Beth123

Hi - I was hoping you 'all could help us (please).

We are planning a family vacation to the Caribbean this May (early May). Our budget is 4k, not including airfare/transportation. Two boys ages 3 and 5 and almost 6 years. Our priorities are: A.) hotel/resort on beautiful beach (beautiful soft sand/clear water/gentle surf - i.e. child friendly).
B.) nice accommodations: would love two bed room suite/villa.
c.) variety of food service on site (doesn't have to be more than a few) - room service plus. Slightly more casual eating choice for kids.
d.) entertainment - i.e. live music at pool late afternoon, etc...
e.) small children's pool area - would love a 0-entry pool.

We have never done the All-Inclusive places - and have to say from the reviews that we might be disappointed with that type of place - although we could be wrong. We would like friendly/helpful service, very clean facilities, to spend all our 4k - but not to go too much over our budget.

My husband and I went to Tortola on our honeymoon - other than that we have not been to any Caribbean islands.

Thank you!
Beth

Laby

When I read your request, the first place that came to mind is the Malliouhana Hotel in Anguilla (http://www.malliouhana.com/). The hotel is truly first class and is located on a bluff overlooking one of Anguilla's best beaches. As you may know, Anguilla's beaches are among the very best in the Caribbean. The Malliouhana offers a family plan that gives you two connecting ocean view rooms. The hotel also has a supervised children's program that you may wish to look into. And yes, there is a small childrens pool, along with other regular pools. The price should come within your budget since it will be off-season. Please note that the rates for the Malliouhana family package do not include meals but you should be able to eat nicely on Anguilla without busting your budget if you're willing to venture away from the hotel occasionally to dine at some of Anguilla's many moderate-priced restaurants.

Camelspit

We are taking our 3 and 5 year olds on a Caribbean cruise in Feb. We looked at going to an AI resort, but we found that many of them didn't have kids clubs for children as young as three. They seemed to start at age 4 or 5. So we started looking at a cruise. I've heard great things about the kids programs and Royal Caribbean. And 3 and 5 year olds are in the same group. Also, for the price, it was a lot less than the AIs (of course, no alcohol included). We leave at the end of February. Good luck.

ONZGO

You may want to look at the new Barcelo Maya Colonial/Tropical resorts on the Mexican Mayan Riviera. I have been to the older resorts (Caribe/Beach) which are 5 - 6 years old and they were excellent, but from what I gather the two newer ones are even better and the one of the two newer pools has a water park/water slide area for children.

These resorts are on a long private cove of beach in the Mayan Riviera and the water is usually calm and there is on site snorkeling and the sand is cool to the feet and white and the water clear and aqua. They don't have villas, but they have suites and they have a kids club. They always serve hot dogs/hamburgers and pizza and have a pasta bar at lunch and dinner along with more adult food such as lobster, other fish and shrimps, roast beef, roast turky, pork and childen. There is live music in the theatre and there is a disco after that and piano bars in the lobby.

Don't worry about the water as the resorts have a water purification system on site and they provide free bottled drinking water and we have never gotten sick nor any one in our family reunion group.

Not sure if the children's pool area has a 0-entry, but if you go to this website below I am sure others who have been recently to the newer resorts could answer that question and others if you want. This is the ultimate website for this resort and on that site you will see lots people's pictures, recent trip reports and get answers to your questions regarding all these resorts.

http://www.unofficial-barcelo-maya.com/home.html

We have had 3 family reunions at this resort and everyone and all ages enjoyed it.

Hope I have been of some help. Have a great family vacation. 8-)

Beth123

Thanks Laby. Definitely will consider that hotel.
Camelspit - not considering cruise, but thank you for the suggestion.
ONZGO - Thanks. But we are not considering the Mexican Mayan Riviera this trip.

I really need help with the resort/large hotel on the nicest beach. I think that is our #1 priority. Second is the kids pool and nice accommodations.

Still need help.
Beth

mnag

I agree with the Malli suggestion and would also recommend you look at the Sands on T&C. The hotel however is not as luxurious as Malli. The beach is great and Hemmingway is a great outdoor restaurant. They also have a kiddie pool for the 3yrd old. Several other restaurants a quick car ride away.

Beth123

And the winner is Malliouhana Hotel in Anguilla!!

We are very excited. But I do have a few more questions for those familiar with the Malliouhana.

- we read on some other review/posts something about kids eating in the dinning room from 6-7 (which we are totally fine with), but that their was no adult menu available during that time so you couldn't eat with your children? Is that true? We may get a babysitter for an evening or two- but most times we would want to eat as a family and prefer to stay onsite much of the time.
-is their room service available?
Any other advice or suggestions reguarding the Malliouhana Hotel in Anguilla with a 3 year old and an almost 6 year old in May would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Beth