At check-in at the Azul Sensatori adults are welcomed with a complimentary glass of champagne, while children are greeted with an age-appropriate welcome smoothie and a special “Azulitos” activity book to document their vacation. But that’s just the beginning of the family experience at this new, all-inclusive Azul Hotels by Karisma property.

Why it’s family friendly

• You can order a toy from the Fisher-Price lending library right to your room, which was a big hit with my two-year-old son.
• If you want to take advantage of the property’s ample outdoor facilities (I’ve never seen such extensive pools wrapping every building), just ask the pool butler to bring junior some beach toys. There’s also a toddler play structure complete with swinging bridge, rope ladders and slides.
• Little one tired of the beach? Head to the toddler pool and splash park. Right next door is the Kids’ Club where kids ages four to 12 can play unattended and kids six months to four years can play with their parents. This includes a toddler room sponsored by Fisher-Price with all the big toys you could never lug with you on vacation. The main room is the result of a partnership with My Gym and features a mini-trampoline, a set of uneven bars and regularly scheduled music/activity classes with trained child-care professionals. There is even a nap room. Babysitting is available, but not included in the package.
• For the too-cool-for-school set, there is a completely souped-up games room (Wii, foosball, etc.). Next door, they can hang out in the ultra-sleek teens-only dance club.
• The full spa features special treatments for kids 5­”“16 years old: strawberry manicure, chocolate wraps, etc.
• There are five fine-dining restaurants on the property including Italian, Mexican and Caribbean. There is also the property’s pièce de résistance, Le Chique, an adults-only restaurant featuring an eight-course dinner included with your package or the more intricate 14-course meal for $95 US including wine paring (a two-and-a- half hour experience).
• For young paleontologists, the Azul Sensatori Children’s Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of trilobite fossils. Admission is free.

Day trips
Every building in the resort has its own concierge who will make any and all arrangements for you or your family: the ruins in Tulum, zip-lining, swimming in underwater caves and anything you find in the brochures they hand out at the Cancun airport.

Staying there
Approximately $8,340*, one week, including airfare, all inclusive (family jacuzzi suite) for a family of four. karismahotels.com

*at the time of writing