The family of Palace Resorts offers travelers a "greener" option, as they take steps to ensure they impact the environment less than traditional resorts by utilizing paperless technology, donating unused food, recycling and saving energy. Saving resources does not mean skimping on quality, however. The Palace Resorts Aventura Cove Palace extends along the Riviera Maya, allowing visitors to appreciate and enjoy the natural beauty of the Riviera's tropical landscape. Swimming in any of the nearby coves, kayaks and snorkeling, free scuba demonstrations in the pool, a dance club -- open early just for teenagers -- a dive tank and bicycles for rental are all included in your stay. Spa services are available for an additional charge.
At the resort, which offers 24-hour room service and dining in any of its three restaurants or five lounges and snack bars, you won't have any trouble finding something delicious to eat or drink at any hour of the day or night. The Kids Club is open from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. for children ages 4 to 12 and has its own pool, recreational area and video game area where you can leave the kids when you want to lounge poolside.
Dreams Huatulco Resort is on the coast of Oaxaca on the Pacific side of Mexico. Located in the largest of the nine unspoiled bays of Huatulco, the Dreams Huatulco resort and spa has an all-inclusive option called "Unlimited Luxury." All rooms offer a private terrace, 24-hour room service, daily refreshed mini-bar with fresh juices and twice-daily maid service. Activities such as kayaking, snorkeling and rock climbing are included in the package, while wave runners, scuba, sport fishing and golf are available for an additional charge. There are movies on the beach, dancing and music, theme parties and nightclubs to enjoy after dark.
With the Unlimited Luxury service at Dreams Huatulco, you can eat at any of the six gourmet restaurants or sip cocktails at any of the six lounges without needing a wristband. For romantic dinners, some of the dining options are adults-only, while most are family-friendly with a casual dress code. For families traveling together, kids between 3 and 12 years old can hang out at the Explorer's Club and jump on the ocean-trampoline or go on overnight beach tent camp-outs. Parents are given a pager, and the kids can goof off and have fun while mom and dad lounge by the pool or go for a hike.
The Iberostar Resort Cozumel is located about 20 miles outside of Cozumel city, looking out on Playa del Carmen. A mecca for scuba divers, it is situated near two coral reefs, the Palancar and la Pared de Santa Rosa. The hotel is perfect for families or couples looking for a relaxing beach vacation and adventurous day trips to nearby archeological sites and ancient Mayan temples. The rooms at the Iberostar Cozumel are bungalow-style, with a look and feel more like a home than a massive hotel.
Dining at the five-star Iberostar Cozumel includes two a la carte restaurants, a buffet restaurant and a steakhouse in addition to the snack bars and cocktail bars located throughout the resort. People traveling with children between the ages of 4 and 12 can drop the kids off at Lucy's Club for the day for some privacy or supervision during scuba diving adventures. All-inclusive guests wear a bracelet indicating that they may eat, drink and participate in sports and shows for no additional charge, though guests may opt not to do the all-inclusive option.
