would like to go to t&c in early May with husband and 1yr old son. want a nice place that's convenient to all with some activity, not secluded, need kitchen amenities, want a nice pool, restaurants and near beach. where should we stay?

Royal West Indies would be nice. We stayed in the beachfront building in a studio unit (booked thru vrbo.com). It has a beautiful pool, Mango restaurant which is very good, a kitchenette in your room and sail boat rentals. You can take the local transportation, Gecko, to IGA and other stops in town.

Google "blamona" in the meantime as she (and others) has contributed a lot of T&C information.

i took my mom to T&C in February 2006, stayed at The Grace Bay Club and recommended it to a friend with children upon my return. I knew she was looking for a place where she could book a room with a kitchen, and a place where the main restaurant was steps away from where her children would be sleeping (with a babysitter in the room) while she and her husband enjoyed a wonderful dinner -- along with all the other amenities you expect from a good hotel (steps from the beach, lovely pool, good service, etc). She took her family in May 2006 and loved it. She said it was perfect for a couple with small children.... Hope that helps...

Depending on your budget, most places will fit your need. I find some properties more kid friendly than others.

My favorites with kids: The Sands Resort, excellent restaurant, kitchens, dining, living area. Just recently refurbished, and they will have beach toys you can borrow. the Sands is centrally located, excellent to walk to other places to eat, and shop, with sidewalks.

More upscale with ecellent service, yet kid friendly, check out The Palms or The Soemeset. The Palms is more "active" and chic. The Somerset has a zero entry pool, and the resort is stunning!

To have a kitchen at Grace Bay Club, you have to have at least a 2 bedroom-pretty expensive for a couple with a 1 year old. GBC is gorgeous, the setting of their restaurants is out of this world, just gorgeous.

A quiet property, but with a home away from home feeling, you may want to check out Turks and Caicos Club. It's on a gorgeous SHALLOW stretch of beach, excellent for kids, nice and shallow, always crystal clear. It's not really walking distance to other places, but the restaurant is excellent.

Thanks for the responses back with some helpful feedback.

From my experience over the last 4 years, you may be more comfortable in another resort than RWI. The Sands or OC resorts are more family oriented.