The Traveling Tinsleys

Tag: hotels

  • 6 best family Resorts in Mexico (That Parents Will Actually Enjoy Too)

    6 best family Resorts in Mexico (That Parents Will Actually Enjoy Too)

    Hot take:

    The best family vacations are the ones where parents enjoy themselves too.

    I love my kids, but I don’t want to spend an entire vacation coordinating meals, entertaining bored children, or feeling more exhausted when I get home than when I left.

    That’s why I’m picky about resorts.

    When I’m looking for a family resort, I want:

    ✔️ Great kids clubs

    ✔️ Family-friendly rooms

    ✔️ Easy dining options

    ✔️ Pools and activities for all ages

    ✔️ Enough downtime that mom isn’t working the entire trip

    After researching, touring, and staying at resorts throughout Mexico, these are some of my favorite family-friendly options.

    Xcaret Mexico

    If your family loves adventure, Xcaret is hard to beat. This one is very high on our list to visit!

    What makes it special:

    Unlimited access to Xcaret parks
    Your stay includes admission and transportation to multiple adventure parks, including Xplor, Xenses, Xel-Há, and more.

    Unique nature experiences
    Think underground rivers, caves, wildlife encounters, and eco-adventures you won’t find at a typical beach resort.

    Family suites designed for larger groups
    Many rooms comfortably accommodate families without squeezing everyone into one small hotel room.

    Best for:

    Families who want more than just pools and beaches and love active vacations.

    Finest Playa Mujeres

    This resort consistently gets recommended by families for one reason: it makes traveling with kids easy.

    What makes it special:

    Excellent kids club and teen club
    Activities are organized and engaging, giving parents a chance to relax.

    Large family suites
    Many room configurations work well for families who want extra space.

    Calm beaches
    The Playa Mujeres area tends to have calmer water than many Cancun resorts.

    Best for:

    Families with kids of different ages who want a traditional all-inclusive experience.

    Club Med Cancun

    Club Med is one of the most activity-packed resorts in Mexico.

    What makes it special:

    Included sports and activities
    Sailing, trapeze lessons, tennis, archery, and more are included.

    Fantastic children’s programming
    Kids clubs are available for a wide range of ages.

    Beautiful location
    The resort sits on a peninsula with gorgeous water views and multiple beach areas.

    Best for:

    Active families who want to stay busy all vacation long.

    Dreams Playa Mujeres

    Dreams Playa Mujeres checks a lot of boxes for families looking for an upscale all-inclusive experience.

    What makes it special:

    Water park with slides
    A huge hit with kids and older children alike.

    Family suites
    Many rooms are designed specifically with families in mind.

    Access to neighboring amenities
    Guests can enjoy additional dining and entertainment options nearby.

    Best for:

    Families wanting a balance of relaxation and activities.

    Why it’s my favorite points-and-miles option

    This is currently my favorite beach resort to book using points.

    One of the best parts is that Dreams Playa Mujeres participates in Hyatt’s all-inclusive portfolio, which means you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points directly to Hyatt and often get incredible value.

    Current points strategy:

    ➡️ Chase Sapphire Preferred currently has an all-time-high 100,000-point offer. Apply here.

    ➡️ Chase Ink cards are currently offering 100,000-point bonuses as well. Apply here. And if you think you don’t qualify for a business card, you are probably wrong. See my Biz Guide on how to apply using a side hustle like selling on Ebay or FB marketplace.

    Those welcome bonuses alone can go a long way toward helping your family book a Mexico resort vacation for a fraction of the cash price.

    Hyatt Ziva Cancun

    Hyatt Ziva Cancun is one of the most popular family resorts in Cancun for good reason.

    What makes it special:

    Prime beachfront location
    The resort sits on a peninsula with water on multiple sides.

    Great food
    For an all-inclusive, the dining options are consistently rated among the best.

    Family-friendly without feeling kid-focused
    There are plenty of activities for children, but adults still feel like they’re on vacation.

    Best for:

    Families who want a resort that appeals to both parents and kids.

    Nickelodeon Riviera Maya

    If your kids love Nickelodeon characters, this resort creates a truly memorable experience.

    What makes it special:

    Massive Aqua Nick water park
    One of the biggest draws for families.

    Character experiences
    Meet beloved Nickelodeon characters throughout your stay.

    Swim-up suites
    Many rooms feature direct pool access, which kids absolutely love.

    Best for:

    Families with younger children who want a highly themed vacation experience.

    Which Mexico Resort Is Right for Your Family?

    If your family loves adventure:
    ➡️ Xcaret Mexic

    If you want a classic luxury all-inclusive:
    ➡️ Finest Playa Mujeres

    If your kids never stop moving:
    ➡️ Club Med Cancun

    If you’re maximizing Hyatt points:
    ➡️ Dreams Playa Mujeres

    If you want a balance for both parents and kids:
    ➡️ Hyatt Ziva Cancun

    If your kids love characters and water parks:
    ➡️ Nickelodeon Riviera Maya

    At the end of the day, the best family vacation is the one that gives everyone something to look forward to—including mom.

    As a points-and-miles family, I’m always looking for ways to make these resorts more affordable, and many of our favorite trips have cost a fraction of what most people think they should.

    Ready to Start Traveling More for Less?

    Grab my free guide to earning points and miles and learn the exact strategies our family uses to travel 10+ times per year without paying full price.

  • The Westin Bora Bora Review: Resort Highlights, Excursions & How We Booked with Points

    If I had to sum up our stay at the Westin Bora Bora in three words, it would be:

    The views. The views. The views.

    Every morning we woke up to jaw-dropping views of Mount Otemanu rising out of the turquoise lagoon. It’s one of those places where you find yourself constantly stopping to take another photo because you can’t believe it’s real.

    While Bora Bora is famous for its overwater bungalows, what really made this trip special was how easy it was to relax. We spent our days soaking in the scenery, enjoying the lagoon, and taking advantage of everything the resort had to offer.

    Our Favorite Things About the Westin Bora Bora

    1. The Incredible Views of Mount Otemanu

    No matter where you are on the property, the views steal the show.

    Whether we were lounging by the pool, biking around the resort, sipping cocktails, or sitting on our deck, Mount Otemanu was always front and center. If you’re looking for that classic Bora Bora postcard view, this is it.

    2. The Free Bikes

    One of my favorite little touches was the complimentary bikes.

    The resort is large enough that having bikes makes it fun to explore, and we found ourselves riding around every day. It’s a great way to take in the scenery and get from one side of the resort to the other.

    3. The Lagoon-Style Infinity Pool

    The infinity pool overlooking the lagoon was one of our favorite spots to spend the afternoon.

    Between the stunning views and the calm atmosphere, it was easy to lose track of time here.

    4. The Food and Drinks

    The pool and beach menu was surprisingly good.

    A few favorites:

    • Shrimp roll
    • Tuna poke bowl
    • Tropical cocktails

    The cocktails were excellent, and the resort even offered complimentary rum tastings during our stay. We discovered several local rums that we probably never would have tried otherwise.

    5. The Beach and Water Activities

    If sitting and enjoying the views isn’t enough, the resort also offers:

    • Snorkeling
    • Kayaking
    • Stand-up paddleboards

    We spent plenty of time enjoying the lagoon right from the resort.

    Don’t Skip an Excursion

    As relaxing as the resort is, I highly recommend getting out on the water at least once.

    We booked a snorkeling excursion through and it ended up being one of the highlights of the trip.

    Not only did we get to snorkel in crystal-clear water, but I also got to:

    • Hold a stingray
    • Swim with sharks

    Yes, actual sharks.

    It’s one of those experiences we’ll be talking about for years.

    The Best Meal We Had in Bora Bora: Villa Mahana

    If you’re staying at the Westin, make a reservation at Villa Mahana.

    Trust me.

    The Westin helps arrange transportation, which includes a boat ride followed by a short bus ride. It sounds like a lot of effort, but it was absolutely worth it.

    The restaurant is incredibly intimate, with only a handful of tables, creating a truly special dining experience.

    Chef David prepares an unforgettable meal, and his mother creates much of the artwork displayed throughout the restaurant.

    Everything we ate was exceptional, and it ended up being our favorite meal of the entire trip.

    If you’re celebrating something special—or simply want an unforgettable dinner in Bora Bora—put Villa Mahana on your list.

    How We Ended Up in Bora Bora for 423,000 Marriott Points

    Here’s the funny part.

    This trip actually started because I was trying to take my daughter to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.

    When Marriott announced a promotion allowing members to redeem 500,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for Eras Tour tickets, my husband and I went into points-earning mode.

    We opened several Marriott cards and started building our balances as quickly as possible.

    Unfortunately, the ticket redemption opportunity didn’t work out.

    But the story has a happy ending.

    We still made it to the Eras Tour thanks to Capital One cardholder ticket access—and we were left with a huge stash of Marriott points.

    Instead of using them for concert tickets, we used 423,000 Marriott Bonvoy points for an incredible stay at the Westin Bora Bora.

    Honestly, I think we came out ahead.

    The Easiest Ways to Earn Marriott Points

    If Bora Bora is on your bucket list, Marriott points can make it much more attainable.

    Marriott Bonvoy Cards

    One of the fastest ways to earn enough points for a luxury redemption like this is through Marriott credit card welcome bonuses.

    This card has an evelavted offer that makes the annual fee zero

    Depending on current offers, a single welcome bonus can put a significant dent in the points needed for a stay like this.

    Don’t Overlook Business Cards

    Many people assume they don’t qualify for business credit cards.

    The truth is, you probably do.

    If you’ve ever:

    • Sold items on eBay
    • Sold items on Facebook Marketplace
    • Freelanced
    • Tutored
    • Driven for a delivery service
    • Had any small side hustle

    you may qualify.

    I put together a complete guide explaining exactly how business cards work and how to apply:

    BUSINESS CARD GUIDE

    A Great Transfer Opportunity Right Now

    One of the most exciting opportunities available right now is the Chase transfer bonus to Marriott.

    Apply here for elevated INK cards

    With a 55% transfer bonus:

    • 100,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points become 155,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
    • 200,000 Chase points become 310,000 Marriott points
    • 300,000 Chase points become 465,000 Marriott points

    That means a welcome bonus that earns 100,000 Chase points could potentially become 155,000 Marriott points during the promotion.

    That’s a substantial boost toward a bucket-list redemption like Bora Bora.

    Final Thoughts

    The Westin Bora Bora exceeded our expectations.

    The views of Mount Otemanu are unforgettable, the resort strikes the perfect balance between luxury and relaxation, and there are enough activities and excursions to keep things interesting without feeling busy.

    Would I return?

    Absolutely.

    And thanks to a failed attempt to redeem Marriott points for Eras Tour tickets, we discovered one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever visited.