Family Vacation in Caribbean (1 Viewer)

[Polish Hammer]

I realized the other night that I have a bunch of vacation days I still need to use this year. Wife and I started looking at taking a trip in early December and we are thinking someplace warm with a relatively short flight (we are Philly based), so that brought us to the Caribbean. We have two boys, ages 6 and 8, that will be along for the trip. Since we are Costco members and we've heard so many good things about their travel service, we started taking a look there. Seems like there is some pretty good value in the Dominican Republic, and we have never been there. Does anyone have any input on these locations or any others?

For the sake of ease we are probably looking at an all inclusive (we will do trips with the kids next year that aren't that way). One thing that is pretty much a "must have" is a suite setup with at least one bedroom if not two. Our kids fall asleep pretty early, even on vacation, so we don't want to have to go lights out when they do. (And if the all inclusive drinks have been properly flowing I'm hoping for some colored dots on the trip.) The Hard Rock one listed there seems cool and the kids will probably like the theme. The Barcelo Bavaro has a cool setup for the rooms at a much more attractive price, but I'm not sure just how fun/kid friendly it is.

Any and all feedback is fine, even on other locations. The stay can be anything from 4-7 nights and I'd like to max out at $5000 for the stay, with better value being more welcome of course.

**Edited to include links for individual locations.

 

[Polish Hammer]

Bump for the morning crowd.

 

[El Floppo]

please just post "these locations"

 

[Polish Hammer]

Sorry, didn't realize the link didn't work. Here is the link for the Costco Dom Rep packages. Also open to other Caribbean locations as well.

 

[El Floppo]

I'm not a link-pusher- sorry- and have only been to DR once (wasn't a fan of our AI experience)

I know Reaper is a big fan of Beaches in Turks and Caicos- especially for families with young kids. Nice island, easy direct flight, beautiful beach right out front and (according to Reaper) lots of kid-related stuff where they're kept busy while you can enjoy yourselves.

We go to smaller, non-packagey, non-AI places (Anguilla, St Barths, Barbados), so I don't know if I can be of help unless that interests you?

 

[Polish Hammer]

El Floppo - thanks for the input. If it is just the wife and I, we are typically pretty cool with smaller places, even just renting local houses. But with the kids along I want to make sure they are entertained. Nothing can derail a good relaxing time faster than two kids being a pain in the ### because they claim they are bored when really they are so ####### lucky to be on a vacation like this anyway. [/endrant/]

 

[El Floppo]

El Floppo - thanks for the input. If it is just the wife and I, we are typically pretty cool with smaller places, even just renting local houses. But with the kids along I want to make sure they are entertained. Nothing can derail a good relaxing time faster than two kids being a pain in the ### because they claim they are bored when really they are so ####### lucky to be on a vacation like this anyway. [/endrant/]

you are spot on we have a 3 and 7yo... "daddy- I want to get off the unbelievably beautiful beach and watch a show" :strangle:

do a search on Turks and Caicos in here. Reaper might show up in this thread, but he's talked at length about the Beaches there before... sounds like it could work for you (price aside).

we're going to Anguilla for annual Thanksgiving/anniversary trip... kids will behave fantastically, I'm sure.

 

[Polish Hammer]

Just took a look at that Beaches location. Definitely out of the budget.

 

[El Floppo]

Too bad about that.

Lots of people here have talked up DR (and other spots in T&C)... do a search for that or Caribbean- I'm pretty sure DR and Mayan Riviera in Mexico (Cancun to Tulum) have big spots with kids clubs that are decently priced.

We have Anguilla pretty much nailed down for budget (same model holds true anywhere, really)- buy air ticket in advance (wife is always watching and knows when the fares dip down to a bottoming out area), get a room/apt with a kitchen, buy most of our food at the grocery store and eat out rarely. Food is a killer in the caribbean.

AIs are more up front, but you're taking food out of the equation which is good... if you like the food (we didn't- only one experience with it). But also more likely to have the kids' clubs and related activities.

 

[Polish Hammer]

Our plan is to hit Aruba up in the summer where we'll have a kitchen and do more of that sort of thing. We'll see how it goes, should be accepted by the kids as it will likely be at a Marriott Vacation Club.

 

[bushdocda]

Thoughts on hitting Montego Bay for a fam trip at a villa? Not up for flying much further with a 3 & 4 yr olds so not considering T&C or Aruba for this one.

Been to Negril plenty of times in my younger days so I've enjoyed plenty of what the country has to offer, never stayed in Montego Bay and will be happy to not take the death defying cab ride to Negril again.

Thanks yall