What's Old is New Again

Modern luxury merges with ancient culture at afull day is $50 while the half-day is $35.
seaside resort in the Riviera MayaBesides the structured activities for kids, outings to the
Traveling to the tropics of the Riviera Maya is not onlyclean, well-maintained beach are a must. And parents
adventurous - it's also incredibly fun for families. Thedon't have to worry about their children having all the
Fairmont Mayakoba, nestled on the Yucatan Peninsulafun. With a fitness center, a spa, 4 restaurants, lounges,
along the Caribbean Sea, is an exceptional resort forand bars and golf and tennis options, Mom and Dad
parents and children. With impeccable service andhave plenty of ways to work out and chill out. "We
entrancing surroundings, the Fairmont Mayakobaplayed tennis and used the gym and the spa - all were
combines the best of both the modern and the ancientexcellent" says Claudia. In-room babysitting services
world.are available as well, although parents should be
Accommodationsaware that the cost is $18 an hour, with an extra hour
The Fairmont Mayakoba offers severalcharge if they stay out past 11pm. Claudia spoke well
accommodation options for traveling families. Theof both the babysitters and the kid's club service,
upscale, modern resort, located just 42 miles south ofstating that " the babysitters and the kids' club staff
Cancun, features 401 rooms spread throughout thewere well trained, very professional and the kids had a
indigenous jungle. The Fairmont also offers 34 beachgreat time."
and lagoon casita and casita suites. They are idealOffsite Adventures
choices for families; large and stylish, offering plenty ofThe Fairmont Mayakoba is ideally located for regional
space for everyone. Joy Bartolini, who has vacationedsightseeing. Although it may appear isolated and
at the Fairmont Mayakoba with her family for the pastremoved, it's a mere 10-minute drive into the town of
two years, describes the upgraded casita suites asPlaya del Carmen. Joy recommends the beach in
"enormous," with the two extremely large rooms andtown, particularly on weekends when local families are
bathrooms almost too big for a family of four. Familiesaround. Parents can rent a few lounge chairs for $10
will never get tired of feasting their eyes on the viewsand sit right at the water's edge.
from the large balcony. And you can rest assured thatAyahamint Aguirre, from the Reservations Department
you'll be treated well no matter which room youat the Fairmont Mayakoba, was brimming with
choose. "The staff could not have been moresuggestions of family-friendly activities around the
accommodating" says Claudia Volpi, who also stayedresort. The Cedam Maritime Museum in Puerto
at the Fairmont Mayakoba with her family, including herAventuras houses an interesting display of various
two young daughters. The resort recently earned theartifacts from shipwrecks along the coastline.
AAA's Five Diamond AwardÂ(R) and theAdventurous types should visit Aktun Chen, the
number 10 spot on the Top 15 Central America/underground dry caves located in the jungle between
Mexico Hotels in Condé Nast Traveler'sAkumal and Xel-Ha. Older kids will love checking out
20th Annual Reader's Choice Award 2007 issue.the stalactite and stalagmite formations and might
(source:even see a spider monkey or two. Horseback
Onsite Explorationsexcursions throughout the jungle can be arranged at
With a vast array of onsite activities at thisthe resort, and fishing boats can also be chartered for
non-inclusive resort, families will find it easy to tailor theira day or a half-day of deep sea fishing.
vacations to their specific tastes. Golf carts and boatNature and animal-loving families should visit Punta
rides make exploring the resort and its environs easyLaguna to see wildlife like birds, deer, turtles and
and enjoyable. Joy Bartolini recommends the naturecrocodiles. The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is also
boat ride around the property, complimentary fornot to be missed - not only will families be awed by
guests of the resort. "This was one of the highlights ofthe spectacular flora and fauna and natural
the trip for the kids as they saw tons of iguanas andecosystems (freshwater canals, mangroves, and
two crocodiles," she says. They also have "a residentlagoons abound) but will get to feast their eyes on
crocodile named paco the croco -- too cute" saysunexcavated Maya ruins. Ayahamint likens the nature
Claudia Volpi. "We saw turtles, the crocodile - lots ofpark Xcaret to "an Eco Maya theme park," describing
wildlife in its own element, which had an added benefitit as "a paradise for children." Joy also recommends
for my kids."Xcaret, ideal for older children since swimming and
The Fairmont Mayakoba has an impressive variety ofvisiting the water theme park are two of the highlights.
activities designed specifically for children, with multipleMany of these activities require reservations, which
kids and adults pools to choose from and a kid's clubcan be made at the resort upon arrival.
that features activities for a variety of ages. TheFood, Family-style
resort structures the kid's club according to age range,When it's time to eat, the Fairmont Mayakoba caters
combining games and excursions with activities thatto parents and kids with their multiple restaurants and
teach the children about the region's history. Thesnack bars. "The food situation was wonderful - they
Discovery Club Expeditioner, for ages 4-8, featureshad restaurants that were all well-equipped for kids,
onsite excursions, arts and crafts, games, and music.and also a deli on property where you could get
The Adventure Camp Explorer, for ages 9-14, is asnacks and other items," says Claudia. If you're
counselor-based program that can include everythingventuring into town, Joy recommends the HC de
from golf and biking lessons to onsite tours and visitsMonterrey, an outdoor steak grill filled with locals in
to the teen gym. And the Master ExpeditionerTulum Pueblo. Her kids couldn't get enough of La
program, for ages 15-18, features such activities asParrilla in Playa del Carmen, where the waiters balance
belly dancing lessons, Capoeira lessons, blind volleyball,drinks on their heads before serving them to the table.
water limbo, sports competitions, obstacle challenges,"The kids thought that was a riot," she says. "The food
and bike tours. For older teenagers who can't bear tois great and every time we've been there has been a
leave technology behind, the program includes accesslive band which added to the festivities." She also
to the Internet and an X Box games. Parents canrecommends John Gray's Place for lunch, also a
enroll their kids in a full-day or a half-day program: Thestone's throw from the resort in Playa del Carmen.