#Outdoor Wedding Villa in Texas

[crownevent77]

Venues & Event Spaces in Austin TX

Title: Exploring the Best Venues and Event Spaces in Austin, TX

Austin, Texas, renowned for its vibrant culture, live music scene, and eclectic culinary experiences, also offers an array of unique venues and event spaces perfect for hosting everything from weddings and corporate gatherings to intimate gatherings and large-scale festivals. Let's take a tour through some of the top venues that encapsulate the spirit of Austin's creative energy and hospitality.

The Allan House: Nestled in the heart of downtown Austin, The Allan House is a historic Victorian mansion dating back to 1883. With its elegant architecture, lush gardens, and vintage charm, it provides an enchanting backdrop for weddings and special events.

The Contemporary Austin – Laguna Gloria: Overlooking Lake Austin, Laguna Gloria is a Mediterranean-style villa surrounded by 14 acres of picturesque grounds and sculpture gardens. This venue seamlessly blends art, nature, and architecture, making it an ideal setting for weddings, galas, and corporate events.

Fair Market: Located in East Austin's vibrant arts district, Fair Market is a versatile event space housed in a former warehouse. Its industrial-chic aesthetic, spacious layout, and state-of-the-art amenities make it a popular choice for concerts, trade shows, and experiential activations.

The Driskill: A landmark of Texas hospitality, The Driskill is a luxurious hotel in downtown Austin known for its grandeur and timeless elegance. With its ornate ballrooms, historic architecture, and impeccable service, it offers an opulent setting for weddings, galas, and corporate functions.

Hotel Van Zandt: Situated in the Rainey Street Historic District, Hotel Van Zandt embodies Austin's laid-back sophistication and musical heritage. Its modern design, rooftop pool deck, and live music venues create a dynamic atmosphere for weddings, parties, and social gatherings.

Brazos Hall: Housed in a historic warehouse dating back to 1909, Brazos Hall combines rustic charm with contemporary amenities. Its open floor plan, exposed brick walls, and soaring ceilings make it a versatile space for weddings, concerts, and corporate events.

Zilker Park: Spanning 350 acres in the heart of Austin, Zilker Park offers a picturesque outdoor setting for festivals, picnics, and recreational activities. With its sprawling lawns, scenic trails, and iconic landmarks like Barton Springs Pool and the Zilker Botanical Garden, it's a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.

The Roosevelt Room: As one of Austin's premier cocktail bars, The Roosevelt Room offers a sophisticated atmosphere for private events and mixology classes. Its eclectic decor, inventive cocktails, and knowledgeable staff ensure an unforgettable experience for guests.

Native Hostel: Blending contemporary design with bohemian flair, Native Hostel is a hip venue located in East Austin. With its communal spaces, artisanal cuisine, and eclectic programming, it's a popular choice for weddings, art exhibitions, and pop-up events.

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Celebrate amidst the beauty of Texas Hill Country at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. This botanical garden showcases native plants and landscapes, providing a serene backdrop for weddings, galas, and nature-inspired events.

Whether you're planning an elegant soirée, a lively concert, or a relaxed gathering, Austin offers a diverse array of venues and event spaces to suit every occasion. With its blend of southern hospitality, creative energy, and natural beauty, the capital of Texas continues to inspire and captivate event planners and attendees alike.

[john-david-weddings]

Austin, Texas Wedding Photographer: A Guide to Picture-Perfect Memories

Austin often hailed as the "Live Music Capital of the World," is known for its vibrant arts scene, thriving culture, and stunning natural landscapes. While many couples opt for the city's more popular wedding venues, there is a wealth of hidden gems scattered throughout Austin that offer a unique and enchanting backdrop for Austin wedding photography.

Imagine exchanging your vows amidst the serene beauty of Laguna Gloria, a hidden gem nestled on the shores of Lake Austin. This historic Italian-style villa and its lush, Mediterranean-inspired gardens make for an enchanting setting for couples looking to infuse a touch of old-world romance into their wedding photos. 

For those who seek a more eclectic and bohemian atmosphere, consider Prospect House, a modern architectural marvel situated just outside Austin. With its clean lines, large windows, and minimalist aesthetic, this venue offers a blank canvas for photographers to work their magic. 

Barr Mansion, a sustainable and historic wedding venue in Austin, is another hidden gem that combines old-world charm with modern elegance

One of Austin's best-kept secrets is the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum. Nestled within Zilker Park, this serene oasis showcases the sculptural masterpieces of Charles Umlauf amid beautifully landscaped gardens. 

Austin's urban art scene also presents hidden gems for couples looking for a more urban and edgy backdrop. The Hope Outdoor Gallery, a graffiti-covered series of walls known as "Graffiti Park," provides a colorful and ever-changing canvas for wedding photographers to create vibrant and dynamic images. 

In conclusion, Austin's hidden gems for wedding photography offer an array of diverse and enchanting settings, each with its own unique character and charm. Whether you envision a classic, romantic, or avant-garde photo session, Austin's lesser-known venues provide the perfect canvas for capturing the magic of your special day. Consider John David an accomplished wedding photographer in Austin.

This Content has been taken from :  

[oliviagreylove]

Nothing can be more beautiful for a bride than a perfect wedding day.

[sophiawilsonblog]

[kayliecris-blog]

We are an experienced wedding coordinating team also ensure your day is perfect. We organize all the things in perfect manner after planing. Book your Outdoor Event Venues in Texas

[oliviagreylove]

The most demanding villa for weddings and events. Check it out and take a look of this mesmerizing Villa Antonia - https://bit.ly/2MEHHls

[austinweddingplanners]

Austin Wedding Planners loved being apart of this beautiful hill country wedding overlooking the lake. We enjoyed assisting the couple with their decor and design. Layne and Karyn love the outdoors so Villa Antonia’s Tuscan Venue was perfect for them. The groom’s cake featured their love for the Texas Longhorns. The venue had plenty of space for the couple to celebrate with friends and family all night.

Venue: Villa Antonia Event Venue Austin, Texas

Catering: Austin Catering

Florist: Verbena Floral Design

Photographer: Hyde Park Photography

Baker: Michelle's Patisserie 

Make-up: Erica Gray 

Rentals: Mancino Rentals 

ILD-Intelligent Lighting Design: Katherine McCommon 

Ceremony Musicians: Terra Vista Strings, LLC 

Officiant: Andrew K

DJ: DJDM

[charlottebellblr-blog]

Charlotte Bell Wedding Photography

Our services are affordable

We provide packages starting $395 and can work with any budget to get those “once in a lifetime” photographs of this special day. We are fun to work with and will listen to your vision so you get the photos you want. Give us a call or email for an accurate quote.

Please go to the drop-down or the photo to see more images of weddings.

I am a professional photographer located in Austin, TX and San Miguel DE Allende, MX. I have been a wedding photographer for 20 years and I am blessed to have been a part of so many amazing weddings. Since I live part of the year in San Miguel de Allende I have the opportunity to photograph weddings there as well. Where ever you have your wedding the most important part are you. My specialty if “capturing the moment”. These are spontaneous photographs where you can see the joy and sometimes the sadness that people are experiencing. Weddings are filled with emotion and that’s what I look for. You will be able to relive this special time again and again through your photographs. Give me a call and let me explain more. No press sales pitch only information. I look forward to talking with you. 512 447 2150

When a client says “This is the first picture I’ve seen of my parents that actually looks like them!” I feel like I’ve done something with lasting value. After years of shooting and more than 200 weddings under my belt, I still find every one of them to be unique and exciting. And, I work to make each new one the best I’ve ever photographed.

What you will receive with your package are: fully edited images organized in folders, a mini video, prints, an online site for friends and family to view and order from and a digital brag book for your phone.

For more Visits: Austin Photography Studio, Austin Photographers, Austin Photography

Vintage Villa Wedding

Vintage Villa Wedding is one of the loveliest in the Austin Texas area. The Vintage Villa will make everything easy for you as you plan your event. Located atop a bluff overlooking the Arkansas Bend of Lake Travis, Vintage Villas was designed to give our overnight guests a lakeside boutique hotel experience. Vintage Villas Hotel has 44 guest rooms that are set in three unique villas. Each Villa reflects the genuine comfort and heritage of a different part of Texas. Original artwork by leading national and southwest artists creates each Villas’ distinctive style.

Vintage Villas is a full-service wedding venue offering outdoor ceremonies and indoor reception space with expansive views of Lake Travis, in-house catering, and a 44 room hotel. With 2 gorgeous venues and floor-to-ceiling picture windows in each space, you can enjoy stunning sunsets over the lake from any point on the property. Our unique Hill Country setting is the perfect getaway from the bustle of the city, while still being a short drive to downtown.

Our experienced staff will assist you with every aspect of your wedding – from the ceremony and reception details to rehearsal, rehearsal dinners, and overnight accommodations. Our in-house Chef will create custom menus specific to your taste and budget, while our staff will cater to your guests throughout the night.

We can provide everything you need in a single-stop, stress-free environment including the set-up all of your tables, chairs, linens and place settings.

Vintage Villas is the ideal environment for couples looking to build their best wedding experience.

This is one of my favorite places to take photographs. The location is gorgeous, the staff friendly, the food excellent and they take care of everything for the bride and groom. At this wedding, the consultant even helped me by telling me when events we about to begin. This was a first. http://www.vintagevillas.com/

San Miguel Wedding

A San Miguel Wedding will be an unforgettable location for your special day. SMA is a short plane ride from the southern USA. You will be in a different world and culture. The town is a world heritage site with a mild climate year-round, excellent restaurants and hotels. There are many fun things to do for your guests.

It is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico and in 2008 it was recognized, along with the Sanctuary of Jesus of Atotonilco, as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Its attractive and cosmopolitan appearance makes it one of the favorite destinations for art enthusiasts. There are plenty of sites to visit, and they all stand out of the city’s historical and architectural heritage.

One of the sites that you must see is the San Miguel Arcangel Parish. It has become the hallmark of the city. It is a beautiful temple at the end of the century. Other must places in San Miguel de Allende are the handicraft market of the city or the archeological zone of Canada la Virgen.

In the market, there is a sample of the local craftsmanship made of metals, papier mache, blown glass and more. Its cobbled streets, wooded courtyards, fine architectural details, and sumptuous interiors will enchant you; perhaps that is the reason why CN Travel declared it one of the twenty-five best cities chosen by the travelers.

Charlotte Bell Wedding Photography

“We look for those “once-in-a-lifetime images: the tender look, the big hug, the goofy kids and the sweet kiss, moments that will never pass your way again.” Trust your photography to a professional wedding photographer with 16 years’ experience and references.

For more visits: Austin Portrait Photographers, Portrait Photography

The Barr Mansion Wedding

·   AUSTIN-STYLE

Your perfect wedding is waiting right here in Austin: scenic setting, farm-fresh fare, and fewer headaches along the way. We include a ton of features you’d otherwise have to rent, for less planning and more partying. Take a tour and discover the second most beautiful thing at your wedding after the bride

·  WEDDING PLANNER? WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK!

Our experienced coordinators can provide full planning, from the moment you say “Yes!” until the day you say “I do, With several coordination packages to choose from, make your big day stress free, as our on-site coordinators know the venue like the back of their hand!

· EAT YOUR HEART OUT

Our seasonally-inspired dining experiences look, taste, and feel unlike anything else. Your food selection is personalized, the experience communal. You’ll meet our chef, sample our recipes, and build a menu you won’t find at any wedding outside our grounds.

· DESSERTS

Of course, this is one occasion where skipping dessert is not an option. Our experienced bakers will work with you to design beautiful bridal cakes and gentlemanly groomsman cakes.

· CEREMONY

1.      Exclusive use of our venue and grounds

2.      Indoor or outdoor ceremony locations

3.      White wooden ceremony chairs

4.      Use of venue for a one-hour rehearsal prior to the ceremony

5.      Two hours of access time prior to the wedding to prep or photos (extra access hours may be added)

6.      Two hours of access time pre-wedding for outside vendors to set up

7.      Use of the mansion to host immediate family and bridal party prior to the start of your ceremony

8.      Separate suites for the bride(s) and/or groom(s)

· RECEPTION

Use of our on-site certified organic food services

Choice of Appetizer Vignettes, Buffet, Family Style, Plated or Feast Service

Wedding cake (serves 100% of your guest count) and secondary (“groom’s”) cake that could also be substituted for an alternative dessert (serves 75% of your guest count)

Water, iced tea, and coffee service

All wait staff for setup, service, and breakdown of your reception (provided with the use of Barr Mansion Food Services)

High staff to guest ratios

60″ round tables

White linens with an overlay

Artisan wood and iron dining chairs

Full place settings: china, glassware, flatware, and cloth napkins

Auxiliary tables for food and cake service, guestbook or favors

·COORDINATION

Welcome meeting to introduce Barr services, outside vendors, and the planning process!

Coordinates rehearsal, ceremony, and day-of logistics for the entirety of your event

Create reception layout, guidance on menu, and event day timeline

Design help for Barr rentals

·OPTIONAL SERVICES OFFERED

Additional Coordination Services

Tiered alcohol service

Extensive furniture selection for rental

Decor rentals such as candles, lanterns, fabric draping and wreaths

Farm Harvest Table upgrade

Ceremony chair upgrade

Heaters, Fans, Fire Pits and Fireplace rental

Games rental

[discovercreate]

This Couple Turned Their Centerpieces into A Flower Bar At The End of Their Wedding!

An all-white wedding with hints of light gray is what Olive & Belle planned for today's beautiful feature at the Villa Del Lago in Austin, Texas. A stunning and, classic outdoor ceremony and reception made up for the day and Honey Gem Creative captured it all! The special couple wanted to incorporate special details for their guests including taking the centerpieces by Lovelily Flowers and creating a flower bar for guests to take home with them! Take a peek below and check out the full gallery here! Continue reading on Style Me Pretty from Style Me Pretty https://ift.tt/37Y6eJ1

[kayliecris-blog]

Make your wedding day stunning with the perfect Venue.

Villa Antonia is the most beautiful wedding venue in texas hill country. They strive to make the affair as seamless and easy as possible for you with a seasoned staff who brings the kind of creative energy, dedication, and ingenuity needed to tackle the minutia of event planning. Book your event today.

[simonemary758-blog]

Now you can plan you marriage or anniversary according to your needs because, Villa Antonia is there to give best wedding venue to their clients. Their experienced and capable event coordinators are there to make sure that you too get to enjoy the occasion alongside your guests.

[omgstella1098-blog]

Its’ a beautiful place decorated with flowers perfect place for parties.

[oliviagreylove]

Make your wedding day, the most amazing and happening day of your life with Villa Antonia. Special plans for you for limited period of time. Click here to know - https://bit.ly/2IVPNTP

[lindyhunt]

This Luxury Resort in Playa del Carmen Appeases Even the Pickiest Eaters

The chicken nuggets have visible spices in them. My hungry seven-year-old Ben—a picky eater to the extreme—is in tears as the waitress plies him with a parade of chicken-y items, but none devoid enough of anything illegal​, ​like flavo​u​r or, say, a sprig of parsley, to satisfy his decidedly unsophisticated palate. This is getting serious. A manager is summoned.

“What can I get you, boss?” ​the manager​ soothes. Eventually someone runs to the beachside snack shack to fetch ​Ben a hot dog. My husband Jason and I breathe a sigh of relief and turn back to our grilled panella cheese and ceviche. Averting such crises is a big part of why we choose The Fives Azul Beach in Playa ​del Carmen​, Mexico​ for our sunny getaway. Karisma resorts (there are five in Mexico alone), have a “gourmet-inclusive” concept, which means that this brand knows food—which satisfies snobby city foodies like us—but they also know kids, which satisfies snobby mini Neanderthals like Ben.

Luxury resort brands like The Ritz​-​Carlton, Four Seasons, Rosewood and Karisma have zeroed in on the fact that families do need different offerings and special services, but that they don’t want to be banished to plasticized wonderlands with only some grilled cheese and limp French fries for comfort.​ ​The Fives is the type of place where jars of Gerber baby food are artfully displayed next to a massive wheel of ​p​armesan cheese at the breakfast buffet, and wedding parties and multi-generational groups happily coexist amongst the jungle foliage and pretty lazy river swimming pools that wind through the grounds.

The Fives is the type of place where jars of Gerber baby food are artfully displayed next to a massive wheel of ​p​armesan cheese at the breakfast buffet

Karisma dubs it “Monkeys, Milkshakes and Magic,” and while Ben is bitterly disappointed that he never spots any of the free-roaming spider monkeys that live on the grounds, there​’s definitely some smoothie imbibing and a magical walk across a wooden bridge carved through the jungle lit up with fairy lights. (There’s also an adults-only pool and adjoining poolside resto where grownups can escape the under four-feet-high crowd entirely.)

We stay in a one-bedroom suite in one of the newer villas in the Essence section, all of which are outfitted in fresh modern décor. They’re a bit further from the beach and main restaurant area, but are definitely more up our aesthetic alley than the standard rooms in the older section. The Essence rooms, however, don’t have bathtubs, so if you’re travelling with a little who’s terrified of the shower—even a glamorous, glassed-in rainfall shower—you may want to request a room in the original buildings. If you have a baby, you can ask for an infant tub, as well as pack ‘n’ plays, bottle sterilizers, strollers and plush teeny tiny bathrobes for your room. Suites all have full kitchens, so every day I ring the 24-hour room service (lifesaver!) and load our fridge up with foods that Ben will eat​ ​(the peanut butter and jam sandwich plated just so is particularly hilarious)​ ​and I’m definitely not the only parent pocketing bananas and yogurt from the breakfast buffets. There are always gluten-free and vegetarian options, too.

Photography courtesy of The Fives azul Beach

But for anyone for whom the word “buffet” sends a chill up their spine—they call them “displays” at Karisma resorts—The Fives has 13 restaurants, including French, Italian, Japanese and Thai options, all with their own appropriately-infused Menu de Niños (Children’s Menu). There’s also a Mexican cantina that hosts mezcal and tequila tastings and several adults-only wine bars and cocktail spots. While the under-​two​ crowd is more abundant at Karisma’s nearby Azul Beach Riviera Maya baby and toddler-focused property, at ​The Fives they will also puree any of the meals at the sit-down restaurants for hungry Harpers and impatient Imogens. If you have a rooftop suite with its own b​arbeque,​ for an extra fee you can book your own chef to come whip up Mexican​-​, Texas​-​​​ or Argentinian​-style​ dinner.

But it wouldn’t be a luxury family getaway without a luxury family spa experience, now, would it? I’m dying to sign Jason and Ben up for the “Daddy Scape” package at the on-site Vassa spa (massage, facial and pedicure for each of them, performed in a kids’ treatment room strewn with teddy bears) only because I obviously need a snap of Ben and his ​d​ad in fluffy robes getting pedis, but sadly I decide to pass due to the $406 US price tag. All the RMTs at Vassa are licensed and most Canadians are able to claim the treatments on their private insurance plans, and I do seriously ponder trying this to get a “turtle massage” for Ben. There’s a full menu of individual services for kids, special treatments for teens and a sampling of scrubs and prenatal rubs for moms-to-be (though lower-altitude areas of Mexico like Playa ​d​el Carmen are still technically considered a risk zone for transmission of the Zika virus, which means pregnant women should probably avoid travelling there for now).

One thing parents—especially parents of only children like me—quickly learn is that a vacation with your sweet, sweet child isn’t always exactly relaxing, especially when you’re on tap to build sandcastles for hours or chase them around the pool for the 82nd time. This is where that magical invention, the kids’ club, saves you. The Azulitos Playhouse at The Fives is an indoor/outdoor facility, complete with it’s own wading pool, small playground and planned activities, including Mommy-wants-to-get-tipsy-at-dinner evening programming between 7​ to ​9 p​.​m. It’s included for kids age​ four to ​12, and features both typical fare like crafts and beach relays plus some that are specific to the region, like Ben’s favourite, a session with ​i​ndigenous Mayan musicians and their traditional instruments which prompts a mad Internet search for where he can get his very own Mayan death whistle.

One thing parents—especially parents of only children like me—quickly learn is that a vacation with your sweet, sweet child isn’t always exactly relaxing, especially when you’re on tap to build sandcastles for hours or chase them around the pool for the 82nd time.

For the under-​four​ set you can book babysitting for $20/hour per kid. Most activities are included, but some non-kids’ club fun, like the artist who had a whole table of paintable ceramics—including traditional sugar skulls—starts at an affordable $12 per piece. Ben and I each paint a skull, and they’re so pretty they end up being some of my favourite-ever holiday souvenirs. There’s also ​giant checkers and chess​ boards​ and ping pong tables under the trees. A small on-site gift shop has essentials like bathing suits, diapers, and, of course, inflatable pool swans, for sale. I don’t use the glossy gym, but I peek in and it looks lovely, and also peeking burns calories because you turn your head!

Photography courtesy of The Fives azul Beach

If you become terribly bored of all that horrible relaxing, you can also book a plethora of family-friendly excursions in the area, including some that launch right off the resort’s beach like parasailing—which they do with kids as young as five if they go with a parent. I try to talk Ben into this but he’s more of an “admire-from-the-ground” parasailer. Concierges can help book reservations with outside operators for everything from snorkelling and cave exploring jaunts to zip​-​lining and visiting Mayan ruins. (A visit to nearby Xel-Há, a sort of eco fun park, is a particularly good for families​.​)

It’s our last day, and Ben is crying again. First because there are ACTUAL PIECES OF STRAWBERRY in his homemade strawberry ice cream (it’s delicious, and if it’s originally your kid’s ice cream there are no calories in it) and second: “But I don’t want to leave Mexico!!” Life’s hard, kid. Have a gourmet chicken nugget.

[jessicakehoe]

This Luxury Resort in Playa del Carmen Appeases Even the Pickiest Eaters

The chicken nuggets have visible spices in them. My hungry seven-year-old Ben—a picky eater to the extreme—is in tears as the waitress plies him with a parade of chicken-y items, but none devoid enough of anything illegal​, ​like flavo​u​r or, say, a sprig of parsley, to satisfy his decidedly unsophisticated palate. This is getting serious. A manager is summoned.

“What can I get you, boss?” ​the manager​ soothes. Eventually someone runs to the beachside snack shack to fetch ​Ben a hot dog. My husband Jason and I breathe a sigh of relief and turn back to our grilled panella cheese and ceviche. Averting such crises is a big part of why we choose The Fives Azul Beach in Playa ​del Carmen​, Mexico​ for our sunny getaway. Karisma resorts (there are five in Mexico alone), have a “gourmet-inclusive” concept, which means that this brand knows food—which satisfies snobby city foodies like us—but they also know kids, which satisfies snobby mini Neanderthals like Ben.

Luxury resort brands like The Ritz​-​Carlton, Four Seasons, Rosewood and Karisma have zeroed in on the fact that families do need different offerings and special services, but that they don’t want to be banished to plasticized wonderlands with only some grilled cheese and limp French fries for comfort.​ ​The Fives is the type of place where jars of Gerber baby food are artfully displayed next to a massive wheel of ​p​armesan cheese at the breakfast buffet, and wedding parties and multi-generational groups happily coexist amongst the jungle foliage and pretty lazy river swimming pools that wind through the grounds.

The Fives is the type of place where jars of Gerber baby food are artfully displayed next to a massive wheel of ​p​armesan cheese at the breakfast buffet

Karisma dubs it “Monkeys, Milkshakes and Magic,” and while Ben is bitterly disappointed that he never spots any of the free-roaming spider monkeys that live on the grounds, there​’s definitely some smoothie imbibing and a magical walk across a wooden bridge carved through the jungle lit up with fairy lights. (There’s also an adults-only pool and adjoining poolside resto where grownups can escape the under four-feet-high crowd entirely.)

We stay in a one-bedroom suite in one of the newer villas in the Essence section, all of which are outfitted in fresh modern décor. They’re a bit further from the beach and main restaurant area, but are definitely more up our aesthetic alley than the standard rooms in the older section. The Essence rooms, however, don’t have bathtubs, so if you’re travelling with a little who’s terrified of the shower—even a glamorous, glassed-in rainfall shower—you may want to request a room in the original buildings. If you have a baby, you can ask for an infant tub, as well as pack ‘n’ plays, bottle sterilizers, strollers and plush teeny tiny bathrobes for your room. Suites all have full kitchens, so every day I ring the 24-hour room service (lifesaver!) and load our fridge up with foods that Ben will eat​ ​(the peanut butter and jam sandwich plated just so is particularly hilarious)​ ​and I’m definitely not the only parent pocketing bananas and yogurt from the breakfast buffets. There are always gluten-free and vegetarian options, too.

Photography courtesy of The Fives azul Beach

But for anyone for whom the word “buffet” sends a chill up their spine—they call them “displays” at Karisma resorts—The Fives has 13 restaurants, including French, Italian, Japanese and Thai options, all with their own appropriately-infused Menu de Niños (Children’s Menu). There’s also a Mexican cantina that hosts mezcal and tequila tastings and several adults-only wine bars and cocktail spots. While the under-​two​ crowd is more abundant at Karisma’s nearby Azul Beach Riviera Maya baby and toddler-focused property, at ​The Fives they will also puree any of the meals at the sit-down restaurants for hungry Harpers and impatient Imogens. If you have a rooftop suite with its own b​arbeque,​ for an extra fee you can book your own chef to come whip up Mexican​-​, Texas​-​​​ or Argentinian​-style​ dinner.

But it wouldn’t be a luxury family getaway without a luxury family spa experience, now, would it? I’m dying to sign Jason and Ben up for the “Daddy Scape” package at the on-site Vassa spa (massage, facial and pedicure for each of them, performed in a kids’ treatment room strewn with teddy bears) only because I obviously need a snap of Ben and his ​d​ad in fluffy robes getting pedis, but sadly I decide to pass due to the $406 US price tag. All the RMTs at Vassa are licensed and most Canadians are able to claim the treatments on their private insurance plans, and I do seriously ponder trying this to get a “turtle massage” for Ben. There’s a full menu of individual services for kids, special treatments for teens and a sampling of scrubs and prenatal rubs for moms-to-be (though lower-altitude areas of Mexico like Playa ​d​el Carmen are still technically considered a risk zone for transmission of the Zika virus, which means pregnant women should probably avoid travelling there for now).

One thing parents—especially parents of only children like me—quickly learn is that a vacation with your sweet, sweet child isn’t always exactly relaxing, especially when you’re on tap to build sandcastles for hours or chase them around the pool for the 82nd time. This is where that magical invention, the kids’ club, saves you. The Azulitos Playhouse at The Fives is an indoor/outdoor facility, complete with it’s own wading pool, small playground and planned activities, including Mommy-wants-to-get-tipsy-at-dinner evening programming between 7​ to ​9 p​.​m. It’s included for kids age​ four to ​12, and features both typical fare like crafts and beach relays plus some that are specific to the region, like Ben’s favourite, a session with ​i​ndigenous Mayan musicians and their traditional instruments which prompts a mad Internet search for where he can get his very own Mayan death whistle.

One thing parents—especially parents of only children like me—quickly learn is that a vacation with your sweet, sweet child isn’t always exactly relaxing, especially when you’re on tap to build sandcastles for hours or chase them around the pool for the 82nd time.

For the under-​four​ set you can book babysitting for $20/hour per kid. Most activities are included, but some non-kids’ club fun, like the artist who had a whole table of paintable ceramics—including traditional sugar skulls—starts at an affordable $12 per piece. Ben and I each paint a skull, and they’re so pretty they end up being some of my favourite-ever holiday souvenirs. There’s also ​giant checkers and chess​ boards​ and ping pong tables under the trees. A small on-site gift shop has essentials like bathing suits, diapers, and, of course, inflatable pool swans, for sale. I don’t use the glossy gym, but I peek in and it looks lovely, and also peeking burns calories because you turn your head!

Photography courtesy of The Fives azul Beach

If you become terribly bored of all that horrible relaxing, you can also book a plethora of family-friendly excursions in the area, including some that launch right off the resort’s beach like parasailing—which they do with kids as young as five if they go with a parent. I try to talk Ben into this but he’s more of an “admire-from-the-ground” parasailer. Concierges can help book reservations with outside operators for everything from snorkelling and cave exploring jaunts to zip​-​lining and visiting Mayan ruins. (A visit to nearby Xel-Há, a sort of eco fun park, is a particularly good for families​.​)

It’s our last day, and Ben is crying again. First because there are ACTUAL PIECES OF STRAWBERRY in his homemade strawberry ice cream (it’s delicious, and if it’s originally your kid’s ice cream there are no calories in it) and second: “But I don’t want to leave Mexico!!” Life’s hard, kid. Have a gourmet chicken nugget.

The post This Luxury Resort in Playa del Carmen Appeases Even the Pickiest Eaters appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

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