Best island for a villa rental
 

My family is looking to rental a villa on a Caribbean island in December of this year. We will be traveling with 6 adults (ages: 65, 64, 38, 36, 33, 33) and 3 children (ages: 6, 2, 1) - we are looking for a beachfront location with a pool for a low key vacation (looking to spend a lot of time in the pool and on the beach) - we are looking to rent a 4-bedroom house or condo that is privately owned or part of a resort.
The most important features for us are:
- beach
- pool
- great weather in December (warm/hot and not much rain)
- not too far of a flight (about 4-4.5 hour max from NE US)
- ability to go out (close to safe downtown area - for shopping and dinner)
- golf nearby (for 2-3 rounds during a 7 day stay)
- spa nearby (for a ladies day out)

We are considering: Turks & Caicos, Puerto Rico, St Maarten, Grand Cayman

We have been to every location before kids - I am looking for some advice to help narrow down my island list - if you can provide pros & cons for the islands on my list, I would greatly appreciate it - and if I am missing a great family/kid-friendly island, please let me know. Also if you can offer advice for the best spot to stay on the island, that would be much appreciated too.

Thank you,
Abecker28

In Dec I would pick grand cayman. Cayman has several condos (some with pools) on 7 mile beach which are conviniently located to town. 7 mile beach is great. There is a golf course at the Ritz and several spas.

Turks would be lovely as well (a bit more north so Florida like weather). Condos on Grace bay are fabulous. Dont think there is a golf course but not sure.

Lots of rentals on St. Martin - it's also accessible by non-stop flights from some US airports in under 5 hours. Downside for you is there's only one golf course and it is in rather poor condition.

Puerto Rico, on the other hand, has dozens of golf courses making it easy to find a "condo resort" with golf on the property that ticks off all your other boxes. You don't say where you are flying from but it's a relatively short flight 3.5 hours from US airports.

Thanks all - we are flying from Philly.

I believe that you described Grand Cayman perfectly. Many condos are on Seven Mile beach which is sandy with clear water. No beggars or hustlers on the beach. Almost all condos on the beach have pools and hot tubs. Weather is usually fantastic with daytime temperatures 80-85 degrees and little rain in December. Direct flight from PHL via USAirways/American is less than 4 hours. Many excellent restaurants nearby. Safe to walk or drive around. Golf available at north sound golf course. Spa at the Ritz-Carlton and Westin.

Pools...hot tubs...better check that out with where ever you want to stay. 7MB is awesome and the many condos are lovely..most are lowrise except the Ritz and who would want to stay there (IMO)??? I believe an even taller one is either being built or on the drawing bd. Personally I would opt for condo--Villas of the Galleon or Plantana...hotel..Westin. conveniently located and outstanding. Dec. Can be coolish depending on the winds but certainly not debilatating!!!

I would go to Provo. Villa Alamandra or Ponte Del Sogno in Silly Creek or Villa Mirabelle in Sopadilla Bay would all be great for your group. All these villas are just 5 minutes from the airport and in very nice neighborhoods. Favorite spa is at Regent Palms Resort on Grace Bay.

Make yourself aware of the level of crime against tourists in the turks and caicos - especially in Provo.
Read below

http://www.tciaffairs.com/crime-repo...onth-of-march/

I have been the victim of a crime there and DO NOT recommend staying in a villa there.

Okay, stop. They've been caught. It's not continuing.

Use precautions everywhere on every island, because it could happen anywhere.

Nothing more has been reported since they've been caught. Turks and Caicos is still one of the safest islands in the Caribbean.

You don't need to top up every post to prove your point, the criminals are in jail.

I'm sure these cost a fortune, but it's fun to dream.
Check out the residences at Sugar Beach, St Lucia:

http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.c...ions/residence

Don't shoot me. This is a Viceroy property on Anguilla with jaw-dropping villas:

http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.c...dations/villas

I also think Grand Cayman is a great island for renting a beachfront condo with all age groups. We found the island quiet. It has great food and was very safe, nice beaches and many condo complexes up and down the beach.

Blamona - as you know the criminals have not been caught. Please do not tell anyone to stop. I have reported you to Fodors for your comment to snapdragon above.