Beaches Turks and Caicos is a little piece of paradise where Elmo, Cookie Monster and Big Bird come to play. The long white sandy beach and crystal clear waters beckon and we float the day away. We can play all day in the kid friendly waterpark, stopping only to pop over to the milkshake truck for a hit of strawberry ice cream goodness. The food is delicious, the staff friendly and the kid’s club among my absolute favourites.
Our most recent trip to this award winning resort was for Social Media On The Sand 2019, a conference that celebrates moms (and dads) in the social media space. The SMOTS 2019 team connected us attendees with other fabulous ‘mompreneurs,’ introduced us to successful, inspiring, intelligent men and women in this space and spoiled us beyond belief.
One of the most impressive things that I learned on this trip was how Beaches accommodates travelers with special needs. For many families, a vacation is not as simple as hopping on a plane, boarding a shuttle and enjoying a relaxing, tropical experience. For families with Autistic or physically disabled kids, or children with food allergies, a holiday can be stressful or even, scary. Beaches has worked hard to create practices that will ensure every single family member has a fantastic, restful and memorable vacation. Beaches Turks & Caicos is ideal for special needs guests.
AUTISM
I met a mother who talked about how difficult it was to travel with her nine year old autistic son. Far too often, they were met with triggers, staff members unable to cope with, or even understand, her son’s behaviour and judgemental onlookers.
‘Beaches is the only place I can come with my son and know that he is safe and looked after,’ she said.
Beaches Resorts is the first resort company in the world to complete the rigorous International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) training and Autism Certification. Every single staff member is trained so that should a guest need assistance, anyone on the site can help. Guests can request a One‐on‐One Beaches Buddy to be with your child for your entire stay or just for a few hours, including during Kids Camp hours and after hours in a sensory‐friendly location of your choice.
In addition to this, all nannies and Kids Camp staffers are members of the International Nanny Association, America’s oldest and largest in-home child care association. To become accredited, each nanny must meet the minimum requirement of 2,000 hours of child-care services. Nannies and staffers have been trained in safety, nutrition and child development.
DIETARY
As a diagnosed celiac, I often find it difficult to find food that is safe to eat- Especially on holiday. As a parent, whether your child has a gluten allergy, a nut allergy or has a special diet such as being a vegan, it can be tough to navigate menus and buffets.
Beaches offers up to 20 distinct 5-Star restaurants and a Culinary Concierge Desk that works directly with executive chefs, sous chefs, and restaurant managers to ensure an exceptional and worry-free dining experience for your entire family.
Their Culinary Concierge will guide you through all restaurant offerings and help create custom menus that fits special dietary needs – including allergy restrictions and gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options.
PHYSICAL RESTRICTIONS
At Beaches Turks & Caicos, there are options to ensure every mobility issue has been considered. Ramps, accessible rooms and lifts are all over the resort, and there are even special wheelchairs designed to go on sand! Should a guest need additional attention, staff is on hand to offer that extra helping hand. The PADI certified diving school has even taken guests with mobility issues diving in the colourful reef.
What impressed me so much about this resort is their ability and genuine desire to ensure that every family can have a frictionless vacation, regardless of their needs. Whether it is providing my baby a certified nanny to care for him while he naps or a one on one buddy for an autistic child, Beaches has taken the time to create a getaway that the whole family can enjoy.
Whether you are for all inclusive vacations or not, one cannot argue that this resort is a truly special place.
Beaches Turks & Caicos Is Ideal For Special Needs Guests