Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts in the Caribbean

Looking for an affordable family getaway in the Caribbean? Consider a familiar value-oriented brand, Holiday Inn, which has three resorts and about a dozen hotel properties in the Caribbean. A chain well-known to budget travelers, Holiday Inn offers a "Kids Eat and Stay Free" policy that lets children 19 and under stay free in a parent's room.

At some Caribbean properties, kids 12 and under eat free from the kid's menu in the hotel restaurant when accompanied by a dining adult.

It's important to know that there is a significant difference between Holiday Inn Resorts, which offer many activities and amenities, and Holiday Inn hotels, such as Holiday Inn Express properties, which are fairly basic and offer a swimming pool, standard rooms, and free WiFi and breakfast.

There are three Holiday Inn Resort properties in the Caribbean that offer resort-style amenities and all-inclusive packages. They can essentially offer a well-priced alternative to an all-inclusive resort.

• Holiday Inn Resort Montego Bay: This budget-friendly Holiday Inn Resort in Jamaica is very popular with families. It offers all-inclusive pricing, as well as a private beach, four restaurants, two swimming pools, a spa, and an arcade. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the resort. Activities include tennis, mini golf, windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling, basketball, and volleyball. There is a kids' center with programming for children ages 6 months to 12 years old. Children 19 and under stay free when in the same room as the parents, and kids 12 and under stay, play and eat free.
• Holiday Inn Resort Aruba: This large beachfront property on Aruba's Palm Beach was renovated in 2014. Kids ages 12 and under stay and eat free here, and the resort offers an all-inclusive package for families. Guest rooms sleep up to four people and feature flat-screen TVs, mini refrigerators, and complimentary Wi-Fi. There are three swimming pools, a recreation and sports court, and a complimentary children's program for kids ages 4 to 11. Other perks at this resort include on-site laundry facilities, a fitness center, and the lack of a resort fee.  
• Holiday Inn Resort Grand Cayman: The oceanfront Holiday Inn Resort on Grand Cayman features lush landscaping, a secluded beach, swimming pool and a location adjacent to the only 18-hole golf course on the island. All-suite accommodations feature separate sitting and sleeping areas, flat screen TVs, full kitchens, and a washer/dryer. Activities include tennis, beach volleyball, and water sports, including snorkeling and diving.  

There are also about a dozen Holiday Inn hotel properties in the Caribbean that offer more basic accommodations, often in downtown settings rather than on the beach. Among the best for families are:

• Holiday Inn Express San Juan Condado: This affordable hotel has a convenient location a few blocks from Condado Beach and near Old San Juan. The hotel features a swimming pool and fitness center. Free breakfast and Wi-Fi is available. 
• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Nassau: This budget hotel is located in downtown Nassau and features an outdoor pool and fitness center. Free breakfast and Wi-Fi is available. 

Families looking for more options in the Caribbean might also consider other kid-friendly all-inclusive chains, including:

• Beaches Resorts (properties in Jamaica and Turks & Caicos)
• Club Med (properties in the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Turks & Caicos)
• Divi Resorts (properties in Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, St. Maarten, and St. Croix)
• Azul Hotels (properties in Jamaica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic)
• Iberostar Resorts (properties in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico)
• Grand Palladium Resorts (properties in Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic)