Family Friendly Caribbean Resort

[seminoledq]

We are looking at spending a week somewhere in the Caribbean this year and would like to take the kids with us. They are 12 and 8 and have been to Key West a couple times so they have seen it all. We are looking at places like Atlantis and the Beaches resorts. Are there any similar that we are missing? I am leaning towards resorts like that as they are seemingly a little safer and easier (with kids) than staying in lesser known, perhaps more quaint, places. I appreciate any ideas you may have.

DQ

[jeepndd]

Not really what you are asking for but a cruise is a great option, lots of kids and lots to do. I find resorts have a lot less for the kids to do though I find they are more relaxing for me. Royal Caribbean has the best kids programs I've seen, head and shoulders above Carnival, and they have adult only areas that you can get away from the kids and most of the noise to relax.

[buffettbride]

We've taken the kids to Playa del Carmen, Mexico and stayed at the Iberostar Lindo resort. It was great for families.

We went as a couple to the Barcelo Maya in Playa as well and if we went back tomorrow we'd definitely take the kids. They've expanded and have two new resorts on that same property and would stay at one of the new ones. The food was excellent and entertainment a lot of fun. We didn't pay a lot of attention to the family activities at the time but there was definitely a lot going on. A good mix of all ages at this resort and not too many "partiers" like you'd find in Cancun.

[buffettbride]

Oh yeah, I forgot to pimp my favorite travel agent for going to Mexico: http://www.lonepalmtravel.com. Anna Lynne is the bestest!

[lime rickie]

Atlantis is awesome but expensive. If you stay at the Comfort Suites across the street from Atlantis you have privileges for all the Atlantis facilities and it's much more affordable.

Palladium Grand on the Riviera Maya is very nice for famliies.

[catsway]

Three words: Secret Harbour Resort, located on the East End off of Nazareth Bay in St. Thomas, USVI. No passport required. Romantic but suitable for kids. Great on site restaurant and the famous Blue Moon Bar. Excellent beach snorkeling. One, two and three bedroom rentals. We've stayed three times. Check it out: http://www.secretharbourvi.com/

[Missing B'dos]

We stayed at a Club Med (one of the ones that allows kids) in May due to Jimmy's tennis tournament, but it sure seemed like the kids were having a great time, and everything was included in one price, and it was on the most gorgeous beach. You might look into Club Med.

[looseends]

Ck out Boscobel Beach Resort in Jamaica. Now operated by Beaches. www.beaches.com
Stayed there 2 occasions. Very nice, great service,fun for family and also great for adults and teens. All-inclusive with more then enough to do.

[Mon]

We've taken our kiddos to Beaches in Turks and Caicos. It was great! They just finished a brand new addition to the resort.

We are heading to Punta Cana in two weeks - with kids as well. I'll report back when we return.

[Catch&Release]

www.stellamarisresort.com

Quiet, lots of amazing beaches nearby and a great, great set of private owners who go out of their way to make sure their guests are happy.

Here is my Trip Advisor review for our recent stay.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserRevi ... hamas.html

If you want to feel like you're on a cruise ship, the Beaches resorts are great. If you want to relax and spend quality time with your family, a sleepy little island with amazing beaches can't be beat.

[gottagofishin]

We've taken the kids to Playa del Carmen, Mexico and stayed at the Iberostar Lindo resort. It was great for families.

We went as a couple to the Barcelo Maya in Playa as well and if we went back tomorrow we'd definitely take the kids. They've expanded and have two new resorts on that same property and would stay at one of the new ones. The food was excellent and entertainment a lot of fun. We didn't pay a lot of attention to the family activities at the time but there was definitely a lot going on. A good mix of all ages at this resort and not too many "partiers" like you'd find in Cancun.

I agree. We stayed at the Barcelo in Playa last Easter and it was great!!! We have 8 and 15 year old boys and they both loved it.

http://www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com/site/

[Afternoon Golfer]

Caneel Bay on St John. Great resort and they have a program for kids. http://www.caneelbay.com/families.cfm

[buffettbride]

We've taken the kids to Playa del Carmen, Mexico and stayed at the Iberostar Lindo resort. It was great for families.

We went as a couple to the Barcelo Maya in Playa as well and if we went back tomorrow we'd definitely take the kids. They've expanded and have two new resorts on that same property and would stay at one of the new ones. The food was excellent and entertainment a lot of fun. We didn't pay a lot of attention to the family activities at the time but there was definitely a lot going on. A good mix of all ages at this resort and not too many "partiers" like you'd find in Cancun.

I agree. We stayed at the Barcelo in Playa last Easter and it was great!!! We have 8 and 15 year old boys and they both loved it.

http://www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com/site/

Sadly, I don't know if we'll ever get back there with the kids. My daughter's dietary restrictions don't really lend-well to an all-inclusive food experience. Makes me teary just to think about it. I had SO much fun at the Barcelo resort and always wanted to go back with the kids.

*sigh*

[seminoledq]

Thanks for all the ideas. We are also looking at possibly doing a Cancun/Cozumel trip or one that would include 4 night on St. Thomas (Marriot Fisherman's....) and 3 on Tortola (Long Bay Beach resort). Atlantis would be great but going somewhere else (especially Mexico) would allow us more money to play with once we are there.

DQ

[Frank4]

When I was younger, my folks took my sister and I to Montego Bay, Jamica and we stayed at the Holiday Inn. It was extremely kid friendly and we really enjoyed ourselves.

[blackjack]

For a moderate family resort on a GREAT beach, check out Starfish Trelawny in Jamaica. It is all-inclusive, but I have read trip reports from some folks who talked about the excellent service by the food staff to meet their dietary needs.

The kids aren't old enough for Breezes Runaway Bay yet, but the same company (Superclubs) owns both. At BRB I expressed concern since I have a seafood allergy. At the stirfry restaurant they were very cautious to keep my food away from the shrimp, scoured the stir fry pan before cooking mine and I was fine.

[buffettbride]

For a moderate family resort on a GREAT beach, check out Starfish Trelawny in Jamaica. It is all-inclusive, but I have read trip reports from some folks who talked about the excellent service by the food staff to meet their dietary needs.

I will DEFINITELY look into that.


I'd love to go to Jamaica!

[blackjack]

For a moderate family resort on a GREAT beach, check out Starfish Trelawny in Jamaica. It is all-inclusive, but I have read trip reports from some folks who talked about the excellent service by the food staff to meet their dietary needs.

I will DEFINITELY look into that.


I'd love to go to Jamaica!

We use a travel agent out of Montreal who specializes in Superclubs and Jamaica in particular. He usually books the hotel for us and we book the air when it goes on sale and we end up saving a few hundred off the internet rates we find.

If you like, I can give you his e-mail.

[buffettbride]

For a moderate family resort on a GREAT beach, check out Starfish Trelawny in Jamaica. It is all-inclusive, but I have read trip reports from some folks who talked about the excellent service by the food staff to meet their dietary needs.

I will DEFINITELY look into that.


I'd love to go to Jamaica!

We use a travel agent out of Montreal who specializes in Superclubs and Jamaica in particular. He usually books the hotel for us and we book the air when it goes on sale and we end up saving a few hundred off the internet rates we find.

If you like, I can give you his e-mail.

I'll get back to you on that. It'd be a few years down the road before we hit Jamaica, much less doing it with the kids. After Aruba this year, we're really going to try to do NYC the following year.

[blackjack]

For a moderate family resort on a GREAT beach, check out Starfish Trelawny in Jamaica. It is all-inclusive, but I have read trip reports from some folks who talked about the excellent service by the food staff to meet their dietary needs.

I will DEFINITELY look into that.


I'd love to go to Jamaica!

We use a travel agent out of Montreal who specializes in Superclubs and Jamaica in particular. He usually books the hotel for us and we book the air when it goes on sale and we end up saving a few hundred off the internet rates we find.

If you like, I can give you his e-mail.

I'll get back to you on that. It'd be a few years down the road before we hit Jamaica, much less doing it with the kids. After Aruba this year, we're really going to try to do NYC the following year.

I'll be here.