As you probably know, resort pricing is quite different from standard hotel pricing, in that is charged per person, per night. This is because there are many more inclusions than just the room itself. And when you’re planning a destination wedding at a family friendly property, it’s important to understand child pricing at all inclusive resorts as well.

A very common question I am asked is – do kids stay cheaper at all inclusive resorts?

And I’m happy to share that the answer is, YES! Kid prices are typically cheaper than adult prices.

Since kids cannot drink alcohol and will likely not eat as much food as adults, they are priced accordingly.

Let’s dive into the specifics!

Kids Stay Cheaper At All Inclusive Resorts

While every resort handles their child pricing differently, almost all resorts do offer “discounted” rates for kids, so they aren’t paying adult prices. Let’s talk about some different ways they breakdown the prices.

Price is determined by age

Again, all resorts are different, and they sometimes change their pricing method throughout the year – during peak or shoulder seasons, etc. So this information is general, not specific to any resort or wedding group. Be sure to double-check pricing for your specific situation!

Okay, let’s talk about the different ways resorts break down kid pricing.

0-2 years old

Some resorts allow kids 0-1 or 0-2 to stay for free, which is of course awesome!

Other resorts have extremely discounted prices for this age group.

Just keep in mind that even a “free” stay for a small child will probably still come with some type of costs or needs. The most common are:

• Round Trip Ground Transportation– For my group contracts that include free kids, they still have to pay for their per-person round trip ground transportation. A seat in a shuttle is still a seat in a shuttle)
• Crib, toddler bed, pack-n-play, etc. – While these items are often free, they will require advance notice for the resort, and are usually available upon request and pending availability.

3-7 years old

The next general age range for resorts is around 3-7, though this can vary.

This age range will have its own set of pricing. Less than adults, more than the babies, but still a discounted child price.

Finally, we’ll move on to teenagers.

13+ years old

Unfortunately, most resorts require that kids aged 13 and older pay adult prices.

Of course, this varies by resort, but I’ve seen this at just about every family friendly resort I’ve priced out. I suppose this is because teens eat a LOT, so who can blame them?

Just remember, despite the fact that 13+ kids will pay as adults, the drinking age in-destination will still remain intact. Usually the drinking age is 18 at most destinations that I work with, but you’ll check out the local laws when you choose a destination for your wedding.

Are there any exceptions to these pricing rules?

Yes! Of course a room block contract wouldn’t be complete without at least one silly stipulation in there! (this is one of the many reasons you want an expert helping you with your room block!).

There are a few exceptions to child pricing at all inclusive resorts.

If a child is traveling with ONE single adult, many resorts (not all) require that child to pay as an adult. This is basically a “first two guests pay as adults” rule that some resorts use.

Similarly, if you’re booked in a connecting room (2 connecting junior suites for instance), there are also minimum occupancy requirements in those rooms. If you do not meet the minimum number of adults in the room, most resorts will charge the kids at adult prices, until you reach that minimum number.

I know that’s a bit confusing – if you have any questions about this, feel free to email me!

Just remember, all resorts have their own sets of rules, and even then, some change from season to season. Very few rules are absolutely set in stone. So we won’t know most of them until we get a quote or a room block contract. That’s when we’ll be able to dive into the specifics of your situation.

Can kids stay at adults only properties?

I know, I know. Lots of destination wedding couples have just one kid that they need to bring or invite, but otherwise want an adults only resort. Those couples often ask me if they can get away with just one kid, especially if it’s an infant.

Unfortunately, no. Resorts are VERY strict about their age limits.

But keep in mind that not all resorts are either family friendly, or 18+. There are a few resorts out there who are 16+ which can sometimes give enough wiggle room to satisfy your needs for the guest list, and also check a lot of your resort preference boxes at the same time.

Again, this is another reason to hire a destination wedding expert travel agent to help you find the perfect resort.

There are SO MANY out there, and each come with their own sets of rules, offerings, amenities, and more. It’d be nearly impossible to sort through all of those options yourself, much less keep up with the ever-changing rules, names, renovation dates, and more. Plus, the experience I bring to the table simply cannot be matched by hours and hours of googling.

Can kids come to my destination wedding at an adults only resort?

Again, many couples only want a few kids to attend their wedding, but really want to have an adults-only property. These guys will ask me about kids staying off-site, and coming to the resort ONLY for their wedding, so they can choose an adults-only property.

While this sounds like an awesome and convenient option, unfortunately, this is just not a thing that resorts allow.

I wish they did! But part of keeping the adults only vibe going, is the fact that they’re really strict about their rules.

I know it feels like they should be willing to bend the rules “just this once,” but remember, most resorts host 1-3 weddings every single day of the year. So a few exceptions could really get out of hand quickly, especially if word got out and EVERYONE wanted their own exception.

Plus, having kids running around with pools, alcohol, and other potentially dangerous situations can of course be a big liability for resorts. So instead of taking on additional liability, they just draw a hard line at no kids. 🤷‍♀️

If you think about it from your vacation perspective, not your wedding perspective, you probably wouldn’t want kids running around at your adults-only resort while you’re relaxing, partying, dancing, drinking, and swimming with your fiance, friends, and family. They’ve got to draw the line somewhere, and that is just one of those places where they hold firm to their age boundaries.

BUT, there is one excellent way to sort of “work around” this issue of wanting an adults only vacation and resort, but also wanting or needing to invite kids to your destination wedding.

The Best of Both Worlds – Adults Only and Family Friendly Resorts, Side by Side

Instead of having to choose between an adults only resort where you must exclude all kids, and choosing a family friendly resort, where there will probably be many kids around, I’m here to suggest may favorite alternative option.

For couples in this situation, I often help them find a resort complex that provides the best of both worlds.

In these situations, multiple resorts within the same brand family sit on one, big property. This “resort complex” is usually made up of at least two resorts. One that’s for adults only, one that’s family friendly (and sometimes some additional options, too.)

These are all technically separate resorts. If you wanted to just stay at one of them for your wedding, honeymoon, family vacation, or any other reason, that would be just fine. Each resort is a complete all inclusive property with its own restaurants, spa, pools, beach area, etc. You could easily have an entire vacation there and never know anything about the resort(s) next door.

But the beauty of choosing a resort complex for your destination wedding is that you can get the best of both worlds for you and your group.

In fact, most room block contracts will allow you to block off rooms on both “sides” (properties) of the resort. No need for two contracts. You’ve got lots of flexibility to get exactly what you need for you and your destination wedding guests.

What Resorts Have Complexes with Side By Side Options?

Great question!! While a large part of my job is to help you find the perfect resort(s) for your destination wedding, I know the urge to research is no joke!

I should emphasize that NOT ALL properties in the brands I’m going to mention all offer complexes like we’re discussing here. However, all the resort chains or families in this list do have at least one complex somewhere in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, or other Caribbean destinations.

Here are some examples of resorts that have an adults only property sharing space with a family friendly property:

• Secrets and Dreams
  • Secrets is adults only, Dreams is family friendly
• Hyatt Ziva and Zilara
  • Hyatt Zilara is adults only, Hyatt Ziva is family friendly
• Hoteles Xcaret: Arte, Mexico & La Casa de la Playa
  • La Casa de la Playa is 18+, Hotel Xcaret Arte is 16+, Hotel Xcaret Mexico is family friendly
• Grand Palladium & TRS
  • TRS is adults only & Grand Palladium is family friendly

I’ve booked weddings at every one of these resorts, and have had several where the room block spanned across both properties in the complex. It made things incredibly easy for the wedding groups to all get exactly what they needed!

WHERE You Have Your Wedding Is Important

The one super important thing to know about resort complexes is that IF you’re planning on having children attend your wedding, most resorts will require you to hold your wedding events on the family friendly side of the property.

Again, this is to maintain the adults only vibes on the adults only property.

I’ve helped plan many weddings at resort complexes like this, and they’ve all been GORGEOUS. Family friendly resorts still have incredible destination wedding venues. So don’t let this stress you out. It’s not bad, just important to know ahead of time, so you can look at the correct set of wedding venues during your search.

Reciprocity Between Resorts

One of the coolest parts about many (NOT all) resort complexes is their opportunity for reciprocity between the two properties.

Reciprocity between resorts means that (if it’s allowed at your resort), guests staying at the adults only property will likely have access to the family friendly property.

This gives you the opportunity to go “down” to the family friendly property that sits just next door, usually a few minutes’ walk away. You can hang out with your guests who are staying on the family side, and then come back to the adults side you’re staying on for a more elegant or upscale (child-free) resort experience.

Plus, you get double the amenities!! If you’ve got access to both properties, that means you get access to their restaurants, pools, gym, spa, and more! SCORE!!

Remember, my caveat here is that all resorts are different. So they do NOT all follow the same rules. Please ask your travel agent about each resort complex specifically, and find out their reciprocity rules before making any decisions.

Sometimes It Goes Both Ways

Obviously it’s incredible to have the opportunity for guests at the adults only property go “down” to the family friendly property! But sometimes resort reciprocity is even better, and goes both ways.

In these instances, adults staying at the family friendly property are allowed to go “up” to the adults only property.

This is often made easier by resorts who offer various kid services like kids clubs, babysitting, and more.

Just keep in mind that every resort is different, and their different child services offerings and reciprocity rules are all different. So if you have some specific needs in mind, be sure to ask your travel agent (that’s me!) during your complimentary consultation call!