Azul Beach Hotel

The spectacular Azul Beach in Puerto Morelos has thought of everything.

Check into one of the stylish rooms specifically set up for families with young children and you’ll open the door to a crib, changing table, plush stroller, bottle warmer, refrigerator, tiny step stool, even a little white terry robe (they carry five children’s sizes). The healthy snack bar near the pool stocks natural baby food in jars and will puree any of the glorious fresh fruits for your little one.

For children between 4 and 12, the Kid’s Club is clearly a cut above (as is everything at this 96-room boutique hotel that bills itself as Gourmet All Inclusive) with activities such as cooking classes, creative crafts and charming magic shows in a breezy seaside pavilion, all at no extra cost.

Taking baby to the beach? You and your little one will be more than comfy on the big, shaded double beach beds with pillows and retractable curtains. The accommodating Beach Butler passes by regularly with fluffy towels, water (to drink or mist), sunscreen, snacks and more. Want to stay in and watch a DVD? Movies are served with popcorn.

• The beach cabanas at Azul Beach Hotel offer an idyllic, relaxing setting.
• Courtesy of Karisma Hotels & Resorts

No bland buffets here. The five no-reservations-required, a la carte restaurants are beyond beautiful and accommodating of any dietary desires, from children or adults. Fish Market, the resort’s on-the-sand lunch spot was my 13-year-old son Erik’s favorite. Each day the chef grills a huge fish purchased right off the fisherman’s boat. They also offer smaller individual fish which Erik got a kick out of selecting himself.

At Tainan, Azul’s Asian restaurant, you can sit on the floor as the waiters deliver your food from underneath the table. Order a cold cocktail at the Agavero Tequila Lounge, and it stays cold on the unbelievable frozen bar top (which also works on virgin margaritas, as Erik can attest).

Unlike your typical all-inclusive, this stand out all-inclusive actually includes things you really, really want. Go.

Azul Beach Hotel, tel. +52-998-8728080 or 1-888-280-8810; www.azulhotel.com; all-inclusive superior room for two adults and one child under 2, $360 per night low season, $574 high season; all-inclusive deluxe room for two adults, one child age 2-13, one child under the age of 2, $533 per night low season, $800 high season. 

All prices in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted. The Azul Beach Hotel section was contributed by Leslie Long.