Turquoise waters, white sand beaches, pools aplenty, activities for kids of all ages, and all-you-can-eat gourmet dining. Maybe you’ve seen the commercials for Beaches Resorts and wondered whether it’s the real deal? Well, we were curious, too, so we set out to Beaches Turks & Caicos to see for ourselves. Was it as advertised? We won’t keep you waiting in suspense. Bottom line … YES.
Here are 5 reasons why this Beaches resort is a great family destination:
1. Good for Multi-Generational Vacations
After two years of keeping socially distant from one another, now’s your chance to gather the extended family together. Spacious accommodations, ranging from hotel rooms all the way up to 4-bedroom residences, allow for family groups to stay together. However, if you prefer privacy or your own space, you can book accommodations near each other instead.
Our 2-bedroom, 2-bath villa in the Key West village had a living room, dining room, kitchen (with a fridge stocked with beverages), and a washer and dryer. It easily slept six people, with plenty of space for everyone.
KidTripster Tip: The resort consists of five villages – the Key West, Italian, French, Caribbean and Seaside Villages. When booking with a group, try to stay in the same village. The property is expansive, although you can walk from one end of the resort to the other in less than 15 minutes. If you’re traveling with anyone with mobility issues, you can request transportation around the resort.
2. All-Inclusive is Better for Budgeting
Beaches Turks & Caicos is a truly all-inclusive resort. That means everything is covered, even the alcohol. This allows you to accurately budget for your vacation in advance. No surprises. The only additions to our bill at checkout came from a few items we purchased in the gift shop.
KidTripster Tip: There’s no tipping required – or expected – on property. You’ll notice many of the servers and bartenders wearing buttons that say “no tipping.” There’s one exception – guests may tip butlers at their discretion. Don’t bother converting any cash for your trip because the U.S. dollar is the official currency of Turks and Caicos.
[Related: Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort Review]
3. Activities Are Part of the Deal
All-inclusive doesn’t just apply to meals and beverages at Beaches Turks & Caicos, it also applies to all water and land activities. Adventures that might require an additional fee at other resorts are free at Beaches.
Your unlimited water activities include aquatrikes, snorkeling, glass bottom boat tours, windsurfing, paddle boards, and kayaks. Scuba diving trips are included, too, for PADI certified guests, with a maximum of two tanks a day.
KidTripster Tip: If you or your kids aren’t PADI certified, you can still experience scuba diving. To do so, you’ll need to participate in a 3-hour training session, taught by certified professionals. It costs $120. After getting the certification, you can do one dive a day.
If you prefer to swim in a pool rather than the ocean, there are many to choose from. We counted at least ten! There’s also the Pirates Island Waterpark. Yes, a waterpark is located inside resort! It has pools, waterslides, a lazy river, and a surf simulator. Another fun feature is the swim up bar for the kiddos which serves smoothies.
Land activities include volleyball, basketball, lawn chess, tennis, shuffleboard and more. Access to the fitness centers and fitness classes are included, too.
4. All Ages Entertainment
From the youngest to the oldest in your travel party, there’s something for everyone to do. And, you guessed it, it’s all included in the price of your vacation.
For Babies, Kids & Teens
The Beaches Turks & Caicos Kids Camp is broken into different age groups, each with its own daily activities schedule.
The younger kids will experience Camp Sesame with appearances by Sesame Street characters. Camp hours vary, but generally operate from 9am to 9pm.
- Infant Program: Newborn to 24 months
- Toddler Program: Ages 3-4. Example activities: treasure hunts, magic shows, shell collecting, splashing in toddler pools, and sand castle building.
- Navigators Program: Ages 5-7. Example activities: beach science, beach olympics, arts and crafts, and talent shows.
- Adventurers Program: Ages 8-10. Example activities: beach sports, swimming, snorkeling, and talent shows.
- Tweens Program: Ages 11-14. Example activities: beach sports, surfing, snorkeling, dance parties, and karaoke.
- Teen Program: Ages 15-17. Example activities: boat cruises, pool olympics, water sports, karaoke, and disco parties.
KidTripster Tip: Beaches Kids Camps are autism friendly. Kids Camps are Advanced Certified Autism Centers. Staff members have the training, skills, and temperament to work with all children. You’ll see Sesame Street characters strolling around the resort, including Julia, a character who has autism.
For Families
There’s plenty to do as a family especially at Pirates Island where there’s the XBOX One lounge for players of all ages. The Port Royal Game Room has ping pool, pool table, air hockey and more.
Check out the nightly entertainment. The fun starts with an early Sesame Street show and it’s followed up by evening performances suitable for all ages. We enjoyed the fire dancers at Island Culture night, as well as Hollywood Night, where performers sang and danced to movie classics.
There are special weekly events, too, like a big Beach Party and the Sesame Parade. Expect to see characters from Sesame Street parading through the resort to the adulation of a large crowd. Even the grown-ups seemed starstruck by the sight of Big Bird. Can you blame them?
For Adults
There are several adults-only spaces around the resort including pools and lounges. Check the activity guide, which will be left in your room each night, for the latest adults activities. Expect things like trivia night, karaoke, etc.
If you prefer to dine without the kids, several restaurants are for adults-only. However, many have a “Resort Evening” dress code which means no shorts, t-shirts, flip flops or sneakers.
5. Something for Everyone to Eat
With 21 restaurants at Beaches Turks & Caicos, you’re guaranteed to find something for everyone, even the picky eaters. Go ahead and order double portions, extra appetizers or a bonus dessert because it’s all included.
At check-in, you’ll receive a dining guide that lists the restaurants and hours. QR codes will link you to the menus allowing you to preview them in advance. There’s a wide range of cuisines. Most restaurants have sit-down service, but some are buffet-style. For ultra casual dining, be sure to check out the food trucks in Pirates Island and the Jerk Shack in the Caribbean Village.
We were seated quickly and our food arrived shortly after ordering which is always appreciated when dining with tired and hungry kids.
Reservations aren’t needed except for Kimonos, where chefs cook the food Teppanyaki-style right in front of you.
The dress code is “Resort Casual” at nearly all restaurants. As mentioned above, a few locations (primarily the adults-only), have a “Resort Evening” dress code.
[Related: What to Expect with Dining with Food Allergies at Beaches Turks & Caicos]
KidTripster Tip: Beaches Turks & Caicos has an on-site “Culinary Concierge” that helps navigate food allergies and other dietary restrictions, like kosher meals. You’ll want to visit the “Culinary Concierge” desk after checking-in. The office is only open during the day. You’ll decide where want to dine in advance and fill out a form with your food selections. The concierge provides the restaurant with this information prior to your arrival. Be sure to take a photo of your form to remember your dining location and meal choice. It’s easy to forget the details when you’re having fun on vacation.
Interested in booking a Beaches vacation? Our partners at Magic Family Getaways will handle all of the details. Advisors can also answer questions about the autism and dining programs. There’s no cost to you when working with Magic Family Getaways, however KidTripster receives a small commission. This helps support our small business. Please mention “KidTripster” or use our special KidTripster link when booking.
The writer received a complimentary stay for purposes of this review. All opinions are her own.
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