Due to brushes with the onset of hurricane season, Beaches Turks and Caicos is temporarily closed.  Please call the Beaches hotline at 888/Beaches for more information about its re-opening.

Beaches Resorts have been winners of FTF's "Top 10 Getaways" awards for their excellence in infant and childcare programs, and have received the title "World's Leading Family All-Inclusive" 10 years running for World Travel Awards.  They have been highlighted in numerous media outlets including The Travel Channel's special Top 10 Caribbean Resorts. Beaches' combination of excellence, childcare recognition, quality entertainment, and luxury amenities keeps guests coming back for more, and looking to what's new for tomorrow.

The Italian Village & Accommodations

In January 2009, Beaches will unveil the new Italian Village and Waterpark. The $100 million renovations come complete with 180 luxury family suites, gourmet dining, shops, and an expansive waterpark ten times the size of the resort's Pirate's Island. Kids can look forward to a surf simulator, seven new adventure slides, pools, water cannon, splash deck, lazy river, play areas and more. The waterpark is slotted to be one of the largest in the Caribbean and expected to draw an influx of family tourism to the resort.

The expansion will also include a new Pirate & Mermaid themed Kids Kamp facility for ages 6 to 12, an Xbox Oasis Center game arcade, innovative science programs, and Crayola Art Camp activities. During the day, teens can gather at the nightclub Liquid, which has a sunken dance floor, water-themed space center with waterpark views, Internet access, and game room in a black light atmosphere. Teens can also enjoy new Red Lane "Youth" Spa wellness treatments geared towards teens and tweens including Caribbean hair braiding and stylish makeovers.

For dining options, keep an eye on the upcoming 250-seat Italian restaurant with Medieval themed Sesame Street section complete with a moat for the kids, a British pub with traditional bangers and mash, Kids Grille, and casual restaurant options. Duty-free shopping in 7,000 square-feet of retail space will offer jewelry, fashion, art, candy store, and wine tastings. The village is also easily accessible to the rest of the resort for additional dining options, Kids Clubs, resort activities, and other spa services.

I got a sneak peak at the Italian Village's new family suites with pool, garden, or ocean views. Rooms proved to be spacious with homey touches including rich duvets and mahogany four-poster beds.  Eighteen different "Imperial rooms" can be booked to include parlor rooms which have a living and dining room area including a day bed and pullout sofa to sleep up to four additional guests. These special parlor suites also come with Beaches' exclusive Butler Service to assist with your day-to-day needs during vacation. You'll probably look twice at the sight of a butler in traditional white gloves and suit, carrying along a silver tray or towels for his guests.

Separate bedrooms for adults lead into sitting areas with pullout sofa, plasma TV, and bar. A second bedroom offers bunk beds, Xbox game console, game table, and TV for the kids. The new high-end suites are designed to entice guests looking for added luxury on their vacation. However, due to the ongoing construction, I couldn't get a feel for how close the nightclub and waterpark would be from each suite or any potential noise factors to consider. If quiet or complete privacy is a concern for your family, be sure to indicate your needs at booking to receive appropriate accommodations.

Nursery, Kids Club & Children's Amenities

Beaches Resorts are famous for their Sesame Street themes and activities, as well as Crayola art camps and kid-friendly amenities. Newborns up to 23-months are cared for by Certified Nannies in climate controlled nurseries with cribs, strollers, high chairs, rocking chairs, and plenty of age appropriate toys and games. Parents looking for dinner out or an off-resort excursion can arrange for private babysitting at an additional charge. Beaches nannies' undergo training to learn how to successfully engage and care for children, address safety concerns, conflict resolution, age-appropriate activities, work with special needs children, and are recognized as "Child Specialists" by Florida State University and the International Nanny Association.

Two to 5-year-olds participate in shell collecting, face painting, treasure hunts, puppets, costume time, magic show, and more with the supervision of nannies.  Six to 7-year-olds have a special camp with baseball, kickball, swimming, arts, glass bottom boat rides, movies and plenty of opportunity to burn off energy. Eight to 12-year-olds spend the day sailing, playing beach volleyball, scavenger hunting, and dancing during reggae jam sessions. While there is no formal kids club for teens, kids 13 on up can hit the pizza and soda bars, karaoke, water sports, dance parties, and the chance to get away from Mom and Dad.

Families on a togethering vacation can skip the kids' club and bond over Sesame Street character breakfasts where Grover, Elmo, Abby Cadaby and friends stop by and entertain or take photo ops. Nightfall brings stage shows, island parties, dive-in movies right at the pool, and story time with Elmo. There were kids in the story time group we visited that had obviously outgrown Elmo years ago, but eagerly participated and rekindled some of that childhood magic. Plus, the selection of milk and cookies on hand probably didn't hurt.

Kids also have the opportunity to help bake cookies with Cookie Monster, make their own pizzas or go exploring with Grover. Teens can spend the day swimming, snorkeling, sailing, participate in Pool Olympics or at the X-Box Game Garage.

Crayola Art Camps provide activities for the whole family with Caribbean-inspired games and projects to tap into their creative side. Children make their own island medallion, mosaic butterflies or lizards, magic wands, and decorate the resort with sidewalk chalk and waterproof markers for poolside murals and underwater scenes. If you have restless kids who'd rather play than sit still during mealtime, ask for a place setting and Crayola crayons at any of the Beaches restaurants. Older kids and parents can participate in mastering watercolors and pastels for their own creations.

Adult Activities & Opportunities for Romance

Turks and Caicos is world renowned for its pristine snorkeling and scuba diving and attracts international visitors each year. Beaches provides appropriate equipment to guests who can either venture down the beach for a solo excursion or sign-up for a boat trip. For an extra fee, aspiring divers can get certified at the resort and start diving the very next day. Boat trips fill up fast and certification slots are limited, so reserve in advance and inquire about any age restrictions or special requirements for your kids. You'll discover thoughtful and careful underwater pathways designed by the TCI National Parks Department to prevent unnecessary contact and continue the effort to protect the natural coral. The Beaches staff can also recommend excursions or dive areas for the most inexperienced to seasoned explorers.

Other resort activities range from kayaking, canoeing, hydrobiking, volleyball, tennis, windsurfing, billiards and more. The all-inclusive rate means you can try a little of everything without worrying about the added expense. Guests can also opt to join an off-resort excursion to explore the rest of the island. The concierge can arrange for shopping excursions in Providenciales, mountain biking, horseback riding, bonefishing, conch farm tours, miniature golf, and cruises at an additional fee.

We hit the Red Lane Spa for a sports massage indulgence in a tranquil setting tucked away in the resort's French Village wing. Hot stone massages, sports massages, facials, wraps, body scrubs and treatments round out the varied spa menu. Mothers and daughters can relax at the tropical nail bar for an afternoon manicure or pedicure while sipping on tropical juices and cucumber water.  If you choose to tip your spa therapist, keep in mind that the resort doesn't have an ATM on property, and tips can only be offered in cash.

On our last evening, we strolled on the beach and stopped by the BBQ dinner bash featuring hours of live music, local vendors, games, and dancing lead by an energetic entertainment staff. An updated list of daily activities are posted each morning and are also printed out for your room each day. After a full-stage talent show featuring young guests and the staff dancing along to kid-friendly tunes, we made our way over to the giant chess board with almost human-sized pieces and played a game on the lawn.

We declined the invitation to watch the dive-in movie from the swim-up bar, opting instead to enjoy a quiet conch dinner at Schrooner's restaurant with ocean views.

We rounded out our evening on a hunt for pastries and dessert at the charming French Cafe. We discovered that while Beaches takes the kid-friendly concept to a whole new level, we could escape the Sesame Street extravaganza with relative ease at its adult-only restaurants, solo resort activities, and late evening swims. My favorite part of the vacation? Sipping champagne on an oversized chaise lounge in a cozy gazebo with sparkling ocean views.

Beaches Turks & Caicos Providenciales, TCI, BWI www.beaches.com;  888/BEACHES $$$-$$$$  B+  A  A  B Extra Credit: Beaches gives parents even more reasons to spend time with kids on vacation. Comments:  The staff is extra attentive to guests' comfort and go out of its way to please little ones.