All-inclusive resorts are perfect for families any time of the year, but especially for the Christmas holidays. Any parent knows how much work goes into preparing and planning the holidays. At the best all-inclusive resorts for Christmas, someone else does most of the planning and preparation so you can focus on relaxing and having fun as a family.
All-inclusive resorts already offer a long list of activities, amenities, and dining options, but all the extras make them especially great for holiday season getaways. Think glittering decorations, festive events and food, and lots of FaceTime with Santa. With the holiday cheer these resorts offer, no one will be grumpy during the Christmas holidays. I have handpicked the best all-inclusive resorts for you this Christmas.
First Time Tips: New to an all-inclusive resort? These are the best ones for beginners
1. Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts
Locations in the Dominican Republic and Mexico
Make your child’s Christmas dreams come true at Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya in Mexico. In addition to year-round character meet-and-greets, family slimming, water park time, and other extravagant fun at the two resorts, the Nickelodeon Holiday Extravaganza will feature events from December 1, 2024 to January 2025. All kinds of seasonal offers are available until the 14th of the month. .
Punta Cana Resort features seasonal festivities including tree lighting, pineapple decorations, Christmas Eve activities such as “snowball fights” and cookie decorating, and Santa’s grand arrival on Christmas Day. At Riviera Maya properties, expect a spectacular New Year’s Eve party with a holiday-themed character breakfast, gingerbread decorating and ornament making, a Dreams of Christmas evening show, and live performances, acrobatics, and fireworks at the resort’s Plaza Orange can.
More information about Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts:
2. Beach resort
Location of Jamaica and Turks and Caicos Islands
If your child can’t imagine a vacation without a Scout elf, Beaches Resort is the perfect place to go this holiday season. The super kid-friendly all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica (Negril Beach and Ocho Rios Beach) and Turks and Caicos Islands (Turks and Caicos Beach) are once again partnering with The Lumistela Company to bring back the Elf on the Shelf Festival. The second year will run from November 29, 2024 to January 3, 2025.
Book a Butler Level room and bring your elf along on your journey to enjoy VIE (Very Important Scout Elf) services including milk, cookies, and mini marshmallow bubble baths. Activities include weekly luxury Sweet Island Soirée Holiday Parties and “The Elf on the Shelf Santaverse” movie nights under the stars. Scout Elf Central is the resort’s hub for Elf on the Shelf-themed games, activities, and crafts.
Beaches Resorts details:
3. Club Med Quebec Charlevoix
quebec, canada
Spend your vacation in a winter wonderland at Club Med Quebec. This all-inclusive resort in Canada’s Charlevoix region has all the makings of a white Christmas, with over 300 snow-covered acres of everything from skiing (lessons are included in the price) and ice skating to dog sledding and luge tracks. We offer you a lot of fun. Special holiday activities add to the excitement with chef-prepared feasts, holiday-themed shows, Santa encounters, and all kinds of bright decorations.
Club Med’s excellent kids program allows toddlers to teens to participate in a variety of winter activities at this all-inclusive resort this Christmas. Families can also gather together to enjoy Club Med’s signature French-inspired culinary experiences (think fondue nights and maple syrup-making classes). There is also a lineup of evening entertainment. The cozy guest rooms have a modern design that reflects Quebec’s indigenous heritage, and some offer views of the St. Lawrence River.
Learn more about Club Med:
4. Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun
cancun, mexico
Holiday season festivities at Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun begin with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. On Christmas Eve, families can watch a performance of “The Nutcracker” and watch Santa arrive at the resort aboard a holiday train filled with presents for children. At the resort’s kids club, young guests can build and have fun breaking traditional seven-point piñatas together. New Year’s Eve celebrations include music, live performances, an impressive fireworks display, and a lively pool party with music and dancing to ring in the new year.
For a special holiday getaway, book a suite with views of the Caribbean Sea from your private balcony. Then, enjoy quality time with the family at the resort’s beach, nine pools, and seaside water park.
Learn more about Cancun resorts:
5. C Lazy U Lunch
Granby, Colorado
A family trip to C Lazy U Ranch is recommended any time of the year. But visiting this all-inclusive ranch resort at Christmas is even more special. Christmas Day includes carol singing, cookie decorating, night skating on the pond, and even Santa visiting in a horse-drawn sleigh.
C Lazy U Ranch is known for its excellent programming for children and youth. While kids enjoy these activities, adults can explore the resort’s 8,500 acres on horseback (horseback riding is the resort’s focus) or cross-country skiing. At the end of the day, the whole family can relax in one of the resort’s luxurious cabins. Most cabins have stone fireplaces and are decorated with tabletop Christmas trees for a festive touch during the season. The special holiday program will run from December 22 to 27, 2024 and requires a minimum stay of 5 nights.
For more information about Otoko Ranch, please see below.
6. Grand Velas Los Cabos
cabo san lucas, mexico
Grand Velas Los Cabos offers holiday magic for the whole family. What is your activity schedule for this Christmas season? Gingerbread decorations, themed shows, and traditional Mexican posadas. Bring your holiday pajamas for a fun Christmas morning brunch and have your camera ready when Santa arrives at your resort by helicopter. You can pre-decorate your Christmas tree in your suite or have it delivered with ornaments for your family to decorate. We can also arrange for gift-wrapped toys to be delivered to your child’s suite on Christmas morning.
All year round, the Teen Lounge features a pool table, ping pong table, karaoke, game pods and a bar serving non-alcoholic drinks, while the Kids Club hosts arts and crafts sessions, games and other fun activities. Parents can visit the spa or spend time in the adults-only infinity pool.
Los Cabos details:
7. Mohonk Mountain House
New Paltz, New York
One of the best family resorts in the United States, Mohonk Mountain House honors its Victorian roots during the holiday season. Vintage meets modern with activities like ice skating, campfires, visits with Santa, holiday music performances, and 19th century-style crafts. And since this all-inclusive resort is located in New York’s Hudson Valley, there’s a good chance you’ll have a white Christmas.
At Christmas time, the whole family can enjoy productions of A Christmas Carol, selections from The Nutcracker Ballet, movie nights, the lighting of the Hanukkah menorah, and dazzling outdoor winter lights. You can enjoy it. Add to this winter activities such as snow tubing, ice skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Other family friendly resorts:
8. Lopesan Costa Bavaro Resort, Spa & Casino
punta cana, dominican republic
Located on Punta Cana’s Bavaro Beach, this expansive 1,042-room all-inclusive resort has separate sections for families and adults. There’s plenty for the family to enjoy here, including seven freshwater pools, an on-site water park, water sports and games on the beach, a spa, bowling alley, and a casino.
Lopesan Costa Bavaro celebrates the holiday season with breakfast with Santa, holiday games by the pool, a Christmas-themed buffet dinner, and a holiday show called “Magical Christmas” in the theater that includes live music and dancing. Here you can turn snow into sand and spend your vacation in the sun in a scenic location.
Other holidays in the Dominican Republic:
9. Woodloch Pines Resort
Hawley, Pennsylvania
A perennial family favorite, Woodloch Pines Resort is a dreamy all-inclusive resort for your Christmas vacation. Outdoor fun includes snow tubing, ice skating, marshmallow roasting, holiday-themed scavenger hunts, and wagon rides through the resort’s Festival of Lights display (where kids might spot Santa).
If you prefer to relax indoors, this Poconos Mountains family resort offers holiday-themed “Bakery Wars,” games and crafts, live entertainment for the family, traditional “reindeer” races, and an indoor pool and splash park . Suites and rooms are finished in a woodland cabin style and often offer views of the lake.
More family-friendly resorts:
10. Dreams Macau Beach Punta Cana
punta cana, dominican republic
Each suite at Dreams Macau Beach Punta Cana features a private balcony or swim-out pool, perfect for making the most of the all-inclusive resort’s tropical atmosphere. Four pools, an on-site water park, kids and teen clubs, and more than a dozen restaurants and bars offer a variety of activities year-round.
Other vacations in the Caribbean:
But this sunny spot transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season, with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony to kick off the season and the entire grounds decked out in festive decorations. Enjoy a special Christmas Eve buffet filled with holiday delicacies. Then, on Christmas morning, welcome Santa who will arrive at the resort with gifts for your little ones. The family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration includes a dinner and party with a special show that lasts until after midnight.
The post 10 Best All-Inclusive Family Resorts for Christmas 2024 originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
Details about FamilyVacationist:
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Use FamilyVacationist’s travel recommendation methodology to explore and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews, and travel equipment recommendations.
