Family friendly but low key resort?

Old Aug 27th, 2015, 07:11 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Family friendly but low key resort?

Hello,
We may be looking for the impossible but we want to travel in early March with a family of 5 -- two parents, kids 8 and 13, plus a senior citizen. We are looking for a place with lots of activities for the kids, ideally a kids club, great snorkeling (ok good snorkeling would be fine), Ideally I'd like a place that we would feel safe enough leaving the resort for, say, horseback riding. The Bucanneer at St. Croix was one option that looked pretty good. Club Med in Punta Cana looked a little busy for me and I was scared off by some bad reviews about the food and drink and hygiene, but I could be convinced otherwise. We are open to Bahamas and Bermuda, and not interested in Mexico. As for budget, we are looking for a notch or two or three below pampered luxury but above budget accomodations.
Trying to satisfy a lot of interests -- any ideas?
Many thanks.
kmr20 is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2015, 08:12 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,137
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
I just topped a thread by Tabernash2 who LOVED her stay at The Bucanneer last year.
suze is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2015, 10:40 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,718
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Can you give actual budget? Those discriptions mean different to everyone here and doesn't help--

Actual $ figure range helps us help you and please say if includes air, food, other stuff or room only

I assume it's spring break? When prices are higher? Not much left either, booking fast everywhere
blamona is offline  
Old Aug 27th, 2015, 11:49 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,076
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Weather in March in Bermuda is great for golf, not so much for ocean activities.
txgirlinbda is offline  
Old Aug 28th, 2015, 02:29 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Look at The Sands on Grace Bay-Turks & Caicos or The Somerset . 2 great spots -different price ranges...both near dining ( & on site) plus a bit of a walk to snorkel but great locations , nice condos, great staffs etc
Caribzack is offline  
Old Aug 29th, 2015, 09:25 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the suggestions -- I will check out Sands and Somerset.
As for budget, I was hoping to spend $7-8,000 for the family of four for a week at a resort including meals. Is that realistic?
kmr20 is offline  
Old Aug 30th, 2015, 11:08 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,786
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
kmr20, suze is right that we really enjoyed the Buccaneer. We had five adult family members: DH and I, our DD, our DS and his fiancee. We had three oceanfront deluxe rooms, which were wonderful and were an upgrade from the main house rooms I'd reserved.

A full breakfast buffet is included, served in a gorgeous open-air dining room. Service is great everywhere on the resort. Free snorkel gear and kayaks. Free beginner scuba lessons in the pool. Scuba outings are available, at a cost. Everyone in our group tried scuba, but me, and they loved it.

The dining room food is great for more special dinners, there's a beachside cafe that is open all day and hosts nighttime specials like a lobster cookout with live music, a small poolside cabana with good sandwiches and stuff, and a sundries shop that doesn't gouge you. It's not an A-I. We did not want to be paying for all-day liquor, etc.

RE: your budget, I think we spent at the resort a little more than $1000/day for the 5 of us, not including airfare, or one day of car rental, or a couple of meals we ate off-resort.

The Buccaneer will arrange a car for you, and Enterprise will deliver it to the resort. I think it was only about $50 for the day we rented a small SUV so we could go explore the island's other beaches, rainforest, and the 'beer-drinking' pigs.

It's a family owned and operated resort, and the owner gives a weekly tour of the place before she hosts a cocktail hour.

There are three beaches at the Buccaneer. The water is gentle and clear for snorkeling from the beaches.

We were there June 1, and it was not crowded at all at the resort. I can't say enough good things about it.
Tabernash2 is offline  
Old Sep 1st, 2015, 09:07 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I second the Sands recommendation above. However its not an AI. The AI resorts in Punta Cana will be an entirely different experience than a resort on Turks. I would also price out one of the higher AI in Punta Cana such as majestic elegance on Iberostar so you can compare pricing/contrast.
mnag is offline  
Old Oct 26th, 2015, 04:25 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I like beaches resort it has a mini waterpark, xbox lounge and a spa!
Chigg is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rms12
Caribbean Islands
11
Nov 11th, 2010 07:37 AM
luckylass
United States
7
Dec 11th, 2009 03:03 AM
gurchim
United States
6
Aug 3rd, 2005 07:14 PM
Mary
United States
8
Nov 13th, 2002 08:47 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -