Family Fun at Garden Suites by Meliá (Zel by Meliá): What Our Kids Loved Most
Join us on a journey to paradise as we recount our recent family vacation to a stunning Caribbean beach resort. This isn't just any travel story – we handed the mic to our kids to get their candid and unfiltered take on the trip! From thrilling water adventures to delightful local cuisines, our son and daughter share their favorite moments, surprising discoveries, and honest reviews of our tropical getaway. Whether planning your next family vacation or daydreaming about sandy shores and crystal-clear waters, you won't miss their unique perspectives and anecdotes. Dive in and let their stories transport you to the Caribbean!
Brody age 14
Ari age 10
General Experience
What was your first impression of the Melia Garden Suites when we arrived?
B Very Tropical
A Big and Beautiful
What were your favorite activities to do at the resort?
B Reading in the Lounge Chairs around the pool.
A I liked playing in the pool with the swim-up bar.
Did you make any new friends or meet interesting people during our stay?
B Not Really
A Three new kid friends and I enjoyed hanging out with the parents of my new friends.
Accommodations
How did you like our suite at the resort?
B. I liked the Swim-up pool behind our room and how close the room was to the main pool with a swim-up bar and poolside restaurant.
A I loved the swim-up pool. That is how I met my new friends, and they had the room next door.
What was your favorite thing about our suite?
B The swim-up Pool.
A I liked that Brody and I had our room separate from Mom and Dad.
Was there anything about the room that you didn’t like or would improve?
B More blankets or padding are needed for the pull-out bed.
A More kid drinks and an outdoor mini fridge near the swim-up pool.
Food and Dining
What was your favorite meal or dish at the resort?
B The Breakfast Buffet. There were many options and styles of food each morning.
A I loved them all
Did you enjoy the variety of food options available?
B Yes. They had spicy and nonspicy food, seafood, and pasta.
A Yes-ish. Because some were so different from what I eat that I could not enjoy them.
Was there any local Caribbean dish that you tried for the first time?
B No, we are lucky to travel often.
A House Caribbean soup
Beach and Water Activities
What did you think of the beach and the ocean?
B The cabanas and huts with the beach lounges are nice. There is always a nice cool breeze blowing.
A I liked the activities they had for families on the beach but the water was brown with sea weed.
Did you try any water activities like snorkeling, jet skiing, or paddleboarding? How was it?
B We did parasailing, and it was cool because they took you out over the reefs, and the water was nice and green and blue away from the beach.
A We went parasailing and I have done it three or four times now. It is a favorite.
What was the most exciting or memorable moment you had in the water?
B I liked the slip and slide on the beach. It had a big inflatable slide.
A Playing with new friends in the pool.
Entertainment and Amenities
Did you participate in any of the resort’s entertainment or shows? What did you think?
B There was a big circus show at night with aerobatics and fire jugglers.
A I participated in the foam party and the slip an slide. They were a lot of fun!
Were there any amenities (like the pool, spa, or gym) that you really enjoyed?
B Swim-up pool and the swim-up bars at the main pool.
A The pool with child sized slides were very fun because I still fit.
How was your experience with the resort’s staff and service?
B They were friendly and helpful.
A I love the service everyone is nice and kind!
Local Culture and Excursions
Did you learn anything new about Caribbean culture during our stay?
B I don’t think so.
A I learned how to weave a hat out of palm leaves.
Did we go on any excursions or trips outside the resort? What was your favorite part of those adventures?
B. I went to Katmandu Park with the teen club and played mini golf. It was a lot of fun.
A I did not go on any outside trips.
Was there any local place or activity you would recommend to other kids visiting the resort?
B I recommend the mudslide without alcohol. It is probably the best drink that the bars make for kids.
A I would recommend participate in the scheduled activities and go to kids club.
Overall Impressions
How would you rate the resort on a scale from 1 to 10?
B I would give it an 8 out of 10
A I would give it an 8 out of 10
Would you want to come back to this resort in the future? Why or why not?
B Yes. It is always family-friendly, with activities and spots to relax.
A Yes. Because as I get older I enjoy sitting relaxing and reading at the beach.
What advice would you give to other kids whose families are planning to visit this resort?
B Bring pool toys, goggles, and glow sticks for a night swim. Also if you are a reader bring plenty of books.
A I would recommend doing the kids club. You will get to experience some of the Paradisus Grand Cana activities.
Fun and Personal Touch
If you could rename the resort, what would you call it?
B Melia Tropical Retreat
A Melia Relaxing Casa
Can you describe a funny or unexpected moment that happened during our trip?
B. After a five-minute rain shower, the whole pool area clears out, and you can pick any spot you want.
A I didn’t expect to make a tropical hat I could keep.
What souvenir did you bring back, and why did you choose it?
B Not on this trip.
A My new friend’s phone number
As a heads up for future travelers, please note that starting in 2025, the resort will transition to an adults-only property under the new name Zel by Meliá. If you’re curious, we’ve put together a video preview of the resort on our YouTube channel. Whether planning a family getaway or an adult retreat, contact us through our website to book your stay at this beautiful, soon-to-be, adults-only resort. For family getaways, we suggest Melia's Grand Paradisus Punta Cana as an alternative. Feel free to contact us at sunhatsntravelmaps@gmail.com or through our contact page on this website.
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