Vacationing with Kids When Things Go Awry

My family recently went to Cancun, Mexico, for a short trip and I unfortunatelyended up in the intensive care unit of a local hospital due to an anaphylactic reaction to aspirin and spent most of my vacation in the hospital. Instead of all the things I had planned for our time in Cancun, everything shifted within moments and I was no longer at the helm of my crew. My boyfriend Monte instead was left to make the most of the vacation with our 6-year-old daughter Brooklyn while also worrying about and tending to me. This is not the article I’d planned to write about my Cancun adventures with my family, but I’ve learned quite a few things from this experience about vacationing when things don’t go the way you’ve planned.

Where You Stay Is Important

My family sometimes travels budget and sometimes luxury. Depending on the rates, the cost of flights, and how badly we want to try a particular property, we weigh all our options and pick where to stay. When planning our trip to Cancun, which is known for gorgeous white powder beaches and turquoise waters but also a loud, rambunctious party scene, we opted for the more exclusive southern tip of the city. We picked a luxury resort called Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun . We’d seen photos online and read lots of reviews, but once we arrived we were far more enamored by the vibe of this hotel than we expected. We knew we were set up for an awesome time when concierge showed us our access to their Grand Club, where we had private check-in, a lounge overlooking panoramic views of the Caribbean and the city of Cancun and availability to snack on delicious hors d'oeuvres all day.  This level of service was, in retrospect, an indicator of the tremendous care and compassion they showed during my family’s ordeal.

On the first day, we went straight for the gigantic pool. I focused on consuming non-alcoholic piña coladas served in a pineapple while my daughter and her father practiced snorkeling in the pool. Our plan was to take her snorkeling for the first time from the floating dock off the hotel beach the next day if she got the hang of it. After a relaxing afternoon and enjoyable buffet dinner overlooking the beach at the resort, we called it a night and I popped the dreaded aspirin that took my breath away.

Involve the Hotel Staff in Your Emergency

Shortly after taking the aspirin, I realized I was having an allergic reaction. Immediately Monte called the concierge, who dispatched a doctor to our room within 15 minutes. This is not available at all hotels. Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancun was prompt in responding to our needs, had resources on hand, and helped us throughout this scary ordeal. Upon assessment by the doctor, he determined I needed to be transported to an emergency room immediately via ambulance.

Both the doctor and hotel discussed which hospital to use and agreed the Galenia Hospital was ideal, as it was close and private. Galenia turned out to be one of the nicest health-care facilities I’ve ever been admitted to. The care was excellent, the space was very clean, and the service was expedient. The following morning a staff member from the hotel visited me in the ICU to see if I was okay and assured me my daughter and her father would be well taken care of while I was recuperating in the hospital.

When Plans Change, Ask Hotel Staff for Ideas 

I had an action-packed itinerary planned for every day of our trip, which obviously we needed to change. The ICU had narrow visiting hours and children weren’t allowed, so I encouraged my family to spend their time at the hotel trying to enjoy the trip while I rested. They checked in with the Grand Club concierge, explained I was in the hospital, and the staff went to work putting together fun ideas for Brooklyn and her dad. They spent the morning at the pool, followed by a daddy-daughter day at the luxurious Gem Spa. This is typically an adult spa, but the staff made special arrangements for them to share a room where Brooklyn indulged in a chocolate facial, mini massage, and manicure, while her dad got a well-deserved deep tissue massage. A 6-year-old at a spa can be unpredictable, and during the relaxing massage Brooklyn complained she was bored! She did much better during the chocolate facial and manicure. The spa also has a 10-step hydration therapy ritual, which is one of the finest spa experiences Monte has ever had. 

After the spa treatments they lunched on property, after which the hotel allowed Monte to accompany Brooklyn to the kids-only Coral KidZ Club since she had been through a lot seeing her mom go to the hospital. It took about 10 minutes for Brooklyn to make friends, as which point Monte was able to leave her and relax at the pool. Coral KidZ Club offers tons of indoor and outdoor activities, and you’re guaranteed to find something your child enjoys. It caters to children ages of 3-12, with areas tailored to specific age groups. Depending on your family’s needs you can do full-day or short sessions of activities.