Irina11

We are planning a family vacation with 4 generations including 5 months baby. We are looking to either rent a 4 bedroom villa (which is preferable) or condos or resorts that have rooms with kitchenettes so we can have family breakfasts and lunches and go out for the dinners.
We love Turks and Caicos so were looking for something there. But there are not many villas on the Grace Bay or they are too expensive.
As an alternative, we have started looking at Grand Cayman or St. Martin. I only stopped at Grand Cayman and St. Martin when we were on a cruise.
Where on the seven miles beach it is better to stay? Does it matter if it is far from George town?
There are a lot of nice villas for rent in St. Martin around Orient Bay though they are mostly 3-5 min walk form the beach. Are there other good beaches on St. Martin except Orient beach?
We are trying to choose an island which is safe, has nice beach with calm water for swimming, good doctors in a case we need one for a baby and not more that 2.5-3.5 hours from New York city.
We love to swim and walk along the beach. We like when there are dining options in a walking distance though I know that on St. Martin we would probably need to rent a car.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Did anybody has experience renting villas? This will be our first time. We usually stay at hotels. It is so hard to find something decent and not too expensive.

Looking forward for any advises!

BellaClaire

I stayed at a 4 bedroom villa called Villa Suzanne in 2009. It was beautiful. Well equipped kitchen - granite countertops...all of the amenities one would want in a kitchen. Bedrooms beautiful (all kings)..4 1/2 bathrooms - travertine tile...very nice...washer/dryer....6 days of maid service. 2 minute down the path to the Westin Dawn Beach. Cons - need a car...there a few restaurants within 10 minutes...but you'll want a car to explore. The villa faces east (I prefer pretty sunsets)...

I also stayed in a condo on beautiful simpson beach a year later. The condo was perfect...going back next Feb....faces south....great long beach - can walk to Mary's Boon Boutique Hotel, can walk to Karacters beach bar....5 minute drive to many restaurants..10 minutes to the airport....

If you want, contact Maria at www.caribbeandays.com if you have any specific questions let me know. Maria is an expert on St. Maarten and will take great care of you.

BellaClaire

btw....caymen is way expensive...just sayin...

eastenderusvi

You tagged the US Virgin Islands which has a plethora of villa rentals and villa rental companies.

RileyD

http://www.vrbo.com/357635

We love renting a villa for family travel. This place was great when we went with a smaller group. Literally right on the beach.

virginia

on provo you might look for houses on longbay beach or sapodilla bay beach. you'd need a car for either location. sapodilla is great for little ones as it's shallow for a ways out.

blamona

What is the budget? I know TCI well and would be happy to make recommendations.

GeorgeR

Renting a condo on Sevem Mile Beach in Grand Cayman is easy. The central part of Seven Mile Beach has the nicest beach but is the most expensive. The north part of Seven Mile Beach is a good value because it has a nice beach but is uncrowded. The south part has the least amount of beachfront. You should probably rent two 2 bedroom condos. Each will have a full kitchen. Check VRBO.
Health care in Grand Cayman is excellent compared to the other islands in the Caribbean. It is aalso a safe place to walk around.

iswim101

Seven Mile Beach has the best beach but is the most expensive. You should probably rent two 2 bedroom condos. Each will have a full kitchen.

For children:


I HIGHLY RECOMMEND BABYSITTER HANNA!

http://caymanbabysitting.webs.com

I used Babysitter Hanna she was amazing! super friendly and loving and my kids didn't want her to leave we had her come take them to the beach and do all sorts of activities with the kids even when we wanted to go for a special night out Hanna came and had played games with the kids and put them all in bed.She also only charges $5 an hour! best money Ive spent to get some time alone with my hubby on vacation!

PhillyBob1

Hi..If your going to G Cayman...Google Cayman Kai or Cayman Kai Resorts. It is on the north shore away from 7mile beach. They have tons of villa/home rentals. You can always go into town to shop for anything you need but there are also restaurants on the north side. It's very quiet for the most part, the snorkeling around the reef is sometimes less than 50 yrds from shore.I haven't been there for about 15 yrs...but my general plan is fly in, get a rental car/jeep/van...go shopping for anything I couldn't pack like perishables,wine ect...and head right out of Georgetown and a nice 30-60 minute drive around to the north shore..I generally didn't go into Georgetown again until it was time to depart...Have a great time...I know I always did!

mnag

I would go with a condo on 7 mile beach. We stayed at the north shore on GC one year and the ride back to 7 mile beach and the main town was long (40-45 min) and we found ourselves doing that once or twice a day...beach, good restaurants etc...
Also Turks and Caicos is more contained/drivable so I feel that it would be a better choice if you wanted to rent a villa on the beach.

PhillyBob1

The reason I mention the North Shore as opposed to 7 mile beach is that the north is quieter and with children it might be a better option. Of course taking a day trip to 7 mile beach, the turtle farm, souviener shops is still possible if you want to jet ski, tube ride for the kids. If you like a quieter, uncrowded beach without all the hub bub, there is really no reason to drive to 7 mile beach/Georgetown every day..Just my opinion!

rayfal1

I am traveling to Cayman Islands this month and I am also looking for a babysitter. I would love to find someone that someone has used instead of choosing from a list of agency's . I see that iswim101 recomended Babysitter Hanna. How did you find her? Does she work for an agency ? Just want to do my due diligence .

Thank you