OUR EXPERIENCE & HOW WE BOOKED OUR TRIP
We’ve been looking forward to a family trip for months, but we couldn’t decide on where to go, especially with a toddler. My husband and I wanted a short plane flight to a beach destination, so we decided to go to Mexico! Cancun was a perfect choice. We used our American Express and Chase credit card points to book our flights and hotel. The hotel we picked was one of the best-rated family resorts in Cancun. They cater to families, and they also had the all-inclusive package which we bought. Basically, if you have a set budget and know you are going to eat and drink a lot, definitely look into all-inclusive packages.
OUR HOTEL ROOM AND PERKS
The Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach exceeded our expectations. We decided to stay in the Master Suite since we had enough points to stay for 6 nights. The suite had the most amazing beach front view with the best service. Since we had the all-inclusive package, anything we wanted, we got with no questions asked. Amazing right! The perks that came with our suite were the following:
- Pent-house lounge, Sundeck and the beach club
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner in a wide variety of restaurantS
- 6-course dinner prepared by renowned Chef Sergio Zarate
- Unlimited access to the Coral Kidz Club with endless activities.
- Butler service
- Pool concierge
- Minibar
- Complimentary VIP transfers to Fashion Harbor at la Isla Mall
- Unlimited access to the hydrotherapy rituals at GEM SPA
- One complimentary round-trip ferry ticket to Isla Mujeres
- 1/2 hour one complimentary wave runner
- Special VIP chef’s table
ALIANA DURING THE FLIGHTS AND HOW SHE ADJUSTED TO MEXICO TIME
I would be lying if I said traveling with a toddler is easy. Aliana had to adjust to the different environment and routine while we were out here. The first night was horrible because she kept waking up and crying. She didn’t want to be alone, so we brought her into the bed with us, and she slept with us the entire trip. Let’s just say we need to sleep train her when we arrive back home. However, with the 3 hour time difference, she woke up around 8:30am, took a nap around 2:00pm, woke up around 5:00pm, bedtime at 10:00pm. This schedule worked well for all of us, and we were had a lot of time to explore the city, play in the pool, and lounge at the beach. Aliana is one sunkissed tanned toddler now! We plan on taking another tropical trip with Aliana before our little boy is born.
The flight back was much better than the flight going to Mexico. We had a 7:30am flight back to Los Angeles. We left the hotel around 5:00am and Aliana was fine waking up that early. She slept around 10:00pm, so we thought she would take a good nap on the plane. The plane departed the airport and an hour later Aliana signed for sleep. She slept on me for about 2.5 hours. I think she was use to flying this time because she didn’t even want to get out of her seat to walk around. All she wanted to do was sit on her own or on me. She didn’t have one tantrum too. I think as she gets older she is more aware of how to behave on a plane, or we just got lucky!
WHAT ALIANA AND I PACKED
My messages were flooded with questions about the outfits Aliana, and I wore during this trip. I decided to list all of our outfits and other items I have on my wishlist for our next tropical getaway. OMG and the matching outfits and swimsuits Aliana and I wore were such a huge hit too.
ACCESSORIES
OUTFITS
A LIST OF WHAT I PACKED AND WHAT IS ON MY WISHLIST
SWIMS
A LIST OF WHAT I PACKED AND WHAT IS ON MY WISHLIST
SUNGLASSES
SHOES
COVER UPS
HATS
BAGS
ALIANA’S OUTFITS
ALIANA’S SWIMS
ALIANA’S ACCESSORIES
ELECTRONICS
BEAUTY
Here are a few of my favorite beauty products I did bring with me
If you plan on taking a trip with your kids, go for it! I am not going to say a trip with your kids is ever going to be a breeze. Nothing is ever easy when you involve kids. From my own personal experience traveling with Aliana, she was a lot easier when she was a newborn because all she wanted to do was eat and sleep on the plane. Now that she is close to 21 months old, there are some challenges, but she is definitely a lot more fun to take around because she can play and have fun wherever she goes with us. All I can say is do it!
