom at bay, all-ages activities include calypso dance lessons and pastry-making demonstrations.

A big plus for grandparents rocking TikTok, Wi-Fi works on the beach. To switch up the scenery, families can eat and play at the other participating all-inclusive Elegant Hotels resorts, a short taxi ride away.

Altamer Resort – Anguilla

In Anguilla, super-luxe Blue Diamond Villa at the Altamer Resort is a seaside stunner ideal for large families who covet privacy — Photo courtesy of Qualls Benson

For families wanting to keep everyone under the same roof, Blue Diamond villa at the Altamer Resort in Anguilla sleeps up to 11 people. Spanning 13,000 square feet, this flower-shaped villa dazzles with butler service, a pool, tennis court, kayaking and perches for privacy should Grandpa prefer a solo afternoon. For family bonding, the dining room seats 14 and the Jacuzzi fits 12 people.