Caribbean islands with kids in December
May 23rd, 2016, 01:39 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Caribbean islands with kids in December
Hello,
We were looking to travel to Aruba the end of December, but would like to get advise on other islands. We have 7 - 8 nights, traveling from Boston. 2 families with kids age 5-12. We are looking for beach, hiking, good eating. Ideally, would like to rent a house/villa or apartments/condos. Is there anyone that has been to the islands on you own (not in all-inclusive) and which would you recommend based on your experience? Is one less expensive than the others?
Thanks for your help!
We were looking to travel to Aruba the end of December, but would like to get advise on other islands. We have 7 - 8 nights, traveling from Boston. 2 families with kids age 5-12. We are looking for beach, hiking, good eating. Ideally, would like to rent a house/villa or apartments/condos. Is there anyone that has been to the islands on you own (not in all-inclusive) and which would you recommend based on your experience? Is one less expensive than the others?
Thanks for your help!
May 23rd, 2016, 06:31 PM
#2
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,967
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do you have any other islands in mind?
The thing is, you can find rental condos and villas on just about every island. So too with beaches, hiking and good food.
We need a little more to go on to make meaningful suggestions.
You asked "Is one (island) less expensive than the others"? The answer is there are some islands that are more budget friendly than others but all will have rental properties in a variety of price ranges. It all depends on the size of the property, the level of amenities and location (i.e. beachfront, beach access or somewhere away from the beach). You can find anything from simple 1 or 2 bedroom cottages/condos in the islands interior to multi-million dollar beachfront mega-mansions.
You also mentioned you are planning your trip for the "end of December". If by that you mean sometime around Christmas you are going to find the highest rental rates of the entire year and many places will have minimum stay requirements (think 10 to 14 days).
It would help if you could give us some idea of your "accommodations budget" - please give a dollar range not some meaningless terms like "affordable", "won't break the bank", "not over the top" as those terms have different meanings to different people.
Also, are you looking for on villa/condo that can accommodate both families? If so, how many bedrooms do you actually need (you didn't say how many children will be in your party and whether they require separate rooms or will share rooms).
Do you need a destination you can reach non-stop from Boston or are you willing to take 1 or more connecting flights and/or ferry rides to reach your final destination? Do you have a budget for airfare?
The thing is, you can find rental condos and villas on just about every island. So too with beaches, hiking and good food.
We need a little more to go on to make meaningful suggestions.
You asked "Is one (island) less expensive than the others"? The answer is there are some islands that are more budget friendly than others but all will have rental properties in a variety of price ranges. It all depends on the size of the property, the level of amenities and location (i.e. beachfront, beach access or somewhere away from the beach). You can find anything from simple 1 or 2 bedroom cottages/condos in the islands interior to multi-million dollar beachfront mega-mansions.
You also mentioned you are planning your trip for the "end of December". If by that you mean sometime around Christmas you are going to find the highest rental rates of the entire year and many places will have minimum stay requirements (think 10 to 14 days).
It would help if you could give us some idea of your "accommodations budget" - please give a dollar range not some meaningless terms like "affordable", "won't break the bank", "not over the top" as those terms have different meanings to different people.
Also, are you looking for on villa/condo that can accommodate both families? If so, how many bedrooms do you actually need (you didn't say how many children will be in your party and whether they require separate rooms or will share rooms).
Do you need a destination you can reach non-stop from Boston or are you willing to take 1 or more connecting flights and/or ferry rides to reach your final destination? Do you have a budget for airfare?
May 24th, 2016, 04:26 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for following up. Dates - 12/24 (or 25) - 1/1 or (2nd). Budget - $5000-$7000 for 2 families. Ideally 3-4 bedrooms villa that can accommodate both families. 1 connecting flight from Boston and/or ferry rides to reach our final destination would be OK. Thank you again!
May 24th, 2016, 08:04 AM
#6
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,967
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For 8 to 10 people that's a tough week for your budget and length of stay as you are planning to visit over Christmas/New Years. As I mentioned you are going to find the highest room rates of the year and many places may have minimum stay requirements that exceed your time frame. Couple that with the fact that many places are booked up a year or more in advance during Christmas Week and your options may be limited.
A stand alone 3 or 4 BR villa may be out of your price range during Christmas week, especially if you are looking for beachfront or beach access but that shouldn't stop you from looking. Who knows you might get lucky. You'll probably have better luck if you rent a 3 or 4 BR condo as they are usually less expensive than stand alone villas.
Now, don't wait to long to finalize your plans as the longer you wait the fewer options you will have. Generally speaking EVERYPLACE gets fully book at Christmas time.
Look at some of the "condo resorts" on Grace Bay on Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos. There are quite a few to choose from and they are perfect for families. Ocean Club and Ocean Club West are two that come to mind.
St. Thomas and St. Martin are both noted for having an abundance of rental condos (and villas) some of which could be in your price range. The islands are often easily reached from Boston.
Look also at St. Kitts - the island has lots of rental condos - concentrate on condos in the Frigate Bay area - you'll be within walking distance of almost a dozen restaurants, a few shops, a convenience store where you can purchase food for "home cooked meals" and you can easily go to both the Caribbean side and Atlantic side beaches.
The Dominican Republic is another island with plenty of rental condos so it might be worth some research.
HINTS: Do a google search using such topics as "Rental Villas on NAME OF ISLAND" or "Vacation Condos on NAME OF ISLAND" - you'll find hundreds of links with complete descriptions of the various properties, pricing for your time frame and reviews. Everything you need will be at your fingertips. Also, go to the Caribbean forums on TripAdvisor and select the islands that interest you. Once there click on the "Vacation Rentals" link at the top of each "island's home page. You'll find listings and hundreds of reviews for just about every rental property on that island. You can sort by price and location
A stand alone 3 or 4 BR villa may be out of your price range during Christmas week, especially if you are looking for beachfront or beach access but that shouldn't stop you from looking. Who knows you might get lucky. You'll probably have better luck if you rent a 3 or 4 BR condo as they are usually less expensive than stand alone villas.
Now, don't wait to long to finalize your plans as the longer you wait the fewer options you will have. Generally speaking EVERYPLACE gets fully book at Christmas time.
Look at some of the "condo resorts" on Grace Bay on Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos. There are quite a few to choose from and they are perfect for families. Ocean Club and Ocean Club West are two that come to mind.
St. Thomas and St. Martin are both noted for having an abundance of rental condos (and villas) some of which could be in your price range. The islands are often easily reached from Boston.
Look also at St. Kitts - the island has lots of rental condos - concentrate on condos in the Frigate Bay area - you'll be within walking distance of almost a dozen restaurants, a few shops, a convenience store where you can purchase food for "home cooked meals" and you can easily go to both the Caribbean side and Atlantic side beaches.
The Dominican Republic is another island with plenty of rental condos so it might be worth some research.
HINTS: Do a google search using such topics as "Rental Villas on NAME OF ISLAND" or "Vacation Condos on NAME OF ISLAND" - you'll find hundreds of links with complete descriptions of the various properties, pricing for your time frame and reviews. Everything you need will be at your fingertips. Also, go to the Caribbean forums on TripAdvisor and select the islands that interest you. Once there click on the "Vacation Rentals" link at the top of each "island's home page. You'll find listings and hundreds of reviews for just about every rental property on that island. You can sort by price and location
May 24th, 2016, 08:09 AM
#7
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 480
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think you can find plenty of private villas on St John for a week that are 3-4 bedroom, for your price range of 5-7K. Of course food and flights are not factored into that budget. There are many different rental agencies for St John, and tons of amazing choices. You will find plenty of gorgeous beaches, great hiking, great food...and a whole lot more. You will however need to rent a vehicle to get to all the amazing beaches.
May 25th, 2016, 05:44 AM
#8
For 8 people you need 4 bedrooms, for 10 people you need 5.
Almost everything I can think of is either rented out, or 7000 a night. (Actually more like 15,000 nightly)
I get it break for kids was rough this year.
Most places require 7 nights per holiday, so if you have Christmas and NY then you'll have to pay for both
I do know of availability if willing to travel between 21-28, 22-29. But none will include NYE. This is in T&C, but I'm helping look for friends in other places and they're not finding anything either.
With your budget, you might have to stick to DR or Mexico. Especially if you need the 5th bedroom.
Good luck!
8-)
Almost everything I can think of is either rented out, or 7000 a night. (Actually more like 15,000 nightly)
I get it break for kids was rough this year.
Most places require 7 nights per holiday, so if you have Christmas and NY then you'll have to pay for both
I do know of availability if willing to travel between 21-28, 22-29. But none will include NYE. This is in T&C, but I'm helping look for friends in other places and they're not finding anything either.
With your budget, you might have to stick to DR or Mexico. Especially if you need the 5th bedroom.
Good luck!
8-)
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
icdchess
Caribbean Islands
4
Sep 8th, 2010 04:47 AM
