Last Updated on December 8, 2023 by Suzy McCullough
The Caribbean is made up of a collection of islands each of which has fabulous swathes of sandy beaches. It’s what you dream of when you picture your holiday there. Many of the hotels listed below are located next to a wonderful beach which is perfect for families. That is not all though as they all have some excellent waterparks. Each hotel has different waterpark features from large splash parks to a range of slides and other fun water features. We take a look at the best hotels in the Caribbean with waterparks which are based on reviews and facilities for families. The list below includes the bigger islands in the Caribbean.
1. Royalton Splash Punta Cana – Bavaro – Dominican Republic
Having opened its doors in winter of 2022 the Royalton Splash Punta Cana is one of the newest hotels in the Dominican Republic. It is also home to one of the largest waterparks in the Caribbean. The waterpark has 14 slides, a kid’s splash park, two pools and a couple of lazy rivers. Plus it’s located right next to a beautiful beach.
When it comes to restaurants you are truly spoilt for choice as this resort has 12 of them. You can choose from French, Brazilian, Japanese and more plus there are a couple of swim-up bars. There is an evening entertainment programme, a kids club, watersports, an entertainment centre and so much more. They have spacious suites that can sleep up to 4 people some of which are swim-up rooms others are luxury oceanfront suites with a balcony and whirlpool bath.
2. Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana – Punta Cana –
Dominican Republic
At the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Punta Cana, you have everything you need and much more in one resort! There are an astonishing eleven swimming pools, varying in size and theme. There is also a mini water park featuring a collection of colourful slides and flumes. Plus an outdoor family pool and a wave rider for ages 4 and over.
As the name suggests, this place is heavily music-inspired. If you fancy some fun in the sand and salt water, then this place is located right on the beach and the hotel-run Kid’s Club is the perfect place where little ones can make new friends and join in with all sorts of fun activities. Difficult decisions need to be made at mealtimes with 10 dining options all serving an international variety of cuisine. Their spacious rooms can have either a balcony or terrace and some have great views of the sea.
3. Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts Punta Cana – Uvero Alto – Dominican Republic
This hotel has a giant waterpark, an action-packed kids’ club and a variety of costumed characters waiting to meet you. A stay at the Nickelodeon Hotels and Resorts is like stepping into a real-life cartoon. The waterpark is great for families with waterslides, splash pads, a lazy river and more. Kids will love the mass sliming events and there are regular appearances from Nickelodeon characters.
As well as a great choice of bars and restaurants there are regular shows and performances. Other facilities include tennis, football, giant chess, basketball and there is a multi-sports court. Suites can sleep up to 5 people plus there are some great swim-up suites with a terrace that can also sleep up to 5.
4. Hilton La Romana Family Resort – Bayahibe –
Dominican Republic
The Hilton La Romana Family Resort has a great location on the beach of Playa Bayahibe. It has a huge swimming pool with sea views and a pool for families. Plus if you book Premium Club you also have access to another pool. There is an on-site waterpark, a kid’s shallow pool, a lazy river and a splash pad at the waterpark.
Teens have their own club and there is another for ages 4-12. Other facilities include an open-air theatre, nightly movies for 4-12-year-olds, watersports and more. This is the family resort side of the hotel and there is also an adults-only area. Some facilities are just for grown-ups and others are for everyone. Their double rooms sleep up to 4 people and are bright and spacious.
5. Royalton Blue Waters Montego Bay – Trelawny – Jamaica
The Royalton Blue Waters Montego Bay Resort has a large waterpark, a beachfront setting and a great selection of restaurants. Located on Jamaica’s northern coast there is a fun lazy river that snakes around the grounds plus waterslides, a splash park and an outdoor pool with a swim-up bar.
In the evenings you can enjoy shows and live music plus there is a kids’ club for ages 4-12 with games, cartoons and a playground. In the daytime, there is a fun activity programme plus snorkelling, kayaking and introductory scuba diving lessons. There are spacious luxury junior suites that sleep up to 4 people, some of which are swim-up rooms.
6. Riu Ocho Rios – Ocho Rios – Jamaica
Located just a 10-minute drive from the country’s most famous waterfall the Dunn’s River Falls the Riu Ocho Rios is a great family-friendly resort. It has 3 pools families can use dotted around the grounds including a pool for kids with a slide-filled splash park. Plus there is Splash Water World which has a range of slides with a minimum height restriction of 1.2m.
This resort has three buffet restaurants, an a la carte, a steakhouse, a Jamaican BBQ station and 6 bars (some just for adults). You have plenty to do on-site with evening entertainment, a kids club for 3 different age groups including teenagers, watersports, an indoor playground, a spa and so much more. There are double rooms that can sleep up to 4 people plus superior 2 bedroom family rooms with a balcony or a terrace.
7. Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa – Montego Bay – Jamaica
With a waterpark, a private beach, five restaurants and a golf course the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa is a great choice for families. The resort has been built on a former 18th-century sugar plantation and it retains its gardens and tropical flowers. At the waterpark, you can drift around on the lazy river, have a swim in the pool that overlooks the sea or zoom down one of their 3 slides. Here poolside concierges will bring frozen cocktails to your lounger.
There are 5 on-site restaurants including a buffet with sea views, a seafood restaurant and an Italian. You can enjoy live entertainment in the evening and there are 2 kid’s clubs. Teens have their own centre full of fun activities and games. You can also take part in watersports, golf and tennis plus there is a playground. Bedrooms are doubles that can sleep up to 4 people.
8. Coconut Bay Resort and Spa – Vieux Fort – St Lucia
Located on St Lucia’s southern coastline is the Coconut Bay Resort and Spa. It has a super private beach plus a great waterpark with a lazy river, splash park, a kid’s pool and a couple of slides. There are a whopping 9 restaurants to choose from including an Asian, Pan-Caribbean, Italian and more.
The hotel offers all sorts of fun entertainment and you can also try out a number of watersports. There is a spa and adults-only pool plus a well-equipped gym. In the family area, there are deluxe rooms that sleep up to 4 people.
9. Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Spa – Rodney Bay – St Lucia
A great family-friendly resort right next to the sandy shores of Rodney Bay is the Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Spa. Although the hotel doesn’t have its own waterpark it is located right next to one and guests here have free access to it. The Splash Island waterpark is a huge inflatable waterpark on the sea. There are many obstacles including a trampoline, a climbing wall, monkey bars, a swing, a slide, hurdles, a double rocker and more.
On-site there are two restaurants and a kid’s club and they run an evening entertainment programme. Plus they have a range of watersports, a beauty salon and a gym. Their double rooms can sleep up to 4 people and they also have rooms with a lounge area.
10. Margaritaville Beach Resort – Bahamas
With a sugary beach, a private marina, sea views and a slide-packed waterpark the Margaritaville Beach is an excellent resort in the Bahamas. The waterpark also has a dive pool, a wave rider and a lazy river. There are lots of outdoor pools some of which you can rent your own private cabana next to.
The resort has a great choice of restaurants and there is a cinema and kids’ club. Other facilities include bowling, VR simulators, a fitness centre and a spa. There are oceanfront deluxe double rooms that can sleep up to 4 people and you can upgrade to have a larger balcony.
For further reading why not check out these posts:
10 Best Hotels in the Caribbean for Families from TUI
14 Best Family Friendly Hotels in Dominican Republic
12 Best Family Friendly Hotels in Barbados
