emmacarn

My wife and I just came back from St Kitts. Previously, we went to Aruba twice. We like to be in a larger resort with a lot of distractions for the kids (making our lives easier). When we went to St. Kitts, we found ourselves hanging out at the huge pool most of the time and other times, going to the beach. We liked having a drink at the pool bar (even my daughter liked her virgin daquiries) as well as going to the beach to hunt for the perfect shell. We thought of the Caymans but it seems solely geared to beach and the hotel pools appear to be the size of my friend's pool (minor exag.) So the criteria is a place with a big pool, beach, large place like a Marriott in Aruba but somewhere new. Almost got mugged in downtown St. Lucia so the thought of going to Cancun with all the warnings makes me leery. If I'm wrong about Cancun or if Aruba is the best out there for me, let me know.

blamona

Italian Village of Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos, the best family AI you'll find. Water park, kids activities, and one of the best beaches in the world.

4 huge pools, kid's club and activities, great intro to off-the-beach snorkeling. 16 restaurants, water slides, I could go on.

virginia

pools at resorts on seven mile beach on grand cayman are not huge because the beach is so perfect.
you can find some options on the coast south of cancun - closer to playa del carmen. for example mayan palace or the occidental/xcaret. take a look at locogringo.com if this area interests you.

Jimmie

Westin St. John has a big pool with drinks. Beach on property is not that hot, but other spectacular beaches are a short taxi ride away.

sharona

The Radisson on St. Martin (French side) has a huge pool on a nice but smallish beach. Of course you're only 10 minutes from Orient Beach with lots of beach bars and activities as well. You'll undoubtedly see a few topless women both at the pool and certainly on Orient Beach if that matters to you.

MYSTREYLADY

Beaches Turks and Caicos has everything you are looking for. We loved it so much the first time we went back the next year.

emmacarn

Thank you. Question about Beaches T/C. When I quoted the all inclusive without travel before deciding to go to St. Kitts, I was quoted for 6 nights at 7,000 and up which included a "30% discount". Isn't that quite pricy, since I can otherwise stay at a resort for $700/night and still have 3K for meals. Add airfare, you're talking over 10K for the family.

emmacarn

Also, Radisson does look nice, but is closed for the rest of the year due to renovations. Looked nice though.

Caribzack

Beaches Turks & Caicos is very pricey. Look at the Regent Palms-can walk to many restaurants, world class spa, nice large pool--not huge like St. Kitts Marriott but, nice size also look at The Somerset ( next door to Regent Palms) We have stayed at both on Turks & Caicos and love both !!

qwovadis

atlantis.com

comes to mind lots to do for kids even dolphins big safe

Spirit.com good flights down

first class for the price of coach on the majors.

Paradisus and Riu properties AIs great kids programs

Not as great as atlantis though bookit.com

sassy_cat

Cancun is safe and has plenty of AI and non-AI hotels with large pools. It will also be cheaper than most of your other options.
We went during spring break in April and it was quiet everywhere so I think people are going elsewhere.

Large pools that I like include the Hilton and the JW Marriott. The beaches are gorgeous but the surf can be a little rough on the ocean side.

The Riviera Maya also has lots of good options

girlonthego

The Atlantis does fit your bill for large scale resort with great pools.
We just went to the ARuba Marriott for the second time. It is a great place for beach/pools with lots of action for the kids.
Puerto Rico has some resorts with decent pools. The Caribe Hilton is a large resort with several pools. Not a great beach like Aruba though. Also not the watersports available right there like Aruba.

emmacarn

After Sassy Cat's post, I went on fodors re Cancun. Some of the places, like the JW Marriott in Cancun seem perfect. You have the huge pool, restaurants everywhere including a Champions and Japanese tepanyaki (sp?)tables for the kids. The downside is you lose the Caribbean feel. Thanks all for the suggestions. Girlonthego-I went to the Ocean Club 2x and just wanted to try somewhere else, thanks. Atlantis and Beaches are tough on NY Spring break. Most spring breaks are over by April but the heavily NY clientele of Atlantis and Beaches make prices skyrocket. Beaches quotes me over 11K with airfare (stopping 2x) for the family. I'll may spend that in Hawaii for my second honeymoon...not on the kids who will ask me whether they can have a hot dog and fries.

sassy_cat

emmacarn,
you're right that Cancun lacks a traditional Caribbean feel but you can travel a little further along the Riviera Maya and find a different vibe in places like Playa del Carmen, Akumal or Tulum.