Over the Thanksgiving break we took our first trip as a family of five to Cancun, Mexico. We have three girls, ages 5, 24 months, and 3 months. We knew our trip there which was international with three kids in tow plus all the COVID restrictions would be an adventure on its own. Minus a little flight delay, the flight was smooth sailing or should I say flying all the way to Cancun. Upon arrival, getting through customs and picking up our luggage at baggage claim was a breeze. We obviously didn’t travel light, but managed all of our luggage, and three car seats on our own. After making our way to transportation we easily located our transport company that I had pre-arranged. I booked it through the Cancun Airport website, and the costs for a one way 10 seater van was around $30 to our destination. Our first stop on our vacation was at the recently opened Margaritaville Island Reserve. This all-inclusive, family friendly property is owned by Karisma Resorts.
Since we took an evening flight, we arrived at the hotel during night time. A storm had just come through so it was really windy and wet. After getting through the gate, we took a road to the resort. The staff was waiting for us upon arrival to take our luggage and greet us with hand sanitizer. Once they unloaded our luggage they disinfected and wiped it all down, they also had mats we had to walk over to clean the soles of our shoes, and then we had our temperature scanned. Once we completed all the COVID measures they had in place, we were given margarita popsicles, don’t worry the kids were virgin ones! We then were given a brief tour of the property, and taken to our room.
Margaritaville Island Reserve has a total of 148 suites, four restaurants, four pools, six bars, and one spa.
Our room was a Swim Out Paradise Suite. Since we were traveling with a newborn they provided a baby crib, a bottle warm, bottle sanitizer, and a baby bathtub/changing table to accommodate Peyton. This was a very nice touch and made things a little less stressful since we had most of the conveniences of home. After we were given a tour of the room, we got changed and headed to dinner at the Italian restaurant, Frank & Lola’s.
I must say there is nothing like that first sip of your first drink on a vacation, so the first Cadillac Margarita at dinner was a memorable one!
The next day it was quite windy due to the tail-end of the storm. So we ate breakfast inside the Beach House. At the Beach House, like all restaurants at the resort, our temperature was taken, and we were given hand sanitizer and the restaurants QR code to scan so we could see there menu on our phones. If you are from out of the country, don’t worry, the resort does offer free wifi. Due to COVID restrictions the buffet was closed, so everything was served a-la-carte.
Post breakfast, we got changed and headed to the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar and Pool while we waited for my parents arrival at the resort. My parents arrived around noon, and we were all excited they made it there because we took the trip to celebrate my dad’s 60th birthday which was on the following Sunday. We then headed to The Beach House where they were serving the Rita’s Taco House menu because the roof of Rita’s had been damanaged during the storm and was being repaired.
After lots of fun in the sun, we got ready for dinner. Since we did Italian the night before we opted for the Latino, a Latin/Asian Fusion Restaurant. After a delicious meal, we walked over to Compass Bar, which is a rum bar close to the hotel lobby, for a night cap.
The next day we started off our morning at The Beach House for breakfast then went back to the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Pool. This pool is in the center of the resort and overlooks the ocean. If you are traveling without kids, there is another pool that overlooks the ocean called, License to Chill Bar, that is an adults only pool. Since we had three kids with us, I did not get a chance to spend anytime there.
Speaking of traveling with kids, Margaritaville Island Reserve, does have a great kids club. It is called the Parakeets Kid’s Club, and it is complimentary. They provide activities daily for kids ages 4-12 years old. McKenna loved it, and asked to go everyday. If you have younger ones, you can also bring them too, just note that you will have to stay and supervise them while they attend. One of the days, they took the kids to the S.O.S. Swim-up Bar area where they hung a piñata for all of the kids to swing at in front of the hotel guests. It was quite entertaining and I could see that all the children loved it.
For lunch we had Rita’s again, it was delicious as usual. The chips with the salsa spread they bring out is fantastic, but my favorite part was the fresh guacamole they prepared. I seriously could eat it everyday. If you get a chance to eat there definitely order the nachos because they come out in a can and are quite a treat.
After a fun filled day of relaxing, it was time for dinner. We ended up heading to The Beach House for dinner. While we ate there was live entertainment, including a mariachi band.
We had such a great time celebrating my dad’s birthday at Margaritaville Island Reserve. If you are looking for a family friendly resort with a boutique feel only 20 minutes from the Cancun Aiport, Margaritaville Island Reserve is the place. Thank you so much to the amazing staff that made our stay so enjoyable.
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a Rafflecopter giveawayHave any questions about Margaritaville Island Reserve? Leave a comment below.
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